USA > Illinois > Sangamon County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 1 > Part 87
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One of the oldest, largest and most abiy con- ducted of our charitles, whose Board of Man- agers is composed of representative citizens, is the "Home for the Friendless," a name, how- ever, that conveys no thought of the cheery interior. May the writer be pardoned if a bit
ANN C. R. WILLIS
ELON ELDRED
JANE S. ELDRED
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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
of personal Interest is related as connected with the inception of this particular charity ?
One evening, during the early winter, a family group was gathered about a glowing fire in the home of my father, and impressed by a sense of thankfulness for shelter from the bleak north wind that shook doors and windows, seeking entrance through any chance crack or crevice, tbe sympathetic heart of my father, ever alive to the woes of others, yearned over those who might then be suffering from cold and bunger-"especially the women and cbil- dren"-and his active brain sought for some metbod of furnishing relief. He said to my uncle, "iet us, tonight, try to do something that shall be permanent ; you, as a lawyer, can frame a bill to the Legislature about to convene." My uncle agreed, and to the writer of this paper was given the privilege of transcribing the first copy of a bill that, with a few unimportant changes, was passed by a special act of the Leg- Islature of 1863.
"They builded better than they knew," for lying before me Is the official report of the year 1910, and its statistics show that 6,500 women and children have found care and cheer witbin the sheltering walis of this institution during these years. There are now seventy children in the Home; its endowment fund amounts to $43,671.67 which is loaned on good real estate securities in Sangamon County at fair interest. The Board of Supervisors of Sangamon County assist to some extent by paying the board blll of children sent there by the Juvenile Court for delinquent children. No fee is required for the admission of orphans entirely destitute, but from the living parent of a child entered temporarily, if able to do so, a nominal sum for board is ex- acted. Permanent homes are found for tbe chll- dren after careful inquiry has been made as to arrangements for their welfare and care, by the efficient committees to whom this dnty is as- signed. The main bullding of the Home is a square brick structure to wbich, within a few years, has been added a large and roomy annex also of brick-the gift of the President, Col. Henry Davis. The Board of Managers of the Home is large, as an annual donation of five dol- lars entitles one to membership, but its business Is transacted by an Executive Committee con- sisting of its officers-a President, four Vice Presidents, a Secretary and Asssistant Treas- urer and Superintendent, also eight lady man-
agers. The building is situated on South Sev- enth Street, within a block of the city railway, with extensive grounds, and everything possible in the way of comfort and pleasure for child- hood Is provided.
The children soon outnumbered the adults and it was impossible to scenre for the women the quiet restfulness so necessary for persons of advanced years, and in due process of time the Kings' Daughters of Sangamon County re- ailzed the need of such a Home for the aged, and in 1893 the "King's Daughters' Home for Women" was incorporated under the laws of the State, its "object being to charitably ald deserv- ing women and to provide a "Home for aged women." This organization of King's Daugh- ters had its beginning in Springfield, when ten devoted women received at the altar of Christ Cburcb by the hands of its Rector, F. W. Clam- pett, the purple ribbon and sliver cross of the order.
Within two years of incorporation the present site of the Home was purchased and its house- hold started in October, 1895, with accommoda- tions for but nine old ladles, two of whom were transferred from the "Home of the Friendless." On January 28, 1902, a fire occurred that caused a temporary change of quarters, but fortunately there was no loss of Ilfe or serions injury to any of the family, and with indomitable energy, the noble women who had already done so much at once set to work for the erection-rather the rebuilding-of a new and more extensive Home. Let me say a word here of this Order of Kings' Daughters, whose numbers bad Increased from ten to four hundred with sixteen Circles, eacb having a membership varying from ten to sixty. Each Circle meets once during each month, and a pledge for a certain snm is given for support of the Home for one year, varying In amount from twenty-five to one hundred and twenty-five dollars, each twenty-five tbus given, entitling the Circle to representation on the Board of Di- rectors, elected from its membership. Its offi- cers consist of a President, two Vice Presi- dents, Treasurer, Secretary and Assistant. There is aiso an Advisory Board, consisting of one lawyer and two business inen.
