The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1911-12-14
OLD MEMS HOME
ERECTED IN CHICAGO
Gift Of the Late John @. King
Practically Ready for
Occupancy.
From the Chicago Tribune.

From the Chicago Tribune.
All fears OF passing the rest Of their
days without the cheering company of
friends or amid uncongenial surround
ings are to be panished shortly for IS
old men OF Cook county VINO may be
unable to provide homes for themselves
but who are able to meet certain re-
quirements as to standing, habits, char
acter and amiability.
In the John G.. King home for old
men. now nearing completion at Car
field boulevard and South Park avenue,
provided by the will Of the late John
G. King, $4,000 has been expended for
site, buildings. equipment and furnish
ings. to establish veritable paradise
OF $l,500.0O0 has been set aside for Its
maintenance.
About IL years ago an elderly man
called upon Byron L. Smith, president
OF the Northern Trust company. After
the usual salutations the caller hitched
his chair up to the presidents desk and
with incisive directness stated his rea-
sons for the call.
Byron" he said. 1T have decided to
provide In my will for q home for
old men-if." he added. "you will con-
sent to become its first president" Mr..
Smith consented and about five years
later James Clark King. who was the
caller. passed to his reward. He had
made the promised beQuest and the
the result.
How to Be Eligible.
Preference is to be given to those who
contribute $500 or it's equivalent or 9TH
er property II any. belonging to the
applicant. to create q special fund for
similar charitable purposes.
Special stress IL laid. however, on the
fnsistence that the applicant must be OF
"a reasonable and amiable spirit"
Reference as to good name and eligi-
bility for care In the home must be
provided and an examination by the
home physician is required to ascertain
the physical and mental condition Of
each applicant.
The applicant must be unable to pro-
cure a home for himself; must be a
citizen Of the United States and q resi-
dent Of Cook county for at least 10
years; 6S years old or more, or OF q
physical condition normal to that age;
free from infectious or contagious dis
ease; not a helpless cripple; not suf-
fering from sickness requiring hospital
care and treatment not insane, epilep-
tic or feeble minded temperate, OF
good habits generally; of a former po-
sition of some standing or RESPONSE
bility: and Of reasonable and ami
able spirit.
Preference in Admission.
Preference In admitting applicants
to residence, and in that respect only,
is to be given to those who contribute
$500 or its equivalent. together with
other property, II any, belonging to the
applicant. Such property Is to go into
a building trust to create a special
In the present home building or equip
ment, for the purchase OF land and the
erection Of buildings, and to support
in whole or In part outside Of the home
any such dependent old men as the
officers of the home find 1t desirable to
assist without their becoming inmates
Of the home.
In order to secure the continuance Of
amicable relations within the home,
men are TO be admitted on probation
for one year. In case Of either n vol
untary or involuntary withdrawal dur
ing probation or afterward the prop
erty turned in will be returned after
a deduction at the rate Of 81 a week
for the period of residence plus any
additional expense incurred.
The home Is located on site 377x249
feet bounded by Garfield boulevard,
Calumet avenue and Fifty-fourth place.
There are two buildings, one In front
containing the general rooms, bed
rooms and administrative offices, the
other in the rear, service building. A
large smoking, lounging and game
room, containing billiard, pool and card
tables, library supplied with books
especially selected for old men, rest
rooms, reception room, and bar
Der shop, furnished In the most mod
ern fashion. are included In the general
rooms. Special diet kitchens and pri-
waite dining rooms are included and
adequate service Of all kinds, together
with arrangements for sickness are al
SO provided.