History of Monroe county, New York with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, Palatial residences, Part 18

Author: McIntosh, W. H. cn; Everts, Ensign, and Everts, Philadelphia, pub
Publication date: 1877
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Ensign and Everts
Number of Pages: 976

USA > New York > Monroe County > History of Monroe county, New York with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, Palatial residences > Part 18

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The Monroe County Poor- House, situated three miles southeast from Rochester, was erected by the county in 1826. 1: was constructed of brick, and was cal- culated to accommodate from seventy-five to one hundred paupers. It was man- aged by five superintendents, and had, in 1827, thirty-tive occupants. about twenty of whom were employed in useful labor. Population increased, and the building became old and overcrowded. The raving maniae, the young eliill, the infirm old man, and the seducer's victim, were crowiled in a building whose remem- brance must seem painful. lunianity called for a removal of the child from baneful influences, and a separation of the insane from the sane. In 1855 a school was taught by Miss Benedict, and contained some forty scholars. A school- house was finished in 1859. It contained two stories, the lower being for a school- room, the upper for a dormitory. Miss Gorton was employed as teacher, and Miss Flynn as assistant teacher. Miss Pepper succeeded Miss Gorton, and Miss Flynn in turn became the teacher.

In 1860 a building was set apart for the infirin old men. Year after year the buildings became more dilapidated, and the report in favor of new buildings passed unheeded until early in 1872, when the commissioners began to act in a manner which set the future at rest upon this question. A building committee, com- posed of Patrick Malone, L. M. Otis. A. N. Whiting, Josiah Rich, William W. Bruff, and A. Crittenden, was appointed, and a contract was made for new build- ings with George H. Thompson and John W. MeElhiny, on February 28, 1872, for 859,600. The almshouse was located midway between the insane asylum and the penitentiary, and fifty feet south. The architect employed was J. R. Thomas. The entire cost of the work was $72.948 44. The building was con- structed of brick, partitions being of the same material, and the cornice of iron, thus rendering the structure nearly fire-proof. Its dimensions are one hundred and eighty-eight feet fronting on South avenue, with wings on the north and south ends, running east one hundred feet from the front wall, and forty-eight feet wide each, A hall eighty-five feet wide extends through the centre of each. A third wing is situated back from the centre of the main building, in extent sixty- eight fort, and width thirty feet. Twenty-two feet die two stories, for kitchen and bake-rooms, the remaining thirty eight feet are used for heating purposes. The main building is three stories high, with cupola rising from the centre; the whole presents a comely and handsome exterior. The basement is in use as kitchen, dining-room, cellars, etc., while the first and second stories comprise the day apartments and a portion of the dormitories, the remainder being in the third story. The hospitals are situated in the wings, on the same floor. The wards are hented by steam. There are bath-roomus on the first and third stories. The chapel is on the first floor. There are accommodations for 400 persoas, and the arrangements are all that could be desired. The number of paupers supported in " 1857 was 961 ; in 1858, 1121 ; and in 1559, 1182. The number in the house on successive years on October 1, beginning with 1858, were 305 ; 1859, 201; 1860, 261 ; 1861, 274; 1871, 185; 1874, 181; and 1875, 185. Among the keepers were Collins, F. II. James, and E. A. Loder. Of the chaplains have been HI. A. Brewster, J. Mandeville, Dr. Samuel Lucky, who died October 11, 1869, J. V. Van Ingen, John E. Baker, and George F. Linfield. Dr. Azel Backus is the present physician, and George E. McGonigal, superintendent. The expenses for the year ending September 30, 1873, were 821,701.31. Admitted during the year, aix hundred and ninety paupers. Born in the house, thirty ; died, sixty ; discharged, six hundred and seventeen : three hundred and forty-nine were natives of this country, and three hundred and fourteen of Ireland. The institution will compare favorably with any other in the State.

