USA > Missouri > Buchanan County > The history of Buchanan County, Missouri > Part 51
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THE SONS OF ISRAEL
is another worthy society among the Hebrews. It was instituted in September, 1879, with twenty-four members. B. Newberger, President ; H. Ehrlich, Treasurer; S. Binswanger, Secretary. The objects of the society are charity and mutual benefit.
THE LADIES' HEBREW BENEVOLENT SOCIETY
is also a prominent, efficient and highly respected organization.
CLUBS.
THE PHOENIX CLUB,
an organization for social enjoyment among the Hebrews of St. Joseph, was instituted in 1867, and included in its membership some of the most respected of that people. It has twice since then been organized. At its second organization, in 1880, Isadore Weil was elected President ; H. Ehrlich, Secretary, and Abe Furst, Treasurer.
THE UNCONDITIONAL UNION CLUB
was organized in St. Joseph, August Ist, 1863 ; W. R. Penick, President, and James T. Beach, Secretary. Over one hundred different clubs were at one time connected with this institution, which afterwards merged into a similar organization in St. Louis.
The following were the officers and members of the executive com- mittee of the Unconditional Union Club of Missouri : W. R. Penick President ; James T. Beach, Secretary; George Lyon, Treasurer ; William Loving, Louis Hax, W. M. Albin, William Fowler, James Hunter, David Pinger.
The above were all citizens of St. Joseph, and, with the exception of William Fowler, deceased, are still (1881) residents of the city.
MEDICAL COLLEGE
COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS
JW.HAINES"ENC SI .I
NAPOWELL AACHT
TOOTLE'S OPERA . HOUSE.
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH.
The medical societies of St. Joseph are three in number :
ST. JOSEPH MEDICAL SOCIETY,
the oldest organization of that character in the city, was instituted about the year 1849. O. B. Knode, M. D., was its first President. Doc- tors Crane, Howard, Catlett, and, indeed, all the best of the early estab- lished physicians of the city were members of this association. The society at one time published a highly popular medical journal, which lost its existence during the stormy days of the civil war, and has never since been revived. The organization, however, still (1881) continues to exist in a prosperous condition. Dr. Jacob Geiger is President.
THE SURGICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
was organized in 1874. J. D. Smith, M. D., became its first President, and J. M. D. France, Secretary. The officers in 1881, were J. M. D. France, M. D., President, and W. B. Craig, M. D., Secretary.
THE DISTRICT MEDICAL SOCIETY, OF NORTHWEST MISSOURI,
was organized June 17, 1875. W. I. Heddens, M. D., of St. Joseph, was its first President, and W. H. Bryant, M. D., of Savannah, its first Vice President ; Jacob Geiger, M. D., Secretary. It then included twenty- six members from eleven different towns and cities. Its present mem- bership (1881) is seventy-one. C. W. Spicer, M. D., of Fillmore, Andrew County, is President, and D. I. Christopher, M. D., of St. Joseph, Secre- tary. The society meets quarterly in St. Joseph.
SCOTTISH SOCIETIES.
There were, at one time, in the city of St. Joseph, two societies among her Scottish citizens, known respectively as the St. Andrews and the Caledonian Societies. The former has lost its existence.
THE CALEDONIAN
was instituted for benevolent and charitable purposes, in the fall of 1859, by a few leading Scotchmen resident in the city, prominent among whom were Alexander McGregor and John Burnside. Of the original founders many have died and others moved away from the city. Their first grand entertainment was held January 25, 1860. All good Scotchmen and descendants of Scotchmen, of reputable character, were eligible to membership.
There have been, from time to time, numerous
TEMPERANCE ORGANIZATIONS
in the city.
Mount Hope Temple of Honor was instituted August 22nd, 1874.
33
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH.
Crystal Wave Social Temple, an appendage of the Temple of Honor, was organized Nov. 26, 1878.
Webster Lodge, No. 206, was instituted July 3rd, 1867.
