USA > Missouri > Buchanan County > St Joseph > History of Buchanan County and St. Joseph, Mo. : from the time of the Platte purchase to the end of the year 1915 biographical sketches of noted citizens, living and dead > Part 15
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In 1873 a frame building was erected for the insane. These unfortunates had been kept at the state insane asylum at Fulton, but were returned owing to the crowded condition of that institu- tion. They were cared for in the temporary quarters until the com- pletion of Asylum No. 2. When that institution burned, January, 1879, they were again placed in the temporary quarters. The neces- sity of a permanent institution for the county insane was so press- ing that, in August, 1880, the judges appropriated $10,000 for this purpose. A building with modern equipments and with a capacity of 150 patients was completed in February of 1881. In this build- ing the incurably insane are kept. The county still maintains a number of patients at Asylum No. 2 considered curable.
Improvements were made at various times as the necessities arose until today the county has an asylum for indigent and insane that is both adequate and comfortable.
THE CITY HOSPITAL-For many years St. Joseph maintained a city hospital on the high bluffs on West Robidoux street. The build- ing was inadequate in nearly every essential, and there was little to commend it except the fresh air the patients were able to get. Of this there was an abundance.
There is no record of a city hospital prior to 1861. In that year the city acquired the site of the old hospital, upon which stood an old-fashioned building, which had been used during the pioneer days as a combination storehouse and dwelling. This building is still in existence.
The hospital building was forty feet square, two stories high, of brick. This building marks the struggles for an adequate city hospital that has been going on during the past thirty years. In 1875 the council set aside the dog tax for hospital improvement and extension purposes. With the proceeds of this revenue a one-story brick building, 20x40, was erected in 1878. In 1880 a second sec- tion, of similar dimensions, was joined to the first. In 1890-91 a second story was placed over the ground work and other improve- ments, such as water, lighting, etc., were added. This building served the purpose of a city hospital until early in 1902. A contract was then made with St. Joseph Hospital (in charge of the sisters of charity) for the maintenance of charity patients.
ST. MARY'S ORPHAN ASYLUM-This was for orphaned boys only, conducted by the Sisters of St. Joseph, and which de- pends entirely upon charity for its existence. It was established by Mother Clements, a lady of great energy and business tact, in 1879, at Corby Chapel, northwest of the city. In 1880 the late Francis Brown donated a substantial house and forty acres of ground, desirably located, about three miles from the eastern city limits .. The institution was abandoned early in 1900 for lack of support. The property is still in the possession of the Sisterhood of St.
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Joseph, and there is a lingering hope that some day the orphanage may be reopened.
MEMORIAL HOME-The Ladies' Union Benevolent Association is a charitable organization that has accomplished a world of good in a practical Christian manner since its organization in 1874. Forty-one years ago this society was organized in a quiet, unos- tentious way, by the Protestant Evangelical churches of St. Joseph. The society at the time of its organization had no funds nor a home in which to shelter the unfortunates, but it was composed of a band of earnest women who were willing to work. By soliciting contri- butions, by giving entertainments and by various other means, a little money was secured, a frame house at the corner of Antoine and Levee streets was rented, and the work begun. From that time to this the association has performed a charitable work that has commanded the respect and aid of the Christian and business ele- ments of the city.
In 1880 money was raised by private subscription to purchase what was then known as the Armstrong Beattie homestead, at Main and Poulin streets, which property has ever since remained in the possession of the association. The sum of $3,985 was raised by sub- scription to purchase the Beattie place, and since that time until the new building was erected, in 1895, it was twice remodeled and en- larged, at considerable expense, to accommodate the homeless and distressed.
This institution was for many years known as the Home for the Friendless, but October 1, 1895, it was converted into the Me- morial Home for Aged People, both male and female. Since the property was purchased, eighteen years ago, the old family resi- dence has been supplanted by an entirely new structure, no part of the original building remaining.
