USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > Cincinnati, the Queen City, 1788-1912, Volume II > Part 40
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The Children's Hospital, as it is familiarly called, is well worth a visit. This work appeals to all, whether they approve it because of the wisdom of pre- venting, assuaging or giving relief to any disease or deformity which neglected leaves the subject a life-long burden upon the public, or because they believe that "of all created things the loveliest and most divine are children."
HOMEOPATHIC FREE DISPENSARY.
The rooms of the Pulte Medical College, where medicine and advice are given gratis to the poor, are crowded daily. Its annual reports show that totals of about six thousand cases, nearly two thousand visits, nearly ten thousand prescriptions in the medical department, nearly one thousand new cases treated and operated on in the surgical department, seven hundred in the eye and ear, and 600 new cases in the throat and nose departments, are attended to annually.
ST. FRANCIS HOSPITAL.
The St. Francis Hospital, Queen City avenue, is also in charge of the Sisters of the Poor of St. Francis, and is mainly intended for chronic patients. The hospital property, which had served as a cemetery for a number of years, had been deeded to the Sisters in 1874, in order to settle questions of long standing. The principal condition of the transfer was the erecting thereon of a charity hospital. Want of means deferred the carrying out of this obligation for twelve years, until the generous bequest of the late Hon. Reuben Springer enabled the Sisters to have the preparations begun in 1886. The cornerstone was laid July 2, 1887, and the hospital opened on the 27th of December, 1888. The building consists of the hospital proper, the boiler house, stable, etc. The main or center building is 296 feet long, 100 feet deep and 70 feet high, has three stories and a mansard roof and basement. The boiler house stands about 60 feet distant from the east side of the hospital and forms a 60 feet square building, with basement for boilers and coal shed and two stories for laundry and other pur- poses. The corresponding building on the west side contains stables, workshops
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and rooms for help. The hospital accommodates about 300 patients ; the average number annually admitted varies between 850 and 900.
HOME OF ST. JOSEPH AND SCHOOL OF REFORM.
This institution is conducted by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd. There are two departments: The Industrial School at 120 Kilgour street for orphans ; girls received from six to eighteen; sewing and domestic work; and the School of Reform for Girls at 77 Baum street, for the reception and reformation of wayward girls.
ST. JOSEPH'S CHILDRENS HOME.
St. Joseph's Childrens Home is located at Hartwell, and is a free home for destitute children. It is supported by voluntary contributions.
BETHESDA HOSPITAL AND GERMAN METHODIST DEACONESS HOME.
This home and hospital was the outcome of the idea and effort of the Rev. Christian Golder, of the German Methodist Episcopal church. It was organized in 1896. Although he gave the initiative, he was warmly aided by philanthropic men and women of the church, who have ever since kept their shoulders to the wheel and have met the expenses of carrying on the work. The institution is most pleasantly located at the junction of Oak street and Reading Road, in the building formerly occupied by the Dr. Reamy Hospital. The principal support comes from the Bethesda Society, which counts its members in every part of the United States, and of which there are 2,000, each paying $1.00 a year. There are no salaries paid in any part of the work, a certain amount being al- lowed only for expenses. There are thirty deaconesses or sisters, who are in- structed in nursing, and their work also extends to the outside poor. It is in no sense sectarian. Pay patients are received as well as those who are unable to pay. A homeopathic staff of fifteen is in attendance. There are branches of this home in Milwaukee and Terre Haute, and nursing is also done at the hos- pital at Louisville. The institution has had fine contributions towards carrying on its work and rooms have been furnished by both individuals and societies.
MARINE HOSPITAL.
