The two latest improvements of great value to the home are, first the connecting up of the home with the Atchison Water Company, so that now we receive a supply of water adequate for all purposes. This was done in 1913 and 1914. Previous to that time water had been obtained from various sources and the supply was always poor in quality and very inadequate in quantity. This apparently settles the question of water, so far as this institution is concerned, and we now have a plentiful supply of the purest of water. Second: From the very first beginning of the home the question of sewage disposal has been one of great difficulty and a source of much annoyance and discomfort to those around about, particularly the neighboring farmers. For years the sewage of the institution flowed out through the pasture land and fields of our neighbors, and various attempts to build sewage disposal plants were made by the board of control and others who had charge of the State institutions, but with little or no success. At the present time we are engaged in connecting up the institution with the city sewer system at a cost of approximately $6,000.
The original cost of the land occupied by the State Orphans’ Home, and purchased from J. P. Brown, as hereinbefore mentioned, was $16,000.
No institution in this State occupies a more beautiful and sightly location. It is situated at an elevation of 275 feet above the Missouri river, and overlooking the winding course of that stream for miles, with the city of Atchison at its feet and with the view north and west unobstructed for miles, it is the wonder and admiration of all who behold it. It is impossible for me to state exactly or to ascertain exactly the cost of the institution, properly known as the State Orphans’ Home, but it is approximately in the neighborhood of $300,000.
The first superintendent was John Pierson; his wife, Mrs. M. A. Pierson, was his matron, and the celebrated Dr. Eva Harding, now a physician, located in Topeka, and running for the Democratic nomination for Congress in the First district, was his physician. Mr. Pierson was not very long in this office. The records do not show just how long, but he was succeeded by Charles E. Faulkner, who is now serving as superintendent of the Washburn Memorial Orphans’ Asylum, at Minneapolis, Minn. It was during Faulkner’s administration that most of the improvements heretofore noted were made. Faulkner was succeeded by C. A. Woodworth in 1898 and served but two years, when H. H. Young was appointed. He served but a short time and was succeeded by E. L. Hillis, who held the office until the time of his resignation, April 1, 1907, because of ill health. Mr. Hillis was succeeded by E. C. Willis, of Newton, Kan., on April 10, 1907, who remained superintendent until he was succeeded by Mrs. E. K. Burnes on the first day of September, 1913. Mrs. Burnes held the place for two years, being succeeded by E. C. Willis on the first of September, 1915, who is still the superintendent at the present time.
More than 6,000 have been inmates of the home at sometime or another, and of the 6,000 only 200 are here at the present time. All of the others who are still living are out in the world and doing for themselves like other people with various degrees of success. Some of them are doing well; others exceedingly well, and are occupying good positions, or are in business for themselves.
Very sincerely,
Edward C. Willis,
Superintendent.
ATCHISON PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Major W. W. Downs was the promoter of the association. He was at Kansas in the spring of 1879 and opened its doors to the public November 17 of that year.