History of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Ohio; their past and present, Part 12

Author: Nelson, S.B., Cincinnati
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Cincinnati : S. B. Nelson
Number of Pages: 1592

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In this magnificent park is also found the stately building of the Art Museum. This association was organized in 18SO, in consequence of Charles W. West's offer to give $150,000 toward establishing an Art Museum in Cincinnati, on condition that other citizens should give as much more. Within a few weeks more than that amount was raised. The new building was dedicated May 17, 1886, and covers an area of 17,227 square feet of ground surface, with a floor space of 32,266 square feet, and wall space of 26, 820 square feet. It was erected at a cost of $330,000, and composes the center and west wing of the building designed, of which the east wing remains to be constructed. A separate building has been erected to accommodate the Art Academy, which is a department of the museum, where instruction is annually given to about four hundred students in drawing, painting and decorative art. The city granted a reservation of nineteen acres of park ground to the associa- tion perpetually for the uses of the museum. Visitors can quickly reach the muse- um by electric cars, which run through a portion of the park.

Garfield Park, although small, is a pleasant place, and attracts many visitors because it is adorned by a bronze statue, in heroic size, of the late President Gar- field. It is a notable work of art executed by Charles H. Niehaus, who is repre- sented by important works in other cities. It stands at the intersection of Eighth. and Race streets, and represents the martyred President in a graceful and natural pose, with a scroll in his hand.

SECRET SOCIETIES.

There are many secret societies in Cincinnati, and to notice all would require the space of a small volume. Of course the Masonic is the oldest. The Temple, sit- uated at the corner of Third and Walnut streets, is an imposing building. It is of the Byzantine style of architecture, resembling some of the famous Florentine palaces which excite the admiration of all travelers. It is four stories in height. The first and second stories are occupied by banks and offices; the third and fourth stories are devoted to Masonic purposes entirely. The charter for Nova Caesarea Lodge, No. 2, the first instituted here, was obtained August 8, 1791, from the Grand Lodge of New Jersey, by Dr. Burnet, but owing to his absence, no organization was effected until December 27, 1794. At first the growth of the order was slow. In 1804 the lodge received the lot on which the Temple stands from Hon. William McMillan by will. At that time it was esteemed of little account, but time has enhanced its value to many thousands of dollars, and to-day Nova Caesarea Harmony is accounted one of the wealthiest lodges in the world. This is the third Masonic structure that has been erected on this site; the first in 1818, the second in 1846, and the present in 1859, at a cost of $200,000. The first lodge within the limits of Ohio was instituted at Marietta, where the first settlement was founded. A monument in honor of Mr. McMillan has been erected by this lodge. He is accounted to have been the fore- most benefactor of Masonry in the West.

HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

Lafayette Lodge No. 81 was instituted May 16, 1825, in honor of Gen. Lafay- ette's visit to Cincinnati that year, during which he was made an honorary member and personally signed its by-laws May 19. The signature of the distinguished Frenchman is sacredly preserved as a precious souvenir of an illustrious member of the order.

The Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite was established in Cincinnati in 1853. All these bodies have ample accommodations in the Temple. The Scottish Rite is established and conducted here on a scale of grandeur and magnificence unequaled by any other place in the United States. Although the Masonic Temple is owned by one lodge, all the Masonic bodies meeting in it enjoy equal privileges, at a merely nominal rent. The Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Free Masonry meet in the Scottish Rite Cathedral, Broadway, between Fourth and Fifth streets.

Odd Fellows .- The first lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in the State-Ohio Lodge No. 1-was instituted in Cincinnati December 23, 1830, under a charter from the Grand Lodge of the United States. The Order spread rapidly, and in 1841 there were four lodges in the city, the Grand Lodge, incorporated by the legislature in 1839, being one of the number. The semi-centennial of the foundation of the first lodge was duly and handsomely celebrated December 23, 1880. On this occasion one of the original members was present, and this amusing incident of the first meeting to institute the lodge was related by him: "When the cards of the brothers present were demanded at the meeting, the chairman solemnly presented liis, which, upon examination, turned out to be the Declaration of Indepen- dence! This document, splendid as it is, hardly answered the purpose, and the lodge kindly waited until a trip could be made to his house by Brother Thomas and the needed card procured."

