The history of Detroit and Michigan; or, The metropolis illustrated; a chronological cyclopedia of the past and present, Vol I, Part 105

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 105

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Its first rooms were in the upper stories of 26 Monroe Avenue; they were opened October 5, 1857, with sixteen scholars. Mrs. M. G. Tyler served as teacher and matron. Within a month, during which time the school had increased to seventy-nine scholars, the matron was compelled by illness to resign. Mrs. E. M. Sheldon succeeded her, and continued in charge until May 1, 1858. The school was then moved to its present site on the northwest corner of Washington and Grand River Avenues In order to obtain funds for carry- ing out its work, cards, with the address and object of the school printed thereon, were sold, to be given to children who solicited alms. This plan was dis- continued about 1870. Funds are now obtained from membership dues of $1.00 per year, and from various entertainments. Those given under the auspices of gentlemen prominent in the Board of Trade were particularly successful. Among the early supporters of the society, the name of John Hull deserves special mention. For a long period

CHARITABLE AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES AND INSTITUTIONS.

655

of time he gave all the meat needed for the daily meals of the pupils, amounting to hundreds of pounds. Since his death, Thomas Barlum has fol- lowed in his footsteps and, year after year, gives large quantities of meat.

In 1866 the society purchased for $6,000 the lot and building they were occupying, and in January, 1868, they became a cor- porate body. On June 11, 1879, the old building was put into the hands of work- men to be demolished, and the school was kept at No. 13 Grand River Avenue until the present tasteful structure was com- pleted. It stands on the old site, cost $12,000, and was dedicated on December 9, 1879. C. I. Walker and Rev. Z. Eddy made appropriate addresses on the occasion. In 1880 the building and lot were estimated to be worth $20,000. The building can accommodate two hundred children. The average attendance is fifty in summer and one hundred in winter.

The society is managed by representatives selected from various Protestant churches. Its annual meeting is on the second Monday of January, and regular meetings are held on the first Monday of each month. A teacher and a matron are constantly employed. The annual cash expenses of the institution are about $1,500. One

THE NEW INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL.

daily meal is furnished regular scholars, and good lessons and attendance will procure reward tickets, payable in clothing. In this way nearly two suits a year are provided for the children. Boys are taught to split wood, sew on buttons, and do other

practical work as occasion offers. The girls are taught to prepare vegetables, to wash, scrub, and clean, to set the table and serve as waiters, and from 3 to 6 P. M. every day they are taught to sew by ladies who visit the school for that purpose.

OLD INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL BUILDING.

Since November, 1866, a Sunday school has been held in the building, which most of the children attend.

The chief officers have been : first directress, 1857-1864, Mrs. H. H. Brown; 1864-1868, Mrs. W. A. Butler. Presidents : 1868, Mrs. W. A. Butler ; 1869, Mrs. G. V. N. Lothrop ; 1870-1872, Mrs. Cleaveland Hunt; 1872- 1874, Mrs. Colin Campbell ; 1874-1877, Mrs. W. G. Henry ; 1877-1884, Mrs. C. Van Husan; 1884, Mrs. E. H. Butler; 1885-1887, Mrs. J. Black 1887- , Mrs. W. W. Leggett. Re- cording secretaries: 1857-1862, Mrs. D. B. Duffield ; 1862-1866, Mrs. L. Allen; 1866- 1870, Mrs. C. Hunt ; 1870, Mrs. M. H. Web- ster; 1871- , Mrs. J. Harvey. Treasur- ers : 1857-1859, Mrs. A. H. Dey; 1859-1866, Mrs. S. E. Noyes; 1867-1870, Mrs. C. Campbell; 1870- , Mrs. G. N. Fletcher.

