The history of Detroit and Michigan; or, The metropolis illustrated; a chronological cyclopedia of the past and present, Vol I, Part 104

Author: Farmer, Silas, 1839-1902
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Detroit, S. Farmer & co
Number of Pages: 1096

USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The history of Detroit and Michigan; or, The metropolis illustrated; a chronological cyclopedia of the past and present, Vol I > Part 104

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That Mr. Kundig did not lose his interest in the poor is evident from the following extract from the records of the Common Council :

Tuesday, January 12th, 1841 .- A communication was received from Martin Kundig, pastor of Trinity Church, enclosing $50, and tendering the thanks of his congregation for the kindness with which their poor have been treated. Accepted, and on motion of Alderman Paull,

THE COUNTY POOR.

649

Resolved, that the Committee on Poor be requested to tender the thanks of the Common Council to the pastor and congrega- tion of Trinity Church for their donation of $50, as well as the manner in which this gratuity was communicated.

In 1839 the county commissioners were author- ized to sell the property on the Gratiot Road, but no purchaser was found until February, 1846, when it was sold for $1,124. The present farm of two hundred and seventy-seven acres, known at time of purchase as the Torbert Farm, was bought on Feb- ruary 22, 1839, for $1,600. It lies in the township of Nankin, about sixteen miles west of Detroit, on the line of the M. C. R. R., and two miles east of the village of Wayne. The property, with the build- ings and appurtenances, is valued at about $100,000. The buildings first obtained were two large log- houses that had been used as a tavern. In 1845 the first brick building was erected, at a cost of about $4,500. In 1853 or 1854 an additional brick

care of the patients, has a salary of $800, and is appointed by the superintendents of the poor.

Prior to the erection of the asylum, incurable patients were kept at the county house, or sent to Kalamazoo. At the present time the county asylum is used for the temporary detention of insane per- sons, who are to be sent to one of the State Insane Asylums, and also for the safe keeping of insane poor pronounced incurable and sent back from the State asylums.

Poor persons, deemed insane, are sent to the county or the State asylum on a certificate of two physicians to the judge of probate, who on receiv- ing such certificate gives an order for the patient's admission.

County Physicians.

In addition to the county physician at the asylum, two others are appointed yearly by the Board of

COUNTY INSANE ASYLUM.

COUNTY POORHOUSE.

building was erected, and in 1859 still another was put up for a hospital, at a cost of about $1,600. During 1887 the buildings were enlarged and im- proved at a cost of about $30,000.

The average number of inmates in the county house in 1887 was 366. Detroit stands charged directly with about three sevenths of the expense of their maintenance, in addition to nearly five sixths of the balance chargeable to the county at large.

County Insane Asylum.

This building, located on the county farm, was first occupied in August, 1869, It cost $24,000. It is two hundred and fifty-two feet long and from thirty-eight to fifty-six feet wide. In 1876 wings were built on the east and west sides, and during 1883 and 1884 two additions, costing about $4,500 each, were erected. In 1887 there was an average of two hundred and thirty-seven inmates.

The total cost to the county is about twenty cents per day for each inmate. The county physician for the county buildings is charged with the medical

Auditors, at a salary of $450 each. Their duties are confined chiefly to the city, where they attend county patients at the hospitals. It is also their duty to attend the coroner's inquests.

The following persons have served as county physicians: 1843, Linus Mott; 1845, Z. Pitcher; 1846, E. Hurd, Linus Mott; 1847, Charles Perrez ; 1848-1851, Peter Klein; 1851, J. B. Scovel; 1852, P. Power; 1853, C. Hastings; 1854 and 1855, P. Klein; 1856, O. P. Chubb; 1857, L. Davenport ; 1858-1859, S. M. Axford; 1860, C. R. Case; 1861, J. M. Alden; 1862-1865, C. H. Barrett; 1865, L. H. Cobb; 1866, J. M. Alden; 1867-1869, H. A. Smith; 1869 and 1870, P. J. Chavey ; 1871 and 1872, P. P. Gilmartin; 1873 and 1874, C. C. Yemans; 1875, and 1876, E. Lichty, C. Schulte; 1877 and 1878, A. Borrowman, D. L. Dakin; 1879 and 1880, H. O. Walker; T. F. Kerr; 1881 and 1882, E. Lichty, J. W. Monaghan; 1883, C. Schulte, F. W. Owen; 1884-1886, F. W. Owen, Aloys Thuener; 1886, F. W. Owen, J. McMahan ; 1887- , G. D. Stewart, J. McMahan.

