USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > Official report of the centennial celebration of the founding of the city of Cleveland and the settlement of the Western Reserve > Part 33
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From 1880 to 1884. Dr. Haydn was not pastor of the First Church, having ac- cepted a missionary secretaryship in New York City. Rev. Arthur Mitchell, D. D., was pastor during these four years, when he resigned to become a secretary of the Board of Foreign Missions.
In 1884, the Old Stone Church received a second baptism of fire, but the edifice was rebuilt upon the old site, and Dr. Haydn returned to the pastorate.
For many years attempts had been made to form a Presbyterian church upon the West Side, and at last a Sunday-school was started on Pearl street by members of the First Church. Under the fostering care of Rev. Giles HI. Dunning, who had been called to assist Dr. Haydn, at the time the latter was president of Western Reserve University, this mission Sunday-school became in 1889, Bethany Presbyterian Church. After a few years' life on Pearl street, this church has lately moved into a fine stone chapel, at the corner of Gordon avenue and West Clinton street.
There being no Presbyterian church upon the South Side, the Presbyterian Union erected a chapel at the corner of Seranton avenue and Prame street. A church was organized in 1802, with Rev. James D. Corwin as pastor. Rev. J. L. Roemer is the present pastor of this South Presbyterian Church.
Another child of the Presbyterian Union, but founded principally by Dr. Haydn's efforts, is Windermere Presbyterian Church, Rev. Charles L. Zorbaugh, pastor. This young church, organized January 5, 1896, is east of the city, mid-way between Lake View and East Cleveland. But the two oldest children of the Old Stone Church have become mothers of churches. In 1855, the Second Presbyterian Church started the Mayflower Mission, which issued, in April, 1872, into the Woodland Avenue Presby- terian Church, one of the largest churches in Cleveland. Its property is located at the corner of Woodland avenue and Kennard street, and part of its equipment for Christian work is one of the largest Sunday-school buildings in the country. The pastors, who have served this church are: Rev. Messrs. E. P. Gardner, S. L. Blake, G. L. Spinnig, Paul F. Sutphen and Charles Townsend. Rev. Robert G. Hutchins, D. D., is the present pastor.
A second mission of the Second Presbyterian Church was started on Willson avenue in 1874, and in March, 1882, it became the Willson Avenue Presbyterian Church. Rev. Carlos T. Chester was the first pastor of this church, and Rev. Arthur J. Waugh Serves it at present.
In 1876, Mr. T. Sterling Beckwith, an elder in the Second Presbyterian Church,
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left by will certain property: the income of which was to be expended in founding a church, or churches to be known by his name. In 1885, a chapel was erected on Fair- mount street, near Euclid avenue, which became in time Beckwith Memorial Presby- terian Church. Rev., now Prof. Mattoon M. Curtis, was the first pastor of this church, and Rev. James D. Williamson now occupies its pulpit. The church is located near Adelbert College.
One Presbyterian church is the child of the Euclid Avenue Presbyterian Church, the Case Avenue Presbyterian Church, located on Case avenue, at the corner of Cedar avenue. This church sprang from a mission Sunday-school, and was organized into the Memorial Presbyterian Church, October, 1870, but the name was afterwards changed. to the Case Avenue Presbyterian Church. The pastors of this church have been Rev. Messrs. James A. Skinner, Francis A. Horton, Rollo Ogden, and P. E. Kipp. The present pastor is Rev. Finley F. Kennedy.
The only other Presbyterian church in Cleveland that did not spring from the First Church, or from any of her children, is the Miles Park Presbyterian Church, which is next to the Old Stone Church in age, and which was founded in 1832, in Newburgh, now South Cleveland. Rev. Eleroy Curtis, D. D., was pastor of this church for many years, and for the past ten years Rev. Arthur C. Ludlow has been its pastor.
The network of Presbyterian churches in Cleveland thus numbers seventeen, be- sides several mission Sunday-schools connected with them. The aggregate member- ship of the churches is about 6,500. All the congregations are admirably housed, and the value of the entire property is fully $1,000,000. The churches furnish sittings for about 10,000 worshipers, while in the Sunday-schools there are about 6,500 scholars. During the last twenty years, the Presbyterian churches of Cleveland have trebled their membership, while the city has increased two-fold in population. The work and influence, however, of Cleveland Presbyterianism cannot be judged by its de- nominational statistics alone. In all the undenominational works of charity, Cleve- land Presbyterians take a prominent part. To the various Christian Associations, Friendly Inns, Kindergartens, Nurseries and Hospitals, Presbyterians give liberal support. The Home for Aged Women, the Children's Aid Society, Farm, Home and Chapel, the Infants' Rest, the Lend-a-Hand Mission, and two Day Nurseries are ex- clusively the gifts of Presbyterians and their affiliations.
