USA > New York > Onondaga County > Syracuse > Memorial history of Syracuse, N.Y. : from its settlement to the present time > Part 22
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At the present time there are thirty-six inmates of the Home, and the. average since it foundation has been about forty. The following women have acted as Matrons of the institution : Mrs. Mary A. Reynolds, Rhoda Ann Kincaid, Elizabeth Morris, Agnes Williams, Mrs. Holdridge, Julia M.
607
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.
Willitts, Mary Sherman, Mary W. Curtis (who held the position nine years), Ada Felton, Caroline Stevens, Charlotte A. Clark, and Mary E. Cook. The present Board of Managers is as follows : Mrs. C. L. Chandler, Presi- dent ; Mrs. W. A. Judson, Vice-President ; Mrs. I. H. Cobb, Vice-Presi- dent ; Mrs. W. B. Fairchild, Secretary ; Mrs. J. W. Eager, Financial Sec- retary ; A. F. Lewis, Treasurer.
St. Joseph's Hospital .- This institution was founded in 1869 by the Sisters of the Third Franciscan Order, St. Anthony's Convent, of this city. Property was bought on Prospect Hill of Phillipine Samsel, wife of Jacob Samsel, on the 12th day of April, 1869, consisting of an old saloon and danc- ing hall, for which was paid $12,000. A structure three stories high, of brick, was built to connect the two older buildings, rooms were partitioned off, and the hospital formally opened on the 6th day of May, 1869. Sister Dominic was placed in charge of the hospital, with Sister Mechtildes, Sister Veronica, Sister Johanna, and Sister Hyacinthe as assistants. In order to raise the necessary funds to pay for the property the Sisters, besides caring for the sick, solicited alms from the people of Syracuse, and received sub- stantial aid in the undertaking. Citizens of the city also took a deep in- terest in the founding of the institution, and aided in raising the funds. C. T. Longstreet himself collected $6,000 among his friends. During the first year 123 patients were treated. In 1870 Mother Marianne was placed in charge of the hospital and held the position for seven years. On the 23d of February of that year the hospital was incorporated.
In 1878 Mother Bernardine was placed in charge, and remained three and one-half years. Sister Dominic was then appointed Superior, and held the position one year, when Mother Bernardine was re-appointed and remained until ISS9. In 1882 the hospital was enlarged by a new addition on the south and west sides, and in 1888 another addition was built on the north and east sides, thus making a building 122 feet in length and 85 75 feet deep. The institution was then of sufficient capacity to accommodate about 120 patients, and up to the present time has received and cared for over 6,100. Rooms for the Sisters were fitted up with a kitchen, dining- room, two parlors on the first and second floors, several private rooms and three wards on the third floor. In the rear of the hospital is a large laun- dry, and to the left of this is the dead house, which is entirely separated from the main building. A large elevator runs from the first floor of the main building to the operating room on the southwest side, on which the sick and accident cases are conveyed to the different floors. In September, 1889, Sister Genevieve was placed in charge and holds the position at the present time. The Board of Trustees of the hospital comprises five citi- zens of the city, the Rev. Mother Provincial acting as President.
608
MEMORIAL HISTORY OF SYRACUSE.
"From the date of the organization of this hospital Drs. R. W. Pease and H. D. Didama became actively interested in its work : the former as attending surgeon, and the latter as visiting physician. Dr. Henry Crouse was selected as house physician, and acted in that capacity for seven years. Dr. J. O. Burt and Dr. J. W. Lawton were also associated with the hospital in its early days. Upon the retirement of Dr. Crouse Dr. D. M. Totman became the house physician, and served as such five years. In 1882 the staff was re-organized with Dr. R. W. Pease as surgeon-in-chief; Dr. H. D. Didama, physician-in-chief; and the following visiting staff: Medical, Drs. Henry L. Elsner, John L. Heffron, Gaylord P. Clark, and Margaret Stanton ; surgical, Drs. Nathan Jacobson, D. M. Totman, and Scott Owen ; oculist, Dr. U. H. Brown. Dr. R. W. Pease remained at the head of the surgical staff, doing active duty and rendering the hospital inestimable service, until the date of his death in May, 1886. To his untiring zeal, his self-sacrifice, and his unequalled skill, much of the good that it has been in the power of the institution to accomplish is due. Upon his death Dr. H. D. Didama was selected chief of the staff, and has so continued to the present time. The following physicians were appointed as house physicians for one year : Drs. W. H. Mills, Frank O. Bright, Calvin G. Stevens, George J. Post, William B. Coats, William A. Curtin, Robert Scott, N. Adelbert Monroe, W. A. Stromenger, S. Boyce Cracton. The present staff of physicians is as fol- lows: Dr. H. D. Didama, chief; medical, Drs. H. L. Elsner, W. A. Curtin, H. H. Pease; surgical, Drs. D. M. Totman, Nathan Jacobson, Scott Owen ; oculist and aurist, Dr. U. H. Brown; dermatologist, Dr. W. H. Dunlap ; gynecologist, Dr. A. B. Miller ; pathologist, Dr. F. W. Sears ; house physician, S. Boyce Cracton.
