USA > New Jersey > Mercer County > Trenton > History of Trenton, New Jersey : the record of its early settlement and corporate progress. > Part 21
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154
THE CITY OF TRENTON.
The noble work they do is a subject of praise not only in this city but also in New York and Phila- delphia. The present members of the staff are Cornelius Shepherd, M. D., President of Staff ; B. W. McGalliard, M. D., Secretary, and Frank Cantwell, M. D., Curator. Attending Surgeons-Thomas H. Mckenzie, C. Shepherd and F. V. Cantwell. Attending Physicians-Richard R. Rogers, Horace
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ST. FRANCIS HOSPITAL.
G. Norton and B. W. McGalliard. Gynecologist-Dr. H. G. Wetherill. Oculist-Nelson B. Oliphant, M. D. Since its formation Sister M. Hyacinth has been in charge. The success of the hospital shows how well everything has prospered under her management.
MERCER HOSPITAL.
Mercer Hospital is located on Bellevue avenue, in the western portion of the city of Trenton, and is one of the finest buildings of its kind in the State. The hospital was formally dedicated upon the twentieth of March, 1895. Just ten years before the dedicatory services, a conference with reference to the establishment of a hospital was held at the residence of the late Hon. Barker Gummere, which in 1888 resulted in a movement toward the establishment of a Protestant hospital. A certificate of organization of the "Trenton Hospital," bearing date November 19th, was recorded. The management of the hospital was vested in a Board of Directors consisting of Caleb S. Green, Samuel K. Wilson, Edward Grant Cook, W. W. L. Phillips, Charles E. Green, W. H. Skirm. W. L. Dayton, R. P. Wilson, T. C. Hill, W. M. Lanning, W. H. Brokaw, John H. Stewart, William S. Yard, C. P. Britton, J. H. Blackwell. The Board of Directors, however, never organized.
The name of Dr. William W. L. Phillips, now Surgeon of the National Soldiers' Home, in Virginia, is next indissolubly connected with the Mercer Hospital movement. In February, 1892, Mrs. Louisa, widow of Harvey Fisk, with her son, Harvey Edward Fisk, made a proposition to aid the enterprise by the conveyance of desirable lots of land on Bellevue and Rutherford avenues as a site for the proposed hospital. Dr. Phillips thereupon sent a circular letter to the corporation of the Trenton Hospital and other persons interested in the matter. In response to this letter the following gentlemen met at the house of Dr. Phillips, on March 8th, 1892, and organized a new hospital corporation, under the name of the Mercer Hospital : Vice Chancellor John T. Bird, Dr. W. W. L. Phillips, Rt. Rev. John Scarborough, Rev. John Dixon, Hon. William S. Yard, Samuel K. Wilson,
155
THE CITY OF TRENTON.
Charles E. Green, W. L. Dayton, Richard P. Wilson, Elmer E. Green, John H. Scudder, Samuel S. Webber, Frank O. Briggs, William M. Lanning.
The articles of incorporation of the Mereer Hospital were filed on April 12th, 1892. In January, 1893, a letter was received from Harvey Fisk & Sons, by which the lot on Bellevue avenue was donated to provide a site for "a public hospital, which shall be for all classes, without distinction of race or creed."
On the first Monday in February, 1893, the first annual meeting was held. The finance committee, on September 19th, 1893, reported $20, 110 subscribed in addition to land donated by Mrs. Fisk's sons.
The location of the Mercer Hospital is admirable, commanding a wide sweep of river valley above the "Falls," and situated upon a ridge of land, high above the smoke and dust of the city.
So much of the buildings as have been completed, have been built with the intention of carrying out what is known as the pavilion system. The administration building, which now stands com- pleted, will form a center, from which, as necessity may require, or as the funds are contributed, wings or wards will be built extending from it and con- necting with it by what are termed service buildings.
The corner-stone of the administration building was laid on September 14th, 1893, with appropriate ceremonies.
The administration build- ing is a very handsome struc- ture, seventy-one feet wide, forty-four feet deep, and fifty- four feet in height. It has three stories and is constructed of stretcher red brick, trimmed in the modern ideas of orna- mentation. An imposing port cochere guards the en- trance, which is reached by a flight of broad steps. The basement, which extends under MERCER HOSPITAL. the entire building, will be used for the domestic service of the house. It contains a kitchen, servants' dining-room, matron's office, reception-room, medical board, library and trustees' room, together with several closets, instrument cupboards and rooms for medical and surgical supplies.
