USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Springfield > King's handbook of Springfield, Massachusetts : a series of monographs, historical and descriptive > Part 18
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loving atmosphere. Prices for board ranged from $3 to $4.75 per week, according to location of room. Table-board, alone, $3 per week; tran- sients, $ I per day, or $5 per week. After conducting the Home for four. years, it was found necessary to abandon it for a while; and the Associa- tion headquarters were removed temporarily to No. 3 Pynchon Street. A sewing-school for chil- dren and women who choose to avail them- selves of its privileges meets at the headquarters every Sunday afternoon. During the year 1882 two free kindergartens were successfully carried on under the auspices of this Association. $ 500 was donated by Daniel B. Wesson; and this, to- gether with other dona- tions, provided the means for a kindergarten, which was opened in Septem- ber, 1882, on Worthing- ton Street. In the win- Women's Christian Association, Pynchon Street. ter of 1882-83, sufficient funds were raised in the different churches to support a colored kinder- garten. The president is Miss Maria S. Foot; the treasurer, Mrs. A. F. Jennings ; and the recording secretary, Mrs. P. H. Derby.
The Quincy-street Mission is under the care of the State-street Method- ist-Episcopal Church ; yet it is self-supporting, and ever since it began, in 1877, has done good work. Regular services are held in a chapel originally erected for a church, which was bought for about $1,200. Previous to 1880 the superintendents were James F. Brierley and Augustus A. Howard. Since then W. D. Stevens has been in charge. The Sunday school has an average attendance of about 90 : there are nine classes. It owns a library of about 200 volumes.
The Ward-One Mission was begun by some members of Trinity Method- ist-Episcopal Church in 1878. They brushed up the lower story of the old hoop-skirt and cotton-batting factory, at the corner of Chestnut and Ring- gold Streets, and started a Sunday school, with Cyrus W. Atwood as super- intendent. W. F. Potter served the mission as superintendent the second year, but in 1880 the church withdrew its support in favor of a stronger
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mission in West Springfield. The field was then taken by members of the First Baptist Church living in the neighborhood. The Sunday school opened with 98 scholars, and now has a membership of 250, with an average attendance of 150, in 15 classes. D. H. Joyce was superintendent the first 18 months under the Baptist régime, W. H. Fales the next two years, and W. C. King is now the superintendent. A good library is supported. Preaching and prayer services are held every Sunday, and a prayer-meeting on Wednesday evening. Above 30 converts are counted. This mission - the fourth in size in the Westfield Baptist association - is supported by those who enjoy its privileges, at a cost of about $400 a year.
The Mission Française. - This French mission is composed of converts from Romanism, and is independent of all other church organizations, and manages its own affairs. Its adherents take the Bible as their sole rule of faith, and subscribe to no formulas or creed. The services are conducted in French, and are marked by their social character and the absence of all forms. The mission was begun by Rev. Samuel S. Etienne of Worcester, in Grace Methodist-Episcopal Church, Sept. 15, 1881, with two members. Services were held in the old Episcopal Church from Oct. 2, 1881, to June I, 1882; when, the members having increased to 30, they moved into a hall in Bill's Block, 358 Main Street. Mr. Etienne soon removed to Holyoke. The present pastor, J. Syvret, preaches every alternate Sunday, and the Rev. Mr. Williams of Providence once a month. The affairs of the organization are in charge of a committee, whose secretary and treasurer is A. S. Nadow. Daniel B. Wesson has largely contributed towards the furnishing and sup- port of the mission, and might very properly be called its founder. The stewards appeal to Christians of all denominations to aid them in supporting the mission, which now includes some 15 families in this city, besides a sabbath school of about 20 members.
The White-street Mission was started Dec. 1I, 1881, by young men from Hope Church, - the first gathering being a Sunday school at the schoolhouse on White Street. Sunday-evening and fortnightly neighbor- hood meetings began shortly after. Between 40 and 50 families are inter- ested in the mission, and most of those who attend seldom go to other places of worship. The average attendance has been about 60. There are 99 names on the school-roll, and eight classes are sustained, about one-half the number being children. Their library contains 200 volumes. This mis- sion has always been superintended by W. A. George. Its financial support comes chiefly from Hope Church, and from private gifts, amounting in all to $200 a year. A chapel is to be built for this mission.