The Monroe County Insane .Asylum is an outgrowth of necessity, and a practical exemplification of humane feeling. A brief history of the insane poor is full of' interest. The primary effort to improve their condition was made by the grant of a charter, in 1791, to the New York Hospital, and an appropriation from the legislature of two thousand . dollars annually for twenty years. Inmates were re- ceived of the pauper class in May, 1707. aud seven persons were provided for monthly during 1798. An average of twenty-two were annually cared for, from 1797 to 1803, and the total of admi-sions for the interval was two hundred and fifteen. A law was passed, in 1806, appropriating twelve thousand five hundred dollars, to be paid qquarterly every. yeir till 1>37, to the New York Hospital, to provide " suitable apartments for maniacs, adapted to the various forms and degrees of insanity." A building uf limited capacity was completed in 1808, and hither the officials of several counties sent of their pauper in-ane, and sixty-seven persons were received, two of whom had been confined for eighteen years in the cells of a

comuion jail. This marks the commencement of State provision for the treatment of pauper lunatics

In 1825 the State contained eight hundred and nineteen insane; of these, three hundred and sixty-three were wolf-supporting, two hundred and eight were in jail or poor-house, and three hundred and forty-eight at large. A law was passed in 1828 prohibiting the confinement of lunatics in jails, but the act was ignored. In his tuessage to the legislature, in 1830, Governor Throop- called special attention to the pitiable state of the insane poor, and recommended au asylum for gratuitous care and treatment. As a result, an et was passed on March 30, 1836, authur- izing the ercction of the State Lunatic Asylum at Utica, and making ao appro- priation thereto. The institution was completed January 16, 1843, and has done a noble and extended work, resulting in incalculable good to thousands.

The asylum received patients from the poor-houses, and treated them for two years; if not then cured they were remanded back to the pour-house, and new cases received. It therefore happened that some who were quiet, and might ulti- mately have recovered at the asylum, when returned to the almshouse became violent, and were chained as a measure of safety. A dependlenee was placed in the State, and appeals for relief to the insane were made in 1856, by county su- perintendents of the poor, to the legislature, but no action followed. At this time, . the condition of the lunatic poor, in the Monroe almshouse, was truly deplorable. There were thirty-seven insane confined in thirteen cells. These cells were low, unventilated, and unwholesome, and in dimensions but tour and a half by seven feet. In this small space were crowded as many as four persons, some of whom, wild and raving, were chained and handcuffed. There was no out-yard, and no guards to stoves to prevent self-inflicted injury. It was resolved to erect a per- manent and convenient building especially for the insane. It was constructed at a cost of somewhat over three thousand dollars, during 1856 and 1857. The first visiting committee, consisting of Dr. P. G. Tobey, Henry Churchill, H. A. Brewster, and James H. Warner, pronounced the structure "in conception and completion a credit to the county." The building was opened for patients in the spring of 1857, and the accommodations for forty-eight persons were fully occupied. T'be institution was placed under the supervision and management of Colonel J. P. Wiggins and wife. An addition was completed by October, 1859, at a cost of $26,791.57. The building committee were Messrs. Moore, Wagner, and Smyles. The wing thus erected was three stories high and constructed of brick. There is a hall in each story. The basement contained kitchen. furnace, ete. ; the first floor, a dining-room, parlor, and bed-rooms, and in the upper story are fourteen fine large rooms for patients. This wing served more as an accommodation for the superintendent and employees than a relief for patients, and the forty-four rooms were speedily crowded, aud several placed in the same room, while a num- ber were compelled for lack of room to remain in the alushouse. The case was improved, but the increase of patients demanded like increase of room. The fol- lowing statistics exhibit the number of inmates on October I of each year : In 1859, fifty-two; 1860, tifty-nine; 1861, seventy ; 1862, seventy-five; 1863, sixty-three. This year there were twenty-five cells in which there were two in each cell. There were seventeen Monroe County insane poor at I'tica, so that the insane of the county for the year was eighty. . F. Wallace was in charge as warden, and Charles C. II. Miller was the physician. Dr. Samuel Lucky was an untiring friend and worker for the poor for a number of years. The need of better accommodations was annually stated, but unheeded, while numbers con- tinually increased. There were in 1864 ninety-four lunaties; 1865. seventy : 1866, seventy-three; 1867, eighty-three; 1863, eighty-nine ; 1869. eighty-seven; and in 1870. cighty-eight. Two to four had been confined in a single roomu, and the demand for relief became imperative. A wing was erected in 1870. giving accommodations for twenty-five patients. The muuber of inmates arose in 1871 to one hundred, while there were rooms for but seventy with single occupants. In 1872 a main building was creeted, at a cost of eighteen thousand dollars. This building ia of three stories, and has a Mansard roof. It gave a supply of forty-one rooms. Various improvements for heating, water-supply, and other essentials, have made the cost of construction about fifty thousand dollars. The patients in the asylum October 1, 1873, were one hundred and forty-three; 1874. one hundred and forty; and in 1875, one hundred and forty. The cost of maintenance, including repairs on buildings, of each patient. is two dollars and thirty-timur cents per weck,-a rare showing, and much to the credit of M. 1 .. Lord. M.D., the warden and physician since 1868. The institution has a wide reputation for excellent treatment of patients and good management. The board of trustees for 1575 is composed of Messra. Henry Churchill, J. W. Craig, and Charles S. Wright.

