Shelby  County  Indiana
Historical  Articles

Gordon  Children's  Home


The  Shelbyville  News
March 4, 1959
Page 1
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FUTURE  USE  OF  GORDON  HOME
PROPERTY  BEING  CONSIDERED
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          Members of the board of county commissioners reportedly have under consideration several possibilities for use of the old Gordon Children's Home building here, which was closed last year.
          There have been reports that the commissioners have been "approached" with offers to acquire the large brick structure for conversion in to a private nursing home and also for a dining establishment.  A member of the board told The News today, however, that he was aware only of offers for use of the building as a nursing home.
          Shortly after the closing of the home last year, there was some discussion of the possibility of using the building as a county-operated nursing home to include non-ambulatory residents of the Shelby County Home.  One official however, siad this suggestion was "more or less abandoned" because of the costs involved.
          One county official also pointed out that the legal status of the building's ownership will have to be determined before the board of commissioners can take any action relating to its future use.  There appears to be some doubt as to whether under terms of the arrangement whereby the property became a county children's home, the commissioners can sell it.  There is a possibility, officials said, that the property might revert to the heirs of the original owner in the event its use is changed from that of a children's home.  It was also said that such a provision may apply only to that part of the property located east of the building itself.
          The commissioners said they have requested a check on the legal status of the property in this connection, from the county attorney.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The  Shelbyville  News
Monday, September 20, 1948
Page 1
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New Fire Escape
Is Installed At
Children's Home
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          Boys and girls at the Gordon Children's Home now are more safe in the event of fire.  A new all-steel tubular fire escape has been installed on the west side of the building, providing emergency exits from the second and third floors.  The stairways of an old and damaged open-type fire escape will be removed, officials said.  The old escape is located on the front or north side of the building and was declared unsafe many months ago.
          The board of county commissioners awarded a contract to the Potter Mfg. Corp., of Chicago, last January 9, covering purchase and installation of the new fire escape at a cost of $1,875.  Although the company predicted installation of the device within 60 days of the contract date, further delays were caused by shortages of critical materials.
          The home also has a steel stairway escape on the east side of the building.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The  Shelbyville  Daily  Democrat
Saturday, March 2, 1907
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          The lady managers of the Gordon children's home will meet with Mrs. K. M. Hord, Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The  Tuesday  Republican
February 10, 1903
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ANNUAL REPORT.
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Annual Report of the Gordon's Home for the Year 1902.
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          Twelve years ago, the cornerstone was laid for the building of the Gordon Children's Home.  Eleven years have our doors been open to all Shelby county children who needed a home.  We have tried to throw around each child in the home*, or those put out into other homes, as such influences as would be for their good.
          We have one fault to find with the Shelby county people as also the citizens of Shelbyville in that they do not visit the home or take as deep an interest in the work as they should.  Every Thursday is visiting day, and unless the children are quarantined against some contagion that we are careful to shield them from, we are glad to show you our home from garret to cellar.  They are well fed, kept clean and are happy and cheerful.  The lady board of managers would be glad to have you come and see for yourselves whether they are doing their duty toward those who are entrusted to their care.  Not long since a lady was visiting from this city in another part of the State and she was asked how the Orphans Home was getting along in her city and she answered that she knew we had one but was sincerely sorry to state that she had never been in it and could furnish no information in regard to its progress.  Is this not an injustice to Shelby county's Orphan's Home?  Many of you who will read this report are ladies who are deeply interest in Home and Foreign Missionary societies which is perfectly right, but is this not a mission right at your door and don't you think you should at least visit and gain some information concerning its work?  We do not ask you for your money, we only ask you for a kind word of approbation, if deserved; if not, we would be thankful for any kind criticism which might be offered.  There is not one of us who is tired of the work, rather we are more interested and fascinated than ever before for we feel that we have had a small part in lifting children from bad environments to a better life.
          The health of the institution during the past year has been good, with three exceptions.  One of our children had inflammatory rheumatism, one lung fever and one case of typhoid.
          We desire to thank all those who assisted us in donating presents for our Christmas tree.  Our children lok forward from one year to the next and think of te happy times they will have when Old Santa comes again.
          Number of of children received in our home during the year, girls 1, boys 5.
          Number placed in homes 20, girls 8, boys 12.
          Number sent to Ft. Wayne institute for feeble minded 4.
          Removed by death 0.
          Number remaining in the home 34, girls 7, boys 27.
          Monthly meetings held 12, call meetings 9.
          We feel glad to state that we have the foundation laid for a hospital where we can properly care for the sick from the institution.  As soon as the weather permits it will be hurried to completion.
          Respectfully submitted this eleventh ....
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming
*I checked the copy and this is how it is printed.  I am not sure what it means. - PMF