Witbin ten months of the disastrous fire the present bullding was completed, with increased accommodations for occupants, but it was ac- complisbed only by the tireless energy of the Daughters, donations from our citizens, and the
962
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
valuable assistance of Mr. Charles W. Post. in the gift of $10,000. In consideration of this, and the fact that the site of the institution had formerly been the Post family home, it was voted by the corporation to name. the building "The Carrie Post King's Daughters' Home for Women"-a beantiful memoriai for the mother of the donor, Mr. Post.
The pledges of Circles being inadequate to the support of the Home, ali admission fees (which for several years were but one hundred dollars for each inmate) were afterward in- creased to two hundred and fifty dollars for residents of Sangamon County and five hundred for any one from an adjoining county, being placed in an endowment fund which now amounts to about fifteen thousand dollars. Within a short time a bequest of eight thousand has come into the possession of the Home by by the will of a lady of Mechanicsburg, Ill. It has been the aim of the Board of Directors to infnse into its management a spirit of home life rather than the rigid ruies of an institution, and to this end each occupant has a room, bright and cheery as possible, and furnished with rugs, bed, washstand, bnreau and rocker, but the occupant is encouraged to place therein what- ever she may desire to increase her comfort and contentment, and the various tastes are freely displayed. Several of the rooms are kept np as "memorials" by individuals or Circles. The "Carrie Post King's Danghters' Home," situ- ated on Black Avenue, at the entrance to Lin- coln Park, is one of our city's most attractive sights, and the twenty-two old lady occupants are always glad to receive their friends.
In a fine location on one of our most beautiful streets-Sonth Sixth-may be seen what were at one time two of Springfield's handsome res- idences now connected by a foot bridge toward the rear of the buildings. It is owned by the Roman Catholic church and known as "St. Jo- seph's Home for the Aged," where provision is made for both male and female occupants. This Home was established October 7, 1903-the first building having been purchased through the zealous endeavor of the Very Rev. Monsignore Hickey, V. G., and Rev. Father Hinssen, the money with which it was purchased having been bequeathed for that purpose to Rt. Rev. James Ryan, Bishop of Alton, by Mr. Thomas Brady, a former resident of Springfield.
In May, 1908, the Workman residence, south
of the Home, was purchased, and is reserved for women. Admission to St. Joseph's Home is not confined to rich or poor, yet it is expected that those able to do so will contribute accord- ingiy, but if unabie to pay, are not excluded.
The institutlou is under the care of the Sisters of St. Francis, and is partiy supported by dona- tions. To those who enter as charity patients, the Society of the "Catholic Woman's Coterie" gives valuable assistance in time and money. While non-sectarian as to those received, the spiritual needs of members of the Home are looked after by the Fathers of the Roman Catholic Church. No restrictions are placed upon the iumates, but strict temperance is re- qnired and the use of ail intoxicants is prohib- ited. From the opening of the Home until the present time one hundred and eight persons have been received, and there are now forty being cared for with eight sisters in charge.
Nor have onr colored citizens been overlooked by the charitable spirit of Springfield, for on South Twelfth Street is situated the "Lincoln Home for Oid People," ably managed by a board of some of the best women of the city where many colored people, male and female, realize that the closing days of their lives have been their best.
A comparatively new interest, now demanding the generous attention of the public is the "Lin- coln Manual Training School" for young people of the colored race, now in its second year. Aithough to Bishop Osborne, of the Episcopal church, is due the establishment of this school, it is by no means sectarian, its management having been selected from the various denom- inations. There is also a committee of twelve ladies, who visit and look after the condnet of the school in its various departments, as well as a committee consisting of three representa- tive colored men.
A large two-story brick building was bought and paid for by Eastern friends ; a competent Superintendent and his wife, with one female teacher, comprise the instructors-ali graduates of time school at Oberlin, Ohio. The course is very practical, including, for the boys, cleaning and pressing clothing, tailoring, shoemaking, carpentry, and painting, while the girls are in- structed in plain sewing, dressmaking. iaundry work, the art of making bread, and of whoie- some cooking, waiting upon the table, and what- ever goes to the rendering of excellent service,
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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
thns tending to the solution of the race prob- lem. During the first year a small tuition fee was required, but this is now free.
No sketch of our city would be complete with- out mention of the "Publie Charities," an Asso- ciation that has existed for several years and takes most efficient care of the poor and sick of the city. An effort is being made to secure a visiting nurse ; that office belng now temporarily looked after by the assistance of a nurse em- ployed by the Society for the "Prevention of Tuberculosis."
