USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > South Boston > History of South Boston (its past and present) and prospects for the future, with sketches of prominent men > Part 38
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CHAPTER XI.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND INSTITUTIONS.
Carney Hospital - Perkins Institution for the Blind - Episcopal Church Home - House of Correction - Municipal Court - Branch of the Boston Public Library - Station Y, Post Office - Banks. Etc.
There are but few districts, if any, in Boston or vicinity, with a greater variety of institutions than South Boston. The Perkins Institu- tion for the Blind was the first established, and, shortly afterward, the Carney Hospital. The Suffolk County House of Correction was one of the group of early public institutions, and the Episcopal Church Home is one of the most recent.
The sick and the orphans are cared for, the blind are educated, and the law breakers of the county are attended to, each in the separate establishments.
In addition to these, the city and nation have branches of important departments, in the Municipal Court, Public Library and the Postoffice. The banks, too, are represented by three institutions, the South Boston Savings Bank, the Mattapan Safe Deposit and Trust Company, and the Mount Washington Co-Operative Bank.
CARNEY HOSPITAL - Old Harbor Street.
Conspicuous, both through its great work and the prominent posi- tion it holds on the highest land in our district, the Carney Hospital stands as a monument to the memory of a true philanthropist, Andrew Carney, its founder.
The Carney Hospital of today is far different than in years past, and could the man who brought about the founding of this institution see the great progress it has made, it would certainly receive his highest approval.
When a young man, like many others of his age, Andrew Carney left Ireland, his native land, to come to the United States. He entered the clothing business, and advanced until he was considered a man of great repute and ability, and also very wealthy.
Mr. Carney devoted much of his money to charitable purposes, so that when he purchased the old How estate on Old Harbor Street in 1863, for $13,500, to be used as a hospital, it was not the first time he aided the worthy poor.
After purchasing the estate and the small house thereon, which included a part of the present site, he presented it to Sister Ann Alexis of St. Vincent's Orphan Asylum, with the understanding that it was to be used as a hospital. Nothing was more needed in South
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Boston, and in a short time the place was filled with patients who were unable to secure admission to other hospitals, owing to their crowded condition.
CARNEY HOSPITAL, Old Harbor Street.
In subsequent years the place was so crowded that it was soon decided to erect a brick structure, and this was accordingly done, at a cost of $100,000, and was completed in 1868. Its founder, in the mean- time, passed away, death occurring in 1865.
From this time on great strides were made. The good sisters were incorporated as managers under Sister Ann Alexis, and shortly after- ward she was succeeded by Sister Ann Aloysia, who had previously been particularly interested in the Camden Street Home.
Sister Ann Aloysia remained in charge of the institution until 1 869, many extensive improvements being made during her time. She was succeeded by the lamented Sister Simplicia, who, up to the time of her death, which occurred in 1890, had full supervision.
Sister Simplicia, from the time she assumed charge until her death, was an energetic worker for the sick and afflicted, and it was greatly through her efforts that the institution was made what it is today. Always modest and unassuming, she was constantly engaged in furthering the interests of the institution, and at the time of her death she had made many extensive plans for the enlargement of the hospital
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and the improvement of its many departments, most of which have been carried out by her successor, Sister Gonzaga.
Sister Gonzaga took charge after the death of Sister Simplicia, and is at present the Superior at the institution. When she assumed the direction of affairs, the hospital was again in need of more extensive quarters, and in 1891 the large wing at the right and the new entrance, were constructed at a cost of $150,000, almost doubling the size of the institution, and adding greatly to its facilities. Three years later it became necessary to erect a new out-patient department building, and the wooden structure at Old Harbor Street and Thomas Park was pur- chased for this purpose.
Like the hospital itself, this structure has already proved entirely inadequate to the demands made upon it, and Sister Gonzaga had plans drawn for the construction of a larger and more imposing structure, which has since been erected at Dorchester and Old Harbor Streets.