The Evangelist Mission, which occupies the old Christ Church building, 182 State Street, grew out of the Christian Union Mission, which was or- ganized Dec. 13, 1882. The property was bought by S. G. Otis, publisher
1
2
Opeland del
1. EVANGELIST BUILDING.
2. DWIGHT HOUSE.
State Street, corner of Dwight Street.
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of " The Domestic Journal " and " The Weekly Evangelist," and a leader in the formation of this mission. At first the mission was intended " to bring under the influence of the gospel those who have fallen, through in- temperance and other indulgences, and to do general mission work." Ed- ward Ingersoll was chosen president; Dr. John Blackmer, vice-president ; Hattie Glover, secretary; and A. L. Covell, treasurer. May 8 found the mission existing only in name ; and as Mr. Otis had repaired the building at an expense of nearly $6,000, he, with three others, - representing as many religious denominations, -took it upon themselves to carry out the proposed evangelistic work, under the name of the Evangelist Mission. The original constitution was abandoned. A city missionary was hired to conduct meetings, and to look after families who are spiritually neglected and needy. The large auditorium of the church building was divided, a good-sized chapel being kept for the mission services, and several smaller assembly-rooms being finished off to rent to various organizations. The Women's Christian Temperance Union and the Reynolds Reform Club have quarters here, and several rooms are occupied temporarily by the Springfield Art Association. The mission work is supported by voluntary contributions.
The Armory-Hill Young Men's Christian Association has its building on State Street, opposite Winchester Park. Its membership numbers about 200. The average daily attendance is about 100 ; and the average attendance at evening prayers, 30. About 50 attend the sabbath service. The object of this Association is the physical, social, intellectual, and religious improve- ment of young men. The fee is $ I a year. The rooms of the Association are open every week-day evening from 7 to 9.30, and five afternoons from 2 to 6. The reading-room is free to all young men. It contains 25 papers and magazines and 30 books for use in the rooms. The gymnasium is a room 40 feet square, fitted out with apparatus. The parlor is in the rear of the building, a room 20 by 30, carpeted, and supplied with games and a piano. The religious work consists of evening prayers at 9.30, a sabbath service for young men only at 4.30 P.M., and the personal work of the mem- bers. The president is H. I. Goulding ; the vice-president, Charles H. Bar- rows ; the treasurer, J. S. Kirkham ; the recording secretary, Charles George; and the general secretary, E. H. Byington.
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KING'S HANDBOOK OF SPRINGFIELD.
Charities and Hospitals.
CHARITIES, RELIEF ASSOCIATIONS, AID SOCIETIES, HOSPITALS, AND ALMSHOUSE.
S PRINGFIELD is favored beyond most cities in the State with a sys- tem of charitable and benevolent work, far-reaching in its scope, and effective in its organization. The most important features of the work are of recent growth. Up to the year 1877 the city was not distinguished for more than ordinary benevolent work; but within the past five years a num- ber of noble and intelligent men and women have labored individually and unitedly to develop a system of charities which is an honor to them and of the greatest value to the city. A strong impetus was given to the subject, in 1877, by the late Samuel Bowles, who spent considerable time, the last year of his life, in forming the Union Relief Association. He was able to supplement his outside efforts in this direction with timely and convincing discussions in " The Springfield Republican," and since his death the paper has done much to foster and carry to successful completion the work its founder began. Intimately associated with Mr. Bowles in this work were a few unselfish spirits, some of whom managed to conceal themselves behind their work, while others were forced into notice by the amount and kind of assistance they rendered. Among the latter must be mentioned the Rev. Dr. Washington Gladden, late the pastor of North Church, now of Colum- bus, O., who was a remarkable man in all charitable and philanthropic enter- prises. Mrs. Clara T. Leonard, of the State Board of Health, Lunacy, and Charity, is a woman whose efforts have been of inestimable value to the city, as well as to the State. Among others who have stood close to these, may be mentioned Mrs. Adelaide A. Calkins, Mr. and Mrs. Gurdon Bill, Dr. C. C. Chaffee, the late A. D. Briggs, the late Mrs. Solyman Merrick, the late Charles O. Chapin, Mrs. William Rice, and, in a marked degree, the several members of the Merriam family. Not all of these have been asso- ciated in the same organization, but many have been identified more or less closely with more than one line of effort; while all have given their time, money, and influence to building up the network of relief now firmly estab- lished in the city.