House of the Good Shepherd. - About seventeen years ago two Cana- dian women, members of the Episcopal Church, came to Syracuse sick with fever, and were taken to St. Joseph's Hospital. The following Sun- day, at St Paul's Church, Bishop Huntington alluded to the incident, dwelling upon and regretting the fact that the church people had no hospital in the city. At the close of the service a gentleman offered a house in East Fayette street for this purpose, rent free, if others would furnish it. The offer was promptly accepted, and the hospital was opened almost immedi- ately. Later it was removed to Hawley street. Outgrowing that location, Hon. George F. Comstock, in July, 1874, offered to the Board the present site in Marshall street. The offer was accepted, and steps were taken in- mediately for the erection of a suitable building. This building, as it stands at present, is a wooden structure three stories high, and was completed in December, 1875, and opened for the reception of patients. The name " House of the Good Shepherd " was given to the hospital previous to its
William & Abbott
609
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.
removal from Hawley street. The first officers were: President, Rt. Rev. F. D. Huntington, S. T. D .; Secretary, Rev. Thomas E. Pattison ; Treas- urer, D. O. Salmon ; Executive Committee, A. C. Powell, D O. Salmon, 1) W. Marvin. The first medical staff consisted of Drs. Dunlap, Benedict, Didama, Plant, and Rhodes, and the first surgical staff of Drs. Van Duyn, Mercer, and Pease. The Board of Trustees at present are Hon. George F. Comstock, W. H. H. Smith, W. T. Hamilton, T. W. Durston, Rev. H. R. Lockwood, D. D., D. W. Marvin, Jacob Crouse, William D. Dunning, with Rt. Rev. F. D. Huntington, President; G. J. Gardner, Secretary ; D. O. Salmon, Treasurer. The first Matron was Sister Sophia, who was succeeded by Mrs. Burnham ; then Mrs. Foster; Miss L. B. Mills then took charge, and Miss Dora Traylen, who is the present Matron, succeeded her in the work. The hospital stands upon a sound financial basis, and is well known, not only in Syracuse, but throughout the State. Its doors are open to all who need its care, regardless of belief, race, or color. The number of beds is fifty five, which are filled all of the time. There are in the hospital two memorial rooms, one furnished by Mrs. D. P. Wood, in memory of her daughter, Mrs. Howlett, and the other furnished by Mrs. W. G Hibbard, of Chicago, in memory of her mother, Mrs. Peter Van Schaack. There are also three free beds, one supported by the British American Association ; one by Mrs. Thayer-Webb, of Skaneateles ; and the Van Schaack memorial bed by Mrs. Hibbard. The amount necessary to support a bed for one year is $250, and any one may have this privilege.
In 1885 it was found advisable to establish a department for the train- ing of nurses in connection with the hospital. Miss L. B. Mills, a graduate from Bellevue Hospital, at New York, came to the work, and became Su- perintendent of the Training School and hospital. The school gives scien- tific as well as practical training, there being text books and lectures from the medical staff, and especially by Dr. William G Hinsdale. In 1887 a building was erected on the site adjoining the hospital, for the accommoda - tion of the Training School. It is a two-story wooden structure, containing reception-rooms, dining-rooms, nurses' quarters, and gymnasium. The training covers a course of two years, and discipline is strict. The nurses at present number twelve.
77
610
MEMORIAL HISTORY OF SYRACUSE.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
INDUSTRIAL GROWTH AND MANUFACTURING INTERESTS.
An Estimate of the City's Material Wealth-Its Growth, and the Reasons for it-A Reflection of its Industries-Capital Employed and the Results Wrought Out --- Its Schools and Churches-A Sketch of Its More Prominent Manufacturing Establishments.
