USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > History of the city of Columbus, Ohio, from the founding of Franklinton in 1797, through the World War period to the year 1920 > Part 41
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Nine tracts of ground had been rented to persons who had built upon them, the ground rental then aggregating $2,015 annually; in 1918 this total had been increased to $2,905 annually. On May 13, 1907, the Woodland avenue site was sold for $22,250, and on Sep- tember 16, 1907, a house and lot with 100 feet frontage, on the north side of Tuller street. was bought for a home for $8,000, repairs costing $1,200 being immediately made. The home, which accommodates about 25 children, is maintained by the proceeds from a permanent fund of $20,000 now in the city treasury, the annual ground rental and such charges as can properly be made against parents for the care of their children, averaging about $1,000 annually.
The Humane Society.
Under the inspiration of a visit by Henry Bergh, of New York, in December, 1873, a Humane Society was organized in Columbus, with James L. Bates as president and J. A. Scarritt secretary. In 1874 the directors were D. W. Brooks president, J. A. Scarritt secretary, E. L. Hinman, E. L. Taylor, Wm. Riches, J. J. Voglegesang, Walter C. Brown, Theodore Comstock, Yeatman Anderson, T. W. Tallmadge, T. Ewing Miller, John G. Mitchell, Wm. B. Hayden, Walstein Failing, Richard Nevins and P. W. Huntington. Annual and other fees were fixed, and police officers were asked to enforee an ordinance forbidding cruelty to animals and children.
In 1883, the work was reorganized as a branch of the State Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Children, and was duly incorporated. In 1884 H. M. Neil was elected president, J. A. Scarritt, George K. Nash and Miss Louise M. Phillips vicc presidents, J. W. Mvers secretary, and W. H. Albery treasurer. The objeets of the society were stated to be "to prevent cruelty to animals, to protect neglected children and to create a public sentiment against the abuse of innocent creatures, whether of the brute kind or human." The children of the public schools were organized into bands of mercy, making the following pledge: "I promise to be kind to all creatures within my reach, and to protect them as far as I can from cruelty and ill usage." Other carly presidents were Francis C. Sessions, O. A. B. Senter and R. C. Hoffman. In 1889 Frank C. Hubbard became vice president and E. O Randall secretary. T. B. Vause and Caleb M. Morris were early agents of the society.
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The work of the society has gradually developed as its financial support became more secure. Court proceedings are instituted in behalf of neglected children as well as neglected and abused animals. Delinquent parents are pursued, required to perform their natural obligations or are punished; in the 10 years ending in 1917. The society sccured from such parents $420,161.41 for the support of their children. Sometimes it has been the other way around, and careless children have been required to care for parents. Homes are rehabilitated where possible and dependent children have been sent to the care of proper institutions. Horses and mules are inspected, cases of cruelty prosecuted and hopelessly siek animals are humanely destroyed.
The later presidents have been Frank C. Hubbard and Henry C. Taylor, the latter having been succeeded at his death in 1917 by Mrs. H. R. Gill. Eugene Morgan is see- retary and attorney and Wm. H. Albery treasurer, with a board of 20 directors.
The Florence Crittenton Home.
The Woman's Home was established February 15, 1876, by the Woman's Christian Association, which had been organized during the previous winter, as a refuge for destitute, fallen and unfortunate women. A residence on East Rieh street near Fifth was rented and the home was opened in April, with Mrs. L. V. Desellem as matron, its financial support being derived entirely from membership fees. In 1870 there were 286 aetive, 44 sustain- ing and 11 life members. Mrs. James L. Bates was the first president. In 1874, the home was removed to East Long street, and Mrs. Descllem retired as manager.
In 1889 James Haig established a religious mission at Washington avenue and Mound street and opened a bethel for the reseue of fallen women on South Seventh street in what was then the "red-light" distriet. Miss Florinda Twitchell also had conducted a Rescue Home, with the same object in view.
In 1900 the Florence Crittenton Home of Columbus was organized as a branch of the National Florenee Crittenton Mission, with a board of managers and a board of trustees eleeted by the managers. Mrs. Shepherd F. Harriman was one of the charter members, one of its presidents and until her death in 1914 one of its most active supporters. Miss Twitchell be- came its first matron. Miss Clara Orton was for 11 years secretary of the organization. Dr. C. S. Carr and Frank Frankenburg were also closely identified with it officially. The hame was opened at 1166 East Main street, where it is still maintained. The work is religious, medieal and legal, every effort being made to promote the interests of the individual girl. In 1914, eighty eases were handled and 47 babies were born in the home. Approximately one- third of the expenses of the home are paid as fees by inmates, the remainder hy donations. Mrs. Elizabeth Kinkead is superintendent.
