Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1911-11-09
cAlLDaEN's HOME SOCIETY.
Great Work Being Done In State BY
This Organization.

/ sioux FaitS.-fignIeen years ago
there was begun. in very small way.
the work of the South Dakota Child
ren's Home society Under the man
agement of w B. Sherrard, with head
quarters at Sioux Falls. AS can be
easily imagined, there was much oppo-
sitioR and indifference on the part Of
those who had no real understanding
of the nature of the work. Through
the trying times of development the
society was guided by q master hand,
supported by strong board of direc-
tors and a constituency growing larg-
er from year to year. In 1903 the
present receiving home was built
which, together with the real estate
surrounding 1t, il estimated at a value
Of $4,000. This property is a SPLEEN
did testimony to the generous hearted
South Dakotans. However much the
accumulation of valuable property
may speak of accomplishments, this Is
but very small part of what has
been done. Buildings and real prop
erty had but small share I'm the real
work for South Dakota's homeless, de-
pendent, neglected and unfortunate
children Hours, days, and years of
toll into which heart and soul have
been thrown with unselflsh energy,
gives forth a history that would read
like romance of thrilling rescue of
children from filth, vice. degradation
and humiliation, The histories Of the
1886 children dare not be written for
the public. To drag their former woe
into public gaze would never benefit
them nor those who read their stories.
Not child has come into the home
but has been the victim OF misfortune
brought on by someone else. Sad
pictures are brought iEto the home at
Sioux Falls.l One may per chance be
at one OF the depots on the arrival of
three or four children wko being
brought In. Their wild, frightened
look convinces that their lot has been
sad one The evidences of former
filth and degradation may still be
seen. Their parents may have desert.
ed them or cast them aside as is only
to often the case or the only living pa.
rent is on account of i'll health and
repeated misfortunes, absolutely un.
able to provide for these little ones.
Where could they go il the Children's
Home We're not open to them? Boys
and girls who through parental neg
lect have become unruly are often
given shelter to save them from the
training school or prevent them from
being menace to the community.
Last year 164 of all ages up to II
years found aid, protection and 3
home. Out of the c0nglomerate mass
Of little humans, apparently undesira-
Bile, the Children's Home is making
citizens who will be a credit to the
state. On their reception an outward
regeneration Is begun Soap and wa.
ter Is applied and the principles Of
cleanliness inculcated Cleanness OF
speech SO seldom found among de.
pendents, and cleanness of action Is
insisted upon. The proper conduct at
table and about the home is taught.
Externally and internally q reforma-
ton is attempted, fitting the child to
enter family home, there to become
one Of its members. The unofrending
babe, unWelcome to it's own mother.
unloved becaused of the added burden
and responsibility it brings, find IN
the nome the tenderest care until
some mother heart is opened to re.
cetve it as her very own, where in al
most every case 1t grows into the i'm.
age OF the foster parents. "Nobody's'
child, the unwelcome child, the abused
child, the dependent and homeless
child, are received and home proysd.
ed. Those who have been In closest
touch with this charity are most en-.
thusiastic In their support. Investiga.
ton Is always welcomed It has cost
lots OF money TO keep this work going
but every dollar has brought its re-
turns in rescued boys and girls.
Sixteen hundred and eightv-sfx
children is no small number to care
for and supervise In lis years; besides.
the condition Of at least one thousand
South Dakota children have been Inn
proved by Intervention and temporary
aid. Every person In the state should
have share in this work. No colIec-
tors are sent around to importune one
into giving. Voluntary contributions
alone have kept up sAe home for lie
years. The Thanksgiving and Christ. |
mas seasons are times when this char.
ity is, and should be, remembered bv
substantial contributions. IN every
town and community some general &c. |
ton should be taken to supply the
home with funds SO that the aggre- |
gate income will be sufficient to ex- |
tend aid to every child in need for the |
coming year. The home needs money |
now to meet the demands Of the IN.
fortunate child.
Plan FOR Meeting.
Pierre State Superintendent Law.
renee and those In charge Of the State |