News & Newspapers > 1898 IA Children's Home Society Dedication

'Dedication of the New Home of the Iowa Children's Home Society at Des Moines.'

The new building in East Des Moines of the Iowa Children's Home Society was dedicated Jan. 20th with appropriate exercises. The program included addresses by Mayor Smith, of Davenport; Mayor Macvicar, of Des Moines, and Superintendent U.S.R. Burnette. The structure is practically free from debt and promises greatly to increase the efficiency of the society's work in the state. Superintendent Burnette spoke as follows regarding the work of the Iowa home:

"I want to see where we are at. Basing my estimates on the results found at the close of the year l897, l,442 children had come under our care. Of the vast company sixty-one died while in the home, or an average of a little over six for each year, or 4 percent, of the whole number. Sixty-nine died after going to the new homes selected for them, and eighty-three have been returned to their parents whose circumstances had so far improved as to make this course desirable. Fourteen were found to be feeble-minded or incorrigible and are in the state institutions especially adapted to their respective needs. Forty-six became dissatisfied and left their homes without permission, all of whom, however were of an age to care for themselves. After deducting all losses from every source, we have l, l69 children whose placement may safely be considered successful, or 80 per cent of the whole number committed to our care. It is a gratifying fact that the per cent of losses has constantly decreased with each report it has been my duty to make, and I now, in my official relation, desire in this public manner to express the deep sense of gratitude we feel to all those who have assisted us and to ask your continued help. We cover every port of the state in the scope of our work, yet have never received a dollar of state aid as such."

Mayor MacVicar said in his address, "It is entirely fitting that Des Moines' relation to the Iowa Children's Home Society should be one of your themes today. Des Moines is the home of your society, and you have chosen wisely in selecting it as your location. Yours is an Iowa institution and Des Moines is the best representative of the public spirit with which Iowa welcomes and approves your work. This is a city and this is a state of equality, and the Children's Home Society is a force to perpetuate that equality. Your effort is in the direction of preventing the growth of a pauperized class in our common wealth. So long as every child in a state is brought up in a good home, there is not much danger of that state drifting into aristocracy or plutocracy. You go about this work in a business like manner. Your methods are humane, yet practical. If the $40,000 expended annually for charity in Des Moines and Polk County were as systematically handled as are your funds, there can be little doubt that better results would ensue. Speaking to you both as a citizen and official of Des Moines as a friend of organized charity and systematic beneficience, I take pleasure in commending your work and congratulating you on the improved conditions under which it is henceforth to be carried on. I find that all the accepted principles of modern philanthropy are applied to you; that you act only upon thorough investigation, and you employ only adequate and efficient means.

"What more could I say? In the name of blessed babyhood and childhood of the common humanity which prompts every true hearted man and woman to do in their smaller way what philanthropists such as James Callanan and Abram Slimmer do on a magnificent scale, namely, care for infancy and old age. I invoke upon your enterprise the better acquaintance and therefore the warmer and richer love of a city already proud to be the scene of your endeavors."

The officers of the society held a public reception at the Y.M.C.A. parlors in the evening, after which Hon. John Woodbridge, of Chicago, President of the National Children's Home Society gave a most excellent address.

In the new building the prettiest room is the one furnished by Chapter W. of the P.E.O. Sisterhood of Leon, and dedicated to the memory of MISS KATE GATES. The room is furnished throughout in white and gold, the society's colors and a life size portrait of MISS GATES adorns the wall. Three members of Chapter W. were present at the dedication; MISS CORA LUNBECK, of this city, and MISSES MARY JEWELL and CLARE LUNBECK, of Mason City.

Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
"With permission from the Leon Journal Reporter"
November 30, 2002