USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > Cincinnati, the Queen City, 1788-1912, Volume II > Part 6
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This noteworthy group of buildings stands on the 350-foot-front lot on Bur- net Avenue, Avondale, adjoining the beautiful property of the Home for Jewish Aged and Infirm. Indeed, it was from the latter institution that the first hun- dred feet of property for the hospital was purchased. The buildings are in a row, facing Burnet avenue, except the surgical pavilion and the power house,
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which are in the rear, on the ample lot which extends through to Harvey avenue in part. The cost of grounds, buildings and equipments amounts to fully $250,000.
The history of the Nurses' Hall is concisely told in the annual report of 1905, by David J. Workum, the efficient president of the Jewish Hospital Association :
"On November 9, 1904, Joseph Joseph, with pious resignation, answered the final summons.
"Joseph Josephi was a valued member of the Board of Directors, deeply in- terested in all charity, and especially sympathetic with the indigent sick.
"The offer was made to build a 'Nurses' Hall' at a cost of fifteen thousand dollars. The final estimates were made, and though the bids largely exceeded the limit, with modest generosity he authorized that it be built. Death came, and he did not have the satisfaction of seeing the building which is now completed.
"His sons continued the good work commenced by their father, and au- thorized that the building be completely furnished and equipped. That has been done, and the building is now ready for dedication and inspection.
"It is a model for the purposes intended-well designed, substantially built, and furnished most beautifully.
"The Nurses' Hall accommodates thirty-five nurses, has library, reception room, study rooms, gymnasium, lavatories, and every accessory needed for the care and preservation of the health of these good women, who while students at our school are under our care, and for whom we stand sponsors."
The officers of the Jewish Hospital are as follows: David J. Workum, presi- dent; Samuel Straus, vice president ; A. J. Seasongood, treasurer; Samuel Mayer, recording secretary; L. J. Mack, financial secretary.
THE JEWISH HOSPITAL SCHOOL FOR NURSES.
Like everything else connected with the Jewish Hospital, the School for Nurses ranks at the head of the list of kindred institutions.
Following is given the first part of the "Circular Information" in order to indicate the severe test candidates are subjected to and the remarkably high character of mental, moral and physical requirements :
"The Jewish Hospital School for Nurses, established to give instruction to women desirous of learning the art of caring for the sick, and opened to students in January, 1891, is now beginning its fifteenth year. It is an integral part of the Jewish Hospital, and under the same government. The school building is within the hospital grounds, but separated from the hospital buildings. It is of suitable size, comfortable, well heated, lighted and ventilated. Lecture and class rooms, equipped with facilities for teaching, and a reference library, are provided, also a well appointed gymnasium for the physical training of the pupils."
The superintendent, Miss Mary Hamer Greenwood, for more than fifteen years in charge of the hospital, and head of the Training School for Nurses, is a grand and gifted woman. Well educated, skillful, a rare disciplinarian and a good lecturer, she is deeply sympathetic and has a broad conception of the duties of the nurse, so that she thoroughly fills that most important position be- tween the physician or surgeon and the patient.
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HOME FOR JEWISH AGED AND INFIRM.
Early in 1883 the Board of Control of the Jewish Hospital Association ad- dressed a circular letter to the prominent Jews of Cincinnati, containing the result of their deliberations with reference to a Home for Aged and Infirm, as follows :
"Resolved, That the Board of Control of the Jewish Hospital Association consider the creation of a Home for the Jewish Aged and Infirm of Cincinnati a necessity, and that such an asylum ought to be established without unneces- sary delay.
"Resolved, That the President appoint a committee of seventeen Jewish citi- zens of Cincinnati, who shall be requested, in the name of the board, to proceed to organize an association for the purpose of establishing and managing such a charity."
Accordingly, the following-named gentlemen were appointed: Harmon Mack, Jas. Lowman, B. Stern, Henry Stix, A. J. Friedlander, Alex. Straus, Henry Loewenstein, Jacob Elsas, Jacob Shroder, Wm. Stix, Jacob Seasongood, Marx Leon, N. Menderson, Julius Freiberg, Albert Levy, Louis Levi, A. Ack- erland and Louis Kramer.
