USA > Ohio > Greene County > History of Greene County : together with historic notes on the Northwest, and the state of Ohio, gleaned from early authors, old maps and manuscripts, private and official correspondence, and all other authentic sources > Part 31
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with it the state becomes possessed at once of $80,000, and without it, of only $50,000 at most? Why tax the people now for even $13,000, when more than three times that amount is availabe with- out it? I trust, Mr. President, whatever else may be said or done in furtherance of this scheme, it will not be done in the name of retrenchment or economy. I trust that common sense is no longer to be outraged in this way."
After a protracted discussion, the bill was passed without the sen- ate amendment, and became a law, April 14, 1870. According to the text of the bill, White Sulphur Springs was fixed as the per- manent location of the home. The chances for Xenia were small, indeed. The law provided that, in case the Springs property should prove insufficient, the board is authorized to consider donations from convenient and accessible points. For the time being, it was the purpose of the law, to establish the home at White Sulphur Springs.
The following gentlemen were appointed a Board of Directors, by the governor : R. P. Buckland, Fremont ; James Barnett, Cleve- land; J. Warren Kiefer, Springfield ; Benj. F. Coate, Portsmouth ; W. F. Force, Cincinnati ; J. S. Jones, Delaware ; H. G. Armstrong, Cincinnati. Subsequently the board met at Columbus, and effected a permanent organization by electing the following officers: Presi- dent, Gen. R. P. Buckland ; secretary, Col. H. G. Armstrong; treasurer, Maj. M. G. Gunckel. The latter gentlemen declined the honor, and Eli Millen was elected. At this meeting (held April 21, 1870) it was represented to the board, that there were collected at Xenia about one hundred and twenty-five orphans, who should be furnished support, and education, and who were being, and had been supported for several months, by private contributions of citi- zens of the state, and unless provided for by the state at once, the children would have to be dispersed, though many of them were without homes or friends. It was resolved that the children be ac- cepted by the board, and furnished education and support. On the 29th of April, 1870, the board met at Delaware, and visited and in- spected the property at White Sulphur Springs, and found a portion of the same, occupied by the Reform and Industrial School for Girls. They found also, that the buildings on the premises were not suitable for the purpose of an Orphans' Home, without great and material alterations, which would involve large expense and many weeks delay. The board further found that the main buildings,
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and those best suited for occupancy, were being used by the insti- tution before mentioned. Determined upon fulfilling the spirit of the law, the directors addressed a communication to the trustees of the Reform School for Girls, inquiring at what time they could ob- tain possession of the property, and buildings set apart by law for an Orphans' Home. At this meeting, Dr. L. D. Griswold, of Elyria, Ohio, was elected superintendent, and V. T. Hills of Delaware, O., treasurer of the White Sulphur Springs Home. It being intimated that no reply could be given to their communication to the trustees of the Reform and Industrial School for Girls, the board adjourned to meet at Delaware, on the 13th of May. No reply to the com- munication was received at this meeting, and a majority of the board, satisfied that the White Sulphur Springs property was inadequate for the accommodation of the children of the state, entitled to the benefits of the law establishing the home, adopted the following :
WHEREAS, In the opinion of the board, the White Sulphur Springs property will not accommodate comfortably and well, all the children of diseased and disabled soldiers and sailors of the class contem- plated by the law of Ohio as orphans, to be provided for at a Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Home; therefore,
Resolved, That in view of the above opinion, the board will accept and receive, under the law of the state, by donation or request, a suitable tract of land, of the number of acres required by law, at a convenient and accessible point, with the necessary buildings and equipments thereon, for the accommodation of not less than two hundred and fifty orphans, and upon such acceptance, open, and establish a home for Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans, as is pre- scribed by law.
By this action, the clouds which had gathered so darkly around the prospects of the "Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans Home, at Xenia," were broken, and the promise was favorable for as bright a future as its most sanguine friends could have anticipated.
Another meeting of the board, was held at Xenia, May 25, 1870, when the following communication was received :
COLUMBUS, OHIO, May 24, 1870.
Gen. M. F. FORCE, and others, Committee Board of Managers of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Homes :
GENTLEMEN :- Your communication inquiring when the trustees of "the Reform and Industrial School for Girls" will be prepared to surrender possession of the White Sulphur Springs property to
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your board, under the law passed April 14, 1870, has remained unan- swered longer than we desired, in order that we might more fully acquaint ourselves as to our rights and duties under that law.
