Standard history of New Orleans, Louisiana, giving a description of the natural advantages, natural history settlement, Indians, Creoles, municipal and military history, mercantile and commercial interests, banking, transportation, etc., Part 46

Author: Rightor, Henry, 1870-
Publication date: 1900
Publisher: Chicago : The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 808


USA > Louisiana > Orleans Parish > New Orleans > Standard history of New Orleans, Louisiana, giving a description of the natural advantages, natural history settlement, Indians, Creoles, municipal and military history, mercantile and commercial interests, banking, transportation, etc. > Part 46


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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444


STANDARD HISTORY OF NEW ORLEANS.


of militia. "But who in the name of Mars was this colonel of militia ?" demands Dr. Castellanos, from whose interesting address before the Alumni Association of the Charity Hospital, April, 1897, this account is condensed; "or with what propriety could a military personage be made to assume charge of a civil hospital in time of peace, and under a form of government so totally different from the preceding?" Four years of contention and indecision passed and found the vexed question no nearer to a solution than at the beginning of the controversy, when suddenly Fate intervened. On the night of September 23rd, 1809, the Charity Hospital of St. Charles went up in the flames of a great conflagration. Rescued from the burning building by the strenuous efforts of Mayor Mather, the unfortunate patients were temporarily quartered on the upper gallery of the City Hall, whence they were, within twenty-four hours, transferred to the planta- tion of Mr. Jourdan, below the city, one-half the residence being surrendered to them in consideration of a monthly rental of $125. Here they fared but badly, being without bedsteads and blankets, and at times lacking the barest necessities of life. Nor was their condition improved when, after six months, Mrs. Jourdan wishing to resume possession of her entire house, they were again removed to the La Vergne residence. But still the contest went on, Mrs. Castillon relinquishing none of her claims to the patronage of the hospital, pitiable wreck though it was, and while clinging to them with one hand, holding out the other for the "sub- sidies" which she alleged the city had formerly allotted to the institution. The matter was carried before the Legislature, but before a decision could be reached the researches, which were still being pursued among the original documents relating to the hospital, brought to light a circumstance of a startling, and almost scandalous character. A comparison of the original inventory of property belonging to the hospital with a second one drawn at a later date showed that the first list had been tampered with, that there were no longer any slaves attached to its service, that its property was rented at exceedingly low prices, and was for the most part in a decay- ing condition, although the Almonaster estate was actually indebted to it to the amount of $6,344, a sum more than sufficient to cover the cost of repairs and reno- vation. This revelation created much excitement. It was proposed by the city authorities to sell the rentals and other possessions of the hospital at public auction, and altogether such a pother was kept up about the matter, that the lady patroness, seeing little hope of ever again enjoying peaceable possession of her assumed prerogatives and the honor and distinction flowing from them, finally offered to relinquish to "a public corporate body" all rights in the hospital, in


445


STANDARD HISTORY OF NEW ORLEANS.


consideration of being put in possession of the property situated in the basement of her actual residence, which she proposed to redeem for the sum of $18,000. This was subsequently increased to $20,000, and on the 9th of March, 1811, Mrs. Castillon and her curatrix formally relinquished "all the rights and privileges previously conferred by his Catholic Majesty upon Don Andres Almonaster y Roxas, with reversion to his heirs, direct or collateral."


On the 23d of April of the same year the Legislature passed a special act providing for a thorough organization and administration of the Charity Hospital, making the Governor of the State ex-officio president with power to appoint six administra- tors, the city council appointing three of its own members for the same purpose. The act was not welcomed by the council, which for reasons of its own, connected apparently with the maladministration of the sum of $20,000 received from the former patroness, passed a resolution opposing the measure, and it was only in November upon an order from the superior court directing the president and members to appear and show cause why a writ of mandamus should not be issued against them to enforce compliance with the act, that they appointed the three members as required. No agreement between the administrators and council could be arrived at, however, with regard to the settlement of accounts, or even as to the site upon which the hospital should be rebuilt, and after more than a year of inharmonious jangling, the board resolved to petition the Legislature for an authorization to abandon all their control over the institution in favor of the City Council of New Orleans. This abandonment was finally effected in 1814, and the council at once entered upon negotiations for the purchase from the city of the square bounded by Canal, Common, Dryades and Baronne streets, and in 1815 the "Hospice des Pauvres" of Jean Louis, the sailor, entered upon the third stage of its evolution as the New Orleans Charity Hospital.


