USA > Ohio > Clark County > Springfield > The centennial celebration of Springfield, Ohio, held August 4th to 10th, 1901 > Part 19
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fering and the dying. A sad picture to many here today, who have seen nearly all that has been dear in life pass from them. Only a little more time remains to many of us. Shall we fill up the blanks with deeds that will be helpful to others; or mire in the pool of selfishness ?
The work, as far back as I can find any record, is the work of the Woman's Benevolent Society, organized soon after the war. Mrs. Guy, Mrs. John Foos and Mrs. Elizabeth Flynn, I remem- ber very well as workers in this Woman's Benevolent Society. Mrs. Guy told me she had forty calls one day for help, ofteir twenty and thirty. The sick, the suffering, as well as the poor, were cared for, and this work was done before we had street cars. . and telephones. Could Mrs. Foos and Mrs. Guy tell you the story of their work. as well as that of the many noble women who la- bored with them, it would be of much greater interest. After a. number of years this work became so laborious, that they had a meeting called to organize the Associated Charity work. which has been faithfully carried on by Mr. Cumback, his as- sistants, and Board of Managers.
About twenty-five years ago, some women interested in benevolent work started a sewing school in a small way. At first the meetings took place in rooms given free of rent to those in- terested in the work. As the school began to grow, larger quar- ters were desirable, and a room in the Court House was placed at the disposal of the school. The expense of buying the materials used was defrayed by the Associated Charities and by private do- nations. Many comforts and quilts were made and distributed to persons who applied to the Associated Charities. In 1895. it was thought best. as the school had grown, to organize the work on a strictly business basis. A constitution was adopted, and a presi- dent, two vice-presidents, an executive committee of five, a treas- urer and secretary were elected. It was decided to give an annual tea at the home of one of the officers, in order to support the school for the year. Only at this time was the public called upon to do anything for the school. Thus far these teas have been a great success, and this is partly due to the fact that some of the best amateurs and professionals have been kind enough to provide en- tertainment for those who attend the functions. The money made
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is used to buy materials for garments. Every year from fifty to one hundred little flannel skirts are made by the children for themselves, also many gingham aprons. The quilt, or comfort department is a very important one. Everything that is made in the school is given to the children. The kitchen garden depart- ment has been very successful; here children are taught to set the table, wait on the table, make beds, etc. . The youngest children are put in what is called the kindergarten, although it is not strictly such. The school is undenominational, and the women interested in the work consider this indispensable to its success. The first year of the organization the average attendance was 140, but last year it was 190. There is a shoe fund, which provides those who need them with good strong shoes. At Christmas time a treat is given to the children, in the shape of candies, oranges and nuts. At the last meeting of the year, rewards are given to the children who have been neat and clean, and have not been absent more than once. The school has been steadily growing, and it is hoped that it will continue to do so until we have manual training in the public schools. I think Mrs. Haywood was the first president of the Industrial School. Mrs. H. H. Bean now fills that position in an able manner, giving the annual teas at her residence.
The first organization of the women after the Benevolent, Society, was the Needle Work Guild, which was organized De- cember 4, 1894, nearly seven years ago. Mrs. George Winwood was the organizer, and her efforts have been successful and help- ful. We often wonder how we could get along without the Needle Work Guild. Since it was organized, they have given out 13,590 garments, $1.016.96 to buy shoes and other articles. The Needle Work Guild was a branch of the National Needle Work Guild of America, and was divided into seventeen sections, with president and secretary for each. The work has always been done in Octo- ber and November, in the way of collecting these garments, and they are distributed immediately.
The Young Woman's Mission, in its fourth year of active work, has an active membership of fifteen young women. The Mission aims to alleviate distress and suffering among Spring- field's sick poor. And while the funds are used only for the sick
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ones, yet in many cases help is given to other members of the family. During the winter season, the members meet to sew once a week, and in this way sheets and pillow cases, baby wardrobes and comforts are provided for the year's work. Visits to the sick are made by the young women themselves, and suitable reading matter, dainty bits of food, etc., are usually taken on such visits. A library was collected for the Mitchell-Thomas Hospital, and placed there through the efforts of the Mission. Most of the books were donated through the kindness of those interested in the work. We hope in the future to increase the size of this library, and in this manner lighten the weary hours for the sick. A remarkable fact is, that during the three years' service, no member of the Mission has ever been unkindly received when visiting. The officers and board most earnestly request the co- operation of the public in reporting cases of illness, and bringing to notice such as come within its bounds. Miss Jane Hall is President of the Young Women's Mission.
