USA > Ohio > Greene County > History of Greene County, together with historic notes on the northwest and the state of Ohio > Part 32
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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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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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Miss Mary L. Loof borrow, 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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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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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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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.
The General Assembly by act of April 20, 1874, entitled, "An act to regulate the Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Home, located at Xenia, and to repeal a certain act therein named," provided for the appointment of five trustees for the management of such home.
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The governor made the following appointment : Durbin Ward, of Lebanon ; J. Warren Keifer, of Springfield; George Keifer, Troy ; Oscar White, Toledo; Jacob Haynes, Bellbrook. The board met at the home at Xenia, on May 1st, 1874, and organized by the ap- pointment of Durbin Ward, president, and Jacob Haynes, secretary. On the 15th of the same month, they met and appointed Dr. A. E. Jenner, of Crawford County, as superintendent for three years, and he gave bond and entered upon his duties accordingly. Under the new administration but few changes were made, and the matron, cottage managers, and teachers were retained in the positions they then occupied. The statute provided for the appointment of a steward for the home, and on the recommendation of the superin- tendent, the board appointed Mr. James Hoyle, of Xenia, for the position, and fixed his compensation at fifty dollars per month.
The affairs of the home ran smoothly for some time after the entrance of the new superintendent on his duties. Toward the close of the summer, however, rumors of certain improprieties on his part toward the female inmates and employes of the home were in circulation, and they assumed such magnitude that the board concluded to have them investigated. Accordingly a committee, consisting of General J. Warren Keifer and Jacob Haynes, was appointed, to make inquiry concerning the matter, and to prefer formal charges against the superintendent. Charges in writing were reported to the board, and the matter was fully investigated. Distinguished counsel appeared for both parties. A month trans- 'pired from the time the board took its first action. After a full and patient hearing, the case went to the board for decision. Be- fore any final action was taken, Dr. Jenner tendered his resignation as superintendent, and the board at once accepted it, and dismissed the charges and specifications against him. There is no necessity for the pollution of the pages of this history by publishing the charges preferred against Dr. Jenner; the nature of the offense will be readily understood.
On the morning of the 22d of October, the board placed the tem- porary internal management of the home under the control of the matron, Mrs. Adelia A. Nelson, a lady of high character and long experience. The external affairs were placed under the superin- tendence of the steward, Mr. James Hoyle. Under this arrange- ment the home was conducted as harmoniously, and with as much success, as could have been expected under the circumstances.
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Numerous applicants were recommended for the vacant superin- tendency. The board finally chose, as superintendent, Hon. W. P. Kerr, of Granville, Ohio, on the 17th of November. Mr. Kerr was absent on business in Utah when the appointment was made, and did not take charge of the office, and assume its duties, until the 15th of December.
In the month of May, 1875, the term of service of Mrs. Adelia A. Nelson, having expired, Mrs. W. P. Kerr was appointed as her successor, a position which she, as wife of the superintendent, was entitled to, according to the usages of the institution. O. C. Brewer was appointed clerk, rice John P. Kellogg, who had for years served in that capacity. As a matter of economy, Mr. Brewer was also appointed steward, and Mr. Hoyle relieved of the duties.
The General Assembly of 1874-'75, took steps to enable the in- auguration of a system of industrial education and employment at the home. Shops were established to teach printing, telegraphing, tailoring, dress-making, knitting, carpentering, blacksmithing, shoe- making, and tinning. Gentlemen well versed in the different branches were placed at the head of each department. A tele- graph school was established, and placed in charge of Mr. - Crowl, who taught thirty to forty boys and girls each day. A line was erected from the library room to the school house, thence to the telegraph office in the city. All departments were conducted with commendable energy, and the institution had attained a high degree of prosperity. The health of the inmates had been good. During the year (1875) there were but four deaths, although the number of inmates was in the neighborhood of six hundred. The prevalence of sore eyes, from the opening of the institution, and during the first two months of 1875, was especially noticeable, and the physician, Mr. C. B. Jones, sought for some means of eradicat- ing the troublesome disease. The manner in which the inmates washed their hands and faces was fixed upon as the cause of con- tagion. This washing was done in tin wash basins, three in each cottage, and the drying of hands and faces was done on one large towel in each cottage. The physician caused fixtures to be intro- duced, at slight expense, whereby all the children washed in run- ning water, and dried their faces on separate towels. This arrange- ment had its desired effect. There were no new cases, and those then affected made rapid recovery. The measles and scarlet fever had been epidemic every winter since the opening of the institu-
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tion. The physician determined to make a careful investigation as to the cause of these prevailing diseases. He soon discovered that in both cases the diseases originated within the institution, and were not imported from the outside. By examination into the usage, as to the quilts, blankets, etc., it was ascertained that in the spring of each year, when the heavier articles were no longer necessary, they were taken from the beds, and, without airing or disinfecting, stowed in the closets during the summer, and on the coming of winter were taken therefrom, and again placed upon the beds. And the breaking out of these dangerous epidemics was coincident with the use of winter bedding. Thus the malady was packed away each spring in the quilts and blankets, and carefully preserved until the approach of winter, when it served to occasion a new epi- demic. The superintendent, in connection with the physician, caused every article of bed clothing to be thoroughly washed, dried, and aired in the spring. This had its desired effect.
