Not “The Home” nor “A Home” but just home, is how Mr. R.D. Jenkins, the new superintendent of the Pythian orphanage at Clayton, hopes to have the 44 children who have been sent there, regard what is commonly known as an institution.
The Pythian Home was established at Clayton about 15 years ago, but without doubt there are many in Johnston county who know but little about the only orphanage located within its borders. There has been only one superintendent before Mr. Jenkins, Mr. C.W. Pender, who retired from this position a few months ago, and who did a splendid work while directing the affairs of this Pythian undertaking.
The new superintendent who went to Clayton from Halifax county where he Welfare Superintendent, appears to be well qualified for his job, and is very much interested in the improvements that are now being made at the home. A splendid new brick dormitory has just been completed at a cost of $40,000, which will take care of about 40 more children. The new building will be used for the boys, and there are 23 boys now at the Home to enjoy their new quarters. A new laundry is to be built and equipped in the near future, and the main building, which now takes care of the entire family, is to be remodeled. The dining room will be made larger, and a brand-new kitchen will be added to the house.
The Home is well located, a big lawn and shrubbery making the surrounds attractive and homelike, and the organization which is supporting this enterprise has every reason to be proud of its investment. Nearly 200 acres of good Johnston County land form the tract on which the Home is situated, more than enough to produce the food crops needed to feed the family. Mr. Jenkins states that 60 acres will be farmed by the boys and girls with the help of perhaps one hired man, this year the balance having been rented out. Already several acres have been planted in potatoes, a big lot of cabbage and onions set out, and ground prepared for beans and other vegetables. They also intend to raise some cotton. Five cows furnish milk for the family and 36 pigs are fattened for next year’s supply of meat.
When asked if he expected to tend 60 acres and keep all of his 44 children in school for nine months, Mr. Jenkins replied: “I certainly do. I shall keep the bigger boys who can plow at home for a day at the time ach, which will mean only about an average of a day and a half out of every school month, and it will not hurt them if they are worth anything at all.”
“And while I am planting,” states Mr. Jenkins, “I expect to plant a tennis court and a play ground.” He evidently believes in the old adage that “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”
The boys and girls at the home, with the exception of only one who is too young to go to school, attend the graded school in Clayton. They are a part of the regular public school system and take part in the school life. Three of the boys are on the baseball team. A systematic daily program gives time for study, for play, and for work in the Home and on the farm. Comfortable and busy and happy are the members of this big family.
Mr. Jenkins looks on his job as a “coach.” The coach trains his ball players for team work in a game. Mr. Jenkins trains his boys and girls under his care for team work in the game of life. With a spirit like that, the institution promise to become just what the superintendent, the board of directors, the Knights of Pythias would have it—a real home turning out men and women who will make the best kind of citizens.
From the front page of The Smithfield Herald, Tuesday morning, April 13, 1926
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn92073982/1926-04-13/ed-1/seq-1/
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