The  Daily  Democrat
Tuesday, January 5, 1892
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Opening  of  the  Home.
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          The Gordon Home will be opened Thursday, Jan. 7, and it is to be hoped that every one that can will come sometime through the day or evening.  Hacks will run to accommodate those who wish to ride.  On the next day (Friday) in the afternoon, as also Saturday afternoon, and every afternoon the following week, the President will receive applications for children, but the children will not be received in the Home until Monday, Jan. 11th.  All the applications will be received at the office of the township trustee on West Washington st., one door west of Mr. Charles Major's office.  Personas having children to place in the Home are requested to come as soon as possible.  Don't foret the donations for Jan. 7, at the Home from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The  Shelbyville  Daily  Democrat
Thursday, February 12, 1891
Page 1
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O R P H A N S'          
          H O M E     F A I R
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The   Feast   of   Day's   Entertain-
ment   And
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HOW   IT   IS   MANAGED.
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The Beauty, Wit and Fashion of the County As-
sembled to aid in an Enterprise Worthy of
Sympathy and Financial Assistance -- Who are
Most Prominent in the Great Labor of Love
Now Going on -- General Description of the
Entertainment -- A Great Social Event.
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          The "Feast of Days" entertainment now in progress in Blessing's Opera Hall, is the most elaborate festival given in this city for years.  The affair is under the management of the ladies of the Benevolent society, and the proceeds are to be applied to to[sic] assisting the Commissioners' in the furnishing of the Orphan's Home now under consideration.  The decorations of the Hall are wondrously beautiful!  All that refined taste, exquisite furnishings and skillfull labor can do has been called into requisition in this work of love.
          The interior of the spacious auditorium is resplendent with gayly colored ribbons, glittering glassware, delicately painted china and glistening silver and gold trappings.  Six booths, representing the employments of the several days of the week, are extended nearly the full length of the hall, and their contents comprise every variety of woman's handiwork and man's ingenuity.  The effect is quite unique and extremely beautiful.  All honor to the fair ones who have created such evidences of woman's affection for the homeless waifs of our county!
          The first booth is appropriately called "wash day."  It is filled with articles generally used on the first day of the week, arranged in an attractive manner around the four sides of the stand.  This booth is in charge of  Mrs. Vernis Williams,  who is ably assisted by  Mrs. Muchmore,  Misses Emma Senour,  Lou Enos,  Addie Doble,  and  Gertrude Muchmore.  The motto is  "Cleanliness is next to Godliness."
          Tuesday's booth represents "Ironing day" in the household.  The articles which fill it pertain exclusively to the housewife's needs for that particular day, and it is also beautified in the arrangement of its interior.  Mesdames Johnson  and  Rickets  are in charge, and they are assisted by  Mesdames Jane Elliott,  Otte,  Harrison,  Spellman  and  Mrs. Fred Horst.  The motto over their door is, "The Wrinkles in Character are Smoothed Out by Charity."
          The next compartment is that devoted to art, and it is a marvel of loveliness.  The dainty fabrics which have been woven into articles of household adornment are as varied as the tastes of the gentle beings who contributed them.  Mrs. Fannie Major  is in command of this department, and her assistants are  Mrs. Laura G. Fleming,  Mrs. Thomas Fleming,  Mrs. Hodell  and  Mrs. Dix W. Sayler,  the well-known taste of all of whom is sufficient guarantee of the character of its adornment.
          The booth representing Thursday is located on the stage, the sides, walls and floors of which are rich in hanging of laces and brilliantly colored furnishings, rugs and mattings.  In the center of this booth, and in full view of entire assemblage is the magnificent painting call[sic] "Homeless," a splendid donation by  Dr. and Mrs. George W. Fleming,  a description of which is given elsewhere.  Mrs. F. M. Cory,  Mrs. Ed. K. Adams,  Mrs. G. M. Wright,  assisted by the obliging  Misses Georgie Blanchard,  Florein Randall,  Saide Ray  and  Genevieve Parker  who preside over this booth, and will gracefully and willingly furnish their callers ices and other dainty refreshments.
