The pioneer history of Pocahontas County, Iowa, from the time of its earliest settlement to the present time, Part 12

Author: Flickinger, Robert Elliott, b. 1846
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: Fonda, Iowa, G. Sanborn
Number of Pages: 1058

USA > Iowa > Pocahontas County > The pioneer history of Pocahontas County, Iowa, from the time of its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 12

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This institution, established for the

Mahaska county. Of the three schools thus located, only one-that at An- special training of teachers for the drew-was opened; and it was main- common schools of the state, was tained only for a few years, the state opened for the reception of students,

THE STATE INSTITUTIONS AND BUILDINGS OF IOWA.

September 6, 1876. It has now an Two members of the first faculty, equipment consisting of six buildings Prof. M. W. Bartlett and Prof. D. S. and forty acres of ground, estimated Wright, continue in charge of their at $167,500, that are used exclusively respective departments; Miss Anna E. for the work of the school and resi- McGovern since 1880, and Prof. Seer- dences of its officers. North Hall, ley since 1886. previously one of the soldiers' orphans' homes, was transferred March 5, 1876, as follows:

New departments have been added Music in 1878; Special and became the original home of the Training in 1884, discontinued two school. The superintendent's home years later and reorganized in 1891; was transferred at the same time and Latin in 1897 and the Military in 1892. both buildings were reconstructed to The latter is in charge of a retired U. adapt them to their new uses. South S. army officer, Major W. A. Dinwid- Hall, in which are the chapel and lat- die. oratories of physics and chemistry,

In the year 1878, the first gradu- was erected in 1882, at a cost of $30,- ating class numbered four persons, 000. Central Hall, containing the and in 1898, there were 186 graduates, president's offices, the library and the making the whole number in twenty- museum, was erected in 1895, at a two years, 1325. The number of stu- cost of $35,000. The steam plant that dents in attendance last year was 1318.

heats the entire institution was erect- ed in 1896. The library, which is free to all students, contains more than 8,000 volumes.

The students are charged an ex- pense fee of $5.00, a term of twelve weeks. To secure entrance as a teacher-student, it is necessary for each applicant to sign the following declaration. "I hereby declare that, in becoming a student of the Iowa State Normal School, it is my inten- tion, in good faith to follow the busi- ness of teaching in the state of Iowa."

The moral and religious influences of this institution are very excellent. There is, perhaps, no school in the state that has more religious work in progress or that is more successful in influencing students to undertake and maintain a life of high moral and re- ligious culture.

The use of tobacco, being a hin- pair of the buildings.

that hinder study, are also prohibited, and indulgence in the use of intoxi- cating liquors is regarded as a very serious offense.

THE IOWA COLLEGE FOR THE BLIND, VINTON.

THOMAS F. MCCUNE, A. M., PRIN.

"I will bring the blind, By a way they knew not; I will lead them in paths They have not known."-ISAIAH.

The Iowa College for the Blind, es- tablished at Iowa City in 1852, and opened for students the year follow- ing, was transferred to its present lo- cation at Vinton, Benton county, in 1862. The college, as its name indi- cates, is a school, not a home, and the annual session begins on the first Wed- nesday of September and ends on the second Wednesday of June, following. During the summer vacation the stu- dents are required to return to their homes, and all officers and employes are then discharged, except those nec- essary for the care, cleaning and re-

The biennial report of 1897 shows

drance to intellectual progress and un- becoming in a teacher, is not allowed that 186 pupils were in attendance in any form at this institution. that year, and 208 the year previous. Games of chance and other amusements During the forty-five years of the ex- istence of this institution, 1007 stu- dents have been enrolled, of whom fifteen per cent make their own living and forty per cent are educated and

South Hall.

STATE NORMAL SCHOOL BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS, CEDAR FALLS, IOWA. Central Hall.

North Hall.

Superintendent's Residence.

President's Cottage.

PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.

0:31

THE STATE INSTITUTIONS AND BUILDINGS OF IOWA.

respectable members of society. Of ing embossed books and manufacturing the whole enrollment, ten per cent apparatus for the blind. These books have completed the literary course and apparatus are supplied to the and received their diplomas. Four thirty-seven institutions for the blind have become successful ministers of in the United States, in proportion to the gospel; one is an evangelist of the number of pupils in attendance more than ordinary power; one is rap- at each.

idly rising into prominence as a writer of stories for children, and another, problems than that of educating the as author and lawyer, has attained a blind, yet no work has made greater marked standing in one of the largest progress than this during the last quarter of a century.

cities of the land.

