History of Springfield, Illinois, its attractions as a home and advantages for business, manufacturing, etc. Pub. under the auspices of the Springfield board of trade, by J. C. Power.

60 SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, AND
tion was started among the citizens, and comfort and positions of thrift and usethe sum of $5,620 was obtained. This fulness. Some have died, some have been
was supplemented by a contribution from taken away by their families, and a few
the city of $2,000, and by the county of have preferred the freedom of out d'oor
Sangamon $5,000. life, and have departed without leave.
In the spring of 1864, a building com- There are, at present, in the Home,
mittee was appointed, consisting of An- eight aged and otherwise indigent women,
trim Campbell, Col. John Williams, John some of whom have been its inmates for
S. Bradford, J. S. Vredenburg, John years.
Armstrong and John A. Chesnut. At The benefits of this institution have
the request of this committee, Mr. E. E. been quite beyond measurement by the
Myers, architect of this city, prepared a dollars and cents employed in its erection
design and drawings for a building, and the support of its helpless inmates.
which was approved by the committee. It requires an average of $4,000, per anThe building is three stories, with num, to meet its current expenses. This
Mansard roof-is of brick, tasty propor- involves a heavy responsibility upon the
tions, and well built. It affords accom- officers and managers. It requires work;
modations for about 200 children. but that has been cheerfully given. The
The house was finished and occupied Board of Supervisors of the county has
early in the year 1865. The value of the treated the Institution with generosity.
ground was estimated at $8,000, and the Every year they have voted considerable
entire cost of the building was about sums in aid of it. Indeed, it is doubtful
$20,000. The house was erected under whether it could have been sustained
the superintendence of Messrs. Sutton through these years without their friendly
and Runyon. aid. The ladies deserve great credit for
In the year 1868 Mrs. R. E. Goodell their enterprise in getting up fairs and
asked and obtained leave to lay out the in procuring private subscriptions, etc.
grounds into walks, and to ornament Much has been contributed toits treasury
them with shrubbery-all of which was by musical concerts, lectures, etc., etc,
handsomely done. While she took the The public, pretty generally, have acted
leading part in this improvement, she re- towards it as if the little ones in the
ceived assistance from other citizens. Home were their respective wards. Some
The grounds are now beautifully orna- mechanics have made liberal donations
mented, and the streets, on every side, on their bills, for work done-especially
set with elm shade trees. The house is is this true of Mr. R. B. Zimmerman.
supplied with water from the city water Dr. Townsend, Dr. Barrell and Dr. Roworks. man have bestowed faithful professional
On the first of May, 1864, the mana- services, without a dollar of compensation.
gers opened "The Home" in a rented A benevolent lady of this city is putting
house, on North Fifth street. Mrs. Nancy up window blinds at this time, which
M. Britton was the first matron. About will cost several hundred dollars. Mr.
60 children were received, and most of Thomas Strawbridge, AMr. George Judd
them placed in homes during the first and Mrs. Mary Lyons have been very
year. liberal in their contributions. And these
The Home has now been open for just are only a few of those who have distinseven years, and there have been between guished themselves in the same way.
900 and 1000 children received into it. Mrs. James C. Conkling has been one of
There are, at this date, 31 children. Be- the managers, from the first to this pressides these, the greater number of those ent day, and has ever borne a most rereceived have been placed in homes of sponsible and pains-taking part. The