The Newark journal., 1908-07-31
MASONIC ORPHANS HOME
Work is Being Pushed and Building
 Will be Completed by Ist of Dec

Work on the Masonic Orphans Home at Batesyille is being pushed rapidly and the contractors have given assurance that the building will be completed and ready for occupancy by the first of December.
 The Home is being erected at cost of $50, GOO and will be model structure in every respect. The plans and speci- fcations for the Home were prepared by Architect Chas. l.. Thompson of Little Rock, and the Gazette of last Sunday published the following sketch of the buildings, which are being con- structed of brick and stone:
 The central or main building, facing the west and overlooking the ridge on which the site is located, is Hanked on the righ by the boys domitOry, con- nected with the central building by a lying corridor On the left of the main structure is the girls dormitoy, connected with the central structure in like manner.
 The central building, termed the ad- ministration building k entered by a commodious reception hall, to the right of which are two large class rooms, connected with the hall by fold ing doors. On the left Of the entrance Is the parlor, back of which is found dining room and kitchen, the latter located in the rear of the administra- ton building. On the second floor of the central structure are four we'll equipped bed chambers, an assembly hall and bath rooms.
 The first floor of the domitories have % bed rooms, located 10 on each side of wide hall. In each dornitory one Of these bed rooms will be fitted Up as a reading room. On the second floor of the dormitores will be found an equal number of bed rooms, with bath and toilet connected.
 The entire structure is to be equipped with light and water system, will be ventilated along modern lines and the Gazette says that, when completed. l the finished structure will be one of which the citizens not only of Bates vile but the entire state can feel proud 1
 For number of years the members of the Masonic order in Arkansas were aware of the necessity of an institu tion wherein motherless and fatherless children might be given q home and the training that would fit them men, tally, morally and physically to be- come good citizens of the state, and at meeting of the Grand Lodge in Little Rock in 1906 the first steps were taken to build home. A Board of Trus- tees, composed of C. E. Rosenbaum, John T. Hicks and Mrs. Julia Gills of Little Rock, Capt. C. B. Bridewell of Hope, Judge $. T. Rowe of Green wood, Mrs. Alice Brouse of Sheridan and John .. Wolf of Batesville was appointed.
 the home then arose and the Board of Trustees decided the receive bids from the various towns over the state, and to locate the home in the town making the best proposition. The bid submit ted by Batesville was deemed the most advantageous, and at Batesville the home is being erected
 Batesville is one of the pioneer towns of the state, situated on the north bank of the White river. at the foot hills of the Ozark mountains. The building for the home is located one and one-half miles northwest of the city on ridge of land heavily tim bered with oak, walnut and hickory. To the north this ridge overlooks countless acres of valuable farming land, While just in front of the grounds flows Miller creek, named for a form CT governor of Arkansas, through whose land it runs. From the bridge can be seen the home of ex-Governor Baxter