USA > New York > Orange County > Newburgh > Newburgh; her institutions, industries and leading citizens, historical, descriptive and biographical > Part 31
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In August, 1882, the contracts for the new building were awarded, and the dedication took place June 15, 1883. When the State Con- vention met here in 1883 (for the second time) it found a prosperous association, about to occupy a beautiful building, and with a large and growing membership. Having seen established the institution in its new building, Mr. Bowne, greatly to the regret of all the mem- bers and friends, tendered his resignation and went to another field of labor.
Mr. Bowne was succeeded by George A. Sanford, a resumé of whose work in connection with the association appears in a following article. Mr. Turner also relinquished the Presidency to John G. Wilkinson. In 1885 Messrs. Moody and Sankey conducted a conven- tion for Christian workers which made a deep impression. During the meetings a movement was inaugurated by D. L. Moody to raise $10,000, the amount of a mortgage, the weight of which rested heavi- ly upon the association, and $10,000 for a gymnasium and extension fund, the entire amount of which was afterward subscribed. Mr. San- ford was succeeded by Wm. H. Sallmon, and Fred T. Kirkland after- ward filled the position. In 1891 George A. Sanford was recalled to the secretaryship. William B. Brokaw succeeded Mr. Wilkinson to the Presidency, and Mr. Brokaw in turn was succeeded by Lewis M. Smith. At this time an excellent new gymnasium was added, and afterward the amount of a deficiency of $4,300, which had accumula-
ted for several years, was subscribed and paid. In the Spring of 1891 Frank S. Hull was elected President, together with John W. Mat- thews, Vice-President; George B. Carver, Treasurer, and George S. Weller, Recording Secretary.
GEORGE A. SANFORD, General Secretary. Closely associated with the prosperity of the Young Men's Christian Association, is the gentleman whose portrait we present herewith. He was born at " Maple Grange," Warwick, of a well known Orange County family. His education was begun at the Warwick Institute, and has been continued during many years of a busy life. A business experience of five years, first as clerk, then as bookkeeper, and finally teller of the First National Bank of Warwick, has since proved of great value to the association which he has served.
Mr. Sanford has not accustomed himself to much leisure. 1n addition to his work at the bank and his studies, he built up a fire insurance and real estate business, which gradually absorbed nearly all of that line of business in the Warwick valley. Excepting for a year and a half, during which he was a member of the real estate firm of Turner & Sanford, the last ten years of his life have been spent in the work of the Young Men's Christian Association.
In 1884 Mr. Sanford was chosen General Secretary of the New- burgh Association, soon after the beginning of the work in the new building. During the first year of his administration Newburgh young men paid 40,000 visits to the building. New features were added, among them the junior department, the work of which will not soon be forgotten by our citizens. Beside paying all current expenses that year, a floating debt of $3,739.85 was paid.
At the end of three years public sentiment was so enlisted that the $10,000 mortgage on the building was quickly subscribed and paid. Nearly $10,000 additional was subscribed for a gymnasium and extension fund. The facts then presented showed that an ag- gregate of 50,000 visits by young men and 10,000 by boys per year were made iu taking ad- vantage of the op- portunities for rec- reation, education and pleasure offer- ed by the associa- tion.
The records also show that during the first three years in the new building one hundred young men and boys were received from the association into the Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Cov- enanter, Episcopal and other churches of the city.
After two years' service in connec- tion with the Phil- adelphia Associa- GEORGE A. SANFORD, General Secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association. tion and the New York State Execu- tive Committee, at the urgent request of the Directors of the New- burgh Association, Mr. Sanford returned to assist in disposing of a deficiency of $4,300. After a few months' work the Directors were able to report on May 1, 1891, that the deficiency had been paid and the association was out of debt. Among the respected and appreci- ated citizens of Newburgh, Mr. Sanford is a recognized power, whose unselfish influence contributes not a little to the best welfare of our city.
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NEWBURGH.
YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.
On the evening of April 24, 1888, a public meeting was held at Calvary Church, at which Miss Nettie Dunn, of Chicago, Secretary of the National Committee of the Young Women's Christian Associa-
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FAIR OF THE YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION. Held in Columbia Rink, February II-14, 1890.