TO O REVIEW and estimate the business advantages and opportunities of any city involves much patient thought and persistent labor ; but to justly set forth the enterprise and capacity of the city of Syracuse, in a compact yet comprehensive form, requires the aid of masses of statistics and an intimate acquaintance with its affairs, now so diversified, and em- bracing nearly if not quite all the avocations which are found in most large cities. For many years it has been a city renowned for its ambition to thrive and its determination to make for itself the reputation of a control- .ing business center, The energy and sagacity of its business men are best shown in what they have accomplished, and it is the design of this chapter to give a pen-sketch of what has been wrought, that which to-day gives the city its commanding influence. There has not been a year of its ex- istence in which there have not been additions to the population and busi- ness growth and prosperity. This can be said of but comparatively few cities, and of itself tells of the steady perseverance and industry of the peo- ple. Originally, Syracuse had impulse imparted to it by the construc- tion of the Erie Canal, by which the hopes of many places along its line were shattered, while hamlets here and there, more fortunately situated, were given new hopes and encouragement. In this locality Onondaga Val- ley and Onondaga Hill, which had attained considerable growth, unwillingly yielded to the natural causes of their downfall, and joined much of their in- tellectual and business force to the little hamlet in the swamp, which never faltered from that day to the present in its enterprise and determination to secure a place of prominence. Each succeeding year brought new advant- ages of some kind, and the latest invention and aid to development always found an early place in Syracuse. Railroads and telegraphs found their way here very soon after experiment determined their availability, and the latest business devices were earliest in practice here. Advantages have increased as the years have passed, until Syracuse is particularly well favored, so that her industries have patrons throughout the length and breadth of the land and in other countries.
The population of the city for a series of years as reported by the pub- lishers of directories-and is accepted as being the most accurate count
611
INDUSTRIAL GROWTH.
made-is as follows: 1845, 15,804 ; 1850, 22,271 ; 1855, 25, 107; 1860, 28, 119; 1865, 31,784 ; 1870, 44,796 ; 1875, 54,099; 1880, 55,563 ; 1885, 66,935 ; 1891, 91,436. The large increase since 1855 is partially to be ac- counted for by the annexation of Geddes and Danforth, now constituting the Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh wards, to the city. A directory count for 1891 places the number of families at 20,561, with an average of four and one half persons to each family. The population is distributed by wards, sexes, and ages according to this count (by Lyman, Horton & Co.) as follows :
WARDS.
NUMBER OF FAMILIES.
MALES.
FEMALES.
TOTAL.
Over 21.
Under 21.
Over 18.
Under IS.
I
1093
1468
927
1571
879
4.845
II
2533
3058
2692
3270
2475
11195
III
1667
2487
1524
2376
1476
7863
IV
1535
1990
1113
2392
1054
6549
V
2.434
3323
1857
3565
1675
10420
VI
1463
2162
534
2474
577
5747
VII
2408
3214
1795
368
1664
10141
VIII
1133
1521
890
1941
So3
5155
1063
1381
1410
1534
1237
5562
805
1273
866
1071
761
397 1
XI
802
995
608
1168
620
3391
XII
1724
2390
1909
2121
1866
8286
XIII
1167
1335
939
1722
893
4888
XIV
734
958
553
1067
545
3123
20561
27555
17617
29740
16524
91436
It must be assumed that the count is imperfect, for it would be impos- sible to make it complete. It compares unfavorably with the count made by other directory publishers last year by about 1,500, but which may pos- sibly have been erroneous; it exceeded the census enumeration of the same year by about 5,000. It may be assumed with safety that the popu- lation at this time (May, 1891) is not less than 93,000.
The superior shipping facilities with which the city is favored have had much to do with its rapid development, and each year improves and in- creases these advantages. Nine railroads and two canals reach every part of the country, and contribute many products to the seaboard for ship- ment to foreign markets. One hundred aad twenty-eight passenger trains arrive in and depart from the city every twenty-four hours. By means of these all parts of the surrounding country are opened up to the retail as well as wholesale trade, and realizing these advantages tradesmen have created a market for their goods and wares such as attracts patrons from many miles away, because of the excellence and fair prices of their commodities. This is really a railroad center which must grow in importance as the years go by. It is a geographical center as well, and possesses such natural advant-
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF SYRACUSE.