CHAPTER LXVIII.

CHARITABLE, AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES AND INSTITUTIONS.

THE year 1817 marks an era in the life of the city. The first bona fide newspaper, the first uni- versity schools, the first public library, and the first charitable society were all established in that year. Prior to that date individuals had not associated themselves into public societies of any sort; but in this year the Yankee element began to assert itself, and very soon institutions of almost every kind were organized or projected for Detroit. Of these, one of the earliest, the Moral and Humane Society, was founded December 29, 1817. Its objects were to suppress vice and to report any poor children desti- tute of education. It lived three years, and in 1820 expended $64.37 in carrying forward its work, no details of which are to be found.

The next on the list of extinct societies, the Young Men's Benevolent Society, an offshoot of the Young Men's Society, was organized January 7, 1848, with S. Barstow as president; Z. Chandler, treasurer; and J. V. Campbell, secretary. The city was divided into seven districts, and each district assigned to a committee of three, whose duty it was to inquire into and report upon all cases of need presented to their notice. In 1850 E. C. Walker was president; in 1852, U. T. Howe; in 1855, Bela Hubbard ; in 1859, Morse Stewart. W. A. Raymond was secre- tary in 1852. Soon afterwards this position was filled by R. R. Elliott, and he served as secretary, and A. H. Adams as treasurer, up to 1860, when the society disorganized, as its work seemed no longer required. The expenditures of the society for the first six years were: 1848, $480; 1849, $694; 1850, $648; 1851, $1,406; 1852, $1,407; 1853, $1,165. Total, $5,803.

After a lapse of six years, on May 17, 1866, a similar effort was inaugurated under the title of the Detroit City Mission Board; the first officers were : president, E. Taylor; secretary, J. G. Ray; treas- urer, Caleb Van Husan. The society was managed by an executive board chosen from the several co- operating churches and charitable societies. The services of W. A. Bacon as city missionary were secured, and under his leadership one of the most complete plans ever devised for the moral uplifting of the poor was brought before the society. It was almost utopian in its completeness, embracing sys- tematic inquiry and furnishing information upon

every possible subject connected with the health, homes, and habits of persons needing help. The society entered upon its work with its headquarters at the rooms of the Y. M. C. A., and for some two years its members visited and systematically relieved the poor. On January 2, 1868, a still more practical work was undertaken, by the opening of a lodging house in a building on the northeast corner of Atwater and St. Antoine Streets. The house was soon literally thronged with newsboys and tramps, some of whom were lodged free, and others at very low rates. The receipts, however, were not equal to the expenses, and the lodging house was discon- tinued in June, 1868. After this date the society had only a nominal existence, and on November 2, 1869, its property was donated to the Woman's Hospital and Foundlings' Home.

St. Vincent's Female Orphan Asylum.

This asylum may be called the successor of the oldest charitable institution in the city. Early in 1834 its progenitor, a society called the Catholic Female Association, was organized "for the relief of the sick and poor of Detroit." At this time the poorhouse on the Gratiot Road was almost unin- habitable, and the inmates were greatly neglected. Ascertaining these facts, the society, in the spring of 1834, petitioned the board to remedy the evils.

Almost simultaneously with this request the chol- era broke out in the city, and Father Kundig, who was specially active in the care of the sick, soon found himself burdened with the guardianship of about thirty children, committed to his care by those dying of that dread disease. He was forced to find homes for them at various places, and boarded them at his own expense. Some were sent to the county house, and others were gathered in a build- ing on Larned Street near Randolph, and the Female Association undertook to care for them. In order to obtain funds the members, on De- cember 31, 1835, held a Fair at which over $1,600 were received in one evening ; such an amount, even in these days, would be deemed extravagantly large ; and in that day it was convincing proof of the sympathy and appreciation of the public. A similar Fair was held in November of the succeed- ing year.