The first clause of the fourth section of the law referred to, trans- fers to your board "the Reform and Industrial School for Girls," * * together with all the real and personal estate and property, X except such as belongs to or is necessary for said school. The law further provides that the trustees of the Re- form and Industrial School for Girls shall also retain exclusive pos- session of five acres of ground, including what is known as the Burnet House, for the use of said school, until other provisions are made by the state.
As it is utterly impossible to provide for said school in said Bur- net House, even for a single day, we are compelled to fall back upon the exception made in favor of said school in the first clause, and retain possession of such, and so much, of the real and personal estate and property as belongs to, and is necessary for said school.
After very carefully examining the premises, and viewing the whole question in all its bearings, we have decided that so much of said real and personal estate as is now used by said school, superin- tendent, matron, teachers, and employes of said school, is neces- sary for its use, and must be retained until the state makes further provisions. The balance of said White Sulphur Springs, property belonging to the state, we are ready to surrender to your board whenever so desired.
In support of our decision and our construction of the law, we herewith hand you an official communication on the subject from the Attorney General.
Permit us to say, in conclusion, that the cause for which your board of managers was created, has our hearty sympathy, and we deeply regret that we are compelled to lay a straw in your way. The law was evidently left incomplete, and was passed so hurriedly as to throw the two institutions somewhat athwart each other. But the opinion of the Attorney General, we think, makes our duty clear, and will also open the way to your success.
By order of the trustees of the Reform and Industrial School for Girls.
(Signed)
F. MERRICK, President.
A. THOMPSON, Secretary
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
The following is the opinion of the Attorney General of Ohio, referred to in the foregoing communication :
THE STATE OF OHIO, OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, COLUMBUS, May 24, 1870.
His Excellency, the Governor :
SIR-I have carefully, at your request, examined the communi- cation addressed to you by the trustees of the Reform and Indus- trial School for Girls, and the statutes relating to such school, and the Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Home, and have arrived at the following conclusions :
1. It was not the intention of the act of April 14, 1870, for the present to impair the full right of the trustees of the Reform and Industrial School for Girls, to use so much of the White Sulphur Springs property as such trustees might think necessary for the full and complete success of such school, as contemplated by the act establishing the same, passed May 5, 1869.
2. The act of April 14, 1870, does contemplate that the trustees of the Reform and Industrial School for Girls, and the managers of the Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Homes, shall both use the Sulphur Springs property in the interest of their respective institutions, (they agreeing upon the suitable division,) always re- serving the five acres and the Burnet House for the Reform and Industrial School for Girls, so far as such joint use shall not con- flict with the use of the same with the successful conduct of the Reform and Industrial School for Girls.
3. Whenever the managers of the Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Homes shall ascertain that the capacity of the property above spoken of, consistently with the use thereof by the school for girls, as above indicated, shall be insufficient to accommodate, etc., * * they will be authorized and empowered to accept
and receive, etc., * as indicated in that part of section four, in the act of 1870, applying to the location of the children of the soldiers and sailors at some other point.
It has been difficult for me to make good sense out of some portions of the act of 1870, especially the first part of section four, and the above is the best judgment I can arrive at in giving a con- struction to the legislation on the subject.
Very respectfully, F. P. POND, Attorney General.
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ORPHANS' HOME.
Upon receipt of this communication, the board "adopted the fol- lowing :
WHEREAS, The Board of Trustees of the Ohio Reform School for Girls have refused to yield possession of the Ohio White Sul- phur Springs property, under the recent act of the General Assem- bly of the State of Ohio; therefore,
Resolved, That a committee of three, to consist of Messrs. Buck- land, Force, and Burns, be appointed, to report at our next meeting what steps are necessary for the board to take to acquire possession of said property under the law. .
The committee thus appointed, subsequently forwarded the fol- lowing communication to the trustees of the Reform School:
DR. F. MERRICK, President Board of Trustees, Reform and Industrial School for Girls :
DEAR SIR :-- Your letter, with the accompanying opinion of the attorney general, was read at the late meeting of the Board of Managers of the Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Homes.
