USA > Ohio > Mahoning County > Youngstown > Twentieth Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County Ohio and Representative Citizens > Part 54
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CHAPTER XXVI
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS
County Infirmary-Youngstown Free Public Library-Youngstown City Hospital-Ma- honing Valley Hospital-Glenwood Children's Home-Florence Crittenden Home.
THE MAHONING COUNTY INFIRMARY.
The Mahoning County Infirmary is situated about two miles north by west of the village of Canfield in the township of that name. Per- haps nothing shows more clearly the degree of progress made by the present generation over those which have immediately preceded it, than by a comparison of present day methods in caring for the poor and infirm with those in vogue in this section less than a century ago. Of the latter the reader may gain some idea from an entry in the Coitsville township re- cords, Book No. 1, Page 19.
Coitsville, January 1, 1810.
Whereas, information hath been given us that there is a certain Elizabeth Eward, came into our town, who is likely to become a town charge, we, therefore, according to law, com- mand you James Mariner, Constable of Coits- ville Township, to warn said Elizabeth Eward to depart said township instantly, without put- ting the town to any further trouble. And you are to return, etc., etc.
Signed, WILLIAM HUSTON, JAMES BRADFORD, Overseers of the Poor. The modern way of dealing with such un-
fortunates is well exemplified in the following sketch.
The Mahoning County Infirmary was founded within two or three years after the organization of the county. Additions were made from time to time until there were sev- eral buildings, certain quarters being reserved for insane patients who are now cared for ac- cording to law in state institutions. On Sat- urday night, February 20, 1897, the infirmary was totally destroyed by fire, with the loss, however, of but one life-that of an insane pa- tient who rushed back into the burning build- ing after having been rescued from it.
The superintendent at that time was Mr. James Dickson. There were 235 inmates of whom forty-five were insane. That all were rescued, with the exception of the unfortunate man above mentioned, was chiefly owing to the herculean exertions of Mr. Dickson, and the six or seven attendants, who were assisted by some of the inmates. After the fire the Park hotel was rented for a while as a tem- porary infirmary, the insane patients being pro- vided with quarters in the county jail.
The present infirmary buildings were erected in the same year, from plans by Messrs. Owsley & Boucherie, of Youngstown, archi-
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tects, and at a cost of about $140,000. They consist of four large buildings, a front and rear building with two wings-built of brick with stone foundations, and connected by two glass-lighted corridors crossing each other in the center at right angles. The front, or ad- ministration building, which is the smallest, measuring 40x70 feet, faces south and is oc- cupied by the superintendent, with his family and assistants; it also contains the reception room for visitors. In the rear or main build- ing, which measures 107x67 fect, is the large dining room, where the imnates take their meals together, separate tables being reserved for the women. It also contains the kitchen and laundry, the former, a capacious room, be- ing provided with a large Burton range, sev- eral large potato steamers in which three bush- els of potatoes are cooked for each meal; also coffee and tea urns, and other kitchen utensils, all of large capacity. Bread is baked three times a week, the bake-house containing a large mixer of two-barrel capacity, about one and a third barrels of flour being used at each baking. The oven holds eighty loaves, each from three to four times the size of an ordi- nary ten cent loaf. Close to the kitchen, on the other side, is the milk cellar.
The wash room contains a large steam washing machine and a centrifugal wringer. Two other rooms are connected with this de- partment, one containing a large steam mangle and the other being fitted up as a drying-room, A large room on the second floor of the main building was designed as a chapel, but is used only occasionally, religious services being held but at irregular intervals, there being no chap- lain attached to the institution.
The inmates occupy the two wings, the male inmates in the east, and females in the west wing. These buildings measure respec- tively 146x48 feet and 173x48 feet. Each wing contains two large. and a number of small bedrooms, the latter being reserved in general for the aged or invalids, or those who for any reason require separate attention. There are accommodations in the institution for 350 inmates, though at the present time
(March 1, 1907) there are but 185, of whom about thirty are women.
In both the men's and women's depart- ments there are rooms devoted to hospital pur- poses, where patients too ill to sit up are cared for and given medical attendance. There are also rooms in which a few feeble-minded people receive special care and treatment.
In the rear of the main building are the engine and dynamo rooms, the former fitted up with a 36-horse-power Westinghouse elec- tric engine, and three Babcock boilers erected by the Stambangh-Thompson Company. This engine and the dynamo are soon to be replaced by a 55-horse-power Russell engine, of Massil- lon, Ohio, manufacture, having direct connec- tion with a K. W. compound electric generator of 540-light-power. A small building back of the engine room is used as a machine shop.
Among the numerous smaller buildings forming a part of the institution are an ice- house, with a capacity of 200 tons, a soap fac- tory, slaughter house, chicken house, turkey house, and cow shed. The kitchens, dairy, wash room, and other working rooms are laid with cement floors.
