USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, from the earliest historic times to 1907, Vol. I > Part 16
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In the fall of 1887 two Sisters of Mercy arrived in Council Bluffs to establish an institution for the relief of suffering and helpless humanity, and as a result of their efforts St. Bernard's Hospital was founded on September 24, 1887, having procured the Hanthorn residence on Fourth street. In a short time this building was too small and in May, 1888, they bought the beautiful residence of Conrad Giese. This was a two-story house of seventeen rooms which were used for hospital purposes until 1890, when the east wing of the building was constructed for an insane ward. From this time on the institution has experienced a constant growth until at this time there are insane patients from several Iowa counties and private patients from nearly every state in the Union.
In the year 1896 the sisters erected an additional wing. This is one hundred by sixty feet, three stories high with finished basement, and fur- nishes the equipment of a complete hospital service. The rooms and wards are all high, light and perfectly licated and ventilated, and are arranged according to the most approved plans of hospital architecture.
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HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
This is situated on a commanding eminence overlooking a large part of the city, but not so high as to render it difficult of access. St. Bernard's Hospital is now devoted exclusively to the care of the insane and nervous patients and has the capacity for the comfortable care of two hundred and fifty.
Just across Frank, and fronting on Harmony street, stands the Mercy Hospital. Although entirely detached, it is under the same management and warmed and ventilated from the same plant. It is four stories high and has all the modern appliances for heating, lighting and ventilating and is abso- lutely fire-proof and provided with fire escapes from every floor. All the rooms are light and airy, and finished in hard maple except operating rooms and lavatories which are of white tile.
This was built during 1901-02, and on the 19th of January, 1903, twenty-four convalescents were removed from St. Bernard's Hospital to Mercy, and the first meals were served in the new building. The first mass was said on January 23, and the public opening was held on May 24, 1903.
The building contains one hundred and eighteen rooms and will accommo- date one hundred and fifty patients.
In connection with the hospital there is a training school for nurses, where young ladies can pursue their course of studies with assurance of good instruction and opportunity to acquire experience which is so necessary to all well trained nurses.
ST. MARY'S HOME FOR YOUNG LADIES.
The sisters also purchased the Wheeler residence on the corner of Ilar- mony and Baughn streets, and fitted it up for a home for young ladies who find it necessary to be employed away from home, and as a refuge for respect- able young women who are seeking employment. It is a three-story structure and thoroughly equipped for the care of girls. It is in every respect a home with all its comforts and protection. The nurses at Mercy Hospital have their quarters at the home and at the present date it accommodates fifty boarders.
In August, 1905, the Sisters of Mercy purchased the Gilbert property on Upper Broadway consisting of about ten acres of lawn and forest in order to establish a home for the aged where they may retire in quiet after becoming too old and infirm to continue the struggle and storms of the outside world and end their days in peace.
At present it will accommodate but a limited number of people but the sisters propose to build an addition this fall.
This place is known as Mt. Loretto. The sisters also intend to open a seminary for small boys on the grounds near Mt. Loretto. The plans are ont and contracts have been let and they expect to build the coming fall.
The money already invested in the grounds, buildings and equipments amounts to $250,000.
THE CRECHE.
The most beautiful object in all the world is a healthy. well cared for, joy- ful child. The most pathetic is a neglected. forsaken. helpless and afflicted one, but such there are all around us. In this heaven favored community the latter are but few; there should be none.
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HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
In the constant struggle for existence the weakest are trampled down and unless assisted most perish, and all honor to the noble women who have banded themselves together in this blessed effort to "rescue the perishing."
