ST. PAUL'S ORPHAN HOME - P. C. Prugh, D. D., Superintendent.

With devout gratitude to Almighty God for his goodness and mercy exercised towards us, as a family, during another year, we would submit to the State Department of Soldiers' Orphan Schools this, our annual report.
For beauty of location, our home stands unsurpassed. Situated on one of the most delightful hills that surround the town of Butler, the county-seat of Butler county, its outlook is regarded as surpassingly grand.

The steady improvements made to the lawn, to the house and its general surroundings have contributed to make the home more attractive and comfortable.

Its sanitary condition has been most excellent. The year closed without a single case of sickness occurring that required the attention of the physician. The location of the home makes the drainage easy and good. The water supply is abundant. Coming from the large reservoir that supplies the town, we are never likely to be inconvenienced with a shortage. All heating, cooking and washing is effected with gas fuel. This not only makes the work easier, but gives a much more constant and steady heat.

Considerable attention has been paid to the industries of the school. The lands of the home, owned and leased, are one hundred and thirty acres. Most of these, however, are devoted to grass and pasturage. The boys do all the work of farm and garden, in addition to the care and work of keeping a dairy of ten cows. We have also a printing office, in which the Orphans' Friend, a worthy paper of respectable size, is published. This gives employment to three boys when out of school and on Saturdays, and also qualified them for a respectable position, at a fair price, in other offices when they leave the home. The girls are taught all kinds of house work, such as cooking, laundering, etc., as well as general sewing.

The educational department has steadily advanced. Two good, efficient teachers are employed, who devote all their energies to the proper development of the minds and hearts of their pupils. The annual examination was conducted by Dr. E. E. Higbee, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, assisted by Hon. J. M. Greer. Inspector of State Soldiers' Orphan Schools; Prof. E. Mackey, superintendent of Butler schools; Prof. Russell, superintendent of Butler county schools, and Mrs. E. A. Smith, of the Iron City Commercial College, Pittsburgh. The examination was regarded as satisfactory and showed that the orphan schools are not behind the other schools of the State.

Each evening and morning all the children have met in the chapel, where religious service was held, consisting of reading scripture, singing and prayer.