Milford chronicle., 1924-05-02
WORK AT DELAWARE
COLONY IS PRAISED
At The Tree Planting Exercises
Last Saturday A Report Of Its
Activities Was Read.
SIXTY CHILDREN CARED FOR
Much Improvement Shown By The
Several Inmates Under Proper
Living Conditions.

Headed by Mrs. H. M. Waller, chair
man of the State Federation of WOm-
ems Clubs of Delaware, with Miss
Blanche E. Lockwood, of MiddletOwn,
a member of the auxiliary board to the
State Commission for the Feeble
Minded, Representatives of wOmens
clubs throughout the State on Satur-
day took part in the tree planting eX-
ercises at Delaware Colony, the home
for the Feeble Minded, located at
StOckley
Trees and shrubs were sent by the
clubs from nearly every town in the
State. and at the close of the erer-
cises the trees and shrubbery were
planted by the attendants at the
Colony.
Miss Lockwood, chairman of the
exercises, gave an interesting talk and
told of the wonderful developments
that have been made within the past
few months at the Colony, and out
lined some of the things that were ex-
pected to be done in the future. Mrs.
John B. Hutton, of Dover, also told
of the rapid strides that have been
made for the care of the feeble mind
ed children.
Mrs. Waller gave greetings from the
clubs and outlined some of the acti-
vities that have been planned for
future developments for the unfortun-
ate children. Robert G. Houston, one
of the moving spirits in the establish
ment of the Colony, eulogized Mrs.
Deemer for the wonderful work which
she had done in making it possible for
the erection of the buildings. He told
of the survey that had been made of
the State in picking out the location
and stated that it was at the instiga-
tion of Mrs. Deemer that the present
site was chosen.
In the selection of the site, Colonel
Houston stated that the Commission
had in mind a suitable location where
the boys and girls could be employed
at light work in order to make them
physically fit and keep their minds
occupied.
When construction work was start
ed on the Deemer Cottage, the first
building to be erected and now Oc-
cupied by the girls, Colonel Houston
said the spot was nothing but an un-
dergrowth of brushes. On the farm of
eight hundred and sixty acres, only
about seventy-fve we're cleared of
trees and brush, ten acres of which
was a short distance from where the
Deemer Cottage was erected.
The building, he pointed out, was
adauuate to care for the girls for the
time being, but it was only ques-
ton of a short time before more build
ings would have to be constructed, as
soon as funds were available to sup
ply the needs of many more unfor-
tunates in the State. Colonel HOus-
ton congratulated the WOmen's Clubs
of the State for the great interest they
have displayed in the institution and
for the wonderful help they have been
in crystaliZing sentiment and making
it possible for the work of progress
their activities along many
lines.
Superintendent Howard Ennis and
wife come in for their share of praise.
and Mrs. Ennis are
doing everything in their pOwe rto
make life happy for the unfortunate
BOYS and girls, and they are like a
father and mother to them.
Mr.. Ennis in his address to the Visi-
tors summarized some of the activities
of the Colony and expressed much
qualification for the cooperation that
is being manifested by the people from
all parts of the State. His remarks, !
which are of deep interest to every
resident of Delaware, follows. "This |
CONTINUED on page 81