The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1913-02-27
ILLINOIS HOME AS A MODEL
Milwaukee Scots to be Leaders in Plan
Which May Result in Institution Be-
ing Built Within the Next Few Years
-Caledonian Society Interested.

cations in Kenosha and other cities
are greatly interested in the Scottish
Old Peoples Home at Riverside, ILL.,,
just outside of Chicago, which was re-
Gently opened. There is prospect
that in the future home may be es-
tablished in Milwaukee.
A visit to the Scottish Old People s
home is much like visit to private
home. From the time that one re-
ceives the first welcome from the wag-
ging tail Of the Scotch collie that runs
to meet every visitor until the last
goodby to Mrs. Cora j. Cummings, the
kindly superintendent, is said IN one
Of the comfortable living rooms, one
feels the delightful charm of the place.
Everything about the place is
Scotch, from the collies that welcome
visitors at the gate, to the architecture
Of the formidable though " honey"
looking building of the institution,
and even including the twang notice
able in the speech of the happy, kindly
faced old inmates. The building it.
self is massive ivy covered struc-
ture that reminds one of the old homes
Of the Scotch nobility.
On the spacious grounds, shaded by
trees, are artistic fountains. A drive
way around circular grass plot in
front of the entrance, conforms to its
somewhat semi-circular shape. The
main entrance to the building is in
the center.
Scarcely before the bell leaves off
tinkling the door is opened by a
white haired old man, and upon in
quiries for guide through the insti-
tuition, the Visitor is taken in charge
by CHEEKY old woman. She guides
the visitor through the superintend
ent rs Office and her suite Of three
rooms, and the women's parlor- all
well proportional, bright, CHEEKY,
spotless.
The old people are eager to show
visitors their rooms, to tell how happy
they are, how happy they all are in
fact, and how good the superintendent
is to everybody, exhibiting scores Of
postcards and presents sent to her and
showing the postcard souvenirs of the
home they sell to contribute their
mites toward the support of the home.
"Sir George Reid, you know, kissed
my hand, said one old lady, "and /
was the only one so honoreC. He and
his wife were guests of honor at a
luncheon here, and he pronounced It
home of peace, and happiness such
as any one might hope to have when
they have reached a good old age.
He said the afternoon spent at the
home among his countrymea was the
happiest of his whole visit.
The bedrooms both for the men and
women are about eight by ten feet,
with window overlooking the
grounds. There are no inside rooms;
all are bright, well ventilated ana
steam heated The visitor is made to
feel as if he had stepped into priv
ate homo in which the children are
all determined to give you a warm
welcome.
There is a large summer porch on
the rear of the house that overlooks
charming vista of grass, flowers,
trees and vines. The chicken yard and
the vegetable gardens, where fourteen
kinds of vegetables are grown, the
gardener proudly asserts, can be
seen behind.
The visitor is next shown the living
room, the dining room, the mems
smoking rooms, and everywhere the
same atmosphere Of homehkeness pre-
walls. When the visitor leaves lie is
convinced that tho superintendent has
given of herself, the donors have civ
en- Of themselves, and the inmates have
contributed their part towards making
the home paradise for old people.
The original home was on Bryant
avenue, Chicago. The present tract of
land contains five acres and the builu-
ings have capacity of forty inmates,
although there are but twtnty in the
home at present. 1t was built at
cost of approximately $4,000.
The endowment fund amounts to
$4,000, which viii be raised to
100000.
1t is such a home as this that tile
st. Andrews society in Milwaukee has
under contemplation. 1t is probable
that nothing viii be done, say Nom
bers Of that society, until the success
Of the home at Chicago is settled be,
yond doubt, but at that time home
will be built for the aged Scotchmen
and women in Milwaukee and other
Wisconsin towns, who when old age
comes on will be glad of the peace
and quiet which would be theirs in
home Of the kind.