Weekly Republican, Volume 57, Number 47, Plymouth, Marshall County, 30 November 1911 — Page 9

INDUSTRIAL NUMBER

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A SECTION TV0 H 4 VOLUME FIFTY-SEVEN PLYM DU FH . IN Dl fM NOVEIM B CR, 1911 NUMBER FORTY-SEVEN

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Electricity for Everything

Celebrated Worker in Charities and Correction

Plymouth has every reason to feel proud of its electric light equipment and power plant. When C. D. Snoeberger came to Plymouth from Chicago eight years ago and purchased from the Tri-State Loan Company of Fort Wayne, the antiquated electric system which was then in vogue, people wondered at his temerity. They had not, up till that time, been educated to the various uses of the electrical fluid. They had, in fact, little use for the new fangled illuminant, as they termed it. With the coming of Mr. Snoeberger however, a new era in the lighting business was inaugurated. He started in on an educational and publicity campaign, and in a comparatively short time, he let the public know the many various uses electricity could be put to, and he demonstrated the savings that could be effected in the lighting and power bills by the adoption of electricity. He had found the plant in very bad shape; in fact there was nothing to it, and the first thing to be done was to renovate it completely, and add to it as business warranted. With these changes made, and the campaign bearing results, Mr Snoeberger's perspicacity was rewarded

The Julia E. Work Training School, which is situated among sylvan beauties, one mile north of Plymouth, is an institution of which Marshall county is indeed proud. In fact, the reputation which it has made for itself, makes it favorably known far beyond the confines of this county. Its name, "Brightside," is no misnomer; it is as happy a home, in the literal sense of the term, as such a home eould be. There is nothing about it to suggest the tragic, nor yet is there any signs amid its environment other than brightness without and within. Mrs. Work has continuously devoted the past twenty-nine years of her life to the study, care and training of delinquent and semi-incorrigible children---a period embracing much self sacrifice, and no little anxiety and worry. During that time she has received and cared for no less than 3000 children, the majority of whom, under her guidance and benign influence, have been reared to a decent and self-respecting manhood and womanhood, while many of them married, and have become fathers and mothers, fit to look after their household duties in a way that would not have been possible without Mrs. Work's admirable training. On June 20, 1882, Mrs. Work took up this work in Mishawaka, from which city she moved to LaPorte, where the character of the work was maintained. In 1899 she removed to Plymouth where she has remained ever since. Here she established a training school for delinquent and semi-incorrigible children, which has grown from small proportions, until it now embraces a group of five modern buildings, all of the latest cottage type of architectural beauty

Plymouth Electric

and from that day to this, the business has gone on increasing steadily. At present there are no less than 5,000 lights supplied by Mr Snoeberger, as well as 65 arc lamps which are used throughout the city, and at the railway stations. Mr. Snoeberger's customers for power, etc., number 550, and this list is being added to from time to time. It may seem strange but it is nevertheless true, that those residents of Plymouth, who have come in from the country to reside here, will have nothing to do with any other illuminant. They have had it demonstrated to them that they can save monev by using electricity in preference to gas or even kerosene, and that it also gives better satisfaction. The electric plant also feeds in the neighborhood of 175 horse power in motors, ranging from one-half to thirty H P; 200 electric flat-irons, for ironing purposes, fan motors, and in fact, everything in the electrical line to be found in any metropolitan center. The city now pumps its water by electricity, and this is a feature which has saved the ratepayers a big sum of money. Before the motors were introduced, the city pumped its water by steam at an average cost of $375.00 per month.

BRIGHTSIDE TRAINING SCHOOL

and comfort, and situated on a piece of land which covers 270 acres. When Mrs. Work started this school, it was not with the object of placing out children in homes. This was merely a secondary consideration. While this is so, however many have been found comfortable and happy homes by Mrs. Work, a large percentage of them having been adopted legally while in their tender years, by respectable married couples who were without children of their own. Cares for Crippled Children. Mrs. Work is now making a specialty of caring for crippled children, who are not absolutely helpless. This is a branch of the work with which she is thoroughly familar, in fact she has long specialized in it, and much success has attended her efforts. There could not possibly be a more favorable spot for such helpless ones, than at Brightside with its healthy environment and picturesque situation. Number one building is devoted to the administration department, where are situated the superintendent's office, dining room and office, and a division set apart for girls ranging from 5 to 12 years. Number two is devoted to boys, whose ages range from 10 to 19 years. Number three is for boys under ten years, while number four is a mixed division for small boys and girls. Number five contains two large kitchens, dining room with a seating capacity for 275; laundry, store room, bakery and dairy. The larger of the girls, whose ages range from 15 to 18 years, are kept in this building where they receive an admirable training, thorough in matters pertaining to good housekeeping which fit them well for the more important responsibilities of married life. There are at present 45 in this department, from which many have graduated to good positions with good wages, having been thoroughly developed and fitted for the work best suite to their varied tempera-

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C. D. Snoeberger, Proprietor MRS. JULIA View of "Brightside," the Noted ments. These girls are frequently paroled and sent into service but it sometimes happens that they break their parole and are sent back to Brightside to finish their term.

