Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1915-05-14

ton engines with ten-ton cars. and is in
such condition now that $500 per mile
well spent will put it in its original shape
Instead of the tarred road. the people of
the First district should demand an earth
bound road. that is not slippery. will stand
up under the traffic, and. with proper at
tention, will last until the last bond of the
issue has been paid. while all roads of the
type heretofore built will be worn out be-
fore half of the bonds have been called in
JOHN E. MUNCASTER.
Silver Cross Home Is Facing A
Crisis.
OF the various institutions that have
been hard hit by the depleted condition of
the State treasury, the predicament of the
Silver Cross Home for Epileptics, at Port
Deposit. is one of the most distressing.
In addition to an isscrease of $500
year in its appropriation, the last Leeisla-
ture showed the States recognition Of the
value of the work that is carried on at the
home by a grant Of $4,000 to be used in
building cottage-annex to the home for
epileptic children, But now the State is
failing to pay the regular quarterly INSTALL
ments of the appropriation. The home,
with its full complement of rs epileptics.
most of whom have no other home and no
means of independent support. is practi-
cally dependent on the States support.
With this support suddenly withdrawn
the Silver Cross Home is today facing the
crisis of its existence.
This first home for epileptics in Mary
land was opened in June, 1894. through
the efforts of the Kings Sons and Daugh-
tiers Of the State. In those days people
suffering from the wretched disease had
no recourse but to 90 to the almshouse at
Bayview, where accommodations were not
only unsuitable but inadequate. 1t was
the Waverly Circle of Kings Daughters
that made the beginning toward establish
ing the home when they were faced with
the emergency Of finding proper place
for a homeless epileptic girl of IS, who
had no funds whatever to secure private
care for herself
This division Of the Kings Daughters
issued an appeal to the circles throughout
the State in 1892. The interest Of the
press was enlisted in the plan to establish
home for epileptics. and before long a
little fund of $500 in cash and $500 in
pledges was secured.
But it was not until early in 1894 that
those who were working so earnestly for
the cause could make material start on
the home. In that year Mrs. Woodward
Abrahams donated to the cause the old
home of her family, large. roomy house
high up on bluff 200 feet above the
beautiful Susquehanna river and about a
quarter of mile from Port Deposit.
With this gift as a tremendous stimulus
the Kings Sons and Daughters renewed
their campaign with such vigor that June
80, 1894. found the old Abrahams' home
stead transformed into a well-equipped,
comfortably furnished home, with nurse
and matron at the disposal of the eight
patients already waiting for admission.
The first inmate to cross the threshold
of the new home was the young girl who,
as proteee of the Waverly Circle of Kings
Daughters. was indirectly responsible for
its founding.
The Silver Cross Home for Epileptics
receives patients from Maryland alone.
Applications for admission are made to a
committee chosen from the board Of mana
gers, and the history and circumstances of
every person applying are carefully inves-
tieated to insure just choice of inmates.
Patients who are unable to pay are ad-
mtted free of charge. Those who are able
to pay a small amount are charged in pro-
portion to their means.
Until 1904 the home was maintained
by contributions from the circles of Kings
Daughters and Sons. supplemented by
voluntary donations from sympathetic
friends. In 1904 the Legislature passed
an act granting an annual appropriation
of $500. A charter was taken out under
the general incorporation laws In April,
1909. the incorporators being Helen Mason.
Mary j. Owings and Stevens T. Mason. 1t
has no capital stock and the membership
includes and is limited to the members of
the order of the Kings Daughters and Sons
of Maryland.
II has been since the grant Of an in
crease of $500 year in proof Of the
States faith in the institution that the
hold-up of funds has doomed so threaten
ingly on the horizon Of life at Silver Cross.
The inmates have always been cOntented
and in a measure happy Those who are
able to assist in the light work about the
home are allowed to do so under the super
vision of the nurse. Many Of them do fine
embroidery or handicraft work by way Of
occupation. A spirit Of kindness pervades
the house. making it in every sense Of the
word home for these helpless and too
often homeless ones. for whom home is
such vital need.
When it is realized that there are only
few places in the United States where
these unfortunates can receive proper care,
it is believed that the people Of our State
will rally to the support Of this Home.
Any person in the county who feels an
interest in the work and would like to con-
tribute to its support, can send the same
to Miss Isabel Kingdom. Leader, or Mrs. C.
L. Hickerson, Treasurer. Burden Bearer Cir
Gle Of the Kings Daughters, Rockville, Nd,
and the contributions will be forwarded to
the Home.
Executive Committee Meeting.
The Executive Committee OF the Social
Service League held its May meeting in
the court house. The president being alb