USA > Iowa > Wapello County > History of Wapello County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 24
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to forty men of all ages going through the various exercises which con- tribute to good healthy body building.
To men whose ideals in life are placed upon the broader plane, are found many things here not only to interest, but instruct them. At the Sunday afternoon meetings often are men of high attainments and state- wide and national reputation who address the large audiences that gather in the auditorium. Upon other occasions are celebrated lecturers and singers. Whatever is presented is of a high order and both mentally and spiritually beneficial. The present officials of the association are: J. K. Mahon, president; T. Henry Foster, vice president ; C. D. Evans, secretary ; Chris Haw, treasurer ; J. R. Brown, general secretary ; H. R. Frank, mem- bership secretary; E. J. Eigenmann, physical director; L. S. Deal, boys' secretary ; M. O. Stevens, office secretary.
YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
The Young Women's Christian Association has, for its ideals, the lofti- est standards of womanhood. The local association is strongly entrenched in the hearts and good graces of Ottumwa, and is at a high stage of progress and prosperity. The membership has now reached about one thousand, all of whom enjoy and realize great benefits from the many advantages the institution affords young women who affiliate and become sensible of its aims and objects. The work of the Young Women's Christian Association from its organization has been carried on by one or more efficient officers, together with a number of volunteer workers. The latter for the greater part serve on the committees and are very helpful in carrying out the plans of the institution. More than one hundred women and girls pass in and out of the building every day, not taking into account special gatherings, and there are about one hundred use the dining rooms daily, the average price of . lunches varying from twelve to fourteen cents. Many of the visitors and patrons are girls from factories, stores, offices and the school- room, besides home and out-of-town shoppers and travelers waiting between trains. For members and those who make the institution a home, many diversions are arranged. There are also educational classes in sewing, cook- ing, lace-making, china painting and German. Girls and women have been supplied by the association with employment, and in other ways have ac- complished a vast amount of good. A tennis court, gymnasium and other means for developing the body and mind have been devised and are in operation.
This institution has been in existence about twenty years and within that period its chief executive officers have been the following: Mrs. George Porter, Mrs. J. G. Hutchison, Mrs. L. F. Berry, Mrs. T. D. Foster, Mrs. E. D. Fowler, Mrs. M. T. McClelland, Mrs. W. B. La Force and Mrs. J. W. Jordan.
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During the existence of the Young Women's Christian Association it has had four different homes. The first was over the Citizens Savings Bank, on Second and Market streets. The next was East Fourth Street and while located here a boarding place was maintained which had to be discontinued when the association moved to a home on West Main Street. The present home of the Young Women's Christian Association was oc- cupied by its members in April, 1904, which was soon after the building had been abandoned for a new one by the First Baptist Church. When the Baptists left their old house of worship, which is a substantial brick struc- ture, the Young Women's Christian Association, through the beneficence and helpfulness of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. H. Asbury, were enabled to pur- chase the property. For years after its occupancy the association in Ot- tumwa was the only one in the state living in a home of its own. The present officials are : President, Mrs. J. W. Jordan; vice president, Mrs. M. T. McClelland; secretary, Mrs. Sumner Siberell ; treasurer, Miss Elisa- beth Merrick; general secretary, Miss Mary B. Hyde; assistant secretary, Mrs. S. Julia Caldwell; physical director, Miss Arlene White; travelers' aid, Mrs. Jennie Wachtler.
OTTUMWA HOSPITAL
One of the leading pioneer physicians of Ottumwa was Dr. S. B. Thrall, who came to the city in the year 1856, and by his ability and business judgment accumulated a competency. Mary Brooks Thrall, in her position as a physician's wife, realized and felt the need of a hospital and cherished a desire to be instrumental in establishing an institution of this character during her lifetime. In her laudable and philanthropic ambition this woman of Christian ideals and great promptings of heart was sadly disappointed. She was so anxious, however, the beneficence should attain fruition that after she was stricken with disease she knew would soon remove her from friends and loved ones, the burden of her thoughts as expressed to those within her circle of intimates was concerning the pity of it that her project had not found expression in concrete form. She thereupon urged with great solicitation that the movement toward the founding of a hospital should not be permitted to fail, but that her friends should take up the work in her stead. That all interested might be united and fortified in their purpose she suggested that they form a Bible class, in which they not only would have systematic study, but through thus keeping the heart warm, and the impulse to do good alive and active, the primal object might be attained. In March, 1889, death came to still the loving heart, but the name of Mary Brooks Thrall lives and is honored among men. The acorn, dropped by the wayside, grew and thrived, to use a figure of speech, and today the hospital, the dearest wish of a tender, charitable heart, is a blessed and enduring reality.