The United States Marine Hospital of Cincinnati is situated on the corner of Pearl, Kilgour and Third streets, and was opened for the reception of patients March 14, 1884. The property was at one time the residence of the Kilgour family. The hospital has capacity for 100 patients, is well ventilated, heated by steam, has an ever ready ambulance service and every facility for surgical operations, disinfection and the treatment of disease. The buildings are of brick and wood, and from their position on the hillside afford a healthful site for a hospital. The hospital is operated for the relief and care of sick and disabled seamen of the merchant marine, also for the officers and crews of the U. S. Revenue Cutter Service. The duties of the officers of the U. S. Marine Hos- pital are to examine pilots for color blindness, physically examine the crews of the Revenue Cutter Service and the keepers of the Life Saving Service; to
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physically examine immigrants under the law excluding those afflicted with contagious diseases; to conduct scientific investigations into the causes of dis- ease, the suppression of epidemic diseases and enforcement of the inter-state quarantine laws, and the investigation of reported contagious diseases, including bacteriological examination and local quarantine regulations. There are nine- teen hospitals and eleven quarantine stations belonging to the service, and there are officers of the service stationed at all the principal shipping ports of this country, including Cuba, Porto Rico, Mexico, Honolulu and other foreign ports, doing quarantine duty to protect this country from contagious diseases.
ST. ALOYSIUS ORPHAN ASYLUM.
This is a refuge for German orphans and for homeless children of German parentage, one or both of whom may be living. It is supported by the German Catholic Orphan Society. St. Aloysius is on the Reading road, near Bond Hill.
ST. JOSEPH'S MATERNITY HOSPITAL AND INFANT ASYLUM.
This institution was founded by Mr. Joseph C. Butier in 1873, to provide a home for poor women soon to become mothers, and for foundlings and des- titute children. The practical work consists in caring for unfortunate girls before and during confinement, in providing for little foundlings and children abandoned by or bereft of their parents, and in sheltering married women dur- ing accouchement who cannot get proper attention at their own homes. None are excluded because of race or religion. Young women who have no homes or friends are induced to remain to nurse their babes till they can be weaned, and homes are sought for the children and suitable employment for the girls. In 1898 a ward for poor colored women was opened.
FREE EMPLOYMENT BUREAU.
The Free Public Employment office was established by act of the legislature in April, 1890. The state pays the office expenses and the city council, or board of legislation, the salaries of a superintendent and clerk. There are several of these bureaus throughout the state. They come under the department of the commissioner of labor statistics. The Municipal Labor Congress, an or- ganization composed of all the labor and trades unions of the city, started the agitation which resulted in their establishment. The law creating them was an experiment. The result has been a success, and these offices stand well in the eyes of employers and have also the confidence of working men and women. Each year there are more than a thousand applications for places from men ; about two hundred applications for help wanted ; and several hundreds of situa- tions are secured. From women there are nearly two thousand applications for situations ; nearly a thousand cases of help wanted; and well toward a thousand situations are secured.
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TRANSPORTATION FUND IN THE HANDS OF THE MAYOR.
This is an amount set aside by the mayor from his contingent fund for for- warding indigent persons to their destination who may be stranded in the city.
OHIO MECHANICS INSTITUTE.
The Ohio Mechanics Institute is one of the oldest and most praiseworthy of Cincinnati's educational agencies. It was founded in 1828. The primal intent of its organization was to afford means for enlightening and training working people, especially mechanics. But it has come to be a school where the son of the millionaire elbows the toiler in the factory, all bent upon acquiring some special knowledge under the most democratic of conditions. John D. Craig, a prominent business man of the city in those days, was the first to suggest such an institu- tion. The idea took root, and classes were organized in chemistry and geom- ยท etry and arithmetic. The institute was incorporated February 9, 1829. During the years of precarious existence up to 1838, various places about the city were occupied, but on the 4th of July, 1848, the cornerstone of the building long in use at Sixth and Vine streets was laid and the School of Design was permanently organized. In 1883 the title was changed to that of the Industrial and Art School. The institute possesses a reference library, and the reading room, (open free to the public) is well stocked with periodicals, the list of those of a scien- tific character being very complete.