This is the mission of the Creche established by a society of ladies under the style of the Associated Charities of Council Bluffs and incorporated in January, 1901, with the following list of officers: President, Mrs. Jacob Simms; vice-president, Mrs. Lewis Cutler; corresponding secretary, Mrs. C. A. Wiley; recording secretary, Mrs. F. T. True; treasurer, Miss Maud Smith ; auditor, Mrs. Fred Johnson ; assistant auditor, Mrs. W. E. Dawson; attorney, Miss Caroline Dodge; superintendent of Creche, Mrs. Caroline Johnson ; his- torian, Mrs. G. W. Snyder; with the following list of trustees-Mrs. J. P. Hess, W. M. Frederick, H. A. Ballinger, W. Runyan, Chas. Parmelee, F. H. Hill, F. W. Miller, Geo. Phelps, J. P. Greenshields, S. T. McAttee, Horace Everett, Geo. Allingham, Miss Caroline Dodge, Mrs. N. J. Swanson, Ellen Wyman and Mrs. Geo. Camp.
The paramount object of this institution is caring for deserted wives and children, the unfortunate girl and the waif. By taking the children to the institution and getting employment for parents that will enable them to pay a small sum for their keeping.
Like nearly all benevolent institutions it commences in weakness and trusting in the generosity of their fellow-citizens for assistance.
Already substantial aid has been rendered by one of our wealthy citizens which has enabled them to purchase an ideal place on East Pierce street with large well shaded grounds which have been put in condition to receive the lit- tle guests, thirty-three of whom are now comfortably domiciled here. No bet- ter site could have been selected, and with the assistance already rendered, and the known generosity of our citizens its success for the future appears assured.
THE IOWA SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF.
Although the history of the above named institution has no connection with Pottawattamie county previous to 1866, it seems but proper to start from its inception and follow it up to the present time. In this we are indebted to the present superintendent, Mr. Henry W. Rothert.
Shortly after the admission of Iowa as a state small appropriations were occasionally made by the legislature to pay for scholarships for Iowa children attending schools in other states.
It was not until a private school was organized in Iowa City by W. E. Ijams that a part of the public funds was directed towards establishing an Iowa institution. This private school received for a time a small pecuniary assistance from the state until January, 1855, when an act was passed estab- lishing the Iowa institution for the education of the deaf and dumb, and ap- proved by the governor.
Under the provisions of this act providing means to support and maintain this institution the general management was intrusted to a board of trustees consisting of the governor, secretary of state, superintendent of public instruc- tion, and four others elected by the general assembly.
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HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
The board of trustees so appointed and chosen consisted of Hon. James W. Grimes, governor; Hon. G. W. MeCleary, secretary of state; Hon. J. D. Eads, superintendent of public instruction; John C. Culbertson, Rev. F. A. Shearer and William Crum.
One of the first official acts of this board was to absorb the private school of Mr. Ijams with his twenty pupils, appointing him principal, Mrs. Ijams matron, and Mr. Perry Barns teacher, and the state institution, afterward to be known as the School for the Deaf, was duly founded.
The school grew rapidly, the building became inadequate, and another one was rented to accommodate the increasing number of pupils. The $10,- 000 appropriated for the equipment and support of the young institution was exhausted at the end of the biennial period, and the succeeding general as- sembly in 1857 appropriated $7,000 for its continued support. This was fol- lowed by an appropriation of $8,000 annually for the years 1858 and 1859. Liberal as these acts of the general assembly might seem to be, yet, under the most careful management deficiencies at the end of the term appeared and ap- plicants were denied admission. At this time the school numbered fifty-nine pupils.
This unfortunate condition continued for several years, under the strain of which Mr. Ijams' health failed, compelling his resignation.
At the beginning of the term of 1863 Mr. Benjamin Talbot, a former teacher in the Ohio School for the Deaf, was placed in charge. Each year showed an increase in the number of pupils. The necessity for better accom- modation and larger facilities becoming more and more apparent, on the third day of April, 1866, the general assembly passed an act by the terms of which the institution was removed to or near Council Bluffs. A commission consist- ing of Thos. Officer, Caleb Baldwin and E. Honn was created and empowered to select a permament location, invite plans and receive proposals for the erec- tion of the buildings. One hundred and sixty acres were selected, plans were submitted by different architects and after adopting one that appeared the most acceptable, bids were asked for and received. The matter was then re- ferred to the general assembly with a recommendation that $300,000 be ap- propriated to carry out the suggestions as made by the commission. This was approved only to the extent of an appropriation for the erection of the center and one wing of the main building, and the commission was authorized to proceed with the erection of the same.
