Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-05-06
REPORT SHOWS
GOOD PROGRESS
SUPERINTENDENT D. E. BUTLER
OF INDUSTRIAL MISSION
TELLS OF THE WORK.
REVIEW OF APRIL
What Has Been Done at the Meadow
Street Institution During he
past Month-Receipts and
Disbursements.

What is being accomplished in the
Hohn Brown Industrial mission, for
negro betterment, which is located at
b26 Meadow street, is eloquently
shown in the report just issued by SUI
nerintendent d. e. Butler for the
month Of April /, 1909. He gives
review Of each transaction at the
mission. In the following report :.
"Our building scarcely large enough
Yor the work outlined is situated on
Meadow street, in the midst Of
nense colored population, with suffi-
eient territory for an advantageous
NAV ground, one Of the things
that play very important
hart in the social and moral life of all
children. Our free reading room and
circulating library, has been made an
adjunct to the public library, and
aside from having on hand over 200
rolumns of books and magazines, al
most any library book desired can be
occurred simply by the asking. This
Recruitment is open daily from $3.50
h. m. to 6 o. m. A letter writing cor
her is kept for the benefit Of those
who desire such accommodation;
paper, ink and pen free. Miss Lena
a. Downey, secretary and preceptress,
aside from the typewriter directs
humber of other activities. The plain
Ind fancy needle work class under the
airection of Mrs. Ida Butler, meets
thursdays and Saturdays; these are
termed Ladies' Day and light
luncheon is served on each occasion.
The day nursery is open every day,
&c rryhi ah n.
eludes lunch at noon.
Our boys and girls clubs are fea-
lures worthy of cooperation.
Our rest room, an activity Of which
Mrs. s. S. Merrill is the mother, is
one of the most advanced ideas in
settlement work. The virtue in
work of this kind is not to be seen
at a glance and only an advanced
people can appreciate Its necessity
The great number of children who
roam the streets at will may satisfy
some foolish imagination of their
guardians, but they will not throw
much sunshine and happiness on
theirs, be very useful lives
The Afro-American council, an "
ganization, which has for it's object.
the improvement of the negro along
moral, social and business lines.
makes the building it's home, and
meets bi-monthly.
We have begun to operate our en-
ployment bureau, and shall be glad to
advise with persons wishing conf
petent colored help, in any field OF
labor-whether by day or month. We
are compelled to depend upon phil
anthropic public for every item of ex-
pense, to whom we are pleased to re-
port from time to time.
The colored people here, are not in
position to aid largely, but can be de-
pended upon to aid some.
Contributions.
Mrs. Frances Hicks, books. ....... 4
Y. w. c. A., books. ...............47
Mrs. S. M. Boardman, books. s
Mrs. /. N Mast, books. ...........l IL
Books given out during the month IS
Number Of persons to attend dur
ing the month. -S21
Number cared for in day nursery.
Number served with neighborhood
lunch
Number given round table" sew
Ing ................. ...........
Places of work secured. .........
Boys club work .................25
Finances-Receipts.
Brought forward from March. IS 1.67
From white patrons ........... $500
From colored patrons ......... 80
From day nursery .......... AS
Eeighborhood lunch .......... 10
Disbursements.
School furnishings ...........$ 2.5O