USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, and its people, Volume I > Part 45
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The possible families or individuals needing occasional help are kept in the towns, and only where there is no prospect for self-maintenance or physically impaired, or with no relatives or friends to care for them are they sent to the connty home.
In the early days the calls were many, far exceeding those in the present day prosperity. A new country where people expend their little savings to arrive at their point of destination, and wages low, and with comparatively small hired help, cases of destitution are frequent and of real merit. Until 1866, when the poor Farm was purchased. destitute cases were cared for by kind neighbors and friends and the benevolent societies in the community.
The first notice of a Buchanan County poor farm appeared in the county newspapers in December, 1865, when the county advertised for a farm mainly to afford relief for those who were homeless as well as in want. The farm formerly consisted of 194 acres-now 220-in the eastern part of Washington Township, in section 25, township 89, range 9. One hundred and twenty acres were bought of the Hathaway estate and the rest of Mr. Van Etten for about four thousand
BUGHANAN GOUNTY HOME 1867.
RT
BUCHANAN COUNTY HOME
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dollars. Of this land, 160 acres were prairie and the rest woodland. The tarm had on it. when purchased by the county, a substantial stone dwelling house and such ontbuildings as were common at that time. An ice and refrigerator plant have been added to the equipment. Since the purchase a two-story frame addition has been joined to the dwelling and a large and commodious barn was built, which, a few years ago, burned to the ground and was replaced by another large and commodious one, 40 by 100 feet. This same house is in use today and has the distinction of being one of the oldest and one of the worst in the State of Iowa; but in 1912 the question of building a new county home was submitted to the voters, and the proposition carried by a vote of 2,263 for and 2,032 against, and in the spring of 1915 the supervisors will begin the erection of a substantial, commodious and convenient house, which will be fit and appro- priate for a county possessing the financial prosperity always enjoyed by Buchanan County.
The poor farm is under the control of the three county supervisors, who appoint one of their number as chairman of the poor farm committee. They hire a steward to take charge of the farm and a matron to manage the domestic establishment and look after the comfort of the inmates. The committee holds meetings at the poor farm and makes annual reports. The steward purchases everything needed and disposes of all farm produce, reporting at stated times to the supervisors. The salary of the steward and matron is $100 per month, but must hire their own help. Some of the inmates are insane. The inmates are supposed to assist about the house and farm. The house has accommodations for twenty inmates and the average member is sixteen ; but when the new home is completed will be increased considerably, owing to several being kept at the state hospital who rightfully belong at the county home.
The poor farm keeps quite an amount of stock and this, with the other farm products, furnishes a large share of their living.
OAKWOOD AND OTHER CEMETERIES
In 1850 a cemetery was laid out by Norman Bassitt in the southwestern part of Independence, on a hill just east of where the Hospital Boulevard joins the Brandon Road. At one time there were many graves there, but years ago it was abandoned as a cemetery and all but two or three of the graves removed. It now is the property of John Premis and used for farming purposes. In 1859 another cemetery was established northwest of the Illinois Central depot, south- west of the fair grounds, by Dr. R. W. Wright and called Independence Cemetery. It was only kept up a few years and became so neglected that the graves were moved to what is now Oakwood Cemetery, which was established in April, 1864, by Messrs. Richard Campbell and Edward Ross. This cemetery is situated in the Second Ward, near the South Bridge, and extends from Walut Street to . the river bank. It is in a beautiful location in a natural oak grove, and through the efforts of a women's cemetery association is kept in splendid condition.
Originally it contained only six acres, but in June, 1877, an addition of five acres was made thereto, and sinee then the river bank has been filled in to aecom- modate the fast filling space. There is very little available ground left. and there has been some agitation to buy more land adjoining it on the south or the neces-
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sity of being compelled to establish a new cemetery will soon be a serious problem facing the inhabitants of Independence.