The land forming the estate consists of 210 acres on which are raised practically everything required for the consumption of the inmates and attendants. Last year the farm produced 180 bushels of wheat. 1.135 bushels of oats, 1.400 bushels of ears of corn, and 2.200 bush- els of potatoes. Seventy-five tons of hay were also cut, being required for the live stock on the estate. Of the latter there are at present some twenty-five cattle, besides a goodly num- ber of hogs and chickens, with a few turkeys. In the dairy were made last January 300 1xminds of excellent butter.
In addition to the farm there is a good sized garden, tended mainly by some of the inmates. In it were raised last year 5.000 heads of cabbage. 500 bushels of potatoes, 100 bush- els of turnips, 20 bushels of onions, 75 bush- els of beets, 25 bushels of grapes, and 500 bushels of apples.
The present superintendent, who assumed charge of the institution alx ut a year ago, is
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Mr. Robert S. Taylor; he is ably assisted by his wife, who fills the post of matron, and by seven or eight employees. Visitors are ad- mitted to the infirmary on Thursdays and Fridays.
With one or two exceptions, all the inmates are free patients no case being admitted un- til it has been passed upon by the board of di- rectors, the members of which are elected every two years. This board. which visits the infirmary on the first and third Fridays of each month. consists at present of J. K. Weir, Thomas Prosser and George Gordon.
REUBEN M'MILLAN FREE LIBRARY.
[A brief historic sketch of the library is included in this, the first printed annual report of the librarian to The trustees. For the earlier years we quote a report 10 the board of education, 1897-98, by Miss Julia A. Hitchcock, Librarian, 1890-1808.]
Sometime in the 40's the general assembly of Ohio passed a law providing for the furn- ishing of books to every school district in the state. Every family was entitled to one vol- ume at a time, although no member of the family attended, school in the township. The books were sent to the various board of educa- tion in the state and Youngstown received its quota. In 1860, with the breaking out of the Civil war, the statute was suspended. In 1870, when Miss Pearson and I took charge of the library in the Wood street school building there were 168 volumes in the superintend- ent's office. The books were marked Ohio School Library.
Many of the books were not adapted to the needs of children. Feeling the necessity of something outside of the text books to inter- est and develop the pupils, we enlisted the in- terest of the teachers and parents and the aid and advice of our worthy superintendent, Mr. McMillan. In 1872 the first venture was made in an entertainment which netted about $100. Thus was used for books suitable for schools.
Each year a festival or a literary entertain- ment was given by the pupils and teachers for the benefit of the library. The board of edu- cation furnished a room and a librarian.
About 1875 a number of teachers, members of the board of education and public spirited citizens formed an association to further the interests of the library. In 1878 the library was moved to the rooms of the board of educa- tion in the First National Bank block and was opened to the public on Saturday evenings.
In 1880 the association took out articles of incorporation in order to receive gifts and lega- cies. The name of the corporation was the Youngstown Library Association. The char- ter members were: Reuben McMillan, Dr. F. S. Whitslar, Dr. J. S. Cunningham, Sarah E. Pearson and Julia A. Hitchcock. Mr. Sidney Strong was active in forming the new associa- tion, framing the constitution and bylaws. The board of education had control of the library until March, 1891. the association loaning its books to the board, contributing dues and whatever other money came by gift or other- wise. The board of education contributed $300 yearly as a book fund and paid all other expenses except a part of the librarian's salary.
In 1890, through the efforts of some of our public spirited men, notably John H. Clarke, a law was passed, March 25. by the Ohio general assembly applying specially to Youngstown, by which a tax could be levied on the property of the city for library purposes. In order to use the tax money for the purchase of books the association decided to raise money by subscription to meet current expenses. This was done in 1891 and 1892, the board of edu- cation bearing the expenses jointly with the association.
In March. 1801. the library was moved to the Reel & Moyer block.
In 1870, we started with 164 volumes; in 1891 there were 3.608 volumes: in 1898 there were about 14.000 volumes, including the pamphlets.
Early in 1897 some friends and pupils of Mr. McMillan were at a social gathering, at which Mrs. McMillan was present. The sub- ject of memorials came up for discussion, dur- ing which Mrs. McMillan expressed her views together with those of her husband. They chose to be remembered in the hearts of their friends.
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The idea of dedicating the library to the memory of Mr. McMillan was there conceived and suggested by Mrs. McElevey and from the seed then sown has grown the beautiful struct- ure which we hope to occupy in the near future.
A large portrait of Mr. McMillan hangs in the library, under which is the following trib- ute, paid by Mr. Clarke :
"A man who sought neither wealth nor honor save as these were to be found in the faithful doing of his duty. He spent a long life for meager salary, in training the youth of the city to live the highest intellectual life. When his name was chosen for the library it was because his generation chose to honor and revere that type of manhood which finds its best expression in 'That high stern-featured beauty of steady devotedness to duty.'"
