USA > Iowa > Henry County > The history of Henry county, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c. > Part 52
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441
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
ing society, varied sometimes by music, recitations of poetry or humorous prose, and sometimes by dramatic entertainments. This is also kept up during most of the year, and its success as a source of interest and amusement, it is proper to say, is largely due to the efforts of Dr. Riordan.
" The hospital library continues to be a source of unfailing interest to the large number who have a taste for reading. From this rapid sketch it may be seen that there may be some pleasant variety in hospital life, and that it may be made, and is made by many persons, highly useful to themselves."
STATISTICAL INFORMATION.
From the last report of the Superintendent the following statistics have been compiled in comprehensive form. Those of our readers who desire fuller information can obtain the same through the Superintendent. These facts are collated merely to complete the history of the work already performed by the hospital :
Admissions and Discharges from the beginning of the hospital.
Males.
Females.
Total.
Admitted
1,985
1,599
3,584
Discharged-Recovered.
629
512
1,141
Improved.
276
229
505
Stationary.
317
272
589
Died ..
444
296
740
Not Insane.
1
1
Total number discharged.
1,667
1,309
2,976
Of these unfortunates 42 were under fifteen years of age when admitted to the hospital; 265 were under twenty ; 582 under twenty-five; 540 under thirty ; 500 under thirty-five: 446 under forty ; 329 under forty-five; 267 under fifty ; 343 under sixty ; 133 under seventy ; 39 under eighty ; and 6 were over eighty.
The age at which the disease attacked the greatest number was from twenty to twenty-five. There were 575 of that age in the number admitted ; next came thirty, 511 ; then thirty-five, 432. There were 386 under twenty and 163 under fifteen, while forty-five to sixty were the most fatal periods in later life than thirty-five.
In the matter of nativity, Ohio furnished 634; Pennsylvania, 285 ; New York, 265 ; Iowa, 311; Illinois, 148 ; Indiana, 273 ; and other States ranged from 1 up to 89. Of the foreign nations, Great Britain claimed 407 and Ger- many 326, while all other nations combined reached but 229.
As to occupation, " domestic duties " presented the appalling total of 1,384 ; but, as these were all females and but four females were entered under other classes besides that, the inference is that the class is merely a convenient one in lieu of a better name. Of the male patients, 916 were farmers ; 394 laborers ; 39 carpenters ; 31 clerks ; 26 merchants ; 23 blacksmiths ; 18 shoemakers ; 17 masons ; 14 tailors ; 14 agents ; 13 each of students and teachers ; 12 preach- ers ; 12 miners ; 8 traders ; 9 plasterers ; 7 physicians ; 7 lawyers ; 7 hotel- keepers ; 6 machinists ; and in no other class did the number reach more than 6; but usually from 1 to 5.
There were 1,583 single ; 1,732 married ; 208 widowed ; 30 divorced; 31 unknown.
442
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
The causes of insanity are stated as follows: General ill-health, 230: puerperal (female) condition, 209 ; epilepsy, 268 ; masturbation, 188 ; heredity, 154 ; and other causes ranging from 51 downward.
The ratio of deaths from the beginning of the work has been but 20.64 per cent. The official Board of the hospital is as follows :
Board of Trustees-T. Whiting, President, Mount Pleasant ; Mrs. E. M. Elliott, Secretary, Mount Pleasant ; William C. Evans, West Liberty ; L. E. Fellows, Lansing ; Samuel Klein, Keokuk.
Treasurer-M. L. Edwards, Mount Pleasant.
Resident Officers-Mark Ranney, M. D., Medical Superintendent ; H. M. Bassett, M. D., First Assistant Physician ; M. Riordan, M. D., Second Assist- ant Physician ; Jennie McCowen, M. D., Third Assistant Physician ; J. W. Henderson, Steward ; Mrs. Martha W. Ranney, Matron ; Rev. Milton Sutton, Chaplain.
The visitors' days at the hospital are Tuesday's and Fridays.
THE REFORM SCHOOL FOR GIRLS.
Among the reformatory institutions of the State of Iowa, none afford a more interesting topic than do the Reform Schools for boys and girls. In April, 1866, the Legislature leased the property known as White's Manual Labor Institute, a farm containing 1,400 acres, in Lee County.
