The Bishop’s Plea for Vancouver’s Orphans
With fifty children in their care and resources dwindling, the Sisters of Charity face an uncertain future.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The Bishop of Nesqually wishes to inform all persons who take any interest in the welfare of the orphans that the Sisters of Charity, at Vancouver, have at present under their care no less than fifty orphans, including both sexes, of whom six only pay their board and clothing. The others, being destitute, remain at their own charge in the two asylums. In order to prepare suitable lodgings for these little ones, they have expended several thousand dollars, and thereby incurred debts which they are unable to pay. The Bishop, knowing the good feeling of the people at large for such institutions, has thought it advisable to make an appeal to their generous hearts in order to relieve the Sisters of their present embarrassment, and recommends and requests a subscription to be made in the country. What sum soever well-disposed people may be inclined to sacrifice for the aforesaid praise-worthy object, will be received with pleasure and gratitude.
“The Bishop, knowing the good feeling of the people at large for such institutions, has thought it advisable to make an appeal to their generous hearts.”
The Sisters of Charity of Providence were instrumental in founding many of Washington's early hospitals and orphanages. Today, the institutional care of children has shifted, but the struggle to fund local social services remains a persistent civic challenge in the Pacific Northwest.
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