New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-07-29
GRIEF At HAPPY LAND
Fresh Air Children Mourn }. S.
Lyle, Homes Founder.
GOOD WORK WILL GO ON
Thousands of City Youngsters
Have Enjoyed Vacations at
Tenafy Place.

\ shadow has fallen On Happy Land,
the place where so many Tribune Fresh
Air children have found health and hap
piness. John s. Lyle, its founder pnd
FOR many wears its supporter, IL dead at
Springwood, his home in Tenafy. \. j.
The laughter and shouting OF the roll
licking Youngsters who inhablt the home
are stillcd ard they move about with the
subdued CIR II those who have lost
good friend. They had learned 10 love
the kindly old nan, who lived across the
road. and who was wont 10 provide stra"
rides and p,cnlcs and ice cream treats
without number for them.
Mr.. Lyle founded Happy Land seven
teen years ago For several years or !ts
existence the place was used as Fresh
AIR home for convalescsnt and crippled
children. both boys and girls. Later. be-
cause OF the lack OF special equipment re-
duired for the use Of this class OF CHI
drcn. Mr. Lyle determined to maze HAPPY
Land n vacation home for girls ana 10
give no the idea OF entertaining COT
valescents exclusively. since that u'he
This policy mas been followed, and niue
p,rls from the New York tenement hous"s
have been entertained in parties or hfty'
Mr. LYLE. In founding Happy Land
MANNED To give It and its guests his per
sonal attention. With this END IN we"
s.. eo,ec,ed n site for the homo immedl-
ately across the road from his own es'a'e'
There. on the crest OF mn tha' oN.'
looks the country for miles around III po
,rihs, Of a magnificent grove OF OAKS ana
nanles he had erected roomy house.
with wide yerandas and airy dormitones,
,ha, has been the delight and wonder OF
hundreds OF city tots, whose home horizon
10 bounded by the blank walls OF two o.
three room tenements'
In the course Of the seventeen years Oh
itq existence the home has been Happy
Land TO between 500 and 6WJ New ioth
children. Throughout each Fresh AIT sea
60, unless away from home, Mr.. Lyle
,,a,t.d the children daily. The nome
,ahie was provided very largely from his
own garden. To convey the children 10
and from the railroad station al TIC oe-
,ipnin1 and the end OF their stay TWO
spec,ai stages large enough to accommo-
data twenty-five girls each were built At
Mr.. Iyle's expense.
Each party Of children Is entertained
at Happy Land for two weeks. Every
marty during its stay was invited 10
lawn party on the grounds OF spring
wood on these occasions their most
,o,,ea 70 mingle With the little guests
,ol,ine with them and laughing at their
naive remarks.
! NJ, Lyle loved 10 talk about the chill
dr.n whom he had entertained ana hsd u
go ~ stories illustrating their i8no-
rarco NJ the country and country lie.
1bs one he delighted most to tell con-
earned two little girls who braved their
"t.achor's" displeasure one day 10 run
acrosa the road TO ask him question.
| Will. rambling over his estate hr. Lyle
,.oaron,,v wore a long white linen dus-
| ter. on the occasion IN quesuoh ne hao
stained on the field directly opposite tho
home and stood leaning on MS cane "h''e
10 watched the children at their play
He noticed after q WINE TWO niue sii1s
who were pointing In his direction ana
meanwhile discussing something OF great
interest. Suddenly, after hasty glance
around. they lodged across the ROAD.
cIambered over the fence and ran to
vhere he was standing. Then one OF
them. half out OF breath, sasped OUT
| Mister. amt you a shepherd?
At the departure Of each group OF girls
{, has been a custom for several years
mast 70 present each child with small
box Of candy with the word Happy
Land in raised letters on the cover OK
each box. Naturally, the gifts were
highly priced. A short time ago. how
ever a settlement worker visiting home
on the lower East Side was surprised at
the reverence in which one OF these boxes
was held. on o mantel shelf which held
a few Door ornaments II occupied the
place OF honor. Upon being questioned
concerning II, the oldest daughter OF the
home, a girl Of sixteen. replied; i've
had IL Ave years now. keep 1t to re-
mind me Of the happiest two weeks OF
my life"
During the present season at Happy
Land. owing 10 the falling health OF Mr..
LyIe. Mrs. Lyle has assumed the active
direction Of the affairs Of the home. II Is
not likely that the death Of tho founder
viii AFFECT the future of this paradise for
little children. 1t will doubtless be con-
timed under the direction Of Mrs. Lyle.