History of Santa Clara County, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present, Part 47

Author: Sawyer, Eugene Taylor, 1846-
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1928

USA > California > Santa Clara County > History of Santa Clara County, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present > Part 47

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The Jack London Society was formed in May, 1920. It is a national organization with headquarters in Boston. There are no officers and no dues. Each member, by his signature, agrees to leave any motion picture or other performance where trained animals appear, and to inform the manager of the reason for the departure. The movement was started after the publication of Jack London's two dog stories, "Michael" and "Jerry."

Young Men's Christian Association

The Young Men's Christian Association of San Jose was formed in 1867. For several years it had a precarious existence. In 1873 it "ceased to function" and its books and other furnishings were sold to the San Jose Library Association. A few years later it was on its feet again and in 1890 a fine two-story mod- ern wooden building was erected for its use. The location was on North Second Street near . St. John. For several years the association had its ups and downs, but as debts began to accumulate it was found necessary to sell the building and lot. The Labor Temple Associa- tion was the purchaser. Up to 1912 the Y. M. C. A. occupied rented quarters. In May, 1911, with new blood in its veins, the association started a campaign for funds for a new build- ing and equipment. The first gift was that of Chas. D. Blaney for $5,000. This was followed by one from Mrs. Maria P. Schofield for $25,- 000. In all, in ten days' work, the sum of $160,000 was subscribed. A large lot on the southeast corner of Third and Santa Clara streets was purchased and ground for the new building was broken on April 18, 1912. The cornerstone was laid on August 20 of that year. The building is a credit to the city. It is of the modern renaissance design. The building is 1321/2 feet on the Third street side and 5712 feet on the Santa Clara street side. At the rear the gymnasium, which has a width of 40 feet, forms an L extending to the east 75 feet. The building is five stories and base- ment. It is of entire concrete construction with concrete stairways.

The basement has four first-class bowling alleys. Electric and steam driven pumps sup- ply water from the artesian well and circulate the hot and cold water supply to the baths and different parts of the building. The ven- tilating and indirect heating system is in-

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stalled and there is also the Rotex vacuum system of cleaning. The reading room is a portion of the west side of lobby and provides a very convenient place for the reading of the many periodicals, books and newspapers on file. Here is a correspondence table in- viting the stranger to write the delayed let- ter. On the east side of the lobby are the billiard and pocket billiard tables. All the fur- niture here, as well as in all parts of the building, is of solid fumed oak construction. The gymnasium is 40 feet wide and 75 feet long. The floor is of white maple. It is pro- vided with a running track 6 feet wide, the track being twenty-eight laps to the mile. The swimming pool is 20 by 60 feet. The floor of the pool is laid with vitrified tile and its walls are lined with glazed white tile. The edge of the floor around the entire pool, as well as the overflow edge which continues entirely around the pool, is constructed so as to keep the pool in the most sanitary condition and also provides good hand holds. The water is crystal clear, the pool having a capacity of over fifty thousand gallons. The twenty-two shower baths are constructed of marble and tile and nickel fittings throughout. The boys' department is located on the west portion of the second floor, with separate game and read- ing rooms, equipped to delight every active boy. The assembly room has a seating capac- ity of 250. A kitchen adjoins this room, pro- viding means of serving banquets and suppers. The dormitories occupy the third, fourth and fifth floors. There are seventy-five rooms in all. Each floor is equipped with ample lava- tories, shower baths, linen closets and trunk room.

Chas. D. Blaney was chairman of the build- ing committee and his assistants were E. N. Richmond, Prof. J. E. Hancock, H. A. Blanch- ard and Geo. C. Wilson. Blanchard, then president of the board of directors. The Citi- zens Campaign Committee to raise the funds for the building had as chairman Henry C. Murgotten, who was assisted by Chas. A. Titus, special secretary, Y. M. C. A., and the following group leaders business men: J. S. Williams, C. H. Waterman, Fred M. Stern, W. L. Prussia, V. Koch, E. K. Johnston, J. W. Chilton, G. W. Borchers, H. M. Barn- grover, L. B. Avery. Young men: W. E. Spearman, E. D. Shepherd, E. N. Richmond, F. H. Patterson, M. D., J. W. Nixon, Ed. Newell, M. D., C. W. Janes, Geo. N. Herbert, J. D. Crummey, C. D. Cavallaro.