When the old cemetery became so neglected, the women of Independence, under the leadership of Mrs. Richard Campbell and Mrs. Bowley, raised over a hundred dollars toward repairing it in 1862, but when it was concluded to abandon that place and establish a new cemetery, they gave this money to the "bell" fund. After Oakwood was established, they directed their attention and efforts toward beautifying the new grounds. Walks and drives were laid out, flower beds and ornamental trees planted and a fine iron fence around the place. Lots were sold to the citizens at a very reasonable price to insure its success and its maintenance. Great interest was manifested in the project and everyone was delighted with the beauty and convenience of these new grounds. The beautiful situation of Oakwood Cemetery and its proximity to the city have been points in its favor and make the question of a new place even harder to decide. In 1901 Oakwood Cemetery Association took charge of the grounds and greatly improved and beautified them until it is one of the most beautiful and best kept cemeteries in the county.
THE GERMAN CATHOLIC CEMETERY
This cemetery was established by the German Catholic Church some years ago in section 35, just east of the city limits. It was difficult of access and not on a main traveled road, so has practically been deserted : only a few graves remain, and the German and Irish Catholies occupy the same cemetery just north of Independence.
WILSON'S CEMETERY
A cemetery was laid ont in the southeastern part of Washington Township by Elzy Wilson, grandfather of the present Mr. Elzy Wilson, in 1852. After- wards a cemetery association was formed, which bought the property and laid it ont in lots, walks and drives. It comprises four aeres, beautifully situated on the side of a small slope and on what is known as the Quasqueton Road. The plat of the cemetery was filed April 11, 1875. Some years ago the place became neglected, and in 1895 a women's cemetery association was formed for the pur- pose of cleaning and improving the grounds, with the following officers: Mrs. J. M. Ensminger, president ; Mrs. J. W. MeMillan, vice president ; Mrs. House, treasurer : and Mrs. Frank Sawyer, secretary. This organization has done most efficient work, and in its tireless efforts has made of Wilson Cemetery one of the most beautiful and well-kept cemeteries in the county. A man is employed by the year to attend to the lots and money for the maintenance of these expenses is partially raised by an annual dinner given by the organization at Independence. several times at the home of Mrs. Sawyer, and a goodly sum is always raised.
ST. JOHN'S CEMETERY
In September, 1863. Rev. Father John Gosker purchased the first ground for St. John's Catholie Cemetery. It is a plot containing four aeres of land, heanti-
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fully situated on the east bank of the Wapsipinicon, about one-fourth of a mile north of the City of Independence.
In 1899, the old cemetery having become too small, Rev. Father Peter O'Dowd purchased the lots east of the old cemetery and shortly thereafter the women of the Catholic church associated themselves into what is known as the St. John's Cemetery Association and took upon themselves the responsibility of improving and maintaining the cemetery. A cement walk was built from the city to the cemetery in 1907, and the place was fenced with a fine iron fenee and a very artistic and ornamental gateway. Beautiful flower beds have been planted and walks and drives laid out and graveled. This association has worked diligently and unceasingly and give suppers, dinners, baking sales and bazaars to raise money for this worthy object and have the pleasurable compensation of having pro- duced one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the county.
CHAPTER XVIII
THIE INDEPENDENCE STATE HOSPITAL
THE BUILDINGS-THE EQUIPMENT-THE SUPERINTENDENTS
An act providing for the second state hospital for the insane, to be located within two miles of the City of Independence, was passed by the lowa Legis- lature on April 6th in the year 1868.
This bill was introduced into the senate by Hon. G. W. Donnan, member of the senate from Buchanan County. The act designated E. G. Morgan of Web- ster County, Maturin L. Fisher of Clayton County and Albert Clark of Buchanan County a board of commissioners to locate the institution and erect the buildings. The act required a site comprising not less than three hundred and twenty acres of land, which must be obtained without cost to the state. The act also appropriated $125,000.
It is said that Senator Donnan's action in securing the location of the hospital at Independence was severely criticised by many residents of the city and vicinity. It was feared that the patients would prove undesirable and con- stitute a menace to the community. Nevertheless, sufficient funds for the pur- chase of the desired location were subscribed by the citizens.
The plans and specifications for the construction of the hospital were pre- pared by S. V. Shipman of Madison, Wisconsin. The commissioners appointed George Josselyn of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, superintendent of construction.