From this time on the institution seemed destined to come up through tribulation. Defects in plans were encountered and changes were made, faulty construction was charged, as well as inferior material, time had to be extended, and it was not until December 1. 1870, that the pupils could enter their new but not very comfortable home. The center building of five stories and one wing of four were erected on an appropriation of $125,000.
In 1876 the general assembly provided for the erection and completion of the other or west wing, but before this was completed a fire on the 25th of February, 1877, nearly destroyed the center and cast wing, and rendered what had been imperfectly done uninhabitable and useless. Some of the children were sent to their homes, while some were provided for in an industrial school
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HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
building erected in 1868, on the east side of the grounds. The west wing was being pushed forward with energy when in August a tornado destroyed a large part of the work done, so that the fall school could admit but a limited number of pupils.
In the following year Mr. Talbot resigned as superintendent and was suc- ceeded by Mr. Moses Folsom of Chariton, Iowa. During the two years of Mr. Folsom's administration the center building was rebuilt and the educational facilities increased by the addition of a printing office, affording pupils the ad- vantage of learning this remunerative trade.
Mr. Folsom resigned in 1880 and Rev. Alonzo Rogers, of Glenwood, Jowa, was appointed to fill the vacancy. During his administration the east wing was rebuilt, thus completing the main building. Improvement was made in surroundings and school rooms, thus placing the institution in a position to fulfill the mission for which it was erected and maintained. Mr. Rogers resigned in August, 1883, and was followed by Mr. H. C. Hammond, who was at the time superintendent of the Arkansas School for the Deaf. Mr. Ham- mond was an executive, as well as teacher, and during his administration a twenty-room schoolhouse, chapel and dining room were added, and the water supply improved by sinking an artesian well eleven hundred feet deep. This affords an ample supply of excellent water and superseded the old arrangement of cisterns filled by pumping water from Mosquito creek.
After three years' service Mr. Hammond severed his conncetion with the school, and was succeeded by Mr. G. L. Wycoff, who had been a teacher of the deaf in the Iowa and other schools.
Mr. Wycoff filled the position but one year, the position being tendered and accepted by Mr. Henry W. Rothert, the present incumbent, in 1887. At this time it was thought best to create a new office, that of principal of the school, to which Mr. Wycoff was called, and who should be directly responsi- ble to the board of trustees, while the superintendent was intrusted with the general management, looking after its material and financial welfare. This dual arrangement was changed by an act creating the board of control of state institutions, and providing that there should be but one chief officer, recog- nized in the person of the superintendent.
Notwithstanding the ordeal the school has passed through by tornado and fire, its growth has been continuous. Workshops have been added, a chapel and hospital built, sewerage constructed, and all modern improvements and conveniences provided, and the grounds constantly improved.
After a period of prosperity, on the eleventh day of August, 1892, a fire, the cause of which could not be learned, destroyed a two-story building in the rear of the kitchen, containing the laundry and ironing room, and damaged the engine, dynamo and boilers to the extent of $15,000. This loss was speed- ily repaired and it seemed as though it had suffered enough, but in a little less- than ten years it was doomed to pass through the severest ordeal of all. On the 9th of May, 1902, the entire main building and part of the chapel and pupils' dining room were entirely destroyed by fire. It is a matter of congratu- lation that notwithstanding the great pecuniary loss, not a child was hurt, nor did a pupil lose a meal or an hour's study. The remaining buildings were
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utilized, temporary schoolhouses built, until in 1906 the ruins were replaced by better and more commodious buildings than before.
This structure cost $250,000, to which was added a fire-proof hospital, costing $30,000, also a new powerhouse and laundry costing $60,000. Grounds . have been graded and farm buildings erected at a cost of $8,000.