St. Joseph's Retreat ( formerly Michigan Retreat for the Insane. )

The grounds formerly occupied by this in- stitution were originally used by the Sisters of Charity for farm purposes, and convalescents from St. Mary's Hospital were sent there to recuperate. Sister Mary De Sales had charge, and under her direction, on January 25, 1 860, the Sisters opened the Insane Department in a large frame building on Michigan Avenue just beyond Twenty-fourth Street. In 1870 a brick building was erected at a cost of about $20,000,

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CHARITABLE AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES AND INSTITUTIONS.

It accommodated ninety patients, and was usually nearly full. It received its funds from friends of the patients, who paid for their care. The grounds embraced twenty-one acres, and the entire property was owned by the Sisters in charge. It was incor- porated December 27, 1870, and reincorporated on November 30, 1883, by the name of St. Joseph's Retreat. The property at the same time was con- veyed to the following trustees : Sarah Tyler, Mary Reed, Lydia Miller, Elizabeth Sweeney, and Mar-

FORMER ST. JOSEPH'S RETREAT FOR THE INSANE.

garet C. Mullen. New trustees are elected yearly on the first Tuesday of March.

The property occupied in Detroit became very valuable, and it was decided to sell and remove to Dearborn. Accordingly grounds were procured at that place and a building costing $150,000 erected. It was first opened October 28, 1886, and will accommodate 175 persons, and has an average of 125 inmates.

St. Luke's Hospital, Church Home and Orphanage.

This institution was incorporated March 16, 1861, and again on March 31, 1866. The annual meeting is on the first Tuesday after Easter, and regular meetings of the Executive Committee are held the first Monday in each month. The society had its origin in a bequest of $1,500 made by Mrs. Caniff, which at the death of her husband was to revert to St. Paul's Church as the nucleus for a hospital to be called St. Luke's. The further sum of $900, the use of which she left to three nephews during their life, was eventually to revert to the hospital. These bequests stimulated the organization of the institu- tion, but no funds were realized therefrom until 1878, when the sum of $2,100 was obtained.

The hospital was opened in a building on the south side of Lafayette Avenue, between Griswold and Shelby Streets, the use of which was donated by Mrs. H. R. Andrews, by lease dated April 29, 1864. About $600 were spent in repairs, and on July 18, 1864, the hospital was opened for patients.

In order to aid the enterprise, a number of ladies from the several parishes gave a dinner in Hub- bard's Grove, on July 4, 1865, which netted about $600. The sale of the property on Lafayette Ave- nue necessitated a removal, and on April 3, 1866, the society was reorganized, and the following month took possession of one of the buildings of the Harper Hospital on Woodward Avenue, and remained there until their own building was com- pleted. It is located on the south side of Fort Street West, just beyond Clark Ave- nue. The society, on September 13, 1865, purchased a strip of land about two hundred and fifty feet wide, ex- tending to the river, a distance of one thousand seven hundred feet, for $8,400. They subsequently exchanged the river front for a strip adjoining on Fort Street, and in 1880 Robert P. Toms gave them an additional piece of land which cost him $1,500. They now have five hundred and fifty feet on Fort Street by about nine hundred feet deep, or nearly nine acres. Their building was erected in 1868 at a cost of $22,500; the corner-stone was laid on August 21 of that year. With the grounds, the property is worth $50,000.

In 1880 they had other property, worth an addi- tional $50,000. Among the gifts that largely increased their possessions, that of Henry L. Walker was one of the largest. His will, which was probated January 29, 1874, gave to the hospital $10,000 of Second National Bank Stock, $7,000 in mortgages, and a house and lot worth $5,000 on Howard Street. The bequest was subject to an annuity of $300, to be paid to his invalid sister. She consented to remove to the hospital, where she was handsomely cared for during the three years she lived. His housekeeper, by the terms of the will,

ST. LUKE'S HOSPITAL, CHURCH HOME AND ORPHANAGE.

has the use of the Howard Street House and $300 per year. In addition to the above, Frank Nevin made a bequest of $1,500.

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CHARITABLE AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES AND INSTITUTIONS.

