USA > Indiana > Grant County > Centennial history of Grant County, Indiana, 1812 to 1912 : compiled from records of the Grant county historical society, archives of the county, data of personal interviews, and other authentic sources of local information > Part 78
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LAXV. COUNTY BOARD OF CHARITIES AND CORRECTIONS MARION FEDERATED CHARITIES
While the original charitable organization in Grant county came 10 an untimely and unfortunate ending June 16, 1913, every man, woman and child was pained at the result and all were agreed that it was a wonderful group of unselfish women who constituted the board of directors of the Grant County Orphans' Home when it laid down its mantle and went out of existence. While its history is detailed in another chapter, the writer wishes to quote a fragmentary conversation overheard, that " Every one of those women deserves a crown- think of the years they labored, and without thought of compensation aside from the good they were doing, and how cheerfully business men used to respond to their call-would donate to the Orphan' Home because they had the greatest sympathy and confidence in its management. It. was strictly high grade charity, Christian work if you call a Christian one who does good deeds, and there were never more conscientious women, the very presence of some of them an inspiration, and no one ever charged them with wearing the garb of charity as a cloak." The 1912 Indiana Bulletin contains complimentary reference to the man- agement of the institution, and the ill timed publicity arising from alleged investigations was like a "burst of thunder from a clear sky," and the board of directors never recovered from the shock.
The nineteenth annual convention of the ludiana Board of Charities and Corrections was held in Marion, and it was a line opportunity for Grant county benevolently inclined persons to study methods of dis- peusing charity in the best manner. The convention was held in the First Presbyterian church, September 10 to 13, 1910, with parallel sections in other nearby churches, and many citizens availed themselves
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of the opportunity. G. A. H. Shideler is a member of the board, and while a resident of Fairmount Mrs. Daisy Barr was its secretary. The state board of charities has supervision of the whole system of public benevolences, and it must see that every inmate of every public institu tion receives proper care, that public Funds are properly expended, that public institutions are properly conducted, and the management protected from unjust criticism.
The board of county charities and corrections came into existener April 27, 1899, according to enactment in the Indiana legislature, and prior to that time township trustees had been er officio overseers of the poor with authority to grant temporary aid. When applicants becante permanent charges they were consigned to the county farm unless there was special dispensation in their favor from the county commissioners. There have been indigent families given support who remained at home, and invididuals were thus enabled to remain with their own families, But a trustee was not always acquainted with conditions and the system was frequently abused, with the result the county board of charities, with oversight of such matters. Grant county may have entertained angels unawares in entertaining strangers in the old way, and the aim is to profit in future by the mistakes of the past. There have been indigent persons consigned to the county farm who belong to other counties, and to other states-hence the need of organized charity. In many instances there was no record of who was aided, but the relief now extended is made a matter of record, and is my offered upon the recommendation of the board. Members of these charity boards in both county and state serve without compensation, only provision made for actual expense incurred, and the county has established an enviable record in the manner of handling its charity wards.
There are persons who by reason of age, infirmity and misfortune have a claim upon society and just as certainly as Grant conuty con- tributes to colleges and institutions of learning, it has another coferie that receives benefits from the county and state charitable and benevo lent institutions. While some go to universities others go to asyhans, and the institutions for the blind, deaf and dumb, and for other unfortu- nates are certainly helping hands held out by the charitable people of Indiana, even though provided through a system of taxation-all property owners having part in it. There are several asylinns for the insane and no community is wholly cammpt. Grant county has always sent its quota of boys to Plainfield, the reformatory there, but has there ever been a girl sent to Clermont? Younger prisoners go to Jefferson ville and older ones to Michigan City, and women are sent to prison in Indianapolis, There is an institution for Feeble Minded Children af It. Wayne, the Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Home at Knights town, and all unwittingly Grant county has contributed to all of these institutions - charities, for it is the good people of the commonwealth that provide them. When families cannot care for their unfortunates themselves, the state steps in and relieves them of the necessity. Grant county friends have always contributed to White's Manual Training Institute at Wabash, and Nathan Coggeshall, Mahlon Harvey and W. S. Eliott have been directors. In a sense the Soldiers' Home within the limits of Grant county is a national charity, as the home at. Lafayette is a state institution, and he comfort of the nation's defend- ers is assured within their friendly shelter. Local newswriters have always said members when speaking of those sheltered at the home, while inmates is the term applied to those sheltered in other institutions.