In 1896 the new building was remodeled and enlarged just before it was converted into a home for aged people. It is a solid, substantial brick building, heated by steam, supplied with gas and water and other modern conveniences, and is comfortable in every respect. This institution is supported largely by "The Hoagland Endowment Fund," created by George T. Hoagland in honor of his wife, and consisting of $25,000. This endowment is, however, not sufficient to entirely support the institution, and the publi con- tributes the remainder. In April, 1904, Mr. Hoagland's widow added $5,000 to the endowment.
HOME FOR LITTLE WANDERERS-The Home for Little Wander- ers, located at Twenty-eighth and Colhoun streets, in the extreme eastern portion of the city, is also controlled by the Ladies' Union Benevolent Association. This home was erected at a cost of $25,000, including the site. The home was a gift to the association from Charles W. Noyes, of the local shoe manufacturing firm of Noyes, Norman & Co. Mr. Noyes spent most of his life in St.
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Joseph and this section, but later moved to Boston. The Home for Little Wanderers is a love tribute to the memory of his daughter, who died in early womanhood.
The gift was made in 1892, accompanied by an endowment of . real estate on North Third street valued at $65,000. The building is of pressed brick, three stories, steam-heated, modern in every respect, and has a capacity of one hundred inmates. The ground consists of eight and one-half acres and the site is commanding and healthful. From the income of the endowment made by Mr. Noyes the home is supported entirely. Children of both sexes, from two years up to nine, are taken here and well cared for.
THE HOME FOR EX-SLAVES-The idea of a home for dependent ex-slaves originated in Charles S. Baker, an intelligent young negro. By persistent solicitation both at home and abroad he and those of his race who were interested with him in the work, secured enough money to build a structure at Seventeenth street and Highland ave- nue. This was under roof, but was destroyed by a hurricane in September of 1894. For a time the future of the project seemed gloomy, but Dr. P. J. Kirschner came generously to the rescue. In December of 1887 he donated one-half of the purchase price of a tract of two acres, with a substantial brick house, at Twenty-fourth street and Mitchell avenue, and gave the promoters long and easy terms on the balance, which amounted to $1,500. The project failed after an experiment covering a period of two years.
THE NOYES HOSPITAL-The Noyes Hospital, at Frederick ave- nue, Twenty-fourth street and Jones street, is a lasting tribute to the memory of the late C. W. Noyes, who had already done much to perpetuate his name in the city in which he lived. At his death, January 26, 1912, he provided that $275,000 of his estate should be devoted to the erection of a hospital. Provision is made for the care of those unable to pay, although a portion of the building is conducted similar to other general hospitals.
OTHER CHARITIES-The poor were always well cared for in St. Joseph. Up to the fall of 1897 distress was relieved by the county court and by the mayor. At various times organizations have existed for the purpose of systematizing the charity work and pre- venting impositions. For several years the Associated Charities, representing a consolidation of the various societies, did much good work in behalf of the needy. The Associated Charities kept a list of needy, and relieved those found worthy.
In 1897 a state law was passed authorizing the formation of a Board of Charities. This board was composed of members ap- pointed by the county court and by the mayor, and its business was the distribution of funds supplied by the city and county for char- ity. A secretary was employed, whose duty it was to investigate all applications and prevent imposition.
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In 1911 the present Social Welfare Board was created by state law. It is an amplification of the Charity Board idea and is sup- posed to put all charity work on a higher level. Some new, modern ideas were introduced with the creation of this board.
CHAPTER XVI.
1.1.
THE SCHOOLS OF BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH -PRIMITIVE SCHOOLS OF EARLY DAYS-THE PUB- LIC SCHOOLS; HOW THEY ARE SUPPORTED AND MANAGED-THE SCHOOL BUILDINGS OF ST. JOSEPH -- FINANCIAL STRUGGLES AND VICISSITUDES OF THE SCHOOL BOARD - DENOMINATIONAL AND PARO- CHIAL SCHOOLS OF THE PAST AND PRESENT.
The first school of any kind in Buchanan County, as near as can be learned at this time, was a private institution kept by Fran- cis Ferguson, in 1839, on the southwest corner of section 16, in what is now Crawford Township, near Halleck. It was in a log house, with a puncheon floor.
The court house at Sparta was also used for school purposes in 1841-44. Various academies were established in the country, all of which were eventually supplanted by the district school.