This new structure is equal to anything of its kind in the city. It has a frontage of 63 feet on Old Harbor Street and 47 feet on Dor- chester Street, with the main entrance in the centre of the Dorchester Street facade, the style being Italian renaissance. It is fitted through- out in a first-class modern manner, and its several floors are laid out to the best possible advantage. This structure was made possible by the State appropriating $10,000, on condition that an equal amount be raised by the hospital, which provision was complied with.
Another feature of the in- stitution is the emergency station, on National Street, which has, as a part of its equipment, an ambulance, while the station itself is fitted up comfortably and conveniently for the physicians. There had been a demand for an emergency station and ambulance in the district for a long time, and finally, upon agreement, the City of Boston erected the sta- tion and fitted it out, giving the institution the use of it for the medical and surgical attendance the hospital would give in return. The structure and fittings com- plete cost about $12,000.
CARNEY HOSPITAL EMERGENCY STATION. National Street.
It must be remembered that from its establishment up to the present time the hospital has been supported entirely by charity, the Sisters giving their full attention to the sick, while some of the most skillful doctors of the city are numbered among the visiting physicians.
Even with this uncertain means of support, the institution has
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grown and assumed such proportions as to be third on the list of those in the entire city. The best comparison of this can be made in the annual report of the hospital, in which 2000 cases for the hospital and 10,000 or 11,000 for the out-patient department in the course of a year is usual. The band of Sisters who care for the sick under Sister Gonzaga's supervision numbers twenty-five, and besides these there is a corps of thirty-three nurses, and, including the visiting physicians, there are forty-eight. An estimate of the growth of the institution and the yearly work can be had by comparing the above with the first annual report of the institution, which showed fifty-three patients, five Sisters and four doctors.
On frequent occasions the great and ever-increasing work of the institution has been greatly aided through the benevolence of persons, who, familiar with the great benefits it affords humanity, regardless of sex, creed or color, have remembered it in their bequests.
In 1892 Miss Emily A. M. Stoney established the Training School for Nurses, and the popularity of this new feature can easily be judged from the fact that the number of applications annually far exceeds the limit, and the school has become quite a feature of the institution. During its first year the Sisters themselves were interested pupils, besides the class of thirty young ladies. The school has been in exist- ence every year since, and from six to eight of its members graduate annually, the regular term occupying three years.
Visiting the sick and supplying food to the worthy sick in their homes by the Sisters is another feature of the institution, and one not generally known. With the excellent facilities now at hand, the grand work being carried on continuously, and the several features herein mentioned, it is an easy matter for the reader to judge why the Carney Hospital is considered by residents of our district so superior to any other.
PERKINS INSTITUTION AND MASSACHUSETTS SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND - East Broadway.
Wherever the history of this, one of the grandest institutions ever conceived, is revealed, the names of Dr. John D. Fisher, Dr. Samuel G. Howe, Col. Thomas H. Perkins, William Oliver and Michael Anagnos, will shine forth in the lustre of God's own teaching, "do unto others as you would, that they should do unto you."
Though institutions had been established abroad for the care and instruction of the blind, it remained for Dr. John D. Fisher to make a proposal for the founding of such a school in the United States. This was in 1826. Dr. Fisher was then a young man who had returned to Boston after finishing his medical studies in Paris, where he became familar with the instruction of the blind.
To Dr. Fisher is due the credit and distinction of suggesting the founding of this, the first school for the blind in the United States. He
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
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succeeded in interesting others in his plans, and in 1829 a meeting was held to take action regarding them. He addressed the gathering, dwelling upon the books required and of the necessity of teaching manual training. As a result, a committee was appointed to consider the establishment of an institution, and within ten days it reported, at an adjourned meeting in the Representatives Chamber at the State House, a resolution in favor. Dr. Fisher again spoke of the idea and another committee was appointed to secure an act of incorporation which was obtained March 2, 1829 under the name of "The New England Asylum for the Blind," "for the purpose of educating blind persons." The following year the first officers were elected with Jonathan Phillips president and Dr. John D. Fisher chairman of trustees. William H. Prescott, another trustee, did much, through his writings and his social position, to secure the needed impetus for the enterprise.