The Mourne County Penitentiary had its origin in the idea that the able-bodied should contribute to their own' support, and would be better prepared for freedom by a habit of constant hard labor. in place of the idle confinement which, as late as 1820, was inflicted upon the unfortunate debtor as a paradoxical means of re- lief. In 1833, Joshua Conkey, Samuel 11. Davis, Ezra B. True, and Lewis

PLATE V

" WOWW HOUSE"

" COUNTY INFIRMARY"

ROCHESTER, MONROE CO., N. Y.

"INSANE ASYLUM "

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Selye were appointed a connuittee for the erection of a work-house. The contract price of creeting buildings way 822.707.60. Ninety-two cells were suitably for- nished. L. R. Brockway, a judicious manager, was appointed superintendent, and the institution began business with a capital of 87000. The income for 1854 was over 84000. The expenses till October 1, 1855, were 87127.59, leaving, to commence the year, but little over $1000. In 1856, there were seven hundred and fifty-four commitments, of whom four hundred and ninety were for- eigners. In 1859, two work shops were erected, and a south wing was built having thirty-two cells. The total expenditure bad reached the sum of $117.423.53, while the income was eighty dollars per day. In the fall of lado, the business uf barrel-making was changed to that of finishing staves. Work in the shoe-shop was continued as the chief employment, and all who could labor were called to do so. The policy of receiving convicts from other counties was found advantageous and continued. The total income for 1860 was 822.720.30, a guin of 83235.28, and the second instance in history of realizing a profit from a penal institution. Messrs. L. & II. Churchill contracted for five years, from April 1, 1860, for labor in the shoe-shops; Hayden & Bromley, for three years, from June 1, 1839, fur female labor in chair noch ; and Howe & Page had enstricted for barrel work as early as the spring of 1856. Contracts have been made, and various manufac- tures attempted, from time to time, as they seemed to promise profit. Iu 1862, an addition was made to the cooper-shop, aud a warebuuse, fifty-five by one hun- dred feet, was constructed.

On the 5th of January, 1865, a fire broke out and destroyed buildings and material to the amount of nearly twenty thousand dollars. The buildings were replaced at once by others. Again, on the night of October 1, 1868, a fire de- stroyed the frame warchouse and other structures and damaged the shops. The loss was over ten thousand dollars. In 1869 new dry-houses were built, of brick with stone foundations. A reservoir of one hundred and fifty thousand gallons' capacity was constructed. and a well of five-inch diameter was bored a depth of one hundred feet. In 1873 a two-story brick workshop, one hundred and eighty by thirty-four and a half feet, was built on the site of a former pail and tub fac- tory, at a cost of nine thousand dollars. The penitentiary proper is a four-story · brick building with two wings. The north wing has cells for males, the south wing for females. One story of the latter comprises the female department for the manufacture of sboes. A high brick wall. inclosing shops. bounds the prison Fard. Upon this wall seutries are stationed during the day, and when prisoners are locked in their cells at night, the guards are transferred to the halls as a meas- Dre of precaution. The discipline of the institution imposes silence, non-inter- course, hard labor, and deference to officers. Terms being short, tbe inmates are changed about three times annually. The highest number remaining in the in- atitution on October 1 any year was in 1805, when there were two hundred and seventy-six. The average number has been two hundred and twenty.