The new building was opened on May 29, 1913. The association is conducted by the fol- lowing business men of San Jose : Board of di- rectors-A. S. Bacon, Frank H. Benson, H. A. Blanchard, Geo. B. Campbell, C. D. Cavallaro,

John D. Crummey. D. J. Denhart, Geo. D. Gilman, J. E. Hancock, J. E. Hoblit, Dale Hol- land, Stanley D. Mathews, V. T. McCurdy, Dr. Edward Newell, W. B. Reilly, H. T. Reynolds, W. H. Stray, Dr. E. R. Wagner, C. H. Water- man, Dr. A. E. Dickinson ; board of trustees- W. G. Alexander, Dr. D. A. Beattie, H. A. Blanchard, C. D. Blaney, D. C. Crummey, Chas. F. Crothers, W. S. Orvis, Dr. E. R. Wag- ner, Dr. C. M. Richards; the activities of the association are directed by these secretaries : R. C. Smedley, F. A. Saxton, G. E. Atkinson, H. V. Lucas, C. G. Mathews.

It is the business of the association to keep men on their feet ; to help them to be physical- ly strong, well and efficient. The total attend- ance at the gymnasium for the last year was 24,793. Shower baths to the number of 29,000 were taken and 21.600 swims were enjoyed in the big, crystal pond: 3,136 different men oc- cupied rooms in the dormitory, some for one night, some for months, finding a clean, safe place away from home. Over 1,400 service men were helped since June 1, 1919. Ex-serv- ice men, numbering 427, were helped to find positions and 582 were given temporary help when they were without money. Hundreds were given counsel and advice on personal and business matters. Through lectures, entertain- ments, socials and personal service hundreds have found help at point of need. The as- sociation is distinctly a Christian Associa- tion. It does not force religion on anyone. but conducts a work intended to present Christian principles in a practical way. Geo. D. Gilman is president of the association, John D. Crummey is vice-president, R. C. Smedley is secretary, and Fred Saxton is physical dir- ector.

Boys' Outing Farm

After the earthquake of April 18, 1906, Mrs. Bertha M. Rice, a philanthropic woman of San Jose, visited San Francisco and what she saw enlisted her sympathies in behalf of the boys who roamed the streets in the Potrero district. Her sympathy soon found practical form and a few months after her visit she se- cured control of a large tract of rolling land in the foothills above Saratoga. The tract commands a fine view of the Santa Clara Val- ley and is in every respect admirably suited to the purpose she had in mind-to provide a place for boys' outing in vacation or other times. Her plans met the approval of many charitable and well-to-do women of San Fran- cisco and funds were secured for the launch- ing of the laudable undertaking. Every year since 1906 the boys of San Francisco and oth- er cities of Central California have flocked to the place, finding there not only a healthful climate and beautiful surroundings, but all the

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appliances for outdoor sports and recreation. The farm is supplied with a large cement swimming pool, a Greek Theater and many tents. The Boy Scouts have found the farm an ideal camping place and they come in num- bers to the place every summer. Last year (1921) was the fourteenth annual encampment of the Scouts. Sunday evening services were held around a huge camp fire and many noted speakers came down to address the children. A number of San Francisco school teachers and scientists from the universities are as- sisting Mrs. Rice and her son, Roland, who is her right-hand man, in a course of nature study trips and lectures which have been in- augurated for the benefit of the children. Vis- its are made to the Lick Observatory at Mt. Hamilton, the State Redwood Park and other points of interest.

Red Cross Society

The San Jose Chapter of the Red Cross So- ciety was organized in 1898 and the work it has done forms one of the brightest pages of history. The first thought of this mighty philanthropy that set the pulse of the whole world throbbing in sympathy, originated with Henry Dunant, an humble but noble-hearted Swiss, who while wandering over the battle- field of Solferino, in the capacity of a reporter, was so forcibly impressed with the necessity of immediate help for the multitude of man- gled soldiers he saw lying there with their livid faces turned to the sky, crying out with their dying breath for a drop of water, that he determined to make an appeal to the world at large to relieve, if possible, the misery of those who risk their lives on the battlefield for their country. He wrote not of the glory of war, or in praise of its heroes, but on the horror of the sacrifice and suffering it involved, stirring the very heartstrings of the people and creating such enthusiasm for the cause that he was requested to appear before the public and explain his views. The meeting was held and Dunant set forth his plan of or- ganized and systematized relief, in time of war, irrespective of friend or foe. At this meeting a call was issued for an international convention to be composed of those in sym- pathy with the noble design of its founder. The convention met in Geneva in 1863, held a four days' session and issued a call for a gen- eral convention in 1864. This second conven- tion lasted two weeks and resulted in the adop- tion of a code of nine articles which after- wards became the basis of what is known as the Geneva Treaty. This code, which has been accepted and adopted by every civilized nation of the world, is the basis of the Red Cross Society.