Friends' Rescue Home.
The Friends' Rescue Home, 282 East Thirteenth avenue, did its first work in 1905 in a residence property, 73 North Harris avenue. Its aim is to rescue fallen girls and attend to the needs of unmarried mothers. It is a part of the missionary work of the Friends churches and is entirely under their control, reeciving its financial support chiefly from them. L. C. Haldy is president and R. W. Coats secretary. Its budget is about $7,000.
Home for the Aged.
The Home for the Aged was established January 10, 1887, its initial fund being $1, 400, the net proeceds of a charity ball, held at the Princess Rink, West Spring street, Decem- ber 30 preecding. Mrs. Wm. Monypeny was the manager of the ball and became the presi- dent of the home and one of the board of trustees, the other members of which were: J. M. Westwater, D. S. Gray, A. G. Patton, L. C. Newsom, Mrs. N. E. Lovejoy, and Mrs. A. D. Rodgers. Mrs. A. D. Rodgers, Mrs. W. H. Akin and Mrs. D. S. Gray were the original vice presidents, Mrs. Charles Monypeny was the first treasurer and Mrs. Ira Hutchinson was the first seeretary. The home was opened in April, 1887, in a house on Broad street west of Franklin Park, the use of which was donated by Colonel Patton. About the same time Wm. Monypeny donated for a permanent site the lot on East Broad strect opposite Franklin Park. Another tract adjoining was subsequently acquired, making
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a frontage of 150 feet. On this, in 1888, the present building with 21 rooms was erected under the supervision of Wm. Monypeny and E. T. Mithoff, Charles Stribling architect. The resources of the institution were increased by a series of public entertainments, bazaars, French markets, concerts and the like, given under the management of Mrs. Monypeny and her associates. The Home was first opened to women only, but the rules were soon changed to permit the admission of men. Through the generosity of Henry C. Godman, W. W. Franklin, A. W. Green, E. T. Mithoff, and Miss Catherine Tuttle a $300,000 endowment was secured to which many others have since added. Additions have increased the capacity of the Home to 60, and many applicants have to be turned away. The Home is managed by a board of trustees, David S. Gray president, and a board of lady managers, Mrs. Wm. A. Burt president.
The Pauline Home.
The Pauline Home (formerly Altenheim), 1323 East Main street, originally a home for the aged of German nationality, was established in 1886. In 1905 the plan was changed so as to receive the aged of any nationality, the charge for admission and subsequent care being $300. The home accommodates 24 persons and there is always a waiting list. Mrs. L. B. Balz is president and Miss Emma Deeg secretary and Miss Elizabeth Jung treasurer. There is also a board of trustees. Its budget of about $5,500 is met in part by the interest on a permanent fund.
Old Folks Home (Colored).
Several attempts to establish a home for aged colored people have been made. The only successful one was the Old Folks' Home, established a few years ago at 155 North Twenty-first street. The work was reorganized in 1917 and is now conducted on a small scale by a society, whose president is Jame; W. Williams.
Nursing Association.
The Instructive District Nursing Association was organized in the spring of 1898 to care for the sick poor in their own homes. The leader in the movement was Mrs. Samuel L. Black, who before the organization was effected had secured enough pledges to meet the first year's expenses. Mrs. Black was president and Mrs. Luke G. Byrne was secretary. The first superintendent was Miss Louise Salter. Thirty-two women formed the association which was incorporated in June, 1898. During the first year two nurses ministered to 500 patients, the total expenditure being $1,806.76. The work has steadily grown in magnitude and public favor. A committee of the association in 1906 organized the Society for the Pre- vention and Cure of Tuberculosis. Four classes of work are now done: Baby welfare, gen- eral nursing, prevention of blindness and industrial work. In June, 1908, the association formally associated with itself the Babies' Dispensary which had been independently estab- lished for the purpose of furnishing pure milk and instructing mothers as to the value of natural food, clean surroundings and fresh air. In 1909, the baby camp was first maintained on a small scale, the Columbus Citizen soliciting subscriptions for its support. In 1910 the Columbus Dispatch took up that part of the work and has since conducted it, first under the direction of the late Frank S. Raper and, since his death, of Arthur C. Johnson. In this way about $6,000 is raised annually to carry on the summer work at the camp on Sullivant avenue. A little tract of woodland has been acquired and several small frame buildings have been erected and equipped, the value of the present plant being about $10,000. The association has an endowment fund of about $56,000, the largest contributors to it having been Henry C. Godman, $30,000, Mrs. E. T. Mithoff, $5,000; Major W. F. Goodspeed and Mrs. Wm. G. Deshler, $1,000 each. Two anonymous gifts of $5,000 or more each have also been made. Miss Ellen Kershaw succeeded Miss Salter as superintendent and was in turn succeeded by Miss Jennie Tuttle, Miss Augusta Condit assistant. Twelve nurses are now maintained.