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In pursuance of the wishes of Mrs. Thrall, the Mary Brooks Thrall Bible Class was organized, and in 1892 was incorporated as the Ottumwa Hospital Association. The following named women signed the articles of incorporation :
Sarah C. Emery, T. A. Fulton, Alice W. Rogers, M. M. Inskeep, Laura R. Roberts, Flora B. Graves, Ann Mast, S. V. Pumroy, Margaret McM. Mast, Lizzie Israel, Emma M. Enoch, Alice H. Waterman, Nannie A. Chambers, Emma Witter, Sue C. Hackworth, A. T. Cushing, S. L. T. Hutchison, Cornelia Harper, Josephine B. Allen, H. A. McIntire, Rosa L. Chambers, Helen M. Lang, Helen L. Mahon, E. Mahon.
Shortly after the passing of Mrs. Thrall, the Bible class was organized and held regular weekly meetings. From time to time physicians and busi- ness men were invited to counsel with the members and offer any sugges- tions that would be helpful to the end of establishing the hospital :
The history of the association, during the year following the incorpora- tion portrays a struggle to raise money to carry out its aims and purposes. The first receipts were obtained from a supper, given by the women, in the Lawrence Building, on the corner of Main and Court streets, and amounted to $219. Other entertainments of various kinds were furnished the people of Ottumwa by the association and additional funds were realized by vari- ous clubs and societies, which went to swell the receipts of the organiza- tion. Eventually sufficient means had been collected to justify beginning actual hospital work and to that end the Caster residence, on East Main Street, was rented and opened in July, 1894, as the Ottumwa Hospital and Training School for Nurses. This is the first accredited hospital in the history of Wapello County.
The first officers were : President, Mrs. Sarah C. Emery ; vice president, Mrs. T. A. Fulton; treasurer, Mrs. Helen L. Mahon; secretary, Mrs. Alice H. Waterman; the trustees, Major A. H. Hamilton, Major Samuel Mahon, T. D. Foster, Hon. J. J. Smith, J. B. Sax, J. W. Edgerly.
The association, when the Caster residence was secured, rested serenely in the thought that the building would afford ample room for a consider- able length of time, but it was only a matter of four years when the hos- pital became inadequate to the demands made upon it for space. The ad- joining property, known as the Caster House, was then rented which, in a measure, relieved the congestion for awhile. However, in the meantime, members and friends of the association and its purposes, accumulated the money for a building site and in the year 1904, a tract of land on the corner of East Second and College streets was purchased.
On the morning of August 1, 1904, Mrs. Alice H. Waterman, secretary of the association, met the contractors on the ground, where the hospital now stands, at the early hour of half past six, and holding the handles of a breaking plow, turned the first furrow in the work of excavation for the building which was to be the reward of years of arduous work and faithful
OTTUMWA HOSPITAL
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waiting. The cornerstone was laid September 12, 1904, with appropriate ceremonies ; the building was completed and dedicated March 23, 1905.
The Ottumwa Hospital stands on a tract of ground, at the corner of East Second and College streets, purchased of the McShanes for $4,250. (Old residents will remember the place as the Gurley Baker home.) The plans were drawn by G. M. Kerns, architect ; L. T. Crisman & Company were the contractors, and the contract price was $20,000. The work was done under the supervision of I. N. Mast.
The structure fronts on Second Street, its central portion being three stories in height. It has the conformation of a "T", with wing extending south fifty-four feet. The material used is brick and stone.
