Pueblo chieftain., 1922-01-02
BY Rose w. Jay

Elisabeth Barratt Wells was born in
London. England in 1854, and when
young girl. accompanied her family to
1ngersol. District of Ontario, Canada.
at which place she was married to
Frank A. Wells on February 6, 1876.
Mrs. Wells died at san Jose, Cali
fornia. on Thursday. December %. 1921,
and was buried in Roselawn cemetery
at Pueblo. December 27.
She came to Pueblo as bride and
reared and educated her family in this
city, leaving Pubic last June for Calf
fornia. She was the mother of eleven
children, eight of whom survive.
Mrs. Wells was woman of unaf-
fected Christian character of wide
survey and great determination, She
was gracious in manner, kind in
speech. boundless in sympathy and
tireless in hopeful application in the
interests of childhood. Her wonderful
mother heart reached beyond tho con-
fines of her home and she believed that
the bearing and bringing up of chill
dren is tho most important function of
the human race. In the courage of her
convictions she labored for the welfare
OF local children with far reaching re-
suits, for the great qualities of mind
and soul which enriched and illumin-
ated her character, are wrought into
the intimate warp and woof of child
welfare progress in this part of the
state.
OF her prophetic vision and convictions.
the foundation OF deathless move
ment toward the lettering of condi-
uons for the physical. mental and
moral welfare of childhood was laid
Sho handled her co-workers as n
skilled musician does his favorite
instrument. infusing them with the i'm
pulse of her own soul, altho she also
recognized tho dscouragements and
responsibilities of tho initial labors
N,.ht all ,,tn
fence. With a brave. undismsyed spir-
It, she planned for the enlargement
and expansion of the child-welfare
movement rfe51diug constantly for q
community cooperation and awaken
Ing to the needs of the children.
Distance Is essential to perspective
but 1t is fitting that a partial survey
OF the local child welfare movement
to date shall be herewith published
thru the courtesy OF the Pueblo Chief
tain and by desire of tho local child
welfare officials.
II Ia required that two called meet
inGs before a quorum was present
making IT possible to effect an organ
lxation Of the Mothers Congress and
Parcnt-Tcachers association in this
district. The Pueblo Parent Tea chers
association was organized at the Nc
Clelland library IN August. 1910. Mrs.
Wclls WAS elected chairman and con-
Gnued to serve the organization as its
=. Z.
time she resigned in order that she
might devote her time to the care of
her aged mother.
September 13. 1910 but three schools
had organized Mothers circles. Other
schools demanded recognition and
within a few months. 10 schools. in
cMding both high schools, had bcen or.
Eani1ed into active Mothers Com
crosses and Parent Teacher branches
4 central organization named the
Council and composed of Mother
Congress and Parent-Teachcr associa-
ton officers, chairrnen of standing
committees and principals OF schools,
directed the growing interests of the
aims and purposes OF the organiEation
This plan of organization. originated
under Mrs. Wells direction. was soon
accepted as part OF the national rule
for organization.
Under her leadership the local asso-
oiauon promoted many beneficial and
progressive movements. including the
better baby movement, the original
DETER baby contest at the state fair
state teachers day. half fares on street
cars for children. childrens home gar
dens, local screen picture censorship
simple dress FOR graduation. super
vision FOR public play grounds, insti-
tuted system of educational study
topics for general discussion thruout
the association: introduced penny
savings plan into the Pueblo public
schools: organized branches Of the
national reading circles for mothers;
cooperating with the request OF the
government by institution OF tho reg
uiar measuring and weighing OF ali
children in school districts; appointed
child hygiene committee In every as
sociaHon: instituted free weekly con-
sultations for mothers with little chill
drcn. thru n resident physician, who
was child specialist; established the