At the expiration of five years, the Legislature provided a permanent Home for Boys, the site selected being Eldora, in Hardin County. A Home for Girls was opened on the site of the White Institute farm, and there continued during the remainder of the lease. In May, 1878, the Girls' Home was removed to Mount Pleasant, at which point the property referred to herein had been leased for a term of five years.
This institution is now under the charge of Mr. L. D. Lewelling, as Super- intendent, and his wife, a motherly, Christian lady, as Matron. The multitudes of letters received by this lady from those who have become reformed while at the Home proves the lasting effect of the system under which the school is managed.
This system is thorough. A record-book is kept, and so arranged that, upon the entry of each girl into the school, her name, age and parentage are recorded. A careful training is then given her ; and if her conduct is perfect during the month, she gets 100 credit-marks. If her conduct will warrant sixty, she is also credited for a whole month. When she shall have gained twelve of these marks (that is, twelve months), she is entitled to a leave of absence. The system begins with sixty, and grades up, so that the last month in the School must warrant her ninety-five in order to give her a perfect record. She is then given a leave of absence, and if she conducts herself in perfect conformity with the rules of society while out on her "ticket of leave," the grant is made permanent; but a violation of faith will subject her to a second ordeal of the School, the badge of good behavior being taken from her, and, instead of a twelve-month, she must endure thirteen-one being added as a punishment upon the dereliction.
This system appears to work the desired effect, as the remarks of Superin- tendent Lewelling, which will be found appendant, show.
Of course, when a girl shall have reached her majority-eighteen years- the school has no further control over her, unless she chooses to remain.
443
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
From the report made in 1877 by the Trustees of the Boys' School, is here quoted a paragraph which contains a vast amount of good sense. If the sug- gestion therein made could be carried out, the real purpose of the Institute would be greatly aided. The theory applies as well to the girls' department as to the boys', and displays the commendable spirit of those who have the super- vision of the work. The report reads :
" One thing more is necessary before these institutions can accomplish all the good intended. When a boy or girl is discharged from the school, though , he may go with the intention to be honest and support himself by industry and strict attention to business, it often happens that the unfortunate youth has no home-no friend that will give him shelter and provision until he can get employment. Spurned from door to door, with no one to cheer and encourage him, he becomes despondent, forgets his good intentions, and, in desperation, steals to satisfy his hunger and procure shelter. All his better nature, all his honorable aspirations, all his resolves to be virtuous and merit confidence and respectability, all his hopes of happiness here and hereafter-all are swept away by the repulsive and heartless conduct of those who should cheer and encourage the returning prodigal. How shall we overcome this great obstacle to a thorough reformation of our erring youths ? We make but one suggestion. If possible, let there be some person in each of the cities in the State to whom the Superintendent can give a letter of introduction and recommendation to each boy or girl when discharged, if they have no friends to whom they can go and receive protection. The duty of this philanthropist shall be not to keep the youth in idleness, but feed and protect him, and assist the lonely in procuring employment. The expense need not be great, and the good effect will be that a much greater number of such unfortunate youths will be thoroughly reformed, make good citizens, be an honor to the community in which they live, and will ever bless the man who, in the name of the State, gave them a helping hand when in their great extremity."
The history of this institution covers so brief a period, in its present location, that the only method of recording it here is to give a synopsis of the reports made by the Superintendent. These show the character, theory and capabilities of the work, rather than relate what has been done. The School, at any time, will excite the deepest interest of the casual visitor, but far deeper the sympathy and heartfelt approval of any one who looks earnestly at the devotedness of the workers there, and what they are accomplishing. The improvement in the deportment and education of the girls is very marked, fully showing the effects of the care and painstaking of those in charge. The limited means for its support only prevents many things needed to be done for the improvement and advantage of the girls; the first imperative necessity being to supply food and clothing. The institution is still in its infancy, and dependent upon the Legislature for its maintenance. That body, however lib- erally disposed, cannot be expected to manifest a speedy and at the same time thorough understanding of the case. Future Assemblies will add to the begin- ning already made, until finally the School will become what its purpose so richly merits, a recognized power for good in the State.