In 1908, Mrs. Cowles, a former resident of the city gave $5,000 for the erection of a wing to be known as the Barnes Memorial. This was added to the east end of the main building; and the added rooms make a hospital of 52-bed capacity. Many of the rooms are furnished by in- dividuals, clubs and church societies. The equipment of the operating room was donated by the hospital corps of physicians. The hospital as it now stands, grounds, building, furnishing and equipment represents $65,000.
The officers for 1914 are: Mrs. Alice H. Waterman, president ; Mrs. T. A. Fulton, honorary president ; Mrs. T. D. Foster, first vice president ; Mrs. Emma Witter, second vice president; Mrs. Jean von Schrader, treas- urer ; Mrs. C. May Emery, secretary. The officers, five other members of the association and six business men constitute an advisory board. The men on the present board are: Major Samuel Mahon, Mr. T. D. Foster, Mr. A. G. Harrow, Hon. J. J. Smith, Mr. J. B. Sax, Mr. Calvin Manning. The women on the board besides the officers are: Mrs. W. T. Harper, Mrs. Laura Roberts, Mrs. J. H. Morrell, Mrs. C. R. Allen, Mrs. Alice Spilman.
The first president elected, Mrs. Sarah C. Emery, was continued in office until her death, in 1907, when the vice president, Mrs. S. C. Barton, was president for the unexpired term. Mrs. T. A. Fulton was elected in 1908, and re-elected each year until 1913. She then declined re-election on account of serious failing eyesight. Mrs. Alice H. Waterman was elected president in 1913, and re-elected in 1914.
From the organization of the hospital association in 1892, until 1913, Mrs. Waterman was secretary. Mrs. C. May Emery was elected secretary in 1913, and re-elected in 1914. Mrs. Helen L. Mahon was the first treas- urer and served one year. Miss Mabel V. Dixon followed her and served two years. Mrs. Jean von Schrader was elected treasurer in 1898. and has been re-elected each year, and is now ( 1914) the treasurer.
Miss Elizabeth Trotter of Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada, a graduate of Guelph General Hospital, was engaged as superintendent of the hospital and training school for nurses before the hospital was opened and is now (1914) filling the same position.
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Since the opening of the institution there have been graduated about sixty nurses. The course of training at first was two years, but has been lengthened to three years.
The association is now working for endowment. It comes slowly, but is coming. It now has $8,000 for this purpose. The first endowment, $1,000, was received from Mrs. E. Tillotson, an aunt of Dr. Murdoch Bannister, and is a memorial to her father, Dr. William Murdoch. The income from this is to be used only to care for worthy women. Mrs. John- son Utt left $5,000 by will. Mrs. T. A. Fulton has given $500, endowment for the perpetual maintenance of the Ann Mast Room, in memory of her mother, who was the first person to furnish a room in the hospital and for whom the room is named.
ST. JOSEPH'S HOSPITAL
In the year 1862, Father John Kreckel induced the Sisters of Visita- tion to come here from Keokuk and establish an academy. Soon there- after the large brick structure on East Fourth Street was erected by them, where a boarding school or convent was established and maintained in the old home, until in the fall of 1913 a magnificent new academy was erected northeast of the city, to which this school was transferred.
Being ever alive to the local interests of the church, Father Kreckel was instrumental in the coming to Ottumwa in August, 1877, of the Sis- ters of Humility of Mary, then at St. Joseph, Missouri, the object of the order being among others, to establish hospitals. The sisters founded St. Joseph's and at once opened a sanitarium in a rented house, located on North Court Street, where it remained some years. Eventually the Sis- ters of Humility of Mary bought the convent building of the Sisters of Visitation and after expending about twelve thousand dollars on the prop- erty, in the way of remodeling and renovation, opened the doors of the building to the public on the 23d day of February, 1914. When built, in the early '6os, the building that is now St. Joseph's Hospital cost about thirty-five thousand dollars; the present value of the property is not far from seventy-five thousand dollars. The structure is a three-story brick with basement and has a long frontage on Fourth Street. The interior was rearranged for its new purposes and contains offices, waiting rooms, four wards, dispensary, bath rooms, dining rooms, and twenty-three pri- vate rooms for patients, these rooms being mostly furnished by individ- uals, societies or clubs, irrespective of creed. Sister Mary Peter is in charge of this splendid institution, and Sister Catherine Holehouse is superintendent of nurses.