The late James Lowman was chairman of the committee and entered upon the work of finding means for the establishment of a home and tangible plans and a nucleus for the required funds were reported. It was at this juncture that the Hebrew Beneficent Society, the oldest Jewish charity of Cincinnati, and, with the exception of Bene Israel Congregation, the oldest Jewish organi- zation west of the Alleghany Mountains, came to the rescue. The society was founded in 1831, and incorporated seven years later, at which time the follow- ing were members: Solomon Menkin, Moses Hassan, Simon Cohen, Alexan- der Levy, Whillop Symmonds, Morris Symmonds, Nathan Levy, Judah Hart, Moses Wartcki, David Land, David Goldsmith, Henry Hart, Jacob Hilp, B. Bareshans, Samuel Bruel, David Saif, Levy May, Menkin Goldberg, Joseph Joseph, Joseph Simon, M. Weiler, B. Simonds, Julius Goodheart, Simon Cramer, Lipman Faulk, Adam Weller, Samuel Kahn, Abraham Wolf, Jr., Joseph Alex- ander, Morris Moses, Jacob L. Workum, Benjamin Moses, Hart Judah, Jacob Grogenheimer, Z. Auer, A. D. Goldstone, Leopold Melins, Moses Hirsch, Isaac Marks, Emanuel Hursk, Simon Greenebaum, Abraham Hyams, Mordecai Levy, Alexander Franks, Ferdinand Melins, E. Wexler, Daniel Raphael, Wm. Krouse, Joseph Ritzenburger, Wolf Trost and Alexander Rosenthal.
The last member to be admitted to the society was Jacob Trost, who suc- ceeded his father on May 22, 1870.
The society owned property on Court street valued at about $8,000 and had some $2,000 in its treasury. This property and money were to be turned over to the new home as soon as there should be a corporate body for such an insti- tution.
On Saturday evening, May 18, 1883, the Home for Aged and Infirm was launched upon its career, in the hands of the committee on ways and means. At the same meeting officers were elected as follows: President, James Low-
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man; vice president, Julius Freiberg; treasurer, A. J. Friedlander ; secretary, Louis Kramer.
At the meeting on October 25, 1883, the constitution was adopted and the first large donation announced, that of $3,000 from the Michael Reese Charity Fund. At a subsequent meeting, on September 9, a donation of $5,000 from the late Jacob Seasongood was announced amid cheers. The donations now commenced to come in as the result of the work of the officers and committee. Among them are $1,000 each from James Lowman, Stix, Krouse & Co., Lewis Seasongood, Julius Freiberg, J. M. Brunswick, A. J. Seasongood, S. Kuhn, Charles Seasongood, Solomon Loeb and others, and many more who contrib- uted lesser sums.
At the meeting, December 30, 1883, a committee was appointed to secure a proper site for a new home building, as follows: James Lowman, ex officio ; Jacob Elsas, Henry S. Fechheimer, Julius Freiberg, A. J. Seasongood and Louis Kramer. At a special meeting, on June II, the proposition to purchase land adjoining the hospital was voted down and the committee instructed to look for a site in the suburbs, either in Mt. Auburn, Walnut Hills or Avondale. At a special meeting on April 26, 1888, the committee reported the purchase of the "Neimeyer Homestead," in Avondale, 334 feet on Burnet avenue and 354 feet on Union street, for $25,700. At a board meeting, held on the same date, the offer of the Hebrew Beneficent Society to donate its property to the Home, made at the first meeting of the original committee, was acted upon and the property accordingly transferred. At the same meeting President Lowman appointed a building committee, the members being James Lowman, Julius Freiberg, Jacob Elsas, A. J. Seasongood and H. S. Fechheimer.
On May 8, 1888, the Jewish Hospital Association offered to purchase one hundred feet of the property which the Home had secured. This sale was after- ward consummated and this 100 feet was the first holding of the magnificent property belonging to the hospital.
On June 26 the building committee was authorized to make contracts for the erection of the new building. The old homestead still forms the rear of the beauti- ful home building.
From this time until June, 1889, the money for the new building and for main- tainance flowed slowly, but constantly, into the hands of the officers. The build- ing was finally completed, and on May 9, 1889, the inaugural services took place in the presence of as many people as could get within earshot of the various speakers.
After the completion of the Home, and pending the erection of the new hospital building, the patients of the hospital were cared for at the Home, thus repaying, in part, the debt the Home had contracted when its inmates were de- pendent upon the hospital for care and shelter.
On June 16, 1889, the first applicants were admitted, viz., Baruch Friedland, 77 years; Regina Goodman, 78 years, and Isaac Cohen, 74 years. All are now dead. At the same meeting there was received the fine library and bookcases from the late Simon Obermayer.
Dr. Jos. C. Marcus was the first resident physician, giving his services gratui- tously, and the late Rev. M. Goldstein, cantor of Bene Israel Congregation, con- Vol. II-4
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ducted the first services. There are at present forty inmates, the full capacity of the Home.
