1904

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We take this method of informing the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church that there has been established at Bowling Green, Kentucky, a Cumberland Presbyterian Orphans' Home, and in order that the status of the Home may be fully understood, we deem it proper to submit a brief history of its origin and organization.

A few years ago Miss Victoria Jackson, a native of Warren County, Kentucky, and a long resident of Bowling Green, and a devout Cumberland Presbyterian, conceived the idea of establishing a home for orphans of Cumberland Presbyterian parentage and with that cherished plan in mind, she had her beautiful home on College Street rebuilt and remodeled, and it was arranged so that it might be occupied and used for that purpose. The rooms and halls are large and well lighted and ventilated, and the house, as it now is, will accommodate thirty children. It stands on an acre lot that runs from street to street, surrounded by beautiful trees, flowers and shrubbery.

Miss Jackson died on the 20th day of May, 1904, and by her will, which was duly probated in the Warren County Court on the 23d day of May, 1904, and admitted to record, she provided for the establishment of this home. That portion of her will which bears upon this matter is as follows:

"It is my purpose and desire to establish a Cumberland Presbyterian Orphans' Home for white children only in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and it is my intention to provide for the establishment of such a home as far as my ability goes, and to this end I vest in my executors Walter H. Miller and W. F. Ennis, the title to the house and lot in Bowling Green, Kentucky, extending from College Street to Center Street, being the place where I now reside, and said executors to hold title to said house and lot in trust, as hereinafter provided."

By the will, she requested eleven named persons, including her ex-

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ecutors, W. H. Miller and W. F. Ennis, to organize themselves into a board of managers and obtain a charter for a Cumberland Presbyterian Orphans' Home.

She then provided that "after said Board of Managers have secured a charter in general accord with my wishes, as herein expressed, and the Orphans' Home is thus made perpetual, as far as management is concerned, and when such charter is obtained and an organization is perfected thereunder, it is my will that my executors convey to said Board of Managers the title to said house and lot, and turn over to said Board of Managers the trust funds in their hands, being careful, however, to see that the persons of said Board of Managers receiving same have given bond and security for the safe keeping of said property and funds."

It was evidently her desire that the Home should be adopted, so to speak, by the church of her faith, for we find therein the following clause: "There have been steps taken by the Cumberland Presbyterian General Assembly to establish an Orphans' Home in Columbia, Tennessee. I will that Revs. J. S. Grider and J. V. Stephens make overtures to the Cumberland Presbyterian General Assembly to make the Home in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and occupy my house as an Orphans' Home."

After making a number of bequests to relatives and personal friends, it was provided that certain proceeds of her estate should go into the hands of her executors, and constitute a fund for the benefit of the Home.

The persons named in the will as a Board of Managers, to wit: Miss Nina McGinnis, Miss Joe Ennis, Mrs. J. F.Ewing, Mrs. Tom Sears, Mrs. E. Burr, Mrs. W. E. Settle, Mrs. Tom Beard, Mrs. Robert Temple, W. F. Ennis, John Crofton and W. H. Miller, organized within a short time after her death, and on August 20, 1904, obtained a charter, prepared in accordance with the Statutes of Kentucky, made and provided for such purposes.

The certificate of the Secretary of State is as follows:

"COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY,
    "OFFICE OF SECRETARY OF STATE.
"I, H. V. McChesney, Secretary of State of the State of Kentucky, hereby certify that Articles of Incorporation have this day been filed in my office by the Cumberland Presbyterian Home. Said articles of In-

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corporation show that the Cumberland Presbyterian Orphans' Home has no capital stock; the the license fee of ($........) having been paid this day into the Treasury as required by law, the said Corporation is now authorized under the laws of Kentucky to do business.

"Given under my hand as Secretary of State this 20th day of August, 1904.
                                       "H. V. McCHESNEY, Secretary of State.
                                       "By LILLIA FOWLES, Acting Chief Clerk
                                           Corporation Department."

The Board of Managers thereafter met and organized by the election of W. F. Ennis as President, Miss Nina McGinnis as Secretary , and W. H. Miller as Treasurer; and adopted by-laws for the government of the corporation.

The executors of said will then executed and delivered to the corporation a deed conveying said house and lot for the uses and purposes set forth, so that the Cumberland Presbyterian Orphans' Home, thus established and organized, now has the title to this house and lot, and has in its treasury about $         with which to operate.

We are able to take care of about twelve children for one year. With funds now in our hands.

In leisurely walking out College Street on a bright April day, you fully realize what a fine and pleasant stroll-way it is--the long, wide and well-shaded avenue stretching from beautiful College Hill down to the bridge that spans the scenic Barren, is most charmingly adapted for private residences and great schools of learning, on account of its beauty and quietude, its freedom from business traffic and the clattering din of passing street cars.