In 1830 the square and building were purchased by the State for the Univer- sity, and the hospital was removed to its present location on the square bounded by Common, Gravier, Freret and Howard streets, one of the largest squares in the city, measuring 450 feet on Common and Gravier streets, and 420 on the side streets, and containing about four and a half acres. The central building alone was. erected at that time, but from this the hospital has branched out in every direction until it not only covers the entire square, but has outgrown its limits. A wing was added on the left, then another on the right; then came rooms on the Howard street side for the employees, kitchen, laundry, etc., the engineer's department on Gravier street, the lying-in hospital at the corner of Gravier and Freret. In 1881


446


STANDARD HISTORY OF NEW ORLEANS.


outdoor clinics were established, in 1884 a separate building was opened for women and children, and one for the pathological department. The ambulance service was added in 1885, a new building being erected for it opposite the hospital, on Tulane avenue. In 1890 two new operating rooms were added to the old amphitheatre, and in 1891 a new building for clinics for women and children was erected on Tulane and Locust, and another for men on Tulane and Howard. The most recent addition is the Milliken Memorial Hospital for Chil- dren, built by Mrs. Deborah Milliken, as a monument to her deceased husband. This building, which is separated from the hospital by Locust street, cost about $100,000, and ranks among the most complete hospitals for children in the United States.


The following table shows the number of admissions, discharges and deaths from 1832 to 1893 :


YEAR.


Remaining.


Admitted.


Discharged.


Died.


YEAR.


Remaining.


Admitted.


Discharged.


Died.


1832


309


2,170


1,703


568


1866


640


9.329


8,108


1122


1833.


169


3,851


2,617


1114


1867


738


8,612


7,260


1438


1834.


262


5,841


4,745


1052


1868


637


4,981


4,365


490


1835.


265


6,205


4,999


1226


1869


660


6,177


5,327


783


1836.


222


4,754


4,163


585


1870.


717


7,837


6,764


1118


1837.


228


6,103


4,640


1420


1871.


672


6,671


5,730


891


1838


271


4,687


3,890


683


1872.


700


5,541


4,846


825


1839


239


4,833


3,611


955


1873.


570


5,090


4,124


993


1840.


267


5,041


4,370


619


1874.


543


5,231


4,360


860


1841.


314


4,380


3,093


1156


1875.


554


4,945


4,121


753


1842


..


4,404


3,516


761


1876.


525


5,690


4,780


742


1843.


5,013


3,672


1041


1877.


693


6,002


5,290


805


1844


5,846


5,059


713


1878.


600


5,878


4,615


1120


1845


383


6,136


5,446


563


1879.


604


5,248


4,390


693


1846.


401


8,044


7,074


855


1880.


643


5,527


4,140


658


1847


427


11,890


9,369


2037


1881.


534


5,843


4,351


825


1848.


829


11,945


10,010


1897


1882.


559


6,980


5,375


805


1849


609


15,558


12,133


2745


1883


668


8,152


7,134


1013


1850


719


18,476


15,989


1884


1884.


620


7,280


6,245


985


1851.


18,420


16,777


1871


1885.


647


6,143


5,212


1005


1852


18,035


15,057


2098


1886.


550


5,807


4,764


960


1853.


13,759


10,733


3164


1887


639


5,360


4,336


941


1854.


13,192


9,976


2702


1888.


722


5,389


4,590


870


1855


2,192


9,701


2391


1889


651


5,794


4,928


920


1856.


9,432


8,601


974


1890.


642


6,083


5,015


1023


1857.


8,897


7,914


1017


1891.


686


6,706


5,634


1028


1858.


572


11,137


8,993


2290


1892.


713


7,735


6,573


1135


1859.


644


12,775


11,257


1321


1893.


786


8,330


7,073


1184


1860.


730


14,000


12,257


1390


1894.


780


9,064


7,927


1143


1861.


891


8,665


7,918


798


1895


712


9,812


8,485


1423


1862


. .


6,016


5,532


719


1896


868


8,816


7,518


1142


1863.


418


5,043


4,202


688


1897


651


7,281


6,447


1051


1864.


373


4,861


3,999


812


1898.


669


7,734


6,599


1117


1865.


423


6,466


5,580


669


Grand total of Admissions


.514,931


Grand total of Discharges


431,120


Grand total of Deaths.


75,357


Mortality


14 per cent


Since 1834, the hospital has been under the charge of the Sisters of Charity.


447


STANDARD HISTORY OF NEW ORLEANS.