This Picture is a Curiosity from the fact that the Rink was Filled with People when the Photograph was made. But the Negative was Exposed about Two Hours, which Resulted in Picturing thereon only such Details of the Scene as Remained Stationary during that time.
tion, delivered an address describing the work of the organization. After she had finished her address, it was resolved to form an asso- ciation in this city. A constitution, offered by Miss Mary E. Gouldy, was adopted, and the following officers were elected: President -- Mrs. Susan McMasters; First Vice President-Mrs. Isaac Garrison; Sec- ond Vice President-Miss Mary E. Gouldy, Third Vice President- Mrs. Charles S. Jenkins; Recording Secretary-Miss Angnsta Les- lie; Treasurer-Mrs. M. C. Belknap. One hundred and five mem- bers were enrolled at this meeting.
A few days later rooms were rented at No. 131 Broadway, and Mrs. S. V. Atwell, from Schenectedy, was engaged as General Secre- tary. A Junior Branch was organized in June, 1889, to which girls from 10 to 16 years of age are admitted to membership. In 1890 the quarters were changed to No. 32 Water Street, and in May, 1891, they were established permanently at No. 150 Liberty Street, the building having been purchased by the association. The rooms are hand- somely furnished, and the association is doing for young women the same practical and helpful work that the Y. M. C. A. is doing for young men. There are classes in Bible study, vocal music, English branches, German, book-keeping, stenography, sewing, dressmaking and millinery. Entertainments and receptions are also held. The second annual convention of the New York State Associations was held in Trinity Church, Newburgh, in February, 1889, and the first anniversary exercises of the local association were held on Sabbath evening, October 27, 1889.
The present officers are Mrs. C. J. Lawson, President; Mrs. C. S. Jenkins, Mrs. John Hilton, Mrs. John Deyo, Vice-Presidents; Miss Lizzie Carlisle, Treasurer; Miss Augusta Leslie, Recording Secre- tary; Mrs. S. V. Atwell, General Secretary
The headquarters of the State Executive Committee of the Young Women's Christian Associations of New York State are in Newburgh. The officers of the committee are: Chairman-Miss R. F. Morse, New York City; Treasurer-Mrs. Russel Headley, Newburgh; Secretary- Miss J. A. Gouldy, Newburgh; State Secretary -- Miss Emma Reeder, Newburgh.
HOME FOR THE FRIENDLESS.
This institution was organized in the Fall of 1861, under the fol- lowing circumstances. One day there were assembled in the Court House a goodly number of ladies, representing the different city churches, making ready articles to send to soldiers. The War of the Rebellion was in progress. Two ladies from the Home for the Friendless in New York entered the room, and asked permission to present the claims of the American Female Guardian Society. For two hours they held the attention of an audience of women and children as they described the work of their society.
A society was formed then and there, consisting of two ladies from each of the city churches, under the name of the Newburgh Union Female Guardian Society, with the object of providing a home for children of poverty.
The term "union " was used because the manage- ment was to be chosen from the various denominations. This society was to be auxiliary to the New York society. Work was at once begun by sending out a printed appeal stating the object of the desired society and asking for financial aid. This effort met with favor. This was fol- lowed by renting a room at No. 71 Second Street, the expense of which was kindly met by the late Judge John J. Monell. There a day school was opened on December 16, 1861, with 33 pupils, all children who by reason of destitution were debarred from attending our public schools. The labor connected with this was per- formed by the managers in turn-the daily washing and feeding the children. The one meal given at noon was in many cases all the little ones could have. This meal was not then prepared in the building, but sent in daily by the managers. At this time Miss E. K. Gray gave her services as teacher, which had a refining and com- manding influence over the untrained scholars. It was soon found both desirable and necessary to furnish lodgings also, as some of the children were homeless. To accomplish this, S. R. Van Duzer provided a home by renting for one year the dwelling No. 271
YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION BUILDING-No. 150 Liberty Street.
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NEWBURGH.
Grand Street. The society, with Mrs. (Rev.) W. Youngblood at its head, had now adopted a constitution and by-laws, and elected twelve gentlemen as a Board of Counselors. Encouraged by them and largely aided by the late Judge Nathaniel Jones, one of the Board, a charter was obtained from the New York State Legislature on April 7, 1862. In the second annual report of the Newburgh Union Female Guardian Society and Home for the Friendless we find a list in the printed charter of the names of members of this body corporate, which was hereafter to be known as the Newburgh Home for the Friendless, its allegiance to the New York society being discon- tinued.
In 1863 a committee from the Board of Counselors was appointed to wait upon the Board of Education to ask for school funds to help pay the teacher. The Board of Education decided to adopt the "Fourth Ward Home School," and to pay the institution $100 per year. This aid has been withdrawn for many years. In 1864 the Home was moved to its present quarters. Through the persevering efforts of the management, aided by the Board of Counselors, very materially and untiringly by James Bigler, sufficient money had been raised to enable the ladies to purchase the property now occupied as the Home, in Montgomery Street.