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PERKINS INSTITUTION AND MASSACHUSETTS SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND, East Broadway and H Street,
Dr. Fisher, in the meantime, had enlisted the interests and services of another young physician in the movement, Dr. Samuel G. Howe, whose efforts in behalf of the independence of Greece and his subse- quent adventures in Europe made him familiar to all Bostonians.
By an agreement, signed by the trustees, John D. Fisher, Edward Brooks and John Homans, Dr. Howe was sent abroad to study the work of teaching the blind. In the same agreement he became principal of the institution and was also empowered, while abroad, to secure one, or,
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at the most two, instructed blind as assistant teachers, and also neces- sary apparatus for the school.
He returned in July 1832 with a teacher from the Paris school and another from an Edinburgh school, the latter to take charge of the manual training in the Boston school, and in August this institution was opened at the home of Dr. Howe's father on Pleasant Street, there being six pupils in attendance.
Dr. Howe had in the meantime begun to invent books with raised letters, and geographical maps, and to arrange alphabets of twine stuck on paper. In this manner the first pupils were enabled to learn their first lessons and their progress was rapid.
In January 1833, the trustees addressed a memorial to the Massa- chusetts Legislature asking for their aid. The school had received some little assistance from the state, but it was not sufficient, as was shown by the memorial which said in part: "Without further aid it will be im- possible to continue the establishment even in its present humble condi- tion, much less to extend its usefulness." As a result an annual appropriation of $6,000 was secured and this was soon followed by private donations. The women of Salem, Marblehead and Newbury- port held a fair that produced nearly $3,000, leaders of society in Boston held a fair in Faneuil Hall that netted more than $11,000, and shortly after, Col. Thomas H. Perkins, offered his house on Pearl Street for the permanent use of the blind, and doubled the gift by the condi- tion that a subscription of $25,000 should be made by the public, and the condition was met by double that sum within a month. That was during May 1833 and it was during that month that a permanent school for the blind became assured.
In September of that year the Pearl Street house, having been en- larged and properly fitted up for its intended purpose, the members of the school moved into it. Dr. Howe frequently visited other cities, accompanied by several of the pupils who, gave exercises in public. In this way public interest, was drawn to the blind and many pupils were sent from other cities and towns to the school, and many Legislatures were inspired to appropriate money for the establishment of similar schools. In this way the New England organization became the seed for the entire country.
In six years the Pearl Street house had become inadequate, and Col. Perkins, in order to facilitate the work," agreed to the sale of the property. An exchange was soon made for the Mount Washington House, South Boston, and here the school located in May 1839 under the name of the Perkins Institution and Massachusetts Asylum for the Blind. The word asylum was changed to school, in 1877. The year after the removal, a work department was organized and has been main- tained ever since. Piano tuning was also introduced and has proved to be remunerative.
The state aided the school greatly, for no less than $100,000 were
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appropriated during 1868-1869 for buildings for the girls, apart from the boys. Other special appropriations were also received and the annual appropriation of $6000, rose in time to $30,000 and is still re- ceived. A gift of $40,000 from William Oliver of Dorchester, in 1847, and various other donations from many individuals, were greatly instru- mental in making the institution what it is today.
Laura Bridgman, who Dr. Howe brought to the institution from the vicinity of Hanover, N. H., in 1837, and who, though blind, deaf, dumb and almost deprived of the senses of taste and smell, was educated at the school, and the story of her marvelous progress is so well known that it needs no repetition here. She died at the institution in 1889.
The institution sustained a severe loss in 1850, in the death of its indefatigable worker, Dr. Fisher. From the time that he first intro- duced his idea of providing for the education of the blind he had labored in their behalf and was still engaged in this work when death came, being a trustee of the institution, a position he had held for twenty years.
The work progressed, the attendance at the institution continually growing. In January 1876 sorrow was again destined to shadow the institution when the life labors of Dr. Howe were ended. It is need- less to say how deep was the sorrow and how great the loss. His interest in the blind proved to be his life work. This same interest was not alone confined to him but was conspicuous in his family and particular in his eldest daughter Julia, the wife of his successor, Michael Anagnos.