The United States Marine Hospital was established in 1802, but no building was then erected. The President was authorized by Congress to appoint a "director," and Dr. William Barnwell was appointed under the title of "physician and surgeon," with instructions to purchase in Philadelphia the necessary medical supplies for the equipment of a hospital. In the absence of a suitable building the sick were cared for in the Charity Hospital, an arrangement which continued until 1837, when the sum of $70,000 was appropriated by Congress for the con- struction of a hospital. The site chosen was near the river, just above the line dividing Orleans and Jefferson Parishes, and consisted of a square of ground 350x350 feet. The building was of brick, 150x78 fect, and three stories in height. When completed by the additions ordered in 1844 and 1847 it had cost $130,000. In 1855 it was determined to build a new hospital, and a plot of ground containing about five acres and located about a mile from the river in the rear of the city was purchased at a cost of $12,000. A fire-proof, iron structure was begun, consisting of a main building three stories in height, and two wings of two stories. After an expenditure of over half a million dollars, the authorities dis- covered what the townspeople had known from the beginning .- to-wit, that the distance from the river and the swampy nature of the ground made the location entirely unsuitable as a location for a hospital of any kind, and particularly for sick sailors. Work was therefore discontinued, and the unfinished building and grounds were finally sold for $25,000, after having served for some years as a colored orphan asylum under the auspices of the Frecdmen's Burcau.


In 1882 Congress authorized the construction of a new hospital, for which was purchased, at a cost of $35,000, a plot of twenty-two acres of batture land on Tchoupitoulas street, between Henry Clay avenue and State street, which had formerly been cultivated as an orange plantation. The buildings consist of three wooden one-story pavilion wards, with a capacity for 100 patients, an executive building, a house for the surgeon, the old plantation house and cabins, a lodge house, and a stable. In 1896 an electric plant was constructed for the lighting of the premises, and also a steam laundry. Congress has recently appropriated $5,000 for the erection of a new amphitheatre.


The Howard Association of New Orleans deserves commemoration, and though they had no permanent hospital, their work among the indigent sick in times of epidemic connects them naturally with the subject of hospitals. This association dates its actual existence from the epidemic of 1837, though it was not legally incorporated as a chartered institution until 1843. Among the most


448


STANDARD HISTORY OF NEW ORLEANS.


active promoters of the organization were Farquhar Matthews, its first president ; Virgil Boulmont, its secretary ; Thomas W. Morgan, J. W. Andrews, G. Henscheidt, J. P. Breedlove and F. W. Leslie. The charter was to extend over twenty-five years, at the end of which period, unless renewed, the funds and property in possession of the association were to revert to the Charity Hospital. As an illustration of the good work accomplished by the organization it may be stated that during the epidemic of 1853 over $150,000 were disbursed, and 11,000 sick and destitute persons relieved. In 1865 the charter was renewed, and during the epidemic of that year 5,000 persons were cared for at an expenditure of $78,000.


The Touro Infirmary owes its origin to the generosity of Judah Touro, who left a bequest of $40,000 for the endowment of an almshouse in New Orleans. The Touro Infirmary Society was incorporated in 1854, and a hospital was established in a small building at the corner of Levee and Gaiennie streets, which formed a part of the property bequeathed. The institution was found too small for the growing demands made upon it, and in 1881, a consolidation having been effected between the Infirmary Society and the Hebrew Benevolent Association, a lot of ground was purchased on Prytania street above Louisiana avenue, and the three large buildings were ready for occupation by January, 1882. In 1899 Julius Weis donated to the Infirmary the generous sum of $25,000 for the purpose of erecting a new building on the grounds designed for the aged and infirm. A Ladies' Sewing Society greatly aids the institution, which is now one of the finest and best equipped in the city.


The Southern Hospital Association was established in 1866, for the purpose of providing artificial limbs for Southern soldiers maimed during the war, and otherwise caring for them until they were able to maintain themselves. Up to 1868, 800 soldiers had been relieved by this institution, and others had been assisted in obtaining situations as teachers, or as managers of farms. The resources con- sisted entirely of individual contributions, and of the proceeds of fairs held by the women of New Orleans and Mobile for its benefit. In 1868 the sum had reached the figure of $80,000, of which $25,000 remained in hand. The hospital was situated at No. 319 Carondelet Walk, and contained at the time mentioned, forty- seven inmates. As the war receded the necessity for such an institution gradually diminished, and at length it ceased to exist.