Soon after the construction began Albert Clark died. The vacancy created by Mr. Clark's death was filled by the appointment of Hon. George W. Bemis of Independence as a member of the commission. He qualified January 21, 1869. In 1871 he was elected a member of the state senate from Buchanan County to succeed W. G. Donnan, who had been elected to Congress. Mr. Bemis continued a member of the commission until it was superseded by the board of trustees and was of signal use to the institution during his term in the senate.
In 1870 the Legislature appropriated $165,000, in order to continue the construction of the hospital. About this time the general assembly elected seven trustees who were to take charge of the institution, when the commis- sioners of construction should deem it advisable to convene them. The first meeting of the trustees was held July 10, 1872, at Independence.
On October 3, 1872, the trustees appointed Dr. Albert Reynolds as superin- tendent of the hospital.
The hospital was opened for the reception of patients on May 1, 1873. The plan adopted provided for a central structure five stories high to serve the
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administrative and domestic departments. To the central building there is appended two wings, each of which comprises four sections of corridors or wards. Each of the wings is three stories in height. This arrangement provides twenty-four wards, twelve in the north wing for male patients and an equal number in the south wing for female patients. The estimated capacity of the building is six hundred. When the hospital was first opened only two sections of the north wing had been constructed. These afforded accommodations for 150 patients. The structure provided for in the original plan was construeted piecemeal and was not completed until 1883. The building is faced with sand- stone, giving it an imposing appearance. The basement walls are of prairie granite. The total cost of the construction of this one building was about eight hundred thousand dollars.
In 1883 W. G. Donnan was again elected to the state senate. He and W. H. Chamberlain, member of the house from Buchanan County, secured an appro- priation of $25,000 for the erection of a cottage to be known as Farmers' Lodge, which provides accommodations for one hundred able-bodied working males. This detached cottage is a substantial two-story brick building.
In 1886 the Legislature appropriated $40,000 for the construction of another detached cottage. From this allowance a two-story brick building known as Grove Hall, providing accommodations for one hundred chronic infirm male patients, was erected.
In 1894 the General Assembly voted an allowance of $40,000, which was expended in the erection of a two-story briek, detached cottage, providing accommodations for one hundred chronic infirm female patients. This building is designated as Sunny Side Villa.
The thirty-second General Assembly in 1907 granted an appropriation of $125,000 for the construction of another detached cottage. The expenditure of that appropriation provided a psychopathic hospital with 134 beds; sixty- seven for males and an equal number for females. It comprises a basement above grade and two stories, with a center or administrative section of three stories. The extreme dimensions are 259 feet by 125 feet, all of concrete and brick fireproof construction. The entire building is faced with beautiful, straw- colored pressed brick and provided with polished trimmings of Bedford stone. The building is provided with an operating room which is quite complete in its various appointments and is considered one of the finest in the Middle West. This building is also equipped with a complete hydro-therapeutic outfit, a cabinet for administering electric light baths, and extensive electro-thera- peutic devices. Every patient brought to the hospital is first taken to this building, or infirmary, as it is called, and there treated and, if necessary, is later taken to the other buildings. This building was opened on October 1, 1910.
The latest building to be constructed is the nurses' cottage. This is a three- story, fireproof building of concrete and briek construction, faced with straw- colored brick, and is in every detail a model of completeness and efficiency of building. No other lowa institution provides a separate building for the hous- ing of the nurses, attendants and employees. The appropriation for this build- ing amounted to $57,500 and was made by the Legislature of 1913. Several smaller appropriations had been made previous to this year, but being insuffi- cient they were not used. The home has just been completed and occupaney
1!
IT
HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE, INDEPENDENCE
1
WINTER IN INDEPENDENCE
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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY
will begin the latter part of the year 1914. There are single rooms for fifty- two female attendants and twenty rooms for married couples. No single males are allowed to live in the building. The different floors are well provided with conveniences and with the commodious basement, recreation rooms and reception rooms, make the building a feature of its kind in the state and a precedent likely to be followed by other Iowa State institutions.