According to the constitution under which Missouri was admit- ted into the Union, the sixteenth section of each congressional town- ship was set aside for school purposes. In Buchanan County about $100,000 was realized from this source and the money is now loaned out by the county court to individuals upon real estate security, the interest going to the districts in proportion to the capital to their various credits. This, however, is a small item in the support of the public schools, the main source of revenue coming from direct taxa- tion. The requirements of the school districts are certified to the county court and are considered in the tax levy. Besides, there is support from the state.
Each district elects directors whose province it is to employ teachers and manage the schools ; and there is a county superintend- ent of public instruction, whose duty it is to pass upon the qualifi- cations of teachers, and, also, to certify to the state the number of children entitled to school support, the school age being from six years to twenty years.
In 1847, the first year in which Buchanan county participated in the apportionment of state school moneys, there was an enumera- tion of 547, and the amount apportioned was $481.36. In 1857 the enumeration was 5,099, and the amount $3,977.22; in 1867 the enumeration was 12,471, and the amount $6,584.69; in 1877 the enumeration was 10,736, and the apportionment $7,983. In 1897- a span of twenty years-the enumeration was 30,827, and the ap- portionment $28,767.
Other sources of revenue for school purposes are: An average bridge and right-of-way tax upon railroads, the sale of swamp lands, and various penalties.
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There are now seventy-five school districts in Buchanan county outside of the district in which the city of St. Joseph is located. In many of these districts there are substantial and modern brick school houses. The last enumeration in the county shows 5,253 persons within the school age. The county schools are of a high grade and there is commendable rivalry for excellence among the teachers. One month of each year is devoted to an institute, where lecturers and masters of reputation are heard; where the teacher is taught and brightened for the next season's work.
Until the year 1860, no attempt at any system of public schools had been made in St. Joseph. "Occasionally," to quote Professor Neely, "a free school would be taught for a month or two, or for a sufficient length of time to absorb what was not wasted or lost of the city's share of the public school fund." But there was no public school system, and St. Joseph had merely the organization of a country school district. In 1860 a few enterprising citizens obtained from the legislature a charter by which the St. Joseph Board of Public Schools was incorporated. Section 1 of the act provided that "all free white persons residing within the limits of school district No. 1, in township .No. 8, in Buchanan county, are hereby consti- tuted a body politic and corporate by the name and style of 'the St. Joseph Board of Public School.'" It was provided that there should be two members from each ward and a president, to be elected at large, the term of office in each case to be three years. The charter was made perpetual and the corporation given power to sue and be sued, to purchase, hold or sell property, real and personal, etc.
The war having changed the social condition of the negro, his education by the state was provided for in 1866 by striking out in the St. Joseph charter the words "fre white males" and inserting the words "resident taxpayers." Another change in the charter provided that the terms of the directors should be for two years and that one-half of the number should go out of office at the expiration of every school year. The president's term, however, was contin- ued at three years.
When the first board was elected there were but three wards in the city. This board was constituted as follows: Dr. J. H. Crane, president. Directors, First ward, Louis Hax, John Sheehan; Sec- ond ward, James A. Millan, John J. Abell; Third ward, William M. Albin and Erasmus Dixon. The First ward at that time comprised the southern part of the city, the Second ward the central part, and the Third ward the northern part. James A. Millan was elected secretary and Joseph C. Hull, treasurer.
A small school house was provided for each ward as soon as possible. That in the First ward was built at the southeast corner of Third and Charles street. The property was sold to John P. Fink in 1865 for $12,000 and converted into a shoe factory. It is now used for warehouse purposes. The Second ward was provided with a school on the east side of Twelfth street. It was afterward en- larged, and for many years was called the Franklin school, but was abandoned some years ago. The Third ward school was built
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at Second and Cherry streets. It was afterward enlarged and called the Madison school. Later it was known as the First Colored school, and now it is the Humboldt. The three houses were built from the same plans. They were of brick, 34x25 feet in dimension, two stories high. Each had two school rooms, one on each floor, with a narrow stairway in front. They were furnished with com- mon double desks of pine, and had a capacity of 120 pupils each. There were no cloakrooms or other conveniences.