Michael Anagnos, Dr. Howe's successor, has proved himself to be his counterpart in his interest in the blind. One of his first acts, after assuming charge, was to organize a kindergarten class. This was in 1879, but owing to imperfect facilities it had to be abandoned shortly afterward, but merely for a time. Mr. Anagnos, by no means dis- couraged, worked on this matter of a separate department until success crowned his efforts, when, in 1887, the kindergarten was incorporated and its first building dedicated at Jamaica Plain. Without asking or receiv- ing aid from the state the kindergarten holds property to the amount of nearly $800,000 bestowed within fourteen years.
The year 1882, the anniversary of the opening of the school, also marked the completion of the printing fund, $100,000, by private sub- scription, to endow the Howe Memorial Press. Through this acquisition and through the resolves adopted by the trustees, embossed books and tangible apparatus are provided, not alone for the pupils of the institu- tion, but to aid all sightless readers in New England. Books, to be loaned free of charge, have been sent to the public libraries of Provi- dence and Newport, R. I .; Boston, Worcester, Somerville and Fitch- burg, Mass. ; New Haven and Hartford, Conn. ; Concord, N. H., and Portland, Me. The publications at the present time embrace a long list of both old and new books including some in Latin and German, besides sheet music both vocal and instrumental.
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On the afternoon of June 13, 1882 the semi-centennial was ob- served in Tremont Temple when exercises by the pupils in literature, scientific essays, reading by touch, military drill, gymnastics and vocal and instrumental music were given. The exhibition was a marvelous one and received great praise from all who witnessed it.
From time to time additional buildings have been added to the in- stitution so that at present it has an almost endless variety of depart- ments. There is an extensive library, Sloyd rooms, museum, sewing rooms, gymnasium, and various other features. Many of these have been acquired during the twenty-five years of Michael Anagnos' super- vision and they continue to increase and with such benefit to the pupils that it seems that the remark of Miss Sophia Carter, one of the six ori- ginal pupils, made after the semi-centennial exercises that, " if as much were done in the' next half century as in the last, blindness will almost cease to be a calamity," has, or at least, is about to be realized.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH HOME - East Broadway and N Street.
Through the forethought and untiring energy of Rev. Charles Mason, D.D., of the Episcopal Church, there stands in our district today
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EPISCOPAL CHURCH HOME, East Broadway, East Fourth and N Streets.
a home, the object of which is caring for orphan and destitute children. It was in 1854 that he, while rector of Grace Episcopal Church on Temple Street, after having previously interested several persons in the project, rented a house on North Russell Street, where, for a very nom- inal sum, parents and children could be lodged and boarded.
This was the beginning of the present institution. It proved a
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success, and, encouraged by the aid of various individuals, Rev. Dr. Mason, the following year, secured a more commodious house on Charles Street. This, however, proved inadequate after a short time, and the matter of providing a larger and better home was considered by the trustees. As a result, the house on Charles Street and another building adjoining were purchased in 1860, and altered for the purposes for which they were intended. Many persons had in the meantime become much interested in the project, and various donations were received to aid in carrying on the work.
In 1864, these donations, having amounted to a considerable sum, the site now occupied by the Episcopal Church Home on N Street was purchased, and the present building erected, the entire cost being $60,000.
For many years the large number of children who found a home here were cared for by the Misses Dexter. Miss Martha Dexter died in 1896, and since that time the home has been in charge of the Misses Hauser.
The children attend the public schools, and when not thus engaged, are allowed the freedom of the grounds about the home, which are spacious, airy and healthy. When old enough, positions are found for them, and in this way many children who would otherwise have had no opportunities in life have become capable business men and women.
SUFFOLK COUNTY HOUSE OF CORRECTION - East First Street.
It is not a great while since there were located in South. Boston various institutions, penal and others, including the House of Reforma-
HOUSE OF CORRECTION FOR SUFFOLK COUNTY, East First Street.
tion, House of Correction, House of Industry, Massachusetts School for Idiotic and Feeble-Minded Youth, and the Boston Lunatic Hospital.