Others, of more or less importance, have existed at different times. Several of them were merged into the
RED RIBBON REFORM CLUB,
an institution which was organized December 16, 1877, by J. C. Bonte- cou, a temperance revivalist, who achieved considerable distinction in the discharge of his self-imposed duties. After the organization of the club, rooms were secured under Tootle's Opera House, and, with a mem- bership that speedily rose to 1,200, the work was fairly inaugurated. The club occupied these rooms till May 24th of the following year, when the upper portion of a building on the corner of Second and Francis Streets was rented and fitted for the use of the organization
These quarters, centrally located and easy of access, were admirably adapted to the purpose designed. On the first floor occupied by the club, were two spacious rooms, used, respectively, as a reading room and amusement room. In the former were found all the leading newspapers of the country, and, also, a well-selected library. In the amusement room were all the popular games, with the exception of cards. Every advantage of rational recreation was thus offered the members, while the strictest decorum was at all times enforced.
The entire upper portion of the building was used as a hall for the meetings of the club and the various entertainments which were given from time to time. This was provided with a spacious stage and all the accessories of a miniature theatre, including drop-curtain, foot-lights, scenery, etc. The seating capacity of this hall was over 500.
A very liberal policy was pursued by the management of the club, and refined amusements were from time to time presented for the enter- tainment of the members. Largely attended religious meetings were held every Sunday evening, at which, at different times during the year, the pastors of the several churches in the city officiated. Lecturers of distinction from other cities also occasionally addressed the club. In the winter season regular dancing parties were given, as well as dra- matic and musical entertainments for the benefit of the club treasury.
The first officers of the club were: Mordecai Oliver, President ; C. B. Wilkinson, First Vice President ; Thomas F. Ryan, Second Vice President ; William H. Wood, Third Vice President ; James C. Cozine, Secretary ; E. A. Smith, Financial Secetary ; T. Van Natta, Treasurer ; J. A. Winsch, First Marshal ; R. A. Craig, Second Marshal ; T, Huyler, Sergeant-at-arms.
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH.
COLORED SOCIETIES.
MASONIC.
Wilkerson Lodge No. 26, A. F. and A. Y. M., was chartered in 1868.
Pride of the West Lodge, A. F. and A. Y. M. was chartered in 1878, with thirty-eight members.
Mount Mora Royal Arch Chapter was chartered in 1876, with eighteen members.
These bodies all hold their sessions in a spacious and elegant hall on the northwest corner of Second and Felix Streets.
KNIGHTS OF TABOR.
Mount Tabor Temple No. 29, is a large and prosperous organization among the colored people.
Golden Fleece Tabernacle No. 127, was organized in 1877.
Queen Mary's Tabernacle was organized August 18, 1867.
The Good Samaritans, and Sons of Protection, are also flourishing benevolent societies among the colored people.
HOME OF THE FRIENDLESS.
The motives which could lead to the establishment of a place of rest and protection for the destitute and helpless among women, as well as of the legion of unfortunate little waifs of fortune drifted out on life's stormy sea, without friend or guardian, are among the most ennobling that belong to human nature. Hence, no institution of unselfish benevolence ever awakened a livelier interest in the minds of the people of St. Joseph, and of the county generally, than has the Home of the Friendless.
On the 8th of October, 1874, four ladies of the city, Mrs. Austill, Mrs. Rock, Mrs. Jeff. Williams and Mrs. Charles Thompson, made their first attempt in an enterprise which has since been clothed with such signal and generally unlooked for success.
They first rented, for the purpose of accommodating the home, a building, the property of Milton Tootle, on Antoine, between Main and Levee Streets, and now (1881) used as a hospital. This they opened on the date above mentioned, with three inmates, one woman and two small children.
This was the small beginnings of a grand and noble expression of human charity, which the devoted energy and unselfish labors of a hand-
528
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH.
ful of earnestly humane women, inaugurated under circumstances the reverse of encouraging, and which, in a very few subsequent years, was to develop results in which every friend to the cause of broad and unselfish charity in the city and county was to feel a just pride and a lively and permanent interest.
The institution, from its earliest incipiency, was established on the broad basis of human charity. Jew or Gentile, Catholic or Protestant, were, and are alike subjects of the ministering care of those devoted messengers of mercy, who recognize in the unfortunate and the afflicted, the cry of human suffering.