On the second floor are four rooms, each of which is furnished by subscriptions from the Presby- terian, Episcopal and Methodist churches of the city, and one room furnished by the Lawrenceville School. On this floor is also a children's ward, furnished by Mr. W. L. Dayton and Miss Dayton. The diet kitchen, nurses' room, matron's room and water-closets are also on this floor. On the third floor are three wards, containing four private beds, twenty-five ward beds and six children's cribs.
The operating-room is situated in the northwest corner on the main floor, and has a tiled floor, with walls of glazed brick, and glass on three sides. The interior finish of the building is in hard wood in the natural color. Through the generosity of the Fisk family a house on Rutherford avenue now belongs to the hospital, and use will be made of it as occasion requires.
The present Board of Directors is composed of W. L. Dayton, S. K. Wilson, Charles E. Green, E. G. Cook, W. S. Hancock, R. P. Wilson, John Scarborough, John Dixon, W. W. L. Phillips, W. H. Skirm, W. H. Brokaw, E. Gybbon Spillsbury, W. S. Yard, H. H. Hamill, J. H. Scudder, W. M. Lanning, R. A. Donnelly, E. E. Green.
The medical and surgical staff is made up as follows : Consulting Surgeons-Drs. H. G. Wetherill and C. H. Mellwaine. Consulting Physicians-Drs. William Elmer and W. W. L. Phillips. Visiting Surgeons-Drs. H. M. Weeks, N. B. Oliphant, Joseph B. Shaw, I. M. Shepherd, J. S. Jamieson. Visiting Physicians-Drs. C. F. Adams, W. S. Lalor, C. H. Dunham, W. A. Clark, H. G. Norton.
156
THE CITY OF TRENTON.
THE TRENTON CITY HOSPITAL.
Under the active interest taken by a number of public-spirited citizens, looking toward the establishment of a hospital, their efforts were at last rewarded. After several years of preparatory labors, the Trenton City Hospital was incorporated May 17th, 1887. Soon thereafter, the incorpo- rators opened and conducted a free dispensary at No. 7 North Stockton street for two years. During the successful operation of the dispensary, the need for a hospital was so apparent that the incorporators gathered about them a Board of Managers, for the purpose of establishing such an institution. After a short time, a property was purchased on Brunswick avenue, and suitably renovated and equipped for hospital purposes. The location of the hospital is all that could be desired. while the salubrious surroundings are conducive to the comfort and health of the patients.
The hospital was dedicated June 6th, 1889. Repairs being completed and a competent nurse secured, it was ready for the reception of patients on November 1st, 1889. During the year, or up to December 1st, 1890, one hundred and twenty- three patients were admitted to the hospital.
The property which was purchased belonged to William Ivins, Esquire, and is a house of the colonial type, 40 x 60 fect, with eight rooms for patients and an operating-room.
The following is the present Board of Man- agers : Joseph Y. Lanning, Eugene S. Davis, William A. Wells, Hon. George M. Robeson, Hon. Barton B. Hutchinson, Rev. Joseph E. Smith, D. D., Rev. Edward J. Knight, Ross Slack, Hon. John W. Cornell, Eugene B. Witte, M. D., George H. Poulson, Rev. Charles H. Elder, Prof. Thomas Landon, Colonel James S. Kiger, Oliver O. Bowman, John Guild Muir- heid, Amos A. Randall, Rev. George C. Mad- THE TRENTON CITY HOSPITAL, dock, Rev. William S. Voorhis, Frank J. Eppele, Jacob L. Herold. President, Hon. George M. Robeson ; Vice Presidents, Rev. E. J. Knight, Hon. Barton B. Hutchinson ; Secretary, Colonel James S. Kiger ; Treasurer, Eugene S. Davis, Esquire ; Superintendent, Dr. E. B. Witte ; Super- vising Nurse, Miss Ida F. Giles. The Medical and Surgical Staff is composed of Surgeon-in-Chief, Dr. E. B. Witte ; Visiting Physicians, Dr. A. W. Atkinson, Dr. A. S. Fell, Dr. J. H. Mccullough, Dr. W. W. Wooley ; Consulting Physicians, Dr. W. H. G. Griffith, Dr. W. G. Mccullough, Dr. A. K. Kline, Dr. E. B. Witte.
It has been the aim of the Managers to establish not only a well-equipped hospital, but a Training School for Nurses, so that the usefulness of the institution might extend beyond its narrow confines. The Board of Managers and Faculty of the school are exerting every effort in their power to make this branch of the enterprise as great a success as the hospital itself. The course of study embraces everything of theoretical and practical value to a nurse in the discharge of her duties, and makes her competent and at ease with any emergency that may present itself in the sick- room. Besides the lecture course, which extends over a period of six months in each year for two years, each student is expected to spend a certain time in the dietary department, where she will be obliged to prepare the various alimentary substances for the sick.
