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 79
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requisites. These things, including the proper care, may be easily pro- vided in a public institution and the public thereby profit by the insutu- tion in the best sense of the word profit.
Elsewhere these institutions have been established and if there has been a failure in any place we have not heard of it. They seem to be generally successful ; so far as we have heard they have been universally successful. They cost little compared with the immense amount of good they do and it does seem that Grant county can afford this thing if other counties can.
Again, the sentiment, so far as we have been able to learn, is prac- treally a unit in its favor. Some of the heaviest of taxpayers, who have no Fear of the disease in their families, have declared themselves emphat ically for it. There seems to be no question as to this sentiment.
When it comes to measures for prolonging the lives of conserving the health of hogs and cattle, there seems to be no difficulty in obtain ing money for the purpose. The last legislature did not hesitate at twenty five thousand for hogy, although it did flunk five thousand a very large amount to devote to human babies. We trust that Grant county may develop no such distinction in this instance. The tuberculosis hospital has already demonstrated its usefulness and we ought to have it. Some day we shall have it; we ought to have it immediately. There is a demand for it and that domand is expressed in terms of human suffering. It does seem that it should be breded.
In a news feature entitled " Editorials by the Laity " was the fol lowing contribution which indicates the way the wind is blowing" in the realm of thinking :
By art of the legislature approved March 10, 1913. provisions have been made for the establishment and maintenance of hospitals in cach county for the care and treatment of persons afflicted with tuberculosis. This bill is the outcome of several years' investigation and study of the conditions and needs of such institutions.
In 1895 the legislature passed a resolution authorizing the governor to appoint a commission to investigate the need of such institutions and the efficiency of similar institutions in other states. The governor appointed this commission, consisting of five members, who after a full and careful inquiry made a report favoring the establishment of such institutions.
This report also confirmed the efficiency of the tuberculosis camps and hospitals in other states. Massachusetts established these institu- tions in 1896 and has since demonstrated that tuberculosis is a curable disease in patients taken in time and subjected to a strict regime of proper living and diet.
South Bend, Indiana, has for four years maintained a fresh air camp for the treatment of those infected. For two years this camp was sup- ported entirely by private subscription. Two years ago the county com- missioners of St. Joseph county, seeing the efficient work that had been done by this camp, made an appropriation for its support, and now. under the new law, have made provisions for its maintainance on a more extensive and permanent basis.
The Twin Hills camp at Terre Haute is another example of efficiency of fresh air, sunshine, rest, and proper diet in curing tuberenlosis.
Almost every county in the state is now active in this scientilie fight which is being made by the health authorities in Indiana.
Close inquiry as regards this disease in Grant county discloses condi- tions and farts that should awake us to our duty in the matter. Grant county contributed more than her share to the 3.872 deaths in the state caused by tuberculosis in 1912. and up till June 1, 1913, has exceeded
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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY
the number during the same period for 1912. That Grant county has done nothing in the past to combat this disease as other countries have, does not say that we are careless and indifferent, but it does reveal the faet that we have failed to realize that we are facing one of the greatest health problems that man has had to meet in all history.
Our physicians have realized this For a long time and have been doing their best to combat the disease under a terrible handicap. In the past they have found it a hard matter to create any public interest in the chronic rough, the flushed check and emaciated form of the consumptive. They have been compelled to keep these patients under observation in the home, where it is ahnost impossible to hold them to the striet regne of care and proper living.
Inquiry discloses the fact that there are many in Marion who have been successfully treated for this disease in their homes in spite of the fact that the fight has been a long one beset with many handicaps.
11 has been positively demonstrated that tuberculosis is a enrable dis- ease, so let us join in this state-wide movement to apply this enre that has proved successful.
Let us apply the cure we have which is effective, and if science has discovered a better and more effective one, let us apply that. Physicians throughout the world attest to the efficiency of the sunshine, fresh air and diet treatment, both for a cure and a preventative of tuberculosis. Careful and full investigation of years by the state health authorities disclose the fact that climate has but little to do in effecting a cure so long as sunshine, fresh air and rest are obtainable and the patient is sub jerted to a strict regime of proper living.