In order to provide greater security for the trust, those who held the property conveyed it on April 23, 1881, to the following nine trustees, who were elected for life: H. P. Baldwin, T. H. Eaton, C. C. Trowbridge, E. Lyon, R. P. Toms, T. Ferguson, Robert McMillan, F. E. Driggs, and S. D. Miller. After the death of Mr. Trowbridge and Mr. Toms, George H. Minchener and H. C. Parke were elected to the vacant trusteeships. At the time the property was conveyed to trustees, the scope of the institution was enlarged to include the care of orphan children.

Although managed exclusively by members of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and intended prim- arily as a home and hospital for the aged, sick, and poor of this denomination, persons of all denominations may be admitted. Some are ad- mitted free, and the charge for other patients, in- cluding medical attendance, ranges up to $7.00 per week. There is an average of thirty-five inmates, and from fifty to seventy-five can be accommodated. The annual expenses are about $6,000 ; very many articles, however, are donated. The institution is maintained by collections in the several parishes, by membership fees of $2.00 a year, by voluntary dona- tions, and the sums paid by inmates.

The chief officers have been as follows: presi- dents : 1861-1866, Bishop S. A. McCoskry ; 1866-1873, Henry P. Baldwin; 1873, George S. Swift; 1874-1877, William E. Warriner; 1877-1882, F. E. Driggs; 1882, C. C. Trowbridge; 1883- , T. H. Eaton. Recording secretaries : 1861-1864, B. Vernor ; 1864-1866, A. A. Rabineau ; 1866-1871, Sidney D. Miller ; 1871-1873, C. L. Atterbury ; 1873- 1882, Preston Brady ; 1882- , George H. Min- chener. Treasurers : 1861-1864, W. Parker ; 1864- 1866, M. W. Field ; 1866-1873, A. A. Rabineau; 1873, S. D. Miller ; 1874- , H. P. Baldwin, 2d.

The Detroit Ladies' Society for the Support of Hebrew Widows and Orphans in the State of Michigan.

This society was organized in July, 1863, and in- corporated March 21, 1865. The annual election is held on the second Sunday in October. Its aim is to help needy Israelite widows and orphans. It has about eighty members, who pay quarterly dues of $1.00 each. The society has no building, but pro- vides for the care of its beneficiaries wherever it deems best.

The chief officers have been : Presidents : 1864, Mrs. E. S. Heineman ; 1865-1869, Mrs. F. Hirsch- man ; 1869-1872, Mrs. S. Schloss ; 1872-1883, Mrs. E. S. Heineman ; 1883, Mrs. H. Frank ; 1884- , Mrs. E. S. Heineman. Secretaries : 1864-1866, Mrs. I. Frankel ; 1866-1868, Mrs. S. L. Knoll ; 1868, Mrs. S. Cohen ; 1869, Mrs. E. Eppstein; 1870-1872, Mrs. H. Hill; 1872-1874, Mrs. E. M. Gerechter ;

1874-1879, Mrs. I. Frankel ; 1879, Mrs. E. Kallman ; 1880-1882, Mrs R. Karpeles ; 1882, Mrs. L. Slo- man; 1883- , Mrs. H. A. Krolik. Treasurers : 1864-1866, Mrs. M. Trounstine ; 1866-1869, Mrs. B. Prell: 1869-1872, Mrs. E. S. Heineman; 1872-1876, Mrs. S. Schloss ; 1876- , Mrs. A. Landsberg.

Harper Hospital.

This institution represents one of the largest donations ever made to any object in Detroit ; and it is not greatly to the credit of other and more wealthy citizens that one who made most of his riches elsewhere should have given most of the means for the establishment of this magnificent charity.

