USA > Ohio > Ohio's progressive sons; a history of the state; sketches of those who have helped to build up the commonwealth > Part 14
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90
156
remained until the 11th of March, 1861, when it was changed to Commercial Hospital of Cincinnati, and became a city institution.
The State afterwards built two additional hospitals for the insane, one at Dayton and the other in the northern part of Ohio, and on the 7th of April, 1856, the Legislature passed "an act to provide for the uniform government and better regulation of the lunatic asylums of the State and the care of idiots and insane," which divided the State into three districts, known as the Northern, Central and Southern Districts. Hamilton County, together with thirteen other counties, constituted the Southern District, the asylum for which was located at Dayton, but on the Ioth of March, 1857, the Legislature passed an act making Hamilton County a separate district for lunatic asylum purposes, and providing for the erection and government of an asylum therein, and that the commissioners shall cause all the insane of the county to be placed in such asylum when completed. The act further provided that the inmates of the asylum be supported and the salaries of its officers be paid from a "fund consisting of all the money raised in the county of Hamilton by county tax for the support of idiots, lunatics and insane persons, and of such appropriations as shall be made by the State for the support of curable lunatics in said asylum, equal to the amount annually raised by taxation from the county of Hamilton for the support of lunatic asylums in the State." An act of the 28th of April, 1873, which repealed the provisions of the act of 1857, and sub- stituted in its place a law which provided that Hamilton County should receive, for the support of Longview Asylum, a sum which should bear such a proportion to the entire appropriations for the support of the curable insane of the State as the population of Ham- ilton County bears to the population of the State outside of said county.
The injustice of the law of 1873 has been so apparent that no General Assembly since 1880 has insisted on its enforcement. In the years 1880 to 1883, both inclusive, the Legisla- ture appropriated $10,000 each year in excess of the amount due under the statute of 1873. Since 1883 the Legislature has wholly disregarded the rule of 1873, and has appropriated to Longview gross sums, in the same manner that appropriations were made to the other asylums.
The care of the insane in Hamilton County is an exception to the general system of the State, and for more than twenty years spasmodic efforts have been made on the part of the State to acquire the ownership and control of Longview, and to make it part of the State system, but to no practical end.
THE COLUMBUS STATE HOSPITAL. The "Lunatic Asylum of Ohio" was organ- ized by act of the Thirty-fourth General Assembly, passed on the 5th of March, 1835, and Samuel Parsons, William M. Awl and Samuel F. McCracken were appointed directors. These directors selected a tract of land about one mile east and north of the State House, in Columbus, comprising thirty acres. This tract fronted south on what is now East Broad- way, and the western boundary was near what is now Washington avenue. During the next three years they erected a building on these grounds at a cost of about sixty-one thou- sand dollars. The institution accommodated one hundred and twenty patients, and was the first institution for the treatment of the insane organized west of the Alleghenies. On the 2Ist of May, 1838, William M. Awl. M. D., of Columbus, was elected Medical Superinten- dent by the Trustees, and the first patient was received on the 30th of November of that year.
The building was two hundred and ninety-five feet in length and contained one hun- dred and fifty-three single rooms. The directors apologized for the apparently extravagant size by saying that it would be required in a few years. Yet it was the only asylum the State then had.