For twenty years Mrs. John Lehman has been matron, and her husband, John Lehman, has been superintendent for some time. Of Mrs. Lehman it is a pleas- ure to write.
The officers of the Home are:
Emil Pollak, president; M. E. Moch, vice president ; Louis Kuhn, treasurer ; Frank Seinsheimer, recording secretary; M. Schottenfels, financial secretary.
JEWISH SHELTER HOME.
The Jewish Shelter Home, an institution for the purpose its name implies, was founded in 1887 by M. A. Miller and M. Feingold. It received its first im- petus and support from Beth Tefilla Congregation and is particularly interesting and noteworthy because it is the first systematic work of charity conceived and carried out successfully by the Russian Jews of Cincinnati.
The Shelter Home occupied quarters in turn on George street, Barr street, Sixth street and elsewhere, having changed its location seven times in thirteen years.
At present the Home occupies its own building at 711 Carlisle avenue, for which it paid $3,500, and with repairs and furnishings the total cost amounts to $4,500.
FRATERNAL ORDERS AND SOCIETIES.
Cincinnati has its quota of Jewish fraternal and secret orders and societies. The advisability of secret orders among the Jews has of late years been ques- tioned, and the tendency is to do away with the secret ritual and star chamber sessions. This is true particularly of the B'nai B'rith. The endowment feature of the various orders is rapidly disappearing, partly because the insurance com- panies make it impracticable, and partly because the increase in membership is not sufficient to keep the assessments on a normal level.
The orders represented are :
Independent Order B'nai B'rith.
Independent Order Free Sons of Israel.
Independent Order of B'rith Abraham.
Independent Order Sons of Joseph.
Independent Order Kesher Shel Barzel.
There are also various Zionist societies, together with numerous smaller ones, which are of no special significance. Those affiliated with the educational in- stitute and settlement have been mentioned in proper place.
An item of special interest is the consolidation of the Cincinnati B'nai B'rith lodges, which was effective at a joint meeting held on Sunday, Dec. 2nd.
The consolidation of the local B'nai B'rith lodges is an event of more than passing importance. Where formerly concurrent action had to be received from half a dozen different and practically independent bodies, before united action could be obtained, there is now only one organization, whose members will de- cide upon all questions arising, decisively and as a whole.
The present number of members of the new lodge is about 800, and it is hoped that within a few weeks the one thousand mark will be reached and passed.
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The membership comprises the very best element of the local Jewish community and, as the B'nai B'rith is now a purely altruistic organization, it is difficult to place any limitations upon the possibilities for good of the new lodge.
YOUNG MEN'S HEBREW ASSOCIATION.
The Young Men's Hebrew Association of Cincinnati has never proved a suc- cess, owing probably to the fact that there has been no special demand for such an organization. The Association has periodically taken on activity for the past thirty years, only to relapse into a state of coma again and again.
Recently, however, it has again taken a new lease of life and is giving every indication of a more than usually healthy career. It may be that it will thrive, although the settlement would seem to occupy the same field more effectively, particularly as the same people are engaged in the work of both organizations.
CEMETERIES.
UNITED JEWISH CEMETERY.
The congregations K. K. Bene Israel and K. K. Bene Yeshurun jointly own and maintain the beautiful Jewish cemetery on Walnut Hills, consisting of thir- teen acres on Gilbert avenue, running from Holloway avenue to Duck Creek road.
The cemetery was consecrated in 1862. The first plot of ground was quite small and was subsequently increased by two additional purchases, although it is a source of much regret now that the entire property then available had not been purchased at the outset, as the cemetery is filling up at a melancholy rate.
The management of the cemetery is in the hands of a board of twelve dele- gates, six from each congregation, elected for a term of three years. The first delegates (1862) were:
K. K. B. I .- Isaac Marks, Solomon Hoffheimer, Philip Heidelbach, B. Schroeder, Abraham Wolf, Jr., and Lewis Abraham.
K. K. B. Y .- Abraham Aub, Solomon Levi, Jacob Elsas, Jacob L. Mack, Jacob L. Miller and Henry Mack.
The first officers were: President, Abraham Aub; vice president, Philip Heidel- bach ; secretary, Lewis Abraham; treasurer, Jacob Elsas.
All these sturdy pioneers of blessed memory lie buried in the beautiful cem- etery they helped to found.
The old cemetery, the one used before the opening of the present one, was on Harrison avenue. The property was condemned for street purposes and such bodies as could be recovered were exhumed and reinterred in the new burial ground.
BETH HAMEDRASH HAGODOL.