We have the sunshine and pure air in Grant county. The great state of Indiana has long since made ample provisions for her dependent and impotent ones as the occasion has demanded and proper institutions estab- lished as the problems worked out. What has to some seemed unneres sary delay or negligence of her duty to those afflicted with this great plague has bren occasioned by a careful inquiry and investigation that her needs might be met effectively. This act is the outcome, and at our command is precedence, information From other states, other counties, other cities, and other institutions to enable us to proceed to take imme. diate steps to provide an institution in Grant county for the care, study and cure of tuberenlar subjects.
The information at hand is sncb that the rost can be figured down to a mininnnn and it will not be great and should not be considered in the discharge of this duty to hundanity, the state and the nation. Let us at once take steps to establish a tuberculosis hospital camp and assist as a unit the other counties and the state in the work of safeguarding the health of our citizens.
It is freely prophesied that the following condition is not far in the future in Indiana and in Grant county :
Diseased persons will be barred from handling foodstuffs of any kind for the people of Grand Forks, North Dakota, under the terms of a sweeping order issued by the board of health. This order makes the employers liable to criminal prosecution if they employ any person who is afflicted with either a contagious or an infectious disease.
A new state law, just effective, provides that no person suffering from certain diseases, particularly enumerated in the law, shall be allowed to handle foods in stores, restaurants, bakeries, factories, etc. To make this new order effective the board of health will require employers to demand of their employes certificates of health. A thirty day period will be granted in which to adjust conditions, and at the end of that time a com- plete inspection of all food handling establishments will be made to determine whether or not the law is being obeyed.
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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY
There are a good many persons to whom this "butting in' by the government will be very objectionable, but it is only a part of the tendency of the times. The health of the people is a matter of vital public importance and everything of public importance is going to receive more attention than ever hereafter not only in North Dakota, but in north and south and east and west Indiana and central Indiana and in the same precincts in all other states. It is to be only a question of time, and a comparatively short time at that.
There is considerable talk of a tuberculosis hospital in Marion and some day there will be one. There is sufficient sentiment just now to justify it and as soon as this sentiment becomes crystallized and organized the hospital will become a fact.
While dealing with prophesy it has frequently been suggested that the site of the Grant County Children's Home now abandoned by the board of directors made up of philanthropie Grant county women would be an admirable place For a tuberenlosis hospital-high and dry, and isola. tion such an easy matter there. With county and city health officers alert, there is litle danger From spread of contagion of any kind. While the Grant County Hospital Association will perhaps not consider this Orphans' Home property, would prefer modern equipment built to order, it will be utilized in some way and perhaps as a Fresh air institution. There is ample room for colony buildings and tents, and Grant county always does keep up with other localities and local sunshine and air are both in abundance -- unadulterated quality.
LXXVIL. EMILY E. FLINN HOME
The Emily E. Flinn Home for Aged Women is a monument to the Twentieth Century Club, organized in 1889 by Mrs. Nancy Ellis Jay Helm, and when the home was finally open she became its matron. The Twentieth Century Club was limited to widows, philanthropie women who wished to bend their energies to some good purpose, and for a decade they were active along charity lines, cooperating with others and finally an industrial school was organized early in the new century - a most ase- ful work in behalf of young girls with busy mothers. Saturday after- noons were devoted to these girls, and they were taught sewing, making garments for themselves which, when completed, were given to them. These classes were taught by members of the club, and by other charit- ably inclined persons under their direct supervision, and the women of this club always agitated the question of a rest room in the basement of the court house.
Later it was decided to discontinue the industrial school, and all energies were bent toward securing a club house in the shape of a honte: for women. On February 21. 1899, with no money in sight except club dues and sustamed only by the courage of their convictions, the work was undertaken. The ambition of the club was to provide a home for deserving women who would spend their declining years there. Its loca- tion was determined by a gift of five acres of ground on West. Twelfth street by the late Peter Q. Flinn, and the building was created largely from funds from the Flinn estate, on condition that the home hear the name of his wife, Emily E. Flinn, who was a woman loved by all who knew ber. Ground was broken in October, 1901, the home was occupied the following August, and was formally opened October 13, 1905, when a great many people were in attendance.
