THE GENE~GENEVIEVE ORPHANAGE; Caddo Par., Louisiana ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** THE GENE~GENEVIEVE ORPHANAGE IN APRIL, ~901,. the Genevieve Orphanage was dedicated. Senator T. (S. Barrett, Mr. 15. II. Rand&ph, Witer 13. Jacobs, Miss Ada Godfrey and the ttev. Mr. \V. S. Penek took part in the ceremonies. Mr. Jacobs presented the l)uflding on behalf of his mother, Mrs. P. L. Jacobs; Mr. S. B. Hicks accepted in behalf of the Trustees, referring to Mrs. Jac'dis' gift as am('ng the nol~lest ever made in Shreveport, and to her as the most charitable in the city at that time; and Dr. \V. S. Penick told of the origin of the Genevieve Orphanage. This is his story: "Sitting in my study one rainy night in February, 1 heard a gent'c - -knocking and on opening the door, there stood a little girl with tangled hair, th~~y c!ad and shivering with cold. - ~~~~7 As she looked at me, her eyes, set in a thSn, hungry,,colorless face, appealed to me with unusual force. There stood before me an orphan, pleading for help with a voice so pitiful that it pierced my heart, and so unearthly that it seemed as the vn:cc of the great Shepherd of the sheep saying: "Feed my lambs." I took her to the fire, warmed her, gave "her fifty cents, enquired where she lived, and sent her away, promising that I would see her again before long. When the door was closed behind me, I fell upon my knees before the great Father of the fatherless and said: "0, my Father, here is a little fatherless one, cold and hungry, and there are many more in this city, whci need someone to care fdr them, do I not hear thv call-wflt thou not use me to provide a home and to get all the good people of this city and country interested in such helpless ones?" In soch manner T continued to plead and, when I arose from my knees, the resolution was formed, the plan was being wrought out ill detail, and l had no doubt but thqt God had appeared to me, calling me to the work of orphan saving. I took my umbrella, stepped into the drizzling rain and turned my feet toward the residence of Mrs. Jacobs. Mrs. Jacobs responded west henrtiiy to my plans. It passed Mrs. Castle's as I left Mrs. Jacobs, and the thought occurred to ~ to ask Mrs. Cast'e to lie the matron of the orphanage. Then I called to see my orphan and two other chi!dre:i. Their mother agreed for me t04ake the children and she consented to become the cock in the orphanage. On reach:ng home, my w;fe co-operated with me and the next day a "modest home" on Texas avenue was rented, the necessary furniture secured and in a few days ihe litHe family consisting of the matron, the cook and jive orphan children, were snugly housed. In a few days a circular was issued to the people. Several ladies consented to et a'3 Board of Visitors; Mr. :1. II. Prescott to act as treasurer. In response to the appeal money came in in generous quantities making it possible to purchase the site of the present Orphanage. Our youngest child, then about six, took such a deep interest in these litt'e ones; and her character was so happy, cheerful and unselfish that we thought that no name should he so appropriate for our sweet little horte. So, it is called the Genevieve Orphanage. Her sudden and tragic death about the time the orphans were moved intl this permanent home, seemed to sanctify the name in the memory of her family, and of all "-ho knew this lovely child. (This dear little child choked to death on the eye of a china dull which she aceidentily swallowed). from the time of its founding ii, 1889 to 1897 the orphanage was managed by the founder; but due mention should be made of the services of Mr. S. H Prescott all through this period without compensation. In 'I87~ 1889, the Genevieve Orphanage Aid Society of DeSuto Parish b-as organized aud Ret'. W. S. Pen ick contributed, through its president, Miss Irene Frierson, eight dollars per month; the President of the Police Jury, Mr, Foster, and other members, contributed frequently, but there was no organized plan except the DeSoto Aid Society upon which the Orphanage could rely for support. Mrs. Herman Herold organized the Home Charitable Association primarily to assist the Orphanage in December, 1892. The society was non-denominational and rendered great service, being its mainstay for years. The Orphanage was dedicated on Mr, Jacobs' birthday. Many handsome gifts of money were made the Orphanage, one of which was the library given by Mrs. JMia Cutliff Shaffer as a memorial of her two little ones who bad passed away. It was called the "Minerva and Marguerite Shaffer Library." Many others contributed to the Orphanage. For years Captain W. T. Crawford, who was the President of the Police Jury, was also the head of she Orphanage, giving that institution much of his time. lie and Mr. Levi Cooper both held the home very sacred. Since the passing of Capt. Crawford Mr. Levi Cooper has missed him but his interest in its welfare has never lagged. It is perh~~ps now, one of the best managed, most successful Orphanages to be found. Mrs. Hamilton is the matron and so dear, kind and sweet to the liit'e ones. In every way she tr:es to take the place of a mother, especially to the s~afler ones. There are now about 65 children guests in the home. They can be seen enjoying the playgrounds, happy as can he, at any hour of the day.