Cincinnati is the mother of expositions, and it was with the Mechanics In- stitute they had their beginning. The first of these was held in May, 1838, in what was known as Madam Trollope's Bazaar on Third street. The second was held in June, 1839, and they were continued annually until 1859, the Civil war interfering with their continuance. In 1870 they were resumed, and then followed that splendid series which culminated in the Centennial Exposition of the Ohio Valley and Central States in 1888, being also the centenary of Cincinnati. Many of the boys who in earlier days toiled in machine shop and mill during the day and went to night school at the institute were the men who were foremost in spreading the fame of the city through her expositions. Thus the Mechanics Institute has been a tremendous working force for good in the years gone by, and it is still educating those who in their turn will take their place in the ranks of the best citizenship, ready to do whatever comes to their hands for the honor and upbuilding of the city.
There have been as many as 600 pupils enrolled during the winter term of the night school, extending from October to March and more than 15,000 in the fifty-three years of the school's existence. There are four departments, me- chanical, architectural, electrical and artistic, with instruction in each from the elementary to the finishing grades. A special department of arithmetic, algebra and geometry has been engaged by which students may bring up any deficiency in order to carry on successfully their respective studies. A summer school has also been added, beginning its sessions in May. There are free classes in free- hand drawing, water color, oil painting, china and glass painting, tapestry and silk painting, and mechanical and architectural drawing.
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In the institute's schools there are pupils ranging in age from twelve to fifty years. Ladies are admitted on equal terms with men. The regular tuition fee is $3.00, but no worthy or ambitious ones are denied because they cannot com- mand that amount. The teachers comprise a corps of competent, self-sacrificing men who are actively employed in various industries during the day and who give up the hours of evening for the helping of all who are anxious to help themselves. The annual commencement in April are seasons of great interest which the best people of the city attend. There are no essays read. Every pupil has his or her essay in specimens of work on exhibition, for drawing in its various forms and applications is the world-speech of modern industry. The designer records his ideas and wants in this graphic language, and the skilled mechanic or artist must be able to read and understand the same. Drawing is largely a basis of all trades and the foundation for technical education, and upon the walls of the commencement hall are to be seen the practical essays of grad- uates and pupils, written with the weapons of their craft. The industries rep- resented in the night schools of the Mechanics Institute comprehend nearly all . of the occupations of man which go to make up a city's greatness. Through the great liberality of Mrs. Emery, the institute has recently entered into new and greatly improved quarters.
TECHNICAL SCHOOL.
The Technical School of Cincinnati is a manual and training school with "high" and "intermediate" departments. It is located in the Power Hall of the Music Hall building. The object of the school is to furnish pupils instruction and practice in the use of tools, mathematics, mechanical and free-hand draw- ing, English language and the natural sciences. It is a school in which the effort is made to develop evenly all the faculties of the pupil. To accomplish this end it combines in a proper proportion the studies of the intermediate or high school with instruction in shop work, such as can be done in a carpenter, a blacksmith and a machine shop, thus developing the mind by use and practice of the physical powers, as well as by storing away knowledge and awakening the understanding by the use of books. This school is in line with the strong modern tendency to reform school work so that it will conform to the require- ments of modern life.
A leading idea of the Technical School is to treat pupils as individuals and not as a mass. Individual treatment does not mean special instruction, but con- sists in applying to each student such encouragement or restraint as a careful study of his needs and his character may warrant. The time is divided between the school room and the shop. Some fine engines have been turned out of the machine shop, and the specimens in carpentry and joinery and blacksmithing are most creditable. Candidates must be fourteen years of age, and should be pre- pared for entrance to high school.