"The women of the Twentieth Century Club have given freely of
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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY
their time, and so far as possible of their means to the work, but the great need of the home is an endowment fund that will furnish a regular income For its maintenance, and solve the problem of the future We read of large sins of money given by men of wealth to endow a chair, or build a chapter house For their alma mater, while somewhere, perhaps, somebody's mother, old and worn with the trials and conflicts of the world, is in sore need of the singde home comforts. . Surely in Grant county there are generous, warm hearted people on whom for tune has bestowed with lavish hand who could help the home cause, and make all the rest of life a blessing to themselves. It is the ultimate pur pose of the board to make the home not only a refuge for aged women, Init in its truest sense a home where they may not miss the quiet and cheer, and touch of refinement, " and in a published pamphlet the club acknowledges many courtesies from the community.
The Marion daily papers have always been delivered free and have kept the members in touch with the outside world, thus helping them to
THE EMILY ES. FINN HOME FOR AND WOMEN
pass many pleasant hours. So many donors ask that their bequests i; kept secret and winle Grand county women must pay an entrance he of $ 100, and those coming from outside the county pay $600, it is after all a charity. The age limit of enfrance is seventy years, and from fifty to seventy years is a time in the lives of many women when there is none upon whom they may leant for support There are rules and regulations, and yet there is seldom cause for discipline, only women being admitted who are lawabiding and pearcable citizens. There had been eight deaths from 1905 to 1912, and as soon as a room is vacant there are applications for it. There are several endowed rooms, the matron's own room being the gift of her children, either of whom would afford her shelter were she inclined to give up life's activities, but she comes of hardy pioneer stock that does not lay down the struggle until the end. Mrs. Hehn is a daugh. ter of Robert and Anna Ellis who came to JJonesboro early in the town's history.
The first woman to apply for membership in the Emily E. Flinn Home was Miss Hannah Bond, who declares she had not ontlived her usefulness, but the fortune of her family was such that she was alone in the world and she simply songht friendly shelter and society. Miss Bond has been
HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY
a resident of the county since 1864. She belongs to a Quaker imunty and was not a dependent woman at all. Although she is entitled to support, according to the conditions of entrance, she has always carned money with her needle, and all of it goes into the home treasmy. Miss Bond soon bought a cow that was the property of the institution, and with the assistance of the matron and other members who som times spend a little time quilting. this fund has reached almost $2,000, and not a cent has she claimed for herself. She has revenue sufficient for her individual bords pin money for herself -and she will leave additional property to the institution. While wach member has an interesting life history, the first woman to become a member has set all of them a pattern in industry. If Peter G. Klion had left all his money to this home it would have been will expended, as the crying need is for extension. It is a monument more enduring than granite to the memory of the woman who was loved by all who knew her. Mrs. Flim died in Marion, May 9, 1592, when only a little past sixty years old. She was a sister of S. M. Grands. No children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Plion, and the Flinn estate is perpetuated by trustees.
LXXVIII. Y. M. C. A. Y. W. C. A. AND BOY SCOUTS
The Young Men's Christian Association, the Young Women's Chris tian Association and Boy Scout movements have interested all Grant county, because the homes of the county contribute to them. The "Y" and Scout movements merge, naturally, while the young women have lately effected their organization, and operate independently. As soon as a boy is old enough to quit the scout organization he is eligible to "Y" privileges, and the Y. M. C. A. organized in Marion May 19 1891 has tilled a long fel want" in the community. It is an organization in which all Grant county is interested, and many people have contributed both money and service to it. "Better than off or gas. factory or mill, is this splendid enterprise. Every dollar the community invests in the plant will return dividends even beyond the reckoning of time. It is a sale investment, and those who have taken stock have no regrets " .laso- ciation history in Marion has taught the people that increased facilities have always meant expansion in usefitness.