It is most delightful and appropriate avenue for the coming and going of many students up and down its well-paved sidewalks to the three important schools, whose classic buildings, with elegant surroundings, grace this street.

Of all the many beautiful streets of Bowling Green, this one is especially attractive and pleasant, for here you meet many graceful forms

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and lovely faces of fair young girl students on their way to elegant Potter College crowning the hilltop.

You pass and repass the erect and manly forms of studious youths moving steadily forward to enter the castle-like walls of the magnificent Normal University to prepare for their future life-walk. You see young women also entering the same gates, to pursue a similar course of study to fit themselves for responsible positions.

But far more engaging and fascinating to the stroller on this street are the flocks of merry and bright faced children encountered on their way to the handsome Public School building with its spacious grounds and wide spreading trees.

The very name, College Street, is most truly significant, and the annals of the future years may render it as historic and classical as the gardens in which the ancient philosophers walked and talked.

Under the bright sunshine of an April day a veil of loveliness seems to envelop everything on earth and in the sky, and it is really joyful to live, to breathe, to scan, to take in all beauty and inhale all fragrance.

But the loveliest day and fairest environments cannot banish the holy, sad and sacred thoughts of reflective souls.

Passing this street morning, noon and evening, I always feel like lingering tenderly at the gate of one of its beautiful homes, the one that formerly housed the lovely spirit of Miss Victoria Jackson.

I look at the long stretch of greensward, carpeting, as if with velvet, the splendid front and side yard; instinctively I glance far back at that beautiful garden of rare plants and blossoming roses; I see those shady bowers, with graceful, clustering vines, those fine, old spring shrubs, white with snowballs and purple with fragrant lilacs; and on every hand the glories of the famous old gardens are blending their beauties with the latest splendors of the florists' new creations, and from all a mingled sweetness is wafted, as of yore. But alas! I miss the gentle form that I have so often watched flitting from flower to flower and coaxing all to bloom.

The spirit that reveled in their perfect flowering and rare perfume has vanished to the celestial gardens beside the River of Life, where immortelles are flowers forever in bloom.

Ah! the fragrance of Victoria Jackson's pure and devoted life will linger for years to come in that garden, yard and house; for did she not plant, plan and build under the inspiration of one holy and sacred thought forever in her mind: "When I am gone, this place is to be a home for little, homeless, orphan children."

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One of the greatest pleasures of this modest woman's life was to serve little children and render them happy, and in her last will she planned nobly and wisely for the future good and happiness of orphan children, and all from a heart full of love and pity.

Her elegant and conveniently situated home will undoubtedly be a delightful place for the children, with surroundings so pleasant and helpful and beneficial, and yet ideally home-like in all its appointments.

It is no blank, barn-like looking building, with several stories piled upon each other regardless of architectural taste and home-endearing attractiveness, but it has all the inviting features of a truly pleasant and charming home, with its long gallery, its beautiful windows, its large and elegant reception hall and splendid rooms.

If the exterior view of the Home is so suggestive of the refined and cultured taste of the frail and delicate woman who cheerfully toiled to render her surroundings pleasing and attractive, how much more so is the interior of the house.

The reception hall is one of the most commodious and attractive in this city of nice homes. The flooring is of hard wood, and beneath this upper flooring is another one closely packed with saw-dust in order to deaden the softest footfall. A large, beautiful window facing the East and looking out on the finely kept grounds of the Public School, given a most charming view. Folding doors open from this hall into a very large and elegant drawing room that is finely lighted by windows looking out on the street and also facing the West. A door leads from this room into a most pleasant an well situated library.

Across the hall from the library is the dining room, equally as well appointed as those mentioned.

In the reception hall is a fine stairway, easy of access to the upper hall; the lower hall is heated by a base burner and the upper one has a fireplace with a mantle of hard wood.

In the second story there are six sleeping apartments and a good bath room with modern equipments.

The house is appropriately furnished and the piano was especially given for the benefit of the music-loving children.

All alone in this commodious house Miss Jackson lived serenely and quietly, dreaming of the future, when the joyous laughter of her orphan children would re-echo in the halls and ring out merrily from yard to garden, from street to street.

This valuable piece of real estate fronts on College Street and extends back to Center Street, containing ample room for additional buildings should the demands of the future require them.

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The situation is in every respect most suitable and convenient for the orphanage of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, of which Miss Jackson was a devout and zealous member.

This desirable property adjoins the handsome grounds of the city's Public School, where the children of the Home could secure fine preparation for higher educational advantages.