Being so thickly populated, the residents of South Boston always objected to these places, and their efforts were continually directed
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toward ridding the district of them. Through unceasing agitation these objectionable institutions have disappeared gradually, until but one, the House of Correction, remains, and it is hoped that it will not be long before this is removed also.
This institution was erected on lands set off by the city shortly after South Boston's annexation, being the first of four of the city's penal institutions erected here, and it was first opened July 1, 1833. It has been in continuous use since that time, both males and females being confined here. Many of the inmates work in the various shops, and as a result of their labor a part of the running expenses of the institution are paid.
COL. JOHN C. WHITON, Master, House of Correction.
WILLIAM A. WITHAM, Deputy Master, House of Correction.
Persons convicted in the various courts of the minor offences were sent to the institution, and by degrees it became inadequate, and, in 1847, the east wing was extended and fitted with cells, giving much greater accommodations.
A serious fire occurred at the institution February 25, 1871, which destroyed the large building containing the chapel, the womens' sewing room and the shop occupied by the men employed on the sewing machines, together with the contents, the damage thus incurred amounting to $6,542. As a result of the fire, the income of the insti- tution for that year was reduced over $4,000. The brush shop, which was also slightly burned, was soon repaired, sewing machines were placed in it, and the male prisoners were again put to work.
There was considerable agitation at this time, as well as previously, for the removal of the institution, but, though many persons interested themselves in the matter and showed that such a step would not only
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be of great benefit to South Boston, but to the city, their efforts were fruitless, and the buildings damaged by the fire were soon reconstructed and equipped.
In March, 1874, the females were removed from the prison build- ing to a dormitory over the new chapel, and the male prisoners who had been confined in the dormitory and prison attic were placed in the cells vacated by the females.
On September 13, 1874, a school was started for the unemployed prisoners. A portion of the brush shop was fitted up for the purpose, and competent teachers were found among the prisoners. The school continued with much success until April 2 of the following year, the average attendance being about forty-five. The school was discon- tinued at that time, as the room was needed for other purposes. It was subsequently opened again, and is a feature of the institution today.
The masters of this institution have been : Charles Robbins, from the establishment of the institution in 1833 until his death, March 27, 1871 : Charles H. Davis (who had been deputy for three years prior to the death of Master Robbins) from May 1, 1871, until his death, Dec. 1, 1874: Martin V. B. Berry, from March 27, 1875, to March 9, 1889 ; Col. John C. Whiton (the present master of the institution) from March 18, 1889, up to the present time. Col. Whiton accepted the position at the earnest solicitation of the Institutions Department of Boston.
Col. John C. Whiton, master of the House of Correction, was born in Hingham, August 21, 1828, of Elijah and Mary (Lincoln) Whiton. He was educated in the schools of his native town and in his youth worked at the grocery business, latterly in Boston. In the spring of 1861 he was engaged at Fort Warren, and in 1862 he went to the front as lieutenant-colonel of the 43rd Mass. Regt., serving until the expiration of his term of enlistment, July, 1863. In 1864 he was engaged in recruiting in Plymouth County, and from April, 1864, to July, 1865, was lieutenant-colonel of the 58th Regiment, Mass. Volun- teers. He was then commissioned colonel, but, unable to secure the required number of men in one day, he could not muster. He was commissioned colonel of the United States Volunteers, by brevet, April 2, 1865, for gallant and meritorious service at Petersburg, Va. From September, 1865, to September, 1873, he was employed by the city of Boston as chief clerk in the auditor's department, and the following three years was superintendent of the city's institutions on Rainsford and Deer Islands. In 1877 he was treasurer and steward of the Women's Reformatory Prison at Sherborn. He was appointed superin- tendent of the Boston and Nantasket Steamboat Company in 1880 and continued to 1883, when he resumed his duties on Deer Island, remain- ing until March, 1889. In that month he was transferred to South Boston to become master of the House of Correction, and has filled that position faithfully and well since then. A thorough disciplinarian,
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