There are so many material things needed in the first establishment of such a work that the less indispensable adjuncts are postponed. Still, the School has something of a library. There are now between four and five hundred volumes on the shelves. Many of these books have been read again and again, and in many instances are well worn. In no other way can so small an amount accomplish so much in the interest and improvement of the children. Hours
444
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
not employed in labor or study, with a large class, will be improved with read- ing. What is especially wanted are the new and appropriate books, as they come fresh and inviting from time to time, imparting a zest for their contents. Many a moral lesson may come in a natural way with these readings. A lib- eral expenditure in this direction would result beneficially.
The special work of teaching these children is of a peculiar nature. The aptness must be in the teacher, or the time is mainly lost. The love of study is not inherent with a large class who, when at home, regarded it as so much gain when they could play truant and get away with like-minded companions to have what they termed a "good time." As a class, they have not habituated themselves to fixed, regular employment, either physical or mental. They have fixed habits of idleness and inattention, and here is where the teacher will find his peculiar task to interest and instruct them. They will soon seize upon and retain general curious and interesting facts in history, science or art. There are needed special facilities to improve this last trait, hoping thereby to open their minds to a pure love of study, and through this, of the truth, and the attainment of the mental discipline needed in an intelligent and virtuous dis- charge of the claims of citizenship. The commonly-received series of school- books are excellent and attractive enough, but something more is needed. While colleges and higher schools of learning must have apparatus to assist minds inclined to study, and commendable efforts are made to obtain complete and per- fect instruments of all kinds, what can they hope to attain with these children without some means to give them ideas and set them to thinking ? A few hun- dred dollars expended for some of the simpler apparatus, to illustrate the prin- ciples and powers of science, will help far more than its expense will be burden- some, even in these hard times. But they cannot obtain such facilities without an appropriation outside of their ordinary funds. These have not proved suffi- cient for the essential wants of existence, and the necessary supervision. Many of these children will receive here all the elements of book education they will ever obtain, and it should be made as effective as possible. In many instances, commendable progress has been made, and with increased facilities they could hope for marked success.
From Superintendent Lewelling's last report, certain interesting statistics and facts are gleaned :
Whole number of girls received since the opening of the school 84
Attained majority and discharged
12
Granted leave of absence. 22
8 Eloped.
42
Remaining
42
Returned from elopement.
8
Returned from leave of absence 3
Remaining November 1, 1877 53
Of this number Polk County has sent 19; Pottawattamie and Lee, 9 each ; Wapello, 6; Benton, 5; Mahaska, 4; Mills and Clinton, 3 each; Henry, Jack- son, Washington, Dubuque and Jefferson, 2 each ; and other counties, 1 each to make the total.
The nativity shows 44 from Iowa, 12 from Missouri, 6 from Illinois, and scattering to balance; 2 were from Sweden, 1 from Germany, and 1 from Canada.
The parentage was American, 40; German, 13; Irish, 12; African, 10; and balance scattering.
445
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
The girls were committed by the following tribunals : Supreme Courts, 3; District Courts, 36; Circuit Courts, 31; Police Courts, 14; showing that the probate and civil tribunals are largely represented.
CAUSES OF COMMITMENT.
Incorrigibility
31
Larceny
11
Vagrancy
17
Keeping brothel
1
Manslaughter
1
Prostitution
10
Disorderly conduct
13
Total
84
AGES.
Five years old 1 Seven years old. 3
Nine years old
3 Ten years old ..
2
Eleven years old
2
Twelve years old
4
Thirteen years old.
4 Fourteen years old 14
Fifteen years old
26 Sixteen years old 15
Seventeen years old
8
Eighteen years old 2
Total
84
SOCIAL CONDITION.
Number who have lost their father
23
Number who have lost their mother.
11
Number who have lost both parents.
21
Number whose parents are separated.
7
Number whose parents live together
18
Number of whom nothing is known
4
Total
84
From the Superintendent's report is taken the following summary of the social and school life of the institution :
" The school has been made an important feature of the work; the girls have been divided into two grades or classes, Grade 1 attending school four hours in the forenoon, and Grade 2 the same time in the afternoon. Thus each girl receives four hours schooling daily, and four hours instruction in some spe- cial branch of household industry. It is but humble praise to the efficiency of our teacher, Miss Ollie Mace, to say, that we have been delighted with the suc- cess of the school. Only those who have known the very meager attainments of girls upon entering the school, can realize the rapid progress of many in their studies; and we are glad to say that the schoolroom is a place of attrac- tion, and study a real pleasure, rather than a kind of mechanical drudgery. School is in session during the whole year except a two-weeks vacation in the spring and fall. During the long evenings of the fall and winter seasons, the girls have kept up among themselves an interesting literary society, and so interesting has it become that all members of the household are pleased to be guests on these important occasions. Other evenings are also occupied very frequently by the officers of the institution, in select reading, social talks, knit- ting-schools, prayer-meetings, and various other exercises.