Society for the Prevention of Tuberculosis.
The Columbus Society for the Prevention and Cure of Tuberculosis was organied December 5, 1906, with Mrs. Samuel L. Black president, Henry C. Taylor first vice presi- dent, W. O. Thompson second vice president, Mrs. L. R. Doty third vice president, Mrs.
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Luke G. Byrne recording secretary, Mrs. Lucile Joyce Hagerty corresponding secretary, Mrs. Carl Lindenburg treasurer, Dr. C. O. Probst medical director, and a board of managers consisting of 100 prominent men and women. Dr. E. A. Harper early became the exam- ining physician and so continues. A dispensary was opened at 34 East Rich street. Miss C. Elizabeth Allen was chief nurse and was aided by Miss Marietta H. Pierson and Miss Estella Condit. The tuberculous were sought out in homes and workshops, inspections were urged, medical advice and help were given and educational work in the schools and elsewhere was begun. The necessary funds were secured through membership fees, gifts and a con- tribution by the city from the poor fund. The society took the initiative in the matter of a county hospital and in 1908 the commissioners erected two shacks on the infirmary ground and subsequently built near by a substantial hospital well equipped for the care of advanced cases. In 1913, the society erected with money raised by popular subscription, an open air school building on a lot of the board of education at Hudson and Neil avenue, helped financially and otherwise to conduct it for two years and then turned it over to the board of education by whom the work was accepted as a part of the educational system, necessary for anæmic children. The society, under the leadership of the president, Mrs. Black, has conducted several educational campaigns and is heartily co-operating with all other agencies to improve the health of the community. Miss Bessie MacMullin was chief nurse 1913-17, Miss Virginia Lewis, 1918-20. In 1920, with the aid of the Rotary Club, a fund of $60.000 was raised by private subscription, a headquarters building at Washington avenue and Oak strect was bought, and the work was enlarged. Mrs. Black is still the efficient president.
North Side Day Nursery.
The North Side Day Nursery, 142 West Spruce street, was organized in 1910 and in- corporated in 1913, to do for the working mothers of that section of the city what the Oak Street and Ohio Avenue Day Nurseries did for the mothers of those sections. It is under the direction of a board of managers, Bessie Mae Innis president. The budget is about $2,500, met by subscriptions and proceeds of entertainments.
First Social Settlement Society.
The First Neighborhood Guild of Columbus, Ohio, was organized in 1898, for the pur- pose of undertaking social, or university settlement work in the West Goodale Street District. The territory at first designated by the word "Neighborhood," is bounded by Maple street on the south, Buttles avenue on the north, Dennison avenue on the east, and the Scioto river on the west. It was natural that the Guild should find its originators among the graduates and officers of the Ohio State University, who soon enlisted the active interest of other cul- tivated and philanthropie people of Columbus, A governing board or council of fifteen was organized, with Dr. James H. Canfield, then president of the University. as president. A constitution was adopted, and the annual fee for supporting members of the Guild was fixed at three dollars.
Mr. and Mrs. Franklin Schott were cleeted residents and were installed in the west half of the small double brick house at 156 West Goodale street, where they had but six rooms at their disposal. In June 1899, a meeting of business men was held, which resulted in the incor- poration of the Neighborhood Guild Association of Columbus. This association raised sev- eral thousand dollars by single share subscriptions, when Mr. Henry C. Godman offered a eash gift of $10,000, on condition that a sufficient number of subseriptions be secured to duplicate this amount. Mr. Godman's generous offer was accepted, and he soon advanced a part of his gift in order that the work of building might begin, while the solicitation of subscriptions was being carried forward at the same time.