The Woman's Christian Association of Springfield was or- ganized in November, 1896. It was the outgrowth of a work commenced several years ago, known as the Deaconess' Home. The Woman's Christian Association is a work of love, akin to that of the Young Men's Christian Association, religious and up- lifting in its aim. We have now the Clark Memorial Home for Aged Women, the Relief Home, and the Needle Work Guild, all under the care of this association. The regular work of this asso- ciation was commenced in a house on the corner of Columbia street and Market street, now better known as North Fountain avenue. The work of this association is to care for women and children, take care of children when the mothers worked, so a day nursery was established. A few years ago, the Relief Home was removed to Jefferson street, at one time the home of Dr. Ramsey, now owned by Mr. Ross Mitchell. The house was too small, as we had so many little children wanting a home. so a few weeks ago, we moved into a pleasant house, surrounded by grand old trees, making it attractive and comfortable for the children. The house was at one time owned by Mrs. Baker, who moved there from Cincinnati. Mrs. Baker was greatly beloved, as was also her charming family. The Relief Home, with Mrs. Reed as
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matron, and other helpers, cares for from eighteen to twenty-five children. Eighteen are now in the Home. I never see the chil- dren in the home but the little pathetic title of a poem comes to my mind, "Some Mother's Darling," surrounded once with the love of parents, brothers and sisters. Can anything appeal to our better natures with more tenderness than the child without a home? Let us give them a home, not a house only, built with the things that perish, but a home filled with sacred memories ; give them the sympathy that fills the heart, and the happiness that will bring peace to them. The children in this home have friends who care for them. They all have some one who pays for each, one dollar or one dollar and twenty-five cents per week. Many cir- cumstances have brought them into the Home, death of one or the other parent, separation, or sickness. Is not this Relief Home well named, and will not some one here today help these little ones? I am sure no work in this city has greater claims upon us. The children will now sing, and as their sweet voices lift us up to better living, wil not gifts be made to the Home today ?
The Clark Memorial Home for Aged Women was given to the women of Springfield by Mrs. Charlotte S. Clark, in May, 1899, in memory of her son. The contract for remodeling the house was given to Mr. James Dalie. The architect was Mr. Robert Gotwald. The old house was made new by the 16th of November, 1899, when the house was opened to callers from 2 to 5 in the afternoon and from 7 to 10 at night. Every room, at that time, was furnished and occupied. The 16th of next Novem- ber we will have occupied the house two years. The gift of Mrs. Clark was a noble and generous one. and to the last of our organ- ized Woman's Christian Association work. Mrs. Charles Stout is President of the Woman's Christian Association ; Mrs. George Winwood, Chairman of the Clark Home, and Miss Mina Shafer the efficient matron. The Home was given to the women of Springfield who were left alone and needed a home. A payment of $200 is made by those entering the Home, and property they may be possessed of at their death should revert to the Home. The building cost, to remodel. $3,000, the furnishings about $2,000, and the expense of supporting the Home for one year is about $1.200. The women living there have a home. I wish all
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of you could go through the Home. Every Thursday afternoon and evening are set apart for visitors at the Home, although they are welcome at any time. I hope if I am honest enough to give you a true statement of our financial condition, you will not cease being generous, although we have promised not to do any general soliciting until the Young Men's Christian Association is out of debt ; but that, you know, will not be much longer, for the dedica- tion will be the 17th of September. We expect in February to put an annex to the building, as we have many applications for entrance to the Home. We have now the plans given us by Mr. Gotwald, for the addition to the Home, Mr. Gotwald charging us nothing, having sent us his receipted bill of $175 on our opening day. We are now out of debt, with $600 in bank, and with $4.500 toward the endowment. But with this encouraging statement, I am sure much work would have had to be done aside from the generous gifts we have received, had not Hon. John W. Book- walter given us his beautiful new hotel for an entertainment. and his check for $500. for which we made him an honorary member of the Board of Managers, adding $500 to the endowment fund, which is now $4.500. Mr. Bookwalter, while abroad last winter, heard of our $2,500 indebtedness on the Home, and sent us $2.500, thus canceling our indebtedness. We are very grateful to any one who lent a helping hand by contributing in any way to the Clark Home. I wish I could give the names of all who have helped us in any way, but to name a few and not all, would not be kind or just. The subjects assigned me have required some labor, but if I have interested any person in any branch of work I have spoken of, then some good has been accomplished.
