USA > Iowa > Scott County > History of Scott County, Iowa > Part 67
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MERCY HOSPITAL.
BY C. S. WATKINS.
Among the public and private institutions of Davenport there is none to which the citizens point with more pride and respect than to Mercy Hospital.
The hospital was opened Dec. S. 1868, under an arrange- ment between Scott County and the " Sisters." that the county advance 82,000 (to be used in fitting up the building. then vacant. owned by the "Sisters ") for five years without in- terest. Ten insane paupers were. on the above date, at once transferred from the poor house to the new hospital, the authori- ties guaranteeing that there should constantly be at least that number of county patients thus in the care of the Sisters, A ward for the care and treatment of general cases of illness or accident was also established. The entire control and discipline of the hospital was hell by the Sisters, though constant inspection and visitation by the county officials was provided for. From this humble beginning the institution has steadily grown, until. a re- cent description says, "the present grounds cover 20 acres : the buildings are, First, the main building, a very large massive brick, four stories high, and about 150 x 60 feet : this contains the general sick wards, in which we found about 50 patients, all seemingly well pleased with their accommodations and treatment. The chapel, dispensary, dining and reception rooms are also in
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this building. Second, the building for insane, two stories high and about 40 x 60, well provided with sleeping and bath rooms, large halls, etc .; this now has about 90 (insane) inmates. A large space out of doors is enclose I for exercise and airing courts. Third, another two-story building, used as a Catholic orphan asylum ; this is a branch especially under the care of the Sisters. A city and county pest-house is situated in a secluded outlot 60 or 80 rods distant from the other buildings. This pest-house has all the appliances needed to make it especially adapted to its purpose, and is undoubtedly as well arranged as any buikling of this class in any part of the country. The remaining buildings pertain to the general purposes of the institution, as ice-houses, store-houses, etc. The location is adjoining the city limits, and distant about two miles from the postoffice and court-house. The grounds are well shaded and have abundance of water from wells on the premises, neither the public water nor gas system have yet extended their mains to the hospital, though annually getting nearer to it. The physicians of Davenport have been of invaluable aid to the hospital from its beginning. They immediately or- ganized a system of (gratuitous) visitations, which is still main- tained, by a board of three physicians and three surgeons, active, and two consulting surgeons. An advanced medical student, se- lected by this board, remains at the hospital and has his rooms and meals there without charge. I have only to add that from the be- ginning the institution has had the entire confidence of our citi- zens, and its wonderful success, which is due to the admirable management and personal services of the " Sisters" is a sufficient demonstration of the superiority of the system.
ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. BY PROF. W. H. PRATT.
On the evening of Dec. 14, 1867, four persons met in a small real estate agency office in Davenport, and agreed and pledged themselves to each other and to the community, that their efforts, feeble as they might be, and must be, should be united and di- rected toward the acquirement and dissemination of scientific knowledge, and that the limited means at their command should be used to the best of their knowledge and ability, to awaken an interest in such studies, to unite the influence of those who were already interested, to encourage scientific research and scientific reading, and to promote the introduction of practical scientific in- struction in the public schools. In this attempt they were merely taking the initiatory steps, relying upon the co-operation of others of equal earnestness and greater ability, who should join in the good work and carry it forward.
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CITY OF DAVENPORT.
During several years previous this matter had been discussed from time to time between Mr. Barler, Alfred Sanders, Mr. Riepe, Prof. D. S. Sheldon, Dr. Parry, Mr. Tiffany and myself, and per- haps some others whom I do not now recall, with the rather vague determination of doing something sometime, and a full conviction that something ought to be done by united effort.
We had been gradually forming private geological and natural history collections, those of Prof. Sheldon being the principal ones. With a rich field for study collection of specimens in the several branches of natural history: situated in a flourishing city, surrounded by a rapidly increasing population, and at a time when a growing interest in scientifie subjects was everywhere man- ifested; it seemed as if some more might and ought to be accom plished than had been or would be by such scattered and desultory action, and there was encouragement in the work already done. We were, of course. entirely unaware of the rich mine of archæo- logical treasures hidden almost at our feet, as scarcely any atten- tion had at that time been given to the subject in this region, and comparatively little elsewhere.