At the present time there are about twelve hundred patients in the hospital, although this number varies considerably from day to day owing to deaths, paroles, releases and new entries. There is a pay roll of about 200 people in the institution, including 108 nurses and attendants. Of this number of nurses there are only 16 male nurses. A regular training school is operated for the nurses and conducted by the superintendent and assistant doctors of the institution. Each nurse, upon completing the course, is given a certificate of graduation.
The Towa statutes do not permit the voluntary admission of patients. Before a patient may be admitted to one of the state hospitals for the insane he must be adjudged insane and committed to the hospital by the legally constituted anthorities. Commitment is prima facie evidence that the patient is not capable of transacting business. Ile is not restored to his right to attend to business affairs until the superintendent of the hospital discharges him as recovered. In the meantime, should he execute a deed, mortgage, will or any other legal paper, the burden of proof that the patient understood the nature and eonse- quence of his act would devolve on the beneficiary of the instrument, in the event of the question being raised.
The hospital has had three superintendents. Albert Reynolds, M. D., occu- pied the position from February 1. 1873, until his resignation took effect on November I, 1881. Doctor Reynolds was born at Grand Island, Vermont, August 18, 1837. In their first biennial report the trustees of the hospital said : "From a considerable number of physicians highly recommended on account of their capacity, attainments, skill and exemplary character, Albert Reynolds, Esquire, M. D., of Clinton in this state, was elected to be superintendent of the hospital. Doctor Reynolds, after having received a finished medical education, was employed for a considerable time as assistant physician in the Kings County Lunatie Asylum at Flatbush, New York, under the superintendency of Dr. Edward R. Chapin, where he had an opportunity to pursue his studies and to practice in the special department of the profession to which he was devoted. Afterwards he traveled in Europe, and visited the principal institutions for the insane in Great Britain and Ireland."
During Doctor Reynolds' superintendency the facilities for conducting the institution were very meager; the Legislature had not then realized the im- portance of providing many things that were absolutely necessary for the com- fort and proper treatment of the patients. The management was compelled to practice the strictest economy in order to proenre actual necessaries for the institution.
The popular prejudice against an institution of that character was general. All these difficulties had to be met and it is doubtful if a better man eould have been found for faithful and successful discharge of the duties of this position than Doctor Reynolds.
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The management of this hospital for ten years is a monument to the ability, integrity and professional attainments of its first superintendent. During his administration, the duties and powers of the superintendent were fixed by statute, and were substantially as follows: He was the chief executive officer of the hos- pital; he had entire control of the medical, moral and dietetic treatment of the patients. It was his duty to see that the several officers and employes of the institution faithfully and diligently discharged their respective duties. He had authority to employ attendants, nurses, servants and sneh other persons as he might deem necessary for the efficient and economical administration of the hospital, and authority at any time to discharge any of them from service. He was also required to personally superintendent the farm, grounds and all the property of the hospital. Doctor Reynolds fully comprehended the responsi- bilities of his position and it was his constant study and earnest effort to so manage the institution and to afford such treatment to the patients that the beneficent objects of this institution should be fully realized.
Doctor Reynolds died at his home in Clinton, on January 23, 1899.
The second superintendent of the hospital was Gershom Il. Hill, M. D. Hle filled the position from December 1, 1881, until his resignation took effect, on Inly 1, 1902. The trustees in their sixth biennial report said: "Dr. G. H. lill had been the first assistant physician of the hospital nearly all the time since its organization. He. therefore, brought to the work an intimate knowl- edge of its affairs. He had a personal knowledge of each patient and the peculiari- ties of his or her malady. He was also acquainted with all the other officers and employes, and knew all the needs and resources of the institution. The change, therefore, was not as great as though some new person, a stranger to all. had come into control."
Doctor llill is now a resident of Des Moines, lowa, where he is engaged as superintendent of a private sanitarium for mental diseases.
Dr. W. P. Crumbarker, the third and present superintendent of the institu- tion, has occupied the position since the Ist of July, 1902. Of his work in the years he has had control it is fitting that mention should be made.
