History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio, Part 111

Author: Waggoner, Clark, 1820-1903
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: New York and Toledo : Munsell & Company
Number of Pages: 1408

USA > Ohio > Lucas County > Toledo > History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio > Part 111

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mencement of the building. Delays were frequent, by reason of lack of funds, but by borrowing, sufficient money was obtained and by the 12th of August, 1858, everything was so far completed as to allow of occupaney. This building was of brick, 40x50 feet and three stories high. The Orphan Asylum building thus completed was intended for both Asylum and Hospital. At the solicitation of Mr. Dennis Coghlin and Dr. S. F. Forbes, sailors were per- mitted to enter for treatment, the first patients being four sailors who were injured by falling into the hold of a vessel, who were received on the 21st of August, 1858. From that event is dated the commencement of the Hospital. The building was soon overcrowded, and a small frame house was constructed for inmates separate from the main one. This building was consumed by fire in 1860, with three in- mates-two orphans and a woman. Subscrip- tions were immediately taken for relief. Prot- estants as well as Roman Catholics subscribed largely. The City was divided into districts ; Dennis Coghlin, Peter Lenk, Frank J. Scott and Valentine Wall circulated subscription papers. Large amounts were also received from St. Louis and Montreal, and as a result the center building of the Orphan Asylum was completed by the fall of 1861. This was di- vided into two large hospital wards, and a few for private patients, together with rooms for the use of the Sisters.

In 1863, adjoining land owned by Mr. E. P. Bassett, was offered for sale, and the Sisters were able to purchase 83 acres at $700 per acre ; and in 1866, another 13 acres were purchased from Dr. W. W. Jones, at $1,000 per acre. The whole tract now owned is 12 acres, upon which the new Hospital has been built.

In March, 1875, the building of the present St. Vincent's was begun and completed in July of the next year, at a cost of over $63,000; of this sum there is still unpaid $56,000, upon which the Sisters pay interest. It is a brick building, three stories high above the basement, comprising a center 120x68 feet, with wings extending on either side 46x50 feet, with commodious porticoes. The eenter or main building comprises the wards, chapel, parlors, community rooms, apotheeary's room and office. A central corridor divides the wards. The wards on the first floor are appro- priated to resident old and infirm men, and the help. Those on the second floor are occupied

"By William (. Chapman, M. D.

[560]

561

HOSPITALS .- ASYLUMS .- CEMETERIES.

by the male patients, the marine patients on one side and the general patients on the other. The wards on the third floor are occupied by female patients on one side, and resident old and infirm women on the other. The wings are divided into thirty rooms, occupied by private patients and boarders. They are entirely separated from the main building, with which they communicate only by the outside galleries. The apartments of the North wing are fitted up in style of comfort and elegance. The South wing is intended for resident boarders. The treatment of the sick is provided for by the formation of a medical staff composed of distinguished physicans and surgeons of the City.

The following named physicians form the medical staff of this hospital :

Surgeon in Chief-John W. Bond.

Consulting Surgeons-W. W. Jones. S. F. Forbes, James Coldham, S. W. Skinner, J. T. Woods.

Consulting Physicians-$S. H. Bergen, W. T. Ridenour, G. Fenneberg, H. M. Schnetzler, C. H. Reed.

Attending Surgeons-G. A. Collamore. A. W. Fisher, W. Cherry, S. S. Thorn, G. W. Bowen, J. H. Curry.

Attending Physicians-C. A. Kirkley, J. M. Wad- dick, H. A. Root, W. C. Chapman, M. Jungbluth, J. T. Lawless.

H. M. Selinetzler, President of Staff. C. A. Kirkley, Secretary of Staff.

Medical Board -- W. W. Jones, S. F. Forbes, S. H. Bergen, H. M. Schnetzler, James Coldham, S. S. Thorn, W. T. Ridenour, W. C. Chapman.

Jno. W. Bond, President of Board.

W. C. Chapman, Secretary of Board.

PROTESTANT HOSPITAL OF TOLEDO.