In educational matters the record of Cleveland Presbyterians is admirable. West- ern Reserve University, although an undenominational institution, has received, from the beginning of its existence in Hudson, the support of Cleveland Presbyterians. Presidents Pierce, Hitchcock, Cutler and Haydn, who served the institution for over sixty years, were Presbyterians, and in the past seventeen years over $3,000,000 has been given, principally by members of the Old Stone Church, to education.
It will thus be seen that from the first, the Old Stone Church, "The Mother of Us All," began to give out while as yet it was small, to replenish itself, and again to give forth, and so on unto this very day. There have been received from the beginning over 4,000 communicants into this fountain source of Presbyterianism, and about 750 of its members have aided in founding new churches. The church stands in the very center of the business portion of the city, and has received an endowment of over $100,000, that it may carry on work in such an important field, and through the late gift of the Goodrich House, important institutional work will soon be commenced in the heart of the city of Cleveland.
To give a list of the names of the men and women who have been prominently identified with the Presbyterian work in Cleveland would be to give the names of those who have been foremost in the professional, business and social circles of the city ; and great as the achievement of Presbyterianism has been in the past, the future promises still greater results.
In this Centenmal year of our city's life, even this brief review of the past record of Cleveland Presbyterianism ought to be sufficient guarantee for the future, that in every good work which shall be for the uplifting of our municipal life, Presbyterians will not be found wanting.
In the afternoon the subject was changed to Philanthropy. J. W. Walton, presiding. The exercises opened at 2 o'clock with prayer and singing. Mr. L. F. Mellen read an exhaustive and well prepared paper on " The History of the Charities of Cleveland. " The author said that the first record of charity was made in 1827, when the population of Cleveland had reached about one thousand. " Just about the time of the opening of the Ohio Canal," said he, " the families of some work-
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men on the canal appealed to the citizens for help, and provisions were distributed to them. In 1828, the first coal was brought to Cleveland, but no sale could be found. The housewives objected to buying or using it on account of the dirt and smoke it created, and it was donated to some poor people who were destitute of fuel. About this time large quantities of produce were gathered up in Cleveland and vicinity and sent to destitute emigrants in Michigan and other territories, who had not crops enough for their own support." Mr. Mellen gave a valuable statement of the charitable enterprises and various institutions of the city, which may be found in a neatly bound pamphlet entitled, a " His- tory of the Charities of Cleveland," printed in 1896.
Dr. C. F. Dutton delivered an address on " The Mutual Relations of Riches and Poverty."
"There must be something out of joint," said Dr. Dutton, "when the relations of wealth and poverty are such that within a stone's throw of each other exist on the one hand extreme poverty with its attendant suffering, and on the other royal wealth with its plentitude of luxury. Poverty is not always due to ignorance, idleness, or vice. Wealth is not always gained by knowledge, ability, or honesty."
"It is true that the productiveness of the world will ever be ample to satisfy the wants of all, but in the nature of things its fruits can never be equally distributed, and poverty can never be done away with. Its wants may be relieved, its griefs as- suaged, its sufferings alleviated, its tendencies to pauperism and crime arrested. Yes, more; they may be turned into channels of general blessing. Poverty is as essential to the world's progress as wealth; and what is essential cannot be discarded."
The speaker continued for some time in the discussion of economic and social problems, and was followed by Rabbi Moses J. Gries, who talked briefly on organized philanthropy. Rabbi Gries said that busi- ness men were being asked every day to contribute toward charitable organizations of which they knew nothing. In having so many different organizations much money and energy were wasted. Rabbi Gries said that mere almsgiving, without looking into the cause of the poverty of the person to whom assistance was given, did more injury than good.
This concluded the session, and with this session came to a close the series of conferences.
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GOVERNOR BUSHNELL AND GOVERNOR LIPPITT WITH MEMBERS OF THEIR OFFICIAL STAFFS.
