SOLDIERS' ORPANS' HOME.

Resident Officers,

W. P. TOWERS,

SUPERINTENDENT.

MARY TOWERS,

MATRON.

History.

The first bill for a Soldiers' Orphans' Home was introduced in the Assembly in 1865; but the law authorizing the present establishment was enacted by the Legislature of 1866, although the Home was opened January 1, 1866; the necessary means being contributed by private subscription. The amount received from this source was $12,834. 69. The building, on the bank of Lake Monona, not quite a mile from the Capitol Square, was erected for a residence by Governor FARWELL, in 1856. During the war, it was purchased by the U. S. Government and converted into the widely known Harvey Hospital," for the care and treatment of sick and wounded soldiers. The property was purchased by the State for $10,000, and the Home became a State Institution, March, 31, 1866. Prior to the purchase of the property by the State, the Institution had been opened by Mrs. HARVEY, and a temporary Board of Trustees. Under their direction, the building was thoroughly refitted and furnished, and at the time the State took possession, there were eighty-four orphans duly admitted and properly cared for. Mrs. C. A. P. HARVEY, the widow of Governor HARVEY, was the first Superintendent. On the first of May, 1867, Mrs. HARVEY resigned as Superintendent, and General HARNDEN as Financial Agent. Mr. F. B. BREWER Succeeded Mrs. HARVEY as Superintendent, and Mrs. BREWER was appointed Matron. Mr. BREWER resigned the 1st of January, 1868, and Rev. I. N. CUNDALL was elected to the position. After filling it over a year, he resigned, and was succeeded by W. P. TOWERS, the present Superintendent. MARY TOWERS, his wife, is the Matron.

On the 30th of September, 1870, there were 252 orphans in the Home, and the accepted applications on file amounted to thirteen.

The orphans are not only maintained, but educated, and are brought up to habits of industry, although the limited ground surrounding the Institution prevents much being done in this way, that otherwise should and would be done.

The Sunday School of the Home has for years been under the direction of Hon. Wм. E. SMITH; but when he started on his European tour in the spring of 1870, Hon. LL. BREESE, Secretary of State, was selected to perform the voluntary duty so efficiently performed by Mr. SMITH. In conducting this school, several members of congregations in Madison also render valuable assistance.

The President of the United States offered to appoint one of the boys of the Home to the naval school at Annapolis, and a class was examined for this

purpose by a committee of three educated gentlemen. Although the boys stood a creditable examination, not one, in the opinion of the committee, could pass the rigid examination at the naval school, and therefore the President's patriotic consideration could not be taken advantage of.

Under a law of 1870, six of the pupils of the Home have been sent to the Normal School at Whitewater, to be educated at the expense of the State for two years. The expense of doing this shall not exceed $200 per year for each pupil.

By a law of 1870, $200 per year for three years, were appropriated for purchasing and maintaining a library for the use of the pupils of the Home.

The establishment of the Home is based on the idea that the orphans when fifteen years of age, will not longer need its protection; and considering this, the prospect is that the institution, in a few more years, will have served its purpose, and will then be closed. But it will always be remembered as a proud memento of the tender regard of the people of Wisconsin for the sons and daughters of the gallant Badgers who fell during the late war.

Hon. B. F. HOPKINS, the deceased M. C. from the 2d district, was active in authorizing and organizing this institution, and his efforts in its behalf were from first to last, unremitting and successful.

On September 30, 1871, there were 214 children in the Home and 9 accepte d applications, making a total of 223, which is 42 less than on September 1870. The Legislature of 1871 appropriated $40,000 for the current expenses of the year, and the current expenses of the coming year are put at $30,000.

During the year, one of the boys of the Home, MENDEL P. BLAKESLEY, of Patch Grove, was recommended by the examiners as a suitable candidate for the naval school at Annapolis, and in June he went there, passed the examination at the school and was appointed by President Grant.

During the year, the Home received $23,000 in bonds and $554.97 accrued interest, after paying all the expenses in securing this magnificent bequest; which was the Home's share of nearly one hundred thousand dollars left by HORATIO WARD, deceased, an eminent American banker, who died in London, England, to the various Homes that have been formed throughout the loyal states for the orphans by the late war for the restoration of the Union. The philanthropic testator expressed his desire as to the disposition of this fund as follows: "I judge that the interest only, for a time, will be used, and that the bequest will be so managed as to give the orphans, as they become of age, a sum of money to fit them out in life, and thus gradually extinguish the fund." The Legislature of 1871 enacted a law to the effect that after September 1871, all children remaining in the Home shall become the wards of the State, and that the State Board of Charities and Reform shall be their legal guardians, with authority to bind out any of the children to such trade or occupation as is deemed best, and to exercise a close supervision over their interest and safety, during their minority.

In 1871, another class of six was sent to the Normal school at Whitewater to be educated for two years.

The officers of the Board of Management are Gen. HENRY HARNDEN, Madison,