The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1923-08-16

CHILDREN Home
STORY OF III. Nj. DRAPER AND HIS
WORK OF UNUSUAL INTEREST
IN MOSCOW TODAY

A caravan of thirty boys and girls
of the Draper Childrens home, OF
Des Moines, Washington, are in
Moscow and will give a free concert
on the street this (Thursday) even
ing at 1880 o'clock. They have a
splendid twenty-piece band Little
Edna Tuttle, one of their number,
will give several cornet solos.
The children's home at Des Moines,
Washington, of which H. M. Draper
was the founder some 20 or more
years ago, and has ever since been
the manger, is an unique institution.
1t is, as Mr.. Draper will tell you, if
you should meet him, a self-support-
ing children's home, asking nothing
from county, state, or organized
charity, but not refusing free will do
nations, although subscriptions are
never solicited. Much of the money
necessary to carry on is secured
through the entertainments given by
the little people, under the direction
of Mr.. Draper, who has now reached
the age of 67 years.
Mr.. Draper, years ago, wanted to
do something for homeless children,
and conceived the plan of establish
ing home and making it self-sup-
porting. His success has been re-
markable, and hundreds of children
have been afforded a comfortable
home and have been given valuable
training.
The children, and there are between
20 and 80 of them at the home now,
or rather in Moscow now, 20 of them
members of the Jolly Entertainers,
attend public school, and are train
ed in music at the home and are also
trained in everything necessary for
,irst-class musical and vaudeville
Each child studies
both vocal and instrumental music
and through entertainments given at
heir own hall, they secure much of
he necessary money to maintain
he home. Through their concert
work they are accorded the privilege
If travel, and secure information
which they could not otherwise OBJ
ain regarding the country, as we'll
Is getting in touch with the good
,eople of so many communities.
While it is not the policy of Mr..
Draper to try to place the children
n homes, as they are welcome to
tay with him until they grow to man
ood and womanhood, he is not averse
o placing one in home where it is
ertain the child will receive good
are and an education Where he has
wo or more children from the same
amily, however, he will not separate
hem, and if any home is thrown
pen to one, it must be open to the :
rOtherS or sisters
Mr.. Draper has now reached the
ge where he wants to see the home :
laced on firm footing, with the re-
possibility on other shoulders, and
offering to turn over the property,
alued at $4,000 to some fraternal
ociety, or union labor organization,
r if necessary, to the county or
.ate, to be used for a children's
ONE. He would wish to continue
is work with the children and to I
ave the general policy of the home |
ontinued, but he wishes the control
laced with some legally responsible i,
rganizatiOn.
MOSCOW people will be interested I
hearing the little people in con-
ert this evening, and in coming in 6
'uch with work which is so much !
1T of the ordinary. q
The children are travelling in their
vn pullman" a big auto-house, re- I
entity purchased, which affords every
)nvenience, even to sleeping room.