The Union Relief Association is an organization of individuals who pledge themselves "to abstain from the indiscriminate giving of food, money, or clothing." Its object is to discourage mendicancy, and to afford
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judicious relief to the destitute and helpless, and those who need employ- ment. The office is in the City Hall, so that the association can co-operate with the city authorities in caring for the sick and infirm poor, and aiding those who deserve temporary assistance. The society divides the city into districts, and visitors from among the members of the organization are ap- pointed to visit the poor in the several districts. Since its organization, in 1877, the association has greatly reduced the amount of, and lessened the tendency to, pauperism. As far as practicable, the association seeks to do for Springfield what the Associated Charities are accomplishing for Boston. The officers are : President, Dr. C. C. Chaffee ; secretary, George H. Deane ; treasurer, A. T. Folsom ; board of managers, A. T. Folsom, A. D. Stone, E. Brookings, Dr. C. C. Chaffee, Rev. Dr. E. P. Terhune, Charles Hall, Daniel P. Crocker, Rev. John C. Brooks, Rev. Lester L. Potter.
The Hampden County Children's-Aid Association is an offshoot of, and in work closely connected with, the Union Relief. The organization is an independent one, however; and, as its name indicates, the work is not con- fined to the city, but, the last annual report says, "our greatest failure has been in the effort to make this a county society." Its original work was to take young children out of the poorhouses, and place them in families. To this end, legislation was procured forbidding overseers of the poor to place children over four years of age in almshouses; and the society has sought to have this law enforced by finding homes for such, and organizing a system of visitation for their benefit. Alleged abuses and sufferings of children are also investigated, and, when necessary, the proper steps taken to prevent abuse, neglect, or a lapse into pauperism. The meetings of the society are held at the City Hall. The managers are Mrs. Clara T. Leonard, Mrs. T. L. Chapman, Mrs. C. L. Mowry, Dr. C. C. Chaffee, Rev. Henry G. Spaulding, Frances E. Stone, Gurdon Bill, Charles H. Barrows, Rev. J. K ... Mason. Among efficient members of the society in the towns, are Mrs. A. C. Woodworth of Chicopee, Mrs. C. H. M. Newell of Wilbraham, and others.
The Flower-Mission is another offshoot of the Union Relief, having been organized May 15, 1877, for the purpose of distributing flowers, fruits, and delicacies to the sick, during the summer months only. The mission relies wholly upon voluntary contributions, the surplus of greenhouses and gardens, which are broughtto the City Hall and prepared for the needy suffering. Occasional free picnics for children and invalids are given. The mission is popular with the members of all the city churches, and is annually increasing in usefulness and influence. The ladies meet every Wednesday, at the rooms of the Union Relief Association. The officers are: Presi- dent, Miss Sarah P. Birnie; vice-presidents, Miss Mary Bill, Miss Fanny Stebbins, Mrs. L. S. Brooks ; secretary, Miss Sarah E. Heywood; assistant secretary, Miss Frances E. Stone.
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The Hale Fund is so called from the name of the donor, James W. Hale, who died Aug. 31. 1863, leaving about $34,000 as a permanent fund to assist the deserving poor of the city. He belonged to the First-Church parish during his lifetime, and was always helping the poor. As he left no children, he directed, that, after the death of his wife, the income of this money should be devoted to charitable purposes. The fund came into the hands of the committee, Oct. 25, 1880, and was invested, as directed, in first mortgages on real estate in Hampden County. The income is annually
The Children's Home, on Buckingham Street.
spent in purchasing fuel, stoves, and flour, for the deserving poor of Spring- field. The fund is in charge of the pastors of the First Congregational, First Baptist, and Trinity Methodist Churches, and the clerk of the Superior Court.
The Taylor Benevolent Fund consists of an invested fund in Spring- field, left by Ethan Taylor of Longmeadow, Feb. 17, 1864, the income of which is devoted "to the promotion of such religious, benevolent, and charitable objects as shall be approved and designated by a committee of three persons, to be chosen from time to time by the South Church Society in said Springfield." The income may be devoted to any work in the limits of Hampden County. W. L. Wilcox is trustee of the fund, and the expend-
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iture of the income is under the direction of Henry S. Lee and E. Meekins, with the trustee.