Now, one word about the gymnasium for women, girls, chil- dren and small boys. This branch of work has been spoken of, as well as a rest room for wage-earning girls. Those of you who have visited the Woman's Christian Association in Dayton, the home years ago of Mr. John P. Winters, who contributed largely to the association when they bought the building, and has contin- ued his contributions, have seen the fine gymnasium for those above mentioned, and have observed the method of giving instruction. We can have the assistant gymnasium teacher here, if we have the rooms in October. We hope since we
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have told so many good things, large hearts will be opened to these objects of interest to every one.
. Woman's Benevolent Society, the Industrial School, the Needle Work Guild, the Woman's Christian Association, the Relief Home, the Clark Home, the Young Women's Mission, all of these are the outcome of the Benevolent Society, organized soon after the war. I regret we can not give you more of the women's work in Springfield of the century closing with 1901.
MRS. E. L. BUCHWALTER.
HISTORY OF THE WOMEN'S CLUBS OF SPRINGFIELD.
BY MRS. E. L. BUCHWALTER.
When the subject of Women's Clubs is under discussion, the term is conceded to mean the great movement which started with the organization of Sorosis in New York City and the New Eng- land Woman's Club, in Boston, in 1868. Which of these two clubs started first, does not interest the average Western woman, although the club women of these two great Eastern cities have spent much bodily and spiritual force in making good the claims of their respective clubs to priority-energy which might have been used to much better purpose.
The first literary club in Springfield of which any' trace has been left was an ideal one, in that its members were both men and
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women. As there are no records, it is somewhat difficult to find out anything very definite concerning it. There seems to be a mis- tiness about the descriptions that baffles the matter-of-fact chron- icler. This club was in existence during the 70's. The families of Judge and Dr. Rodgers, the Warders, Brookes, Bishops, and doubtless many others, belonged to it. As the identity of the au- thor of the Waverly Novels was concealed at first, and -he was called the "Great Unknown," so this club, to carry out a certain air of mystery, called themselves the Great Unknown, which was shortened to the G. U.'s. The modern woman's club is accused of taking itself too seriousy ; not so this early club. Its mission seems to have been to delight and entertain each other. The pa- pers of the late lamented Henry G. Rodgers are remembered with distinctness. A younger brother also, though not a member, con- tributed sketches which foretold a talent that has carried his fame around the world. Miss Helen MacBeth is remembered by some very witty verses. Mrs. Lott Clarke delighted the club with her Shakespearean readings. This much has been gathered concern- ing this club, which, in the memory of its members, always seems to be in the soft glow of "that light that never was on land or sea."
The first woman's club of which any record has been kept is a Chautauqua Circle known as the Worthington Scientific and Literary Circle. It was organized in 1878 by Mrs. Ruth A. Worthington, whose name it bears-who was at that time princi- pal of the Springfield Seminary. It has a limited membership of thirty, and but one charter member is now a member-Miss Ellissa Houston. This club has always taken high rank among Chautauqua Circles and has been a vital help in all movements of the town which required women's aid.
These circles should have a well-defined place of honor in the educational development of the nineteenth century. Emanating from the famous Chautauqua Assemblies, they first encouraged systematic courses of reading and study and subsequent examina- tions therein. They have been a large factor in raising the aver- age of education and general intelligence; they have penetrated every village and hamlet as well as large cities, and may truly be called the university of the middle-aged woman.
The growth of the modern women's club movement has been
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unlike anything that preceded it: one unique feature being that the impulse to start these clubs seemed to be spontaneous and from all parts of the country at once. Beginning in 1868-many clubs were formed through the 70's-many more in the 80's and 90's-until now there are over a million of women in clubs, and they are found all over the country, the latest accession to the General Federation being from Alaska.