[650]

651

CHARITABLE AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES AND INSTITUTIONS.

In the spring of 1836 twenty acres of land adjoin- ing the county farm on the Gratiot Road were leased, a building erected thereon by Father Kun- dig, and the orphans removed thither. The house had never less than twenty inmates, and one hun- dred and forty different children were cared for. Aided by the Association, a school, which was free to all, was opened, and maintained until 1839.

The officers of the Association for 1837 were Mrs. Emily Leib, president ; Mrs. John Watson, vice- president ; Mrs. J. A. Van Dyke, treasurer ; Miss Ellen O'Keefe, secretary ; Miss Mary Palms, assist- ant secretary.

Father Kundig, who was appointed superintend- ent of the poor in 1834, continued in office until 1839. Such were the difficulties of the position, resulting in part from the panic of 1837, that he became bankrupt, and in the spring of 1839 certain of his creditors seized and sold the clothes be- longing to the thirty orphans then in his asylum. After the purchase of other poorhouse property by

ST. VINCENT'S CATHOLIC FEMALE ORPHAN ASYLUM.

the county in 1839, the asylum was closed, and the orphans distributed among farmers and acquaint- ances until homes could be obtained.

The present institution had its first home in an old building on the south side of Larned Street, just west of Randolph. It was opened by the Sis- ters of Charity on June 5, 1851. The next year this building was removed, and a brick building, with a frontage of seventy-five feet and a depth of twenty-five feet, erected on the site. It was first used in October, 1852. At that time there were forty orphans in the establishment and a large day- school was maintained. The asylum was subse- quently moved to the brick building formerly known as the bishop's residence, on the west side of Ran- dolph, between Congress and Larned Streets. Here the asylum remained until 1876, having an average of from one hundred to one hundred and fifty children.

The Sisters finally purchased a lot two hundred and fifty-two by two hundred and sixty feet on Mc- Dougall Avenue, between Larned and Congress Streets, at a cost of $16,000, and erected a building at a cost of nearly $70,000. The main structure is one hundred and thirty by sixty-eight feet, with two wings, each sixty by thirty-two feet. The building was dedicated July 19, 1876. Up to 1882 the asylum had no regular revenue, but was dependent on vol- untary donations, and the proceeds of an annual Fair, which was usually very successful. Since 1882 it has been supported by an assessment upon the several Catholic congregations in the city. Only girls are received. During 1886 the institution cared for one hundred and eighty-six; two hundred and fifty can be accommodated.

It was incorporated in September, 1871, and the annual meeting is on the last Monday of January. The names of the Superiors who have had charge are Sisters Loyola, Lucretia, Edmond, and Mary Stella.

The Ladies' Protestant Orphan Asylum.

This institution was organized May 18, 1836, in- corporated March 21, 1837, and newly incorporated June 9, 1859. On the date first named, a number of ladies met in the Presbyterian Church on Woodward Avenue to consider the propriety and necessity of establishing an orphan asylum. At this meeting Mrs. J. P. Cleveland presided, and Mrs. E. P. Hast- ings acted as secretary. After considerable deliber- ation it was decided to complete an organization, and Mrs. Charles Stuart and Mrs. John Farmer were appointed a committee to draft a constitution. At a subsequent meeting this committee reported a con- stitution and by-laws, which were adopted, and the following ladies were elected officers : Mrs. C. C. Trowbridge, first directress ; Mrs. Robert Stuart, second directress; Mrs. Thomas Palmer, third directress ; Mrs. E. P. Hastings, treasurer; Miss E. S. Trowbridge, secretary; Mrs. Charles Stuart and Mrs. H. J. Hunt, auditors; Mrs. Godard and Mrs. John Farmer, Committee of Finance; Mrs. Macomb and Mrs. Crocker, Committee of Maintenance; Mrs. C. Stuart and Mrs. Ambrose, Committee of Educa- tion; Rev. Robert Turnbull, Major Benjamin F. Larned, Major Henry Whiting, Eurotas P. Hast- ings, Charles C. Trowbridge, and Jerry Dean, Counselling Committee.