Walter Harper did not hold to his wealth as long as life lasted, but became his own executor, and lived to see his gift of a hospital in active opera- tion. He accumulated his property in Philadelphia ; came to Detroit about 1832, and lived here an al- most unknown citizen for more than a quarter of a century preceding the execution of his deed of trust of February 4, 1859. This deed conveyed nearly one thousand acres of land, most of it within a few miles of Detroit, and also three dwellings in Phila- delphia, to a Board of Trustees, for the purpose of establishing the hospital which bears his name. The property was then estimated to be worth about $30,000. The only condition that he made, as to himself, was that he be paid during life an annuity of $2,000, one half of which was to be devoted yearly to the discharge of a mortgage of $8,500 on the property until it was paid.

On March 2, 1864, he voluntarily reduced the amount of the annuity he was personally to receive to $600 per year. The deed of trust provided for the establishment, in the discretion of the trustees, not only of a hospital, but of a school, to be organ- ized and conducted according to the system of Em- anuel de Fellenberg, as exemplified by institutions at Hofroyl, in Switzerland, and also in Prussia, the special object being to afford poor but deserving youths opportunities of learning the ordinary arts and trades without a long and unsatisfactory ap- prenticeship.

At almost the first meeting of the trustees, on March 15, 1859, they received a further accession of property in trust. Mrs. Ann Martin, more familiarly known as Nancy Martin, deeded for the benefit of the hospital a five-acre lot in Detroit and fifteen acres of land in the Ten Thousand Acre Tract near the city, the property thus given being then valued at $15,000. By the terms of the gift the hospital was to be located on the five-acre lot and was to maintain a lying-in department ; Mrs. Martin was to have a small house built for her use and to receive an annuity of $600. On July 1, 1864, she

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CHARITABLE AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES AND INSTITUTIONS.

gave an additional three acres, which was only partly paid for, to the hospital, subject to a few life privileges. In accordance with the terms of the gifts, a house which cost only $450 was built on the five-acre lot for the occupancy of Mr. Harper and Mrs. Martin. The house was subsequently moved to Fremont Street, at a cost of $214, and here both lived until the death of Mr. Harper, on August 28, 1867, after which Mrs. Martin made the hospital her home.

The gift of Mr. Harper was a surprise to the pub- lic, and a greater wonder still was that from Nancy Martin, whom the older citizens remembered as a coarse, rough-spoken woman, who for many years had kept a vegetable-stall in the old market, and lived with Mr. Harper as his housekeeper. About two years after her first gift, she relinquished the market business ; and her spirit and manner became

Farrand, David Cooper, Frederick Buhl, Buckmin- ster Wight, A. C. McGraw, and G. B. Russel. They organized on February 7, 1859, by electing Rev. G. Duffield, D. D., president ; David Cooper. treasurer, and D. B. Duffield, secretary. After the death of Dr. Duffield, Buckminster Wight, on July 7, 1868, succeeded him as president ; and on his de- cease, F. Buhl was chosen president. R. W. King took the place of Dr. Duffield as a trustee, and on December 6, 1868, became secretary of the board ; D. M. Ferry took the place of B. Wight. On the death of David Cooper, his son, D. M. Cooper, suc- ceeded him as trustee, and on January 12, 1880, suc- ceeded Mr. King as secretary.

The annual meeting is on the second Monday of January.

During the progress of the war with the South, on June 13, 1864, and December 15, 1865, the trus-

HARPER

HOSPITAL.

HARPER HOSPITAL. (Original Buildings.)

much more mild and womanly than before. She died on February 9, 1875. Her portrait and that of Mr. Harper adorn the reception room of the hos- pital as the honored founders of one of the most extensive charities in the city.

Under Act of March 20, 1863, the hospital was incorporated on May 4 following. It is managed by a board of seven trustees. The first board were named in the articles of incorporation, and unless incapacitated were to serve during life, and were authorized to receive a reasonable compensa- tion for such care and attention as they gave to the trust. Vacancies in the board can be filled only on nominations made by the first Protestant (Presby- terian) Society, which submits, from time to time, as a vacancy occurs, the names of three persons to the board, and they decide which of them may serve as trustee.

