History of the Ohio falls cities and their counties : with illustrations and bibliographical sketches, Vol. I, Part 78

Author: Williams, L.A., & Co., Cleveland
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : L. A. Williams & Co.
Number of Pages: 814

USA > Ohio > History of the Ohio falls cities and their counties : with illustrations and bibliographical sketches, Vol. I > Part 78

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*This sketch is very kindly contributed by Mrs. M. E. Crutcher, president of the association.

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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.

CHAPTER XVI. THE CHARITIES OF LOUISVILLE.

The Kentucky Institution for the Education of the Blind- The American Printing House for the Blind-The Masonic Widows' and Orphans' Home-The Marine Hospital- City Institutions: The City Hospital, St. John's Eruptive Hospital, the Almshouse-The Eye and Ear Infirmary- Episcopal Charities: The Orphan Asylum, Orphanage of the Good Shepherd, and Home of the Innocents-Catho- lic Charitable Institutions Enumerated: The Sisters of the Good Shepherd-The Little Sisters of the Poor- The Baptists' Orphans' Home-The German Baptists' Orphans' Home.

THE KENTUCKY INSTITUTION FOR THE EDUCA- TION OF THE BLIND

is situated in Louisville, upon the western border of the city, on a picturesque and commanding site, overlooking the Cave Hill Cemetery and a wide stretch of city and country. It was founded in February, 1842, by authority of the State Legislature. It was the sixth of this character to be established in America; but is now one of twenty-nine scattered throughout the land. For a time it was a purely local charity, maintained altogether by the citizens ; but the State soon made an annual appropriation regularly, which was steadily kept up for years. The prime cost of the building and grounds was $90,000, and it is maintained at an annual cost of about $20,000. The present number of pupils is about sixty-five, of whom not quite one-half are from Louisville. Eighty-one in all received instruction in the school year 1880-81. The institution, most fortunately, has not suffered, as have many other public charities in this country, from frequent "reorganization" and change of officers. It has had but two Presidents of the Board of Trustees and two Superintendents in its existence of forty years. The Hon. William F. Bullock occupied the former position from 1842 to 1864; and Dr. Theodore S. Bell has held the post from 1864 to this time. The first superintendent was Mr. Bryce M. Patton. He resigned in 1871, after nearly thirty years' service; and Professor Ben- jamin B. Huntoon, A. M., has been in charge from that date to this. The course of instruction in- cludes reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, history, English grammar, elementary natural history, and physics. Special instruction in vocal and instrumental music is given to all whose abilities seem to show promise of success in that department. All the girls receive instruction in the use of the needle, and those who are large

enough to sit at a sewing-machine, learn its use. Some of the blind girls become proficient in the use of the knitting-machine, and all the larger girls learn to cut out and make their own gar- ments. All boys of proper age receive instruc- tion in handicraft for one, two, three, or more hours a day, according to their ages. They are taught to make brooms, to cane chairs, and to practice simple upholstery, such as the making and repairing of mattresses and lounges. Phys- ical exercise holds an important place in the daily work of the pupils, and for this purpose the school is divided into two sections, and one hour and a half are devoted daily to their instruc- tion in calisthenics. The pupils are required to take regular baths, and nothing is neglected to secure their continued good health.

THE AMERICAN PRINTING HOUSE FOR THE BLIND.

This is connected with the Blind Institution, although a separate corporation, and at present occupies apartments in the same building. It is expected, however, that a separate house will shortly be constructed for it upon the grounds. It is reputed to be the largest establishment of the kind in the world. Its foundation was thus sketched in an editorial article in the Courier- Journal February 8, 1882 :

The subject of establishing such a printing house wa first discussed at a convention of instructors of the blind held in New York in 1853. This led to the chartering and establishment of the American Printing House for the Blind in this city, with auxiliary boards in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Tennessee, where the sum of $30,000 was subscribed. The breaking out of the war and its results prevented the realization of this sum, with the exception of about $1,000. However, the Trustees obtained $8,000 from private parties in Kentucky, and in 1865 secured an annual appropriation from the State of $5 for each blind person in the State. New Jersey appropriated $5,000 in 1871, and Delaware voted an annual appropriation of $100. In 1866 the printing house began operations, and since then it has distributed between fifteen and twenty thousand publications among the institu- tions for the blind in the United States and abroad.

