The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1914-02-20

Stephen Girard, in addition to his
many other philanthropies, did not
neglect the bins of the poor. He set
aside fund of $4,000, with the pro-
vision that the Income was to pur-
chase fuel between the months OF
March and August in every year for
ever, and in the month Of January in
every year forever distribute the same
amongst poor white housekeepers and
roomkeepers, of good character, re-
siding in the (old) city of Philadel-
phia." Some fifty-seven families liv-
ing in these limits benefit from this
fund.
The residents of the Northern Lib.
critics district receive AN tons from
the James Dutton fund, created in
1888. The Esther Waters fund, created
in 1888, does not specify any special
restrictions, except that the bene-
ficiaries must be found upon special
s,.s,,
aid" The coal distributed from this
fund amounts to 731a tons.
Another large fund, known as the
Paul Beck fund, which gives away
S21a tons of winter, is confined to
the old city limits, and specifies that
it shall be given to the Outdoor" poor.
This fund was established in 1874.
Three years later the Spring Gar.
den Fuel fund was established, pro.
viding for warm homes for the needy
residing in the Spring Garden district
east Of Broad street. This has an in.
vested capital of $4,000, and permits
the distribution of some 1871 tons OF
coal.
Frederick A. Sheaff was the first to
create an additional fund after the
war. This was in 1874. 1t permits
Of an annual distribution of about "a
tons of coal.
A fund Of $4,000 was left to the
poor of the city without respect to
color or creed" in the will of Mary
Shields, probated in 1880. For the
last twenty-three years some 43h
tons have been distributed annually
from the Shields legacy. The Seybert
fund, of like value, created in 1888
allowed the distribution of 611b tons
during 1912. The incomes from the
two legacies are not equal,
Many Distribution Methods.
The board of city trusts has MANY
methods for the distribution of coal
under its care. All of the families
benefited are carefully investigated
The funds are managed in such a way
that there is always large cash bal.
ance for a stormy day, or for any 9th.
er emergency that warrants its use
The year 1912, for which the last of.
fetal report is made, was not espe
cially severe, nor were the times bad
so that the cash balance that was set
aside from the numerous incomes
amounted to about $4,000.
In addition to these free funds
there are great number Of others
that permit the selling of coal at half
rate to deserving persons in humble
circumstances. The best known O.
these is the Harte Grandom Coal
found, commonly known az the
Widows Coal" This fund, which
amounts to more than 100000, pro.
vides for the distribution of coal to
widows at half price. The fund has
been incorporated since 1910. and q
specific clause among its provisions
states that the Incorporate are not 70
benefit. About 5000 tons Of coal arc
supplied to poor women annually The
lund Is managed by a board of direc.
TORS, composed of prominent men
Each one has "a district, and he has
charge OF the distribution In that mar.
ticular section.
Edwin G. Dixon, who is the chair.
man of the board, said that all Of tho
cases are thoroughly examined and
ehor's are made to help the worthy
ana particularly those who. struggling
ior a living, are trying to help them.
serves Frequently the directors re-
celve complaints from charitable 90
sociations because they have furnishes