The main building, 108x70 feet, is INDUSTRIAL HOME FOR THE BLIND, located near the center of the grounds KNOXVILLE. that comprise forty acres. These are beautifully arranged and ornamented with all kinds of trees and shrubs. The estimated value of the buildings, grounds, machinery, etc., represented by this institution, is $313,650.

Its design is to furnish to the blind children of the state equal education- al advantages with children who en- joy the boon of sight. The branches taught are raised print, point system, arithmetic, spelling, geography, his- tory, grammar, natural philosophy, civil government, political economy, geometry, English and American literature.

The department of music is supplied with twenty-three pianos, one pipe or- gan, three cabinet organs and a suffi- cient number of violins, guitars, bass viols and brass instruments. Every student capable of receiving it is giv- en a complete course in this branch.

No work presents more complex

The Industrial Home for the Blind was established in 1890, by the Twen- ty-third General Assembly, which ap- propriated $40,000 for the purchase of grounds and the erection of buildings. Under the provisions of this act, the governor appointed a board of com- missioners to select a location and su- perintend the construction of the buildings. They selected Knoxville, Marion county, as the site for the Home, and by January 1, 1892, had it ready for the admission of inmates, with accommod itions for two hundred.

The object of this institution is the instruction of the adult blind of the state in some suitable trade or vo- cation, and to furnish a working home for the blind, who have learned a trade or vocation and desire to be em- ployed therein. It is open to every blind person who has a legal residence in the state and is physically and men- tally able to perform such labor as

In the industrial department the girls are required to learn knitting, may be required in the trade or voca- crocheting, fancy work, hand and ma- tion carried on therein. Broom mak- chine sewing; the boys, netting, mat- ing is the principal industry. Ham- tress making and cane seating. Those mocks and nets are also made. All of either sex who desire, may learn assignments of work are made on the basis of adaptation. Each works at carpet weaving and broom making.

Several years ago, congress appro- that for which he is specially fitted priated $250,000 as a permanent fund, and is paid what he earns, according the interest of which, $10,000, was to to a schedule of wages. be paid semi-annually to the trustees The legislature makes biennial ap- of the American Printing House for propriations for its support, those last the Blind, a corporate body, in Louis- made for the years 1898 and 1899, ville, Ky .. to be expended in publish- amounting to $18,000.

PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.

IOWA SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF, COUNCIL BLUFFS.

Center of building, is five stories high, wings four stories each. Eutire length is 320 feet, width 60 feet. Established in 1855.

THE STATE INSTITUTIONS AND BUILDINGS OF IOWA.

During the first five years of its ex- Schools was erected in 1889, to meet istence, or the period ending June 30, the growing and urgent requirements 1897, ninety-one inmates had been re- of the Industrial Department of this ceived and they had made 26,966 doz- institution. It contains a large steam ens of brooms, 8,411} dozens of whisks, cylinder press, on which a weekly pa- per, The Deaf Hawkeye, is printed.

1,071 hammocks and 330 nets.

The value of the property represent- The south wing of this building was ed by this institution is estimated at erected in 1875, and at that time it $30,000, and it is in charge of three was considered ample to provide for trustees who are elected by the legis- the wants of this school. The Chapel lature for a term of six years. Cam. and Dining Hall are in the same Culbertson is the present superintend- building, 70x85 feet, two stories in ent.

IOWA SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF, COUNCIL BLUFFS.

HON. HENRY W. ROTHERT, SUPT. G. L. WYCKOFF, PRINCIPAL.

"Education is a capital to a poor man, and an interest to a rich man." -HORACE MANN.

height. All of these buildings are of brick, and together with grounds, ap- paratus, etc., represent an investment by the state of $400,000.

This institution is free to all from the age of nine to twenty-five, who are, too deaf to be educated in the com -. mon schools, but who are sound in mind, free from immoral habits and free from contagious or offensive diseases. A competent corps of in- structors of long and successful expe- rience is employed in every depart- ment. The trades taught in this in- stitution are printing, shoe-making, carpentering, dress-making, farming and gardening, drawing and painting; light housework, plain sewing and knitting are also taught. The session of the school begins the 1st day of October and continues until the last day in June of each year.