"The work of the institution is done by the girls, with such help and instruction as they receive from those having charge of the different depart- ments. Many of the girls are too small to do much work, thus being a care rather than a help. Much more also might be accomplished by the aid of ma- chinery. On this subject, however, we have maintained that it is better for the girls first to learn to work with their hands, and thus we possess no machinery, except one dilapidated sewing machine. In addition to other household duties, the girls manufacture all their own clothing, including numberless pairs of cot-
446
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
ton and woolen hose, bedclothes and fancy work. Hair-weaving and the mak- ing of various articles of fancy work are features recently introduced in Mrs. . Collins' department, and they promise not only to be a source of pleasure to the girls, but in time to become a source of revenue to the school.
" No restraint whatever is put upon the girls about the building and grounds, yet in the absence of all precautionary measures elopements seldom occur. On one occasion two girls were assisted by outside parties to escape, but they were some days after returned, when they testified in court against the person who conveyed them away. Since the opening of the school, no girl has succeeded in making a permanent escape, and it can now be said, to the credit of all, there seems to be little desire among them to do so. The health of the girls has been excellent. The scarlet fever was at one time epidemic in the school, but there were no dangerous cases, and since the opening of the institution, there has not been a single death, nor at any time a serious case of illness."
RESULTS OF LABOR.
The following, from the pen of Mr. Lewelling, shows the results of labor at the school:
"It is an opinion, too prevalent, that the results of our labor here are not suffi- cient to justify the expense incurred by the State in maintaining such an insti- tution.
"In reply we can only say, briefly at this time, that it must be borne in mind that many of these girls came from the slums of the cities, and all from broken homes, where the sweet, quiet influence of love is never felt.
"It is a remarkable fact that in almost every case either the father or mother is dead-frequently both parents; or, if living, they were separated or living together unhappily. Of course, the progeny of such homes and such circumstances are often shiftless, thoughtless, incorrigible and vicious; and from such homes and such circumstances, where the light of knowledge never enters, and the love of God is never known, come the boys and girls of the Reform School.
" It becomes, therefore, the duty of such institutions to restrain and reform such characters as these, and it can scarcely be hoped, much less expected, that all will have amended their lives. It can positively be shown, however, that more than half of those committed to this institution for the various causes mentioned, return to their homes reformed in purpose and conduct, and that they do not lapse into their vicious habits.
"Subjoined are a few extracts from letters written by girls who have graded out of the school. The first is from the first girl discharged, four years ago :
WASHINGTON, lowa, September 20, 1878. MR. and MRS. LEWELLING :
* Respected Friends : * I am doing better every year. x
* I go in good society ; better than ever I did before.
I may thank you for all that. Often do I think of that. Think of me as often as you are thought of.
Yours, in love,
Nebraska, March 31, 1878.
MY DEAR MRS. LEWELLING: I received your kind and most welcome letter some time since, and was very glad to hear from you. I was thinking this morning how I should like to come up to Sabbath school with Pauline in my arms. You don't know how I long at times to see you all. * * After I left the school you cannot imagine how well I was treated by some of the very best people of I tried to act as a lady should, as near as I knew how, and this is my reward. Tell all the girls, for me, that by coming out into the world and doing right they will never fail of friends. * *
I remain your loving girl,
447
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
MILTON, Iowa, March 27. 1878.
MRS. LEWELLING : Ever remembered and truest of friend. I cannot express my joy and happiness on receiving your letter. I could not bear to think I had been forgotten by the friends at home. * * You must excuse a lead pencil, as I am in school. * * I often think if I had my time to spend over with you, knowing what I do now, I would surely study harder and learn all I could.
