The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1914-02-20

Stephen Girard, in addition to his
many other philanthropies, did not
neglect the bins of the poor. He set
aside a 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 4212 tons from
| the James Dutton fund, created in
1888. The Esther Waters fund, created
| in 1883, does not specify any special
restrictions, except that the bene-
| ficiaries must be found upon special
| inquiry to be most deserving of such
aid" The coal distributed from this
| fund amounts to 1874 tons.
Another large fund, known as the
Paul Beck fund, which gives away
| 8212 tons Of a winter, is confined to
the old city limitr, and specifies that
it shall be given to the outdoor" poor
This fund was established in 1914.
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 161s 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 43R
tons have been distributed annually
from the Shields legacy. The Seybert
fund, of like value. created in 1888,
| allowed the distribution of 611s 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 it's care. All of the families
| benefited are carefully investigated.
The funds are managed in such a way
that there is always a large cash bal
ance for a stormy day, or for any 9TH
er emergency that warrants it's 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 1000.
| In addition to these free funds.
| there are a great number of others
that permit the selling of coal at half
rate to deserving persons in humble
| circumstances. The best known Of
these is the Harte Grandom Coal
| found, commonly known as the
Widows Coal" This fund. which
amounts to more than 100000. pro-
! N1QSS 1OI the Oh coal
widows at half price. The fund has
been incorporated since 1910, and a
| specific clause among its provisions
states that the Incorporate are not to
| benefit. About 5000 tons of coal are
supplied to poor women annually. The
fund is managed by a board of direc-
tors, composed of prominent men.
l rnI,
charge of the distribution in that par
ticular section.
Edwin G. Dixon, who is the chair.
man Of the board. said that all of the
cases are thoroughly examined and
efforts are made to help the worthy,
and particularly, those who, struggling
for living, are trying to help them
selves. Frequently the directors re
ceive complaints from charitable as.
| sociationS because they have furnished