The Association at once commanded sympathy and support; Cullen Brown gave the use of a house on Beaubien, just south of Fort Street, rent free, for one year. On Friday, January 13, 1837, the ladies took possession, and on February I follow- ing the asylum was opened under the superin- tendence of Mrs. Charles Chambers, assisted by her husband. She was paid a salary of $200.

652

CHARITABLE AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES AND INSTITUTIONS.

During the first year eleven orphans were received, all of whom were in the asylum at the close of the year. A city lot was now donated to the society by Elon Farnsworth, and George Hunt gave an acre of land on his farm, fronting on Jefferson Avenue near the corner of Adair Street. On June 8, 1837, the following officers were elected : first directress, Mrs. C. C. Trowbridge ; second di- rectress, Mrs. C. Stuart; third directress, Mrs. T. Palmer; treasurer, Mrs. E. P. Hastings ; secretary, Miss E. S. Trowbridge; Committee of Finance, Mrs. Lois Campbell and Mrs. Mason Palmer; Com- mittee of Maintenance, Mrs. John Hulbert and Mrs. Crocker; Committee of Education, Mrs. Kirkland and Mrs. John Farmer; auditors, Mrs. Henry J. Hunt and Mrs. Henry Whiting ; counsellors, E. P.

PROTESTANT ORPHAN ASYLUM ..

Hastings, C. C. Trowbridge, Major Henry Whiting, Mr. Crocker, Major Benjamin F. Larned, and John Owen.

On November 14 it was decided to move the asylum to a house owned by Messrs. Hastings, Kercheval, and Newberry, and the society also de- termined to erect a building of its own as soon as funds could be obtained. The citizens responded liberally to the call for this purpose. Plans were prepared, and in the fall of 1837 Messrs. H. B. Lothrop and H. H. LeRoy volunteered to supervise, without charge, the erection of the building, The work began; but lack of funds, owing to the hard times that soon came on, caused the work to stop, and the building remained unfinished until Julius

Eldred advanced the necessary means for com- pleting a portion. In the latter half of January, 1840, eight girls and seven boys became its first inmates. The original building was forty-two feet square, and cost $6,833. The wing on the west side was added at a cost of $4,000, and was dedi- cated February 13, 1872.

Owing to the society's plan of binding out the children in its care, their number in 1845 had dim- inished to five, and in June, 1846, the society, being in debt to the amount of $700, decided to close the institution until such time as there should be greater need, and larger means for, carrying it on. The building was rented for $100 a year, the few children left were boarded in a private family, and for the next six years even the annual meetings were unattended.

On June 10, 1852, the society was reorganized, and the following officers elected : first directress, Mrs. John Winder ; second directress, Mrs. Rev. M. Allen; third directress, Mrs. A. M. Bartholo- mew ; secretary, Mrs. Rev. R. R. Kellogg ; treas- urer, Mrs. O. C. Thompson. Thirteen orphans that had been placed in a house on Randolph Street were transferred to the care of the new organization; but as the property on Jefferson Avenue had been rented to private parties and also needed repairs, they remained where they were until May, 1853, when the society again took possession of its prem- ises. The first years after their return were years of small resources and great labor. Day after day, as regularly as she cared for her own household, the first directress solicited or purchased the day's supply of food for the little ones, and then carried it to them, paying fare at the toll-gate, then located this side of the asylum. From time to time, as children died, she took the little coffins into her own carriage, and bore them to the cemetery.

The annual meeting of the society is held on the second Thursday in January. It is controlled by a Board of Managers, consisting of two persons from each of the Protestant churches of the city. The board selects directors and other officers. The average number of inmates is thirty-five, and sixty could be accommodated. The yearly expenses are $2,000. The means of revenue are annual mem- bership fees of $1.00, collections in churches, pro- ceeds of lectures, and interest on reserve funds. The property in 1880 was estimated to be worth $15,000.