I am coming to see you some time, but I do not know when that will be. * Write soon. From your affectionate student,
P. S. Mother says she cannot repay you for all you have done for me.
Very many similar extracts from letters , might be published did space per- mit. It is sufficient to say that those who have the work in charge have the most abiding faith in the efficacy of their work.
THE HENRY COUNTY PRESS.
From the moment of establishment to the present time the newspapers of Henry County have had much more than a local reputation and influence. The first paper issued in the county was also the first Abolition journal ever published west of the Mississippi. It was founded at Fort Madison, Lee County, but was soon brought to Mount Pleasant, where the presence of Prof. Howe was a source of encouragement to the Antislavery men. The change of location was made in 1848, and the paper was then under the direction of D. M. Kelsey. In 1850, Prof. Samuel Lnke Howe became the controlling power in the office. The sheet was sent forth from the institute of which the Professor was head. The pupils and sons of the master were engaged in the mechanical duties of the office at different times, but the strong hand of an able worker was manifested in every line of the paper. The scattering files now before us show what the journal was, and we can easily imagine the wrath of its opponents when neither threats nor coaxings could affect the will of the editor. The name of the paper when it was brought to Mount Pleasant was the Iowa Freeman. That title was changed to the lowa True Democrat. The paper produced a marked sensation among the people of the West, and served to educate many young men as to their political duties. Elsewhere we allude to the result of such training, in a brief sketch of the association of Mount Pleasant men with John Brown in Kansas. The paper ran its course and ceased to live, but the teachings of its editor will last forever, while men love freedom.
The county differs from nearly all others in the State in the fewness of its papers. This fact, undoubtedly accounts for the excellence of those which are published, as the patronage of a county no larger or older than this is not suf- ficient to warrant the introduction of more than two or three good journals. Better papers are furnished when the field is free, and satisfaction is insured the readers of the respective party representatives.
The oldest paper now published is the Mount Pleasant Journal. This paper originally appeared in 1856, under the direction of G. G. Galloway, as the Observer. The office was owned successively by Elliott & Mahaffey, D. S. Elliott and Elliott & Edwards. Under the management of the latter firm, the name was changed to the Home Journal. The office then became the property of G. W. Edwards, Edwards & Snyder, T. A. Bereman, and finally of Richard Hatton. Mr. Hatton changed the name to Mount Pleasant Journal. It has been a most prosperous paper. Mr. Hatton trained his sons to journalistic work, and was aided by Hon. Frank Hatton, now the principal owner of the Burlington Hawk-Eye, and Chairman of the Iowa State Republican Central Committee. Here the younger Mr. Hatton acquired those habits of professional
448
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
experiences which have enabled him to achieve so marked a success in life. The Journal has remained in the family to the present time. Mr. G. W. Mc- Adam, son-in-law of Mr. Richard Hatton, became a third proprietor, and, in suc- cession, Messrs. E. W. Brady, John F. Leech and John Teasdale have each held a third interest. But the control has been in the Hatton family. Mr. Albert L. Hatton has also been a part proprietor. There have been other editors, for at one time. Mr. C. L. Pennington held that post ; while for the past eighteen months Mr. R. C. Brown has been editorial writer, with the paper owned by Mr. McAdam. January 1, 1879, Mr. John W. Palm became part- ner with Mr. McAdam, and editor. The fine mechanical appearance of the Journal and the well-written, able editorials which have always filled its columns have given it a front rank among the interior press of Iowa. This position will surely be maintained hy Mr. Palm. The Journal is Republican in politics. -
The Free Press was established in April, 1866, at Mount Pleasant, by E. T. White. In January, 1868, Mr. White sold to O. K. Snyder and Frank Hat- ton. They changed the name to that of Henry County Press. Mr. Hatton retired in May, 1868, and the firm became Snyder Brothers. In October, 1869, Dr. D. W. Robinson became owner. Richard Copeland, Charles More- hous and S. W. Morehead served, successively, as editors. In December, 1870, A. P. Bentley became editor. February 22, 1871, the paper was enlarged to a nine-column sheet. In June, 1872, the office was purchased by Messrs. Edwin Van Cise and James A. Throop, and January 1, 1874, the paper was enlarged and the name changed back to the Free Press. The edito- rial policy is Independent, and the paper is carefully conducted. It has a good field to work in and ably improves its opportunity.
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