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CHAPTER XVII. ARRIVAL OF RHODE ISLAND PARTY.
SEPTEMBER 9, 1896.
Governor Charles Warren Lippitt and staff, of Rhode Island, ar- rived in Cleveland Wednesday morning, September 9th, in response to an invitation extended by the Centennial Commission to participate in the exercises of Perry's Victory Day. A party of Cleveland citizens met the Governor at Painesville, the delegation comprising James H. Hoyt, James M. Richardson, H. R. Hatch and Captain F. A. Kendall. When the Union Depot was reached another delegation was in waiting, Mayor McKisson, Director-General Day and others having assembled to re- ceive the visitors. The Rhode Island party traveled in a private car. Besides the governor were Lieutenant-Governor Edwin R. Allen, Speaker of the House of Representatives S. W. Allen, Adjutant-General Frederick M. Sackett, Colonel Robert W. Taft, Colonel Webster Knight, Colonel Charles E. Ballou, Colonel George M. Thornton, Colonel Regi- nald Norman, Quartermaster-General Charles R. Dennis, Lieutenant- Colonel W. Howard Walker, Lieutenant-Colonel Lester E. Hill, Lieuten- ant Charles Abbott, U. S. A .; Major Charles E. Peckham, Naval Reserves; Hon. George L. Smith, Hon. Samuel Clark, Hon. Warren (). Arnold, Hon. John Wyman and the governor's private secretary and one or two newspaper men. Three ladies also made the journey, Mrs. Lippitt, Mrs. George M. Thornton, and Mrs. Charles E. Ballou. There was further- more a baby in the party, Alexander Farnham Lippitt, six months old, the Governor's son. As the train drew up a detail from the light artil- lery fired the governor's salute from the top of the hill east of the sta- tion. After an exchange of greetings the members of the party, together with the Cleveland citizens, took carriages for the Hollenden, headed by ten members of Troop A, Ohio National Guard. Governor Bushnell had arrived in the city early in the morning and was a guest at the same hotel.
In the afternoon the visitors were taken for a drive, stopping at Wade Park to attend an interesting programme of exercises incident to the decoration of Commodore Perry's statue. The exercises were in charge of a special committee and were characterized by deep patriot- ism on the part of both old and young. Three thousand people assem- bled in the vicinity of the monument and listened to addresses by prominent men. The marble statue was draped in the national colors, while in front was placed a brilliant floral ship bedecked with little flags and bearing the famous words of Perry, "Don't Give Up the Ship." Wreaths were hung about the statue and flags and flowers were freely used wherever opportunity offered. The members of Army and Navy Post, Memorial Post, Forest City Post. and Steadman Post, of the Grand Army of the Republic, turned out to the exercises in large num- bers. Among the distinguished persons present were ex-Senator M. C.
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Butler, of South Carolina, a nephew of the illustrious commodore; Colonel O. H. Perry, of Elmhurst, N. Y., a grandnephew of the com- modore; Rev. C. E. Manchester, D. D., and his brother, D. W. Man- chester, third cousins of the commodore. A band of music enlivened the occasion with patriotic airs. , Major W. J. Gleason, Chairman of the Perry's Victory Day Committee, presided. Prayer was offered by Rev. C. E. Manchester. Brief speeches were made by Major Gleason, Colonel C. C. Dewstoe, Hon. George W. Pepper, Governor Lippitt, ex- Senator Butler and J. G. W. Cowles. Governor Lippitt was especially happy in his remarks .. He said :
I wish to express to you the sincere and hearty thanks of the people of Rhode Island for the repeated honor which you have extended to Commodore Perry. This is the first time that I have seen this monument. It is a great delight to me to have the privilege of representing the good old State of Rhode Island on this occasion. I have heard that you people of Ohio think of Oliver Hazard Perry much as we do near his old home. His services are esteemed beyond measure. He is an example not only to the youth of his State and Ohio, but to the youth of this great country, and as long as the stars and stripes float, so long will the name of Perry be dear to our people. If it is ever necessary again to lock horns with John Bull, the spirit of Perry will en- able us to take as good care of that animal as he did then.