157
At the present time the State has accommodations for more than seven thousand five hundred patients in the several "State Hospitals" at Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Toledo, Longview, Massillon and Athens, and every institution is crowded to its full capacity. Dr. Awl was in charge as Superintendent until 1850, a period of twelve years, when he was suc- ceeded by Samuel H. Smith, M. D. He was succeeded in 1852 by E. Kendrick, M. D., and he by George E. Eels, M. D., in June, 1854. On the Ist of August, 1855, Dr. Richard Gundry, who later became so prominent in the care of the insane in Ohio and the United States, was appointed Assistant Physician. In July, 1856, Dr. R. Hills, of Delaware, was appointed Superintendent. He held the position for several years, and was succeeded by Dr. William L. Peck. On the evening of the 18th of November, 1868, the asylum caught fire and was almost wholly destroyed. There were three hundred and fourteen patients in the asylum, and six were suffocated by the smoke before they could be rescued. The others were removed to the asylums at Cincinnati, Cleveland and Dayton, which latter two had been built since the Columbus Hospital was organized. On the 23rd of April, 1869, an act was passed by the Legislature authorizing the rebuilding of the asylum on the old grounds. Contracts were let on the 23rd of September, 1869, and work was begun on the foundation on the 24th of October in the same year. Winter soon stopped the progress, however, and during the ensuing session of the Legislature. on the 18th of April, 1870, a bill was passed authorizing the sale of the old tract and the purchase of a new site to contain three hundred acres of land. Governor R. B. Hayes, State Treasurer S. S. Warner and Attorney General F. B. Pond were appointed a commission to sell the old site and to purchase a new one. The commission was required to sell the old site at a price not less than two hundred thou- sand dollars, and to purchase a new site of not less than three hundred acres at the cost not to exceed one hundred thousand dollars. The commission reported in favor of the purchase of three hundred acres from William S. Sullivan, on the high lands west of Columbus, and across the Scioto Valley, paying therefor two hundred and fifty dollars per acre. The Trustees took charge of this tract, which is the present site of the hospital, on the 5th of May, 1870. The site of the building was determined upon, work was begun under the old contracts, which had been transferred to the new site, and the corner-stone was laid on the 4th of July of that year. The institution was finally completed on the 4th of July. 1877, just seven years from the laying of the corner-stone. The total cost of con- struction at the time of the opening was one million five hundred and twenty thousand nine hundred and eighty dollars. At the time of Ohio's first centennial celebration the cost of construction had exceeded two million dollars.
THE CLEVELAND STATE HOSPITAL, with a capacity of one hundred and two, was opened in 1855 by Dr. L. Firestone, with about fifty patients. The district consisted of twenty-two counties. embracing about one third of the State. In September, 1872, it was almost entirely destroyed by fire, but few lives being lost, however, notwithstanding that the patients numbered some three hundred. An act providing for the reconstruction of the build- ing was passed in 1873, and work began immediately. It was not completed until 1875. Some years later the building was enlarged, and at present it has a capacity of one thousand. The seating capacity of the amusement hall is eight hundred. In the dining room six hundred patients are fed three times daily, during which time music is rendered by the orchestra. The hospital is situated on an elevated piece of land in the southern part of the township, the grounds occupying ninety-eight acres, the greater part of which is laid out in park. The building can be seen for miles and is a noted landmark.
THE DAYTON STATE HOSPITAL. The Dayton District comprises ten counties. The Hospital was first occupied in 1855, with a capacity of one hundred and sixty two, and
158
is located on a hill southeast of the city of Dayton. The original building contained six wards, with a capacity of one hundred and sixty-four. It was continually enlarged, until today the total capacity is about eight hundred. The annual expenditure for the support of the hospital is about one hundred and fifty-four dollars per patient.
THE ATHENS STATE HOSPITAL was under process of construction from 1868 until 1874. Dr. Richard Gundry was the superintendent of construction and continued in that position from 1872 until 1876. While it can be said that the Athens State Hospital never had an inefficient Superintendent, it will be noticed that two of the Superintendents, Dr. Gundry and Dr. Richardson, attained a National reputation in their line of work. This hospital is in close proximity to the beautiful and historical city of Athens. While it is not the largest in the State, it is certainly one of the best. It is here that, years ago, Dr. Richardson first took the straight jacket of the inmates and inaugurated a new era in the treatment of insane patients. It was also during his Superintendency that the congregate dining room system
E
HOSPITAL BUILDING MASSILLON
was inaugurated in the State of Ohio. The original capacity of the institution was only five hundred and seventy-two, but by new arrangements in addition the capacity has been enlarged to eight hundred and thirteen. The greatest number of patients ever in the insti- tution at one time was one thousand and twelve, during 1904. The institution is sur- rounded by grounds which are both spacious and beautiful, containing walks, drives, gardens and artificial lakes abutting on the south bank of the Hocking River.