The Cincinnati Temple of Odd Fellowship, an imposing and beautiful structure, was completed in the spring of 1893. It stands on the northwest corner of Seventh and Elm streets, with a frontage of 156 feet on Elm and 124 feet on Seventh street. The ground alone cost $150,000. The corner stone was laid with great ceremony on the 12th of September, 1891, and a large number of appropriate articles were deposited therein.

Other Orders .- The Ancient Order of United Workmen has upward of thirty lodges in Cincinnati. It is a mutual benefit and life insurance association. The Workingmen's Benevolent Association, like this, includes members of all trades, and was organized in 1857.

The Ancient Order of Good Fellows, established in Cincinnati about 1859, has over fifteen lodges, with a large membership, composed mostly of Germans.

The Sons of Temperance and the Order of Good Templars both have a number of lodges. There are a number of open temperance societies, chief among which is the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. The Templars of Honor are also represented.

Besides the foregoing there are many other Orders and Associations, which are secret, and others purely belonging to the benevolent order. The following are among the leading societies having halls, lodges or camps in Cincinnati: The Colored F. & A. M., Ancient Order of Hibernians, Sons of Veterans, Druids, G. A. R., Order of B'nai B'rith, Heptasophs, Independent Order of Red Men, American Legion of Honor, Knights of Honor, Ancient Order of Foresters, Knights of Pythias, Sons of Temperance, Royal Arcanum, Chosen Friends, Knights and Ladies of the Golden . Rule, United Brothers of Friendship, Fraternal Mystic Circle, Sons of St. George, Knights of the Golden Eagle, Order of Aegis, National Provident Union, Order of Mutual Protection, National Fraternal, Order of Germania and the Loyal Legion. Besides these enumerated there are over one thousand public societies, associations, clubs, casinos and leagues established and in working order all over the city devoted to at least two hundred and fifty different objects, such as mutual aid, art, cycling,

HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

smoking, fishing, singing, boating, gymnastic, political, etc., and in addition there are also in active operation ninety trades unions and 351 building and loan asso- . ciations. From this it will be seen that few cities of the size of Cincinnati have more secret societies, benevolent associations, and organizations instituted for the protection, culture and advancement of their members.

THE CLUBS.

Mr. Kenny informs us that club life in Cincinnati has been developed very largely during the past fifteen years. There are a few, however, which stand out from the general mass and may be called the leading clubs of the city. Among these may be mentioned the Allemania Club, consisting of members of the Jewish faith. It was founded in 1849, with but few members and limited accommodations. In 1863 the Melodeon building, corner of Fourth and Walnut streets, was leased and repaired, and the club occupied it until the beginning of 1879, when better and more elegant quarters were obtained in the Springer building. The ladies of the members' families are privileged visitors at all hours of the day. Weekly amateur dramatic and musical performances are given, and a grand masquerade ball once a year.

The Curier Club. - This club was founded in 1871 by a few gentlemen fond of field sports, for the purpose of elevating the tone of such sports and to enforce the game laws. Subsequently the original idea was abandoned, and it was resolved to enlarge their scope, so as to include game preservation. Out of this resolution sprang the "Ohio State Society for the Protection of Game and Fish." It grew slowly and had a struggle for existence. Finally the name was changed to the "Cuvier Club," and throughout 1874 there was gradual progress. On the 1st of January, 1875, the club issued invitations to the citizens at large, and received the calls of a large number. The effect of this display was most beneficial. Those who had never dreamed of the existence of the club and its collection were greatly pleased and became warmly interested. Their Florida collection was greatly enlarged by donations, new members flocked in, and the club soon became prosperous. In 1880 the large club house on Longworth street was erected and handsomely furnished. The museum is an exceedingly attractive and instructive feature, and as it is free to the public, many persons avail themselves of the opportunity to visit it. "But," remarks Mr. Kenny, "while the museum and library are both attractive and educational, and the social features of the club room are most proper and enjoyable, it is upon the fundamental principle of caring for the fish and game of the country that the club has obtained its support in the past and must continue to obtain it in the future."

The Commercial Club was organized in 1880 for the purpose of promoting the commercial prosperity of Cincinnati, by social intercourse and an exchange of views. Not more than two members of any one firm can be admitted to membership. At present the club consists of over fifty members, and its success is assured.