First, Doctor Crumbacker has abandoned almost all of the old-time methods of handling the insane. It has not been many years since the methods of car- ing for the mentally infirm were the subject of much criticism. In one way this criticism was just and in another it was not. In the light of the fact that present-day methods were not known, the system was exensable, but the other side of the question remains, that too coercive measures and too strenuous restraint were employed. Dortor Crumbacker has abandoned all mechanical restraint, working on the theory that all necessary control of a patient may be accomplished by one or two persons, and for the exact length of time needed to quiet him, where by using mechanical restraint, such as the strait-jacket. erib, camisole and bonds, the patient would be submitted to probable injury, in that the mechanical means would hold him in subjection for too long a period and would thus work injury instead of benefit. This theory, of course, is new, but the results are highly satisfying and the time is not far distant when it will be employed universally in this country.
Another method introduced in the institution by Doctor Crumbacker, is the use of female attendants and nurses for the men as well as women. At one
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time the belief was that it was not safe to have women attendants for insane men, none but robust males, capable of subduing by physical force any out- break on the part of the patients. The visitor to the institution today will be entertained by the sight of a comely woman nurse in charge of two score men patients, taking them out into the grounds for exercise and work, and directing them while in their wards. Doetor Crumbacker believes that the emotional quality and native sympathy of the woman has more effect on the male patient than the sterner will of the man. This has undoubtedly proved the case, for in no institution in the United States can there be found a better behaved class of patients and more freedom from unpleasant occurrences. In the wards where are kept the most violently disturbed males, however, men attendants are still employed.
Again, the system of employment for patients and recreation for them has been carefully studied by Doctor Crumbacker. On the hospital farm, in the conservatory, on the grounds, driveways, in the workshops, ete., the men are given the opportunity to work. The women are given household duties and taught to sew, erochet, embroider, cook and many other duties incident to a woman's life.
The management of the hospital passed from the board of trustees to the board of control of state institutions, by legislative enactment, the 1st of July, 1898.
The institution has a modern water plant, sanitary system, and other eon- veniences. A spur of the Rock Island Railroad runs to the institution, for the transportation of foodstuffs, fuel and other necessities. A library of several thousand volumes is open for the use of patients and employes alike. An amuse- ment room and lecture room is another feature of the institution. Here lec- tures, religious services and motion picture exhibitions are given weekly, and once a week the floor is used for a dance, the musie supplied by the hospital band. The conservatory is quite complete, having been added to at different times, until now it embraces space for all kinds of plants, flowers and vegetables. This building is under the charge of a competent gardener.
CHAPTER XIX
EDUCATION
EARLY SCHOOLS-EARLY EDUCATORS-THE PRESENT SYSTEM-OAKWOOD SEMINARY- INDEPENDENCE SCHOOLS-COUNTY SCHOOLS
The early pioneers of Independence were largely from the New England and eastern states and were imbued with the ideas that an edneation should be the first and primal consideration of an individual and that the community was in duty bound to give that individual the opportunity, in other words, the desira- bility of the individual was the community necessity. These inherited beliefs were deep rooted and no circumstances or surroundings could thwart the ambi- tions and endeavors of these pioneers to accomplish their ideals. So our fore- fathers soon after settlement began to plan schools but with no funds for school purposes and with no way to raise them the first schools were built and main- tained with individual or community contributions. The first school in Inde- pendence was taught in 1848 and 9, by Edward Brewer. It was in a small log building, erected a little east of the present location of the Peoples National Bank, and twenty pupils attended, but owing to so much sickness (fever and ague) before the year elapsed the school had to be closed and the temple of art, learning and science was constrained to become a blacksmith shop, and for two years the urchins were allowed to roam the woods and wilds, free and untrammeled by the restrictions and artificial mannerisms of civilization and edneation. The first schoolhouse of any pretensions was erected in 1851 by William Brazelton at his own expense. It was of hewn logs, only 14 by 18 feet square and O. 11. P. Roszell was the first teacher. Twelve pupils were enrolled. This sufficed only for a few years, for with the influx of emigrants more school room and better accommodations were needed. So in 1855 a briek one was built in the Third Ward, the building now standing on lot 1, block 15, Fargo's addition, and used as a residence. At one time forty-two pupils were accommodated in this one small room. Another on the east side was located near the courthouse.
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