We are unable to acquiesce in that opinion, and are unwilling to waive any rights by seeming to acquiesce in it.
Neither board can have any desire but to have an authoritative determination of the law. We therefore propose that an amicable suit be instituted, to have our respective rights determined at once by the Supreme Court.
On behalf of the Board of Managers of the Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Homes, we suggest that your board waive process, enter an appearance, and submit the question to the Supreme Court, upon the statute, upon our filing a petition for a mandamus for a turning over of the White Sulphur Springs property.
Very respectfully and truly,
R. P. BUCKLAND, M. F. FORCE, B. BURNS,
Committee.
To which the following reply was received:
DELAWARE, OHIO, July 7, 1870.
Generals R. P. BUCKLAND, M. F. FORCE, and Hon. B. BURNS,' Com-
mittee Board of Managers, Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Homes :
GENTLEMEN :- I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication, addressed to me as president of the Board of
21
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
Trustees of the State Reform School for Girls, referring to my for- mer letter addressed to your board, with the accompanying opinion of the attorney general, and as to which you say you "are unable to acquiesce in, and unwilling to waive any rights by seeming to do so."
You add that neither board can have any desire but to have an authoritative determination of the law, and propose that an amica- ble suit be instituted, to have our respective rights determined at once by the Supreme Court, and suggest, to that end, that our board waive process, enter appearance, and submit the question to the Supreme Court, upon the statute, upon your filing petition for a mandamus, etc.
We reciprocate entirely the spirit of your suggestion, and, as both boards are merely acting in the discharge of public trusts, readily agree that there is no room in their controversies or differ- ences for any but public motives and amicable sentiments. At the same time, our board conceives that its duty requires that, in the adjudication of the present differences, we should maintain a part entirely passive, and while throwing no obstacles in the way of the assertion of your views of the law, and seeking no delays not re- quired by the interests of justice, not waive any of the formalities usually required in such proceedings, nor voluntarily hasten a de- cision which, if finally against us, and while the General Assembly is not in session, would destroy the institution under our charge.
Very respectfully,
F. MERRICK,
President Trustees Reformed and Industrial School for Girls.
As will be seen by the foregoing correspondence, the board were placed in an awkward position. The law which created them pro- vided that the home should be located at White Sulphur Springs. The managers of the institution located on the latter place refused to surrender all except a small portion of the property involved. Meanwhile, one hundred and twenty orphans, gathered by a philan- thropic but over-zealous people, were awaiting the action of the board at the temporary and insufficient quarters in the city of Xenia, with the hope and expectation that they would be trans- ferred, at an early day, to the White Sulphur Springs. The refusal of the managers of the Reform and Industrial School for Girls to waive any formalities in a suit before the Supreme Court, threat- ened much loss of time, if such suit were undertaken, and in view
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ORPHANS' HOME.
of all the circumstances, a majority of the board did not deem it advisable to commence legal proceedings to obtain possession of the White Sulphur Springs property.
At the meeting of May 25, 1870, General George B. Wright, Major M. S. Gunckel, and Colonel H. G. Armstrong, representing the Board of Control of the Xenia home, promptly came forward and offered to complete the work already commenced under their auspices, and have the same ready for occupancy by the first of June, if the Board of Managers would accept the same for a state home. After a lengthy and spirited debate the proposition was accepted, there being but two negative votes. Messrs. Burns and Jones refused to vote for the proposition, because, with their view of the law, they could not concur in the action of the board in abandoning the White Sulphur Springs property.
A large force of men were engaged at once, and resumed work on the large frame structure commenced some months before. On Friday, August 16, 1870, a quorum of the board met at Xenia. Several members of the Grand Army Board of Control were pres- ent. Before the transaction of business, the whole party proceeded to the home farm, and inspected the buildings and equipments just completed for presentation to the state. General satisfaction was expressed at the manner in which the work had been done.