Since the establishment of the society, in 1874, the necessities of over eight hundred women and children have been relieved by this society. The watchful care of its members is not expected to cease with the provision of homes for the children, many of whom, after such provision, have been moved to other and more eligible guardianship through the aid and influence of ladies of the Home. From its organ- ization in 1874, good homes have been provided, generally in the country, for over one hundred destitute children from the city.
While the temporary and immediate necessities of every applicant are promptly relieved, only those from the state are permanently cared for. The inmates of the home are usually aged women and children.
After the first establishment of the institution, it was subject to several removals at different times, the society being, for many years, unable to own a building.
In the summer of 1880, George T. Hoagland offered to donate to the society, for a Home for the Friendless, an elegant two-story brick residence with ten acres of ground, at Saxton, on the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad, six miles east of St. Joseph. This munificent gift the ladies were compelled to decline, in view of the distance of its location from the city.
This liberality on the part of Mr. Hoagland, however, seemed to prompt a kindred spirit in the minds of others. R. H. Jordan, Major Condon and Colonel John Tyler labored indefatigably as a committee for the purpose of soliciting funds for the purchasing of a Home for the unfortunate. Their efforts were ultimately crowned with complete suc- cess, and with the amount realized, $3,500, was purchased the splendid place on the corner of Main and Pouline Streets, formerly the property and residence of Armstrong Beattie, in his life-time the leading banker of St. Joseph. The building is an old-fashioned but comfortable brick residence. It stands in a half block of well-improved ground, laid out in terraces, communicating with each other by means of stone steps. It is well shaded with ornamental trees, and is in every respect attractive in appearance. The $3,500 paid for this property was the original cost of the stone wall by which it is surrounded.
529
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH.
The following is the article of incorporation :
In the matter of the incorporation of the Home of the Friendless Aid Society :
Now, at this day, comes the above-mentioned matter coming on for hearing, and it appearing that the petition herein, together with the articles of association thereto attached, have been on file in the clerk's office of this court for more than three days since said petition and arti- cles were presented to the court, the same having been presented on the IIth day of May, 1881, as appears by the official endorsement thereof on the back of said petition, and it further appearing that said articles of agreement and the purposes of the association come properly within the province of Article 10, Chapter 21, of the Revised Statutes of Missouri for 1879, and are not inconsistent with the constitution or laws of the United States or State of Missouri, it is ordered and decreed by the court that said Rufus H. Jordan, Frank C. Condon and Adam N. Schuster, President, Secretary and Treasurer respectively of said association, and their associates and successors, be and are hereby incorporated, under the name of the "Home of the Friendless Aid Society," and that they have and possess the rights, privileges and powers set out in said arti- cles of association.
STATE OF MISSOURI, COUNTY OF BUCHANAN.
I, Samuel D. Cowan, Clerk of the Circuit Court in and for the county and state aforesaid, do certify that the above and foregoing is a full, true and complete decree of court, made as aforesaid, in the above entitled cause, as the same appears of record, and on file in my office.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court at office in the City of St. Joseph, this 23d day of May, 1881.
S. D. COWAN, Clerk. by G. D. FRAME, D. C.
In the articles of association it is provided that the name and style of the corporation shall be the Home of the Friendless Aid Society, and shall be located in the city of St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri.
The object and purpose of the corporation shall be to act as trustee, under section 911, of the Revised Statutes, in carrying out the benev- olent purposes of the Ladies' Union Benevolent Association, heretofore incorporated, under the laws of Missouri, relating to charitable and benevolent associations, the property to be owned by those contributing to its present purchase or future improvement, and is to be conveyed by deed to this corporation for the use and purposes aforesaid. Should the said Ladies' Union Benevolent Association, at any time hereafter, aban- don its purposes and franchises, the object and purposes of this shall be deemed to have fully accomplished, and the same shall be dissolved, and the proceeds of said property shall be divided among the persons who have contributed thereto, their heirs or assigns, as their interest shall then appear.
530
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH.
It is provided in section 4, that the officers of the corporation shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Board of Trustees.
In section 14, it is provided that the following named persons shall constitute the Board of Trustees until the next annual election: R. H. Jordan, J. C. Evans, M. A. Reed, H. K. Judd, F. C. Condon, A. N. Schuster and J. H. Robison.