The schools were opened on April 23, 1860. William H. Mar- mion was principal of the First ward school, and his assistant was Miss Annie Webster. Sidney P. Cunningham had charge of the Second ward school, and had for his assistant Miss Annie Banes (now Mrs. John Townsend). The principal of the Third ward school was J. W. H. Griffin, and his assistant was Miss Lizzie Brand (afterward Mrs. Carder). Salaries were not high in those days, the principal receiving $50 per month and the assistants $25.
In the winter of 1861 it was found that there were in each of the ward schools quite a number of pupils who had mastered more or less thoroughly the branches prescribed, and who were prepared to take up advanced studies. It was accordingly proposed to open a school of a higher order for their accommodation. Prof. Edward B. Neely had been conducting a classical school in St. Joseph for six! years, and had recently erected a school building on Tenth street, between Felix and Francis streets. The school board arranged with Professor Neely to take charge of the proposed higher branch, and on the first Monday in March, 1861, Professor Neely opened in his building what afterward developed into the St. Joseph High School. He had about forty scholars of both sexes, who had brought certificates of qualification from the ward schools.
In consequence of the disturbed condition of society from the impending civil war, the school board, at a meeting on May 21, 1861, resolved to summarily close all primary and grammer schools, but continue the advanced school until the end of June. From this time until 1864, there were no public schools in the cityy, although the board met occasionally and maintained at least a partial organi- zation. The buildings were sometimes rented for private schools and sometimes occupied by the military.
On August 12, 1864, the board of public schools-then consist- ing of Louis Hax, president; and David Pinger, William M. Wyeth, R. F. Maxwell, John Colhoun, J. P. Adolph and Bernard Patton, as members-resolved to reopen the schools. Professor Neely was, by unanimous vote, elected superintendent, a position which he filled without interruption until his death in 1904.
The board offered $80 per month salary to principals and $50 per month to assistants, and also decided to establish a high school, with the superintendent as principal, and one assistant at $80 per month. The schools were not entirely free. A matriculation fee of 50 cents per month was charged each pupil in the primary ard intermediate grades, and $1 per month in the high school. The Int. of taxation allowed by the charter was so small that full terms could
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not have been maintained without the aid of the tuition fee. On February 3, 1872, this practice was abolished, and since that time the schools have been entirely free.
October 3, 1864, the schools were reopened, with Professor Neely as principal of the high school, and Nelson Wilbur, a gradu- ate of Dartmouth College, as his assistant. Nathan Somerville was principal of the First ward school, with Miss Jennie Parson) 'as assistant. Benjamin R. Vineyard was principal of the Second ward school, with Miss Alice Bruner as assistant, her place being after- ward filled by Mrs. Annie R. Townsend. H. C. Mclaughlin was principal in the Third ward school, and his assistant was Miss India Cowden (later Mrs. Evan W. Ray).
The schools were immediately crowded and many applicants who applied were unable to gain admission for want of room. This condition continued until the school board found relief through a charter amendment in 1866, permitting an increase in the rate of taxation, which gave the board the means for building two addi- tional houses. With the proceeds of the sale of the First ward prop- erty and the yield of the additional tax, the Everett school, at Twelfth and Olive streets, and the old High School building at Tenth and Edmond streets, were erected. The buildings were iden- tical in plan, and the cost of each, exclusive of ground, was about $36,000. Labor and material in those days were both extremely high, as the older people will remember.
The High School was opened in 1866, with John S. Crosby as principal, and was used as such until 1896. The building was dam- aged by fire in 1889, rebuilt and enlarged. In 1895 it was remodeled. for grammar schools and offices of the board of education, and is now known as Robidoux School. It has since been rebuilt on more pretentious lines. The Everett has also been enlarged and is still in service.
In 1867 a house was provided for colored school children at Fourth and Michel streets. It was a one-story frame building, of which no trace remains.