ages as must insure its steady growth for many years to come. It has no rival between Albany and Rochester, and intermediate places must continue to contribute to its growth and prosperity. In more recent years, since its population reached three-quarters of a hundred thousand, more of public spirit has been shown in the way of expanding municipal advantages, and latterly enterprises which characterize a thrifty city are talked about with good promise for the future. In addition to well paved streets, good sewerage, and a proper water supply, something needs to be done to show the æsthetic culture of its inhabitants in the way of adornment and in beautifying its numerous parks. Burnet Park, the gift of John B. Burnet, promises to soon become creditable to the city, when a few more thousand dollars shall have been expended upon it, and by the offer recently made by the Hon. James J. Belden there is now every probability that a fine library, art, and historical building will soon become the reality of something long hoped for by thousands of people. He offers to expend " not less " than $150,000 for the erection of a fire-proof building if the city will furnish the site, and it cannot be long before the structure will be in course of erection, ' and will doubtless cost all the money which may be required to make it complete in every particular. It was Judge George F. Comstock's gift to the University which insured its establishment here ; it was Mr. Burnet's gen- erosity that gave the city Burnet Park ; it was a grand thing for John Crouse to do to build the Crouse Memorial College for Women; and the last gift which comes from Mr. Belden towers above, for it is large in money and for all the people.
The banks of a city may be exceedingly influential in the affairs of a city. They may aid or retard its advancement, according to the business capacity of their own management. While there never has been an excess of banking capital in Syracuse, such as has been employed has ever been liberally applied in aiding business men, though there may occasionally have been times when customers have felt something of the closeness which Wall street sometimes brings to banking capital throughout the country, espe- cially when banks have gone too far in providing for their patrons. Syracuse now has a banking capital of $1,605,000, with eight of the nine banks hold- ing a surplus of nearly $900,000, the ninth bank having but just opened its doors. Besides these there is the Trust and Deposit Company of Onon- daga with a capital of $100,000, and the Onondaga County and Syracuse Savings Banks whose deposits run well up into the millions. Considerable amounts of money are brought here from abroad for investment, from sav- ings banks and insurance and investment companies, especially whenever our own savings banks reach their respective limits for loans upon real es- tate.
613
INDUSTRIAL GROWTH.
Four daily newspapers, of a combined circulation of probably thirty thousand copies for one hundred and fifty thousand readers, and three Sun- day papers, also of large circulation, contribute their best and most power- føl efforts for the advancement of the city's general welfare. Few cities are so highly favored in the excellence and enterprise of its press, according to population, as Syracuse. These newspapers have a combined capital of $300,000 or more, than which no money in the city is so beneficial to its advancement. The Standard and Courier herald the morning news, while the Journal and Herald spread the evening news. The Times, Herald, and Standard appear on Sunday. The German papers, religious weeklies, and several other publications are well prepared and influential in their respect- ive spheres. They represent capital to the amount of at least $100,000. It is quite safe to estimate the capital employed in the publishing and printing business in Syracuse at fully $500,000.
The growth of the city is made manifest in many ways, particularly by building operations and the activity in real estate. During the last year nearly or quite 600 buildings were erected, at a cost of not less than $2,000,000. These figures are based on data obtained from architects and builders. Large areas of building sites have of recent years been brought into market, through " syndicates " and otherwise, thus giving real estate a " boom " like that of many Western cities The tendency of the growth is toward the south, southwest, and southeast, though there is more or less of activity in all directions. The activity which has of late influenced the various street railway companies to extend their roads, so that they now have trackage of more than fifty miles, has done much toward the de- velopment of the suburbs.
The canals were helpful to the commerce of the city last year. The value of the shipments made by them was $5,851,729, while the receipts were of the value of $9,409,518, as shown by the records of the canal office, where statistics of shipments and receipts are kept by weight and measure.
The losses by fire during the year which ended January 1, 1891, were much below what the record for the present year will show, in which a dis- astrous fire occurred in March, and by which the total losses are consider- ably in excess of all of those of last year, which amounted to $404,415.71 ; insurance, $2,447,631 ; insurance paid, $323,612.36.
The gross weight of the shipments now made annually by the American, United States, and National Express Companies exceeds 15,000,000 pounds. The weight of their receipts does not vary materially from these figures. The American Express Company, particularly, has shown a desire to in every way meet the public needs, and does by far the most of the bus- iness. It is well equipped, and its agent, Alfred Higgins, is ever alert. It
614
MEMORIAL HISTORY OF SYRACUSE.
is believed that he has been in the employ of the company longer than any other one of its thousands of agents. His commission dates from the or- ganization of the company, and he was previous to that time an express agent of other companies.