The Iowa School for the Deaf is lo- cated in Pottawattamie county, three miles east of the city of Council Bluffs. Arrangements were made for the establishment of this institution by the General Assembly of Iowa, in January, 1855. It was located first at Iowa City, where Mr. W. E. Ijams, a gentleman of liberal education and considerable experience in the instruc- tion of the deaf, had established a private school for their benefit. In December, 1870, it was transferred to Council Bluffs, where permanent and commodious buildings have been pro- IOWA INSTITUTION FOR FEEBLE MINDED vided for its use. It was first called a CHILDREN. "State Institution for the Deaf and "The secret of life-it is giving; To minister and to serve." Dumb," but this name was changed to its present form in 1892. -LUCY LARCOM.

This worthy institution is located

The main building is one of the largest structures in the state, being at Glenwood, Mills county. Three 350 feet long, 60 feet wide and five homes for orphan children had been stories high in the central part. The founded during the war of 1861-1865, wings of this building are used chiefly and maintained by the state until for sleeping apartments, while in the 1876, when the number of dependent central part provision is made for children having greatly diminished, study, the care of the sick and the re- it was decided to unite them in the ception of friends. The school house, present institution at -Davenport. two stories in height, contains twenty This closed the homes at Cedar Falls large, well ventilated recitation rooms. and Glenwood, and the former be- The center building of the Industrial came the State Normal School and

IOWA INSTITUTION FOR FEEBLE MINDED CHILDREN, GLENWOOD. (Before the Fire.) Established 18.6. F. M. POWELL, Supt.

THE STATE INSTITUTIONS AND BUILDINGS OF IOWA.

the latter the Institution for Feeble John L. Davies, Mrs. P. V. Newcomb Minded Children. The first child was and many others, conceived the plan admitted, September, 1876. For a of founding a home for the orphan time there was an unwillingness on children of Iowa soldiers, to be sup- the part of parents of this class of ported by the charity of Iowa people, children to turn them over to its care, assisted by the comrades of the fallen but now that diffidence has been heroes. Similar enterprises were un- largely outgrown. The present build- dertaken at Farmington, Glenwood ings cost $350,000, the furnishings and and Cedar Falls. machinery $35,000 and together with

The Davenport Home was first or- the 300 acres of land on which they ganized December 1, 1863, as a private are located, represent an investment charitable institution, and was opened of $405,000.

The aim of this institution is to 1864, utilizing the old barracks, known provide special methods of training as Camp Roberts.

for that class of children, who are de-

for the reception of children, July 13,

In June, 1866, it became a state in- ficient in mind or marked with such stitution, under the name of the Iowa peculiarities as may deprive them of Soldiers' Orphans' Home, the legisla- the benefits and privileges provided ture assuming control of it and pro- for children with normal faculties. It viding a special fund for its mainte- aims to make the children as nearly nance and for its permanent location self-supporting as practicable and en- at that place. In 1876 it became the able them to approach as nearly as only home for soldiers' orphans, in possible the actions of normal people. Iowa, by the transfer of those at Ce- It further aims to provide a home for dar Falls and Glenwood. The sphere those who are not susceptible of men- of its usefulness was widened the same tal culture, but must rely wholly on year by opening its doors to other de- others to supply their simple wants. pendent children of the state. Two

In the school department, lessons classes of children are therefore now are imparted in the simple elements received; first, soldiers' orphans, who of instruction taught in the public are maintained by the state, and sec- schools, as well as in the industries ond, county orphans, who are main- suited to their capacities. Children tained by the counties sending them. are admitted between the ages of five and eighteen years.

THE IOWA SOLDIERS' ORPHANS' HOME AND HOME FOR INDIGENT CHIL- DREN, DAVENPORT.

At the outbreak of the rebellion, in 1861, the state of Iowa was settled chiefly by young men of limited means, who were maintaining their families, suits. The call for volunteers was

Only children healthy in body and mind are admitted, and these for no period less than one year. None are received under the age of one year, and the boys are not kept beyond fif- teen, nor the girls after sixteen. Homes in families are then solicited for them.

This institution now consists of to a great extent, by agricultural pur- eighteen well equipped cottages, ac- commodating from twenty-five to answered patriotically. Large num- thirty-five children each, a school- bers went to the front and many, fall- house with seating capacity for 500 ing in the defense of their country children, a large, two-story hospital, and homes, left their families in des- a laundry and engine house, a manual titute circumstances. Some of the training building and a barn with a benevolent people of Davenport, storage capacity for 100 tons of hay among them Hon. Hiram Price, Hon. and stable room for twenty-five cows

PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.

and six horses. These buildings are offenders or those who, through lack located on a beautiful plot of ground of proper home control, promise to containing :57 acres, in the east sub- become criminals. urban part of the city, and represent an investment of $180,595. The aver- age number in the home the last year (1897) was 487.