In 1868 the school board found it necessary to issue bonds to provide additional buildings, and the sum of $40,000 was obtained from this source. As a result, the Washington School, at Fifth and Poulin, and the Webster, at Nineteenth and Beattie streets, were built in 1869, the former costing $11,658 and the latter $9,928. Both have since been enlarged to meet the demands. Outstanding indebt- edness was liquidated with the balance of the sum realized from the bond sale.
Still the provisions were inadequate, and buildings were rented where possible, to relieve the congested conditions. More school houses were necessary, and in 1872 the board found itself compelled: to again issue bonds to erect buildings and make necessary improve- ments upon property already owned.
At this time the board purchased the property now known as the German-English School, for $8,500. This school had been founded and maintained for some years by an association of Ger-
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man-English citizens, formed for the purpose of perpetuating their language in their children. In the conveyance of the property to the school board it was expressly provided that instruction in the "German as well as English language shall be given in equal pro- portions in all departments of instruction to meet the demands of the pupils from the whole city for such instruction, according to the capacity thereof."
The sum of $36,000 was realized from the bond issue of $40,000. With this money the board paid debts, built the Neely School at Twelfth and Scott streets, at a cost of about $10,000, erected an addition to the Everett School at a cost of $6,000, re- paired the Webster, which had been unroofed by a tornado, and made other substantial and necessary improvements.
In April of 1877 the people voted, by a large majority, to in- crease the rate of taxation for general school purposes from three to five mills, and the county court ordered a five-mill levy for that year. But in 1878, when the board asked again for a five-mill levy, the county court refused to make it, contending that the people had voted for the five-mill levy for the year 1877 only. The board applied for a writ of mandamus to compel the court to make the five-mill levy, and a judgment was rendered in the circuit court in favor of the board. Through some neglect the judgment was not recorded and it became necessary to go to trial again. The second trial resulted unfavorably to the schools, and the five-mill levy was not again made, it being the judgment of the court that the people must vote for such a levy each year. In 1878 the county court also questioned the legality of the school board's bonds by refusing to levy a sinking fund and interest tax. The question was tested in the United States court and the legality of teh bonds fully sustained.
In 1879 a school was built at Sixth and Jackson streets and named the Floyd. This was sold in 1888 to the Holy Rosary con- gregation and is now used as a Catholic church. The Crosby School, at Savannah avenue and Richardson street, was built in 1880, at a cost of $7,400. The Steinacker School, at Second and Louis streets, was built in 1883, and the present estimated value of the building is $16,500. The other schools were built in the following order, and the amount represents the present estimated value of the buildings : Hall, Twenty-sixth and Duncan streets, 1887, $5,450; South Park, 1888, $7,600; Colored High School, Eighteenth and Angelique, 1888, $17,690 ; Young, Ninth and Mary, 1889, $25,725; new Floyd, Third and Hickory, 1889, $18,920; Bliss, Thirtieth and Olive, 1890, $7,500; Ernst, Walker's Addition, 1891, $7,500; Grant, North Elev- enth street, 1894, $7,550 ; Lincoln (colored), St. Joseph avenue and and Pendleton streets, 1894, $10,600; Jackson, Twenty-fourth street, 1894, $6,550. The Avenue School, at Frederick avenue and Thirteenth street, was formerly a store building. It was rented for some years by the board and purchased for $10,000 in 1892.
After various unsuccessful efforts, the school board secured the consent of the taxpayers to erect an adequate and substantial High School building. The funds having been provided, the ques-
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tion of a site for the prospective new structure at once became paramount, and a lively rivalry ensued. The people in general would have been satisfied with an accessible and central location. However, the school board seems to have been actuated by high motives, so far as location and price went, for it purchased for $23,500 a piece of ground 125x200, on the highest point of Carpen- ter's hill, fronting on Thirteenth and Fourteenth street, about 200 feet north of Olive street. There was much popular indignation at this deal, for the location was considered out of range and inacces- sible, and the price exceedingly high.
Plans, prepared by Edmond J. Eckel, were adopted by the board during the winter of 1894-95, and the corner stone of the present building was laid with Masonic ceremony and a popular demonstration, together with oratory and music. The building was occupied in the spring of 1896, the term being finished there. The contractors were Bernard Feeney and William Rupert and John DeClue, and the cost about $90,000.
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