Winchester Journal Herald, December 6, 1934.
To most people the word "memorial" suggests something constructed of stone, marble or bronze. Something that is cold and lifeless, erected to commemorate some deed of valor, or some individual who has passed to eternal rest.
Randolph county has a memorial which reflects the disposition and character of one of it's early citizens, better than all the monuments that could be placed in the public square.
Randolph county's memorial is located two miles west of Winchester as a tribute to James Moorman. It is the orphan's home which this kindly old gentleman made possible for children bereaved of their parents. It is known as the Moorman Orphans' Home. Only a small plate at the entrance could be considered a monument. The remainder of the 160 acre farm is devoted to making life happier for bereaved boys and girls.
James Moorman, better known to Randolph county residents as "Uncle Jimmy" was one of it's early settlers. He started as a pioneer in the woods, making his living with the axe as a young man. He seemed to be a born financier. He knew how to make money and how to invest it wisely. His motto was "Make just a little more each day than you spend."
"Uncle Jimmy" did not make money to develop power, but that the world would be better for it's investment. Considered stern by many still he had a kind heart. When he said "No" in reply to any person, that individual learned to know that he did not change his mind and "No" remained the answer.
Through wise investments, he not only gave the county an excellent home, but endowed the institution, which with the products of the farm, make it self sustaining. Randolph county children are boarded and clothed without one cent of cost to the taxpayers.
The large farm is well located and the soil is good. It has been possible to produce most of the food. The environment is excellent. It is near enough to the city to seem modern, far enough from the highway for safety and elimination of traffic noises.
In 1898 the present large brick house was constructed. Barns and outbuildings are equally good. The government of the home is handled by a board of directors composed of Randolph county business and professional men.
At present the board consists of the following members: E.W. Hill, president; A.F. Huddleston, vice-president; R.F. Moorman, treasurer; Phillip Kabel, secretary; A.L. Nichols, Lee Mendenhall and Henry O. Cox, members.
Much of the success of the home is due to the sympathetic interest shown by Mr. and Mrs. Fred E. Moore, the former acting as superintendent and the latter as matron of the institution, who are starting on their seventh year.
It is erroneous to call the place an "institution" as every effort is made to destroy institutional atmosphere. At school or church services one cannot tell the children from those who came from private homes. A real home atmosphere always prevails.
One of the interesting sights is meal time. The home has a capacity for 40 children, with 25 there at present, six girls and nineteen boys. The dining room is in the sub-basement, adjoining the dining room of Mr. and Mrs. Moore. It is finished in bright colors, which appeal to any child. The smaller children eat at low tables, more comfortable for the little bodies. One of the girls acts as a "little sister" and sits at the head of each table. It is her work to see that there is always a supply of milk and water available.
There is always plenty of food of the best quality. Much of it is raised on the farm. Besides milk, vegetables and meat, sufficient poultry is produced to have plenty of eggs and chicken for the children. The farm has a large "sugar camp" and 100 gallons of maple syrup was made this year in the farm evaporator. Some of the children prefer sorghum, so 60 gallons of this was made for the winter.
The children attend a consolidated school and many are active in 4-H club products. Boys from the farm have been county champions in livestock and judging projects. Calves produced by the boys have won as high as third place in state fair competition.
No particular religious creed is taught, but religious instruction is not overlooked. Each Sunday morning the children attend services at the Winchester Friends Church as a tribute of respect to Mr. Moorman, who was a devout member of the Society of the Friends.
This farm could well be a model for any agricultural college. At present there are six pure-bred horses on the farm, one a brood mare weighing 2,200 pounds. A herd of pure-bred milking Shorthorn cattle is being built up. At present the farm has 40 head of cattle, 18 being milch cows and the remainder feeders. Twelve are producing milk. The farm also has 50 pure-bred Poland China hogs.
Feed for the stock is ground each Saturday morning by Mr. Moore, assisted by the boys. Rough feed is stored in the mows and two large silos.
The barn and all outbuildings are a model of cleanliness and sanitation. Each boy, who is old enough for regular work, is assigned some task of keeping a building or a section of it in sanitary condition. This not only teaches practical agriculture, but the boys develop a pride in their work. Mr. Moore states that the older boys are able to feed and care for the stock with almost no supervision.
Mr. Moore employs one farm hand for field work and two women are employed at the house. One acts as cook and the other as seamstress. Each child has some definite work each day, although school work comes first in the routine of the home during the term. While it is impossible to replace lost parents, Mr. and Mrs. Moore are beyond any reproach as substitute parents. Whenever possible, outside homes are obtained for the children, making room for others less fortunate. But no child is turned out to drift, even after reaching young manhood and young womanhood.
"Uncle Jimmy" Moorman stills lives in the lives of boys and girls who are making good through his liberality and thoughtfulness.
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