The soldiers orphans' home shall be provided for the nurture and intellectual, moral and physical culture of all indigent children of old soldiers. The home receives (1) children under 5 years of age in indigent circumstances; (2) indigent children above 5 and under 14 years of age; (3) all other indigent orphans up to the age of 16 years; (4) if there is further room, then any dependent orphan child under the age of 8 years, who has been a resident of the state for four years or more. Boys shall be discharged from the home at 16 years of age, but girls may be retained until they are 18 years of age. It shall be the duty of the superintendent to place all children in private homes whenever applications are made by worthy and responsible people.

R. S., ch. 23, sec. 23.