A NOTED HEALER OF THE AFFLICTED
Dr. Paul Caster was born in Henry County, Indiana, April 30, 1827, and lived there with his parents until he was fourteen years of age. About
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ST. JOSEPH'S HOSPITAL, OTTUMWA
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this time occurred the death of his mother, which sad event resulted in young Paul's leaving home and going to Elkhart County, Indiana, where he wandered from place to place, homeless and friendless. He had a serious impediment in his speech, and some mental peculiarities which prevented him from receiving an education in the usual way, that threw him entirely upon his own resources mentally.
In the year 1848 he married Nancy Hatfield, a farmer's daughter. They lived on a farm for three years, where he engaged in the manu- facture of chairs, wheels and hubs; he was successful, but met with a serious accident while carrying one end of a heavy log, and was an invalid some nine years. Five children were born to Dr. Paul Caster and his wife: Mary Ann, John Lewis, Samuel, Sarah E., and Jacob S., now a noted magnetic healer in Burlington, Iowa. Dr. Paul Caster removed to Decatur County, Iowa, in 1855. His wife died in 1863, and in 1864 he married Mrs. Sarah Ferrell, of Decatur County, who still survives him. To them were born four children: Margaret E., George William, Ella and Nettie.
Dr. Paul Caster, from childhood, possessed a wonderful magnetic power to heal. His first patient was a little playmate, who had what had been pronounced a cancer on her breast. One day while playing she became overheated and suffered greatly. Little Paul felt that he could take away the pain, and was successful. The child's parents made him her physician until the sore healed. The little girl lived to womanhood and raised a large family. This was so early in life that the doctor did not remember his exact age; and his history shows that he continued to heal patients at various times until 1866, when he commenced his public career as a healer in Leon, Decatur County, Iowa. In 1869 he removed to Ottumwa, Iowa, where he remained until his death, April 19, 1881. Dr. Caster commenced the erection of his magnetic infirmary at Ottumwa in 1871 and completed it as it now stands in 1875. In 1877-78 he built a residence adjoining the infirmary. These buildings were erected at a cost of $78,000, and stand today as a monument to the marvelous success attained by four- teen years of practice in a profession that at that time was looked upon with great disfavor by the majority-especially of western people. Never- theless, he achieved a reputation second to no other magnetic healer known, and which still remains fresh in the minds of not only the people of Iowa, but of many throughout the United States, as he treated patients from almost every state in the Union.
Dr. Paul Caster was a firm believer in the Deity. He also believed that his strange power was a divine gift and, unlike some later healers, he did not believe that it could be taught to another, but must come to each one from the same high source. Before his death he became firmly convinced that his son, Jacob, possessed the same power, and urged him upon his deathbed, to take up the work where he was compelled to lay
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it down, predicting that in so doing alone would lie his future success in life. His son in 1889, carried out his father's wishes by engaging in the work as a public healer and is carrying it forward at Burlington in a manner not only creditable to himself, but also to the reputation of his noted father.
As a matter of history it might be well to state, by way of parenthe- sis, that Dr. Andrew T. Still, founder of the osteopathic college at Kirks- ville, Missouri, was one of Doctor Caster's patients. It was soon dis- covered that Dr. Still possessed the same magnetic virtue as "Doctor Paul," and the latter advised Doctor Still to start in the practice and, shortly thereafter, began treating patients according to his preceptor's system and finally started the school in Kirksville, Missouri, which now has a national reputation as the leading college of osteopathy in this country.
THE HOME FINDING ASSOCIATION
The American Home Finding Association had its beginning twelve years ago before it was organized. On stormy night a pale-faced woman was pacing the floor of a depot, waiting a belated train, and trying to quiet a large, fretful baby. A minister, who with his wife, was also waiting, took and cared for the baby for two hours, while the weary woman sat and talked with the clergyman's wife, telling her that the child was motherless and that she was taking it to an orphans' home. Eight years passed ; every one who came to that minister's church in the name of orphan children received hearty co-operation. Finally, the minister came to feel it was his turn to take a part in helping children who could not help them- selves. He gave up his pastorate and came to the City of Ottumwa, began work with the society, whose representative he had assisted so many years before, and which had started his thoughts toward the work of child- saving. After laboring for four and a half years with the above named society, the need became manifest for a larger work, and the American Home Finding Association was incorporated July 26, 1899, with the fol- lowing named gentlemen as incorporators: Judge M. A. Roberts, Maj. Samuel Mahon, J. B. Sax, Hon. W. A. McIntire, Rev. Father John O'Far- rel and Rev. U. B. Smith.
