The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1908-08-29
FRESH AIR soYs, CAMP
How Fifty Tenement Youngsters Wis
tied Manchester

TOW TTty lvncWoHt ounaeterB VIE
tied Manchester
This is the story of how fifty tene-
ment house boys happen 20 be up I'm
Manchester, VI, and a little OF what
they are doing there, says the New
York Tribune, When the fresh air
season was In full swing II was real
lied that conditions demanded that
more children than ever should be
sent away from the broiling city. In
the regions where ozone is uncontam-
mated the fund had found many
friends In other years, and these had
come forward with their usual offer
lngs, sometimes taking more than at
other times. The homes OF the fund
would be crowded OF course. Look
ing the situation over, a representa-.
tive of the Tribune fresh air fund
called upon the Rev. Vincent Raw Of
the Congregational church at Man
chester Mr.. Raw heard Of the needs
Of the poor In this city with rapt at
tention. Then, impulsively, he said
that the people Of Manchester would
take care Of fifty boys for two weeks
Then he tackled the problem OF pro-
yiding for their entertainment within
that time.
Mr. Raw, did not lack help. The
Rev Mr.. McCready OF the Baptist
church and Father Kelley, a Catholic
priest, joined in at once. Nearly
Everybody told Mr. Raw that house
large enough could not be obtained,
but he got one that answered all pur-
!poses. 1t was an empty farmhouse of
seventeen rooms standing In a large
field, an ideal place. G. p. Walker OF
Manchester Depot, gave this place
freely. The house had to be furnish
ed. The task seemed to grow oner.
GUS but the money began to come in
larger and larger amounts. IL was
possible to buy springs and mattresses
ipillows, and other bedding, also chairs
and then those who were interested
in the work gave towels. additional
bedding, and other accessories. Sc
far as housing was concerned, every
thing was ready for the visitors
Then came the problem OF the com
missariat. II would be impossible to
get the necessary help to run the bic
place, many laid, but In a few days
three helpers were engaged and two
caretakers We're sent OH from New
York by the fund. More money came
in and also pledges for provisions anC
everything was in readiness on time
The boys arrived. The town turned
out to greet them and escorted then
to the farm. II was all an experiment
for the Manchester folk. but they haC
prepared wisely. The fifty loaves o.
bread and fifty quarts Of milk that haC
been provided for daily use were no
too many They disappeared lik,
magic. The children were especially
fond of milk, as was evidenced wher
they were asked what they preferred
as food. They were equally divided
between ice cream and milk.
The piazza Of the house was decor
ated with American flags. This wa
a fayorite place of rest for the boys
Three rooms on the first floor wer,
used for dining. and the long tables
were covered with white oil cloth
The kitchen was beyond. The bed
rooms were all upstairs, lighted Will
many windows. AS the boys entered
these rooms for the first time Their
were shouts of Look at the beds
See the windows! I've got three win
dows In my room" In the rear of tn,
house a long bench was placed AM
there the boys washed themselves
They were divided in squads of ten a
washing time
On the first Sunday morning thos
among the boys who were Catholic
went to mass at $50 o'clock of thei
own accord. AT IL O'Clock, again o
their own free will, they all assem-
bled in the Congregational church an
took part In the services there. Lat
in the afternoon the young people o
the Baptist church went to the Fres
Air home and held an open air son
service for the boys The boys a
gladly attended. They had had sucn
good time in other ways that the
we're eager to spend Sunday in tn
way the Manchester church folk spen
the day. These had given the boy
nearly all the pleasures they had Ell
joyed. Two swing chairs were place
on the grounds. Baseballs and bat
? were provided also footballs. AS 70
pop com, ice cream, and excursions
into the surrounding country, the
were given almost daily.
Near the place is the Battenkill r
! yer which is shallow. There the boy
e went in swimming frequently. In tn
woods are berries. or rather were be
ries, for the boys made the suppl
nearly run out. The whole expense {
{ this outing exclusive of the amour
A Ipaid by the Tribune Fresh Air fun
: for transportation, will be about 1872
OF course this is much larger than
= will be next year, when the spring
3 and mattresses will be used again an
other expenses will be eliminate,
And so pleased are the people of MAJ
chester with the boys, with their ev
d dent improvement in every way, thi
+ they will want them or others agai
g next year.