THE TOLEDO STATE HOSPITAL is built upon the "Cottage System," and has been open for the occupancy of patients about fourteen years. Its plan of construction was a radical departure from the structures then in use for the care of the insane, and incorporated the most advanced thought on the subject. The idea originated with General Brinkerhoff. The appropriation provided for six hundred and fifty patients, allowing five hundred dollars per capita for the total amount expended. Dr. H. A. Tobey has been the Superintendent of this model institution from its opening, in 1889, with the exception of one year, when Dr.
159
Tupper had charge. Eight of the wards have been remodeled, about three-fourths of the buildings have been destroyed and rebuilt, these changes being necessary because of the fact that the buildings originally were cheaply constructed. An important factor in the success of this hospital were the efforts of ex-Governor Foster, who, in addition to being a member of the original Committee on Location of the Hospital, has been a member of the Board of Trustees from the day it was opened until his death, in January, 1904. The fact was that the Governor, being regarded as the father of this great charity, found much pleasure in looking after it. It is said of him that when a Cabinet portfolio was tendered him at Washington. D. C., that had it come to the question of resigning the trusteeship of this hospital or refusing to become a Cabinet officer, he would never have been President Harrison's Secretary of the Treasury.
THE MASSILLON STATE HOSPITAL. In 1892 a bill passed the General Assembly authorizing a commission to select a site for the building of a new institution for the care of the insane. A commission was appointed by Governor Mckinley which selected a site in Stark County, Ohio, and a Building Board was organized. The buildings were erected and the institution now has a capacity of seven hundred and fifty-six patients. The plan of the buildings allows for the most efficient care of the patients, conducive to safety. good health and curative possibilities. Efficient officers are earnestly working on behalf of the patients, and no criticism can be cast upon the management of the institution. The hos- pital is situated on high lands, overlooking a beautiful country, richly cultivated and teeming with life and activity. The grounds surrounding the institution have been laid out in park lands, and as the years roll by the beauty of the site will ever increase with time. Like the Toledo Hospital, the Massillon institution can be considered as a model hospital for the care of those unfortunates who are bereft of reason.
THE OHIO HOSPITAL FOR EPILEPTICS, AT GALLIPOLIS. In the care of epileptics Ohio has the unchallenged credit of being the first State or country in the world to provide for this unfortunate class at public expense. The Ohio Hospital for Epileptics at Gallipolis is the pioneer of its kind in the United States. The problem of providing proper accommodations for epileptics, especially for those with unsound or defective minds, has en- grossed the attention of persons interested in nervous and mental diseases for many years. In Ohio, as far back as 1879, a bill for the establishment of a separate institution for their accommodation and treatment almost became a law, passing one branch of the Legislature. Not. however, until 1890, was a law enacted providing for the establishment of a hospital for epileptics and epileptic insane. All epileptics resident in Ohio are eligible for admission, the measure of its capacity being the only limitation. Each county is entitled to a number proportionate to its population. No discrimination is made on account of mental condition, age or sex. The buildings as originally planned consisted of stone cottages, having a capacity of fifty beds each, located symmetrically around a group of executive buildings and connected by tunnels with a central power house, which was to furnish heat and light and a central kitchen and bakery, flanked by two congregate dining rooms, one for each sex. The whole group, with estimated accommodations for one thousand patients, was planned so compactly as to cover scarcely more than twenty-five acres, leaving the balance of one hundred acres of the original tract for ornamentation and gardens. The wisdom of this plan was seriously questioned. and subsequent experience and events have led to an entire modification of it. so far as possible. Of the original thirty-six buildings, only thirteen have been built as designed. The location and design of six others have been materially changed. One hundred and twenty-five additional acres of land have been purchased, and a cottage for the insane constructed at a distance of one-half mile from the original group. Other
160
buildings projected for the future are to be much farther away, their precise location depending upon the possibilities in the selection and purchase of land, which may or may not adjoin the tract now owned by the State. A tract of one hundred and ten acres of farm land has recently been purchased, on which a group of cottages will be erected, and in which the husbandmen among the male patients may be accommodated. This land adjoins the sewage disposal beds of the hospital, and it is intended to use the sewage for fertilizing the farm. It is purposed to expand the institution in the future by erecting small, home-like
SCHOOL BUILDING, DEAF AND DUMB ASYLUM COLUMBUS, OHIO
cottages for selected groups of patients, leaving the central cottages, with their common kitchen and congregate dining rooms, for the accommodation of more advanced cases of epi- lepsy and for the infirmary class of inmates. The buildings consist of thirteen resident cot- tages, with from fifty to seventy-six beds each; one laundry cottage for seventy-five . patients ; one cottage for the insane, with a capacity of two hundred; one school house, two industrial buildings, each containing eight large well-lighted and well-ventilated rooms, acconi- modating twenty-five patients each, for many of the manual industries commonly followed; one kitchen and bakery building; one ice machine and cold storage building, with a capacity
161
of eighteen tons daily : two large congregate dining rooms ; one boiler, power and electric light building, one water works building, one hospital building, accommodating sixty patients, and one administration building.