In addition to these larger Institutions, there are smaller societies, working quietly but no less efficiently, especially those of the Jewish women-two, I belleve, and well supported; for it Is conceded that the people of this faith are zealous in caring for their poor and sick.
There is also a "Rescue Home" most ably con- ducted by a Board of noble women, that has al- ready donc excellent and abiding work.
Time and space would not permit to give ac- count of Church and Mission work along this line, but surely Springfield, the capital city of the great State of Illinois, has much in which to rejoice.
ST. JOSEPH'S HOME.
(By Mother Superior Philomina of Sisters of St. Francis. )
St. Joseph's Home was established October 7, 1903, through the zealous endeavors of Very Rev. Monsignor Ilckey, V. G., and the late Rev. Father Louis Henssen. The Wabash Hospitai was purchased with money bequeathed for that purpose to Rt. Rev. James Ryan, Bishop of Alton, by Mr. Thomas Brady, formerly of Springfield.
Aged men and women who are not able to care for themselves or their homes may find a quiet home with the Sisters, who labor for the tem- poral and, as far as possible, for the spiritual welfare of those committed to their care.
The Home is for the aged, whether they be rich or poor. If they have property or means they are asked to contribute accordingly. On the other hand, If they have nothing, nothing is asked of them.
The institution is under the care of the Sis- ters of St. Francis of the Immaculate Concep- tion, with Mother Philomina as Superior, and is
supported throngh donations. The Catholle Women's Coterie Is giving valuable aid towards the support of those inmates who enter without means.
Tbe Home is non-sectariau. The religious services are Catholic but non-Catholle inmates are welcome, but not obliged to attend any services. There are no restrictions placed on inmates, those who can safely walk out may do so during the day. Under no consideration are persons addicted to intoxication admitted; and should any enter, they are dismissed immedl- ately : this rule Is rigorously observed. The condition of persons to be admitted is carefully examined and agreements are made accordingly.
From the time the Home was established until the following January sixteen Inmates were received. From tben, until the present time one hundred and seven have been cared for in the Home. At present there are thirty- nine inmates and seven sisters in charge.
May 15, 1908, the Workman residence adjoln- ing the Home on the south was purchased as an . addition, and is used exclusively for women.
The Home is beautifully sitnated on South Sixth Street in what Is probably the finest res- idence district in the city, and is a delightful place for old folks to spend the evening of their lives, ministered to by the assiduous and ever- watchful sisters.
There is a very nice chapel in the building. It is attended by priests from the church of the Immaculate Conception.
CHAPTER XLVII.
SOCIAL, LITERARY AND RELIGIOUS ASSOCIATIONS.
THE SPRINGFIELD WOMAN'S CLUB-ORGANIZED IN 1894 AS SUCCESSOR TO PHYSICAL CULTURE CLUB -ITS AIMS AND RESULTS IN EDUCATIONAL AND PHILANTHROPIC LINES-BENEVOLENT INSTITU- TIONS WIIICII IIAVE BEEN AIDED-SUPPORT OF THE MOVEMENT FOR "CITY BEAUTIFUL"-LIB- ERAL CONTRIBUTION TO Y. M. C. A. BUILDING- HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS AND OFFICERS FROM 1894
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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
TO 1910-YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION -ITS EARLY IIISTORY-MOVEMENT FOR THE ERECTION OF FIRST Y. M. C. A. BUILDING-SER- VICE OF WILLIAM F. BISCHOFF-NEW BUILDING MOVEMENT IN 1907 AND ENTHUSIASM WHICH SECURED ITS ACCOMPLISHMENT-LIST OF ACTIVE SUPPORTERS AND PRINCIPAL DONATIONS-DESCRIP- TION OF BUILDING-PRINCIPAL OFFICERS AND LINES OF WORK IN WHICH THE ASSOCIATION IS ENGAGED-YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIA- TION.
WOMAN'S CLUB. (By Mrs. Maude G. Palmer.)
.
The motto of the Springfield Woman's Club, "there is no knowiedge that is not power," has been the guiding principle of the organization ever since its earliest days. The knowledge that has been its possession bas made the club a power for good in the philanthropic and civic life of the community, to say nothing of its broad- enlng influence in art, literature and the home. The most prominent and influential women of Springfield bave been members of the club from the beginning and they have always worked together as a unit for the good of the club and all that it stood for in the uplift of their town and State.
