Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-11-22
IORPHANS' HOME
Isl YEARS OLD
MONDAY, NOV. 10.

| Baln, MS.-JuSl OIL SSoiS aSo ~SN-
day, Nov. 10, the late Mrs. Z. A. L.
Sampson, one of the best known war
nurses in Maine in the Rebellion
whose body is now lying in the Airing
ton National Cemetery. got few OF
her women friends together. and they
started what today is one of the most
worthy Of Names many State lnStltu-
lions, the Bath Military and Naval
Orphans Asylum which now occupies
the fine building at the corner of
South and High streets. The home is
a fitting monument to the zeal Of Mrs.
Sampson.
In December, 1866. these women,
still under the leadership of Mrs.
Sampson, held fair from which
$4,000 was realized and donations soon
after raised the sum to over $4,000.
Many Bath people contributed. The
late Capt. John Patten gave $1,000 and
the late Parker Morse like amount.
The home was first started in a
house on Walker street, but in IS
months this was found too small. and
the association entered the Winslow
house on High street. The first
matron was Miss Sarah Farnham, and
with the assistance of Mrs. Mayhem of
| Rockland, a war nurse, the orphans
| received a mothers care and treat
ment.
| Miss Farnham married and Mrs.
| Mayhem became matron and held the
| position until 1873. At this time
there were IS children at the home,
and movement was started to get
| an appropriation from the State for
| its support. and Mrs. Sampson, in
company with Rev. A. f. Beard, took
| the orphans to Augusta, which had
| the desired effect upon the Legisla-
ture which appropriated $4,000 for
| it's benefit.
Then the present home known as
the Davis mansion, was bought. The
| first president was Capt. John Pat
ten and he was succeeded by Nelson
/ Dingley. Jr., Of Lewiston. The first
board of trustees appointed by the
| governor in 1872 was composed of
John Patten, J. r. Morse, Gen. T. w.
| Hyde and Nathan Farwell, Rockland.
Liberal appropriations have been
made by each succeeding Legislature
for the support of the home.
The policy of the home has been to
protect the nations ward during
childhood. and when they have
! reached an age which assures their
ability to care for themselves, then
4 they are allowed to go their way.
| The benefits of the schools, the in
i f1uence Of the churches and Sunday
schools are theirs, and though the in
stitution demands no particular church
| 1ftnnG1 tho chil6ran I..
most part, since the present home was
i occupied, attended the Wesley church.
In addition to their school training
the girls get lessons in sewing and
| household duties. The boys are
taught to labor, although they are
not required to perform mechanical
work to any great extent.
In connection with the house is a
spacious playground, fully equipped
with playground apparatus, which
has much to do with the healthy chill
drcn found here. On three sides of
the building are handsome lawns, es-
! pecially is this true of the east side
where there is fine orchard
Whatever talent may be observed
in the boy or girl is developed so far
as the facilities of the home allow.
Miss Eliza Brown, who some months
ago resigned, was matron about 20
years.
Mrs. Louise Staples. the present
matron, is nothing more or less. than
a mother to the 33 boys and 81 girls
which now make up the home family.
She is assisted by Mrs. Laura Black.
| The children rise at A. NJ. when
| the big gong in the hall sounds and
! breakfast at after which the girls do
housework and the boys chores, such
as getting wood, emptying ashes, etc.
until time to start for school. Dinner
is served at l. and supper at 6. The
older boys and girls are allowed to
| study or read until or $50
| At night, before retiring, devotional
exercises are held, the children read
ing the first psalm and repeating the
! Lorrs prayer and Sunday morning
they read the 23d Psalm and repeat the
| prayer.
The home has fine library of fic
ton and general works of reference
| of over 500 volumes
| At meeting of the trustees those
| officers were elected: President Will
f! liam 4. kimball: secretary and treas
urer, Horatio A. Duncan; physician.
! DR.. j.. I. Snipe; matron, Mrs. Louise
staples; assistant matron, Mrs. Laura
| Black.