The Duckworth Club occupies handsome quarters in the building situated at No. 165 West Seventh street. The club is political and social, and numbers nearly one thousand members.

Lincoln Club, Garfield place, is probably the oldest political club in the State, in point of organization and continuous life. It was incorporated in 1879, and since that time it has been actively engaged in promoting the success of Republican prin- ciples. Ordinary ward politics are eschewed-it only aims at cultivating the broader and wider field of maintaining its influence as a conservator of good government, in the words of the illustrious man for whom the club was named, the immortal Lincoln: "A government of the people, by the people, and for the people." Near by also stands the bronze statue of President Garfield, who, like Lincoln, perished by the bullet of an assassin.

HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

The Young Men's Blaine Club is one of the most important and influential political clubs in the city. Their building, No 62 West Eighth street, is a hand- some structure. The membership is large.

Other Political Clubs .- The Samuel J. Tilden Club meets every month at 232 Walnut street; the West End Republican Club; the Jefferson Club; the Young Men's Democratic Club.

The Phoenix Club, located on Central avenue and Court street, has its rooms in its own building. It was founded on the 1st of May, 1856, by an association of thirty members, on Walnut street. In March, 1874, the club occupied its present beautiful building, which cost sixty thousand dollars. The objects of the club are social enjoyment, and literary and dramatic culture. A large hall, with a fine stage and a perfect collection of theatrical properties, is admirably adapted for music, opera and dancing. Foreign and domestic journals are taken, and during the winter entertainments are given weekly, where the wives, sisters and daughters of the mem- bers are admitted. Everything is arranged with the utmost attention to liarmony, elegance and propriety.

The Queen City Club was organized and incorporated in 1874, with a capital stock of $150,000, divided into shares of $250 each. The yearly subscription is $75, payable semi-annually. Members are elected by ballot. The affairs of the club are managed by a committee of fifteen governors, from which a president, vice-president, treasurer, and secretary, are selected by the committee. The club was founded for literary purposes and mutual improvement. Card playing for money is prohibited. The club house is elegantly furnished and all its appointments are first-class. The membership is composed of the leading, most active and intelligent gentlemen of Cincinnati, drawn from the upper ranks of commercial and professional society.

The University Club, Broadway and Fourth streets, was organized November 17, 1879, and incorporated September 14, 1881. Its object is the promotion of higher education and social and friendly relations between the members. The stock of the. club consists of 500 shares, valued at $25 each; it bears no interest, is not trans- ferable, and upon death or resignation of a member the share owned by him reverts to the club, and no member can own more than one share. There is a ladies' depart- ment which may be used by members accompanying ladies, by ladies of a member's. family or by any ladies and gentlemen accompanying them.

Cincinnati Gymnasium, situated in the Grand Opera House building, stands second to no institution of its class in the country. It was organized August 1, 1853, with only fifty members, and an exercising room about 60 x 20, no larger than the present private instruction room. Its growth at first was slow; now its mem- bership is over one thousand, and the institution occupies 12,560 square feet of floor room in one of the most substantial buildings in the city. Dues are merely nominal -just sufficient to cover the running expenses.

Other Clubs. - In addition to the foregoing there are several other clubs, among which may be mentioned the Literary Club, organized in 1849; the Shakspere Club, organized in 1851, which gives weekly readings from that author. The Wallack and two or three others are more strictly dramatic clubs, for practice in the histrionic art. The Athletic Club is a product of the year 1879, its object being to promote manly sports and physical culture. The Musical Club, organized in 1879; the Etching Club, also of 1879; the Pottery Club, which dates from the same year, all of which have objects sufficiently defined in their titles. There are several boat clubs-as the Cincinnati, organized in 1872; the Americus, of 1874; the Dauntless, and a number of others.

PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

City Hall .- The new City Hall, which was formally opened in the spring of 1893, is justly conceded to be one of the most elegant structures of the kind in the

HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

United States. It is situated on the square, bounded by Eighth and Ninth streets, and Central avenue and Plum street. Its dimensions are 332 by 203 feet, of a total area of 67,396 feet. The height of the building to the roof is 158 feet, and the main tower is 32 feet square and 250 feet high. In this tower is a clock with a dial ten feet in diameter, lighted at night by electricity. There are elevators communicating with the upper stories. In this magnificent building are located the Mayor's office, council chamber, office of the chief of police, and all other offices of the city govern- ment. The building is constructed of brown Iron Mountain granite and buff Ohio stone. The trimmings, windows, doors, cornices and ledges, are of red sandstone, and the vestibules are lined with Vermont marble, and the floors and roofs are tiled. The style of architecture is of the Romanesque order. The building has been solidly and honestly constructed, and is admired by all who see it. It cost $1,610,000. The government of Cincinnati is vested in a mayor, elected for two years, with a salary of four thousand dollars, a board of thirty aldermen, one for each ward, and a board of common councilmen of two for each ward.

Police Department .- The Chief of Police, Col. Philip Deitsch [see biographical sketch], has his headquarters in the City Hall building. The force consists of one superintendent, one inspector, two surgeons, twenty-two lieutenants, thirty-two ser- geants, and, including station house keepers, mounted patrolmen, patrol wagon men, court officers, etc., numbers four hundred and seventy-five men. The active force consists of four hundred and thirty-one officers and men, who patrol an area of twenty- four square miles. The arrests average about seventeen thousand annually. The first ordinance establishing a night watch in Cincinnati was passed March 29, 1803-just ninety years ago-and was suggested by a fire. It was made the duty of the president [mayor] of council to cause a poll of all citizens to be made, of twenty-one years of age, when they were to be divided into classes consisting of twelve men each, who were to serve as watchmen in rotation. Two years later it was found necessary to pass an ordinance to protect the "watch " from insult, any person so offending to be fined $25; and any person who refused to act as a commander of the watch, when so elected, was fined in a sum not to exceed $10. Men are not now so indifferent to the honors of office as to subject themselves to a fine for refus- ing to accept! In those days the watchman carried a rattle, which served to call for assistance and for the purpose of giving signals.

. Concerning the police in 1817, a traveler wrote: "The police of the city are respectable; they have, however, no lamps or watchwords, nor do they need any. We boarded in the heart of the town, and our doors were mostly open night and day. Theft is very rare; the lowest characters seem above it." It is not so now; all they want is the opportunity to steal.

Before Cincinnati became a city, and as early as 1818, stringent laws were passed for the government of the watch. In 1826 the watch was increased to two captains and eighteen men, at an expense of three thousand dollars per annum. The cap- tains, as a guarantee for the faithful discharge of their duties, were each compelled to give a bond in the sum of five hundred dollars, and each watchman in the sum of two hundred dollars. The marshal of the town at the same time was compelled to give a bond in the sum of ten thousand dollars. The first marshal under the city charter was Samuel R. Miller. His election occurred at the same time with that of the first mayor, Isaac G. Burnet. He served but one year, and was succeeded by William C. Anderson, and he in turn was followed by William Doty. Until 1827 the mayor and marshal were chosen annually. On that year the charter was revised, and again amended in the legislative session of 1828-29, when the election of mayor and marshal was made biennial, and the day fixed for the first Monday in April. William Doty was re-elected marshal in 1829, and during the second year of his administration an ordinance was passed authorizing the marshal to organize a night watch, to consist of not more than twenty persons, and to procure a building in the

HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

center of the city for a watchhouse. This was the first house of the kind in Cincin- nati, and from it grew the present system of station houses.

In 1833 Jesse Justice was chosen marshal. He served but one year, and was succeeded in 1835 by James Saffin. When he came into office the salary was raised to one thousand dollars. In those days the office was a "fat " one, on account of the fees, which were numerous and liberal. It was a common thing from Saffin's time until the office was abolished by legislative enactment, to make from $15,000 to $20,000 a year, and sometimes $25,000, in addition to his fixed salary. [See "Our Police," by Roe, pp. 23 to 34.]

Up to 1842, Cincinnati had no day police, but on May 27, of that year, council passed an ordinance creating a day watch to consist of "two suitable persons " to be elected by that body, and the compensation for each was fixed at $1.25 per diem. In 1843, under the administration of Mayor Spencer, Marshal Saffin temporarily lost his control of the city watch, the mayor having assumed it and immediately dele- gated it to a captain. When Spencer was chosen mayor for the third time Saffin was succeeded by Ebenezer Hulse, who served but one term, when James L. Ruffin became marshal, and he filled the office for three successive terms.