The subscribers who contributed aid towards the purchase of the Home include a large number of the citizens of St. Joseph.
The officers of the Home have always been elected yearly. Those first chosen were Mrs. John Donovan, President ; Mrs. George Connell, Vice President ; Mrs. A. N. Schuster, Treasurer ; Mrs. Jeff Williams, Recording Secretary and Mrs. John Townsend, Corresponding Secre- tary. Mrs. Donavan remained in the same office for three consecutive years after the first election.
Of the original twelve directors but three now (1881) remain on the board. These are Mrs. John Dolman, Mrs. Michau, and Mrs. George C. Hull. The present officers of the Home are : Mrs. John A. Dolman, now serving her fourth year as President; Mrs. Dr. Ellingwood, First Vice President ; Mrs. Geo. B. Hoagland, Second Vice Fresident ; Mrs. R. H. Jordan, Third Vice President ; Mrs. M. C. Condon, Treasurer ; Mrs. W. A. Lord, Recording Secretary ; Mrs. Wm. Moore, Corresponding Secre- tary. These, with eleven others, compose the board of directors.
Heretofore, the expenses of the Home have been kept up by private subscriptions and the proceeds of a bazaar held once a year. From the liberality heretofore manifested, the managers and others interested in the success of the Home have been led to hope that the laborious neces- sity of keeping up these annual bazaars will be obviated by some sub- stantial aid, either from the state or from some other source.
THE NATIONAL TEMPERANCE RELIEF UNION,
of St. Joseph, is the outgrowth of several benevolent and mutual benefit associations. Its original charter is dated 1878. Present (1881) officers: J. A. Millan, President ; J. M. Street, Vice President and Business Man- ager ; John Donavan, Treasurer ; F. H. Lewis, Secretary. Membership, 7,500. Indemnity certificates in force, 1,100.
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CHAPTER IX.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF ST. JOSEPH.
The citizens of St. Joseph are justly proud of their excellent system of public schools, which not only afford a practical and liberal education for their children at home, but have given the city character and repu- tation abroad. They have been one of the most important factors in attracting immigration, and have done more than any other institution to add to the population, wealth and general prosperity of the city. They are the schools in which the great masses of the children are edu- cated-the children of the wealthy, of the men of moderate means and of the poor alike-all classes, and frequently many nationalities, being represented in the same school. Colonel Wilder, in an able editorial of recent date, says :
One of the best influences arising from our free schools is the fact that they completely break down the barriers that come from the differ- ence in nationalities and religions. Having four children at school, we are glad to be able to say that the education they have received in this respect, has been broad and generous, and is worth more, in many vital respects, than anything to be learned from books.
The scholar is the inhabitant of all countries ; he does not call Homer and Shakespeare and Goethe and Hugo foreigners ; they are his kindred and countrymen. And when your little child is made to imbibe this spirit ; when he is made to start out in life with it, you have broad- ened his vision and enlarged his heart in such a way that he will always be a man-the true American that the new generation is to see and to make.
Until the year 1860, no attempt at any system of public schools had been made in St. Joseph. Occasionally 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 that year, a few of the most enterprising of her citizens determined to make an effort to establish a system of public schools. They sought and obtained from the legisla- ture of the state a good and liberal charter, which reads as follows :
AN ACT TO INCORPORATE THE ST. JOSEPH BOARD OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, as follows :
SECTION I. That all free white persons residing within the limits of School District No. 1, in School Township No. 8, in Buchanan
532
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH.
County, in this state, as the limits of said district now are or may here- after be established, are hereby constituted a body politic and corporate, by the name and style of the "St. Joseph Board of Public Schools," and by that name they and their successors shall be known in law, have per- petual succession, sue and be sued, implead and be impleaded, defend and be defended, in all courts of law and equity, in all actions whatever ; may purchase, receive, and hold property, real and personal ; and may lease, sell or dispose of the same, and do all other acts as natural persons. They shall have a common seal, and may break and alter the same at pleasure.