When the Board of Managers were called to order, etc., Dr. Griswold, superintendent, who had returned from an inspection of similar institutions in western states, submitted a report of his ob- servations. Of the institution under his own charge, Dr. Griswold reported, that when he entered upon the duties of superintendent, the inmates were eighty-three boys and thirty-six girls, of an average age of nine years. On the first of August the number of inmates was one hundred and twenty-three, of whom forty-eight were ab- sent on a furlough. The health of the children has been good, and no deaths have occurred. Though some have had attacks of diarrhea and fevers, the diseases have readily yielded to treatment. The children are happy and contented, those absent among friends showing a desire to return to the home before the expiration of their furlough. But two boys have run away. One of them re- turned voluntarily; the other, an incorrigible fellow, has since turned up at the reform farm.
The superintendent nominated Mrs. Della Johnston, of Bellefon- taine, for principal of the school, and Mrs. M. M. Gilbert, of Oberlin,
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
Miss Mary L. Loofborrow, Miss Phoebe Ensign, and Miss Agnes E. Griswold as teachers ; Mrs. Sallie Buchanan, Mrs. Jane W. Penning- ton, and Mrs. Amanda Gillis, as cottage managers, all of whom were confirmed.
The following resolution was offered by General Coates, and adopted after a full and free discussion :
WHEREAS, In the opinion of this board, the lands heretofore ten- dered to the State of Ohio as a donation, and situated near Xenia, consisting of one hundred (100) acres, now have the necessary buildings and equipments thereon for the accommodation of not less than two hundred and fifty (250) orphans, as contemplated by law; therefore,
Resolved, That upon said lands being conveyed to said state, a home for Ohio soldiers' and sailors' orphans be, and the same is hereby, opened and established upon said premises for the care and accommodation of such orphans as are intended to be provided for by the act "to establish Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Homes," passed April 14, 1870.
Resolved, That said lands, buildings, and equipments be accepted and received upon the title to the same being conveyed to the State of Ohio, in accordance with the law of said state, and as soon as the title shall have been examined and approved by the attorney general of Ohio.
Resolved, That as soon as the property aforesaid is conveyed to the State of Ohio, all the orphans belonging to the Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Home at White Sulphur Springs, be trans- ferred to said Xenia home, and that all orphans hereinafter received be sent to the ' Xenia home, until proper accommodations can be provided at White Sulphur Springs.
An election of officers for the Xenia home was then had, result- ing in the choice, without opposition, of Dr. L. D. Griswold as superintendent ; Mrs. Griswold, matron; and Eli Millen, of Xenia.
The Board of Control of the Grand Army of the Republic adopted the following resolution :
Resolved, That the Executive Committee be, and they are hereby, instructed to convey to the State of Ohio, by deed in fee simple, the land held by said committee, as representatives and trustees of the Grand Army of the Republic, together with all the buildings and equipments thereon contained, placed there by direction of this board, or any committee thereof.
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ORPHANS' HOME.
On the 25th of August the title to the land was examined and approved by the attorney general, and the same was duly conveyed to the State of Ohio. About that time the children were trans- ferred to the home farm. Prior to the transfer of the children, applications had been received for the admission of more than two hundred and fifty children, and the board passed upon applications for more than that number, including those already collected. The children were quartered in three cottages and a large frame building (the present workshop). They were comfortably provided for, furnished ample food, and educated by a corps of competent teachers, employed for that purpose.
The whole number of applications for admission received and approved, including the children already collected at Xenia, amounted to three hundred and thirty. There were accommoda- tions on the home farm for but two hundred and fifty, and the board found it necessary, for the present, to discourage applications for admission. It was estimated that the whole number of children in the state, entitled to the benefits of the law establishing the home, exceeded eight hundred. In their first annual report to the governor, the board reported that they had laid the foundation for a main central building and three cottages. They estimated that the completion of the main building, and the erection of twenty additional cottages, would be required to accommodate the children which in contemplation of the law should be provided for. The plan of dividing children into families in cottages, was considered an excellent one, for the reason that they were more easily governed, less liable to sickness and epidemics. The purpose of the main building, the erection of which was earnestly recommended by the board, was to provide a suitable dining hall, culinary department, school rooms, rooms for the superintendent, matrons, teachers, and for other uses. The board suggested to his excellency, the governor, that the home farm at Xenia, be equipped for the accommodation of all the Soldiers and Sailors Orphans, for in their opinion one home could be maintained with more economy to the state, than two or more with the same number of children.
