Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1912-12-20

asylum. It Is rather clearing house
through which the neglected or de-
pendent child passes to happy home
and loving parents. II Is a pleasant
work we are doing and means much to
humanity.
There are no officials OF our state
who come so closely in contact with
the work we have to do as the county
commissioners. and there Is no way
that you can better familiarize your
selves with conditions and the purposes
of our home than by coming here and
mingling with the little ones and con-
sulting with Superintendent Christian,
thus enabling you to secure valuable
and reliable information that can be
secured in no other way.
Work Being Done.
Il feel that It is meet and proper
that ] should at this time say a few
words relative to the home and the
work we are doing.
THE Idaho Chidren's Home Finding
and Aid society was incorporated May
4, 1908. and active work was COM
menced on July of the same year. We
opened our first home on July 22 1908,
i'll the little building that stands on
the corner of this block, but at that
time was resting on the spot where
this building now stands. On July 20,
1908, we received our first child.
Il had the honor of being elected
president of the society at the annual
meeting held during the month OF Feb
ruary, 1909. During my administration
Mrs. Cynthia A. Mann generously do
mated to the society this entire block,
worth at least $780, The legislature
in 1903 appropriated $4,000 towards the
cons truction of this building. The eiti-
zens Of Boise, appreciating the value
OF a home OF this character, subscribed
$50, 900 to the fund, and with these gem
erous donations we were enabled to
complete and dedicate the home on the
27th day OF December 1910 In the
/ building proper we have in addition to
the dormitories, dining room and living
rooms, 4 school, the teacher engaged In
the instruction of the children being
supplied by the city of Boise. We also
have Il free child hospital that enables
nus to take children into the home who
could not otherwise be cared for. In
other words, our building is spendidly
equipped for the work we have to do
and We feel we owe A deb. of gratitude
TO the citizens of Boise and of the
Ientire state for the splendid support
THAT has been given this society BY
them.
Gives Some Figures.
since the commencement Of the
work of the society we have cared for
104t children. 927 in this home and ia
Ein the home located in Lewiston. In
addition to the children taken care Of
in these two homes, we have assisted
over 200 children in one form or an
other. bN securing employment for them
or enabling them to go from one town
to another, making a total Of 124t chill
dren that have actually been cared for
or assisted since the commencement Of
the work OF July 20, 1908. | feel that
am not flattering our superintendent
Rev, Christian, when | say that he has
handled this great number OF children
In an intelligent and humane manner,
ana at less cost per capita than has
been done BY any other similar institu-
tion In our nation. Rev. Christian has
been engaged in home finding work for
about ten years, having been engaged
In this work IN other states for five
years before coming to us. The Idaho
Children's Home Finding and Aid soei
ETY. is the youngest Of our home finding
societies in America 1t Is the most
modern the most progressive and en-
ploNs the best methods for the placing
of dependent children in happy homes
We have in addition to this institn-
ton home situated at Lewiston, TO
which | have referred ON November
1gDG 40 i
was appointed as assistant superin-
tendent of What is known as the Lew
iston district. For three and one-ha1f
years he Kept the children in his own
home and when 1t became over crowded
another building Was secured, which
was used as dormitory
Two years ago the citizens OF Lew
iston, by special effort on Tag day. Sc
cured sufficient funds to buy I'VE acres
In what is known as the orchard tract
Last August this tract was sold for
the sum Of $1,000 and splendid home
IN Lewiston Which originally cost s35.
600. and Well adapted for taking care of
80 children. WAS purchased for the sum
of $4,000. All of this amount has been
paid With the exception or $4,000 We
are handling about 100 children from
the Lewiston home every year, ard
am glad 70 say that Superintendent
Chase and his assistants are doing
splendid work and are accommodating
much good.
To Employ Woman.
Our work in the southern part OF
the state has grown 10 such an extent
that Il will require additional assist
ance In the receiving and placing Of
children, At the last meeting of the
board of directors, on the recommends
ton Of our superintendent. IL was
unanimously decided TO employ a mo-
man expert for this purpose This was
found necessary in order to give the
best service possible 10 the state, and
at the same time relieve the county
commissioners of the responsibility of
caring for and looking after dependent
and homeless children 1t has been our
experience while connected with this
work that the greatest responsibility
So d.