          Friday and Saturday's booth's are joined.  In the portion allotted to the former are to be found all kinds of articles used to sweep and otherwise clean the home, while the latter room contains everything needed for a first-class Sunday dinner.  Mrs. Bryan,  Mrs. Pearson,  Misses Marie Bryan,  Maud Ballard  and  Lora Pearson,  manage that booth; while the baking day department contains such well-known ladies as  Mrs. J. K. Jameson,  Mrs. James O. Parrish,  Mrs. Albert Blakely,  Mrs. Fannie Senour,  Mrs. D. L. Wilson,  and  Misses Bertha Toompson[sic - s/b Thompson],  Josephine Byers,  Edith Clark,  May Jones  and  Hattie Wingate.
          The tables for refreshments are as follows:  Children's table:  Mrs. Sue Dann,  Mrs. K. M. Hord,  Mrs. A. B. Springer,  Misses Jessie Carter  and  Clara Shaw.
          Table number two, ice cream, is in charge of  Mrs. William Elliott,  Mrs. Helen Major,  Mrs. F. C. Sheldon,  Mrs. Dr. McFadden,  Mrs. Clara Gorgas,  Mrs. J. R. Clayton  and  Misses Sofia Levinson,  Aurilla Jeffers,  Emma Alexander,  Mary Conrey  and  Lottie Green.  Between the windows back of the table, appears the picture of  Leonidas Gordon, Esq., the chief patron of the Home, over which are the words:  "Honor to Whom Honor is Due."
          Two lunch tables are on the south side of the room, and they are most beautifully adorned with dainty china and silverware in profusion.  These tables are presided over by  Mrs. B. F. Love,  Mrs. M. B. Robins,  Mrs. Caughey Fleming,  Mrs. Dr. S. A. Kennedy,  Mrs. Louck,  Mrs. Joseph Levinson,  Mrs. S. L. Pierce,  Mrs. Sue Dixon,  Mrs. Charles Campbell,  Mrs. Richey,  Mrs. S. L. Vanpelt,  Mrs. Wiles,  Mrs. Ellis,  Mrs. Spiegle,  Mrs. Samuel Hamilton,  Mrs. Spivey,  Mrs. W. L. Carter,  Mrs. Thomas James,  Mrs. M. T. Sorden,  and  Mrs. Len. C. Powell.  Suspended on the walls in the rear of the tables are the mottoes:  "He that giveth to the Poor Lendeth to the Lord," and  "Eat, Drink and be Merry."
          The donation made by Dr. and Mrs. G. W. Fleming is a worthy attestation of their interest in an enterprise of such universal attention just now, as the building of the Orphans' Home.  The subject is especially fitted for the place, and when studied as it should be, will call forth the tenderest sympathy of all who view it.  Mrs. Fleming made the painting from a small engraving from the original, putting it into color and life-size, "Homeless," as it is so fittingly called, is one of  Gustav Dore's conceptions, and one of his most striking pieces, as a London critic said "it illustrates well his way of looking at his subject, with one realistic and one romantic eye."  Mrs. Fleming has charmingly and completely demonstrated her claim to a high place in the ranks of Indiana artists, and the sweet but sorrowful expression of the waif, the central figure in her piece, is depicted with a fidelity to artistic realism of high order.  The charming but modest artist has wielded a pencil, striking, resistless, grand, and is justly entitled to that mead of praise her friends are extending over the exquisite piece her brush has wrought.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The  Shelbyville  Daily  Democrat
December 24, 1891
Page 4   Column 2
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LOCAL  NEWS.
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          Work on the Orphans' Home has been completed and the commissioners on yesterday settled for the same with the contractors,  Messrs. George Osborne  and  Squire Markland. These gentlemen did their work faithfully and well.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The  Daily  Evening  Democrat
October 15, 1885
Page 4   col 2
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          The grand jury returned four indictments yesterday and adjourned.  In their report to  Judge Hord  they say they have been in session eight days and have examined two hundred and sixteen witnesses.  Twelve indictments for felonies have been returned and eleven indictments for misdemeanors.  They report the poor house in good condition but say the jail needs cleaning very badly.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

Records of Gordon Children's Home

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