Applicants for admission to the school must pass a preliminary examination, both mental and physical, and furnish a certificate of good moral character from some minister of the gospel. At the close of the two-years' course, rigid examinations are held, and the successful candidates receive a diploma. The Training School was opened on October 22d, 1890, by appropriate exercises, consisting of music, prayers and addresses. After the rendition of some select music, and prayer by Rev. Dr. Davis, Dr. E. B. Witte delivered the address of the occasion.
Throughout the history of the school, there have been ten graduates, all of whom have become excellent nurses.
157
THE CITY OF TRENTON.
To Dr. E. B. Witte, Dean of the Training School and one of the leading homeopathic physicians not only in Trenton but in New Jersey, credit must be largely given for the successful maintenance of the institution. Often, practically single-handed, he has fought overtowering difficulties, thereby removing opposition to the hospital and the homeopathic treatment therein employed. At the present time, the hospital is in a prosperous condition. Extensive preparations are being made for the erection of new buildings, to the end that the institution shall increase its plan and scope of usefulness.
STATE HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE.
To Dr. Lyndon A. Smith, of Newark, belongs the credit of directing the attention of the people of New Jersey to the needs of an asylum for the insane. This was at an address delivered before the State Medical Society. In 1842 a joint resolution passed the Legislature, authorizing Governor Pennington to appoint commissioners to collect information in regard to the number and condition of the insane in the State, and if an asylum was deemed neeessary, to ascertain the best
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STATE HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE.
locality for the same, the cost of its ereetion, and like data. This commission consisted of Lewis Condict, James Parker and John Clement.
They reported to the Legislature in November, 1842, when it appeared that there were over four hundred persons in New Jersey who needed treatment. The matter, however, failed to awaken gen- eral interest and it was not until 1845, when Miss Dorothea L. Dix, of Massachusetts, memorialized the Legislature, that any action was taken. Miss Dix visited the various commitment places designed for the insane poor of the State, and urgently commended to the Legislature the subject of providing an asylum for their care and cure. Moved by the disinterested efforts and appeal of this dis- tinguished and philanthropie lady, the Legislature appointed a joint committee, which reported in favor of prompt action. The same year commissioners were appointed to select a suitable site, and an appropriation made of $10,000 to pay for the same, and $25,000 toward the erection of the building. These commissioners were Daniel Haines, Thomas Arrowsmith, John S. Condiet, Joseph Saunders and Maurice Beasley.
The commissioners, after visiting various localities, determined on the one upon which the building now stands.
158
THE CITY OF TRENTON.
In 1845, the Governor appointed Eli T. Cooley, Calvin Howell and Samuel Rush as commis- sioners to contract for and superintend the crection of the building; and after visiting various
STATE HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE (PORCH).
institutions for the insane in other States and examining many plans, adopted the draft of design by Dr. T. S. Kirkbride, of the Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane, from which a working plan was subsequently made.
This institution is located in Ewing township, northwest of the city of Trenton, and near the Delaware river. The build- ing is built of reddish sandstone (from the Ewing quarries on the premises), laid in rubble and broken range work, and pointed, with hammer-dressed stone for base. The erection of the Asylum was done by William Phillips and Joseph Whittaker, of Trenton-the builders of the State House. It was opened for the reception of patients May 15th, 1848. Numerous additions were made to the buildings from time to time. The "Legislative Man- ual" states that under the STATE HOSPITAL FOR THD INSANE (NEW BUILDING). direction of the present Super- intendent, Dr. J. W. Ward, a fine greenhouse has been added. He has introduced many new plans and devices for the comfort and amusement of the patients. Handsome pictures have been
159
THE CITY OF TRENTON.
hung up in the wards and dormitories of the patients. Flowers and amusements of various kinds, with tableaux, dancing, concerts and performances in the theater, tend toward the restora- tion of the mental health of the inmates. In 1889, a large new building was erected.
THE ODD FELLOWS' HOME.
The Odd Fellows' Home, for aged and indigent members, is situated at the corner of the Scotch road and Pennington avenue and is owned and managed by a corporation composed of about sixty lodges and encampments of New Jersey. Each lodge and encampment holding membership in said corporation is entitled to send members as inmates at the ratio of one for each one hundred members. The Home is maintained by the assessment of one cent per week for each member of the lodges represented. In 1884, the Grand Lodge of New Jersey appointed a committee to consider the feasibility of establishing such a Home. The site was purchased in 1887, and it was formally dedicated June 14th, 1888, by Grand Master Joseph Greaves.