The New Orleans Sanitarium and Training School for Nurses was established about fourteen years ago, principally through the efforts of women of the city. The original purpose of the organization was to afford a school in which women


449


STANDARD HISTORY OF NEW ORLEANS.


could receive the training necessary to enable them to adopt the calling of nurse as a profession. In order to afford the proper facilities for instruction, a Women's and Children's hospital was founded in connection with the school, both insti- tutions being located on St. Joseph street, near Carondelet. In 1893 the women who had hitherto conducted them surrendered the twin institutions to a corporation composed of about thirty of the prominent physicians of the city, and with the change of management the name was changed to the one it now bears. It is, in fact, a private hospital for both sexes, and a model school for a limited number of nurses, the management being thus able to select only the best of the applicants. In 1894 the institution was removed to its present quarters, No. 731 Carondelet street, to a building provided with modern improvements and furnishings. It is now one of the best training schools in the United States, possessing the prime quality of selectness, together with the age and experience attaching to it as a pioneer institution.


The New Orleans Polyclinic owes its existence to a small number of ear- nest men, who, realizing the need for an institution of the kind, formed a corpora- tion in 1887, with Dr. J. H. Bemiss as president. The organization provided itself with a home at the corner of Canal and Liberty strects, which it occupied until 1895, when the present modern building at the corner of Tulane avenue and South Liberty was erected by the members without external aid. In every way adapted for the purposes to which it was destined, this building is at once an ornament to the city, and an example of the enterprise of medical men.


The session of the Polyclinic lasts more than half the year, and is attended by medical students from all parts of the country. It enjoys all the advantages afforded by the Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital, and has, by act of Legislature, full use of the wards and outdoor clinics of the Charity Hospital, besides which free consultations are given every afternoon at the Polyclinic itself for the benefit of the poor. The faculty numbers eleven professors and about twenty assistants, all representatives of the profession in New Orleans and the South.


The Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital is one of the noblest charities in New Orleans. It was instituted in 1889 for the benefit of patients too poor to pay for the services of a physician. It is under the management of a board of trustees, consisting of thirty-three members, three of whom are ex-officio, as belonging to the city government. The doors of this hospital were first thrown open on Dec. 5, 1889, at South Rampart street. In 1892 the building and ground at No. 203 North Rampart strect were purchased, and the hospital removed to that


450


STANDARD HISTORY OF NEW ORLEANS.


place. During the first year of its existence 4,816 persons were treated ; there were 627 operations, and 38,016 consultations.


In 1894, when the discovery of Dr. Koch's serum for the treatment of diph- theria was announced, a committee was appointed consisting of Dr. De Roaldes, surgeon-in-chief, James T. Hayden, and Julius Weis, with power to deal with the question of securing serum for the purpose of experiment. A sufficient sum of money was obtained, and on January 15, 1895, it was reported that every claim made for the anti-toxine had been sustained.


From the date of its establishment up to November 30, 1899, there have been treated, in the eye department, 23,062; ear, nose and throat department, 26,896; dermatological department, 365 ; dental department, 724; total, 51,047, an average of 4,641 per year. The white persons treated numbered 35,882; colored, 15,165. The entire number of consultations to the same date was 345,304.


The Hotel Dieu, originally called Maison de Santé, was opened in the year 1852, by four Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul from St. Joseph's, Em- metsburg, Maryland, Sister Teresa Sherridan being Superioress. The Maison de Santé, the nucleus of the present well known Hotel Dieu, occupied the premises of Dr. Warren Stone, whose friendship for the Sisters, and support of their estab- lishment, ceased only with his noble life. For some years the institution was carried on in its original location. Slowly but surely the humane work gained prominence, until it became evident that in justice to its many patrons, a more commodious building must be provided. Then was the project for the erection of the present Hotel Dieu formed and carried into effect.


In 1858 the Sisters transferred their patients from the old Maison de Santé to the present Hotel Dieu, as it was determined that the institution should hence- forth be styled. Since that date, the good work has steadily continued to enlarge its opportunities of service to suffering humanity. From time to time needful addi- tions have been made, until to-day it holds an honorable place among institutions of like character, not only of the South but of the United States.


Among the late movements of special interest made by the Sisters in charge are the surgical operating rooms, in which are afforded facilities for realizing the crowning success of this grand era of surgery-asepsis.


The institution is happy and proud to have connected with its noble work men whose names are foremost among the medical and surgical lights of the South. Prominently interwoven with its progressive development are the names of Dr. P. C. Boyer, Dr. A. B. Miles, Dr. F. Parham, Dr. D. Jamison, Dr. D. Reynaud, Drs. E. and H. S. Lewis.


