BIENNIAL REPORT OF THE Board of Directors of the State Orphans' Home OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, FOR THE FIFTEENTH AND SIXTEENTH FISCAL YEARS. REPORT. STATE OF NEVADA, OFFICE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF STATE ORPHANS' HOME, To the Honorable the Legislature of Nevada: In conformity with the statute, the undersigned, Directors of the State Orphans' Home, herewith submit their report, covering the fifteenth and sixteenth fiscal years. For the several items herein contained we refer to the tables which make up the body of the report, viz: TABLE NO. 1. Giving the number and description of the orphans in Home December 31, 1878. TABLE NO. 11. Being a register of the children under our charge at the Home. TABLE NO. 2. Containing a list of the wards of the State indentured under the statute of 1873. TABLE No. 21. Showing number of children in the Home each month for two years. TABLE NO. 3. Being a complete and corrected list of all the children admitted since the founding of the Home, with the exception of those now in the Home, as recorded in Table No. 1. TABLE No. 4. Giving the number received from each county to December 31, 1880, the number discharged, the number indentured, and the number at present in the Home, with a recapitulation of the above. TABLE No. 5. Showing the expenditures of the Home, in detail, by the month, for the fifteenth fiscal year, ending December 31, 1879. TABLE No. 6. Showing the expenditures of the Home, in detail, by the month, for the sixteenth fiscal year, ending December 31, 1880. TABLE NO. 7. Containing a valuation of property on hand at the end of the sixteenth fiscal year. TABLE No. 8. Giving the deficiency in the appropriation for the fifteenth and sixteenth fiscal years. THE CHILDREN Have largely increased in number since December 31, 1878, the date of our taking charge of the Home. From January 1, 1879, to September 1, 1879, a period of eight months, the average number was somwhat over seventy-two. As will be seen elsewhere, the number of children in the Home at present is but slightly in advance of what it was December 31, 1878; there being in the Home, now, fiftyseven boys and girls, while then there were fifty-two. The cause of the increase in the number of orphans has been the hard times in Nevada, prevailing during the last two years, many children claiming the charity of the Home whose surviving parent and relatives had provided for them until forced to seek the beneficiary aid of the State. The cause of the marked decrease in the number of orphan children under our charge at present is, mainly, that the Board of Directors have, in every instance, required the surviving parent who could possibly maintain his or her offspring to take them from the Home and support them independent of the State. We have, also, been compelled to discharge one boy who was deemed a dangerous person about the premises of the institution. Several large boys who were not willing to submit to the wholesome discipline to which they were subjected as members of the family at the Home, and who persisted in running away time and again, we have thought it best, not to say necessary, inasmuch as we cannot make a house of correction of the Home, to let go at large; and we have instructed the Superintendent not to receive them back, as their presence has a vicious and demoralizing tendency among other and smaller children. We have endeavored, as far as possible, to secure places for those wards of the State who are large enough to care for themselves and be of use to others, deeming it of the highest interest to the children and all concerned that they should be put in the way of earning a livelihood for themselves. To what extent we have succeeded in our endeavors you will be informed by reference to the proper tabulated statement which follows. A very large majority of the children who remain are quite young, many of them being hardly able to care for themselves. That the cares and labor incident to the charge of this great family are onerous and multiform must be evident. You will judge, by inspection, how those standing in the place of parents to the orphan children-the Superintendent and Matron and attaches of the Home-have discharged their duties in the premises. THE MANAGEMENT Of the Home is immediately in the hands of Mr. John H. Mills, Superintendent, and his wife, Mrs. John H. Mills, Matron, aided by the following corps of assistants: Miss S. A. Harris, teacher; Miss M. Daig, assistant matron; Mrs. Blakely, cook; and Mrs. Quinn, laundress. Considering the large number of children, and the character, habits, and previous modes of life of many of them who are admitted to the Home, we have to say that the management has been excellent. The orphan boys and girls, while kept under strict family discipline, are treated with kindness, and are allowed every liberty compatible with the conduct of so large an institution. The seeming ease with which so great a number of children is managed and cared for, has excited the comment of many a visitor who has observed with what difficulty a few children are governed in a single family. THE HEALTH Of the Home for the last two years has been remarkably good, as is evidenced by the fact that it has not been necessary to call in a physician, in case of illness, since October, 1879. But one serious case of illness has occurred, and no death has taken place. The trivial ailments common to childhood have been promptly attended to by the Matron. RULES AND REGULATIONS ADOPTED FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE HOME. A. M.-1. The children rise at half-past five; and each child old enough makes his own bed. 2. Breakfast at half-past six. 3. After breakfast until ten o'clock different duties are allotted to those capable of performing them. 4. From ten to twelve, school hours. P. M.-5. Half-past twelve, lunch. 6. One to four, school hours. 7. Four to half-past five, recreation. 8. Half-past five, supper. 9. At six o'clock the children assemble in the school-room, and an hour is allotted to instruction in vocal music, recitation, or reading, under the direction of the matron. 10. Half-past seven, prayers. 11. After prayers, retiring bell. Grace is said at each meal by the children in concert. The children are regularly bathed every Wednesday and Saturday in Summer, and every Saturday during the Winter months. A change of clothing is made twice a week. The bed linen is changed every Monday morning. Every attention is paid to secure the cleanliness and comfort of the little ones. |