On the 29th of March, 1850, an ordinance was passed by council increasing the number of night watchmen by providing that six should be elected from each ward of the city. On April 22, of the same year, council passed another ordinance, pro- viding for the appointment of a chief of police and six lieutenants. This ordinance does not seem to have been put in force, however, until 1853, when David T. Snel- baker became mayor. He appointed the first chief of police. His name was Jacob Keifer, but he only remained in office a few weeks, when he was succeeded by Thomas Looken. The latter was removed in a short time, and was succeeded by David Hoke. In 1855 William Craven was chosen city marshal, and Edward Hopkins was appointed chief of police. The police force at this time numbered 101. In 1857, Benjamin Robinson was city marshal, and James L. Ruffin chief of police under Mayor Thomas. In 1859 R. M. Bishop was chosen mayor, and John S. Gano city marshal. Mr. Gano was the last of the city marshals. Lew Wilson was Mayor Bishop's chief of police. Up to this time the force had been an undisciplined body. It was not until 1863 that any attempt was made at discipline. Col. Harris, then mayor, and a military man himself, introduced military discipline into the force with salutary effect. In the meantime (1859) the legislature had passed an act creating a board of police commissioners, a police judge, and city auditor. This board liad charge of the police and appointed a chief. The act abolished the office of city mar- shal, and a stormy time followed. Benjamin Robinson was appointed chief of police, but a contention arose regarding the constitutionality of the board of commissioners, which resulted in the passage of an act in 1860 repealing it, and the chief of police appointed by Mayor Bishop was retained.

George Hatch succeeded to the mayoralty in 1861, and he chose for his chief of police Col. J. W. Dudley. He did not fill out his term, and was succeeded by Col. Lawrence Hazen, who proved a very efficient officer and soon brought order out of chaos. In 1863 James L. Ruffin became chief under Mayor Harris, and was suc- ceeded in 1867 by Robert Megrue, but, proving inefficient, he was soon succeeded by the old chief, Ruffin, who continued until 1871, when David Bleeks was made chief by Mayor Davis.

An act passed by the legislature in the winter of 1872-73 created a police com- mission, which took the police from the control of the mayor. Under this commis- sion the title of chief of police was abolished and that of superintendent of police established, which has been the proper designation of the Cincinnati police ever since. Jeremiah Kiersted was the first man to hold it, being appointed by the new board. His term as superintendent was interrupted for a month by his being re- moved from office, and Eugene Dayler appointed ; but Kiersted was reinstated and finished his two years of service.

HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

The legislature of 1874 repealed the act establishing the police commission, and the police rule again fell under the direct supervision of the mayor. Kiersted held over until February, 1875, when Mayor Johnson appointed Thomas E. Snelbaker in his place. He was succeeded by Capt. Jacob Johnson in 1877. This year the legislature re-established the board of police commissioners, and they appointed Ira Wood chief. He lived but a few months after his appointment, dying in 1878, when George Ziegler succeeded to the office. With the accession of Mayor Jacob, Enoch T. Carson became head of the police under appointment from the board, and he filled the office for two years. Jacob Gessert came next as superintendent. He served but a few weeks, when he resigned, and soon after committed suicide. He was followed by Col. M. F. Reilly. His term of office lasted until the close of Mayor Stephens' administration and was marked by many exciting events.

The board of police commissioners of 1885 was created under the act of the legislature empowering the board of public works to appoint the original members. Under this new order Col. Edwin Hudson was made superintendent of police. He remained in office until the appointment of the new board, under the non-partisan act, passed in 1SS6, making the mayor the executive head of the police department. Mayor Smith appointed Col. Arthur G. Moore chief of police, who held the place only a short time, when he was succeeded by Col. Philip Deitsch, the present in- cumbent.

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History of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Ohio; their past and present, Part 12

Author: Nelson, S.B., Cincinnati Publication date: 1894 Publisher: Cincinnati : S. B. Nelson Number of Pages: 1592

Author: Nelson, S.B., Cincinnati
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Cincinnati : S. B. Nelson
Number of Pages: 1592