The articles of incorporation of the Marion Y. M. C. A. as shown in the recorder's ofice, are signed by Elkanal Hulles. A. Jones. Malison Swadener. W. O. Anderson, S. Frank Jones, Oliver I. Keller, Merrill ( Meade. Wilson Addington, . B. Crosby, R. P. Hunter, Cyrus W. Moore, Joseph 1. Custer. R. W. Weaver. W. A. Mills, Lindley M. Overman, James C. Barker, John Wilson, Evan H. Ferrer, W. E. Heal, Frank Rybolt and A. B. Morrison. The first board of directors was selected at a meeting held in the temple ( Congregational ) on the evening of many 19, 1891, and the directors chosen were: Mr. Bulley. Mr. Jones, Mr. Keller, Mr. Addington, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Custer, Mr. Weaver, Mr. Mills, Mr. Overman, C. E. Webster, J. F. Carmichael and Mr. Anderson. The first general serretary employed was Edward Planett, who served until September 1, 1892, when he entered college. The next secretary was Frank M. Beard, who served until Inly 1, 1894, when he entered school and was sue ceeded by T. F. Judd, who remained more than one year. Mr. Plannett was again employed by the association, from June 17. 1895, to Septem- ber 1. 1896. when II. E. Coleman became local secretary. Frank Tingley served a short time and was followed by HI. P. Goddard. On August 1,
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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY
1898, came G. A. Morris, who was with the association through the stren- nous building experiences and remains in charge of the institution.
The Marion Young Men's Christian Association was the outgrowth of the " Marion Prayer Band." an organization of young Christian of all denominations with Verling W. Helm as its secretary Meetings were held in the temple and were attended by young men of all the churches. Mr. Helm, who was really the moving spirit of the association and the real founder of the Marion Y. M. C. A., went to China in association work and died there and memorial service was held in his honor when the body was returned to Indiana. He was born in Marion and his death in China was regarded as a loss to the world. The first home of The association in Marion was in the Kellar and Mead block, then it was removed to the Masonie builling, where the work was carried on until March, 189", when the present location was made association headquarters. When . Wood Wilson subscribed the first $1,000 toward the purchase price, and O. n. Keller gave a like amount, the finance committee had courage to press matters. There was a frame residence there when the pm chase was made, and a gymnasium was added. Finally the present magnificent structure was completed, and the dedication ceremony is tended over three days, October 1. 5, 6, 1905. The annual membership numbers about six hundred, who enjoy the privileges of the institution.
The Marion Y. M. C. A. investment is near $50,000, and when conser vation of citizenship and character are considered. the returns are unequalled in any other similar expenditure. Originally there was an auditorium and stage, but the space has been converted into dormitory use, and there is more revenue than from the auditorium. Now there are three dormitory floors in the building. The basement has a twelve foot ceiling over the physical examination room, bath rooms, lockers, swimming pool. lavatory, barber shop, boiler and fuel rooms, and the gymnasium has a deck even with the first floor where visitors may watch the performances. The entire basement is well ventilated. and it is one of the attractive divisions of the association enterprise. The first floor consists of a reception hall or lobby, with public reading room, amusement rooms and association parlors and the office of the secretary. "On this floor any man from anywhere will be welcome any day in the year. Special privileges are limited to members of the association." A night school is maintained. The class rooms and committee rooms are on the second floor, and the dormitorios have always been popular with young men away From home associations.
There have been some bequests and many memberships given as financial support from people who had home associations, and the Y. M. C. A. as an institution is a valuable asset to the community. Mrs. Mary Cary gave $500, and by compromise measures $3,000 were obtained from the Anderson Hogston estate, and in time there will be an radon- ment from the J. V. Sweetser estate, the Sweetser will providing for 1. It is constructed of brick and stone and trimmed with the best quality of buff Bedford limestone. If a church has collateral significance - and all real estate dealers point out churches and schools-nome forget the "class" given the community by its magnificent Y. M. C. A. building, among the best in Indiana. There has been college " Y" work in Grant county, the private edneational institutions all recogizing the value of Christian training in their curriclums, and the Marion Association sus- tains friendly relations with all of them.