A pathological laboratory, in which researches into the nature, cause and prevention of epilepsy are carried forward, has been a feature of this institution for the past five years. Through the scientific studies pursued in this laboratory, and published to the medical pro- fession, the Ohio Hospital for Epileptics has achieved international fame. The medical pro- fession of the country is deeply interested in seeing this important work encouraged and
FOUNTAIN, DEAF AND DUMB ASYLUM COLUMBUS, OHIO
properly supported, since it is realized that by this method alone can the mysteries as to the nature, cause, treatment and prevention of epilepsy be solved. Investigations already pursued by the scientific staff in this laboratory have already disclosed some very impor- tant facts relative to the cause and prevention of epilepsy. Many of the patients come from alms houses, many from the lower walks of life, and were uncouth in their manners and dress, filthy in their habits and rude in their conversation. The improvement most noticed by visitors has been the wonderful change in their deportment.
162
INSTITUTION FOR FEEBLE-MINDED YOUTH. This institution was founded in 1857, and is located at Columbus, Ohio. "It has no equal upon this planet," was the declara- tion of the late Dr. I. N. Kerlin, for many years the Superintendent of the Pennsylvania Insti- tution for Feeble-Minded Children. The institution was originally opened with nine pupils, under the Superintendency of Dr. R. J. Patterson, and was increased to fifteen at the date of the first report. After closely observing the operations of the institution and their results, the Legislature, in 1864, provided for the permanent establishment of the institution. This pro- vision was made during the Civil War, which proved the recognized value of the work. Gradually the institution grew, until in 1881 over six hundred children were accommodated, at which time the main buildings were destroyed by fire, happily without loss of life or even injury to any of the inmates, officers or employees. In 1884 fire-proof buildings were con- structed at the site of those destroyed by fire, and fire-proof outside stairways provided for all buildings that escaped destruction. Other buildings had been added, and in 1900 the accommodations were 1,100. In that year the Legislature, recognizing its duty of providing against the increase of these unfortunates by placing them under such restrictions as will prevent them multiplying their kind, provided for a permanent home, where the use of such industrial power as they possess may be exercised in their own support. Authority was given to purchase a farm, not to exceed one thousand five hundred and not less than one thousand acres in extent, where they are to be kept through life, thus lessening the increase from that source. About 1,200 acres have been secured, where the males of this class will be provided with a home and such employment as will come within the range of their capabilities. The employments will be mainly such as furnished by the farm, gar- dening, stock raising and horticultural pursuits. The females are to be provided for at the home institution, where they can be better protected as well as usefully emploved in domes- tic occupations. Buildings have been constructed to accommodate about four hundred of each sex of the custodial class, which restores the old department to its original purpose and duties, "to furnish special means of improvement to that portion of our youth who are so deficient in mind or have such marked peculiarities and eccentricities of intellect as to deprive them of the benefits of other educational institutions and ordinary methods of instruction."