The present Woman's Club is the outgrowth of the oid Physical Culture Club, which had grown too large and had become desirous of a wider field of usefulness. On May 26, 1894, a meeting was held at the Executive Mansion, and at this time the Springfield Woman's Ciub was organized, a constitution adopted and officers elected. The object was "mutuai counsel and improvement, and general educational, literary and philanthropic work." For the better ac- complishment of these objects, the club was di- vided into eight departments, each one fully officered and carrying out its own plan of work. The expenses for all departments were met by the general treasury of the ciub.
The departments at that time consisted of Education, Literature, Art, Music, Philanthropy, Physical Culture, Home and Domestic Science, and Social Life. The membership from the be- ginning was phenomenal and showed the interest that Springfield women took In all that pertalned to their own improvement and in thelr wider usefulness to the community at large.
The aim of the organization has always been to raise the standard of life, intellectually, mor-
ally, socially and economicaily, and its watch- word, "In essentials, unity ; in non-essentials, liberty ; in all things, charity," has been strictly adhered to. Absolute harmony has always per- vaded the deliberations of the club, with an en- tire absence of rivalry between the different de- partments, each enjoying whatever of success has come to the others.
The Literature Department of the club in those early days was under the same leadership that it has been in 1909 and 1910, that of Mrs. Christopher C. Brown, who this year has had the able assistance of Miss Mary Humphrey. For the first three years of the club's life, Mrs. Brown was the efficient and delightful leader of this department. During one of those years, as dur- ing the present one, the different literary socl- eties of the city took part in the program, either as a club or as represented by one of their mem- bers.
Mrs. E. S. Walker followed Mrs. Brown as Chairman, and took the department through phases of the Victorian era. This was Jubilee Year of Queen Victoria's reign, and the closing years of the nineteenth century offered a fruit- ful period for reviewing the past and making use of the lessons which the century had taught. The development of the newspaper, current liter- ature and art were the subjects under discussion this year.
With Mrs. H. P. Shumway' as the next chair- man, the department studied the History of Eng- land inost profitably. Mrs. Walker again took charge and gave an interesting year with the poets, which included a number of days wltb Springfield poets, artists and composers.
With Mrs. Shumway as leader a second time, and giving more attention to the art section of the department, the members enjoyed a most de- lightful year. In this connection a valuable col- lection of pictures, taken from the originals of Scribner's artists, was exhibited before the club, as also one of North American Indian handl- craft. Other members who have served faitb- fully in this department are Mrs. L. M. Castle, Miss Octavia Roberts, Miss Mary Humphrey (in charge of the Art Section), and Miss Mary Johnston.
For only one year did the Art Department exist as an independent section of the club, and that was the first year of the organization, when Mrs. Susan Lawrence Dana acted as chairman and to her is the club indebted for their badge which sbe designed.
.
Harry Hr. Wilson
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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
It is interesting to note that the first chairman of the Educationai Department is still Chair- man of that department at the present time. Added to that work now, however, is that of "Civics" which has come to mean so much in the last few years. More practical work has heen accomplished in this department than in any other during the present year, and the members of the club are much indebted to Miss Wilcox and to Miss Edith Matheny. Miss Wilcox has heen the leader of a most Interested class of women who have heen studying the needs of their own city, and doing faithful, practical work in the Juvenile Court. Miss Matheny has heen a most excellent leader for the History Class, which has studied the "Colonial Expansion of Europe" this winter with much pleasure and profit. These two classes have met every alter- nate Wednesday during the club year.
Among the subjects which have heen under discussion, at various times in this department, have been : The legal status of women in Illinois ; Manual Training for Girls ; Parliamentary Law ; The Needs of the Public Schools; The Higher Education of women; and Illinois History. The last named branch has been studied at two dif- ferent periods, once with Mrs. L. M. Castle, and later with Mrs. J. F. Bangs as leader and in- structor. Mrs. Bangs prepared a most valuable and interesting program of study, which hecame famous throughout Illinois in cluh circles, and the lessons were sent to almost every club in the State. Mrs. L. M. Castle, later President of the club, was chairman of the Educational Department for several years. Mrs. Harriet Tayior, Mrs. Alfred Baylis, Mrs. E. S. Walker, Mrs. J. Edward Bangs, Miss Grace Freeman and Mrs. C. W. Prouty also served in this ca- pacity at various times. .