In 1897 the name of the Youngstown Li- brary Association was changed to the Reuben McMillan Free Library Association and that of the library to the Reuben McMillan Free Library.
In 1898 the Richard Brown house was pur- chased, $36,652.61 being raised by popular subscription for house. refitting and lot. The building was dedicated February 16, 1899.
The policy of the library has from the founding of the association been broad. In 1895 sets of books were loaned to schools; in 1899 free access to shelves was given to users of the library; in 1901 the library opened its doors on Sunday afternoons; co-operation with the Haselton library was then estab- lished :in 1904 home libraries were established.
The library has received legacies from the estate of David Theobald. $300.00; Charles D. Arms, $5.000,00; and Mrs. Caroline Theobald, $too; Mrs. Richard Brown gave an adjoining lot.
Too great praise cannot well be bestowed upon those who originated and fostered this institution in early years ; nor upon those who took up this work in later ones and devised ways and means to place it upon a permanent foundation and provide for it an adequate home. By reason of the contributions of the many, it belongs to the people-a free library, supported by the people and for the people.
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN, APRIL., 1905.
"To the Trustees of the Reuben McMillan Free Library :
"The librarian has the honor to present the report of the library for the statistical year ending April 30, 1905.
"While the past year shows no very im- portant changes, we feel that with the increase in volume, the work has become more of a unit and the year the most successful one in the his- tory of the library.
"For convenience the results of the year's work are briefly summarized as follows:
Total number of books in library April
30, 1905 24.640
Total circulation 73-777
Total number of new borrowers 1,725
"The most gratifying development of the year has been in the number of readers who use the library for reference. There was an actual increase of 58 per cent over the previous year, while the gain for the last two years was 113 per cent.
"An exhibit of good books for children was held before Christmas. Interesting books and good editions were chosen.
"The gradual rounding out of the different departments is being accomplished. The selec- tion of books for purchase has been mainly from the American Library Association cata- logue of 8,000 volumes for a popular library. Nearly 300 of the best specialists co-operated in making up the lists. Most of the books in the catalogue we had already. The others are received too late for their use and worth to be appreciated by the public in this statistical year. With these additions the people may well be proud of the selection of books in the library.
"Again. as a consequence of the net price system on books, increasing the cost from 25 to 30 per cent. it has seemed expedient to cur- tail as much as possible the purchase of cur- rent American publications. Many books have been imported. others picked up through second hand and remainder catalogues. The
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YOUNGSTOWN CITY HOSPITAL.
MAHONING VALLEY HOSPITAL., YOUNGSTOWN
CHILDREN'S HOME. YOUNGSTOWN
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library has thus secured books of enduring worth at very advantageous prices. This has restricted recent accessions to authors of estab- lished reputation, or to volumes which have been before the public long enough to have demonstrated their merit. The more recent books of fiction have been obtained through the Bodley Club.
"Accessions-4.090 volumes were added during the year and while a great many worn out books have been discarded, there is an ac- tual net gain of 3.936 volumes, making a total of 24,640 in the library.
"Among the new accessions may be specially mentioned those in foreign languages -Swedish and German. It is hoped that Hungarian books may be added soon.
"Loan Department-During the year 73,- 777 were issued for home use from the main library, schools and home libraries. This rep- resents an increase over the previous year of 4,352.
"The circulation of current numbers of the more popular magazines has been continued.
"Registration-1,725 new borrowers were registered during the year.
"Periodicals-89 current periodicals are now received in the periodical room, an in- crease of eight over last year. Of the acces- sions may be specially mentioned poultry jour- nals. The list is appended to the report ; 47 were gifts.
"Cataloguing-The work of the year in- cludes the cataloguing of the new accessions. The Library of Congress printed cards have been purchased as far as possible.
"Binding-318 volumes were rebound, of which 250 were periodicals ; a smaller number than for last year.
"Reading and Reference-The growth of attendance has been constant and the statistics show an increase of 7,651 ; 1,016 came on Sun- days, an increase of 173. The total attendance was 24,036.
"Special efforts on the part of the librarian have been made for individual and special workers, clubs and teachers. Four hundred and seventy-eight subjects were especially looked up for study clubs, aid given in making 23
programs, and new books were bought where the subject was not otherwise sufficiently covered.
"A rotating library of new and interesting books has proved popular and of general use in guiding readers to good books.
"Stories were also told in the public schools and the Boys' Club at the Baldwin Memorial Kindergarten Association.
"A Girls' Club for reading met weekly dur- ing the summer vacation. The members made scrap books for the younger children in the children's room.