The county board of charities will continue its oversight of the Grant County Orphans' Homme as in the past, although it is now con-
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trolled by the county commissioners direct, and Saints' Rest. tho county farta on Walnut creek, the county jail and the different town boekups come under its care. The county farm is now managed by the superin tendent of the infirmary, although for several years the fields Were rented and the superintendent only had charge of the orchard and garden - there being several aeres devoted to truck used in the institu tion. The board makes quarterly visits to the institutions and the county jail, and annual visits to the lookups in the different lowas. The county provides fifty dollars for this expense, and the county jul is the only plare reached withont expense. This board is appointed by the circuit judge, and the 1915 organization is: Mrs. Julian Smith, prin- dent; Mes. Lena MeDougle, secretary, and Mrs. H. .. Paulus. Mrs. D. W. Long, Mrs. Nancy Winslow and G. A. Morris, Mrs. Smith has been a member of the board since 1902, and there is a saying that the tenure of office is for life or good behavior- and no one has as yet been forcibly removed -all serve cheerfully and without recompense, oaly the satisfaction that comes from the discharge of duty.
While visiting the charity institutions the board has always found commendable things as well as the necessity of offering suggestions and by all going in a body what one overlooks another sees, and rateful investigation is the result. When the county farm was changed from Franklin to Mill, the buildings were modern up-to date in the early nineties, but in a few years anything is relegated to the ancient history section. On September 9, 1905, there was a county piene at the county farm, and about two hundred and fifty persons were present. Amos W. Butler, secretary of the state board of charities, was the speaker, and he said he had never known of similar attempt in Indiana. There was a program, and one of the ummates was overcome by the misic and had to be taken to her quarters. It was Mrs. Smith who instituted the Christmas festivities there in 1910, and the inmates do enjoy the music and the gifts. Some of them have memories of honte life and Christmas among friends, and it cheers their hearts to receive such reminders. Although the description suits the locality, "Over the Hills to the Poor House" has given most people an inherent dread and yet the unfortunates fare pretty well there. Some one refers to 'the inmates of the poor house as God's forgotten folks, and this amomal Christmas program does bring sunshine into their lives. A short time after the county pienie at the infirmary in 1905, there was a public recep tion at the Orphans' Home in an attempt to have people know more about institutional life in Grant county.
There is certainly argument in favor of the work of the county board of charities, and the vagrant class has something to contend with where there is organization. Wanderlust is discouraged. and families say there are fewer handouts asked than under the old order of things when people dispensed charity independently. In one of the towns the bastile was condemned by the board, and soon afterward a commitnica tion was received inviting inspection again-a new lookup the result. When all the people are prosperous there is little demand for charity. The '$100,000 barth," as some have characterized the county jail. offers better accommodations to vagrants than some tax payers have at home, and the late Steve Golding will long be remembered by tax payers because he used to work the prisoners, grading roads and cleaning up the town, and it was work accomplished without expense to the county. The railroad tracks always lead ouf as well as into town, and where organized charity is encountered, vagrants do not farry.
The Marion Federated Charities was incorporated October 17, 1910, in order to more effectually combat with and counteract imposters.