In September, 1874, steps were taken by the Woman's Christian Association for the estab- lishment in Toledo of a Hospital, for the bene- fit of such persons as might have need of accom- modations to be furnished thereby. The fol- lowing ladies were then appointed as a Board of Trustees for such purpose, to wit : Mesdames Ira L. Clark, Geo. Stebbins, H. M. Clark, Fred. Prentice, John N. Stevens, A. E. Scott, I. N. Poe, Plympton Buck, W. Waddick, S. Suydam, Perry Crabbs, and James H. Maples; and Messrs. Wager Swayne, Robert Cummings, Wm. H. Scott and H. S. Wałbridge; and Drs. S. S. Lungren and S. H. Bergen. The Hos- pital was intended to be unsectarian as to reli- gion, and irrespective of methods in medical practice. The property on Union Street, now (1887) occupied by the hospital, was purchased for $8,000, and the first patient admitted in October, 1874.

In December, 1876, it being thought best by both the Woman's Christian Association and the Hospital Board, that the Hospital should become an independent organization, it was in- corporated under the name of " The Protestant

Hospital of Toledo," when the property was passed over to the new organization, in con- sideration of its assuming all liabilities and maintaining the establishment on the basis proposed. Throughout, the institution has labored under great disadvantage from lack of adequate accommodations and from limited financial means. And yet, as shown by the tenth annual report of the Secretary, over 700 patients have been cared for during the first decade; the current expenses, amounting to over $13,000, have been met ; while $8,000 has been paid for the property. Considering the serious embarrassments under which the man- agers have labored, these results may be ac- cepted as both creditable and hopeful. Al- though since 1876, the medical care of the Ilospital has been in the hands of the Lucas County Homeopathic Society, its doors have been at all times open equally to physicians of whatever form of practice, who might see fit to attend upon the inmates.

In March, 1887, it was decided by the man- agers to proceed to the erection of a new Hos- pital building, and also to combine with the institution of an " Old Man's Home." Steps to that end have already been taken, and it is hoped that during another year an establish- ment will be furnished which will be a credit to Toledo.

The present officers of the Hospital are as follows :

President- Mrs. I. L. Clark.

Vice President-Mrs. I. N. Poe. Secretary-Mrs. A. E. Scott.

Treasurer-Mrs. H. H. Pierce.

Managers-Mesdames I. L. Clark, I. N. Poe, S. S. Lungren, A. E. Scott, Geo. Stebbins. John Farley, R. D. Flinn,* J. N. Stevens, J. G. Gould, W. T. Row- sey, S. W. Nettleton, H. H. Pierce, E. P. Raymond, Alonzo Chesbrough, F. C. Chapin, G. W. Hart, W. S. Thurstin, F. Trowbridge, W. Kline. T. P. Brown, W. B. Scott, A. L. Spitzer, J. Daiber, S. C. Schenck and C. W. Hussey.

Advisory Board-Messrs. H. S. Walbridge, Lean- der Burdick, J. K. Secor, F. C. Chapin, T. C. Row- land, W. S. Thurstin, I. N. Poe, C. A. King, J. H. Bowman, C. H. Buck, Richard Waite, W. H. Scott, P. F. Berdan*, E. H. Van Hoesen and S. R. Mae- laren.

CARE FOR THE INSANE.

Ohio has nothing to be ashamed of, in the treatment given to her unfortunate citizens with " minds diseased." No Western or South- ern State, and very few States in other sec- tions, are in advance of her in that respect. The Asylum at Columbus was among the first in the country in such provision; and as with increasing population the demand for such ac- commodations has advanced in magnitude, the call has been most promptly and liberally met in new institutions.

And what is said of the State, is as true of many Counties of Ohio, by which, as the State's

*Deceased.

562

HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.

facilities became exhausted, local provision was made, to the end that no unfortunate resident should suffer from lack of proper care. Lucas County was not backward in such provision. In 1871, an Asylum in connection with, but practically separate from, the County Infirm- ary, was established, in which ultimately ac- commodations were furnished for 100 patients, who were to be supplied with as complete facilities for care and treatment as the cireum- stances would permit. The original purpose was to provide for County demands only ; but as the resources of the State became exhausted, limited accommodations for State patients were furnished in the local Asylum. This arrange- ment has continued until this time.