The cemetery of Beth Hamedrash Hagodol Congregation adjoins the Ohave Sholem on Price Hill. Six years ago the congregation purchased eight acres of land, for which $2,000 was paid. A small chapel and vault costing $1,500 was built.
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LICK RUN CEMETERY.
The Lick Run Cemetery, on Price Hill, was established by the Sh'erith Israel congregation in 1855. It consists of a three-acre tract of land, purchased orig- inally for the purpose by Hyman Moses and Nathan Maizer, acting for the con- gregation.
A small chapel was at first erected, but last year a fine new mortuary chapel of brick and stone was built at a cost of $5,000.
Since the consolidation of Ahabath Achim and Sh'erith Israel congregations, the cemetery belongs to the new congregation in connection with the Clifton cemetery. The members of the new congregation have their choice of either cemetery.
JUDAH TOURO.
The Judah Touro cemetery is an independent burial ground, if such an ex- pression is admitted. It was organized originally for the use of certain persons who for various reasons did not desire to use the cemeteries belonging to the regular organizations.
The cemetery is in Green Township, and is in every respect well kept.
OHAVE SHOLEM.
The cemetery of Ohave Sholem Congregation is on Price Hill, the first of the three adjoining burial grounds, viz., Ohave Sholem, the Russian Orthodox and the Polish. About three years ago Ohave Sholem congregation purchased this plot of ground for $800, and has since made improvements bringing the cost up to $2,000.
CLIFTON CEMETERY.
The Ahabath Achim (Society of Brotherly Love) cemetery is beautifully lo- cated on Ludlow avenue, Clifton.
According to the records the first deed was filed on May 16th, 1848, and re- cites the conveyance of two and one-half acres of land on the "Cumminsville Turnpike or Hill Road," now Ludlow avenue, to Charles Kahn and wife, Rachel, and from them to Simon Kohn, Moses Westenberger, Samuel Kahn and Henry Winter, the first board of trustees.
The first chapel was a small frame building, which was remodeled in 1892 at a cost of $1,080. In April of the present year construction was commenced on the fine new chapel of brick, with stone facings, which has now been completed at a cost of $7,000, including the furnishings and necessary improvements.
CHAPTER VIII.
PUBLIC SAFETY.
VILLAGE COUNCIL IN 1803 PROVIDES FOR A NIGHT WATCHMAN-FIVE DOLLARS FINE FOR DECLINING TO ACT-FIRST MARSHAL JAMES SMITH IN 1802-LAWRENCE M. HAZEN FAMOUS DETECTIVE, A POLICE LIEUTENANT IN 1855 AND CHIEF OF POLICE IN 1869-POLICE STATIONS AND THEIR EQUIPMENT-RELIEF AND BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATIONS-POLICE LIBRARY-FIRE DEPARTMENT-PRIMITIVE METHODS AND APPARATUS-GREAT AND BITTER RIVALRY BETWEEN VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANIES-HEALTH DEPARTMENT-WATERWORKS.
THE POLICE.
On March 29, 1803, the village council passed an ordinance appointing a night watch. The community had been stirred to take this step by a fire that had oc- curred some nights previous. All citizens above twenty-one years of age were to be divided into groups of twelve each. These groups were to act as watch- men in turn. Each group was to choose one of its number as officer of the night. Each group when on service was to divide itself for the night, six men at a time being on duty, "walking to and fro through the streets in a quiet peace- able manner."
Any citizen was allowed to engage a substitute of suitable qualifications, such as strength, discretion, sobriety. The watch houses were to be the homes of Hugh McCullum and David J. Poor.
A fine of ten dollars was attached to any one who declined to act as officer of the watch. Five dollars were collectable from any man who refused to watch. A watchman's rattle and a large perforated tin lantern was the equipment of a man for this service.
The responsibilities of the watchmen at that period were not very great. Early hours were kept by practically all citizens, nine o'clock being the usual bed time. Throughout the night there was seldom any sound heard but the call each hour of the watchmen. This service was without pay.
By 1817 a change had been made. At that time the council appointed a cap- tain and six assistants for the night. The commander of the guard was to see to it that the men lighted the street lamps at twilight and kept them trimmed. The watchman had to report at the watch house at nine o'clock, and remain under orders until daybreak.
For a long time, the sheriff and his aides, the town marshal, the constable and lesser officers of the courts served most of the purposes of a police force and were "found sufficient to preserve peace and good order in a city whose
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population, though heterogeneous in character and pursuits, is yet remarkable for its good morals and regular conduct."
In the latter part of 1825 a town watch was organized, consisting of two captains and eighteen men. This organization was maintained at a cost of three thousand dollars a year.
