Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-02-06
ORPHAN ASYLUM
MAY Be CLOSED
scathing DenuncIation of Pri-
vate Institution Conducted
in Irvington.

I
scathing censure OF children's
/ home, incorporated as the Asylum
Of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows" ana
located at IS Sorrento street, Irving
ton. is contained in reports from the
Department Of Charities and Correc-
tons at Trenton to the Irvington
! Board of Health. The reports were
read last night.
Today Superintendent John A. Gull
len. of the Catholic Children's Aid
Association of New Jersey, declared
his inspectors had verified the reports
from the State and town authorities.
He further stated:
~ believe the head of the home
is already planning to close up the
place. She is now M consultation
with her lawyer. The place Is run
by a woman and several relatives
who have elected her president and
incorporated the home. | have told
her to send the children back to their
parents and our association will care
for those whom 1t may be unable TO
return"
That the conditions in the home are
improper, that the children are not
well nurtured, that their bodies con-
tain scabs and sores that the home
has no tangible means of support and
but meagre records of the children
are obtainable are terms In which the
place is denounced.
Joseph P. Byers, chief of the State
department of charities, advises that
the town get rid of the home as soon
as possible.
Though incorporated as a Catholic
institution, it is in operation, not
only without the sanction of the
Catholic diocese, but in direct OPP
position to its desires.
1.-THE place should be condemned
and put out of business" declared Su-
perintendent Cullen to the inspector
tied the home recently. Rev. Charles
A. Smith, chancellor Of the diocese,
and secretary to Bishop John ].
O'Connor, said the place ought to be
closed.
Fearing that the snail inmates of
the home, who range from a few
months to ten years in age, might be-
come charges upon the town of lrV-
ington, Health Inspector Joseph K.
Clickenger and Overseer of the Poor
Isaac j. Casey, sr took steps to have
the asylum" done away with. Mr..
Clickenger took the matter up with
the State Bureau of Charities, with
the result that an inspector was sent
from Trenton.
Describing her visit, the report de-
clares that twenty-five children Of
varying ages are confined to three
rooms on the second floor of the
house. A Mrs. Greeley and sixteen
year-old girl care for them.
THE children do not look we'll nur-
tured; several have sores and scars
on their faces and arms. They come
from poor Italian families. Some have
parents and some are orphans. The
lady said she will take any child.
No Records Institution.
There are no records to show where
they come from, where they may go
hen they leave or whence the money
for their support comes, though she
claims contributions are given her
by friends
On another visit the home was
found in fair condition. The children
had had no breakfast though it was
10 a. M The children told the in
spector that they had been fed on
potatoes and onions, bread and tea
the night before. On this occasion he
inspector was told at first that Mrs. !
Greeley was away, but she was later j
discovered hiring In closet, and
when she came forth she said she was
not fixed up" The girl was also /
unable to open the front door, but !
Health Inspector Clickenger, who was
in the party, thought the girl delib-
= 2tely locked II To cain entrance 1t /
was necessary to do SO in the rear.
gves-Chc.d a H RDLU raodni lana !
Upstairs We found basket of wet
clothes in the room where the chill
dren slept" the report said. zone
infant was lying on bed with but
a single garment on 1t and sores or
its body"
Supplementing the report of the in.
spector, Mr.. Byers in a letter de.
clared that public sentiment alone
should be aroused to abolish the
home. Continuing, he said:
Say Children Are Neglected.
1.-THE condition Of the children from
neglect, the absence of competent
care, the exceedingly unsatisfactory
and meagre records, all combine to
indicate a situation that should be
handled without delay and with CEN
sideration only for the children"
According to the Irvington overseer
Of the poor, Mr.. Casey, request has
already been made of him for assist.
ance. He further declares that Mrs.
Greeley Is a frequent visitor at the
Newark poor department and that
she solicits aims In this city.
The asylum" was founded last Oc-
tober 1t was discovered by Mr..
Clickenger. who feared that the in
mates might prove town charges. He
consulted Mr.. Casey, and for some
time they have labored to rid the
town Of the home.
Mrs. Greeley, according to Mr.. Casey.
admitted to him that at one time she
had two illegitimate children board
ing" with her. She quickly disposed
of them after she admitted the point.
Two of the present inmates are chill
dren of Antonio Fore, the convicted
murderer. -Four of the older ones are
being educated in the Irvington pub
L. Ill