In view of the increasing demand for accom- modations for the care of the insane of the State, the Legislature, in April, 1883, provided for a Commission whose duty it was made to determine upon a plan by which sueh provi- sion should be made, and to select a site for such new institution as they should decide upon.

The Commission appointed for the purpose, adopted the Detached-Ward System, and fixed the location near the City of Toledo, upon a tract of 150 acres of land donated for the pur- pose by Lucas County. The site is upon the old United States Military Road leading from Fort Wayne, on the Detroit River, to Fort Meigs, on the Maumee River, and about four and a half miles from the business center of Toledo ; having a frontage on the turnpike of 3,200 feet. The surface is even, and is 49 feet above Swan Creek, which is near by on the . North, and the Maumee River on the South, at a common stage of water, affording ample means for perfect drainage. The soil is dry, and easily brought to a high state of cultiva- tion, and is well adapted to Asylum purposes. The buildings are to be upon lines, at no point nearer than 450 feet distant from any public highway.

The location having been made by the Com- mission remote from either of the existing Asylums for the Insane, the Governor ap- pointed George L. Johnson and John W. Fuller, of the City of Toledo ; Wm. E. Haynes, of Fremont ; John W. Nelson, of Bryan ; and Robert G. Pennington, of Tiffin, Trustees, to proceed with the erection of the buildings under the plans and specifications adopted by the Commission. The Trustees organized by choosing Mr. Johnson as President, and Mr. Nelson as Secretary pro tem.

The plan of this Asylum is a somewhat radi- cal departure from that of any other institution for the insane in the State, and one of two or three only of similar design in the country. Itjwill comprise, when completed, about fifty buildings, and is known as the Detached Ward, or Cottage Plan, as distinguished from the old or " Kirkbride System," and will have a ca- pacity, without crowding, for accommodating

1,060 inmates. The following-named buildings constitute the plan, as adopted by the Trus- tees, to wit :

Administration building.

Kitchen and Bakery building.

2 Dining and Employes' buildings.

1 Laundry building.

1 Boiler House and Fuel building.

1 Store building.

I Chapel building.

2 Hospital buildings, to contain 60 patients.

2 Infirm ward

120

2 Strong

144

4 Pavilion

200

176

120

104

The contract for the erection of these build- ings was let in June, 1884, to M. J. & Wm. Ma- lone, for $399,763. This amount has been in- creased by improvements in execution of con- tract. The buildings are now (November, 1887) substantially completed and the Asylum nearly prepared for patients. The total cost of the establishment, including furniture and fur- nishings, is placed at 8750,000, which will pro- vide for 1,060 inmates and 212 employes, at a cost of 8707.15 per patient, against an average cost for each patient in 31 Asylums, of $1,175.

Following is the official roster of the Asylum for 1887 :

Board of Trustees-R. G. Pennington, Tiffin, President ; J. W. Fuller, Toledo; W. E. Haynes, Fremont ; John H. Doyle, Toledo ; D. W. H. Howard, Wanseon.

Architects-E. O. Fallis, Toledo; I. W. Yost, Co- lumbus.

Superintendent of Construction-James Winans. Superintendent-H. A. Tobey, M. D.

Assistant Physicians-H. C. Eyman, M. D .; S. W. Skinner, M. D.

Secretary-H. A. Tobey.

Matron-Mrs. M. C. Tobey.

Steward and Financial Officer-Alfred Wilkin.

Engineer, F. E. Peek.

Electrician-T. W. Day.

CEMETERIES.

The first provision made in Toledo for the deposit of the dead, consisted of about two acres of land set apart for that purpose about 1830. by Dexter Fisher. It was part of 80 acres owned by Mr. Fisher, and lay on the South side of the public road from Port Law- rence to Tremainesville, and near the crossing of Madison and Seventeenth Streets. It was used for several years and until about 1840, when it was abandoned for such purpose. The body of the 80-acre traet now constitutes Mott's First and Second Additions to Toledo.