The main support of the institution has been the free-will offer- ings of the community, and the untiring zeal of the ladies who con- duct the noble work. Day after day for nearly thirty years these gifts and little helps have never ceased to flow in. The great majority have been small contributions, frequently repeated, of provisions, clothing and money. A goodly number of people make regular an- nual donations of from $1 to $25 each. The society possesses the fol- lowing permanent funds:
Lewis Jennings
$13,097 77
Henry Ball.
$ 3,000 00
Rufus R. Skeel.
495 00
Charlotte M. Furman.
500 00
W. W. Carson, gift
400 00
Harvey Weed.
2,000 00
Moses Wilson. ..
100 00
Henry Rogers.
500 00
Dr. George Brown .
100 00
Adah H. Phillips
100 00
Frances Brown
100 00
Charles Downing.
2,000 00
Margaret A. Currie.
100 00
Mary E. Miller.
4,000 00
Elizabeth Fish.
200 00
William Caldwell. 500 00
Amelia J. F. Hull
200 00
W. W. Carson, legacy. 15,607 50
Eliza Brown ...
100 00
Elizabeth M. Weed
100 00
M. W. Lockwood.
100 00
Sarah E. Sly. .
100 00
"A Friend," 1878 - MIrs.
Elizabeth C. D. Stewart 100 00
Charles Downing ..
500 00
$44, IIO 27
The society is composed of women, having the usual officers, a Board of Managers and committees. There is also a Board of Coun-
ST. LUKE'S HOME AND HOSPITAL-No. 153 Liberty Street.
selors, composed of men, who may be called together at any time. Friendless and destitute girls and boys under ten, either orphans or abandoned by their parents, are received and provided for till per-
manent homes in christian families can be secured for them by adop- tion or otherwise.
The present officers are: First Directress-Mrs. C. F. Allan; Sec- ond Directress-Mrs. C. J. Howell; Third Directress-Mrs. G. E.
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HOME FOR THE FRIENDLESS-No. 165 Montgomery Street.
Edgar; Treasurer-Mrs Charles Caldwell; Recording Secretary-Mrs. J. G. D. Findley; Corresponding Secretary-Mrs. Samuel Carlisle.
ST. LUKE'S HOME AND HOSPITAL.
The organization of this institution was owing mainly to the approval and encouragement of the late rector of St. George's Church, the Rev. John Brown, D. D. He called a meeting at his residence, in July, 1874, at which he explained the project, and, ani- mated by him, those present formed the resolution to attempt the work. At a subsequent meeting a plan of operation was considered and a constitution fram- ed. It was adopted November 4, 1874, and on Nov- ember 11 in a general meeting, attended by women of both Newburgh and New Windsor, the first Board of Managers was elected. These were: Mrs. Haslet McKim, President; Mrs. Smith Ely, Vice-President; Mrs. John L. Rogers, Secretary; Miss Julia E. Le Roy, Treasurer. The house on the northeast corner of Dubois and Third Streets was rented. St. Luke's subsequently occupied the building on the corner of Dubois and Carter Streets, and then purchased a place in Carpenter Avenue, afterwards sold to the city for reservoir purposes. Then the present handsome property in Liberty Street was purchased. It is clear of debt.
The object of the institution is to provide primarily a hospital for the care and surgical and medical treat- ment of the sick and disabled; and, secondly, a home for aged women. The society was incorporated in 1876. The present officers are: Mrs. O. Applegate, President; Miss E. J. Appleton, Vice-President; James
Mrs. Owen McGahey 100 00
" A Friend of the Cause," 1884
100 00
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NEWBURGH.
J. Logan, Treasurer; Mrs. J. N. Dickey, Secretary; Mrs. S. C. Mills, Registrar; Miss L. Miller, Matron.
Through the efforts of Charles F. Shaw and Charles E. McElrath an ambulance corps was formed in 1891, which is now, owing main- ly to the liberality of Alfred Kayne, M. D., well organized and equipped. They have a fine ambulance and horse, which may be summoned by telephone at a moment's warning, to convey injured persons to the hospital. It is a separate organization, yet co-operates with the hospital management. The members are qualified to render first aid to the injured, and some of them have taken the ambulance surgeon's course of instruction. The Newburgh Ambulance Corps is constituted as follows: Charles F. Shaw, Charles E. McElrath, Joseph N. Bogart and R. J. Smith. Alfred Kayne, General Manager.