This property was formerly occupied by Dr. Janeway and by him sold to Adam Clark. The house is pleasantly situated in a grove and is a commodious building.
THE YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.
The Young Men's Christian Association of Trenton, as at present constituted, was organized in the fall of 1886, with Judge William M. Lanning as President, R. M. Anderson as Recording Secretary, Samuel L. Baily as Treasurer. Its first quarters were at 33 West State street, or "Con- cordia Hall," now owned by the "Sunday Advertiser," where it occupied part of a store on the ground floor. Later, as the work grew, the entire store was put to the use of the Association. The first General Secretary was E. Tabor Thompson, who was succeeded in 1887 by R. Howard Taylor. W. A. Venter, the present General Secretary, succeeded Mr. Taylor in November of 1889.
After serving a little less than a year, Judge Lanning resigned and was succeeded by Mr. Sering P. Dunham as President, who held this office for nearly four years, and on Mr. Dunham's resigna- tion, Mr. J. A. Campbell, who is still serving in that capacity, was elected to fill that position. Mr. Anderson has continued as Recording Secretary of the Association since its organization ; Mr. Baily resigned as Treasurer a year ago last December, Mr. Charles B. Case being elected in his stead.
Like all associations of a similar character, the departments and lines of work of the Trenton Young Men's Christian Association are varied and extensive. The old rooms at 33 West State street soon grew too small for the work of the institution, and during the season of 1889 and 1890 the churches of the city were utilized for the religious services, and various halls for entertainments and other gatherings ; soon this arrangement became inexpedient, and a suite of rooms were occu- pied in the Baker Building, the gymnasium was located in Masonic Hall Building, Library Hall was engaged twice a week for entertainments, and the religious services were held in the Opera House and the churches.
In the spring of 1892 the massive building on East State street was begun by the Association, this movement being made possible through the efforts of its Building Committee, headed by Mr. J. B. Richardson and Mr. Fred. J. Slade, who sceured a total of $105,000 for the building and lot. The structure is two hundred and twenty-eight feet deep, fifty-six feet front, four stories high, con- taining a commodious hall seating nearly one thousand people, a very fine gymnasium, bath-rooms, locker-rooms and bowling-alleys in the athletic department ; parlors, reading-rooms, recreation- rooms and educational class-rooms.
The building was furnished by the ladies of the Woman's Auxiliary at a cost of about $6,000, and no more commodious edifice exists in this section of the country for the work of the Young Men's Christian Association than in Trenton.
The membership of the institution is large, one thousand one hundred and twenty-seven men and boys being enrolled, and the work of the Association has spread, so that now a large building is occupied on Perry street by its Pennsylvania Railroad Department, which numbers one hundred and twelve members, while the State Schools Department numbers sixty-two members. The Woman's Auxiliary, the first President of which was Mrs. James Moses, has nearly one hundred and fifty members, Mrs. J. J. Dale being the present President.
160
THE CITY OF TRENTON.
For four years the Association has maintained the largest and most aggressive religious work for men in the country, the average attendance at the Sunday afternoon song service alone averaging one thousand and sixty-two for last year, and in addition four Bible classes and five other religious services for men are held each week. The entertainments given under the auspices of the Associa- tion during the past few years have ranked very high, the best attractions from the concert and lyceum platform being brought to this city.
As an adjunct to the gymnasium, a fine athletic field of seven acres has recently been opened, and the bicycle club, base-ball, foot-ball and tennis sections as well as the basket-ball and other teams of the gymnasium have ranked very high.
On the whole, the Young Men's Christian Association of Trenton has been a most prosperous and active organization, but the Directors are planning for even a larger and better work during the coming year than has ever been enjoyed in the past.
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THE WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN TEM- PERANCE UNION BUILDING,
Upon the twenty-ninth day of February, 1876, the Woman's Christian Temper- ance Union No. 1, of Trenton, was organized in the old Y. M. C. A. Rooms, then situated on the second floor of 20 and 22 East State street, the chief aim being the reclamation of the drunkard through the power of the Gospel.
During the nineteen years of work the following ladies have served as Presidents : Mrs. L. E. Allen, Miss Anne T. Baily, Mrs. C. E. Riee, Mrs. M. E. Gaskill, Mrs. R. M. Anderson.