Early in the history of Vistula, a small piece of ground now at the crossing of Lagrange and Bancroft Streets, was to a limited extent used for burial purposes. It was on the road from "Lower Town" to Monroe and Detroit ;

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HOSPITALS .- ASYLUMS .- CEMETERIES.

henco, the story of the man who stated that upon inquiring bis way to Detroit, he was told to take "the most traveled road," and soon found himself in a grave-yard. These grounds were not used to great extent, and were wholly abandoned about 1838.

In 1838, the proprietors of Port Lawrence plat set apart lot No. 859 (corner of Dorr and Lenk Streets), for burial purposes; and in January, 1839, the City Council made provi- sion for fencing the land and laying it out in lots. Ere long, however, the property was sold for taxes, and thus passed out of the hands of the City.

The first permanent provision by the City of Toledo for the burial of the dead was made in 1839, when eight acres of land was purchased of B. F. Stickney. It lay outside the City limits, and has been known as Forest Ceme- tery. From time to time, as occasion de- manded, the grounds were cleared and platted for market. By 1865, the accommodations of the premises had become so far exhausted, as to make further provision necessary, when a committee consisting of James C. Hall, Wm. Baker and D. E. Gardner, was appointed by the City Council, whose duty it was made to make examination of lands near to the City, with the view of ascertaining the most desir- able location for a new Cemetery. After care- ful examination these gentlemen made report recommending the purchase by the City of portions of Sections 22 and 23, Washington Township. The Council finally concluded that the location was too remote from the City, and made purchase of 18 acres adjoining Forest Cemetery, making a total of 26 acres. Since that extension (now 22 years), the rapidly in- creasing population of the City has with cor- responding rapidity reduced the accommoda- tions of these grounds, making necessary other provision. To this end, by an associa- tion of citizens, Woodlawn Cemetery Associ- ation was organized in December. 1876, and the following named Trustees elected, to wit : Wm. St. John, C. B. Phillips, H. S. Walbridge, J. L. Stratton, B. F. Griffin, Heman D. Wal- bridge, H. S. Stebbins, D. W. Curtis and Edward Malone. After careful examination of various tracts, it was found that the land recommended by the Council Committee in 1865, was most suitable for the purpose. It was known as the Richards farm, lying North- west of Ottawa River and coutaining 160 acres, and was purchased. Steps were at once taken for laying out the grounds for the pur- pose of the Association. The area is comprised in 79 seetions, containing about 8,000 lots and 5,000 single graves, with the requisite space for carrying out the park plan. The grounds lie favorable for convenience in use and beauty and taste in arrangements. The main improvements consist of a receiving vault, a chapel, an office, an artificial lake, a

system of sewerage, with drives and avenues. The prices of lots vary from 25 cents to $1.00 per square foot. The grounds were formally dedicated on Sunday, October 21, 1883,- the services being participated in by Revs. D. G. Strong, Win. W. Williams, B. 1. Wood and J. A. P. MeGaw; by Messrs. F. R. Williams and S. C. Bennett, and Misses Genevra Johnson and Mary Spencer, as singers ; Mrs. Heman D. Walbridge reciting a poem, and Mr. W. H. Maher reading an original poem. H. S. Walbridge, President of the Association, addressed the audience in explanation of the action of the Board in connection with the grounds. The present officers of the Associa- tion are as follows :

President-Horace S. Walbridge.

Vice President-Joseph K. Seeor.

Treasurer -Edgar H. Van Hoesen.

Clerk-Thomas H. Walbridge.

Trustees-11. S. Wałbridge, J. K. Secor, J. J. Barker, A. E. Macomber, S. M. Young, W. S. Brain- ard, Robert Barber, C. F. Curtis, Dennis Maloney, A. Burger, Dr. O. S. Brigham, Dr. Albert Claypool.

Superintendent and Engineer-Frank Eurich.

In this connection the following list of the principal Cemeteries of the United States, with the dates of their establishment and areas, will be of interest :

Name.

Location.

Established. Acres.