March 3, 1879, a Congressional enactment was approved, the bill for which had been intro- duced by Representative Watterson at the pre- vious session, and renewed and pushed at the next by Mr. Willis, under which the printing house receives a Government subsidy of $10,000 per annum, in consideration of which it distrib- utes its publications to all the State institutions for the blind, according to the number of pupils in each. The State no longer grants an annual subsidy. The publication committee, selecting

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works for issue, consists of the superintendents of the institutions in Kentucky, New York City, Maryland, Wisconsin, and Georgia. Among the publications, besides numerous school-books, multiplication tables, etc., are such works as Tyndall's Notes on Light and Electricity, Mot- ley's Peter the Great, Macaulay's Clive and Lays of Ancient Rome, Swinton's Outlines of History, Nordhoff's Politics for Young Americans, Virgil's Æneid, several of Shakespeare's plays, the Con- stitution of the United States, and many others. For the current year (1882) the publication of the following-named has been determined: Irv- ing's Sketch-book, Hawthorne's True Stories, About Old Story Tellers, by Donald G. Mitchell; Goldsmith's Deserted Village and She Stoops to Conquer; Thackeray's English Humorists, Chap- ters from a World of Wonders, Short Sketches from English History, Swiss Family Robinson, Principles of Harmony, by Sir William Gore Ouseley; Our World, a Primary Geography, by Miss Hall; Perry's Introduction to Political Economy, and Haven's Mental Philosophy. Music is also printed in large variety, in the Wait System of Point Notation. For the books both the ordinary letters and the New York Point letter are used. Dissected maps are also made in the institution, and sold at large prices.

The expenses of the House in 1881 were only $10,054.59, and at the close of the year a bal- ance was on hand of $37,179.90, enough to constitute an ample building fund. Hon. Wil- liam F. Bullock is President of the board of trustees ; B. B. Huntoon, superintendent of the House.

THE MASONIC WIDOWS' AND ORPHANS' HOME .*

November 23, 1866, a meeting of Free and Accepted Masons was held in the Masonic Tem- ple, in Louisville, to consider the subject of pro- viding a Widows' and Orphans' Home and In- firmary, a project which had for some time been entertained and informally talked over by the more active Masons of this city, and by the now deceased C. Henry Finck, who generously prom- ised to give $1,000 towards the project. It was agreed that a society should be organized "for the purpose of erecting in or near the city of Louisville a Masonic Widows' and Orphans' Home and Infirmary." A temporary organiza-

tion was effected, with the following officers: J. D. Guthrie, President; Dr. David W. Yandell, First Vice President ; William Kendrick, Second Vice-President; H. B. Grant, Secretary ; J. M. S. McCorkle, Treasurer; William Cromey, J. V. Cowling, C. Henry Finck, Dr. E. Richardson, T. G. Lockerman, J. W. Gans, Executive Com- mittee.

There was a general and hearty acceptance of this project by the Masons of Kentucky. No other State had at that time made a movement in this direction of charitable effort. Every mem- ber of the order felt a new sense of responsibility. It was a magnificent project. It was worthy of any self-sacrifice ; worthy of any labor. The be- reaved women of Masonry and the tender or- phaned children must be taken out of the chill- ing blasts of the world; taken out of their im- puissance and despair, and brought into a safe inclosure of a home. The men who led the movement found a willing and energetic follow- ing, the mist of lukewarmness from some quar- ters was soon dispelled, the craft rose in their strength to help the good cause as best they might.

The society was soon after permanently organ- ized (November 30, 1866), and systematically went to work. A bright day in the history of this grand charity was the organization in Jan- uary, 1876, of the Ladies Masonic Widows' and Orphans' Home Society, with Mrs. Susan P. Hepburn as President. This society at once gave an impetus to the work of securing funds, and rendered magnificent assistance to the Board of Directors of the Home-a sum aggregating over $10,000 having been paid over by this so- ciety into the treasury of the Home.

In 1869 the purchase of the United States Marine Hospital was discussed, but being found impracticable, was abandoned. In September of that year, Mr. T. T. Shreve donated a lot con- taining three and one-half acres of land be- tween First and Second streets, north of Central Avenue. The Board of Directors then purchased two acres adjoining the property, and advertised for bids for the construction of a building. No more appropriate structure could have been erected. It fronts two hundred and eighty-six feet on Second Street, and consists of a main building with two wings, having a depth of one hundred feet. The height to the cornice is sixty-

* Abridged from an historical sketch in a local publication, called "Straws," for June, 1881.

