The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1907-03-31
'Homecroft, " Beginning Of Dublin's
Fight to Regain Her Lost Prestige
Nelson's Gift Of
OF a Home to Miss Flora
Brown a Unique Piece Of
Philanthropy, and May Be
Followed by the Gift Of An
Industrial School.

Through the generosity of N o. Mel
son, millionaire manufacturer. Dub
lin, Wayne county. once a proud ans
thriving city of Eastern Indiana. may
regain its lost prestige Mr. Nelson
has the money and likewise the incli-
nation. therefore the little city to the
west of Richmond sees great things
ahead for it. Mr. Nelson has already
established "Homecroft." a unique in
.stitution which is doing much good
He has other things in mind for Dub
lin. all of which will materially benefit
the town. His interest in the place has
aroused the citizens TO greater activity
and in truth 1t may be said that qui Il
Dublin shows marked signs of an
awakening.
Millionaire Nelson came to Dublin to
visit the Rev. j. w Caldwell. the Un.-
yersalist minister at that place. The
visit was made III April. 1906. 1T
which time Mr.. Caldwell was very sick.
Mr. Nelson had formed the acauain-
lance of Mr. Caldwell in St Louis some
fifteen years ago. AT that time Mr..
Caldwell was doing slum work in Mis-
was actively engaged in philanthropic
work of different kinds principally op-
Grating cooperative and profit sharing
factories The two men were attract
ed 10 each other and close friendship
resulted. This friendship caused the
millionaire to drop his business cares
and come to Dublin to visit his preach
er friend. When he arrived in Dublin
he was much impressed with the place
He told one of the villagers it remind
ed him of towns in old England. The
i'll his very dramatic man
ner went on to set forth the many adj
vantages the town afforded while the
yillager took the other side and told of
the many things the town needed. Mr..
Nelson drew the villager on till he
found that the place had lost factories,
a hotel. many residents and much pres
tige. Mr.. Nelson felt moved to lend
4 helping hand. and he consulted his
friend, the minister. about it.
Meeting Miss Brown.
They agreed that something must be
done, and while not out fishing or
in some of the gardens about
the village, Mr.. Nelson discussed plans
for a bigger and happier Dublin with
Mr.: Caldwell, and the friends he had
made in the place. One of those he
net at Dublin was Miss Flora Brown.
who at that time was postmistress. and
who now owns and conducts Home |
:roft.'
Miss Brown knew Dublin and she |
knew its people. She knew their |
short comings, their sorrows and what |
night be done to make them happy. |
She had long hoped that some day she |
night be able to put in operation a |
olan for lettering conditions in her
home place. When she met million
lire Nelson she was given the opportu-
lity. Her plan was not an elaborate
me, it was not idealistic or impracti-
al Its simplicity SO appealed to Mr..
Nelson that he told her to go ahead
With what she wanted to do and he
would finance the project.
What Miss Brown Planned.
What Miss Brown had long planned
0 do was to have home where she
ould entertain the old people of the
illage. care for the sick and needy.
ave dinners for those who cannot af-
ord the best of table Injuries pro
ide amusement and work for idle
ands about the village. and in fact.
o the little things that go so far to
lake all lives happy. She is now do
ng this and Mr. Nelson is furnishing
he money.
''Homecroft. the place where she IS
arrying out her ideas, is her own
roperty. 1t was purchased by Mr..
,elson and decided to her. No one has
ny more right TO tread a foot on
grounds than they have
n the most private grounds in Dublin.
ct everyone goes TO "Homecroft.' and
hey are never fol- Di6den the right 20
II it affords AT any moment she
hose, Miss Brown could unceremoni-
usly close her grounds and home to
lie public and still retain full posses
on OF the property. There is little
likelihood of such a move. however.
nd it is on account of his implicit Z
nth in Miss Brown that Mr.. Nelson |
as agreed TO provide her money uIi- {
FL such conditions. There have been
w philanthropic projects carried out Is
4 such lines, and it is safe to say that {
lere are few women with such simple. c
IT high ideals as Miss Brown. in !
er face is written all that is good and
ire. She is adored by all who know /