Mount Anburn

Boston

1831

130

Laurel Hill

Philadelphia

1836

200

Greenwood

Long Island

1838

450

Green Mount

Baltimore

1839

Mount Hope

Rochester.

1845

Alleghany

Pittsburgh

1845

360

Cave Hill

Louisville

1845

200

Spring Grove

Cincinnati

1845

600

Hollywood

Richmond

1847

Forest Ilills

Boston

18-18

200

Cypress Hill

Long Island

1848

400

Calvary

New York

1848

100

Evergreen

New Haven

1849

Oak Hill

Georgetown, D. C 1849

Bellefontaine

St. Louis.

1849

332

Forest Lawn

Buffalo

1850

250

Woodland

Boston

1851

100

Evergreen

Brooklyn

1851

340

Lutheran

New York

1852

400

Elmwood

Memphis

1852

Fairmount

Newark, N. J

1855

Swan Point

Providence 1858

Rose Hill

Chicago

1859

250

Newton

Boston.

1860

Oak Ridge

Springfield, 111 1860

Woodlawn

New York

1863

400

Crown Hill

Indianapolis

1863

360

Oakwood

Chicago

1864

300

Mountain View

Oakland

1865

200

Cedar Hill

Hartford

1868

254

Woodmere

Detroit

1869

200

West Laurel Ilill __ Philadelphia

1869

115

Lake View

Cleveland

1870

300

Riverside

Cleveland

1875

102

Woodlawn

Toledo

1876

160

Oakwood

Troy, N. Y

Forest Hills

Utica, N. Y

Forest Home

Milwaukee

200

Lone Mountain

San Francisco

250

564

HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.

Beside the Cemeteries above mentioned, are the following, within the City, or used for the burial of the dead from the City, to wit :

COLLINGWOOD CEMETERY .- Phillips Avenue, near Duke Street, West Toledo : in connection with West Toledo Methodist Episcopal Church.

ST. FRANCIS DE SALES .- Northwest corner La- grange Street and Manhattan Road ; in connection with St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church.

ST. MARY'S .- Northwest corner Lagrange Street and Manhattan Road; in connection with St. Mary's Catholic Church, and adjoining the grounds of St. Franeis de Sales.

ST. PATRICK'S .- South side Wayne Street and be- tween Western Avenue and Gibbons Street ; in con- nection with St. Patrick's Catholic Church.

ST. PETER'S. - Southeast corner of Western Avenue and Wayne Street ; in connection with St. Peter's Catholic Church.

CEMETERY BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION .- Cemetery East side Maumee River, opposite Water Works ; de- signed chiefly for burial of Jewish persons. Officers of the Association : N. D. Oesterman, President ; S. Van Noorden, Vice President ; J. Simon, Secretary ; L. Geleerd, Treasurer.

WILLOW CEMETERY .- In Oregon Township, near Toledo City line, and between Woodville and Grasser Streets. It belongs to Oregon Township. On these grounds is the monument, erected mainly by mem- bers of Ford Post Grand Army of the Republic and citizens of East Toledo and Oregon.

CALVARY CEMETERY .- On Dorr Street and ad- joining the Agricultural Fair Grounds. It contains about 60 acres of land ; is designed for the use of all Catholic Churches, and was dedicated in November, 1887, by Bishop Gilmour, of Cleveland Diocese.

GRAVE ROBBING.

The first ease of " grave robbing" in the Maumee Valley, probably, occurred at Fort Meigs, in 1823, when the body of Bailey Blaikesley was disinterred. It was found

partly disseeted, in the barn of a Surgeon. A public meeting was held, a committee of which reported that under the law, all that could be done was to " prosecute the accused for larceny, in taking away the shroud or winding sheet of the dead; " whereupon, the meeting entreated and advised the parties con- cerned "to leave the place in 90 days." All did not accept this invitation, one of them continuing there for nearly 60 years beyond the " 90 days " named for his departure. The deceased was a young man who had been in the neighborhood about a year, and was attended by one of the physicians charged as above. Among the citizens taking part in the meeting referred to, were Samnel Hubbell, Wm. Pratt and Samnel Spafford. It may justly be stated in this connection, that the facilities enjoyed in this region by medical practitioners and Surgeons at that time for the study of the human system, were very meagre, in com- parison with those supplied by the various Medical Schools of the present day ; and the opportunities for obtaining subjects for dis- section correspondingly less than now. Hence, there may well be liberal allowance made for any vigorous efforts by practitioners to seeure such means for the study of their profession.