Prof. Sheldon had seonred the woods and fields and explored the rivers and ponds in a very assiduons and successful search for plants, insects and shells, and by example, advice and instruction had been gradually and faithfully sowing the seeds of scientific prog- ress and promoting scientific culture. Mr. Alfred Sanders had during several years made large collections in the same lines, and had then recently retired from business, and determined to devote his time largely to scientific pursuits, and was much engaged in the study of systematic geology especially. Mr. Barler had be- come an assiduous and persevering collector and student.
Mr. Riep, always a naturalist in his tastes and habits. was con- stantly finding something new and interesting, and leading the attention of his pupils and friends in the direction of natural knowl- edge. and chiefly through my acquaintance with him, and through his influence, my attention was turned that way more than ever before. He and I, with sometimes one or two others, and usually some of our children, spent many a pleasant. and I believe profita- ble. day on a private picnic upon Credit Island, or over at Rock River, enjoyed our dinner with fresh hot coffee made on the spot, by the side of a little fire in the woods, even on a chill November day. as well as a keen appetite and absence of conventionalities would enable us to do. These explorations always resulted in some desirable additions to our cabinets, and though often fatigued with our burdens we always returned refreshed in spirit and re- newed in zeal. Many specimens found on these excursions are now in the museum.
Dr. Parry had long since acquired a high reputation as a thor- oughly scientific botanist, and untiring explorer, and remarkably successful collector, and Mr. Tiffany was delving among the rocks with all the zeal of a new convert.
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.
Such was about the condition in matters of scientific research here in 1865-'66. None of us being very sanguine in our expecta- tions of building up a society of much strength or rapid growth, it was still thought that a scientific elub or small association in some form might be established, which would afford an opportunity for comparison of observations and interchange of ideas, and by unit- ing our collections we might form a nucleus for a museum which should ultimately become of some general interest and benefit to the community, by stimulating research and adding something to the sum of human knowledge, and possibly, in time, an institution which should be creditable to our city.
The untimely death of Mr. Sanders and the loss of his talent, experience and influence before any definite action had been taken. was a serious drawback and discouragement, and doubtless some- what delayed action in the matter, and Dr. Parry's absence most of the time was a further difficulty. But we realized that the forma- tion of mere private collections was of comparatively trifling im- portance, having very little influenee upon the community, and it pursned with no higher object, rather encouraging. perhaps, a spirit of selfishness or exclusiveness, each being Jed to work more for his own than for the general good. Personal proprietorship is rather antagonistie to a liberal public spirit and true interest in the in- erease and diffusion of knowledge.
In the spring of 1867, while spending a few weeks at Ottawa, Ill., I became acquainted with Dr. John Paul and Dr. L. N. Dimmoek, now of Santa Barbara, Cal., and some other leading members of the Ottawa Academy of Natural Seienee, an institu- tion which had then a name but no local habitation. They had, however, some good working members who had already in their locality awakened a fresh interest in scientific subjeets, and a pros- peet of soon establishing the society in good rooms, and by uniting their private collections, which were of considerable value, making a very good beginning in the building up of a museum. By their example and advice we were encouraged to attempt something more systematie than we had at first thought of venturing.
Mr. L. T. Eads having become interested in the subject, joined in our consultations and offered the use of his real estate office in Postoffice Block, southeast corner of Third and Perry streets, for our cabinets and meetings, as long as it would answer these pur- poses.