Many people still call this the deaf and dumb asylum and consider it a benevolent institution. This is all wrong. It is simply a large public school, the pupils of which require teachers specially qualified.
Neither are the pupils subjects of charity. They have the same right to- a public school education as all others. The course of study is substantially the same as that in our primary, graded, and high schools, to which is added trades adapted to both sexes, the full intent of which is to fit them for inde- pendent and intelligent citizenship.
The name as fixed by the general assembly is simply the Iowa School for the Deaf.
The institution as now constituted represents a money value of over a half million dollars.
The number of pupils at this writing (October, 1907) is two hundred and sixty.
THE WESTERN IOWA COLLEGE.
This institution was established in 1884 and commenced business in the Shugart block.
It is strictly a business school, its aim being to equip young men and women to fill satisfactorily to themselves and their employers any position of a elerieal nature that may be open to them.
The officials and instructors are as follows:
E. P. Miller-President and business manager, instructor in penmanship and correspondence.
Charles Benson-Vice-president, principal of business department and instructor in bookkeeping, banking, commercial law and arithmetic.
Catharine L. Miller-Secretary and treasurer, superintendent of short- hand, office practice department.
Alice 1. Benson-Principal shorthand department, and instructor in shorthand and touch typewriting.
Mrs. W. L. Baker-Principal normal department, and special instructor in English sciences and didactics.
After some years more room was required for its increasing business and the institution was moved to the Masonie Temple and on completion of the Public Library building the college secured the rooms vacated by that asso- ciation in the Merriam block, where it is established at the present writing, with ample room for its three hundred students. It became incorporated in 1906, with capital of $10,000.
OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Next to the home, the public school is the most saered institution in our land. It is the ground floor on which our children can assemble without money and without price and receive instruction fitting them for the every-
THE POSTOFFICE, COUNCIL BLUFFS.
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HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
day duties of life, as well as to prepare such as desire, for the college and uni- versity.
The church, the Sunday school and the home are the proper places for religious instruction, and there is no danger of their receiving too much of it there, but here is, and should be, neutral ground on which all can be taught, unvexed by creeds and dogmas that have perplexed older heads for centuries. Here the young mind can expand, and outgrow bigotry and superstition that in times past have led up to persecution, even to the rack, stake and faggot.
Such is the present condition of our public schools today, and as such we are proud of them.
The following is a list of those of the independent district of Council Bluffs, with number of rooms and seating capacity.
Rooms.
Seating Capacity.
Bloomer
12
600
Avenue B.
12
600
Harrison Street
4
200
Eighth Avenue
4
200
Pierce Street
12
600
Third Strect
8
400
Washington Avenue
19
950
Eighth Street
8
400
Twentieth Avenue
12
600
Second Avenue
10
500
Madison Avenue
4
200
Thirty-Second Street
S
400
West Council Bluffs
2
100
High School
12
600
These being filled, as the secretary reports, gives 6,350. This, with the 500 in the two parochial, the commercial, and Christian Home, gives us 6,850, and still many are not attending. Some of which are at work and some playing truant, as the state census of 1906 gives Council Bluffs 8,338 of school age.
These require the services of a superintendent and one hundred and fifty teachers, including specialists and substitutes.
The pay of teachers in the grades is from $40 to $70 per month. High school from $75 to $133. Principals from $80 to $112. Superintendent $2,600 per year.
The board of education is constituted as follows: President, Emmet Tin- ley, J. P. Hess, F. J. Shugart, N. P. Anderson, J. A. Schoodsack, G. S. Elliott and W. H. Killpack.
Secretary-D. L. Ross.
Treasurer-Geo. S. Davis.
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HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
BLUFF CITY LODGE FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS.