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five feet ; is five stories high, of brick with stone ornaments. The facade is imposing. The style of architecture affords an opportunity to form a massive and pleasing effect, and that is accom- plished by quoins, pannelled pilasters, and pro- jecting cornices, and they hope to add some day by two towers at each end of the main building. The interior is most admirably arranged for the purposes of the institution ; it is well lighted, well ventilated, every part has easy access to the ground floor. The whole building is now heated by steam, and the location is be- lieved to be one of the most healthy in or near the city. The building has a capacity for be- tween five and six hundred inmates.

In October, 1869, the Masons of Kentucky had the pleasure of assisting at and witnessing the laying of the corner-stone of the building. The work was commenced, and simultaneously, through the Board of Directors, a movement to secure an endowment fund to carry on the insti- tution after it was opened, was inaugurated, a witness to the wise provision and earnestness of those having the direction of the great enterprise. In April, 1871, the building was so far completed that the portion devoted to the orphans was opened, under the care of Mrs. Joseph Atkinson. In 1872 E. S. Fitch and wife were elected Super- intendent and Matron respectively, and Mrs. Martha Eubank was chosen Matron until Mr. and Mrs. Fitch could take their positions. In 1874 Mr. Fitch resigned, and Dr. E. S. Newton was chosen to fill his place, which was done with faithful ability until his death in February, 1874. Dr. J. M. Wheeler and wife succeeded Dr. New- ton in 1874. In January, 1876, Dr. J. W. Robb and wife were elected to these positions. Mr. and Mrs. Fitch were subsequently returned to their old positions.

On the 2d of June, 1875, occurred a catas- trophe which fell heavily upon the most hopeful hearts engaged in this magnificent charity. On the evening of that day a terrific wind storm swept over the southern portion of the city, doing a great deal of damage south of Breckin- ridge street. The south wing and main building were up and roofed in; no work in the interior had been done. The cyclone made a terrible sweep through the center, carrying away the main building and leaving a most frightful wreck. The children had been playing in the yard, but on the

approach of the storm they were called in. The wind struck the front wall just as they entered the north wing. No one was injured, although the shock was great. The west wall blew over as if it had been pasteboard, and striking the east wall, both fell in ruin. The damage was great; to rebuild the main building and to com- plete the south wing, would cost $70,000. The cyclone in a quarter of a minute had destroyed the work and sacrifices of years. A great mass meeting was held shortly after the catastrophe, and $11,000 was raised at once. This was rapidly supplemented by subscriptions and do- nations ; the ruins have been cleared away like a tale that is told, and the building, as it stands to-day in all its strength and beauty, a gladsome reality, is free from the incubus of debt. The Grand Lodge of Kentucky, at its session in 1874, voted to the endowment fund of the Home $78,500 in bonds, now bearing six per cent. in- terest. The total endowment fund, at last re- port, was $124,250.46. It is to be hoped that in a few years the endowment fund will be suffi- ciently large that its earnings alone will guarantee the future material support of the institution.

From the opening of this institution to Octo- ber 1, 1881, three hundred and five inmates had been received into the Home, of whom one hun- dred and thirty-five had been discharged and seven had died-one of old age, and one drowned while away. A regular school was es- tablished in the Home September 20, 1880, with Miss Helen Clarke, of the city, in principal charge. The institution is justly accounted a magnificent charity.

THE MARINE HOSPITAL.

This is a charity founded by the General Gov- ernment, for the benefit, of the boatmen on the Western rivers. The site was selected by the Medical Board of the United States Army in 1837, but it was not purchased and the building was not commenced until 1843; and then the hospital was not finished and occupied until 1852. It is one of ten such institutions now in use in the country. It has cost to 1873, inclu- sive, $98,452.47. During the year ending June 30, 1881, 1,190 patients were treated therein, of whom but thirty-nine were in hospital at that date. Admitted during the year, 377; dis- charged, 345 ; died, 16 ; total days spent in hos-

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pital, 13,399. Office relief was furnished to 790 boatmen. Eighty-eight persons, including pilots, had been physically examined for certificates re- quired by law. Tax for the Hospital was col- lected to the amount of $2,386.08.

THE CITY HOSPITAL.