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The federation has no capital stock and is not operated for pront the proceeds are used to stistain the organization. Its object is general and systematic relief, and its directors are : A. P. Butterworth. W. S. Simp- son, Mrs. F. I. Rigdon, Mes. C. H. Overman, Mrs. Lee Hall, Miss Charlotte Alden, Mrs. E. A. Bundy, Miss Carrie Fruchey, Mrs. R. D. Hunter, A. E. Stuart. M. B. MeFeely and Hugh Timberlake Gary. When the Marion Federation came into existence Rev. George P. Tor- renee was president, and M. M. Elliott. secretary. Res. tury sue- reeded Rey. Torrence, and Miss Estella Wolf succeeded Mr. Elliott as secretary. When Miss Wolf resigned. Mrs. Rigdon was acting seere- tary until Mes. Julian Smith was chosen to the vacancy. Miss Harriet Oakley succeeded Mrs. Smith when other duties required all of her time. The Federation is inclined to help people to help themselves, and when an applicant can be given a place to earn his support it is better iban charity. The indigent class soon hecomes dependent when encour- aged. The secretary must use discretion, and the local organization is in effect a labor bureau-an employment agency.
The Marion Federated Charities has always Fostered every good movement, and the Mation Play Ground Association is a direct out- growth of its elfort. Its official roster is: Miss Alice Goldthwait, presi- dent; Miss Alive Davis and Mrs B. C. Date, vice presidents; Aliss Mlna Johnson, secretary, and E. D. Kinnear, treasurer. Other directors chosen by the president are Mrs. J. l. McCulloch. Miss Ada Wright, W. H. Shaw, Elza Modlin and H. 1. Cushwa, and the sewing school, which is entering its third year, is another product of the federation. Tag day has been a popular way of raising Funds for the use of the Federation, and all who pay fl are enrolled as members. The first ofli- cial Tag day was Novendar 5, 1910 -a fag given as a receipt for any contribution, and the response has met the requirements. The Progress Club is a social organization among the Jewish women with charity as its avowed purpose, and yet it affiliates with the Federation. While "charity ball" always somids like a misnomer, funds are often raised by societies in that way. Sometimes it is the end in view that counts, and none will question the response of the federation in the hour of need as in the 1913 Easter flood. By cooperation much damaged prop- erty was restored. and immediate relief was the essential feature. There was a special relief station, and there was system in all the details.
LXXVI HOSPITALS IN GRANT COUNTY
The popular understanding of the word hospital in this locality is different From the dictionary definition, people feeling like the hospital is an expensive experience-that it costs money to have appendicitis, or to be a victim of the surgeon's blade. Webster says the hospital is a building appropriated for the reception of sick, infirm and helpless paupers who are supported and nursed by charity, but that phase of life is not much in evidence in Grant county. There are no denomina- tional hospitals, although sisters of charity and deaconeses are some- times recognized by their garb, and one instinctively thinks of such institutions as maintained by them in cities.
The pest honse outside the city limits north on the Lagro road --- properly speaking, the detention hospital agrees better with Webster than does the Grant County Hospital at Twentieth and Washington streets. There are nine acres of orchard and garden surrounding the
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detention hospital, and an imume family usually lives there, main taining an open door for unfortunates exposed to contagion, although a striet system of quarantine relieves the situation, and many infections diseases are controlled without the patient leaving home for the treat ment. There is a department at Saints' Rest, the county farm, where incurables are maintained behind closed doors, under "lock and key," and in a sense the Emily E. Flinn and the Orphans' Home are charity institutions where those in need of nursing and medicine are given such attention. There are public and private charities, but the hos pital is not necessarily a charity. Some one has spoken of the hospital as the helping hand held out to society, and really it is an outgrowth of the Christian religion, although enterprising citizens sometimes operate hospitals on a basis of profit. There are gold cures galore, and Keely institutes have flourished in Grant county-the patronage not necessarily limited at all. The Neuropathie Sanitarium on Second street offers treatment in connection with baths, and patients reside there temporarily as in the regular hospital. The Christian Science healer, the osteopath and chiropractie "doctor" recognize alike the advantage of good nursing, and the hospital serves an excellent purpose in the community.
