Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1914-03-04

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 f1fty-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 1888. 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
S2R tons of a winter, is confined to
the old city limits, 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 161a 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 49,
tons have been distributed annually
from the Shields legacy. The Seybert
fund, OF Ike value. created in 1889.
allowed the distribution OF 61k 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 a large cash bal.
ance for stormy day, or for any 9th
or 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 20 about SIS 900
IN addition TO these free funds
there are great number OF otbere
that permit the selling OF coal At hair
rate 10 deserving persons in humble
circumstances. The best known %
these is the Harte Grandom Coal
found, commonly known as the
widows Coal" This fund which
amounts 20 more than 100000 pro.
vides for the distribution OF coal 10
widows at half price. The fund has
been Incorporated since 1910. and
SPECIFIC clause among its provigions
states that the Incorporate are not tn
benefit About 5000 tons OF coal arc
supplied 10 poor women annually Tho
fund Is managed b. a board OF direc
tors, composed Of prominent men
hach one has a 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
eHorts are made 20 help the WORTHY
and particularly those who. Struggling
Tot hying, are trying 10 help them
serves. Frequently the directors re
ceive complaints from charitable as.
s''ia Mons because they have furnished