The main building and the three cottages under construction, could not be completed until a further appropriation was made by the legislature. The lateness of the season at which the appropria- tions for building purposes was made (May 2, 1871), and the time required to complete plans and specifications, etc., prevented the
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
letting of building contracts until July 3, 1871. By the terms of the contracts, eleven cottages were to be completed by October 15, 1871, the domestic building by November 15, 1871, and the administration building by January 1, 1872. On the 13th of October, 1871, . contracts were awarded for the erection of a hospital, to be under cover and enclosed by January 1, 1872, and fully completed by June 1, 1872 ; for a farm house and barn to be completed by December 1, 1871 ; for a heating apparatus to be completed for the uses of the domestic buildings and cottages, by the first of December, 1871, and the entire work to be finished as soon as the other buildings are ready. On the 30th of October, 1871, contracts were awarded for the construction of a boiler house and smoke stack, to be completed by January 1, 1872. Capt. Levi T. Scofield of Cleveland, was ap- pointed as architect and superintendent of the work. Mr. Tobias Drees, of Xenia, a skilled carpenter and builder, was appointed as- sistant superintendent of the work. In their annual report for 1872 to the governor, the board of managers expressed their high appre- ciation of the valuable services rendered by Dr. L. D. Griswold as superintendent of the home, and reported the institution in a pros- perous condition. The necessary confusion, incident to the erection of buildings, had in some degree prevented the home from being made all that was hoped for, in providing for the care, comfort, moral, mental, and physical training of the inmates. Many of the larger children were required to work-the boys in the cultivation of the ground, and the girls in the domestic department.
The first death since the institution was placed in charge of Dr. Griswold, occurred on the 13th of October, 1871. Charles G. Smith, of Cambridge, Guernsey County, died of inflammation of the stomach and bowels, in the fifteenth year of his age. He was considered one of the best boys, and his death cast a gloom over the house. At frequent intervals since the house was established, the hearts of the inmates had been gladened by donations from philanthropic people throughout the state. On Christmas of 1870 the following was re- ceived : A $200 organ from Mr. Wright, of Cincinnati; splendid boxes of holiday presents from Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Springfield, Elyria, Wilmington, and Xenia; $125 cash from Mr. Bur, of Ashland; $100 from Mr. W. S. Furay, of Columbus (money expended for the benefit of the children) ; two tenor drums, one bass drum, and two fifes from Post G. A. R.
Early in the spring of 1872, the inmates were alarmed by the sud-
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ORPHANS' HOME.
den appearance of that mysterious and fatal disease, cerebro spinal meningitis. Minnie Brizendine was the first victim. She was par- tially paralyzed and much emaciated. After nine months of suffering, during which she was subject to frequent convulsions; death came to her relief on the 24th of December. She possessed a sweet and loving disposition, and had endeared herself to all. The second case was that of Eva Andrews, aged fourteen, from Cincinnati, which proved fatal on the 14th day. The name of this victim of the dread disease, was on the roll of honor at the time of her death. This was the second death in the last two years and a half, since the home became a state institute.
On the 15th of September, possession was taken of the new do- mestic building ; and the dining room of the old domestic building was converted into school rooms. The matron, Mrs. L. D. Griswold, was compelled by prolonged ill health to tender her resignation, which was accepted by the board, with many regrets, on November 7th, 1872. On the same day, Mrs. Adelia A. Nelson, of Lebanon, Ohio, was appointed to fill the vacancy, and entered upon her duties at once. Additional lands were joined to that originally donated, thus enlarging the farm, and furnishing employment for the inmates. About one-half of the land was being cultivated. Piazzas had been constructed in front of fourteen of the cottages-a much needed im- provement. The water-tower, gas works, and old cottages were also completed satisfactorily. Toward the close of 1873, the laundry was ready for occupancy and use. Much progress in grading and beautifying the grounds had been made. For the steam works, two new boilers were secured, and the building enlarged. In the spring of 1873, two hundred additional apple trees, two hundred peach trees, six hundred grape vines, and a large quantity of blackberry, and raspberry roots were planted by the superintendent. At the close of the fourth year of the existence of the institution, the friends and supporters of the good work, had sufficient cause for congratu- lation. The justice and wisdom of maintaining an institution for the benefit of indigent orphan children had been fully demonstrated -the Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Home was enjoying an era of prosperity.
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