Many companies, of large and small capital, have been incorporated during the year, aside from land syndicates, with capital high in the millions. The capital thus named in articles of incorporation amounts to $2,390,000. There is a constant increase of the manufacturing interests, and it is generally prosperous. The time was when the dependence of the city was largely upon the salt industry ; but that has almost ceased to be even a factor in its progress. Considerable salt is still produced, but the profits of the output are small, not sufficient to encourage the investment of more capital.
Railroad statistics cannot be obtained for a period later than for the year which ended January 1, 1891. These make the following showing :
ROADS.
POUNDS OF FREIGHT FORWARDED.
OUTBOUND PASSENGERS.
New York Central.
793-474,000
438,575
West Shore
220,828,000
82,266
D., L. & W
139.514.596
167.530
Rome, Watertown & Ogdensburg
322,666,472
112,777
Totals
1,476,483,068
801,148
Perhaps no recent invention has become so great a labor-saver as the telephone. It is to the business office what the sewing machine is to the household. Its introduction here is sketched elsewhere, but some statistics are interesting and worth preserving for those who in the future shall wit- ness greater development of its usefulness. The Syracuse Exchange of the Central New York Telephone and Telegraph Company was put in opera- tion in the middle of the summer of 1887. During the first year 743 in- struments were put -in use. This number has been steadily increased until now, when 1,200 are used There are about 900 miles of wire in the city, in cables and separate, strung on 1,000 poles. Nearly 1,000 miles of wire running through different parts of the surrounding country connect 650 toll stations in various places with the central office. The central office is also connected with the Long Distance Telephone system, and communication with places three hundred miles distant is as distinct as with places near by. The last report of the company, covering its last fiscal year, gave this state- ment of operations : Local calls, 3,640,000; daily average of local calls, 10,000; toll messages sent, 52,000 ; toll messages received, 90,000. The business is constantly increasing, and at this writing changes are being
615
INDUSTRIAL GROWTH.
made in the central office which will greatly enlarge its efficiency. The company pays six per cent. annual dividends, and lays away a surplus. W. H. Girvin is the local manager.
Facts connected with the introduction of the telegraph, and statistics connected with it, have a place elsewhere, and need not be recapitulated here.
There are 123 incorporated companies doing business in this city. There are 446 names of streets in the City Directory, but as some streets bear two names, -- East, West, North, or South, - in addition to name, the actual number of streets may be stated at about 370. There are thirty- one parks and squares.
The intelligence and morality of a city can be estimated in fair degree by the standing of its schools and churches. It is a fact of record that the public schools of Syracuse are of the best, and that their excellent reputation is wide spread. There are twenty-eight school buildings, including the High School, in which there are 271 teachers -sixteen males and 255 females. There are 13,401 pupils registered, while the number of children in the city of " school age" (five to twenty-one) is 24,600. The average daily attendance of pupils during the last school year was 10,415. The average salary paid to teachers was $541.OS per annum, and the total expense of the schools during the last school year was $235,867.88. Number of volumes in the library, 21,5.41.
Of church edifices and organizations there are about seventy, with de- nominational classification as follows: Presbyterian, eight ; Congregational, four ; Baptist, eight; Protestant Episcopal, seven ; Methodist, fourteen ; Church of Christ, one; Evangelical, two; Independent, one; Jewish, six ; Lutheran, six; Reformed, one; Roman Catholic, eight; Unitarian, one; Uni- versalist, one; Seventh Day Adventists, one; Christian Scientist, one. Con- nected with them are about 100 Sunday-schools and Missions. The " Min- isterial Association " is composed of the pastors of various Protestant churches. It meets regularly to consider and discuss religious questions, in their gen- eral relation to the church and public. Each denomination also has a "Union," for the advisory government of the churches under its organiza- tion. The seating capacity of all the churches is not quite 40,000 -- less than one-half of the population of the city.
The records of the postoffice in any place reveal much of the business standing of the place. They tell of the business done by the volume of cor- respondence, the number of stamps sold, the transactions of the various de- partments. The records of the Syracuse postoffice for the year ended Jan- uary 1, 1891 (the latest that can be obtained), make this showing :
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