SEC. 2. The powers of the corporation hereby established shall be vested in a President and Directors, who shall be free, white males, at least twenty-one years of age, who shall have resided in said district at least one year previous to their election, and who shall be citizens of the United States, shall have paid a city or county tax, and who shall be chosen or appointed as hereafter directed.
SEC. 3. The Board of President and Directors shall consist of a President, to be elected by the district at large, and two members, to be elected by each of the wards in the City of St. Joseph, as the same now are or may hereafter be established. The first election shall be held on the First Monday of February, A. D., 1860, at the usual place of holding elections in the several wards of said city, and the Trustees of said dis- trict shall, immediately after the passage of this act, annex those por- tions of said district situated without the corporate limits of said city to the wards in said city to which they are contiguous, for the purposes mentioned in this act, and appoint Inspectors and Clerks of election provided for in this section.
SEC. 4. No person shall be allowed to vote at any election for President or Directors, unless he shall at the time of offering his vote be a free, white male inhabitant, over the age of twenty-one years, who has resided within the limits of the district at least one year previous to said election, and who shall be a citizen of the United States, and shall have paid a city or county tax ; and no person holding any office under the provisions of the charter of the City of St. Joseph, or under any act amendatory or supplementary thereto, shall, during his term of office, be elegible to any office under the provisions of this act.
SEC. 5. The Board of President and Directors shall have power to judge of the qualifications, elections and returns of their own members ; to prescribe the times, places and manner of conducting the elections of members of said Board, in the several wards of said city ; to compel the attendance of members at the meetings of said Board, and by the con- currence of two-thirds of all the members elected, to expel a member, but not a second time for the same offense; to make rules for the gov- ernment of their own proceedings ; to take and have charge and control of the public schools and all the property appropriated to the use of pub- lic schools in said district ; to sell or lease any real estate belonging to 'said district ; to loan upon real estate security for a period of time not exceeding one year any money belonging to said district which is not required for immediate use : Provided, That in case any money is loaned by said Board, the rate of interest thereon shall not exceed ten per centum per annum, and the real estate security given for the same shall be free from all incumbrances, and valued at the last assessment roll of
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH.
the county at least double the amount loaned thereon ; and no member of the Board shall borrow any of such money, or become interested, either directly or indirectly, in any such loan. And provided further, That no member of the Board shall be interested, either directly or indi- rectly, in the purchase, lease, sale, or title of any real estate or other property belonging to or claimed by the corporation established by this act ; and whenever it shall appear that any member is interested in the manner aforesaid, the Board shall declare his seat vacant, and shall fill the vacancy in the manner hereinafter provided. The Board shall also have power to make all rules, regulations and ordinances necessary for the management and control of the property belonging to the corpora- tion, and for the government, discipline and other management of the schools under their charge, so that the same shall not be inconsistent with the laws of the land ; and generally to do all lawful acts which may be proper and convenient to carry into effect the objects of said corpo- ration.
SEC. 6. The President of the Board shall be elected for a term of three years, and shall hold his office until his successor is elected and qualified. He shall preside at all meetings of the Board, of which body he shall be considered a member ; appoint all committees, unless the Board shall otherwise direct ; he shall vote on all questions when the ayes and noes are called, or when the vote is taken by ballot, and give the casting vote in all other cases wherein there is a tie, and perform such other duties as naturally pertain to his office, and such as may be assigned him by the Board.
SEC. 7. The Directors shall be elected for the term of three years, and until their successors are elected and qualified, and one-third of ·their number shall go out of office at the expiration of every school year ; and for that purpose the Board shall cause its members to be divided by lot into three classes, as nearly equal as may be; the first class to go out of office at the end of one year. the second at the end of two years, and the third at the end of three years ; so that one-third of the Board shall be elected every year. And whenever the establishment of new wards in the City of St. Joseph shall require the election of new members of the Board, such elected members shall be classed accordingly.
SEC. 8. There shall be at least four stated meetings of the Board in every year, and the times and places of holding such meetings shall be prescribed by resolution or ordinance of the Board; and the President or any three members of the Board may call special meetings by giving three days' notice in writing to the other members of the Board ; and in all meetings of the Board a majority of all the members elected shall constitute a quorum to do business, but any smaller number may adjourn from day to day and compel the attendance of absent members.
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