The following proclamation was issued by Mayor McKisson on September 9th, in reference to Perry's Victory Day :
It is earnestly and respectfully urged that the citizens of Cleveland, as far as pos- sible, turn aside from their usual avocations on Thursday, September 10th, and heartily engage in the festivities and ceremonies of Perry's Victory Day. This anniversary, recalling as it does the great pivotal battle for national supremacy on the lakes, is a significant and important event in the city's history, and its proper celebration merits enthusiastic co-operation on the part of all. Eighty-three years ago the announce- ment of that famous victory came to Cleveland, then a struggling village. To-day finds it a city in which 370,000 people rejoice in the benefits of freedom and liberty for which the gallant Perry fought. It is their privilege to light the city's patriotic fires to burn through the coming century.
Cleveland is proud and happy to open wide her gates and give most cordial greet- ing to Governor Lippitt and other distinguished representatives of Commodore Perry's native State. She is also honored with the presence of Governor Bushnell and thou- sands of visitors from Ohio and surrounding States. . To this multitude of guests from far and near the Forest City is dedicated for this holiday, and hails the coming host with " Welcome, thrice welcome, one and all."
ROBERT E. MCKISSON, Mayor.
CHAPTER XVIII.
PERRY'S VICTORY DAY.
SEPTEMBER IO, 1896.
PERRY
September roth, the closing day of the Centennial, dawned in a wealth of autumn sunshine. It was such a day as that in 1813, when Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry moved his sturdy fleet out over the waters of Lake Erie for his famous engagement with the British under Barclay. A gentle breeze arose during the morning, dying away as the day advanced. Everything was perfect for the celebration of Perry's Victory Day, and all the people rejoiced in the opportunity of doing honor to the great naval hero.
The programme opened with a national salute at sunrise, fired on the brow of the hill overlooking the lake. The roar of the cannon on shore was augmented by a returning fire from guns on board the United States steamer Michigan, which lay at anchor in the harbor. This continued bombardment made the early hours lively and thoroughly suggestive of naval warfare. Soon the streets took on their usual holiday appearance. Delegations from the country came early and brought their luncheons with them prepared to stay. Residents of the city did their work hastily and turned out to swell the crowd. Carriages containing members of the Centennial Commission and distinguished guests rolled here and there, while bands of music and men in uniform made their way gayly through the streets. The cele- bration proper began with a mass meeting in the Central Armory in the forenoon, and was continued in a grand military, civic, naval and in- dustrial parade in the afternoon, and a fireworks display on the lake front, and banquet in the evening.
A representative audience attended the meeting in the Armory, which was opened at 10 o'clock. On the platform were the Governor of Rhode Island, Commodore Perry's native State, and the Governor of Ohio, the scene of his wonderful achievement. Many State and city officials and men high in public life, members of the Centennial Commis- sion, and a number of lineal descendants of the great Commodore were also present. Conspicuous in the decorations of the hall were a large portrait of Perry and a picture of his birthplace, at South Kingston, R. I. The meeting was devoted to eulogies of Perry and to patriotic expressions for the blessings of peace which later years had brought.
After two selections by the Centennial Band, prayer was offered by Rev. Dr. John Mitchell. Mayor MeKisson then advanced and delivered the opening address. He spoke as follows:
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Ladies and Gentlemen :
The people of Cleveland and the Western Reserve have come together to-day to join hands and hearts in one of the most memorable and worthy celebrations ever conducted in the Central West. Not only is our own beautiful city, which is now re- joicing in the completion of one hundred years of civic life, deeply interested in this demonstration. but our friends from the distant State of Rhode Island, filled with patriotic devotion and loyal pride, have journeyed half way across the continent to unite with us in commemorating one of the greatest achievements of the closing century.
