On This Day in 1917: At Omaha, Nebraska, Father Edward J. Flanagan, a 31-year-old Irish priest, opens the doors to a home for troubled and neglected children, and six boys enter to seek a better life. Flanagan understood that mistreated or orphaned children were at high risk of turning to delinquency and crime in later years. Bishop Jeremiah James Harty of the Diocese of Omaha had misgivings, but endorsed Father Flanagans experiment. Because the downtown facilities were inadequate, Flanagan established Boys Town, ten miles west of Omaha, in 1921. Under Father Flanagans direction, Boys Town grew to be a large community with its own boy-mayor, schools, chapel, post office, cottages, gymnasium, and other facilities where boys between the ages of 10 and 16 could receive an education and learn a trade. Many were sent by local courts, others were referred to the home by citizens, and some wandered off the streets and through the homes unlocked doors on their own accord. The institution remains at this site today and has changed its name to Girls and Boys Town to reflect its co-ed enrollment. A 1938 film starring Spencer Tracy, Boys Town, was based on the life of Father Flanagan, and Tracy won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance. Spencer Tracy spent his entire Oscar acceptance speech talking about Father Flanagan. If you have seen him through me, then I thank you. An additional statuette was presented to Monsignor Flanagan which read: To Father Flanagan, whose great humanity, kindly simplicity, and inspiring courage were strong enough to shine through my humble effort. Spencer Tracy.
Posted on: Fri, 12 Dec 2014 11:32:46 +0000
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