It was probably mainly dueto Mr. Barler's energy and enthu- siasm that decided action was taken at this particular time, and so on Saturday evening, Dec. 7, 1867, Mr. Barler, Mr. Eads and my- self met by appointment at Mr. Eads's office to consult upon the ways and means, the possibilities and probabilities, and as to what we would dare to undertake, thinking that its suceess might de- pend somewhat upon the character of the first movement made. We had been unable to enlist men of means in the enterprise; we had no direct assurances of aid from any source; we knew that in a
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majority of cases where such a project was attempted, the interest died out after a short time, and the enterprise failed for want of internal energy and persistence, and outside recognition and sup- port. We determined to procure a copy of the constitution of the Ottawa Academy, and to eall a meeting of those interested on the next Saturday evening. We did not venture to advertise the meet- ing, however, fearing that too much might be expected at the begin- ning, but invited personally those whom we knew to be desirous of joining in co-operative work. During the week Dr. Paul promptly complied with my request, and sent us the copy of their constitu- tion and by-laws, and on Saturday evening Dee. 14, 1867, we found "present, Messrs. Barler, Eads, Tiffany and Pratt." Mr. Sanders was deceased, Dr. Parry absent at the far West, Prof. Sheldon in poor health, and Mr. Riepe could not attend that evening though he was present at the next meeting and regularly thereafter.
It was then decided to proceed to the organization of an associa- tion without further delay, and this was done then and there, by the adoption of the form of constitution and by-laws of the Ottawa Academy, and by the election of officers for six months. Some em- barrassment was experienced in filling up the board of 10 trustees required by the constitution, but the full number were chosen, sub- jeet to the acceptance of the position by those who were not pres- ent. They all accepted, however, except one Mr. C. S. Ellis, and his place was filled after a reasonable time by the election of Hon. John L. Davies. After about six weeks the following encourag- ing notices, which I give verbatim et literatim, appeared in the daily papers, viz .. in Guzctte. Jan. 24, 1868:
SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY .
An organization has just been completed which takes the some- what ambitious title of the Davenport Academy of Natural Sci- enees. Its object is the collection and dissemination of scientific knowledge, and we understand that especial attention will be paid by this society to the geology of our State. Specimens of the various fauna and flora of the coal formations will be gathered into cabinets, which the members will endeavor to make as complete as possible a beginning of which cabinets have been made. Peat will also oceupy a prominent place in their inquiries for information; in fact, all scientifie subjects will claim a share of their attention. We wish the society prosperity, as well as a long existence. The officers are : President. S. Sheldon, of Griswold College : Vice- President, A. N. Barler ; Secretary, W. H. Pratt ; Treasurer, L. T. Eads. The Library Association has offered the new society a habitation in its room, we learn.
The Davenport Democrat, Jan. 23. 1868 :
DAVENPORT ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCE.
A society bearing the above name has been organized in this city for the purpose of disseminating useful knowledge and inves-
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.
tigating subjects of a scientific character. The officers of the society are at present : President, Prof. D. S. Sheldon, of Griswold College ; Vice-President, A. N. Barler ; Secretary, W. H. Pratt ; Treasurer. L. T. Eads. In addition to these there is a board of 10 trustees. The society has one large cabinet filled with natural curiosities, and specimens enough to fill another which is now being constructed. The specimens consist of a large variety of river shells-some 75 kinds-mineral productions, geodes fern fossils, coal blooms, and various other geological curiosities. Also antiquities and rare articles. The headquarters of the society are now in Mr. L. T. Eads' office, where the cabinet and its contents can be seen. An invitation has been extended by its members to share quarters with the Library Association, and it is likely that the invitation will be accepted, as more room will be needed as soon as the other cabinet is finished. The principal object of the society is to make geology a specialty, and to that end the coal and peat beds are to receive a due share of its attention. The gathering of valuable specimens will be continued, and new cabinets provided as occasion requires. Donations of curiosities, antiquities, books, etc., are respecttully solicited.
We are glad to notice that a movement of this kind has been inaugurated by our citizens. It is a step taken in the right direction, a move worthy of all commendation, and we sincerely hope that those who have made the beginning will see the project grow to the extent it deserves. Cabinets filled with geological and mineral- ogical specimens, gathered for the most part in our own State, and open for public inspection, will incite inquiry and promote research, and the cause of science must naturally prosper when its votaries increase in number and intelligence. Success to the Davenport Academy of Natural Sciences.