To you all we give a warm and hearty greeting. We, who belong to Cleveland, are glad of our New England ancestors; not only that, but are delighted on every occa- sion to do them honor. It is a great and especial pleasure for us to welcome to our city as the orator and distinguished guest of this day, the chief executive of that great, though smallest State in the Union, the State of Rhode Island. To our friends from "Little Rhody" we give the cordial hand of friendship-yea, the greeting is more than that of friend to friend, it is that of brother to brother. Together our fathers stood for this New England and together we, their sons, stand for it now. It is ours to preserve the fire of liberty and patriotism handed down by them, and hand it down in turn to those who are to follow us. Rhode Island was Commodore Perry's native State, and for such a small State, we must admit, it gave him a vast amount of courage and pluck. It was from Rhode Island, also, that many members of that famous crew came to Lake Erie. This visit, Governor Lippitt, reminds many citizens of Cleveland of a similar celebration in this city, thirty-six years ago. Another governor then rep- resented your State and was welcomed by another mayor. The cause of that celebra- tion was the unveiling of a beautiful Parian marble statue of Perry in our Public Square. Almost four decades have passed, and the children of that day have now passed the meridian line of life. The enthusiasm for Perry and his victory is none the less genuine, however, to-day, and the homage we give him is none the less real and patriotic. We are also proud and happy to greet on this occasion and welcome again to Cleveland the Governor of the State of Ohio, the honorary president of the Centennial Commission, Governor Bushnell. His kindly interest and assistance have done much to make our celebration a success, and as citizens of Cleveland we wish to extend to him our hearty thanks for his important co-operation. To all our guests, whether from far or near, we give unfeigned welcome to this, the closing feature of our city's celebration.
The event we celebrate to-day brings vividly to our mind one of the bravest, bold- est characters known in naval history. By a single battle he immortalized himself. His is a name which will never die, but will always have a brilliant place in the role of the world's greatest heroes. Eighty-three years ago this morning Oliver Hazard Perry made that gallant and successful contest on the waters of Lake Erie, with his nine trusty vessels and his force of doughty fighters. He met Commodore Barclay's fleet and for three hours the battle raged. When it was over and the roar of cannon had subsided, came that famous and oft-repeated message, " We have met the enemy and they are ours." [Applause. ] Mention the name of Perry and that dispatch always comes to mind. What real significance was attached to that great conflict on that bright September morning or what it meant to our country and to our flag is not neces- sary to relate to an American audience. Every citizen is familiar with those facts. Every boy can tell the story of that bitter controversy. It was a battle which marked a pivotal point in our nation's history, and upon the outcome of which depended, to a large degree, whether America should rule the inland seas or yield to British tyranny and sacrifice its sacred rights.
It is proper and appropriate that we should have in this centennial year a Perry's Victory Day, and show that Cleveland's enthusiasm does not grow cold even in the lapse of years. Where could a more appropriate place be found, or when a better time than here on the edge of Lake Erie in the twiligift of our city's closing century ? It is right that this day should be observed as it is, and I trust all will join in the exer- cises of the day heartily and with carnestness. Were the time sufficient it would be interesting to trace the growth of commerce on the lakes since the time of Perry's victorious battle in its behalf. Vessels owned in Cleveland then could be quickly counted. Over 7,500 now enter and clear at this port every year. The lake tonnage owned in Cleveland amounts to more than $20,000,000, surpassing that of every Ameri- can city except New York. Cleveland to day is the greatest iron ore market in the world, the greatest ship building city in the United States, the oil ruler of the globe, and she stands as the champion leader in education. These are but a few of the crowning achievements and privileges that bless our city and our citizens to-day.
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From a town of 44,000 at the time of the first Perry celebration, it has grown and de- veloped until it now has 370,000 population, a city covering thirty-two square miles of territory and unsurpassed in many respects by any municipality on the globe. Such a city does this anniversary behold, but who can tell the promise of its future greatness or power ? The century now dawning is the only source to which we can turn for our answer.
In closing I wish to say that we are glad for the exercises and observances of this centennial season, and believe that they have done much to benefit our city and bring it permanently to public view. We are glad to weave a wreath of laurel once more about Perry's brow and to engage in this patriotic celebration in honor of his deeds. In the new century there will be battles of other kinds to fight, and may it be that we shall come off as victorious as did Perry, and may the motto of this Centennial be the motto of the coming years-" Unity and Progress." [Applause. ]
The mayor then introduced Governor Bushnell as permanent chair- man of the meeting, presenting him as he did so with a gavel made from wood taken from the flagship Lawrence. The governor accepted it, saying :
I am glad to use this gavel, made from the timber of Perry's good flagship, Low- rence, which was so badly disabled as to cause the commodore to leave her and go to the Niagara.
It is fitting that Cleveland should celebrate Perry's victory, and there are few cities that could so well celebrate their Centennial, for there is no city that has such a large and patriotic population, and it may be said also that there are few States as well fitted to celebrate patriotic achievements as Ohio.
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