THE CITY'S BENEFACTIONS.
The City of Newburgh in connection with the Town of Newburgh has an admirable system for the care of helpless old age and orphan youth, and for the relief of those temporarily in need. There are two institutions under the care of the Alms Honse Commissioners-the Alms House and the Children's Home. The former is on a farm in the southwestern corner of the city, and the latter is a mansion in High Street. The Home is all the name implies. The little inmates are made happy and comfortable; they attend the public schools and have much the same privileges and liberties that other children have at their homes, and good care. The Home is the special charge of a committee of the Board, who have a kind and watchful eye over its affairs.
The Alms House is in charge of a Superintendent of the Poor, and affords a good home to many aged people, some of whom pay board. Those who are able, do light work. The Commissioners also grant temporary relief to needy persons ontside of the institutions.
The system was established in 1853 by act of the Legislature. By the terms of the act the Town of Newburgh was established as a sep- arate poor district. Enoch Carter, then Supervisor, was the leader in the project. The first Commissioners were Henry Wyckoff, David W. Bate, David H. Barclay, George Gearn, Alfred Post and
FEZES-
---
CHILDREN'S HOME-High Street.
Engene A. Brewster. The first buildings were erected under contract with John Little, jr. The house was completed and opened December 10, 1853. During 1890-91 the number of persons who received relief was 1,634, in which number are included 120 persons who were in the Home at the date of the previous report. The Commissioners sup- port 29 insane persons at various asylums. Last year $28,354.86 was expended in the good work. The value of the property now under
control of the Board is about sixty thousand dollars. The present Commissioners are Charles J. Lawson, James J. Dougherty, John Orr, Fred Herman, John E. Herbert, John G. Rodman; William Presler, Superintendent; Senan L. Sweeney, physician.
ASSOCIATED CHARITIES OF NEWBURGH.
Office and employment bureau, 39 Second Street; organized 1875; reorganized 1886. An alliance formed to bring into co-operation all existing charitable agencies, whether religious, civic, or of the pub- lic authorities, that the best interests of the poor may be secured, and that pauperism with its manifold evils may be overcome and reduced. It is a society for the friendly visitation of the poor, and one that
WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION FREE READING ROOM-125 Broadway.
would help the poor to save their self-respect by helping them- selves. It tries to bring to bear upon each person that comes to its knowledge all the agencies and influences-charitable, economical, and moral-that are necessary to his welfare. No one who has given more than a passing thought to the social problems of the age can deny that alms-giving is not a remedy for pauperism. Unscrupn- lons adventurers are only too common in every rank of life. To pro- tect the public against such as appear in the guise of beggars, to secure adequate aid for those persons whom old age, illness or in- firmity has rendered dependent, and to form and strengthen habits of industry and manly independence in those whose misfortunes are due to the lack of such qualities-these are the objects sought by this and kindred societies throughout the land.
Any person may become a member of this organization by paying annually $5 or more, and agreeing to abstain from indiscriminate alms-giving; hut the society provides a sustaining membership, with- ont being a member of the corporation. Any person may become a life-member by the payment of $50. The receipts from life-member- ship are to create an endowment fund, the interest alone to be devoted to relief. The society is supported by voluntary contributions. It now has 110 corporate members, 162 sustaining members, and 2 life members.
Mrs. F. D. Hitch, President; Mrs. William A. M. Culbert and A. Smith Ring, Vice-Presidents; Miss R. M. St. John, Treasurer; A. Smith Ring, Assistant Treasurer, also Treasurer of the Penny Provi- dent Fund; Miss Mary Akerly, Secretary; Mrs. Mary G. Wood, Superintendent.
THE WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION.
Has rooms at No. 125 Broadway, open every evening from 7 to 9.30 o'clock. A good work is being done among the boys of the city by these self-denying women. They bring the boys to this cheerful
156
NEWBURGH.
room, and by precept and example teach them the principles of tem- perance and morality. In numberless ways acts of benevolence have been done, and their reward has been the reformation of many youths. They also carry flowers to the sick, and once a week they carry the gospel to those imprisoned. Boxes of clothing are occasionally sent to those in need, and the sufferers at Johnstown, and the basket makers of Rockland County, have reason to remem- ber the W. C. T. U. of Newburgh. Religious meetings are held on Wednesday and Sabbath, led by the ladies of the Union. The Union numbers 130 members. The officers are: Mrs. J. V. Jordan, Presi- dent; Mrs. A. B. Wright, Vice-President: Mrs. C. C. Shaffer, Corres- ponding Secretary; Miss C. A. Goodale, Recording Secretary; Mrs. R. H. Gorrie, Treasurer; Miss E. S. Lendrum, Librarian.