As soon as possible one case for specimens was procured-the old larger case now in the back room-made by one of the first members who joined after the organization, and a considerable number and variety of specimens, contributed by Messrs. Barler, Tiffany, Eads, Sheldon, Riepe and myself. I find in my diary on Jan. 18, 1868: "Carried specimens from home and put them up at the Academy all day." Mrs. Alfred Sanders also contributed a large collection of minerals, fossils and recent shells which alone occupied the second cabinet case we procured, and others soon began to hand in such specimens as they happened to have.
We were proud on the occasion of the receipt of the first donation from abroad, which was that of a collection of erinoids, now in our collection. from Mr. Enoch May, of Burlington. Jan. 18, 1868. These were sent in response to our notice of his election as an honorary member. We were rather free if not hasty in our dis- tribution of such " honors " at first while as yet we were receiving rather than conferring honor by such connections. Our notifications were, however, usually very well received and kindly responded to.
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CITY OF DAVENPORT.
The first lot of specimens received in response to our proposi tions for exchange, was a collection of marine shells, sponges, etc., from the Portland, Me., Natural History Society. We still have the specimens but have outlived the institution.
Our first appearance before the public was upon the occasion of a lecture delivered before the academy by Prof. Hinricks, of the Iowa State University, at the German Theater, on the 15th of February, 1868. on the subject of "Pantogen; or, the Element of Elements." It was well attended and well received and we " thanked God and took courage."
The first paper read in academy meeting was on May 1, 1868, by W. H. Pratt, on "The Relation of the Outer World to Our Senses.'
Our meetings were held at Mr. Eads' office until a liberal offer was received from the Young Men's Library Association to give the use of a portion of its room, northeast corner of Brady and Second streets. free of rent. The offer was accepted and I find in my diary. March 21. 1868: " Began to remove specimens from Mr. Eads's office to Library rooms" and the meeting on April 3, 1968. was the first held there. The old case. being of an odd size and form, was left.
Our first enterprise out of the routine contemplated in the origi- nal plan was the purchase from Mr. Thomas Lighton. of Rock Island. of a telescope. made by him, for the sum of $100, which was raised by subscription. The instrument is still with us, in good order and has been the source of much pleasure and some benefit.
During the summer of 1869, preparations were made for secur- ing photographs during the progress of the total eclipse of the sun, which was to occur on the 7th of August. This project was carried into effect with quite as good results as could reasonably have been expected with such limited skill and appliances as were at our command. Twenty pretty fair photographs were made. We were muell disappointed in the failure to obtain a negative during the time of totality, not being aware at that time of what we after- ward learned. that it was necessarily totally out of the question in any case, being simply impossible to take one during the short time, 63 seconds of totality.
The meetings were held quite regularly at the library room for three years, with an average attendance of about eight members. and usually considerable interest was manifested, though some- times the meetings were rather thin. For example: On June 2. 1869. only James Thompson and myself were present, but the busi- ness had to be done or lie over one month, with poor prospects of a larger meeting next time, as it was difficult to seeure a good at- tendance during the heated term. The constitution prescribed no quorum for the transaction of business, and we thought it best to proceed and dispose of it at once. Small as was this meeting in numbers, vet estimating it by results, it was the greatest meeting the academy ever held. The original minutes read as follows :
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.
REGULAR MEETING.
Very few members present. Mr. Thompson was called to the chair. Minutes of last meeting read and adopted. Mr. Thompson reported donation of some glacier scratched by Mr. Fejervary. The proposition to amend the by-laws by substituting the last Friday for the first Wednesday of each month for the date of monthly meetings was then taken up and unanimously adopted. Miss Dr. Irish having withdrawn her name on account of leaving the city, the other names proposed for membership, viz., Mrs. Charles E. Putnam, J. D. Putnam, and Henry Hourtillotte were then balloted for and unanimously elected. Academy adjourned to Friday evening, 25th inst.