THE INSTITUTION FOR DEAF MUTES. The Ohio Institution for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb is located at Columbus. It was first opened in 1829, on rented prop- erty in that city, with one pupil. In 1834 the first building on the present site was dedicated, and the school transferred to it. From 1862 to 1867 the large and commodious buildings now occupied were erected to accommodate three hundred and fifty deaf children, besides officers and employees. In 1898 the capacity was increased by the erection of the school building, one of the finest in the world. The total amount of money expended for grounds and buildings approximates $450,000. Three thousand five hundred children have been pupils in this school. The attendance is something over five hundred and is increasing each year. About fifty teachers and seventy-five officers and employees are engaged. The annual appropria- tions for maintenance approximate $100,000.
THE INSTITUTION FOR THE EDUCATION OF THE BLIND was founded by act of the Legislature in 1837. It was fourth in order of establishment in the United States. The original structure cost the State $34,409, and was designed to accommodate sixty pupils. The present house was occupied in 1874 and is a magnificent edifice, costing, exclusive of additions, $358,477. It was intended to accommodate three hundred pupils, but additions have been made increasing its capacity. The first year of its history eleven pupils were enrolled, and in 1905 more than three hundred and fifty were residents. Since the establish-
163
ment of the institution about two thousand two hundred and fifty pupils have enjoyed its care. The cost of maintenance from its inception during the period of sixty-seven years has largely exceeded $2,000,000. About $600,000 have been invested in permanent buildings and improvements in addition to that amount. The average cost to the State for each pupil has been about $1, 179. This institution is a school for education, not an asylum.
SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' ORPHANS' HOME. The State of Ohio has been espe- cially noteworthy in the care of her dependent children. Ohio was among the first States in the Union to provide homes at public expense for all of those unfortunates. Of these institu- tions there are fifty-five, known as County Homes, in which over 3,000 children are received and cared for annually. In addition the Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Home, established and supported by the State at Xenia, has a daily average of 900 inmates, and in efficiency and management and beneficent results, has no equal anywhere. In the summer of 1869 the atten- tion of the survivors of the Civil War was called to the large number of fatherless children in Ohio, who were made so by the enormous gift of Ohio men to the Union Army. Every hamlet and township possessed its quota of soldiers' orphans, while in the larger cities the number of children rendered fatherless by the war was so great as to be particularly notice- able to the public spirited men and women who, having served in or in behalf of the Union Army when in the field, found themselves unable to rest from their labors until every pos- sible step had been taken to heal the wound of that notable conflict. The members of the Grand Army of the Republic in Ohio took up the matter of providing a home for these orphans, those ex-soldiers who were already prominent in the affairs of the State taking the lead in the agitation of the subject which followed. In September, 1869, a two-story build- ing in the city of Xenia was rented by the Grand Army officials for possibly fifty chil- dren. Funds were raised from public and private sources, and the citizens of Xenia and Greene County were interested in the movement. One hundred acres of land was presented to the home, which afterwards was increased by purchase of the State of Ohio to 300 acres, on which the present institution was subsequently located by the State. Six thousand dol- lars was voted by the County Commissioners of Greene County to meet the current expenses of the home, the treasury of the Grand Army having been depleted. In 1870, with about seventy-five children in the home, an appeal was made to the General Assembly to adopt the children as wards of the State, and to take over the property of the home and make it a State institution. The committee which waited on the children to ascertain their wants was addressed on behalf of the children by Master Howard Gilkey, who was then a boy twelve years old, having been admitted to the home from Trumbull County in January of that year. This boy has now grown to manhood and the evidences of early intellectual ability have been warranted in his career in after life. At present he occupies the responsible position of Marshal and Librarian of the Supreme Court of Ohio. The home passed into the control of the State and its removal from Xenia to the present location on the old Pelham farm, situ- ated about one mile outside of Xenia, was accomplished in the same year. There has been no time since its erection when there were not more applicants for admission than could be received. In 1870 no children were entitled to admission but those whose fathers were killed in action or had since died from the wounds or disabilities of war. The lapse of time soon rendered this class of children ineligible from age limit, and the doors were then opened successively to those whose fathers, being ex-soldiers, had died from any cause; to those whose mothers had died, the father being an ex-soldier. and unable to properly care for his children : to the children of ex-soldiers, whose parents being alive and not able to care for them: to the children and orphans residing in Ohio of such sailors and soldiers, who had died and may hereafter die by reason of wounds received or diseases contracted while serv-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.