This occupies the well-known old site on Floyd, Chestnut, and Walnut streets, and was long known itself as the Marine Hospital. About 1873 the name appears to have been changed to City Hospital. Important facts concerning its early history are embraced in our annals of Louisville. Marine patients were treated in it at the expense of the Federal Government until October, 1869, when all were transferred to the United States Hospital. During the last year of their stay the Government paid $3,157.47 for their mainten- ance and treatment. In 1870 the General Coun- cil of the city appropriated $7,000 for refitting the hospital. Among other improvements, an addition of nine wards was made, containing two hundred and fifty beds .. Two wards of fifteen beds each were also added, in which priv- ate or pay patients were received at about half the cost of an entire room in the hospital. The drug department was thoroughly reorganized. At this time the average daily cost per patient was 44.1 cents. In 1871 the grounds were ma- terially improved, under the direction of Mr. Benjamin Groves. A more thorough system of administration was introduced in all the depart- ments. The number of patients increased seventy per cent., numbering 1,740 ; but the cost of the institution increased but twenty per cent. In 1872, 1,983 patients were treated, and $1,510 were derived from fees of students to clinical lectures in the building. In 1873 there were 2,077 patients in the Hospital at different times. A gratuitous dental department was established April 2, 1878, in which 188 patients were treated that year. In 1880 1,561 patients were admitted to the hospital, and kept to the total number of 52,336 days ; dispensary patients, 505 ; prescrip- tions filled in the hospital department, 19,416.

ST. JOHN'S ERUPTIVE HOSPITAL.

For many years the old brick dwelling, erected in 1788 by William Johnston, father of Dr. Ben- jamin C. Johnston, was occupied by the city for a pest house. In 1872 a site for a new Eruptive Hospital was chosen a short distance from the

old building; and a new structure for it, of am- pler capacity and with all modern improvements for such an institution, was put in course of con- struction. When finished it remained unoccu- pied for about three years, except by a watchman who was paid by the city to take care of it, and in 1874 Mayor Jacob made repeated but fruit- less efforts to sell it, and finally recommended its conversion into a House of Refuge for colored children. On May ist of that year its care was transferred by the General Council to the Board of Commissioners of Public Charities. In his annual message the next year Mayor Jacob recommended that it should be tendered to the State for use ten years free of charge as an Ine- briates' Hospital, or, if this was not deemed ad- visable, for a Lunatic Asylum.

THE ALMSHOUSE.

This is also a city institution, but the date of its formation we have been unable to learn. In 1872 a tract of 200 acres was bought by the city to employ the labor of the Almshouse, and a new building for the inmates, ample in capacity and of superior design, was put in course of construction. The average number of inmates for this year was 201 persons, who were main- tained at a total cost of $17,618.46, or 237/8 cents per day for each, including all expenses, or 195/8 cents, exclusive of salaries and expenses of officers and family.

In 1873 the products of the new farm yielded in the aggregate the sum of $800. The next year the new Almshouse was finished, at a total cost of $169,458.19, and was immediately oc- cupied. About $1,000 worth of products was realized from the farm the next year, and ar- rangements were made to cultivate the entire tract. A ditch of nearly one mile length and eight feet width, was cut upon it by the labor of the inmates. There were more inmates in 1874 than in any previous year, numbering 280 at the end of the year.

The Almshouse was totally destroyed by fire on the 31st of January, 1879, involving a loss of $50,954, which was, however, fully covered by insurance. The principal loss was to the wretched inmates, who had to be largely reduced in number, as the building temporarily occupied after the fire could not accommodate more than 200 people. The estimated value of the farm

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product this year was $4, 175, notwithstanding the continued drouth. In 1880 167 persons were admitted to the institution; 142 were discharged, and 30 died, leaving 248 inmates at the close of the year. The net expense for the year was $13,121.82, or 16.22 cents per diem for each in- mate-deducting salaries and family expenses, 14 cents. The farm products footed up $3,400.

· The City Board of Commissioners of Chari- ties has charge of the Almshouse, the Hospitals, and some other local institutions.

THE LOUISVILLE EYE AND EAR INFIRMARY was incorporated under the general laws of the State July 17, 1876. It is exclusively for chari- table purposes, and is maintained by private con- tributions. From 3 to 4 P. M. every day it is open. Dr. Dudley S. Reynolds is in charge of the Infirmary.

THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL ORPHAN ASYLUM .*

This institution was organized October 6, 1835. It was the first Protestant orphan asylum estab- lished in this city, and was the result of the active and persevering efforts of a few earnest ladies, who were members of Christ church, the only Protestant Episcopal church then existing in Louisville. The necessity for some such home for the care and protection of destitute children, thrown upon the cold charities of the world by the death of their parents, was mani- fest, and these noble ladies worked zealously and faithfully to accomplish this object. They agi- tated the question by calling meetings for this purpose, which resulted in the formation of a constitution and by-laws, and the election of the following officers for the ensuing year : First Directress, Mrs. Eliza Field ; Second Directress, Mrs. Sarah Thompson ; Secretary, Mrs. Eliza O. Page ; Treasurer, Mrs. Mary O. Gray. Man- agers-Mrs. Eliza Field, Mrs. Sarah Thompson, Mrs. Mary O. Gray, Mrs. Eliza O. Page, Mrs. E. Shallcross, Mrs. C. McIlvaine, Mrs. E. Arm- strong, Mrs. M. A. Snead, Mrs. E. M. T. Gray, Mrs. Captain Shreve, Mrs. Selina Hite, Mrs. J. P. Bull.

The managers rented a small house on Market street, between Ninth and Tenth streets, on a very modest scale, having the care of only six orphan children. But it gradually grew into importance, receiving the support and assistance

of the members of other denominations, and of benevolent persons outside of the churches. The value of this institution being impressed upon the mind of the late John Bustard, then a member of St. Paul's Episcopal church, he, by will, bequeathed to the trustees, for its benefit, as an endowment fund, the sum of $10,000 and a lot on Fifth street south of Chestnut, sixty feet front, and running back to Centre street, the same width. Adjoining this lot, the trustees pur- chased thirty three feet in addition, and soon after, about the year 1846, erected thercon a large brick building, which is still occupied by the orphan children.

Since the bequest of Mr. Bustard, the follow- ing have been added to the endowment fund : W. B. Reynolds, $5,000; William F. Pettet, $3,000, and H. D. Newcomb, $7,400. The fol- lowing donations have been made: R. A. Robin- son, $3,000, and Joseph T. Tompkins, fifty shares of Louisville & Nashville railroad stock, valued at $4,000. These funds have been judiciously invested, and now, in a great measure, afford the means of support for the institution.

THE ORPHANAGE OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD*

was established in the year 1869 in the eastern part of the city, on a lot donated for this pur- pose by Miss Henrietta Preston Johnston, under the auspices of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and this institution was devoted exclusively to the care of orphan boys. The Protestant Epis- copal Orphan asylum has, since that time, been occupied only by orphan girls.

The board of trustees is composed of five gen- tlemen elected from the leading city parishes of the Episcopal Church. The board of managers is composed of ladies, also elected from the same parishes. The gentlemen take charge of the property and the management of the endow- ment fund, and the ladies have the care of the orphan children, looking to their proper religious education, having them taught to read and write, and to learn such things as will make them, in after life, useful members of society, and also seeing to the providing for them of proper food and clothing. The number of chil- dren varies from thirty-five to fifty, who are under the immediate care of a matron, teacher, and nurse. The result has been that a large number

* By Mr. R. A. Robinson, of St. Paul's church.

*Also by Mr. Robinson.

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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.

of boys and girls have received religious training and been provided with the comforts of life, most of them having been saved from lives of penury and want, and possibly of vice and shame, en- tailing upon the community their damaging ef- fects, whilst some of them are adorning the higher walks of life. The establishment of such institutions is the result of the benign influence of Christianity. Probably in no other way can the wealth of those to whom it has been com- mitted, as stewards, be used to greater advantage for the cause of humanity and religion than by contributing to the support and education of orphan children, remembering the promise of our blessed Saviour: "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

The board of trustees of the institution of which we have given only a brief account, is composed, at present, of the following gentle- men; Hon. William F. Bullock, President; R. A. Robinson, Esq., Secretary and Treasurer; and Messrs. John B. Smith, Russell Houston, and A. J. Ballard.

The board of managers is now composed of the following ladies : Mrs. R. A. Robinson, First Directress; Mrs. S. E. Haggin, Second Di- rectress; Mrs. George W. Anderson, Secretary; Mrs. Dr. R. C. Hewett, Mrs. W. H. Churchill, Mrs. William A. Robinson, Mrs. John A. Lee, Mrs. Belle Lee, Mrs. H. W. Barrett, Mrs. Mar- garet Griswold, Mrs. Isaac H. Tyler, Miss E. J. L. Anderson.

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History of the Ohio falls cities and their counties : with illustrations and bibliographical sketches, Vol. I, Part 78

Author: Williams, L.A., & Co., Cleveland Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : L. A. Williams & Co. Number of Pages: 814

Author: Williams, L.A., & Co., Cleveland
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : L. A. Williams & Co.
Number of Pages: 814