The first trustees were George Duffield, Jacob S.

tees purchased, for $10,587.50, five acres adjoining the lot they already possessed on Woodward Ave- nue; and the entire tract of ten acres was offered to the Government, rent free, as a site for a military hospital, provided it would put up suitable build- ings. The offer was accepted, and eleven buildings were erected and furnished at a cost of $60,000. On October 12, 1864, the hospital was ready for use, and hundreds of sick and wounded soldiers were brought here to be nursed. At the close of the war, on December 12, 1865, the buildings were turned over to the society on the condition that they would receive and care for discharged, invalid sol- diers from Michigan. On December 28 following, the Michigan Branch of the United States Sanitary Commission agreed to pay the hospital $2,000 and such other amounts as their funds would admit on condition that the hospital receive and care for the soldiers then in the Soldiers' Home in the old Ar-

CHARITABLE AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES AND INSTITUTIONS.

659

senal Building on corner of Jefferson Avenue and Wayne Street; and on the following day twenty soldiers were removed from the home to the hospi- tal. In 1883 about a dozen Michigan soldiers were cared for at the hospital, at the expense of the State.

The hospital was opened for ordinary patients in January, 1866, and up to 1883 had an average of about fifty inmates with accommodations for one hundred. The price of board, including medical attendance, ranges from $3.50 to $7.00 per week. The hospital admits for treatment those of all nationalities and religions, and the physicians treat all diseases not contagious. Any person, church, society, or association contributing to the treasury of the hospital one thousand dollars or less is entitled to have constantly one patient free of charge in care of the hospital, at the rate of one month in each year for every one hundred dol- lars contributed ; and contributors of a sum less than one hun- dred dollars are entitled to pro- portionate privi- leges. Annual subscribers of one hundred dol- lars are entitled to have a patient ESFARMERENG on the books, and in the care of the hospital, for eight months of the year for which the subscription is made. Subscriptions of seventy-five dollars a year secure a similar privilege for six months, those of fifty dollars for four months, and those of twenty-five dollars for two months. Annual subscribers of any lesser sum are entitled to have a patient on the books for a time equal to double the amount of the subscription at the established rates for pay patients. Any person, church, or association paying by successive annual subscriptions a total sum of one thousand dollars may claim the privilege of the provision above mentioned.

On December 3, 1867, a dispensary for the poor was opened, and on the 7th of January following rules for its management were adopted. It was to be open from 10 A. M. to 12 M. On February 1, 1869, it was transferred to the Medical College established in one of the buildings.

An unexpected and liberal bequest was made to the hospital by the will of James Thompson, of

Almont, who died in 1880. He lived alone, and being without relatives, asked a friend, some years before his death, what he would recommend him to do with his means; this friend advised with him and called the attention of R. W. King to the request. Mr. King then wrote to Mr. Thompson, setting forth the objects and opportunities of Harper Hospital, but received no reply to his letter, and the matter had almost passed from his mind. The "bread cast on the waters" was, however, not wasted, for in his will Mr. Thompson made the trus- tees of the hospital his residuary legatee, and they derived from his estate the sum of $11,225.

The assets of the hospital in 1881 were estimated at $150,000. In 1882 a portion of the property fronting on Woodward Avenue was sold for the sum of $71,566. Contracts were then let for a new brick building, in the rear of the old grounds fronting on John R. Street. It was E enclosed in 1882, and finished dur- ing 1884, the total cost footing up about $115,- 000. The pa- tients were re- moved from the old building to the new struc- ture on April 12, and the hospital formally opened on June 19, 1884. It will accom- modate two hundred and fifty patients.

THE HARPER HOSPITAL. (New Building.)

Home of the Friendless.

