The Denver Times
January 1, 1895, page 7
ST. VINCENT'S ASYLUM HAS 167 CHILDREN TO CARE FOR.
Happy Mites With Not a Thought Of Trouble–Sweet-Faced Sisters of Charity Who Make the Asylum A Home For the Waifs Who Know No Father or Mother–Noble Work Accomplished–The Ball Tonight.
Nowhere in the city of Denver is a more happy New Year being spent than in a big, light-colored house out in Highlands on the Rocky Mountain Lake line. In front of the spacious building is a big sign announcing to the public that right there, set in a wide garden, is Mount St. Vincent's Orphan Asylum.
A merry crowd of boys and girls rushed from the dormitories to wish one another a Happy New Year this morning, and at breakfast there was a subdued chatter about all the expected joys of the day. It must be understood that the children of St. Vincent's are very well behaved and that they are never rude or boisterous. They are decorous, well-trained little men and women, who dwell together in harmony. They spend busy contended days that are so full of something to do, time flies at a very rapid rate.
Beneath the hospitable roof of St. Vincent's there were today 167 children, many had never before celebrated a new year, not that they are devoid of the true holiday feeling, but you see they are so young. A score count their years–that is they would count their ages if they knew anything except to drink milk from a bottle–by weeks or months. Between the ages of 3 weeks and 4 years there are 79 little children. Twelve years is the limit in point of age.
These 167 young folks are very happy–a brighter, healthier group could not be found anywhere. They are all orphans. In most cases they have lost both parents, but some of them have come into the world without any distinct claim to a name, much less to a father and mother. But the children do not mind. They are real philosophers who take each day as it comes and don't mind looking backward or forward.
The mother superior is the kindliest gentlest most big-hearted woman in the world. She can smile on the children so that they feel the whole world must be a beautiful place. Thirteen sisters of charity assist her in caring for the home. One takes charge of the nursery, two teach in the school and one has supervision of the kindergarten. Sometimes when the babies decide to express their dissatisfaction on the subject of colic, it requires nearly all the good sisters to look after them.
Among the 167 inmates of the asylum there is not one that would have a home if the doors of St. Vincent's were not open. Such is the serene confidence of childhood that none of the orphans care for another home or harbor any fears about the length of their sojourn with the sisters whom they love with the abandon of youth. Instead of one mother, they have 14 and they would be ungrateful indeed if they borrowed any trouble.
THEY ALL WANT HOMES.
It is the aim of the management to procure home for the children. Less trouble is found in disposing of the babies than of children that are several years old. The boys are sent away as soon as they reach the age of 12, and the girls are put in private homes when they are old enough to be helpful.
St. Vincent's is a large, conveniently arranged building. It is situated where there is a wide sweep of horizon always in view–where there is pure air and plenty of sunshine. It is an ideal place to rear children. The broad doors are closed on no unfortunate little one. The sisters have gathered beneath their protecting care, babies of all nationalities children born into any and every church or into no church at all.
The expenses of running a home for 167 children are very large, although the greatest economy is used and the most self-helpfulness prevails. In order to help support St. Vincent's the Catholic societies of Denver have been for several weeks making elaborate preparations for a ball, which will be held this evening in the spacious dancing room of the handsome Progress Club building. Many tickets have been sold, and a large attendance of prominent persons is expected. Music will be furnished by a line orchestra and every arrangement will be made for the enjoyment of the guests.
Transcribed by Rita Timm, 7 Oct 2001