451


STANDARD HISTORY OF NEW ORLEANS.


The training school for nurses is connected with the Hotel Dieu, which, in its lecture course, class-work, and practical advantages, ranks favorably with the promi- nent training schools of the country. The course covers three years, and the staff of instructors includes sixteen of the most eminent and scientific members of the New Orleans medical faculty. Dr. H. S. Lewis is at present (1900) house surgeon.


ASYLUMS, CONVENTS, HOMES FOR THE INDIGENT.


The first orphan asylum of New Orleans, and indeed of the State, owed its existence to Julian Poydras, already alluded to as author of the first epic pocm of Louisiana. In 1816 this charitable man gave a large lot and a house on Poydras street for the purpose of establishing an asylum for orphan girls, with the proviso that by the consent of the board, "any female child may be admitted" though not an orphan. The Legislature appropriated $4,000 for its benefit, and it was opened the same year with 14 orphans. By 1821 the number had increased to 41, and a new house had been built at 153 Poydras street, which is described as a neat "frame building with a large garden." By a clause of the constitution the society is to "provide a house for the reception of indigent female orphans and widows, which shall be enlarged according to the income of the society."


The asylum has since been removed to Upper Magazine street, corner of Peters avenue, where it is installed in a large, four-story building surrounded by ample grounds. It is managed by a board of directresses, and is supported by the income from the property devised for that purpose by the founder.


The Poydras Male Orphan Asylum, at the corner of St. Charles avenue and Dufossat street, was also endowed and founded by Mr. Poydras.


The Protestant Society for the Relief of Destitute Orphan Boys was organized at a meeting held in the Presbyterian Church March 28, 1824. At this meeting a committee was appointed to solicit subscriptions for the establishment of a home for destitute boys, one of their number being charged with the task of requesting aid from the city council. Up to 1841 the institution was sustained by contributions from the community, but was without a permanent endowment. About this time the dormitory, library and fine schoolhouse were destroyed by fire, and an appeal was made to the public for aid. John McDonogh donated $100,000 to the society, which was thus enabled to build the present large, substantial house on St. Charles avenue, between Dufossat and Bellecastle streets. The asylum is now sustained by the income derived from the rentals of its property.


452


STANDARD HISTORY OF NEW ORLEANS.


St. Mary's Orphan Asylum (Catholic), at the corner of Chartres and Mazant streets, was established in 1835. It is governed by a board of gentlemen, but the internal management is in the hands of the Sisters of Charity. The only condition of admission is that of orphanage. It is supported in part by private contributions, and in part by the income derived from property acquired either by donation or purchase.


St. Vincent's Home for Boys, established by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, 1836, is for the maintenance of half orphan boys. Its resources are derived from the State, from donations, from work, and from contributions from the society. There is also a St. Vincent Asylum for half-orphan girls on Cam- bronne street, corner of Third.


The New Orleans Female Orphan Asylum (Catholic) dates from 1843. It was incorporated under the management of a band of Sisters of Charity, for the purpose of "receiving, harboring, nursing, raising, maintaining and educating des- titute female orphans under the age of fifteen," who were to be entirely under the control of the Sisters until they had attained their majority, or were married. Since the establishment of the St. Elizabeth House of Industry, in 1855, it has become the rule to transfer the inmates of this asylum at the age of twelve to the latter institution, where they are taught needle-work, housewifery, and given a good education. The asylum owns property to the amount of about $40,000, but is assisted by appropriations from the State and from the city.


The Protestant Orphans' Home, corner of Constance and Seventh streets, was called into existence by the necessity of supplying a home for the children orphaned by the epidemic of 1853. It received its first aid from the Howard Association, which sent fifty-six orphans left to its care, each with a dower of $100, and gave an additional $2,000, making $7,600 in all. Orphans of both sexes are admitted, as well as half-orphans whose surviving parent is incapable of caring for them. Its support comes from the State, the city, private subscriptions, and membership dues.


St. Joseph's German Boys' and Girls' Orphan Asylum (Catholic), also estab- lished in 1853, is supported by the State and city, and receipts from St. Joseph's Cemetery. It is situated at No. 2044 Laurel street.


The St. Elizabeth House of Industry, already mentioned as having been founded in 1855, admits girls between twelve and thirteen, who are permitted to remain until they are eighteen. This institution is self-supporting, deriving a good income from the needle-work, fine washing and other industries practiced by the




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