Light

Plymouth Electric Light Plant Training School for Children. United State Board. During the present year 70 have been placed in positions. Most of the children are sent to Mrs. Work from the juvenile courts, and have

Plant

Since the installation of electricity, however, the cost to the city has been reduced to about $65.00 per month. The local concern fills a large number of general construction contracts in which electrical devices of all kinds are used. This is a branch of the business which is also making steady progress, and the expert workmanship, which is a feature of The Plymouth Electric Concern, has tended much towards the success of this department. The new Tungsten lamps, which are sold by Mr Snoeberger, have proved to be most popular in Plymouth. During the last two years they have, to a large extent, taken the place of the carbon lamp. The principal reason for this is that they effect a great saving in the light bill, and give a candle power three times greater than the carbon lamp, for the same money. Within the last three months these lamps have been improved by the substitution of the wire drawing, which makes them as near perfect as the ingenuity of man can accomplish. Plymouth ought to be proud of the fact that it has the cheapest motor power in the state of Indiana, and this is another reason why the electric people here are succeeding to be kept in the institution until they are twenty-one years of age. The training school is not an incorporated institution; Mrs. Work owns the property, but she is under the strict supervision of the Board of State Charities, which, each year, sends an agent who makes a thorough inspection of the institution, and the mode of training in vogue. This inspection is not only thorough, but is complete and exhaustive. At all times the work is carried on strictly under the law. Has Large Farm. One of the big features of Mrs. Work's home is the farm in connection with Brightside, which as stated above, covers 270 acres. This is equipped with the latest and most improved farm machinery to be found in the markets. Here the boys are taught farming in the most systematic manner imaginable, by a well qualified instructor, in all its, different branches. Such crops as alfalfa, timothy and clover, hay, corn, wheat, rye and oats are raised. Not less than 22 acres are set aside for potatoes required by the family, while a splendid truck garden covers 15 acres. In this many kinds of vegetables are grown. There is also sufficient pasturage for a herd of twenty-five cattle, and twenty head of milch cows. Mrs. Work takes much interest in the raising of hogs and has attained much success in this particular line. Her herd includes many of a prize strain and registered stock, the Berkshire and Durocs predominating, while the registered cattle on the farm include several Guernsey and Helsteins. Many Children Placed In Homes. Here is an important fact about this institution which has not here-to-fore been understood by the public and which answers emphatically those critics who deign to comment on what they term the small number of the children placed out from Brightside. Since November 1, 1910, until November 1, 1911, sixty children have been received at the home, and

Everything Electrical

in inducing the manufacturers to use it in preference to any other motive power. Mr. Snoeberger has a staff of seven all experts in the various lines of the electrical business. He keeps adding new improvements to his plant as soon as they are introduced on the market. Mr. Snoeberger 's palatial residence on south Michigan street is fitted throughout with a splendid system of electricity. Nothing is wanting in the way of household conveniences, all being operated by electricity. For instance, all meals of the household are cooked by this means, while the washing, ironing, toasting and other necessities peculiar to a well regulated home, are all done, and well done, by the means of electricity. Mrs. Snoeberger is enthusiastic over the result obtained by this means which saves an enormous amount of time, labor and worry and which gives admirable satisfaction in every respect. There is undoubtedly a prosperous future in store for Mr. Snoeberger 's enterprize, and he has sufficient faith in Plymouth to warrant him in extending and adding to his already well equipped plant as the necessity arises. during the same period seventy have been placed in good homes. This is indeed a worthy record and one which does credit to the training these children received at Brightside. As we have stated above, this institution does not belong to the placing out class. The average number of children in the school is 190, and quite a percentage of these are physically and mentally defective. Capable Helpers. This article would not be complete without a reference to Miss Annie A. Barr, who, besides acting in the capacity of secretary of the institution, is Mrs. Work's "right hand man" to use an Irish term. Miss Barr has been associated with Mrs. Work in the rearing of children for 20 years and during that time, has been close to Mrs. Work in the management of her institution. Miss Barr is peculiarly adapted to training work, is sympathetic, and a thorough mistress of detail. She is a believer in kindness as a factor with which to win the hearts of the children under her care, and that she succeeds is evident to every visitor to the institution. Miss Ruth Chadwick, who acts as clerk in the office is a bright and vivacious young lady, and a sunny smile at all times illumines her countenance, while it does one good to listen to her hearty laugh. She is thoroughly "au fait" with all the workings of the home. Marshall county is proud to have Brightside within its domain. It is an institution which is doing a great Christian and practical work and Mrs. Work and her able body of assistants, deserve a debt of gratitude for their unselfish interest in suffering humanity.

"Brightside" Training School Her Creation