The Springfield Home for Friendless Women and Children is the corporate name of the management of two separate homes. The movement in favor of the Home started with a number of men and women interested in the destitute and unfortunate. Their idea was to give temporary protec- tion and relief to needy women and young girls, to encourage them to self- support and reformation when necessary, and to care for children whose natural guardians could not, or would not, care for them. The Home was incorporated in 1865, a house bought on Union Street at a cost of $4,500, and $2,000 additional raised for expenses. There were 60 inmates, in- cluding 20 children, during the first year. The number of children increased so much, year after year, that a separate home was provided for them on Buckingham Street, in 1870. The building cost $15,000, and $10,000 was invested for the support of the homes. The whole of this amount was con- tributed by citizens of Springfield and adjacent towns. The Home received $2,000 yearly from the State, during the first six years, on condition that a like sum was raised by the managers; but in 1872 the legislature withdrew all aid, and since then the whole expense has been met by annual collections and donations. There is $10,000 in mortgages, and $9,000 in other invest- ments, belonging to the Home, the income of which is devoted to the annual expenses. A recent gift was $3,000 from Mrs. Dorcas Chapin. The Home on Buckingham Street is a substantial brick building, 50 x 40 feet, con- taining 21 rooms, furnished with all modern conveniences. Visitors are admitted every day except Saturday and Sunday. The officers are : Presi- dent, Mrs. John R. Hixon ; vice-presidents, Mrs. Henry Brewer and Mrs. Richard F. Hawkins ; clerk, Miss Mary L. Jacobs ; treasurer, Mrs. Heman Smith ; corresponding secretary, Mrs. George W. Tapley; auditor, Charles Marsh. The board of managers consists of 30 women, from all the different religious societies of the city, with an advisory committee of seven men, and a board of five physicians, who serve gratuitously.
The Springfield Society for the Prevention of Crime was organized in 1880, with the object of aiding the public authorities in the prevention and punishment of crime ; and, as far as practicable, of eradicating the sources and causes of crime and vice by all suitable methods, and especially by the enforcement of the liquor-laws. Its proposed means of operation are, to arouse a correct public opinion ; assist in the prosecution of law-breakers ; to disseminate information by means of the press, and by public addresses and meetings. Its membership is open to any citizen upon the payment of two dollars. Upon its first organization, it accomplished a perceptible good by the use of the means above proposed, and was felt as something of a force in the community; but the vigorous enforcement of the laws against
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the illegal sale of intoxicating liquors, and against the various forms of immorality, on the part of the public authorities, has diminished the useful- ness of the society; and it now lies dormant, ready to awake to active life at the demand of any public emergency.
Mutual Relief Associations are numerous in Springfield. These aim to assist members' families when accident, sickness, or death removes the source of support. These associations are all managed on the same general
The Home for Friendless Women, on Union Street.
plan, and with the same end in view. The important features of the princi- pal organizations are here given : -
The Masonic Mutual Relief Association of Western Massachusetts has its headquarters in Kinsman's Block, on Main Street; but its work is not lim- ited to this city. The membership is composed exclusively of Masons. On the death of a member, a sum equal to as many dollars as there are members in the association (though in no case exceeding $2,500) is paid to the family of the deceased. President, George W. Ray; vice-president, Henry S. Lee ; treasurer, E. P. Chapin ; secretary, Arthur I. Bemis.
The Odd Fellows' Mutual Relief Association of the Connecticut-river Valley is a Springfield institution, only by reason of its head office being
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located here. It was organized in 1873 by members of different lodges of Odd Fellows, who desired to secure greater assistance to the families of deceased brethren than was provided by the by-laws of their respective lodges. It now numbers upwards of 4,000 members, divided into four classes. The deaths in the oldest class were but 72 during the last 10 years. A member can belong to one or more classes ; and, upon his death, his friends receive $1 from each surviving member of the class or classes to which he belonged, not exceeding $1,000 from any one class. The amount thus paid last year was $37,640, and the whole amount for the 10 years since its organ- ization has been $178,180. The office is in the old court-house. Officers : President, John M. Wood ; first vice-president, F. A. Judd; second vice-presi- dent, J. F. Severance ; treasurer, Henry S. Lee ; secretary, W. H. Winans ; auditors, S. 'C. Downs, T. M. Dewey, and W. M. Gray; finance committee, J. K. Wiley, F. E. Winter, and George H. Ireland.