The origin of this institution dates from May, 1860, when the Ladies' Christian Union was organ- ized. Their first annual report was made on July 8, 1861. Soon after the society was organized, Mrs. H. R. Andrews gave the use of a house on Lafayette Avenue, between Griswold and Shelby Streets, and here, in the summer of 1860, she superintended a home for women who wished to reform.

In December . of the same year, largely through the efforts of Mrs. S. L. Papineau, the home was fully established. On Tuesday, February 26, 1862, it was moved to No. 72, on the east side of Brush Street, between Congress and Larned Streets. Here the society continued until May 23, 1863, when they removed to the north side of High Street, be- tween Woodward Avenue and John R. Street. Their present capacious and attractive home, on

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CHARITABLE AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES AND INSTITUTIONS.

the south side of Warren Avenue near Woodward Avenue, was dedicated October 21, 1874. The grounds cover eight lots, each thirty by one hundred and fifty feet, and were purchased in 1868 for $3,600. The building was erected at a cost of $30,500.

In 1882 there was a debt on the property of $3,500, which was secured by a mortgage given to the Thompson Home for Old Ladies, and that organization also held three of the lots originally purchased by the Home of the Friendless; during 1883 the mortgage was paid, the lots repurchased, and the organization now controls all of the prop- erty they originally purchased.

THE HOME OF THE FRIENDLESS.

In 1881 the Home of the Friendless received a bequest of $10,000 from Mrs. Fanny Davenport Waterman, and in 1883 the corporation became the residuary legatee of Mrs. Sarah Prentiss, of Romeo, and received from her estate the sum of $8,430.

Originally the society was somewhat broader in its aim than now, undertaking the care of any 'woman who wished to return to a virtuous life. Now the home is maintained rather as a preventive of vice than as a reformatory institution, and there- fore "common drunkards, prostitutes, children of depraved habits, persons bearing the taint of disease or insanity, or who are subject to fits; and also pro- fane or hopelessly idle persons, or those guilty of any flagrant vice, are not received." The change in purpose and in name was made about the time the institution was moved to High Street.

In order to facilitate the work and to prevent the application at the home of improper cases, all per- sons seeking admission must apply to some one of a reference committee of seven ladies, selected from different parts of the city so as to be easy of access. Such persons as they recommend are admitted as transient boarders free of charge. Two members

of the committee are changed every two months. In the year 1866 the society commenced taking as boarders the children of widows and persons in ser- vice. In 1875 the boarding at low rates of single women needing a temporary home was also made a part of their work.

The president's statement of the work of the society in 1881 is as follows :

The work of the Home of the Friendless is to care for friend- less and homeless women and children. We average per day three such women, and twenty children, for whom and from whom we never receive a penny of compensation.

Secondly, we board at a sum that is almost nominal, children who have one or more parents out at service. Also the children of parents where either the mother or father are confined in jails or the House of Correction. Much has been done for such and their unhappy parents.

Thirdly, we board waif and stray old ladies who are dependent upon relatives better able to pay for than to give the care they need.

Fourthly, we have a standing contract with the lady managers of the Thompson Home to furnish their Home with light, heat, and water ; to supply their table with food, and do their laundry work, for a specified sum per capita ($2.50 per week).

The association was incorporated on January 6, 1863. Its annual meeting is on the first Tuesday in May. The Board of Managers was originally composed of twenty-five members, but in 1879 the number was increased to thirty, representing all denominations except the Catholic. In former years the society elected as vice-presidents twenty or thirty ladies, resident in different parts of the State. and through them received many donations; but of late the practice has fallen into disuse.

The home is now supported by subscriptions of $1.00 a year from all who wish to enroll themselves as members ; by voluntary donations of money, food, and clothing, and by an annual donation reception. Among its most generous contributors are many of the proprietors of the meat and vegetable stalls at the Central Market, who, since 1862, have filled the "Home basket" every Wednesday and Saturday when brought by boys from the home. The annual expense of maintaining the home is about $4,500. This amount, however, does not include the value of articles donated.

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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 105

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