Rock Island Argus., 1915-01-06

other and are praised whenever they
deserve commendation. They are
taught 10 say grace at meals and ev-
cry evening before retiring they have
a season of devotion which is entered
into with a united enjoyment and en-
thusiasm that would be an object les
son TO most of US.
wish that each OF you might go
there some evening and hear these
little children sing. l am sure that
there are few similar groups of chill
drsn in the state THAI can surpass
them They are given a number OF
picnics du1 ing the summer. and Inde-
pendence day. Thanksgiving and
Christmas day were especially observ-
ed and Thoroughly enjoyed by every
child
on Nov. a reception was given at
the home, TO which the public was
invited. and on this occasion the chill
dren rendered a short program. On
the evening OF Dec. 10 J. II. Hauberg
and the boys of the Fife, Drum and
Bugle corps entertained the children
with stereopticon pictures Of Starved
Rock. a treat that the children viii
not soon forget. On Dec. % they were
0verjoyed to be asked to sing several
songs at Rock Islands first municipa.
Christmas tree.
The general health Of the children
has been very good, but the number
OF cases of contagious diseases that
we have had is but another strong
argument in favor OF q modern build
ing as soon as possible. where such
cases could be properly quarantined.
During the year we have mad three
visits from the state inspectors on
July .. Miss Katherine Gallagher was
here on q tour of inspection. On July
3. Charles Virden. state agent made
MS a very belated call, but apologized
for his seeming neglect of our home BY
saving that Bethany home IS one of
the Institutions in the state that re.
quires very little looking after and
which causes him no anxiety. He eX-
pressed himself as we'll pleased with
everything in and about the house,
and was particularly pleased with The,
in the keeping our rec
ords. on Dec. %. Miss Gallagher was
again at the home, making her annual
survey. which I can vouch for was
most comprehensive. She had some
criticisms TO make, particularly about
The ineficiency Of our fire protection,
he lack Of sufficient toilets and lava
tories. and about our laxity in not
having all the different funds reported
md audited at least once year. But
IN the whole she also seemed to be
we'll pleased with the conditions OF
he home
At preEeut we have several children
Who have been wards OF the home for
, number OF years for whom different
provisions viii soon have 10 be made.
There is cne boy Is years old for
yholn nc home has been found, be-
.auss he Is probably tubercular, and
10 one seems to want 4 boy that old
yho gives SC little prospects Of being
.ble TO work later on. There are also
Z least three children II years of age
Who, though they have been placed IN
.rivate homes from time TO time, nave
.een returned for different reasons.
'hese are bright. promising children
-ho ought to have a chance They
hould be sent to some good indus
rial training school, but we have 40
unds for this purpose. This viii be
worthy work for the educational
to undertake. and give the
uggestion TO them for their eonsid-l /
ration.
From Oct. p 10 . / represented
MS association al the state confer
nee of charities held in La Sale. jill
have paid IS visits to the home.
pending an average OF two and one
alf hours for each visit. and on every
,casion I have found the house clean, !
nd from attic TO cellar in perfect Or :
er. really remarkable fact since.