The Shut-In Society has its rooms in the Oddfellows' temple. This beau- tiful work of brightening the lives of lonely invalids is in its organized capacity still in its beginnings in Cincinnati, but the local society has already accomplished much and is planning for larger achievements. Miss Edith Taylor is the presi-
THE CHILDREN'S HOME ON WEST NINTH STREET
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dent of the Cincinnati organization. The society started its work in July, 1909, and as little was accomplished until November it was decided to have the busi- ness year begin in the latter month. The leaders of the work began with two in- valid members, but soon reached the number of twenty-two regular members. In addition to systematic work for their members, the visitors seek out others and reach them with literature and by personal calls. In some cases as many as twenty-five ladies have visited one invalid member, thus keeping up systematic attentions calculated to relieve the loneliness and dullness of the invalid's life. The regular visitors have in every case one or more invalids for whom they are responsible to the chairman of the visiting committee. The birthdays of invalids are especial occasions that are remembered by calls, little gifts, letters and cards. At Christmas each invalid is remembered by a card and by more substantial help from the visitors. The society owns some wheel chairs, but is in need of more. One of the chairs is used by a woman sixty-two years of age, who has but one foot and whose other lip has been broken. By the use of the wheel chair she can get about her room and do her work of making aprons for the society's exchange. She runs her sewing machine with her hand.
At present the society has thirty-six consignors to the exchange; some of these are invalids in other parts of the country who have not a large enough sale for their work elsewhere. When invalids become members of the society, eacht one is asked what he or she can do in the way of making things for the exchange (unless they are ill or have a contagious or infectious disease). If they cannot make salable articles they are taught how to do this, in order that work may take their thoughts off themselves and that they may not feel entirely dependent on others for support. The society holds Christmas and Easter sales, but the work of the invalids is on sale at the society's rooms at all times. The society at present has about a hundred persons who contribute to the support of their work. As the Shut-In Society of this city becomes better known among charit- ably inclined persons it will expand in scope and be generally supported. It has a special mission and place not filled by any other of the organizations for the comfort and help of the sick and enfeebled. The general society, with branches in most parts of our land, has its own publications and literature, and has accom- plished a vast amount in cheering the lives of hosts of those who are shut-in.
The Bethany Home, Glendale, is in charge of the Sisterhood of the Trans- figuration, Episcopal, and is a home for orphaned boys and girls.
The Cincinnati Vigilance Society is an organization that has for its objects the suppression of the "White Slave" traffic and cognate evils in this city. Dr. Robert Watson is the president; E. P. Bradstreet is vice president; Lawrence Mendenhall, treasurer, and Leonard A. Watson, secretary. Supporting members pay $I per year; active members $5; honorary members $25; and life members $100. The office of the society is in the Oddfellows' temple.
Another Cincinnati charity organization, to be known as the Children's Coun- try Homes Association, has been started by such well-known philanthropic work- ers as William Cooper Proctor, J. J. Buchenal and others. The purpose will be to aid all orphan children until suitable homes can be provided. Papers of the incorporation have already been prepared.
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The organization will purchase a large tract of land and will erect buildings in which the young unfortunates will be housed. There will be certain studies given those who are old enough to go to school. A playground will be estab- lished and some farming will be taught the boys.
There will be a separate building for the girls where domestic science will be taught. The association will take in all classes of children who are not over eighteen years of age.
In order that the association start on the right plane H. D. Clark, who has been connected with the Children's Aid Society, New York city, has been engaged to look after the work. Mr. Clark has been field secretary for the Children's Aid Society for the past twelve years.
Such institutions have been in vogue for the past fifty-five years. They were first started by a Congregational minister, named C. L. Grace, who started work- ing among the criminal classes, but after finding out there was little progress to be made with those of a mature age took up the cause for children.
HOME FOR THE BLIND.
Clovernook is a home for the blind, located in the former residence of the famous Carey sisters.
The Society for the Welfare of the Blind is an active organization, of which Julius Fleischmann is treasurer. In addition to other plans, the society has just leased the premises known as 140 West Court street, where it will install a work- shop and sundry articles will be manufactured by the blind for the maintenance of the organization.