A law, passed March 14, 1876, provided for the appointment of a new board of trustees, consisting of seven members. The gov- ernor, on March 15, 1876, appointed the following gentlemen : J. Warren Keifer, Springfield; W. S. Furay, Columbus; R. P. Buckland, Fremont ; A. M. Stark, Xenia; J. W. Reilly, Wellsville; Thomas Ewing Lancaster; M. F. Force, Cincinnati. Pursuant to call of the governor, the board met March 23, 1876, and organized by electing J. Warren Keifer president, and W. S. Furay secretary. On March 29, 1876, Major William Shaw, late of Eaton, Ohio, was appointed superintendent of the home, (vice Prof. W. P. Kerr,) and on the 8th of April he entered upon the discharge of the duties of his position. On the 9th of April, on the nomination of the super- intendent, the board appointed Mrs. Rachel J. Shaw, matron; A. II. Brundage, M. D., physician ; John P. Kellogg, clerk; and Prof. Edward Merrick, principal of the schools.
During the year, a reservoir sixty-five feet long, twenty feet deep, and fifteen feet wide, was constructed, by which the managers were enabled to run a supply of clear, fresh water through the cottages. A new system of sewerage was also introduced, and several much- needed improvements were made in the engine room. Nearly four hundred stumps were removed from the grounds, immediately in front of, and in the rear of the main building and cottages, and around the laundry and farm-house. The channel of the creek running through the northern part of the grounds was changed by
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straightening it, which prevented the cutting away by water of a beautiful embankment, and afforded a way for a drive much need- ed in that part of the grounds. The progress made by the boys and girls in the five industrial departments already established was highly satisfactory. The results, pecuniarily, were all that could be expected. The farm comprised two hundred and seventy-five and one-half acres, divided as follows : seventy-nine acres timber land; eighty-four acres occupied by garden, home buildings, and lawn ; sixty-three acres under cultivation; and forty-nine and one- half acres in grass.
During the session of 1876-7, the general assembly appropriated $30,000 for building a new school house upon the home grounds, as the old buildings had become inadequate to the wants of the in- stitution, and besides were greatly needed for workshops, to be used in prosecuting and developing industrial pursuits.
In the year 1877 a steady improvement was made in the man- agement of the home. Four hundred feet of four-ply rubber hose, (making in all six hundred feet,) and an excellent hose-reel were purchased, to be used in case of fire. One of the most extensive and needed improvements was the laying of one hundred and thirty-four rods of bouldered gutter, of an average width of two and one-half feet, along the main drive in front of the administra- tion buildings and cottages.
Under the act named, on the 14th day of May, 1878, a new board of trustees, consisting of five members, was appointed by Governor Bishop, as follows: B. Burns, Mansfield; A. M. Stark, Xenia; John Kirkpatrick, Cambridge; R. C. Blackburn, Roscoe; A. M. Stimson, Washington C. H. The board met for organization on the 20th day of May, 1878, and accompanied by the governor ex- amined the condition and workings of the institution. The board elected Barnabus Burns president, and A. M. Stark secretary. A general committee was also chosen, consisting of B. C. Blackburn, A. M. Stimson, and A. M. Stark. On the 20th day of July, 1878, Dr. George Keifer, of Troy, Miami County, was appointed super- intendent, a vacancy in the office having been made by the act reorganizing the institution. He began the duties of the office within a few days after his appointment, and on the 23d day of August, 1878, he nominated Miss Henrietta Keifer, his daughter, for matron; Dr. C. B. Jones, for physician; David M. Brelsford, for steward ; and Prof. Mansel Hartly, for superintendent of in-
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struction. These appointments were duly made by the board of trustees. A full corps of teachers was also appointed.
The board, soon after its appointment, was, in the discharge of its duties, required to construe those portions of the late legislation as to this institution which relate to the admission of its benefi- ciaries. The act was carefully examined and tested by the usual rules of legal construction, and the legislation of the general gov- ernment on the subject of pensions was compared with its provi- sions. Sections four and five of the act of reorganization provided that a portion of the pension be paid to the superintendent, and used for the maintainance of that portion of the beneficiaries who were inmates of the home. After mature deliberation they de- cided that pension grants by this and all other governments were regarded in their laws, and the departments charged especially with the execution of those laws, to be given or withheld as the law-making power choose; and that no right, based upon a prior claim or service, existed as to a pension. Hence, the government, in granting pensions, had the right to attach limitations and con- ditions to the gift. The board found, also, that the government had exercised the right, in attaching to the grant of all pensions allowed by it, and especially those based upon services in the war of 1861, the condition that every attempted pledge, barter, sale, or transfer of any part of the money due upon such pension, forfeited the certificate of its allowance. The fourth and fifth sections of the reorganization act required a pledge of pension moneys. Such pledge would forfeit the claim to the gratuity. The board, there- fore, as to the condition of admisson of the children to the home, decided that so much of the act of May 13, 1878, as was in conflict with the laws of the United States, upon the subject of pensions, was inoperative. The third section was regarded as preliminary and introductory to the fourth and fifth sections. The sections re- ferred to, read as follows :
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