Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1914-02-25

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 421a 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 1871 tons.
Another large fund, known as the
Paul Beck fund, which gives away
821s 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 1615 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 431s
tons have been distributed annually
from the Shields legacy. The Seybert
fund, of like value, created in 1883,
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 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 SIS 900.
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-
yides for the distribution of coal to
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 bosrd of direc-
tors, composed of prominent men.
Each one has district, and he has
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 a living, are trying to help them
selves. Frequently the directors re-
ceive complaints from charitable as
.sociations because they have furnished