The Geneva Treaty provided for the neu- tralization in time of war of the wounded, of persons and material for their care, of hos- pital nurses and hospital supplies. A flag as a common sign for hospitals, and an arm badge for convoys and attaches, was agreed upon. 'The flag adopted was a red cross on a white ground in honor of the country in which the charity originated. Wherever this little flag, blazoned with its red cross, is unfurled, it an- nounces no idle dream of material glory, but regardless of country or creed, touches the heart of every soklier with the spirit of broth- erly love. It is even on the battlefield "the touch of nature which makes the world akin." It gives place, too, for woman, with her tender and humanizing influences, even on the "bat- tle's bloody marge." She need no longer sit with tearful eyes and folded hands, awaiting the dread issue of the conflict-she can serve under the flag of the Red Cross as an angel of mercy.

The organization of the Red Cross in Amer- ica is mainly due to that noble woman, Clara Barton. The formation of the International Society came too late for its utilization in the American Civil War of 1861-65, in which Miss Barton took an honorable and active part. During the Franco-German war of 1870 she went to Europe, carrying on her deeds of mercy under the sheltering folds of the Red Cross. On her return to the United States she tried to have the American Government adopt the Geneva Treaty and persisted in her efforts during the administrations of Presi- dents Hayes, Garfield and Arthur. It was finally adopted by Congress on March 2, 1882. Miss Barton, who had previously or- ganized a Red Cross Association, was made its first president, and the exceeding glory of having first planted this beneficent society on American soil belongs to her. After the ac- ceptance of the Geneva Treaty, the National Association at Washington was formed, and that was quickly followed by state associa- tions. No society, however, was formed in California until the breaking out of the Amer- ican-Spanish War in 1898. During that war and through the strenuous days that followed the earthquake of 1906, the San Jose Chapter performed noble service. But its crowning efforts were exhibited during the European war of 1914-1918, particularly during the two years that witnessed America's participation in the struggle. The story of the self-sacrific- ing work of the chapter, which was organized in 1917, is told in another chapter of this his- tory. It was the first chapter on the Coast to manufacture and ship garments to the refugees of France and Belgium. It has never been without funds. Overhead expenses were never

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more than two per cent of the money handled. The society affords relief in times of peace as well as of war. The National Society was the great reliever of suffering during the floods at Galveston and Dayton, the fires at Boston and San Francisco, and the earthquake on the Pacific Coast. The organization is semi-mili- tary and always ready for work. The officers of the San Jose Chapter are Dr. J. B. Bullitt, chairman, and W. T. Rambo, secretary.

The W. C. T. U.

The National Woman's Christian Temper- ance Union, which has several branches in Santa Clara County, the most important one being in San Jose, was organized in Cleveland, Ohio, in November, 1874. with Mrs. Witte- myer president and Frances Willard secre- tary. In 1879 California locals were formed in Grass Valley, Sacramento and Petaluma. A convention was held in Petaluma in that year and the California State W. C. T. U. was then organized. Mrs. G. S. Abbott of Oakland was the first president and Mrs. M. E. Congdon of Petaluma was the first secretary. The next year she was instrumental in organizing the San Jose branch, which had Mrs. Nellie Eyster as its first president. After the outside branches in the county were formed, Mrs. Fannie Woods was elected county president. Ever since its organization in Santa Clara County it has fought for good laws. It se- cured the passage of a bill forbidding the sale of liquor or tobacco to anyone under sixteen years of age. In 1893 a school suffrage bill championed by the W. C. T. U. was vetoed by Governor Markham. The present officers of the local branch are: Mrs. Laura Beal, presi- dent; Mrs. John G. Jury, vice-president ; Miss Mary Burkett, corresponding secretary ; Mrs. George Worley, recording secretary; Mrs. Addie L. Johns, treasurer.