The principal officers since 1852 have been: first directress, 1852-1860, Mrs. John Winder : 1860- 1864, Mrs. C. I. Walker; 1864-1878, Mrs. Lewis Allen ; 1878, Mrs. A. G. Lindsay ; 1879- , Mrs. E. C. Brush. Recording secretaries : 1853 and 1854, Mrs. A. L. Story ; 1855-1860, Mrs. E. M. Clark; 1860-1886, Mrs. P. E. Curtis. Treasurers :

CHARITABLE AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES AND INSTITUTIONS.

653

1852-1855, Mrs. O. C. Thompson; 1855-1876, Mrs.S. Davis ; 1876-1878, Mrs. A. G. Lindsay; 1878-1886, Mrs. D. R. Shaw ; 1886- , Mrs. Jas. Nall.

St. Mary's Hospital.

This hospital, the first in the city, was established by four Sisters of Charity, in an old log building on the southwest corner of Randolph and Larned Streets. It was opened for occupants on June 9, 1845, under the name of St. Vincent's.

The first superior in charge was Sister Loyola, who, with Sister Rebecca, became identified with its history and success; and both sacrificed their lives in the exercise of duties connected with the hospital. It is proper to mention here, to the lasting credit of their order, that their hospital is the only one to which persons with contagious diseases were ever admitted; this fact made their name, "Sisters of Charity," not a barren title, but a blessed and practical reality. Such patients were, of course, isolated from the others.

After about five years of service in the original location, the Sisters erected a build- ing on Clinton Street near St. Antoine; and the name was then changed to St. Mary's. The lot running through from Clinton to Mullet Street, with a frontage of eighty-seven feet, was donated by Mrs. Antoine Beaubien. The building occupied

CEZARHER ENT

ST. MARY'S HOSPITAL. (New Building.)

the entire width of the lot, was fifty-four feet deep, and cost $10,000. It was first occupied on Novem- ber 6, 1850, and had accommodations for one hundred and fifty patients.

In this building, for twenty-nine years, the minis- trations of the Sisters were freely given and thank- fully received. On November 21, 1879, their pres-

LAL

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ST. MARY'S HOSPITAL. (Original Building.)

ent elegant structure, in the same block, but facing St. Antoine Street, was formally opened. It was erected at a cost of $50,000, on land worth $15,000, and in 1880 had accommodations for one hundred and thirty inmates. A free dispensatory is maintained in connection with the hospital. The old building, which is just back of the new one, is used for clinical purposes. The patients are mainly received on an order from the director of the poor, but others are fre- quently accommodated ; applications for ad- mission are made to Sister Mary Francis, who has charge of the hospital. The price of board and attendance is from $4.50 to $10.00 per week.

St. Andrew's Society.

A society by this name was in existence in 1835, with A. D. Fraser as president. The present society, composed of Scotchmen and their descendants, was organized November 30, 1849, and incorporated July 2, 1877. Its annual meeting is on November 30, with regular meetings on the first Monday of each month. Its object is to relieve natives of Scotland, their children, or grandchildren. It has about one hundred members, each of whom pay $2.00 annually as dues.

The chief officers of the organization have been : Presidents : 1850 and 1851, J. L. Lyell; 1852, E.

654

CHARITABLE AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES AND INSTITUTIONS.

Anderson; 1853, Duncan Stewart; 1854, Robert Linn; 1855, William Adair; 1856, Hugh Moffat; 1857, William Barclay; 1858, George McMillan ; 1859, James S. Blair; 1860, Robert Linn; 1861, V. J. Scott; 1862, James Black; 1863, V. J. Scott; 1864, J. Stewart ; 1865, J. B. Wilson ; 1866, J. For- syth ; 1867-1870, Nicol Mitchell ; 1870, A. McAdam; 1871, Jas. Anderson; 1872, T. McGregor ; 1873, J. B. Wilson ; 1874-1878, W. Adair ; 1878-1880, J. Mc- Gregor; 1880-1882, John B Wilson ; 1882-1884, J. C. Cobb; 1884, Wm. Adair; 1885- , George Hendrie. Treasurers: 1850-1852, Geo. Kennedy; 1852, R. McDonald; 1853-1868, E. Anderson; 1868-1874, R. Hosie; 1874, Thomas Linn; 1875- 1877, John McGregor; 1877- , William Lock- hart. Secretaries: 1850-1851, James Black; 1852, James Cameron; 1853, William Barclay; 1854, John Wilson; 1855, George Hutton; 1856-1859, Alexander Reekie; 1859-1861, Peter Young; 1861- 1863, A. McLean; 1863-1865, Robert Hosie; 1865, William Buchan ; 1866, Alexander MacAdam; 1867-1871, George T. Gray; 1871, D. T. Corrie; 1872, William Gillis; 1873-1876, George T. Gray ; 1876, Andrew Smith; 1877, R. Laidlaw; 1878-1880, John Pettie; 1880-1883, Thomas T. McMillan ; 1883, Robert Lisk ; 1884- , R. Fleming.

