Los Angeles herald., 1908-11-29
CONTRIBUTIONS Received

Contributions toward the new build
ing are now being received by the fol-
lowing members of the finance COM
mittee of the Orphans home: Mrs. j. S.
Chapman, chairman; Mines. Allan
Balch, ]. w. Dawson, e. A. Bryant and
j. K. Wilson; Messrs. w. E. Dunn, A.
N. Davidson, H. Jevne, c. B. Woodhead
and Kaspare Cohn. The organization
funds are low and aid from the general
public is nessary to assure the build
ing of a home on the new site suf-
ficiently large and well equipped to
meet the needs of the institutions work.
Since its founding in 1880 by a few
public spirited women, headed by Mrs.
D. C. stephens, the Orphans home has
grown with the general advance of Los
Angeles until a broader scheme of
buildings and grounds is a necessity In
its progress. Plans contemplated for
the new home provide for an admins
trative building and groups of cottages,
with an Industrial building and extern
sive athletic grounds. In addition the
new site will be utilized to the best adj
vantage in giving the children every
benefit of California outdoor life, in
Guiding instruction in the rudiments
of farming and gardening.
The first building occupied by the
home was a small place on Fort street,
now Broadway, below Fifth street, do
mated by Charles ]. Ellis in July, 1880,
to which were brought volunteer con-
tributions of beds, bedding, crockery,
tinware and other things. Six months
later the institution was moved to
Figueroa street, near Ninth, where a
two-story building was leased for
year, when the old Binford property, a
part of the present site, was purchased
for $210O, raised in one week by dona-
lions and concerts.
Large Sum Raised
In 1884 and 1885 $4,000, found neces-
sary to equip the home, was raised,
and, in spite of the real estate slumu
of that time, every cent was paid in
full. The fund was initiated by pledges
for $11 900 received in one evening at a
meeting at the residence of Mrs. d. G.
Stephens.
A woman who is intimately con-
nected with the progress of the Or
phans' home said yesterday regarding
it's work
Were it not for the watchfulness and
care of the officers of this home, when
placing children, when from first in
Vestigating conditions seemed favor
able, many a child's future would be at
stake. as it is a common occurrence
for child to be brought back to the
home by the committee in charge after
HnulHS In6 place amy lllhS puI UOSAA
able.
I'VE admit that We have been for
tunate enough to place few children
in very desirable homes, but from our
experience few people welcome a child
as a member of their family.
ION the other hand, we can point
with pride to numerous local residents,
now honored men and women, who re-
ceived their early training In this home,
while their mothers were struggling for
the necessities Of life, and when meet
ing with sufficient success were more
than grateful to the home for the as
sistance rendered them, knowing that
while they were struggling their chill
dren were receiving the best OF care
and attention In their temporary home.
1.-THE Los Angeles Orphans home life
today is as ideal as 1t possibly can be,
and would be marvel and revelation
to those of the public who have not
taken the time to call at the home,
which is always open, and observe and
study the happy playful countenances
of the children in their care, due to the
motherly spirit and executive ability of
Mrs. Mary Mathews, the superinten-
dent. and her able assistants
1.-THE contemplated plans for the new
home provide for an administrative
building and cottages, to be built in
groups; to give the children the bene-
At Of outdoor life and near homelike
as possible, in addition to plenty of
grounds to teach them the rudiments
OF farming and gardening; also an IN