Two lots were purchased on the north sid. of Goodale street, opposite the house then occupied by the Guild, with a total frontage of 100 feet and a depth of 178 feet. Plans were prepared for a large, three-story, twenty-room brick building, and the work of construction was begun in May, 1900. The new home of the Guild was completed in November, and was at once equipped by the Neighborhood Guild Association. The house was named The Godman Guild House, in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Henry C. Godman, friends and supporters of the Guild from its inception. It contains a number of departments, as follows: an office and reception room; two kindergarten rooms, furnished by the Columbus Kindergarten Associa-
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tion : a library, furnished by Col. James Kilbourne; a manual training department, equipped by Prof. Stillman W. Robinson: a cooking school; a mothers club room, furnished by the women of the neighborhood; a large gymnasium, used also for public entertainments, concerts and lectures; public bath rooms; a game room for men; a club room for boys, and living rooms on the third floor for the residents.
Wallace E. Miller became head resident in 1903, and was sueceeded by Charles H. Hol- brook in 1906. In 1908, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Wheeler beeame head residents and are still serving. Besides eight resident workers, there are from 60 to 80 volunteers weekly, the majority from Ohio State University. The Godman Guild House and equipment are valned at $25,000, and the Guild has an endowment of $16,000, besides the property, called Camp Johnson, a 12-acre tract of woodland near Flint, the gift of Annette Johnson St. Gaudens, in memory of her father, Harvey William Johnson. There a camp is maintained during the summer months for the benefit of tired mothers and their children who would otherwise have no outing. Two cottages have been built since 1909 when the work began, one of them a gift by Miss Emma Jones, in memory of her sister, Mrs. Julia A. Felton. The officers of the society are: W. H. Siebert president, Mrs. F. C. Kelton vice president, Frank C. Eaton treasurer, Wilmer C. Harris secretary, Theodore S. Huntington, George W. Lattimer, H. M. Neil, Edward Orton, jr., and John Siebert trustees.
Other Settlement Work.
The Methodist Deaconess Board established the South Side Settlement in 1908 on Barthman avenue "to educate, elevate, give Christian instruction and provide a place of en- tertainment and community activities. Later, the work was moved to 363 Reeb avenue, where it is being successfully carried on. Rev. C. P. Hargraves is chairman of the committee in charge.
St. Paul's Neighborhood House, 871 Leonard avenue, was opened in 1909 by St. Paul's Episcopal church, for purely settlement activities among women, girls, and younger boys. J. P. Davis is chairman of the committee in charge.
The Broad Street Presbyterian Church in 1909 began settlement and institutional church work at 115 West Main street. A site was bought and building erected and com- munity house work has been since maintained by a committee of the church, Dr. W. D. Inglis, chairman.
The West Side Social Center of the First Congregational Church dates back to 1901, when Mrs. J. A. Jeffrey chose a site near Sandusky street and the Pennsylvania railroad tracks, and the Women's Guild, of which she was president, began the work. About a year later, the present site, 511 West Broad street, was occupied. There is a board of control, of which C. S. Plumb is chairman. Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Sleppey were head residents till 1920.
The Associated Charities.
The Associated Charities idea in Columbus dates back to December 11. 1885, when a combination of all the agencies at work in the city was effected and headquarters were established in a building on Front street for more efficient work to meet a serious situation. But in the following May the spirit had departed and the cooperation lagged. A Friendly Inn which had been established was discontinued in December, 1887. The present organi- zation was effected in October, 1899, the first board of managers being, Joseph H. Outh- waite, Washington Gladden, R. M. Rownd, Henry M. Neil, Rev. D. A. Clarke, Joseph H. Dunn, David S. Gray, Rev. John Hewitt, Joseph P. Byers, Charles H. Lindenberg, James Kilbourne, Fred Lazarus, Frank Howe and J. A. Jeffrey. The first officers were: Joseph H. Outhwaite president, Joseph P. Byers secretary, R. M. Rownd treasurer. Rev. W. S. Eagleson was elected the first superintendent, February 2. 1900, and the office was opened at 69 East State street. Father Clarke resigned and W. T. Wells was elected to the board to succeed him, June 9, 1900. The first year's expenditures in relief work was $1.700. Secretary Byers resigned and Frank H. Howe was elected to succeed him, November 26, 1902, and is still serving. About this time an arrangement was made with the city by which the Associated Charities was to make investigations of reported need and thus assist in the proper administration of the fund for the poor, for this service receiving $1.200. This arrangement was continued until 1916. when the Associated Charities, feeling that there was
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no legal warrant for this expenditure of public money, relinquished the payment, but con- tinued to do the work. The office was removed to an old residence on Third street, and Mr. Eagleson continned as superintendent until 1906, when he was succeeded by Otto W. Davis, who served till 1912, with offices on Rich street between High and Third streets. In 1912, James L. Fieser became superintendent, serving till 1917, when he resigned to become the first director of the social service bureau of the Chamber of Commerce, and was succeeded by Stockton Raymond. The offices, during Mr. Fieser's service were first at 120 East Broad and then at the present location, 175 South High street. D. S. Gray was presi- dent from 1903 to 1909; D. H. Taft from 1909 to his death in 1915, since which time Arthur I. Vorys has been president. Rev. Byron R. Long has been extension secretary since 1911. Floyd Van Keuren became superintendent in 1920, Mr. Raymond having accepted a similar position in Boston.