The work began July Ist, with Rev. U. B. Smith as superintendent. On that day came two children and $100 to start the new institution in its grand undertaking. Since that day the association has never been out of either children or money, and credit never was refused; not a debt or claim ever has been presented that was not promptly paid, though once its account at the bank was overdrawn and at another period the home had but three cents in the bank. It was slow work.
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For two and a half years the beneficent work progressed so slowly that only seventy-four children had been cared for and $5,500 raised. The superintendent had the state to organize in the project and few to help, while he kept the office, handled all correspondence and hired inexperienced men and women who must be trained as field workers. He traveled day and night organizing, was misunderstood and sometimes misrepresented by friends and enemies; there were no publications to represent the work.
After nearly three years of struggle, the Iowa Orphan's Appeal, a magazine representing the three-fold plan of the association, of caring for homeless and dependent children, homeless and needy widows and girl mothers and child, was published bi-monthly, in addition to twelve kinds of blanks necessary to the work. The new association had at last secured a firm footing and, with the help of such representatives as had pluck and faith, found a larger welcome over the state. There was as yet no home for the wards. The office was maintained in the superintendent's home, so the finding of approved families, who could and would board children, was no small part of the undertaking.
Those who were not in sympathy with the views and aims of the asso- ciation, used this drawback against it, knowing that many people believed more in brick and mortar than in a principle. It was said, "the Ottumwa Home is a fake, as there is no home there." The result was that after eighteen years of laying plans, constant struggles and strenuous endeavor, a magnificent house of fifteen rooms, in one of the best locations in the city, was purchased as a home for the association's wards. One mem- ber of the board of managers was constrained to say: "How can we get the money to pay for it?" Another member replied, "It must be a work of faith."
All the notes given for the purchase price were taken up on or before they were due. Soon it was found that the building was too small for the needs of the institution, and in the year 1910 the building was doubled in size. By this time the requirements of the association for the present and future were better understood by those in the active work, and the superintendent was ably assisted in planning the new building by the vice superintendent, Miss Mabel C. Stewart, of Big Rapids, Michigan, who has rendered eleven years of efficient service in the association's benefi- cences.
But time and growth make new demands. The present school room and store room is needed for other purposes, which necessitates the build- ing of larger rooms for the school and additional store rooms. Plans are being perfected for a building at the rear of the grounds, with accom- modations for the school, play rooms for the children, store rooms, work shop, dry room and coal house, which will be erected in the near future. Play-ground equipment will also be installed when the new building is completed.
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The association operates freely in every county in Iowa and stands equal to any organization in the state in the number of children received annually. People in every part of the state give very gratifying support. The Board of Control of State Institutions, under whose supervision the work is conducted, has given its approval, and the permit of the secre- tary of state has been granted the association and its representatives to do business in every county, city and town in Iowa. A substantial rein- forcement in bequests to the association, averaging in sums ranging from $500 to $10,000, for the endowment fund, the interest of which supple- ments the people's annual donations, aids materially in carrying forward the great work of mercy, the fruits of which may now be seen. The yearly cost of maintaining the home is from $13,000 to $14,000. Fifteen persons are employed the year round, seven of whom travel over the state in quest of homeless children, approved family homes for children, and to solicit funds for the support of the association's plans and work. Six woman are employed in the building-a school teacher, governess, three nurses and housekeeper. There are also a cook and assistant cook, jani- tor and special nurses in case of sickness.
The office work has always been done by the superintendent and vice superintendent, except during the last year. Miss Nellie V. Richards, who for nine years has served the association as field representative, was installed as school teacher and had charge of the financial records. Since no matron is employed, much of the oversight of employees falls to the vice superintendent.
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