Although they were started as literary clubs, they seem at once to be ready to stand for all that will promote education as well as a high public spirit and a better social order. All phases of education, from the kindergarten to the university, have felt the force of their encouragement. Summer schools for teachers, night schools, vacation schools for children, university extension. are all avowed subjects of interest in the women's clubs. Library extension. in the practical form of traveling libraries, has been fostered by them in all State Federations, and in some States the centers have been at the front in securing the legislation neces- sary to secure them. At a recent meeting of the American Library Association, Mr. F. A. Hutchins, of the Wisconsin Free Library Commission, said: "The advancement in all library interests is due in large part to the women's clubs. * * * In most of the States they are doing more than the librarians in the establish- ment and spread of libraries."
The first woman's club in Springfield was the Traveler's- founded in 1888 by Mrs. J. W. Murphy. It had at first thirty members, afterward raising its number to forty, and later adding an associate list of ten members. It has brought lecturers to the city, the most noted being the great Egyptologist, Amelia B. Ed- wards. This club, appreciating the great aid the Springfield Pub- lic Library was to its researches, added a beautiful oak clock to the furniture of the Warder Library.
The Traveler's Club has had the honor of furnishing the leading officer of the State in the General Federation, and for the last four years Ohio's member of the Board of this large organ- ization has come from this club.
The second club, in point of time, is the Fortnightly, which was founded in ISyt with the active encouragement of the Tray- eler's Club. This club also has brought several noted lecturers to
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the city and has had most excellent and diversified courses of study.
The third club started in Springfield was the Monday After- noon Club. It was founded by five ladies, who united for the pur- pose, who were the first officers and formed the executive board. They are Mrs. J. S. Crowell, Mrs. H. S. Bradley, Miss Ella Las- ley, Mrs. T. J. Kirkpatrick and Mrs. Ralph Hunt. This club has maintained the standard of the other Springfield clubs and now has for president Mrs. T. J. Kirkpatrick.
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The fourth club was the Tuesday Club, which is composed of women younger than the two former clubs. It was founded in 1893 by Blanche Essex Phillips, who has since passed into the higher life. The charter membership was sixteen, which was aft- erward extended to thirty. It has always had high aims and am- bitions, and has done conscientious work. Miss Laura Winger is now President. These four clubs, all members of the General Federation-the Traveler's. Fortnightly. Monday Afternoon, and the Tuesday-united in inviting the club women of Ohio to meet in conference in Springfield in October, 1894, to discuss the ad- visability of forming a State Federation. This had been at- tempted twice before in other towns, but the attempts were fail- ures. All clubs in the State, federated and unfederated, were in- vited. The responses astonished the most sanguine. Ninety- eight clubs were invited and seventy-eight responded, and before the convention adjourned a State Federation was formed which now leads all other State Federations in number of clubs enrolled. and ranks very high in practical work accomplished.
Ohio was the sixth State to federate her clubs, and there are now thirty-seven State Federations.
The Study Club was started by a group of girls still in school in 1896. These were Emma and Alice Penfield, Louise Anthony, Emma Black, Elinor Collette, Georgia Todd, Mary Gotwald and Mary Pringle. It has done most creditable work ; its programs of study showing care and thought, and through its own exertions funds have been raised which have been used for others, usually the City Hospital. Like all the other clubs mentioned. this club belongs to the State Federation and has always sent delegates to State Conventions.
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The latest club to organize is the Research Club, which was first known as the Study Club. Its charter members were eight in number-Mrs. Annie Atkinson, Mrs. George D. Grant, Mrs. Martin M. Grant, Mrs. Clarence L. Lafferty, Mrs. Frank E. Saw- yer, Mrs. George C. Van Cleef, Miss Ida Van Cleef, Miss Eliza- beth C. Wright. This number was afterward increased to twenty- five. It is now a member of the State Federation, with Mrs. ' Chase P. Hoffman, President.
The latest feature in club life in Springfield was the organ- ization of the Springfield Woman's Club, in May of the present year, with Miss Ballard as President. The two oldest clubs, the Traveler's and Fortnightly, first invited all the federated clubs in the city to join in forming a large club, believing that more effect- ive work could be done in this way than by working singly. The- other clubs, however, did not feel that the work they were doing" would be best done as proposed, and declined to assist. Subse- quently the Traveler's and Fortnightly effected an organization which they hope and have confidence to believe will be a nucleus. of a large and effective organization. Its membership is practic- ally unlimited, and those actively interested hope that with the large fund at their disposal the new club will be able to command the services of distinguished lecturers and secure experts in all the departments of study and work which the club will undertake. It has only two departments, namely, Literature and Art, and So- ciology. Under the comprehensive term of Sociology they will investigate all the modern problems of the day, or such of them. as demand the practical attention of a city the size of ours.