The present splendid organization of the Springfield Associated Charities grew out of the interest developed in the Philanthropic Depart- ment of the Woman's Club, and no club in the State, we venture to say, has done more for charity than the Springfield Woman's Ciub. The department has been presided over by va- rious members in the capacity of chairman, hut Its object, as outlined at the first meeting, has never been changed. That object has been to make a study of sociology and to provide, as far as possible, suitable clothing for the chil- dren of the poor attending the public schools, and to forward any other philanthrople or char-
itable work. To this end each member of the cluh was asked to consider herself a member of the Philanthropic Department and to con- tribute two new garments annually. So every year since 1894 Donation Day in November has been a feature of the first cluh meeting, when hundreds of garments have heen donated for the poor. A shoe-fund is also an established custom, all cash received on Donation Day go- ing for this purpose.
The work of distribution, in the early days of the club, was done by the chairman, first hy Mrs. M. B. Converse, and then by Mrs. M. J. Stadden, hut afterwards through the Salvation Army and the Volunteers of America, in turn. The Associated Charitles has since become the medium through which these donations have heen made and the work has heen eminently satisfactory.
For many years meetings were held at the various homes at which fancy articles were made for sale, sewing done for the Home for the Friendless, and any other work which would assist in carrying out the object of the department. From time to time entertainments have been given which have netted the club large sums for philanthropic work.
In addition to Its regular work, the depart- ment has furnished and maintained a room at the Springfield Hospital ; furnished a dormitory at the Home for the Friendiess; contributed the first hundred dollars toward the endow- ment fund of the King's Daughters' Home for Aged Women; and given donations to the Col- ored Old Folks' Home; St. Joseph's Old Peo- ples' Home; the Orphanage of the Holy Child; the Ridgely Reading Room, and The Boys' Cluh. At the time of the erection of the new Y. M. C. A. building, the Woman's Club pledged $2.700, every dollar of which was paid.
Large cash donations have heen given to the Y. W. C. A. also. During the days of the Span- ish War, 250 bedticks were made and sent to Company C of the Fifth Regiment, and when the soldier hoys returned they were guests of honor at an open air dinner given them at Camp Lincoln hy the Woman's Club.
At the time of the San Francisco earthquake the club contributed liberally to the relief of the sufferers, as they did in 1909 to the people of Cherry, Ill.
Part of the expense of paving Monument Av- enue. the street connecting North Grand Avenue
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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
with Oak Ridge, our beautiful cemetery, was borne by tbe Woman's Ciub.
Many smaller charities, not meaning a great deal individuaily but in the aggregate totaling a large sum, may be credited to the club. Mrs. M. B. Converse, Mrs. M. J. Stadden, Mrs. Charles R. Armstrong, Mrs. F. P. Ide, Mrs. Arthur Huntington and Mrs. H. A. McKeene are some of the women who bave iabored long and faithfully at the head of this department.
For two years Mrs. H. P. Shumway served as Chairman of the Home and Domestic Sci- ence Department, when the home with aii its varied interests was studied, tbe mentai, morai and physicai weifare of the family considered, as also the architecture, illumination, heating and ventilating of the home.
With Mrs. E. A. Baxter the department studied honsehold economics, scientific temper- ance and sociai purity." At this time the Phys- icai Cniture became a part of this section and the name was changed to Home and Physicai Cniture Department, hut at the end of a year tbe Physicai Culture was dropped and the sec- tion resumed its old name of Home and Domes- tic Science.
It seems queer to the younger members of tbe ciub that Physicai Cuiture should have bad an entire department given over exciusiveiy to it sixteen years ago. The sane and rationai methods of living at the present time, our in- creased enjoyment of outdoor iife, botb in our sieeping and waking hours, and our broader mentai ontiook, aii tend to a generai physicai cniture which each one may enjoy without instruction.
Under the leadership of Mrs. E. A. Hali, a series of cooking lessons was given by Mrs. S. T. Rohrer, netting the ciub a considerable sum of money, which was turned over to its char- itahle work.
For the next year or two, instead of having one chairman serve for the whole year, a differ- ent one was appointed for each department meeting, and many interesting programs were provided by this section, including lectures, demonstrations of cooking and teas.
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