The Boy Scouts of America was organized locally in 1911, and there are troops in Marion and Fairmount. Emory Brightman was the original Scout Commissioner in Grant county, and when he resigned W. II. Shaw succeeded him. The Rev. H. C. Colburn of the Congrega-
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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY
tional Temple was the original scout master in the county. The: movement has been popular with the younger boys, and when Reverend Colburn removed from the community. John W. Whaton siteredded to the position of local Scout Master. The Rev. W. C. Proctor, of the Fair mount Congregational church, instituted the movement there although Boy Scouts has no denominational significance at all Bach scout way 1 agree to do a kind act each day, and seunt literature is plentiful. provided for them. The Marion Scout headquarters are at the Con gregational church, and camp life and "hikes" have their part in the lives of local scouts. " Father" C. P. Riley is deserving of special revog nition as having done advance service in the interest of boys. Older people remember when the Riley Boys' Brigade was in existence, and how " Father" Riley used to devote his Sundays to them, taking them in numbers to different churches and finally building a boys' church adjacent to his home on West First street, siner used as a mission by different churches. The man was old, but his heart was young, and his interest in boys was unabated while he was able to look after them. His dream was an industrial school, and he always had boys about him. Some grownups remember his kindness to them when they were stall and rode in his wagon on Sundays with him. There have been special efforts in the interests of boys in different towns, but the Boy Scout movement has been the most popular of any concerted movement in Grant county.
There were twelve members of a Ways and Means committer the original board of directors of the Marion Y. W. C. A which was first agitated locally in 1912, this committer appointed by the Woman's Civic Dragne, as follows: Mrs. G. A. Osborn, president . Mrs. B. J Overman, Mrs. J. C. Haswell, Mrs. W. H. Charles, Mrs. E. G Caffee. Mrs W. A. Swanger, Mrs. E. L. Weesner, Mrs. O. M. Davis, Dr. Netta B Powell, Mrs. G. D. Lindsay and Mrs. Adelia %. Cage. When the Ways and Means committee Telt the need of more assistance it increased its mom ber from twelve to twenty-four members. and Mrs. Elizabeth Winchell, Mrs. R. A. Ileavelin, Mrs. J. W. Stephenson, Miss Estella Wolf. Miss Nice Dayis, Mrs. Lee Hall. Mrs. II. L. Cushwa. Mrs. E. O. Bender, Mrs. 11. N. Trueblood, Mrs. Harry Charles, Mrs. A. W. Leedy and Mrs W. C. Sturgis were named to cooperate with the original organization. Miss Jessie Peasley was chosen as a temporary secretary, her time of service being three months, and the first activity of the association was a cafeteria and rest rooms in the Spencer block on Bast Fourth street. which were well patronized from the opening day. The young women of Marion responded readily with membership dues, and the society has had an excellent beginning and its promoters are happy with results. It may enmlate its brother organization and sometime own its own home, but that is in the future. Miss Florence Stone was chosen see retary to succeed Miss Beasley, and the Camp Fire Girls is an adjunct very similar to the Boy Scout organization.
EXXIX. TEMPERANCE MOVEMENTS THAT HAVE TOUCHED GRANT COUNTY
The Century Dietionary says: "The temperance movement is a social or political movement having for its object the restriction of abolition of the use of alcoholie liquors as beverages," and when it comes to technicalities there is a difference between temperance and total abstinence. People may be intemperate other ways than in the
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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY
use of liquor, and it is in a narrow sense that temp rome be applied to moderation in the use of beverages alone. Temperam ds habitual moderation in regard to the natural appetites and parables both in drinking and eating, and it is said that in temperater restaurants temp eraure is about all one gets for his money
The first temperance agitation in the Emted States bem the year George Washington was elected president, and when of fron say they have heard temperance heures all their lives they no doubt speak the truth. That the evils of intemperater are as old a the ray is a stock assertion in the mouth of each orator, and Noah & a conspicuous example of the first drunkand. While there have been temperaure nu'e ments all over the world. some of the best results have been attained in the United States of America. It is said that Dr. Bengjanon Rush of Philadelphia, was the first writer condemning intemperance, and his dominant note was total abstinence through prohibition The first temperance work in the U'uited States was in the native af reaction
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