The work now is supported entirely by the contributions of persons who are interested in its work. It maintains a visitor in each of five city districts, as well as a visitor in charge of all cases among colored people; receives reports of indigent families, makes investigations and gives temporary material relief, always aiming at self-dependence. It acts as agent of the outdoor relief department of the city; it conducts investigations for the Hare Orphans' Home, the county commissioners, the Hannah Neil Mission and other organizations. It maintains also a registration bureau, organized in 1912 by the Central Philanthropic Coun- eil, through which the various social agencies of the city cooperate in relief of needy families and individuals, eliminating waste of time and duplication of effort. It also administers funds contributed for special cases and does much constructive social work.
One of the interesting early services of the Associated Charities was in connection with the municipal potato patches in 1901-02-03. Secretary Frank H. Howe and Treasurer R. M. Rownd were the personal factors in a movement which in the last year brought as much as 72 acres under cultivation, with a crop valued at $10,000 benefiting families numbering more than 1,200 persons. The Council appropriated the first year $800, which was spent for superintendence, seed and plowing, and continued the appropriations while the interest was maintained.
The Big Sisters.
The Big Sisters' Association was organized in the spring of 1913, with Mrs. R. H. Platt, Mrs. W. M. Ritter and Mrs. Andre Crotti as governors and Miss Virginia Murray as secretary. It was part of a national movement, the purpose of which was to bring to young girls lacking good home environment the opportunity to live normally. A home was established first on North Twentieth strect where girls who had made their first appearance in the juvenile court were given a helping hand. The home was later moved to 172 South Eighteenth street. It is managed by a board of women trustees, Mrs. J. F. Baldwin presi- dent, and a board of financial trustees (men). Mrs. Schoonover is matron. Its budget, at first, was met by membership dues, donations and such sums as the beneficiaries are able to pay. A financial campaign in the spring of 1919 made possible the purchase of the Shepard Sanitarium for a home.
MeKelvey Deaconess Home.
The MeKelvey Deaconess Home, 72 South Washington avenue, a Methodist institu- tion, began its religious and social service work in Columbus in 1906. In 1909 the present three-story brick buliding for its work was built. There the deaconesses live, working among the people of the Methodist churches and in the communities where they are located. The work is managed by a board of men and women. Mrs. E. J. Rogers is superintendent. A worker is maintained at the Union Station.
Columbia Home Association.
The Columbia Home Association, 17 South Sixth street, was organized in 1913 to assist girls needing home protection by providing "home comforts and conveniences at reasonable prices." The three-story dwelling has a capacity for 32 persons. In 1917, 240 girls were cared for. Mrs. Mary Tulley is president, Mrs. Julius Golz secretary and Miss Margaret Maley matron and there is a board of directors.
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City Rescue Mission.
The City Rescue Mission, on Maple street, just west of High, was organized in 1912 and incorporated two years later to do down-town mission work and has the moral and financial support of the Protestant churches. It maintains a lodging house for "down- and-out" men. C. L. Dickey is president of the general society and George S. Marshall is president of the board of trustees. Wm. S. Hart is superintendent. Its annual budget is about $6,700.
Children's Home Society.
The Children's Home Society of Ohio, with central office in Columbus, was organized in 1893, its object being to place orphans and dependent children in private homes with a view to adoption. Its budget of about $15,000 is met by donations and subscriptions to the Beacon Light. F. H. Darby is state superintendent.
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