Upon East State street, UNION LIBRARY. next to the post-office, is the Woman's Christian Temper- ance Union building, containing the Union Library. This handsome structure of brownstone and brick was dedicated in 1890. Upon the lower floor is a room for religious services and upon the third story, a hall used for public entertainments. The library, upon the second floor, is well equipped in many particulars, although lacking in funds necessary to enlarge its field of usefulness. Being the only free library in the city of a general character, and the sole resort of scholars of the State and public schools, this library appeals to the generosity of the liberally-disposed citizens.
In 1879 they obtained possession of the remnants of the old Trenton Library, numbering one thousand five hundred books, and the old Y. M. C. A. Library, which amounted in all to two thou- sand books. They continued the free reading-room and cireulating library. By perseverance and untiring energy this library now numbers seven thousand volumes, besides many of the leading periodicals and magazines of the day.
The enterprise, appealing to those philanthropieally inelined, was soon to be transferred to more commodious quarters. To this end Miss Mary Jane Morton aided so worthy a cause by a gift of $1,000.
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THE CITY OF TRENTON.
A stock company, with a capital of $30,000, was formed and known as the Union Library Company. The stock was subscribed for by public-spirited citizens, and the substantial brick and stone building thirty-six by eighty feet, two and a half stories high, was erected, and according to the terms of subscription was let or leased to the Woman's Christian Temperance Union No. 1, for a term of ten years, at the nominal rent of one dollar per annum. Jonathan Steward, William I. Vannest, Philip P. Dunn, Samuel L. Baily, Samuel K. Wilson, John Taylor and Henry B. Howell constituted the first Board of Directors of the Library Company, under whose supervision the build- ing was erected on the lot on East State street, adjoining the post-office, and put into the possession of the W. C. T. U. in the winter of 1885 ; the first floor being occupied by the library, the basement for meetings, janitor's apartments, and other work connected with the Union, the second floor as a lecture hall, with a seating capacity of four hundred and fifty.
Although this organization began with only thirty-two members and with but one line of work, it has broadened and grown until there are one hundred and seventy members at the present time, with a number of branches which have been formed by active members, and the lines of work are, at the present writing, carried on by the following committees : Loyal Temperance Legion, Distribu- tion of Temperance Literature, Saturday Night and Public Meetings, Christmas Mission, Work for District Messenger Boys and Bootblacks, Press Work, Cottage Meetings, Meetings for Poor Mothers, Almshouse Visitation, Jail Visitation, Fruit and Flower Mission in the State Prison, Health and Heredity, Library Committee, Temperance and Sabbath-Schools, Sabbath Observance, Committee on Scientific Instruction.
TAYLOR OPERA HOUSE.
Previous to the erection of the Opera House, which has become an historic figure on South Broad street, public assemblages in the city of Trenton were usually held in Temperance Hall, the City Hall or in the old T. B. Taylor grocery building. The close of the late Rebellion and the return of peace gave an impetus to a movement that Trenton should have a building devoted exclu- sively to public meetings and entertainments. The matter was discussed until 1866, when the Hon. John Taylor purchased the present site of the Opera House, with a view to the erection of a suitable building thereon. This action was met with opposition by certain citizens who had already selected the State Street House-the old Executive Mansion-as the proper site. The "Union Sentinel," then a leading city paper, stated that Senator Taylor's scheme of erecting a place of amusement had been abandoned and that the State street site had been chosen. The next morning after this observation appeared work was commenced upon the Opera House, and in a few months the beautiful edifice was open to the public. Nothing more was ever heard of the State street project.
The ground floor of the Opera House was, and is, occupied by stores, Gen. Richard A. Don- nelly being the first occupant. One of these stores was formerly used as the post-office. Lodge- rooms and a large assembly-room are located in the second and third stories, whilst the basement has always been used for restaurant purposes.
Although in use for nearly thirty years, Taylor Opera House has still the reputation of being one of the finest provincial theaters in the United States. Frequently renovated, notably in the summer of 1887, constant changes have been made which give a metropolitan aspect to the house. With a large and well-equipped stage, good scenery, a seating capacity of sixteen hundred and excellent ventilation, Taylor Opera House has defied competition. Used for political assemblages, for the inauguration of Governors, for commencements of schools and for purely dramatic purposes, the walls of this theater have inclosed men world-famous in the professions, politicians of national reputation and stage folk of enduring prominence. The present manager is Harry C. Taylor, who, in 1886, succeeded his father, the Hon. John Taylor.
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