The hospital is a sort of an auxiliary to the medical doctor, and the surgeon frequently makes of it a life saving station. There is a hos pital in connection with the Soldiers' Home seldom shown to visitors. those seeking its refuge requiring absolute quiet and only relatives or personal friends sce them there. None but soldiers are admitted. riti- zen soldiers frequently taking advantage of the opportunity for treat ment there, and a corps of nurses and assistants are always in attend- ance, outside help frequently being employed there. The home doctors who have outside practice cannot admit patients to the home hospital. but they frequently send patients to the Grant County Hospital where any doctor is allowed to practice-treat his own patient. The Grant County Hospital was incorporated March 24, 1910, with A. P. Butter- worth, president ; H. M. Elliott, secretary, and R. J. Spencer, treasurer, there being a community movement at the time to perpetuate the insti tution that had been operated for several years by the Marion Hospital Association. When the Marion Hospital was established in the 90s, it was operated at first in the J. M. Barnard residence on Sonth Wash ington street, Mr. Barnard furnishing the property and being equally interested with Dr. T. C. Kimball in the enterprise.
At the end of a year the Lytle property was purchased. Dr. Kim ball was connected with the hospital a number of years, Dr. G. D. Kim ball having active control of it, and since that time additions have been made to the original residence property and there are accommodations there for more than twenty patients. The only time the hospital capar ity was seriously overtaxed under the present management was July 7, 1912, when ten injured persons were received from the wreck on the M. B. & B. car line to Goldthwait Park, and cots were placed in the halls for some of them. It was already a full house, but emergencies must be met, and suffering must be relieved when possible, and the Grant County Hospital is first in the publie mind when accidents occur. The city of Marion pays $500 a year for one bed in the Grant County Ilos- pital and pro rata for over time, and in that way it is a charity, as none are turned away on account of inability to pay. The township trustees send patients for treatment, and under the organized system of chari- ties medical or surgical aid is withheld from no one at all. There are always more applicants for treatment than can be accommodated, and many are refused because of lack of accommodations-but emergency
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cases are always taken care of -- the true mission of the hospital being first aid to the injured. While all reputable physicians order patients there, the surgery is limited to few practitioners -specialists betting mit attendance or at all times available. There are from ten to fourteen resident student nurses, and when an apprentice has served three years in the hospital she is graduated with a chiploma and goes out doing sinn. lar service in private, many hospital graduates establishing themselves in an excellent business. Physicians always recommend eficient nurses and people have come to think of careful nursing as essential
While a nurse is in training she has little expense and is allowed $5 a month for incidentals. The training fits her for efficiency in a home of her own or as a professional, and nurses who finish from the Soldiers' Home Hospital are given similar credentials. Grant county has furnished efficient women on the battle field. Mrs. Susannah Clark. of Jonesboro, having been an army nurse in the Civil war and Miss Alice Kemmer, of Sims township, rendering special service in the Philip pines as an army nurse. Miss Kommer had her mitial experience at the Soldiers' Home Hospital, and she has been honored with special medals from the goverment. When the Marion Hospital went into the hands of a receiver JJ L. Hoover secured the property, and the Grant County Hospital Association leases the building from him. When it was organ- ized in 1910 there was a membership fee of to a year, but that amount was only collected two years, as it was on a self sustaining basis, and the annual dues was reduced to $1, and there are only about seventy-live who continue paying them. There were one hundred and eighty Your persons originally who paid $5, and since the hospital is self sustain- ing the directors have no desire to make of it a county institution, although it was incorporated in the name of the county with the ulti- mate thought of the commissioners buying it. There is no political pull under the present management, and since the articles of incorporation do not allow of profit, inasuch as there are no paid officials. there is little opportunity for graft connected with it.
Some apprentice nurses become efficient quickly, and when sent out on special assignments they receive better wages than the stipulated amount for hospital service. Under its present management the Grant County Hospital meets all bills when due, and it has a bank account all of the time. The accumulated funds are used in defraying expenses of indigent patients and for making necessary improvements. It is esti mated that about ten per cent of the patients received are charity wards, the expense of the hospital being collected from patients, there being regular fees from the rooms and service offered, and many pro- ple prefer the hospital to home accommodations. There is a voluntary membership in the hospital association, and when ammal payments lapse the membership is at an end. It is controlled by a board of directors having fifteen members, although the immediate control is vested in an executive committee of six members, the official roster and three women, Mrs. Lewis Aach, president of the Woman's Auxihary to the hospital association, and Mrs. Lee Hall and Mrs. G. A. Osborn, being the present representatives. ' Aeseulapius has many patrons, and the Grant County Hospital is a valuable adjunet to society.