The income of the penitentiary for the year ending September 30, 1875, was $1404.48 less than the current expenses, and amounted to $20,771.70, and was derived principally from the tub and pail factory and shoe-shop. The number uf prisoners in confinement for the year was twelve hundred and sixty-four, and there were one hundred and forty-nine in the institution on September 30, 1873. Ninety per cent. of commitments were of intemperate persons, and over seventy per cent. were of persons unmarried. The cost per day for each prisoner was twenty-eight cents. There was an average of one hundred and twelve men em- ployed in the shoe-shop, and an attempt is being made to employ a number of the women at sewing.

L. R. Brockway served three terms as superintendent, and then resigned to take charge of the Detroit House of Correction. Captain William Willard, of Connecticut, ably supplied his place during the last of his unexpired term. Cup- tain Levi S. Fulton long and efficiently filled the position, which requires peculiar qualifications. Alexander McWhirter is the present superintendent. Benjamin F. Gilkeson, a former physician, was succeeded by Dr. J. F. Whitbeck. Rev. H. A. Brewster first served as chaplain, gratis; Dr. Samuel Lucky served till bis death, October 11, 1869 ; and Rev. John Parker has satisfactorily performed the duties of the office sinec. The board of inspectors for 1875 were Patrick Barry, P. Malone, Homer C. Ely. and Russell C. Bates. They report " excellent disci- pline, rigid economy, unusual good health from exceeding cleanliness and good management."

...

The Wishrn House of Refuge, fur juvenile delinquents. is a reform school of high reputation and undoubted excellence. The act authorizing its establishment *N preed May S. 1816. Commissioners were appointed to select a site, and fixel upon the one now occupied. Fifteen managers were appointed by the gov- emor, lieutenant-governor, and comptroller, to serve without compensation. It bes ame their duty to appoint a superintendent. Buildings were completed and thirty-eight boys were received during 1849. The farm upon which the institu- tion is located contains forty-two acres of valuable land, and Jica a mile and a

quarter north of Rochester. A stone wall, twenty-two feet in height, incluses six and a half acres, upon which the buildings stand. A stockade fence, uine feet higb, formed of celar posts connected hy iron rods, inclosey twenty acres, while the remaining ten acres are used as pasturage. Walks, play-grounds, and lawns ornamented with trees and shrubbery give beauty to the place and comfort to the inmates. " The centre building of the house proper frouts the cast, and is eighty- six feet wide. sixty deep, and three stories in height above the basement. There are two wings, extending to the north and south, each one hundred and forty-eight feet long, thirty-two feet deep, and two stories in height above the basement, ex- cepting the square towers at the extremities, which are three stories in height. The whole front of the buildings is three hundred and eighty-two fret in length. Two other wings of similar dimensions, extending directly westward, counret with the front at the extremities. la the basement of the centre builling are kitchens, dining- and store-rooms for the superintendent and subordinate officials. On the first floor are the parlor and visiting-rooms of the superintendent. manager,' room, and the office. On the second floor are rooms for the superintendent's family and for the assistant superintendent, and ou the third floor, occupying the area of the building, is the chapel, neatly arranged and affording abundant room for five hun- dred persons. In the basement of the north wing is a washing-room. furnished with a plunging bath twenty feet long by fifteen feet wide and three and a quarter deep, with a perforated steam pipe passing around on the bottom, to wart the water on bathing days, and with water-pipes so arranged that each can wash under running water free from interruption. There is a large store-room on this wing. On the first floor is a laundry. seamstress' room, and apartments for officers aud employees. The northwest wing has in the basement a spacious dining-room with cook-room adjoining, a band-room, reading-room, and, on the first floor, a fine school-room. The basements and first floors of the south and southwest wings bave rooms for washing, dining, cooking, and school, corresponding to those on the north side, also a sewing-room for the repair of clothing. The upper floors of all the wings are used as dormitories for the inmates.