THE YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION
Is useful in several departments of benevolent work. Its primary object is to bring boys and young men from the street, to provide a reading-room and meeting-place for them, and as far as possible to insure their spiritual and temporal welfare. The Union has pleas- ant rooms at 150 Broadway, where every evening a company of boys may be found, improving their time by reading, or by receiving instruction in English branches. Very often employment is found for men and boys, and in many other ways does the Union endeav- or to be a good Samaritan to those in need. Religious services are held each Sabbath evening, and at all times temperance and morality are inculcated.
Besides this work at the rooms, the poor are unostentatiously be- friended, flowers are sent to the sick, and the prisoners at the jail and the paupers at the Alms House are regularly visited. There are four departments of special work-the Dorcas Committee, the Flower Mission, Jail and Alms House Visitation, and Religious Work. The
Union was organized five years ago. Miss Annie L. Thompson, the President, is also Superintendent of the New York State Flower Mission, which every week sends to New York City vast quantities of flowers, fruit, clothing, etc., for distribution among the poor of
YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION PARLOR-150 Broadway.
New York. She has five times been a delegate to the State Conven- tion of the Y. W. C. T. U., and twice to the National Convention at Chicago and Atlanta. The other officers are Mrs. Milton D. Sey- mour, Recording Secretary; Miss Elliott, Corresponding Secretary; Miss Frances A. Ritchie, Treasurer.
MONTGOMERY STREET, Looking North from Near Clinton Street.
BENCH AND BAR.
The Courts and Those Who Practice Before Them.
INCE the erection of the present County of Orange in 1798, courts have been held alternately at Newburgh and Goshen. Previons to that time the Town of New- burgh was included in Ulster County, of which Kingston was and still is the county-seat. Goshen was a half-shire town of the old County of Orange, and terms of courts were held there alternately with Orangetown (now in Rockland County) from 1727. Goshen is a small village abont twenty miles from Newburgh, and derives its chief importance from the presence of the connty offices there.
The court houses now in use at Newburgh and Goshen were erected by the present county in 1841 as the result of a compromise
The Recorder's Court is held at Police Headquarters. There are also two Justices of the Peace. The Law Library Association has an ex- cellent library in the Brewster Building.
The Bar of Newburgh has commanded respect for its wisdom, eloquence, power and influence. The names of many of the lawyers of the place in time past have been engraved upon the institutions of the country, and their memory is precions to posterity. Others brought commanding talent, masterly erudition and exalted purity to the bench, to the halls of Congress, and the Legislature, and were deservedly honored in their day and generation. And still others whom we might name who have more recently passed from the scenes of their struggles and triumphs, and whose remembrance is still fresh
COURT HOUSE.
on the question of erecting a new county with Newburgh as the connty-seat. This question has been agitated from time to time for many years. The Newburgh Court House was erected from plans of Thornton M. Niven, and cost $13,000. The basement is occupied in part by cells, to which prisoners are committed from the police conrts in this city and neighboring towns. The building stauds in an open square bounded by Grand. Liberty, Second and Third Streets. The lands on the north, west and south of the building are owned by the city. Terms of the Circuit Court and Conrt of Oyer and Terminer are held in Newburgh twice each year, the County Court twice each year, Surrogate's Court one day in each week, and Recorder's Court daily. Special terms of the Supreme Court are held one day in each month. Surrogate's Court and the monthly Special terms of the Supreme Court are held in the Brewster Building, in Smith Street.
to the people, were men of tried character, sterling qualities, and culti- vated minds. Thus have our lawyers of to-day a rich legacy in the lives and example of many of those who have gone before them. Nor has this inheritance come to unworthy sons. The Bar of the city is composed of men worthy of their calling-men of ability and integrity, who enjoy the confidence and esteem of their fellow-citi- zens, who take an interest in municipal affairs, and as public men exert a favorable influence in the community. Among those eminent in the profession in times past were the following :
Phineas McIntosh, admitted 1729. He was the first New- burgh lawyer of whom we find any record. He was one of the partners in the Town of Newburgh plot in 1731, and erected the residence in Liberty Street known for many years as the McIntosh house.
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