The board of directors in the Grant County Hospital Association is J. C. Haswell, Leo Nussbaum, J. T. Giles, HI. M. Elliott, W. IL. Charles, C. O. Bechtol, W. A. Fankboner, A. P. Butterworth, Mrs. N. B. Powell, Mrs. C. M. Stewart, Mrs. Carrie J. Dunn, G. A. Osborn, E. O. Ilarrold, J. W. Kelley and R. J. Spencer. When the hospital board organized it immediately leased the Marion Hospital property, buying some of the equipment outright, and it will be operated there until Vol. 1-35
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such time as it comes into ownership of hospital property. R J. Spencer has offered to donate a site on Wabash avenue, and the board may some time avail itself of this liberal offer. While the Grant County Hospital is classed as a charity it is a self sustaining business venture- a gratify- ing fact to those connected with it. Only publie spirited citizens take hold of enterprises that do not pay dividends. and the management of the tirant County Hospital is in the hands of men and women interested in the welfare of the entire community.
As an index to the trend of popular thought on the subject of dis- ease which renders the hospital a necessity. some clippings are used in this article, rather in the nature of advance portrayal of conditions, and yet all that is promised will in time be a realty. It is a hourly adage : "An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.' but it has lost none of its truthfulness. It is said that more people die of tuberculosis in Grant county than of all other diseases. It used to be called consumption and its vietims had no possible ray of hope until fresh air enthusiasts brought it to them.
The Grant County Medical Society and especially some of the fore most Marion physicians did the community an excellent service by bringing Dr. .. N. Hurty, state health official, to Marion for a popular lecture on methods of preventing the ravages of tuberculosis, March 31, 1908. Standing room was at a premium in the First Presbyterian church long before time for the lecture, the citizens of the town and coltdy were so interested in the subject. It was an illustrated lecture and later it was repeated in the Fairmount Friends church at the instance of Fair mount physicians, and nothing could have been more chective in awak; ening the people to methods of checking tuberculosis in the county. The club women of Marion later had Dr. Helen Knabe, who was Dr. Hurty's assistant, deliver a health lecture before the federated clubs in the Marion library, and Dr. Nettie Bainbridge Powell and many men of the medical fraternity have delivered frequent lectures in the county of an alueational health character, with the result that people are no longer entirely disheartened when lung troubles develop, but take immediate measures to stamp out the difficulty. Out of door living, sun parlor- and sleeping porches-all these methods of combating the disease have been known in tirant county since that memorable lecture delivered by Dr. Hurty, and a different architecture prevails, ventilation the one dominant purpose in home construction-air and sun light.
Not so many die from the white plagne, and not so many wear them selves out in search of health and strength since they understand that Grant county air properly utilized has health restoring properties. And this newspaper agitation is an excellent feature, as is indicated in the following editorials and less dignified communications :
Public health measures not only prevent a great deal of suffering and prolong a great many lives bmi in the Jong rim they save money This should be sufficient to give such measures a standing even in the minds of those who think of nothing but dollars and reuls in connection with such movements.
A contribmior to today's Chronick calls attention to the law provid- ing for a tuberculosis hospital and advocates the establishment of one in this county. The author of the article has become greatly interested in this matter; he has informed himself as to the provisions for such an institution and also as to the results that have followed them elsewhere. Ile thinks that the results justify the measures. We think he is right.
It is generally coneeded now. as he says, that pulmonary tuberculosis is not an inherited disease and that if taken in time it is curable. Fresh air and sunshine and plenty of good food and proper attention are the
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