Under the village organization the marshals had been James Smith, chosen 1802; Andrew Brannon, 1813; James Chambers, 1814-1818.
The marshals of the city were William Ruffin, 1819-20; Samuel R. Miller, 1821; John C. Avery, 1822-24; William C. Anderson, 1825-26; Zebulon Bying- ton, 1827-28; William Doty, 1828-32 ; Jesse Justice, 1833-34; James Saffin, 1835- 46; Ebenezer Hulse, 1847-48; Charles L. Ruffin, 1849-54; William Craven, 1855- 57; Benjamin Robinson, 1858; John S. Gano, 1859.
Zebulon Byington was elected marshal in 1827, having been a constable and a member of the watch previously. At this time the council arranged for the appointment of one captain, one assistant and five patrolmen. The captain was authorized to engage other patrolmen up to four, if needed. .
William Doty was chosen marshal in 1829, and served four years. While he was in office he was authorized by council to organize a night watch of not more than twenty men, and to procure a building in the center of the city for a watch house, where the watchmen could gather evening and morning to report.
In 1833, Jesse Justice became marshal, and held office for two years. In 1834 the salary of this officer was fixed at one thousand dollars per year. James Saffin was elected marshal in 1835 and remained in this position for twelve years. The fees of a marshal were at that time very considerable, such an officer mak- ing from fifteen to twenty-five thousand dollars.
June 18, 1834, a levy of one mill on the dollar for the maintenance of the night watch was made. In 1840 an ordinance was passed fixing the watchman's pay at one dollar a night.
The deputies of the marshal in 1836 were Ira Butterfield and George Whann. Butterfield in 1840 became captain of the watch. James Wise was lieutenant. There were then twenty-one men in the watch, three from each ward.
Up to 1840 the watch had been chosen by the council. Now by an act of March 19th in that year it was arranged that the watchmen should be elected. This was to be done by wards, and council was to decide as to the number for each ward. These watchmen were to be chosen at the same elections that chose the city council. Watchmen were to be elected from the wards in which they lived.
Those first chosen under the new arrangement were James Ewan, Peter Early, John Redhead, Robert Cappin, Jesse B. Baldwin, Aaron G. Dodd, and John Cordeman. The captain was Ira Butterfield, with James Wise as lieu- tenant.
May 27, 1842, the council passed an ordinance to the effect that the city should have also a day watch of two men, to be chosen by council and to be remunerated at one dollar and twenty-five cents each per day.
In 1843 Henry E. Spencer became mayor, and during his time in office the command of the watch was in the hands of a captain, being taken from the
CINCINNATI-THE QUEEN CITY
control of the marshal. The captains during Spencer's term as mayor were William Small and Jacob Jacobs.
In 1844, the council passed an ordinance authorizing the mayor and mar- shal to call upon a number of men less than ten from each ward in case of need, and to have these sworn as deputy marshals and to act under the mayor and marshal.
In 1846, arrangement was made to employ private watchmen for the mer- chants, these special watchmen to be compensated by the merchants but to have like powers with other city watchmen.
In 1847 Ebenezer Hulse became marshal; he served but one term. In 1849 James L. Ruffin became marshal and served until 1854; some years later he became chief of police.
The pay of watchmen in 1849 was one dollar and thirty-five cents per night, that of lieutenants one dollar and fifty cents and that of the captain of the watch one dollar and seventy-five cents.
In March, 1850, the council arranged that at the April election six day watchmen from each ward of the city be chosen, at the same wages as the night watchmen.
The latter part of April, council decided that there should be a chief of police and six lieutenants, to serve a year each, to be chosen by council. Four lieutenants were to serve during the night and two during the day. While five watchmen from each ward were to serve at night and one during the day. The night watch and the principal lieutenants were ordered to gather at the watch house every evening one hour after sunset to answer to their names.
Watchmen and night lieutenants were to be on duty until sunrise, and then again appear at roll call. These were to be succeeded by the day force, whose hours would end at sunset.
The captains of the watch in 1851 were Peter Early, David Hoke and John C. Coutch.
June 25, 1851, the lieutenants were reduced to one with three assistants. A sergeant of police was appointed at that time for each ward.
In 1853, Jacob Kiefer was appointed chief of police. His lieutenants were John Dunker, Joseph Cassidy, William Phillips, Simeon Rouse, Xavier Cramer and F. Housman. At this period there were six watchmen for each of the sixteen wards, ninety-six in all. There were also six river watchmen, two canal watchmen, two watch house keepers and two keepers for the Hammond street station house and two for the Bremen street station house.
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