Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1911-06-10
SOCIETY
Continued from Page 81


for the purpose of witnessing daily
rontine work and recreation of the
children. During the drive from Sa-
,em ones eyes are greeted with
scenery of magnificence. White
canned mountains looming above the
EASTERN horizon, snow covered foot
hills and vast expanse of beautiful,
yerdant valley lands; all in their pur-
pie shadows
From an imposing Colonial en-
trance, one is ushered into admins
ration building which contains re-
ceptlon room, physicians office, dis
pensary department, superintendent
priyate apartments, dining rooms for
officers and employees, Industrial
work rooms, kindergarten, school,
room and assembly hall. The last
four rooms and the corridors were
profusely decorated with great bou-
auets of field flowers and foliage.
The children in fresh white dresses,
shiny boots and bright ribbons
showed perfect care from their at
tendants.
The basement floor is used for in
mates dining room, storage and bak-
ery. The kitchen being built out
from the first floor above the bakery.
Although these rooms are immacu-
lately clean, there is great need for
something new in the form of a
kitchen; and of still more Importance
is safe and sane bakery. 1t is in
stantly apparent that danger of fire
turks in this portion of the institu-
ton, for uncovered wooden beams
above cracked oven are not condu-
Give to best protection. Everything
about this building is spotless and
the employees clean and careful. The
same care and sweet smelling atmos-
phere pervades Benson cottage, the
home for women and girls. In this
building there are inmates from five
years old to eighty three-all are
called children; receiving constant
care and attention. The homes for
men and boys are Jones and Steele
cottages. In all details these are
conducted in the same manner. The
work of developing the minds of
these unfortunate and dependent be-
ings who are backward and feeble
minded, but not entirely without
brain, is being successful carried
out by Miss Louise Hayse. Under
her guidance women and girls were
busy with all kinds of plain sewing,
darning, patching, cross stitching on
couch pillows, making and dressing
rag dolls, drawn work, French en-
broidery, basketry and torchon lace.
At these lace pillows three young
women were tossing the bobbins in
rapid manner developing a pattern
by placing the pin in the proper spot
with an accuracy truly remarkable.
All of these workers attended strict
ly to their tasks and answered the
guests intelligently, questions con-
cerning their work. In this depart
ment boys were making hammocks,
fly nets, tennis nets and baskets in the
same excellent manner. One boy be-
ing particularly rapid with his nee
die, forming the knots in hammock
with unvarying precision. The re-
suit of trained hands is remarkable;
but the developing of brains that are
apparently vacant, is wonderful. In
this work Miss Maud Stewart, prin-
cipal of the institution, is instructor.
Boys and girls gave examples of
reading from English history text
books, with minds concentrated upon
the words before them. Nothing of
parrot like repeating. Many of the
children following lines with index
fingers as guide; and in articulating
they were easily understood. There
was oral spelling and words of three
syllables written upon black board
in attractive lettering, besides the pu-
pills names written above their work.
AS to simple arithmetic and use of
the clocks dial, these children were
equally well informed.
Miss Blalock, with infinite patience
teaches the youngest children games
and songs of kindergarten work.
There was. no commotion for in this
department as in all others, disci-
pline in the kindest manner was OBJ
served. After the routine of work,
Miss Stewart presented a class OF