There was a strong temperance movement in San Jose in 1874, and many women, after- wards members of the W. C. T. U., partici- pated. The movement was started by Alex P. Murgotten, who obtained the requisite num- ber of signatures to a petition asking the state legislature to pass a bill permitting a local option election in California. Other counties having filed petitions, the necessary act was passed March 18, 1874, which permitted every township or incorporated city in the state to vote on the question of granting or not grant- ing licenses to sell intoxicating liquors. The supervisors of Santa Clara County issued the call on the third of June of that year and the election took place on June 27. Murgotten made a valiant fight to close the saloons, but he was without a strong organization, while opposed to him were the organized, deter- mined and desperate band of saloonkeepers

and winemakers. To aid his cause Sallie Hart came down from San Francisco. gathered a number of temperance women about her and made several speeches. One of the speakers hired by the saloonkeepers to bolster up their fight against Murgotten and his supporter was Rev. J. L. Hatch, who had succeeded Rev. Chas. G. Ames as minister of the Unity Con- gregation. Hatch was foot-loose at the time and made quite a stir while following up the redoubtable Sallie Hart. On election day there was intense excitement, for this was the first local option election ever held in San Jose. Rough measures were employed by adherents of the liquor-sellers and several attempts to mob the temperance women were made. In one, Sallie Hart had a narrow escape, and in another Mrs. L. J. Watkins and a number of her friends were subjected to harsh treatment. There were many refreshment booths about town and it was afterwards asserted that num- bers of Murgotten's supporters, instead of get- ting into the thick of the fight and doing their utmost to defeat the saloonkeepers, passed the greater part of their time about the eating places. The result was that the temperance people were beaten, the vote standing 1430 for license and 918 against license.

Forty-one years elapsed before the temper- ance advocates made another attempt through local option to close the saloons of San Jose During this time the temperance cause had everywhere strengthened, and therefore with confidence the issue was submitted for the sec- ond time to the voters on Tuesday, November 7, 1917. Now there was strong organization, newspaper support, unlimited funds and a fa- vorable public sentiment. The proposition submitted was not as drastic as that of 1874 -- it meant the closing of the saloons, but per- mitted private consumption in homes and the sale of wine and beer at restaurant and hotel tables. A heavy vote was polled 6,214 elec- tors voting to close the saloons and 4.667 vot- ing to keep them open as before. In January, 1919, the national prohibition law went into effect.

Community Shop

In the spring of 1921 the Community Shop was started for the purpose of giving assist- ance to the poor and needy of San Jose by the sale of articles donated by charitably disposed citizens. It is conducted in such a way that people in need of clothing and other neces- saries may buy at a small price to prevent the feeling that they are objects of charity. The annual report, made in April, 1922, showed that during the year the receipts were $14.675.46. Disbursements : Good Cheer Club, $2,541 ; Santa Clara Tuberculosis Association, $2,541 ; Day Nursery, $640.25 ; Home of Bene-

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volence, $640.25; Sisters of the Holy Family, $23.50; Catholic Children's Aid, $847. Play- grounds, $265 ; Palo Alto Convalescent Home, $415. Mrs. F. A. Nikirk is the president of the board of directors, and the shop is lo- cated on San Fernando Street, between Sec- ond and Third.

Fraternal Orders

San Jose abounds in fraternal societies, and among the great number the following may be mentioned: Free and Accepted Masons, including York Rite and Scottish Rite ; Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, Red Men. Woodmen of the World, Modern Woodmen, Order of Camels, Order of Amaranth, Grand Army of the Republic, with women's auxil- iaries, Woman's Relief Corps, Ladies of the

G. A. R., Loyal Workers; Junior Order of American Mechanics, Fraternal Aid Union, Order of Good Fellows, Royal Neighbors, B. P. O. Elks, Order of Moose, Order of Eagles, American Yeomen, Daughters of Isabella, Re- bekah and Eastern Star, Fraternal Brother- hood, Sons of St. George, Pythian Sisters, Knights of Pythias, Pyramid of Sciots, Cheer- ful Workers, nine troops of Boy Scouts, Span- ish-American War Veterans, Knights of Co- lumbus, Young Men's Institute, Young La- dies' Institute, Ancient Order of Hibernians, Native Sons and Native Daughters of the Golden West, Daughters of Veterans, Forest- ers of America, Ancient Order of Foresters, Disabled American Veterans of the World War, Veterans of Foreign Wars, National League for Women's Service.

CHAPTER XXVI.

The Sanitariums and Hospitals of San Jose-The Splendid Appointments of the O'Connor Buildings-Columbia Hospital and the Santa Clara County Medical Society-Dr. Ben Cory.