Workingmen's Aid Society.

This society owns what is known as Arbeiter Hall, on the northwest corner of Russell and Cath- arine Streets. It was organized September 24, 1851, and incorporated February 17, 1867. The hall was dedicated on May 17, 1868. The lots and building cost $32,000.

The annual meeting of the society is on the first Tuesday in January. It numbers about five hun- dred members, who pay an initiation fee of $15 and dues of $5.00 per year. Any able-bodied man of good character, between twenty-one and fifty years of age, is eligible to membership. The society pays its members $5.00 per week during actual sickness, and $425 to the family on the decease of a member, $300 of which comes from a State organization. In case the wife of a member dies, $100 is given him.

Lafayette Benevolent and Mutual Aid Society.

The organization of this society dates from Feb- ruary 3, 1853. It was incorporated in September, 1857, re-incorporated in June, 1863, and again, by special Act, in January, 1868. Its annual meeting is held on the third Thursday in June. The Board of Directors, who have general management of the society, meet on the first and second Thursdays of each month. It has about one hundred members, who pay yearly dues of $3.00 each. The mem- bership is confined to persons of French descent or affiliation, and others who speak the French

language. Sick members are allowed $5.00 per week for not more than six months, on the occasion of any one illness; and $40 are granted towards funeral expenses in the event of decease.

The society has a lot and a building on the north side of Gratiot Avenue, between Beaubien and St. Antoine Streets. It is worth about $8,000, and was purchased October 4, 1865, for $3,500. The society spent $2,300 in refitting it, and took possession December 1I, 1865.

The presidents have been: 1853-1856, Daniel J. Campau; 1856, Charles Domine and Francis X. Cicott; 1857, Edward N. Lacroix and Israel I. Beniteau; 1858, Pierre Desnoyers; 1859, Thomas Campau; 1860, Israel I. Beniteau; 1861, Edward V. Cicotte; 1862-1865, Edward N. Lacroix; 1865- 1867, F. X. Demay; 1867, Chas. J. Dossin ; 1868- 1871, Jean B. R. Gravier ; 1871, Aug. Paulus ; 1871- 1873, A. Gaudron ; 1873-1875, J. Goffinet ; 1875- 1877, P. J. D. Van Dyke; 1877-1879, J. Belanger ; 1879-1883, J. L. Favre ; 1883-1886, C. M. Rousseau ; 1886, J. L. Favre ; 1887- , Peter Dupont.

The Industrial School.

In response to a notice read in the several Pro- testant churches, about sixty ladies gathered at the First Congregational Church, on June 2, 1857, to consider the establishment of an organization for the special purpose of breaking up the begging from house to house by children. At this meeting it was resolved to form a society, and on June 16 it was fully organized. Its present scope is somewhat larger than was originally contemplated. Any girl under fourteen or boy under ten needing clothes and schooling is deemed a proper subject for its benevolence.

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The history of Detroit and Michigan; or, The metropolis illustrated; a chronological cyclopedia of the past and present, Vol I, Part 104

Author: Farmer, Silas, 1839-1902 Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Detroit, S. Farmer & co Number of Pages: 1096

Author: Farmer, Silas, 1839-1902
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Detroit, S. Farmer & co
Number of Pages: 1096