June 8, 1855, dispensation was issued by A. R. Cotton, grand master, as- sisted by T. S. Brown, grand secretary of Grand Lodge of Iowa, A. F. and A. M., to L. L. Bowen, P. J. McMahon, S. H. Riddle. A. V. Larimer, W. C. James, Wm. Clancy, L. W. Williams, Samuel Knepper. Rufus Beall and J. C. Fargo, to form and open a lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Council Bluffs, by the name of Bluff City Lodge, and appointing L. L. Bowen, W. M .; P. J. McMahon, S. W., and Samuel Riddle, J. W.
July 21, 1855, the first lodge meeting was held. June 4, 1856, charter was issued by Grand Lodge of Iowa, A. F. and A. M., to Bluff City Lodge No. 71, A. F. and A. M., signed by John F. Sanford, grand master, and T. S. Brown, grand secretary.
December 6, 1856, twenty Master Masons residing in Omaha, Nebraska territory, exemplified the work in Bluff City Lodge No. 71, A. F. and A. M., and asked for, and received a recommendation to form a capital lodge at Oma- ha, Nebraska.
May 5, 1860, a resolution presented at a former meeting to surrender the charter of the lodge was voted on and carried in the negative.
January 23, 1869, Geo. W. Lininger and other brethren exemplified the work and received the recommendation to form Excelsior Lodge in Council Bluffs.
The cornerstone of the Masonic Temple was laid by Geo. B. Vansaun, grand master of Iowa, October, 1883. The lodge held its first meeting in Ma- sonic Temple December 16, 1884.
December, 1905, Masonic bodies bought Masonic Temple and made sub- stantial improvements, including installing an elevator.
Present membership (1907) is 250.
Officers of Bluff City Lodge, September 1. 1907. are as follows: D. E. Stuart. W. M .: J. G. Wadsworth, S. W .; Geo. E. Williamson, J. W .; H. W. Binder, treasurer; G. W. Lipe, secretary; H. E. Doolittle, S. D .; T. B. Lacy, J. D .; J. M. Morrow, S. S .: G. H. Nicoll. J. S .: C. A. Bailey, tyler.
June, 1860, Thos. H. Benton, Jr., of Council Bluffs, was elected grand master of the Grand Lodge of Iowa.
June, 1893, Thos. B. Lacy was elected J. G. warden Grand Lodge of Iowa.
June, 1898, G. W. Lipe was elected J. G. W. Grand Lodge of Iowa.
IVANHOE COMMANDERY NO. 17. K. T.
Charter was granted October 17, 1871.
Officers: C. E. Walters, commander: R. C. Peregoy. generalissimo; S. F. Shuart, captain general; G. W. Lipe, senior warden; C. W. Perdum, junior warden; W. S. Baird, prelate: C. Konigmacher, treasurer: G. H. Jackson, recorder; E. E. Smith, standard bearer; J. E. Lundinc, sword bearer: W. E. McConnell, warder; J. Anderson, sentinel. Finance committee-C. E. Wal- ters, R. C. Peregoy and S. F. Shuart. Past commanders-T. B. Lacy. F. J.
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HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
Pierce, G. W. Lipe, Geo. H. Jackson, V. Jennings, H. W. Binder, C. M. Hart, P. H. Wind and J. C. Mitchell. Past grand officer-T. B. Lacy, P. G. com- mander. Membership, 87.
STAR CHAPTER NO. 47, R. A. M.
Organized July 5, 1869.
Officers: F. J. Pierce, M. E. II. priest; G. H. Nicoll. E. king: W. H. Miller, E. scribe; C. E. Price, treasurer; G. H. Jackson, secretary ; J. C. Mad- sen, captain host; G. W. Lipe, principal sojourner; J. E. Lundine, R. A. C .; P. H. Wind, M. third vail; G. E. Gould, M. second vail; H. E. Doolittle, M. first vail; J. Anderson, guard. Finance committee-F. J. Pierce, G. H. Nicoll, W. H. Miller. Past high priests-P. H. Wind, A. McMillen, T. B. Lacy, H. W. Binder, C. Konigmacher, J. C. Mitchell, C. M. Hart, G. W. Lipe, J. C. Mad- sen and C. E. Walters. Past grand officer-T. B. Lacy. Membership, 119.
