is, through the thoughtfulness of the donor, provided, even to the professional care of skilled physicians and the proper medicines during illness; and should death claim them as his subjects, unless otherwise desired by them, they are laid to rest in that other most beautiful gift of Mr. Corcoran to his native town, Oak Hill Cemetery.'

The board of directresses of the Louise Home at the present time is made up as follows: Mrs. Beverly Kennon, president; Miss Jeannie Turnbull, secretary; Mrs. Christopher Thom, Mrs. Margaret Stone, Mrs. Judge Hagner, Mrs. General John Parke, Mrs. Josephine Sowers, Mrs. Calderon Carlisle, and Mrs. Allen McLean.2

The following gentlemen have been successors of the original trustees named in the deed of gift: Charles M. Matthews, William L. Dunlop, Dr. Grafton Tyler, Hon. Walter S. Cox, M. W. Galt, James M. Johnston, and Thomas Hyde, the four last named constituting the present board of trustees.

The following ladies have been directresses: Mrs. Ben. Ogle Tayloe, Mrs. George Riggs, Mrs. Richard H. Coolidge, Mrs. James M. Carlisle, Mrs. John Marbury, sr., Mrs. Richard T. Merrick, Mrs. Stephen P. Hill, Miss Margaret Washington, Miss Mary Blake Jones, and Miss Sarah Coleman.

III.

The Methodist Home of the District of Columbia, located at the corner of Twelfth and N streets NE., was incorporated under the general incorporation act January 21, 1889, to provide a comfortable home for the aged and infirm members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of the Baltimore conference within the District of Columbia, and to render such persons such assistance and relief as may be practicable. The trustees named in the articles of incorporation were William Taylor Birch, Richard H. Willet, Robert Cohen, Henry L. Strang, Andrew B. Duvall, David T. Cissel, George W. F. Swartzell, Benjamin F. Leighton, and William McKendree Clayton.

Admissions to the home are restricted to members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of the District of Columbia. Applicants must not be under 60 years of age, and must be recommended by the pastor and stewards of the church to which they belong, or furnish other satisfactory evidence of good standing as members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the District of Columbia for five years prior to the time of

In 1847 Mr. Corcoran purchased "Parrott's woods," the site of a rope walk, and afterwards the place of Fourth of July celebrations. After spending $70,000 on the grounds, he gave the cemetery to his native town. In 1848 a corporation was formed for cemetery purposes. The total gifts of Mr. Corcoran on this account amounted to over $120,000.

The editor is indebted to Mr. H. S. Matthews for the sketch of the Louise Home; the biography of Mr. Corcoran was compiled from "A Grandfather's Legacy," a volume prepared by Mr. Corcoran and printed in 1879. The work contains brief sketches of himself and members of his family, and many letters of great interest and historical value.

HOME FOR THE AGED OF THE LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR.

THE HOME FOR THE AGED.

149

making application. The relief afforded is limited to those who have no means of support nor proper relations to provide for them. A payment of $100 with the necessary wardrobe is required, but it is provided that the board of managers may extend the benefits of the home in peculiar cases of distress to those not strictly eligible under the rules.

On January 1, 1897, there were 15 inmates of the home, of whom 2 were men. None of these inmates were admitted prior to 1890. The deaths during the year were 10. The home is supported by contributions from the 19 Methodist Episcopal churches in the District of Columbia, which contributed during 1896 $2,758.77, the total receipts for the year being $3,853.17. The expenses nearly balanced the receipts. Besides contributions of money very considerable amounts of clothing and supplies were received.

The president of the home is Mrs. D. B. Street; vice-presidents, Mesdames A. E. Evans, William Burris, C. W. Baldwin, E. J. Harper, L. B. Wilson, S. M. Hartsock, J. E. Talty; treasurer, Mrs. T. C. Smith; secretary, Mrs. J. C. Tasker; corresponding secretary, Mrs. W. G. McDowell; physicians, Drs. D. B. Street, D. Olin Leech, R. Kingsman, E. S. Lothrop.

.IV.

The Home for the Aged, conducted by the Little Sisters of the Poor, is situated on H street between Second and Third streets NE., was organized February 2, 1871, was incorporated July 16, 1873, and reincorporated May 16, 1884, under the act of April 23, 1884. The institution occupies about four-fifths of square 751, the lands being valued at $110,000. The main building is valued at $130,000, the old mens' quarters at $10,000, stable, etc., $10,000, making a total of $150,000 for improvements.

From 1873 to 1884 the sum of $55,000 was appropriated by Congress for improvements at the Home, but no appropriations have been received for the past thirteen years, excepting that in 1893 Congress appropriated the lands embraced in the alleys in square number 751 to the Home for charitable purposes. The number of inmates is in the neighborhood of 200. During the year 1896 there were 35 deaths and 45 admissions, 6 persons having been discharged during the year. The privileges of the Home are confined to the residents of the District of Columbia excepting that a few inmates came from the adjoining counties in Virginia and Maryland. No one is admitted under the age of 60 years.

The income of the institution comes from private gift, which amounts to about $4,000 in money, besides contributions of supplies and clothing, which are made by the hotels, markets, dairies, and other patrons of the home. The total cost of maintenance is about $7,000, including repairs, fuel, medical bills, and undertakers' bills. The contribution of money and other supplies about equals the cost or expense of maintain

ing the home. Sister Dosithée, who is the superior in charge of the home, states that the institution aims to provide for about 200 aged inmates of both sexes, without distinction of color or creed. The sisters solicit and collect from private parties ample food required daily, and in case of deficiency, which often occurs, purchases are made. Clothing is obtained in the same way, is repaired in the home and is kept in readiness for use. No wages are paid and no labor is hired.

Of the money received from public sources, $42,500 came by Congressional appropriation and $12,500 from the District.

V.

Besides the homes mentioned above there is the Aged Women's Home, located at No. 1225 Thirty-second street. Thirteen women are accommodated with rooms, and occasionally with fuel. If one is ill she receives medical treatment. The institution receives an allotment of $300 a year from the Commissioners of the District of Columbia, and the entire expense per inmate per day does not exceed 10 cents. The president is Mrs. B. Kennon.

The National Lutheran Home, located on Winthrop Heights; the Lenthal Home for Widows, at the corner of Nineteenth and G streets NW.; the Colored Widows' Home, of St. Matthew's parish, at 1909 R street NW., managed by the Associated Charities, and the Epiphany Church Home for Aged Women, at 1319 H street NW., are among the institutions for the relief of the aged in the District of Columbia.