There are doubtless other clubs in town which are doing ef- fective work in developing the individual members and which are- a power in their respective neighborhood. Definite information has not been forthcoming, much to the regret of the compiler of this record.
In the beginning of the second century of our city's existence and the twentieth century of the Christian era, there is another evolution in club life which is much to be desired. It is not good for man or woman to be alone, and the club life, with all that it implies, subjectively and objectively, will never reach its highest efficiency until the membership is composed of men and women,
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each being necessary to the solution of the problems which are confronting us.
TEMPERANCE IN SPRINGFIELD.
BY MRS. GEORGE FRANKENBERG.
We are not willing to let Springfield's Centennial pass with- out speaking of the temperance movements which have interested her citizens from time to time. In the early settlement a distillery was one of the most welcome improvements, and a hundred years ago the best people considered whisky a necessity. If some. made fools of themselves by the too free use of it, it was only a laughing matter. It is claimed by some that there were fewer drunkards then than now. Remember, there were fewer people to drink, and we were free from the modern saloon with all its dia- bolical inventions for enticing the young, and making drunkards- and liquor made nowadays contains more poison, and more dread- ful effects result from its use than in olden times. When Spring- field was beginning to build up, no barn or mill raising, or log rolling, was attempted without a good supply of whisky. The in- vited hands would be insulted, and never respond again to such an invitation, if the whisky was not provided.
Indeed, the women passed liquor to their guests, and real whisky at quiltings, rag-sewings, and wool-pickings. I heard my mother tell of being at a wool-picking at Mrs. Dodson's (who lived about where the Fosters now live, east of town). In the afternoon whisky and apple pie were passed around. The wool was, of course, greasy ; napkins and finger bowls were not known then. My mother said she declined to partake of the refresh- ments. I do not know how she made her excuse. When I was a child, seventy years ago, my father had liquor on the sideboard. wine glasses, and the table decanters. Cherry-bounce was a favorite drink, and these decanters usually were filled with the bright red cherry bounce, and every caller was treated. The. old farmers out about Harmony and Buck Creek stopped on
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their way from town, and I remember that sometimes they did not ride away quite so straight as when they came. My father never failed to show his hospitality, and treated his callers freely, although he seldom tasted liquor himself.
The "muster days" were also times when liquor passed freely .among the "blue coats." My father, as some here remember, was a general of the militia. General Anthony and General Samson Mason also were in office at that time. Sometimes the general muster, a yearly event, was held in a large open field just west of where Oakland Chapel now stands. I wish to tell of what I think was the first temperance meeting ever held in Springfield. There was a great excitement over temperance in Western Pennsylvania' so that some went so far as to cut down their orchards. This be- gan to reach Ohio in about 1830, and in the summer of 1831 a young man named Fairchild came West and lectured. The first meeting here was held in the old red brick Court House, and was a wonderful meeting. I was a little girl. My father and mother took me with them to this temperance meeting. Invitation was given for people to sign the temperance pledge. Much to the as- tonishment of my mother, my father marched to the front and signed this pledge. I think he, was the first man in Springfield to sign a temperance pledge. My mother was somewhat troubled over it, although she thought my father had done a grand thing. "But," she said, "it is right in the midst of harvest ; your men will leave ; they are used to having the liquor every day in the field. And in two weeks you are to have the Beaver Creek Mills raised. Who will come to your raising without liquor ?" My father said : "Well, I am convinced of the sin of intemperance, and wonder that I never saw it in the light of a sin until to-night." The next morning he called the men all together, told them of the temper- ance meeting and what he did there, urging them to do the same. "Now," said he, "I should like to have your assistance in rolling up out of the cellar the barrel of liquor and empty it to run down this drain through the orchard into the pig pasture, and if any man is not willing to work without liquor, I will pay him off. Any who stay and work without, I shall raise their wages." The men helped to empty the cherry bounce, which ran through the pig pasture, and I remember how drunk our hogs got that day,
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