JOPPA COUNCIL NO. 15, ROYAL AND SELECT MASTERS.
Date of charter October 8, 1902.
Officers: F. J. Pierce, T. I. M .; C. E. Walters, D. M .: P. H. Wind, P. C. W .; E. Kretchmer, treasurer; G. E. Jackson, recorder; G. W. Lipe, captain guard; A. McMullen, C. of C .; H. V. Battey, steward; J. Anderson, sentinel. Finance committee-F. J. Pierce, C. E. Walters and P. H. Wind. Past T. I. masters-Thos. B. Laey, G. W. Lipe and F. J. Pierce. Membership, 51.
IIARMONY CHAPTER NO. 25, O. E. S.
Organized December 21, 1878.
Officers: Mrs. Blanch Killpack, worthy matron ; W. H. Killpack, worthy patron; Miss Crystal Dingle, associate matron; Emma G. Potter, secre- tary; Mrs. Jennette Ott, treasurer; Miss Jesse Caldwell, conductress; Miss Blanche Arkwright, conductress; Miss Blanche Arkwright, A. conductress; Mrs. Carrie Van Fossen, Adah; Mrs. Emeline Williams, Esther; Mrs. Helen M. Wheeler, Martha; Mrs. Lillie Cook, Electra ; Mrs. Barbara Tucker, warder; J. Anderson, sentinel; Mrs. Mattie E. Witter, chaplain ; Mrs. Esta M. Conrad, marshal; Mrs. Clara Williams, organist. Past matrons of Harmony Chapter- Mrs. Lizzie Huntington, Mrs. Maria Jackson, Mrs. M. Duquette, Mrs. Jennie P. Gray, Mrs. Ada Morgan, Miss Emma G. Potter, Mrs. Harriett Stevenson, Mrs. Barbara Tucker, Mrs. Charles E. Walters and Mrs. Jennie Wilkins. Past patrons of Harmony Chapter-Ephraim Huntington, Wm. Highsmith, G. H. Jackson, Chas. E. Walters, Peter H. Wind and Andrew McMillen. Finance committee-Geo. H. Jackson and Mrs. Harriet Stephenson. Relief committee-Miss Maggie McMillen, Mrs. L. M. Shubert, O. J. McManus. Past grand officers-Mrs. Maria Jackson, P. G. matron ; G. H. Jackson, P. G. patron ; Emma Potter, P. G. Ruth. Membership, 170.
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HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
EXCELSIOR LODGE NO. 259, A. F. and A. M.
Dispensation was granted February 1, 1869. Chartered June 2, 1869, with the following charter members: G. W. Lininger, T. A. Megath, J. Lyman, P. J. McMahon, B. Newman, W. J. Brainard, Leech Clark, Thos. J. Evans, Richard Gray, II. W. Goff, J. H. Keatley, J. W. Vinacke, A. J. Bond and J. Brewster.
First officers were: G. W. Lininger, W. M .; T. 1. Megath, S. W .; J. Ly- man, J. W .; P. J. McMahon, treasurer ; B. Newman, secretary ; J. W. Brainard, - S. D .; Leech Clark, J. D .; T. J. Evans, tyler.
In 1907 the membership had grown to 145, with the following officers: Wm. S. Baird, W. M .; Charles H. Conrad, S. W .; Harry A. Lenox, J. W .; John S. Kinkle, treasurer; Thos. MeMillen, secretary; Edward D. Carr, S. D .; John B. Sherman, J. D .; C. M. Maynard, S. S .; G. Gail Garretson, J. S .; Jas. McMillen, tyler. Trustees-George H. Jackson, Dell G. Morgan and Samuel Payne. Membership, 145. Past masters-C. M. Harl, P. II. Wind, W. A. Highsmith, G. H. Jackson, Samuel Payne, H. E. Spoor, D. G. Morgan, A. Mc- Millen, S. G. Culver and James I. Henry.
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