The Cincinnati chapter of the Red Cross Society has a large membership, in- terested in the well known work of that great organization. This chapter, con- posed of more than eight thousand members, has undertaken, among other ac- tivities, to raise $36,500, the city's proportionate share of the fund of two mil- lion dollars which is being subscribed in the United States as this country's share of the World's Red Cross Society fund for the alleviation of suffering in times of disaster. It has been the experience of the Red Cross Society that im- mediate help given in cases such as the Messina earthquake and the San Fran- cisco fire is of much greater benefit than succor at a later period, and this fund, now amounting to several millions of dollars in Europe, will be turned over to the treasurer of the United States for use in times of disaster.
HOME FOR BIRDS.
Cincinnati is to have the first city bird preserve in the United States, through the generosity of Mrs. Mary Emery, widow of Thomas J. Emery, who gave $500,000 for the erection of a new home for the Ohio Mechanics' Institute, now under construction. Mrs. Emery has purchased a tract of about one and one- half acres on the north side of Evanswood Place, in Clifton, as a home for birds, the preserve to be established under the supervision of H. M. Benedict, associate professor of biology in the University of Cincinnati.
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There is a pretty little story in the establishment of this refuge for the feath- ery folks, to be unique among the cities of this country. It means the carrying out of a long cherished dream of Professor Benedict's. The ground adjoins the professor's home and he has been fighting for three years to preserve it for the use of birds. When he was told by Mrs. Emery that she had acquired the ground and would lease it to him at a nominal sum for an indefinite period, and would defray the expense of building a fence that would be boy proof and cat proof, he was the happiest man in Cincinnati.
Professor Benedict has announced plans for stocking the preserve, for the building of an observation tower, with a private approach, and of arrangements for feeding the birds and distributing material for nesting. Students of the uni- versity will study the birds.
"Classes will be admitted in charge of teachers," said Prof. Benedict. "They will be able to see more different kinds of birds within half an hour than they would find in a half day's tramp through the woods.
"We are in a new field as yet. We must study the. best way to induce birds to congregate and nest in a locality where every safeguard has been prepared for their protection against dogs, cats, and not the least by any means, the Ameri- can boy. This action of Mrs. Emery, which is the first of its kind to our knowl- edge, will undoubtedly be followed in every community of any size in the country. Every step in the upbuilding of a great city makes it more difficult for birds to remain and find safe nesting places. And yet where the people and children are thickest the birds are needed the most. President Roosevelt, while in office, es- tablished some fifty national bird preserves, but these are in remote places-be- yond the reach of the majority of the people.
"The establishment of the 'Mary Emery City Bird Preserve' marks the be- ginning of a movement which will be continued until every community shall have its own city bird preserve. These small areas in the heart of the community, planted with trees and shrubbery, securely fenced, alive with native song birds, singing their sweetest in their new security, will shortly become the most highly prized possession of the town. It will be a constant center of eager interest for the children, storing their minds with pleasant memories and most interesting knowledge and teaching as nothing else could the lesson of protecting the weak and preserving the good.
"A childhood which is not interwoven with nature's beauties and bird songs is sad to think of. The mission of the 'City Bird Preserve' is to bring the most delightful of nature's treasures into daily touch with the great masses of popula- tion in the towns and cities."
ANTI-TUBERCULOSIS LEAGUE.
The Anti-Tuberculosis league of this city has the general purposes and plans of similar organizations that exist in many cities. The league has its day camp on Lick Run pike. It is now caring for 235 patients, forty of whom make the trip to and from the camp daily, while eleven remain the entire time. Miss Sadie Herbert is in charge. She is also active in teaching children different forms of sanitation. She had under her care a class which she is teaching the proper care
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of the teeth; each of the little ones has been provided with a tooth brush and is taught its proper use. The league is trying to secure the passage of a $350,000 bond issue to provide funds for the caring of tuberculosis patients and the pre- vention of the disease.
Annually in the city at Christmas time a large company of the business men of the city undertake the role of Santa Claus among the poorer districts. This is one of the most beautiful of the city's charities. Many of the leading men of the city take part personally in the raising of needed money, purchase of candies and presents and the distribution of these. Cincinnati at such times opens its pocket book wide and hundreds of homes are cheered by the visitors and their gifts.
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