In the northwest and southwest corners of the inclosure are two brick-built workshops, each forty-five by one hundred feet, three stories in height, and affording ample room to employ five hundred boys. The hospital on the south side of the premises is of brick. Its dimensions are thirty-three by forty-une feet. and two stories above the basement. The ceilings are sixteen feet high, and the building is ventilated and heated on the most approved plan. A fire-proof boiler house stands in the rear of the centre building. It is thirty-two by forty-two let. eeil- ing twelve feet in the elear, walls of brick and stoue, roof iron. and chimney eighty- five feet high, with a forty-two iuch five. The hoiler house contains three tubular boilers, each of twenty-five-horse power. The main pipe from the boilers tu the basement hall is five inches in diameter, and branches in every direction. There are thirty thousand linear feet of pipe in use, distributed through a million cubic feet of space. Even temperature aud thorough . ventilation are amply scenred. The whole number of boys received into the house since its opening. August 11, 1849, is four thousand two houdred and eighty-seven. Of this number three thousand eight hundred and forty-seven have heen discharged. The number of boys in the institution on January 1, 1875, was three hundred and eighty six. The number received during the year was two hundred and twenty-nine. Discharged by order of committee, one hundred and seventy; by certiorari aud appeal, one; escaped, one; died, three. Remaining on December 31, 1875, four hundred and forty. The total receipts for the last year were 873.2-5.13; total disbursements, $87,312.11. The overdraft was met hy a balance of $15.000 in the comptroller's hands, remaining of the appropriation for the institution for the year 1875. The earnings of the boys were over $18,000. Messrs. Brouks and Reynolds employed one hundred and forty boys in the manufacture of ladies' shoes, and Messrs. Charles I. Hayden & Co. employ one hundred and twenty-five boys in cane- and flag-seating chairs. All the boys are engaged in labur of -mine kind in and about the institution. The boys are in school somewhat less than three hours each day, and receive instruction in the comminn branches and in history, philosophy and book-keeping. The attendance upon services in the chapel is marked by a cheerful and hearty performance of their part. The demeanor is earnest ; the singing is notahly good. The sanitary record of the institution has been generally favorable. Time and the means for amusement are amply bestowed. A reading-room is stocked with choice magazines and periodicals, and military drill teaches the necessity of or Jer, promptniess, and regularity. The institution is not designed for punishment, but ref ruination. A system of' badges is in vogue. The badge of the graduating class is a German silver shichl, with a silver runt of arms of New York State in the centre of its face, surrounded hy the words, " Western House of Refuge." " Excelsior."" Before leaving the institution, a good home, with a satisfactory evidence of proper eare, instruction, and employ- ment is provided, either by friends or by the institution.

Officers .- The present board of managers, in three classes, five in each, arn

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

named as follows : First class-William Otis, Jerome Keyes, William Purcell, Wm C. Slayton, nod William N. Sage. Second class-William C. Rowley, William H. Briggs, E'zra R Andrews, P. Malone, and Mortimer F. Reynolds. Third class-John O'Donnhue, Georg. J. Whitney, Louis Chapin, Louis Erost, and Charles H. Monel.