The school at Eldora was opened September 1, 1868. The improve- ments consist of a main building, cost- ing $50,000, five family buildings cost-

THE SOLDIERS' HOME, MARSHALLTOWN. ing the same amount, a hospital, shop, chapel, barn, electric and steam heat- ing plants and other necessary im- provements, on 760 acres of land that altogether represent an investment of $201,500. About 450 boys are now cared for at this institution.

The legislature made provision for the establishment of the Iowa Soldiers' Home at Marshalltown, in 1886, and the main building was opened with proper ceremonies, November 30, 1887. Since that time enlargements and im- provements have been made so that The school for girls was opened at the estimated value of the buildings Mitchellville in 1879, as a branch of is $183,200; the grounds, over 400 acres, the former. The improvements con- $25,000, and miscellaneous property, sist of a main building, two family $16,000; total value, $224,200.

buildings, hospital, barn, electric located on 160 acres of land, all val- ued at $90,125.

This institution is maintained for plant, steam heating, apparatus, etc., dependent, honorably discharged Un- ion soldiers, sailors and marines, their dependent widows, wives and moth- The children who are committed to these schools are not the hardened, ir- redeemable criminals, but those who are young in years-eight to sixteen- and whose natures are still susceptible to the influence of kindness, moral training and proper discipline. These beneficent, influences could never ac- complish the desired results amid the environments of prisons and peniten- tiaries. ers and dependent army nurses. It is a worthy monument of the grateful patriotism of the people of the state towards its defenders, who, broken in health, or suffering from wounds re- ceived in their conntry's dangerous service, now need its care. Women were first received in 1893, when four were enrolled. The annual enroll- ment shows that the number of per- sons at this home has been as follows:

1888 .140

1893. 376

1889 258

1894 404

1890 .349

1895 516

1891 .432

1896 .605 1892 .426

1897 632

A number of cottages have been erected for the accommodation of married veterans needing the advan- tages of this home.

INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS, ELDORA MITCHELLVILLE.

AND

Our state has wisely taken these facts into consideration, and no less in self-defense than in charity, has es- tablished these institutions as homes for our unfortunate youth. It has en- joined upon those who have the super- vision of these schools the duty of having the boys and girls instructed in morality, such branches of use- ful knowledge as are adapted to their age and capacity and in some regular course of labor. The results of the

Two industrial or reformatory schools, one for boys, at Eldora, Har- work done by these schools prove be- din county, and one for girls, at Mitch- yond a doubt the possibility to re- ellville, Polk county, have been found- claim wayward youth and make good ed by this state, and are maintained citizens of them when they are put for the purpose of reforming youthful under proper control.

THE STATE INSTITUTIONS AND BUILDINGS OF IOWA.

HOSPITALS FOR THE INSANE, MOUNT the erection of public buildings, and PLEASANT, INDEPENDENCE, CLA- RINDA AND CHEROKEE.

Liberal provision has been made by the people of this state for the care of the insane, by the erection of four large and commodious hospitals or asylums.

The one at Mount Pleasant, Henry county, was established January 24, 1855, by an appropriation of $44,425 for 160 acres of land and buildings. It was formally opened March 6, 1861. The development of this institution is expressed in the following esti- mates of value: Buildings $800,000; grounds, including farm,·$58,000; mis- cellaneous property $100,000; total val- ue $958,000.

The second, located at Independ- ence, Buchanan county, was opened May 1, 1873. The investment here is as follows: Real estate $26,400; build- ings $1,015,950, making with other im- provements, $1,112,020.

The third, located at Clarinda, Page county, was opened December 15, 1888. This institution has 513 acres of land and accommodations for 1000 patients. The inventory shows value of land $38,475 and of buildings $821,000, mak- ing with other permanent improve- ments and fixtures, $923,356.

The fourth, located at Cherokee, Cherokee county, in 1894, is not yet completed. The appropriations have been $24,000 for 640 acres of land and $400,000 for the erection of buildings.

PENITENTIARIES, FORT MADISON AND ANAMOSA.