It is also situated about a block from the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, affording fine opportunities for their punctual attendance at divine services.

Miss Jackson was decidedly a practical business woman and no doubt had all these superb advantages of situation and locality under prayerful and thoughtful consideration for many years, forever regarding the best interests and happiness of the orphan children she so earnestly desired to help to noble womanhood and strong, upright manhood.

She was an ardent and devout lover of the sacred principles and teachings of her church and wished to leave some lasting testimonial of her devotion and fidelity.

She was also inspired with true patriotism and her loyalty to her own home city enthused her with the sincere hope that the church at large would accept her gift and establish its Orphanage in Bowling Green, Ky.

May the wise and far-seeing officials of her church have consideration for her wishes and may the future years reveal unto them how wisely she planned in giving her home on lovely College Street, in beautiful, historic Bowling Green, for "The Orphanage of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church."

We need the stimulus that comes to us from the lives of the good that have passed on before. Every life has its fruitage. The good mold other lives so as to make them better, and of the bad it is truly said, "The evil that men do lives after them."

Miss Victoria Jackson was born in Warren County, Ky., eight miles southwest of Bowling Green, November 3d, 1841, and after a life of sixty-two years and six months died at her home in Bowling Green, Ky.,

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May 20th, 1904. She was the daughter of Clinton Jackson and his wife, Jane Jackson. Her parents were highly respected and deeply pious. Their home, until the daughter was about grown, was upon a farm and she was reared where a running stream, green meadows and sugar maple trees were the environments. Miss Jackson early acquired an ardent love of nature and she never ceased to enjoy the grandeur and beauty of God's works.

Her large cabinet of curios and shells testify to her ever-growing delight in communion with God through His works.

When quite a child she received a hurt which resulted in a curvature of the spine, from which she never recovered. Her disposition was cheerful and bright, which was reflected in her cherry home where she lived and died.

The father died some twenty years before the daughter, and the mother some fifteen years.

Miss Vic united with the church in Bowling Green when about grown and ever proved a faithful and diligent worker.

She was remarkably successful as a Sunday School teacher. Her success was very great in bringing her classes to the Savior. She rarely taught a class two years until they were all Christians.

Upon one occasion, I remember, she gave up a class that were very much attached to her and went out and collected a class of prodigal young men, calling them her street "Arabs," and taught, labored and prayed with them until most of them, if not all, were converted. I have seen letters from more than one of these boys, after they had been widely scattered, telling her that she had been the instrument in their salvation. She often had her scholars at her home giving them little entertainments, that she might keep them out of places of temptation. Miss Vic loved young people and would often have the Christian Endeavor young folks and Y. M. C. A. at her home.

Until her failing health forbade she was active in general church work. She had a deep hold on many in the social circle, as well as in the church. For a number of the last years of her life she spared no expense in arranging and fitting up her home for an Orphanage after her death. Her heart felt deeply for the poor and she did not fail to provide as best she could for their sustenance and education.

She died at her home in perfect peace, leaning with implicit faith upon the crucified and risen Christ.

It is a pleasant thought to surviving friends to feel assured that she did not live for naught.

1904

--The Bowling Green (Ky.) Times-Journal brings the information that the will of the late Miss Victoria Jackson, a member of the Bowling Green church and well known to Cumberland Presbyterians of Kentucky, provides that her beautiful home in Bowling Green shall be used to establish a Cumberland Presbyterian orphans' home. The will appoints a board of managers for the home, directing that in the admission of orphans preference is to be given to the children of Cumberland Presbyterians of Warren county and next to the orphan children of Cumberland Presbyterians elsewhere. It further provides that if the home is not opened within two years, the property shall be deeded to the city of Bowling Green for a public library. Miss Jackson bequeaths to Cumberland University a collection of curios and plants of which she was very fond. Three thousand dollars is given in trust for Maria Watson, a family servant, with the provision that at her death it shall go to the Woman's Board of Missions.
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, June 9, 1904, pages 722-723]

1905

Report of the Judiciary Committee.
Item 3. We have examined the memorial from Logan Presbytery, and other papers relating to the bequest of Victoria W. Jackson, for the establishing of an Orphans' Home at Bowling Green, Ky., and we recommend the Assembly's endorsement of same, and advise the appointing of a committee to take visitorial control of said orphanage, the committee to consist of Rev. J. S. Grider, D.D., Rev. J. V. Stephens, D.D., and Dr. T. O. Helm.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1905, page 69]

1905

From The Times-Journal, June 5, published at Bowling Green, Ky., the following sketch is taken. We had hoped to furnish in connection with this sketch a picture of the orphanage, but were unable to procure it before going to press:

"The late Miss Victoria Jackson left a will providing for an orphans' home. She left her handsome and well-furnished residence on College street for the orphanage and enough money to start the institution off in good shape. In her will she directed who should have charge of the institution and who should conduct it. Warren county orphans of Cumberland Presbyterian parents were to be given the preference in the matter of admission to the home, then Cumberland Presbyterian orphans anywhere, and finally orphans without regard to denomination. The home was opened recently, and has several inmates that are being cared for. Miss Jackson directed that the home be established an set in operation, and that the matter then be presented to the General Assembly of the church with a view of having that body adopt it as its own. When the General Assembly met recently in Fresno, Cal., Dr. Jesse S. Grider, of this county, and Dr. J. V. Stephens, of Cumberland University, who were selected for the purpose, presented the matter for the consideration of the Assembly, and it was referred to a committee. The committee reported later, recommending the acceptance of the bequest of the home, and the report was unanimously adopted, and the home is now an institution of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at large, and will have its support and oversight. About $700, that had been raised by the General Assembly toward establishing a home, was turned over to the managers of the home. Dr. J. S. Grider, of Smith's Grove; Dr. J. V. Stephens, of Cumberland University; and Ruling Elder T. O. Helm, of Auburn, were appointed a board of visitors to the institution. The acceptance of the home by the General Assembly will broaden its work and influence and will given it a support that will perpetuate the institution. The home is already doing a good work and is being nicely conducted. Miss Josie Ennis is the matron and is proving herself thoroughly capable and competent, and the inmates of the institution will receive the kindest treatment and every care and attention at her hands. The officers of the home are: W. F. Ennis, president; Miss Nina McGinnis, recording secretary; John C. Crofton, corresponding secretary; W. H. Miller, treasurer. The board of managers consists of Miss Nina McGinnis, Miss Josephine Ennis, Mesdames Jas. F. Ewing, W. T. Sears, E. Burr, W. E. Settle, T. H. Beard, R. W. Temple, and Messrs. W. F. Ennis, John C. Crofton and W. H. Miller.
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, June 15, 1905, page 755]

1905

In the statement of the Board of Managers we find these words as to the founding of the home: "A few years ago Miss Victoria Jackson, a native of Warren County, Kentucky, and long a resident of Bowling Green, and a devout Cumberland Presbyterian, conceived the idea of establishing a home for orphans of Cumberland Presbyterian parentage and with that cherished plan in mind, she had her beautiful home on College street rebuilt and remodeled, and it was arranged so that it might be occupied and used for that purpose."

Miss Jackson's purpose was expressed as follows in her will which was probated in the Warren County Court, May 23, 1904: "It is my purpose and desire to establish a Cumberland Presbyterian Orphans' Home for white children only in Bowling Green, Ky., and it is my intention to provide for the establishment of such a home as far as my ability goes, and to this end I vest in my executors Walter H. Miller and W. F. Ennis, the title to the house and lot in Bowling Green, Ky., extending from College street to Center street, being the place where I now reside, and said executors to hold title to said house and lot in trust, as hereinafter provided."

The building is a beautiful two-story brick, fronting College street. The rooms are large, well lighted and ventilated, and thoroughly adapted for their intended use. At present thirty children can be cared for. The home is under the control of the following Board of Managers: Miss Nina McGinnis, Miss Joe Ennis, Mrs. J. F. Ewing, Mrs. Tom Sears, Mrs. E. Burr, Mrs. W. E. Settle, Mrs. Tom Beard, Mrs. Robert Temple, W. F. Ennis, John Crofton and W. H. Miller.

On the 20th day of August, 1904, the institution was duly chartered and authorized to do business "under the laws of Kentucky." W. P Ennis and W. H. Miller, two elders in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church were elected president and treasurer respectively, and Miss Nina McGinnis was chosen secretary. According to Miss Jackson's will, Logan Presbytery sent an overture to the General Assembly in Fresno, Cal., requesting that the home be accepted and that the denominational Orphans' Home be established in Bowling Green, Ky. The following ("Item 3" of the Report of the Judiciary Committee, General Assembly Minutes, page 69) shows the General Assembly's endorsement:

"We have examined the memorial from Logan Presbytery, and other papers relating to the bequest of Victoria W. Jackson, for the establishing of an Orphans' Home at Bowling Green, Ky., and we recommend the Assembly's endorsement of same, and advise the appointing of a committee to take visitorial control of said orphanage, the committee to consist of Rev. J. S. Grider, D.D., Rev. J. V. Stephens, D.D., and Dr. T. O. Helm."