The Mutual Relief Association of the Employees of the Boston and Albany Railroad Company was organized in March, 1870. It had been cus- tomary, previous to that time, when an employee of the road died, to start a subscription-paper, and raise as large a sum as possible for the family of the deceased. It was found that the burden was not equally borne, and this asso- ciation was formed with the distinct understanding that members should not contribute to a subscription-paper as heretofore. At first no distinction was made in the age of the members, but in 1875 a by-law was inserted grading the admittance-fee according to the age of the applicant. On the decease of a member, his family receive one dollar from each surviving member. The present membership is 455. Meetings are held in the secretary's office of the Boston and Albany Railroad Company, the first Wednesday evening in every month, and annually on the fourth Wednesday of March. Trustees, C. O. Russell, J. W. Clark, H. C. Hamilton, A. S. Bryant, W. H. Stearns, Robert Eccles, E. W. Brown; secretary and treasurer, Albert Holt.
The Roman-Catholic Mutual Insurance Company of the Diocese of Springfield was organized May 10, 1877, and includes all the towns west of. South Framingham. Membership is confined to Catholic males between 21 and 50 years of age, residing in the diocese. At the death of a member, the family receive as many dollars as there are members at his death. The present membership is 260. The annual meeting occurs the first sabbath in May. The officers are : President, Bishop P. T. O'Reilly; vice-president,. John O'Donnell of Holyoke; secretary, Edward A. Hall; treasurer, Rev. J. J. McDermott.
The Firemen's Mutual Relief Association aims to assist members of the fire-department who become disabled in the discharge of duty. The amount usually allowed is $10 per week. Each member contributes a small amount annually, and the proceeds of the firemen's ball are added each year
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to the fund, which now amounts to about $7,500. The officers are: Presi- dent, W. A. Withey; vice-president, W. H. Waterman; secretary, Abner P. Leshure ; treasurer, Henry S. Lee; trustees, A. P. Leshure, W. A. Withey, W. H. Waterman, E. D. Stock, W. J. Landen, William Heffner, C. H. Lewis, F. L. Howard, D. E. Chapin.
The United-States Armory Mutual Benefit Association was organized Dec. 1, 1881, to aid sick members, and to pay a small benefit to the family of any member in case of death. An admission-fee of $1 is charged; each member thereafter pays 25 cents per month; and a weekly benefit of $5 for Io weeks of each year is paid to sick members. Each member of the asso- ciation is assessed $1 on the death of any of their number. The board of managers meet the second Monday in each month; and a meeting of the whole association occurs once a year on the Armory grounds, generally the first Wednesday in January. The membership is 285. Officers : President, Charles E. Bailey ; vice-president, T. B. Wilson; secretary, N. J. Benjamin ; treasurer, Edwin Farrar; trustees, F. B. Miller, James McKechnie, A. H. Dodge ; auditing committee, G. F. Clemens, James Dolan, James Kimball ; visiting committee, G. A. Spooner, S. L. Tuttle, Larkin Newell, A. G. Per- kins; collectors, G. R. Otto, Francis Daggett, C. W. Bradbury, Alfred Whitney.
The Wason Company's Mutual Relief Association was organized in the early part of 1881, by the employees of the Wason Manufacturing Company. Any one who has been in the employ of the company a month is eligible for membership. Any member who is disabled sufficiently to prevent his attend- ance at his work receives $5 per week until he is able to resume his duties ; but there can be no allowance for a period exceeding 10 weeks in succession. The relatives of each member receive $50 at his death. The annual meeting occurs the third Wednesday in January. Officers : President, George C. Fisk; vice-president, E. H. Dodge; secretary, A. C. Reed; treasurer, C. A. Fisk; directors, George C. Fisk, N. W. Pease, A. J. Babbitt, E. H. Dodge, C. A. Fisk, S. D. Wilson, A. C. Reed, O. A. Dodge, W. E. Sanderson.
The Orient Lodge, Knights of Honor, No. 230, was organized Feb. 16, 1876, with twenty charter members. Total membership, at the close of 1883, is about 140. Five members have died, and $10,000 has been paid their families. The lodge has paid on assessments, $11,500. The current expenses are paid by yearly dues of $5 each. Each member is entitled to sick-benefits of $3 per week, and $850 has been thus paid out. The lodge has also a fund of $1,200 in the hands of its trustees. The reporter is George A. Kilborn.
The Springfield Council of the American Legion of Honor was insti- tuted April 12, 1880, and provides weekly sick-benefits for members and life- insurance for from $500 to $5,000. Membership is open to both sexes.
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