At his store in Toledo in 1838, C. G. Me- Knight sold " Miles's Compound Extract of Tomato-a sovereign remedy for fevers of all kinds-warranted to cure if directions were followed." Until that time and thereafter, the Tomato had been popularly known as the Love Apple," was cultivated to very limited extent, and almost wholly as a garden ornament. Its flavor was such as to require cultivation of taste for it, while there was more or less prejudice against it on the score of its alleged poisonous qualities.

CHAPTER III.

DRAINAGE. - WATER SUPPLY, - PARKS.

DRAINAGE.

PRIL 18, 1839, the Council first recognized A the necessity for draining the lower lands within the City, by authorizing the Street Commissioner to " take immediate measures to fill up, drain or otherwise to improve all the low and marshy grounds in the City," provided such improvement cost not to exceed $500-a sum sadly inadequate to the end for which miles of sewers have since been constrneted at a cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

" Draining Mud Creek," was the subject of an editorial in the Blade of February 28, 1845. Said Creek was then a sluggish stream-hardly more than a lagoon-running generally paral- lel with the River and lying North of Summit Street, in what is yet more or less low ground. At the date named it was a source of much sickness-probably a main contributor to the bad repute as to health which Toledo then bad.

The first sewer constructed in Toledo was placed in Monroe Street, in 1848. It extended from the River 1,700 feet on Monroe, and thenee East 300 feet to the lagoon between that Street and Jefferson. It was sunken from 10 to 15 feet ; was 3x4 feet in size and cost about $3,000, or $1.50 per foot. The second sewer was in Oak Street; same size as in Monroe Street ; extending from River to St. Clair Street, 850 feet; cost $5,500; with open drain from St. Clair to the Canal, 1,400 feet; which cost $1,300.

Since the construction of the two Sewers named, that branch of improvement has gone forward with more or less of regularity, until the City now possesses one of the best systems of drainage in the country. Few localities have had more of topographical obstaeles to contend with in that connection, than has To- ledo. Visitors now coming bere can have no adequate appreciation of what has been accom- plished, except as they examine the record of results. The large extent of lagoon, swale and marsh, which at the outset substantially occupied the space between Summit and Mich- igan and Monroe and Cherry Streets-the.very heart of the City-has almost wholly disap- peared, here and there now appearing a few localities showing the original level, while these are thoroughly drained. In this con- neetion it may be stated, that in 1833, Messrs. Jessup W. and J. Austin Scott, undertook an examination of the 70-aere tract then recently purchased by the former gentleman, on which

now are the Court House and High School build- ing, of which mention is more particularly made elsewhere. Upon reaching the present crossing of Huron and Adams Streets, they found that in their close attention to jumping from log to bog in the swale which then covered the locality, they had missed their geographical bearings, and knew not their way out. In fact, they were " lost," and were guided out of their di- lemma only by the sound of a high-pressure Steamboat passing in the River. No part of Toledo is now more thoroughly drained or more healthful, than the locality of that old swale.

The results of Sewer construction in Toledo to December 31, 1886, are shown in the fol- lowing statement, to wit :

No. Sewers built

258

No. Man-holes to same.

1,181

No. Catch-basins

1,194

Sizes and extent-6 feet diameter, miles

2.2666

3.3170

3.8709

2.5626

31.0263

20 inch

1.3321

1 foot

.0633

Total length of Sewers, miles

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History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio, Part 111

Author: Waggoner, Clark, 1820-1903 Publication date: 1888 Publisher: New York and Toledo : Munsell & Company Number of Pages: 1408

Author: Waggoner, Clark, 1820-1903
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: New York and Toledo : Munsell & Company
Number of Pages: 1408