The home is now open for the reception of worthy Cumberland Presbyterian orphans. If Cumberland Presbyterians unduly delay, others will be taken in. This institution deserves the helpful co-operation of the entire church. The children will receive the best of treatment from Miss Josephine Ennis, matron, and her assistants.
   Bowling Green, Ky.
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, August 24, 1905, page 187]

1906

The Committee having charge of Orphans' Home at Bowling Green, Ky., submitted a report, which was adopted, and is as follows:

As your Committee appointed to visit your Orphans' Home, at Bowling Green, Ky. (see Assembly Minutes of 1905, p. 69), would make report as follows:

To the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church:

As your committee appointed to visit your Orphans' Home, we beg to make the following report:

We visited the home at Bowling Green, Ky., and found it in most excellent condition. Mrs. Campbell, the newly elected matron, was in charge. They have six orphans now in the home. They are well cared for in the splendid building given to our denomination by Miss Victoria Jackson, the same having been her home during her lifetime, and was remodeled and enlarged, prior to her death, so as to be suited for an orphanage.

This splendid property, worth about $10,000, is situated next door to the large graded school of the city. These orphan children are daily attending this school. We suggest that each of you knowing of deserving Cumberland Presbyterian orphans, should correspond with Bro. W. F. Ennis, Secretary, about their interest, and that each of you given some heed to the responsibility of sustaining that institution.
        J. S. Grider,
        J. V. Stephens,
        T. O,. Helm.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1906, pages 106-107]

1912

On the 28th day of March, 1912, I [Rev. J. M. Wyckoff, Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer of the Board] visited this place and carefully examined the Court records relative to this piece of real estate. The property involved is worth at the present time $10,000.00. It was bequeathed for an orphans' home, first for the orphan children of the local Cumberland Presbyterian congregation at Bowling Green, Ky. Secondly, if there were no orphan children in the local congregation, then the management were to get orphan children that were Cumberland Presbyterians anywhere in the United States of America. Third, then if none could be found, than any orphan children of the city of Bowling Green, Ky. If none could be found in the city, then they of the county were admitted to this home. The Board of Managers of this home can be no other than regular bona-fide Cumberland Presbyterians of the local congregation at Bowling Green, Ky., while there at a call meeting of the pastor and congregation a committee was appointed to direct the electing persons to fill the vacancy in the board of managers and take possession of the property. The Board of managers are to elect a matron for the home. Mrs. [sic: Miss] Jackson left some $600.00 for the support of the home. When the exodus took place those going out from us took this valuable property with them. Inasmuch as it is chartered as Cumberland Presbyterian property in the state of Kentucky, no power can divest them of this property, and we hope ere this report is presented we will be in the possession of this property, as the Presbyterians U.S.A.'s were willing to surrender it to the rightful owners.
[Source: General Assembly Minutes of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1912, page 66]

...

We are glad to report that the aim set before the Church by your Future Work Committee, 1911, for an Orphans' Home has been reached in part and you now have this institution under your fostering care, and your help is necessary to make it self-supporting. We refer to the Home at Bowling Green, Ky., the bequest of Miss Victoria Jackson, worth $10,000.00 and it can be of much service to us by the assistance of the Church at large.

...

Also there comes to us information as to the conditions of the will of Miss Victoria Jackson and the encumbrance in the Home, Brooks Scruggs, a son of a Cumberland Presbyterian Minister, who is the only inmate and is at present a member of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A., because of environments, and while the provisions in the deed demand that children in the Home shall be Cumberland Presbyterians, we believe that conditions and surroundings demand that he remain; the cost will be nominal, the results, great.

Then, there are some questions of a legal nature, confronting your Board, and we informed Judge H. H. Denhardt, an able Attorney and loyal Cumberland Presbyterian, is willing to serve as an attorney for your Board, and no charges except necessary expenses will be made and Rev. J. M. Wyckoff, Secretary and Treasurer urges, and your Committee with the evidence before them believe it wise, and we recommend therefore that he be appointed by this Assembly and the matter of Incorporation be referred to him. Also we recommend that for the present, Brooks Scruggs be retained in the Home in Bowling Green.

Your Committee has been informed that at this time good farming land within 1 1/2 miles of said Home can be purchased for $100.00 per acre. We recommend that your Board look after this matter at once and if practicable purchase 30 acres or secure an option upon the best terms and report to the Assembly of 1913 either for ratification or instructions.

We recommend that this Assembly appoint a committee of three to attend the Dedicatory Services of your Home in Bowling Green, June 23rd, 1912.
[Source: General Assembly Minutes of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1912, pages 122-123]