Here the secretary was obliged to "cast the vote of the meet- ing" as nobody else was there to vote. We little realized then what we had done. We "builded better than we knew." The time for meeting then fixed has never since been changed. Mr. Tourtillotte died a year or two after. The other two lived to do good work for the academy. J. D. Putnam died in December of 1881. If it had not been for them the academy would not now be what it is. Mrs. Putnam was the first lady elected to regular membership. Mrs. M. A. Sanders was the first lady elected as honorary member, Jan. 4, 1868, afterward transferred with the rest to the list of corresponding members upon a change of the constitution, and since become an active regular member. John Hume was the first regular member elected, Jan. 4, 186S.
In the fall of 1872 some changes in the arrangements of the library and their time of meeting rendered it inconvenient for us to hold our meetings there, and by the kindness of Messrs. Putnam & Rogers their commodious law office was our place of meeting from Nov. 29, 1872, until the next May. On May 30. 1873, the regular meeting was held in Dr. Hazen's office. On July 15, 1873, the academy rented a small room in the rear of Mr. Eads' office, second story, south side of Third street, next door east of the bank, on the southeast corner of Brady and Third, which we oe- cupied until April 1, 1874, at $6 per month. This was the first rent paid by the academy. The room not being ready for occupancy, our regular meeting, July 25, was held in Mr. Euds's office, tront room of same place. Referring again to my diary I find, Mon- day, Ang. 4: "Moved the specimens out of Mr. Eads's office into our academy room this afternoon. This was the old case and its contents which had never been taken from Perry street to the library. On July 28 I find : " Worked at the academy room, moving the books in and arranging them as before in the eases." Our trustees meeting was held there that evening, and the first regular meeting there on Aug. 20, by a little kerosene lamp, which some of us may remember.
March 31, 1874, the diary says: "Commenced carrying our academy things to Odd Fellows Building." This room we rented from that date at $75 a year. On our removal we brought only the
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original wide ease, two of the regular six-foot cases, three of the closed botanical cases, and the old narrow book-case, formerly be- longing to the Workingmen's Library Association. All of these and twice as many more since added, are now in our west room, and all in this room-10 large cases-have been added during the three and a half years of our residence. This room was not half filled, more cases were soon needed, and by a special effort, princi- pally on the part of some lady members and friends, "a ladies' furnishing fund " was raised, which soon provided several cases, matting for the floor, curtains, etc.
At the trustees meeting, Sept. 15, 1875. it was decided to rent an additional room in the rear of this at $50 a year, which we did from Sept. 1 of that year, and ocenpied both rooms till they were filled to overflowing. We are compelled to enlarge our borders and are happy in the prospect. Several attempts have been made, and with at first some apparent prospect of success, to unite the academy and other associations of kindred aims and interests in an association building. but have each time failed from want of funds. as those who possessed the means, without which it could not be accomplished, did not step to the front. The failure was, possibly, a blessing in disguise to all the parties concerned, as each will go on independently, and their several views and inter- ests may be less likely to conflict than if more closely connected. The first steps for a new building on the lot donated by Mrs. Newcomb began in 1877. Only a portion of the original plan of building has been carried out. This was erected in 1st7, and on the first day of Jannary, 1878, the academy moved in. It is now stronger than ever before, and has the finest collection of mound relies in the world. The presidents, since 1877. have been as fol- lows : Dr. Farquason, 1878 : Mary L. D. Putnam, 1879 : W. H. Pratt. 1:80 ; J. D. Putnam, 1881 : C. H. Preston, 1882.
CLARISSA C. COOK'S HOME FOR THE FRIENDLESS.
This charity was established under the will of Mrs. Clarissa (1. Cook, of Davenport. She died in February, 1879, and her will was proved in the Circuit Court of Scott Co., Iowa, in June, 1879, and J. Wilson Dewey and John F. Dillon nominated as exeentors by the will, qualified as such exeentors. By the 11th paragraph of this will Mrs. Cook, gave to John F. Dillon, Edward E. Cook, Daniel B. Shelley and Ira Cook. 850,000 in trust, providing that " They shall canse themselves, with four ladies to be selected by
themselves, residing in the city of Davenport and County of Scott, to become incorporated under the laws of the State of Iowa * * * * under the name and style of 'Clarissa C. Cook's Home for the Friendless,' the object and purpose of said corporation being to provide a home for destitute and indigent females."
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