San Francisco Call, Volume 77, Number 82, 2 March 1895 — MORE ROOM FOR ORPHANS. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

MORE ROOM FOR ORPHANS.

The Fred Finch Asylum at Fruitvale Has Been Much Enlarged.

There Are Eighty-Five Children, and They Were Near .. the Limit.

An extensive addition has been built to the Fred Finch Orphanage at the Hermitage, near Fruitvale, Alameda County, and the capacity of the institution has been increased nearly one-half. More wards,

more beds and much more room and convenience have come with the new building. The orphanage was founded by Captain D. B. Finch, who gave a house in the foothills of Alameda County, near Fruitvale, and six acres of land surrounding it. It was originally designed as a theological training school, but upon deliberation it was -loomed to be too far from the city for the purpose. It was accordingly decided to make it an orphanage instead. The home was opened with one child on the first day of January, 1892, with

Miss Carrie Smith as matron and Henry Griffin as superintendent. On February 22 it was formally dedicated by. Bishop C. H. Fowler. The orphanage filled rapidly and the board of managers were soon compelled to build a $4200 addition, which practically amounted to the erection of a new building. . 7 77- *7 ' ;-7 There are now eighty-five inmates. The children are well supplied with wholesome food three times a day. They have excellent beds and dormitories amply ventilated. They are trained at the public schools at Fruitvale, are members of I the Loyal Legion, and are thus instructed in principles of temperance. On Sunday, at _ p. m., there is religious instruction ; short sermons are delivered, and daily there is exercise in catechetical instruction.

It is the aim to have the whole conduct of the orphanage such as to be as nearly like a well-regulated home as it is possible

jto make it. Although under Methodist i management children are received irreI spective of creed, the only trouble being that lack of funds causes many, applicants j to be refused admittance.

THE FRED FINCH ORPHANAGE NEAR FEUITVALE.