Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 9.djvu/21

 SCHOOLS FOR DEPENDENT CHILDREN ^

removed to Glenwood, twenty-three miles south of Chicago, and located on a fine tract of land of 300 acres, donated by one of the directors (Mr. George) for this purpose. Money was raised, largely through the efforts of the Woman's Club of Chicago, for buildings, and a number of cozy brick cottages (costing $7,000 each) were erected from time to time. These cottages number eight at present, and are ranged around a semi-circle, with a large administration building in the center. In 1900 a fine manual- training building, costing $50,000 the donation of a friend was erected and well equipped. The location, arrangement, and material equipment of this school are among the best in the state. Instruction is given in the ordinary branches of an English edu- cation, and drawing, clay-modeling, carpentry, farming, cooking, laundry work, and other practical arts are taught the boys. Every boy is required to be in school half a day and to work half a day. Between 1887 and 1900 the school received 2,961 boys and placed in families 2,688, leaving in the school on May I, 1900, 273 boys.

These boys have been taken care of at a total cost of $327,- 425.21, of which the counties contributed $176,531.30. The per- capita cost has, therefore, been $129.17. The superintendent claims that 90 per cent, of the boys do well after leaving the school, but if only 75 per cent, become respectable and useful citizens, the work of the school must be considered a success.

iv. ST. MARY'S TRAINING SCHOOL FOR BOYS.

Another school for boys organized under the act of 1883 is "St. Mary's Training School" at Feehanville, near Des Plaines, Cook county, about eighteen miles northwest of Chicago, on the Chicago & Northwestern Railway. This is a Roman Catholic institution, and is in charge of the Christian Brothers. Unfortu- nately, it was burned down in 1899, an< ^ all records were destroyed, so that a complete account of its history and work is not possible. This is the largest school for dependent boys in Illinois, and is situated on a fine tract of 900 acres of land. It was founded under a charter taken out by Archbishop Feehan of Chicago in 1883. Its forerunner was the Orphan Asylum of Chi-