This state has now two penitenti-

under this provision the old Capitol at Iowa City (now used by the State University) and the main building of the penitentiary at Fort Madison were built. The latter was completed in 1841, and is probably the only building of the kind provided for any state at the expense of the national government. The value of the pres- ent buildings and wall is $500,000; other property additional, $45,000.

In 1872, an additional penitentiary was built, mainly by convict labor, at Anamosa. It is a . very fine structure and has a library of more than 3300 volumes. The present val- ue of buildings and grounds is esti- mated at $2,650,000; machinery and supplies additional, $32,000.

The criminal statistics show that the number of inmates in these insti- tutions during the past ten years has been, in December, as follows:

1886 666

1892 662

1887

638

1893

806

1888

588

1894 898

1889

599

1895 999

1890

603

1896 1086

1891

.668

1897 1145

AND

OTHER STATE ORGANIZATIONS SOCIETIES.

The State Library, established in 1860, and the State Historical Depart- ment, organized July 1, 1892, have their location in the Capitol, at Des Moines. Though separate and distinct institutions, they are managed by the same board of trustees, consisting of the Governor, the Supreme Judges, the Secretary of State and the Super- intendent of Public Instruction.

The State Library was founded for aries, one at Fort Madison, in Lee the special benefit of the Supreme county, and the other at Anamosa, Court, but afterwards there were add- Jones county.

ed other books useful to the members

The one at Fort Madison was estab- of the legislature and other state offi- lished by an act of the territorial leg- cers. In 1895, it contained 45,000 vol- islature, January 25, 1839. In the act umes, of which 21,000 were in the law of congress, establishing the territory department. It has grown until it of Iowa, provision was made for the has become known as one of the best government to appropriate money for libraries in the United States, and is,

PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.

therefore, a great institution for ref- headquarters of the society were lo- erence and study. cated permanently in the Capitol.

The Historical Department, com- The Horticultural Society, organ- monly known as the Aldrich collec- ized in 1864, has for its object the pro- tion, was established for the purpose motion and encouragement of horti- of promoting the collection and pres- culture and arboriculture in Iowa, by ervation of historical materials re- the collection and dissemination of lating to Iowa, and the territory from practical information regarding the which it was established. Three rooms cultivation of such fruits, flowers and located in the southeast basement trees as are best adapted to the soil story of the Capitol have been set and climate of the state. It publish- apart for this collection and they are es lists of fruits, as well as trees for in charge of Hon. Charles Aldrich, timber or ornament, that may be suc- curator, the founder of the collection. cessfully grown in this state. In or-

In 1884, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Aldrich, der to facilitate this work the state is residents of Webster City, through the divided into twelve districts, each trustees of the State Library, present- having its own director, and holding ed the state their autograph collec- its own yearly meeting. It has now tion, on the condition it should be established twenty experimental sta- kept by itself, in suitable cases, in the tions in different parts of the state for library, and that they should be per- the purpose of testing trees, shrubs, mitted to make additions to it from plants and fruits before recommend- time to time thereafter. From this ing them for cultivation. beginning, through the personal ef-

It is a voluntary association, the an- forts of Mr. Aldrich, has grown the nual membership fee being $1.00, and "Historical Department of Iowa," a life membership $5.00. The annual with its wealth of facts, curios and meetings, since 1892, are ordinarily collection-a veritable depository of held at their rooms in the Capitol, on varied and valuable historical matter the second Tuesday of December, and -perhaps the most elaborate possess- the proceedings are published in an ed by any state in the Union. This annual report that is usually full of collection is always open to the free interesting and valuable papers. inspection of the people, to whom it now belongs. This is sent free to all the members of the society.

The Historical Society, organized in The Improved Stock Breeders' Asso- 1857, for the purpose of collecting, ciation, organized in 1874, has for its arranging and preserving a library of object the improvement of Iowa live books, pamphlets, statuary and other stock and the promotion of that in- material, illustrative of the history of dustry. Iowa, has its headquarters at the

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The pioneer history of Pocahontas County, Iowa, from the time of its earliest settlement to the present time, Part 12

Author: Flickinger, Robert Elliott, b. 1846 Publication date: 1904 Publisher: Fonda, Iowa, G. Sanborn Number of Pages: 1058

Author: Flickinger, Robert Elliott, b. 1846
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: Fonda, Iowa, G. Sanborn
Number of Pages: 1058