The O'Connor Sanitarium, on San Carlos Street, was erected in the year 1887 by Judge and Mrs. M. P. O'Connor, with the intention of providing an institution for the care of the aged, the sick and the afflicted. The Sis- ters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, at the invitation of the donors and suggestion of Archbishop Riordan, took possession of it on March 19, 1889. During the thirty years of its existence it has treated over 7000 patients.

It is advantageously situated in the beauti- ful and healthful Santa Clara Valley at San Jose, and within easy access of San Francisco. Fourteen acres of beautiful grounds surround the sanitarium and forever prevent the possi- bility of any adjacent structure crowding close enough to interfere with the present ideal con- ditions. The spacious grounds are tastefully laid out in lawns and orchard, orange plot and pinery. Traversing these are numerous con- crete walks and driveways, which afford ideal opportunity for exercise and recreation.

The general plan of the building arrange- ment makes the most of the desirable location. The substantial brick buildings, grouped in architectural harmony, comprise a main build- ing, two wings, chapel, kitchen, laundry, pow- er house and stables. Isolated from these, stands the Isolation Building for contagious diseases. Numerous sheltered porches, a sol- arium, and a garden pavilion enable the con- valescent to enjoy the benefits of the outdoor

air. All the buildings are well lighted and ventilated.

The different departments are completely equipped, each to meet its own special needs. They comprise the surgical, medical, obstet- rical, X-ray and electro-therapeutic depart- ments, a clinical laboratory and pharmacy, and the isolation building for the care of con- tagious diseases.

The sanitarium is especially equipped for the care of surgical cases. The operating rooms are as complete and up-to-date in ar- rangement and equipment as it is possible to make them. The rooms are all sunny and well lighted. Owing to the favorable location of the Institution, the ideal climate, and ex- tensive grounds, its facilities for the best treat- ment are ideal. Two large wards for male and female patients are maintaned and a smaller ward for chronic cases. In addition to these there is also a children's ward. Special atten- tion has been paid to the needs of these little sufferers.

Extensive improvements have been made in the obstetrical division of the hospital. In ad- dition to the private rooms, a newly remodeled and equipped ward has been arrranged. Ad- joining this is the delivery room with interior finish, furnishings, and equipment planned to provide every convenience for the physician and safeguard for the patient. The nursery,

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with its row of basket-beds, open grate fire- place and sanitary tubs, is ideally arranged.

The department of electro-therapeutics and radiography has been fully developed and equipped with costly paraphernalia and will prove of the utmost value in facilitating the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases and injuries. The equipment is of the very highest standard and latest design. The X- ray department has been enlarged and trans- ferred to a suite of rooms in the surgical an- nex, where its convenience will be greatly in- creased.

Special apparatus consisting of a Kelly- Koett eye localizer for foreign bodies, a bullet, or foreign body localizer, a Roentgen stereo- scope, and numerous minor accessories, all tend to enhance the value of this department. The electro-therapeutic room has a complete equipment for the use of electricty as a medi- cinal agent. An elaborate Wappler cabinet furnishes all varieties of the electric current. A pneumo massage apparatus is included. Special diagnostic instruments, electrically il- luminated, of the latest approved models, fa- cilitate the diagnoss of the diseases of all ac- cessible organs and tissues. A large Victor eye magnet for the extraction of foreign bodies has also been installed.

The chemical and pathological laboratory has proved to be of great value to the hos- pital and the attending physicians. A com- plete equipment of all the apparatus, chem- icals, and biological supplies necessary for modern analytical, bacteriological and patho- logical work is at the service of the attending physicians who desire to avail themselves of its advantages for the benefit of their patients or for original research work.

An isolation building was erected and open- ed for service during the year 1910. All highly contagious and infectious diseases- measles, scarlet fever, diphtheria, erysipelas, ete .- cannot be admitted or treated in the wards and rooms of the general hospital, and through lack of such a building many persons have been deprived of the facilities offered for the scientific conduct and efficient quaran- tine of such diseases. The isolation building was erected through the beneficence of Mr. and Mrs. C. D. Blaney, and is conducted by the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul. Surrounded by its own grounds it is entirely separated from the main hospital buildings. The interior arrangement is such that no mu- tual exposure of the patients suffering from different contagious or infectious diseases is liable.

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History of Santa Clara County, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present, Part 47

Author: Sawyer, Eugene Taylor, 1846- Publication date: 1922 Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co. Number of Pages: 1928

Author: Sawyer, Eugene Taylor, 1846-
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1928