Oficers of the Board .- George J. Whitney, president ; Charles H. Monell and We. Purcell, first and second vice-presidents; William C. Rowley, seere- tary and trea-urer. Building and repair committee: George G. Whitney, John O'Donohue, and M. F. Reynolds. Visiting comunittre: Win. Otis, E. R. Ao- drews, William C. Slayton, and P. M.ilone. Discharging committee : W'm. II. Briggs, Louis Erost, aod Louis Chapin. School committee : William Purcell, P. Malene, and Jerome Keyes. Executive comtoittee : Jerome Keyes, Louis Erast, M. F. Reynolds. E. R. Andrews, and Ww. C. Rowley.

Officers of the House .- Superintendent. Levi S. Fulton : assistant superin- tendent, Francis A. Baker ; physician, Azel Backus ; chaplain, Dr. T. C. Reed ; Catholic chaplain, Rev. Geo. I. t),born.

Schools .- First division : Robert O. Fulton. principal ; Eliza J. Allen, assistant ; Addie L. Wood, assistant; Mrs. S. J Nichols. Sunday-school teacher. Second division . Wm. If Whiting, principal. R. Maria Allego, assistant ; Maty Gillman, assistant ; Anna Thomas, assistant. Anna M. Hol- leuback, princip.dl of primary department, first division. Elizabeth A. Taylor is matron, and there are a score of employees officiating in various capacities

Female Department .- By the original act. young persons of both sexes were to be provided fur in the Western House of Refuge. A subsequent act desig- nated boys alone as inmates. The urgent need of a like institution for girls be- eams apparent, and resulted in the passage of an act authorizing the managers of the House of Refuge to erect and furnish a female department, to be of size to accommodate one hundred girls, and to be located on the farm belonging to the State, acd under the managers of the existing institution. The act was passed May 1, 1875, and specified that the building should not most to errand 875,000. and that three of the board of managers should be appointed a building committee to superintend its erection. At a regular meeting of the board. held May S, George J. Whitney, Jerome Keyes. and William Purcell were appointed and authorized to procure plans from three leading architects Turce plans were sub- mitted, and that of Charles Coots was adopted by the committee. and duly approved. The contract was awarded to George H. Thompson, his bid being the lowest, and a cootract waa cxecuted and approved on August 30, 1875. Ou Septemher 1 the ground was broken, and on October 4. 1876, opening ceremonies were held. Two girls from Rochester became the first inmates, and others are being gathered in. A certificate of the enmplerion of the work was filed with the governor, who, on October 2. 1876. issued a proclatnation authorizing courts in the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth judicial districts to send female delinquents to the House of Refuge for juvenile delinquents. The building is in the Norman style of architecture, having a frontage of two hundred and seventy-sis feet ou Backus avenue. The main building is forty-six feet wide hy fifty feet deep, with a rear addition thirty-six by twenty-two feet. The connecting wings are eighty feet long by forty fect deep, and the two main wings are thirty-three feet wide by forty-six feet deep. The centre building is four -taries in height, and the different wings are three stories. A hascment nine feet in the clear runs through the entire building. The foundations are laid with Albion stone, and the structure of brick. The basement is divided into store-cell.irs, and in each wing is a play-room. The first floor of the centre building is given to general office purposes, and includes a bath-room. Io each wing are work-, school-, and diuing-rooms. The height of the story is thirteen fect. The second tinor of the main building is in use as sleeping-rooms and for offices, and over the kitchen is the laundry. The wings are used as dormitorios. This story is twelve feet. The third floor is the same as the second, except that the hospitals are in each main wing, and the chapel over the laundry. The fourth floor of the main building is used as a dormitory. The bailder, and all concerned, performed their parts in an efficient, substantial manner, and it is a matter of congratulation that in the various charitable and reformatory institutions of Rochester and its vicinity, so generous provision of means has been equaled by so faithful and beneficial application of them.

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History of Monroe county, New York with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, Palatial residences, Part 18

Author: McIntosh, W. H. cn; Everts, Ensign, and Everts, Philadelphia, pub Publication date: 1877 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Ensign and Everts Number of Pages: 976

Author: McIntosh, W. H. cn; Everts, Ensign, and Everts, Philadelphia, pub
Publication date: 1877
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Ensign and Everts
Number of Pages: 976