"The attendance in the children's room for reading during vacation has been most encour- aging. This habit of coming to the library for reading even for short periods, has been specially noticeable among the lower classes of the Rayen school and shows the influence of the children's room of the preceding years. Many of these students come daily and more subjects of general interest are looked up than ever before.
"While a report from the children's depart- ment can never express in figures the result of its work, a careful investigation of what has been accomplished with the children would con- vince any interested observer, that some of the most telling work for the general good of the community and for the future success of the library, has been done among the children. We have plenty of evidence to show what sensa- tional and injurious stuff they do read if better is not provided.
"Scattered throughout the city are innum- erable small shops where most debasing and sensational literature is sold to children. Is it not a wise expenditure of effort for a free pub- lic library to enter vigorously into competition with these purveyors, and place within the reach of every child of our city all the clean and wholesome literature it can secure?
"The empty shelves speak most eloquently for the needs of this department.
HOME LIBRARIES.
"The work of reaching the children too far from the main library to come to the children's
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room, has been most gratifying. Six home libraries have been sent out-to Steelton (2), Brier Hill (2). Lansingville (1) and Dry Rm (1). The libraries were sent out in No- vember and exchanged once during the winter. The circulation of books was 885. The num- ber of members was 72.
"This seed planting has borne fruit in every district where these books have been sent. Desire for reading material has now come to us from the older children. men and women in these districts. Larger collections of books should be placed there in stores, schools or fire engine houses as deposit stations. We be- lieve that the time has now come to adopt this broader public policy, for citizens farthest away need the reading necessary for good citi- zenship as much as those who are near the heart of the city. It is also theirs by right, since they also are taxpayers.
SCHOOLS.
"Work with the schools has been continued along the lines of reference, school duplicates and story telling. Books have been sent to 171 schools. As a result of the meeting of the library committee of the Board of Education in February with the executive board, $300 aid was appropriated by the school board for the purchase of new sets of school duplicates.
"With the beginning of the fall term the school sets will be delivered by the library to the schools.
"School Sets-Seventy-eight sets of du- plicates for school room use were loaned 171 times, many of the sets being used cach term and sometimes by two teachers the same term in the same building. Eighteen miscellaneous sets were loaned; the record of the use of these sets is incomplete and shows a partial use of 468."
THE YOUNGSTOWN CITY HOSPITAL ..
The Youngstown City Ilospital was founded in 1882, and much of the credit is due to the late John Stambaugh for its incep- tion and organization. It was actively begun
by the incorporation in that year of the Youngstown City Hospital Association, the in- stitution being opened in the following year. The original frame buildings were added to from time to time, as the beneficent work of the institution extended year by year, until finally the imperative necessity for a modern and much larger hospital was promptly met by many patriotic citizens. The new hospital was formally opened July 9. 1903.
In the construction of the present institu- tion careful attention has been given to the advice of some of the best experts in the coun- try. The buildings, which stand on a new site, crowning a steep bluff, which commands a fine view of the city and of the Mahoning valley, are constructed of native limestone, trimmed with Indiana limestone, and the grouping of the single detached wards and the administra- tion building is very graceful. The adminis- tration building contains three stories and basement, 61x65 feet in size. The main cor- ridor, which extends the entire length of the hospital, connects the various wards, as well as the nurses' home, divides the administra- tion building into executive offices in front, and the operating wing in the rear. The huildings are set back on a line eighty feet from Frances street, and present a very beau- tiful appearance to the passerby. The hos- pital is a magnificent testimonial to the phil- anthropy of the citizens of Youngstown, many of whom have given freely of their money to erect and equip the new hospital buildings.
In the twenty-first annual report ( 1903) of the association appeared the following state- ments of benefactions :
PERMANENT DONATIONS.
a Administration Building, operating roomis, two male surgical wards. obstetrical ward, children's ward and power house erected and furnished hy Myron C. Wick at a cost of . .$05.390.50
b Nursey' Home erected and furnished by Mr. Myron I. Arms, Mr. Warner Arms. Mrs. Mary Arms Wick, Mrs. Emeline Arms L'eck. Mrs. Jane Arms Hofer and Mlrs. Harriet Army Both at a cost of. . 24.705 50
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c One male medical ward erected and fur- nished by Mrs. C. H. Andrews at a cost of 8,631.57
: One male medical ward erected and fur- nished by Miss Sallie Tod at a cost of ... 9,868.79 e One female medical ward erected and fur- nished by Mrs. Sallie Arms Bonnell, Mrs. Amie Arms Bonnell, Miss Katherine Arms, Miss Caroline Arms, Mrs. Laura Belle Arms Robinson and Mrs. Olive Arms at a cost of . 8,8:3-48
f One female surgical ward erected and fur- nished by friends of the Hospital ar a cost of 10,000.00
g One private room ward erected and fur- nished by Mrs. Edith Andrews Logan at a cost of 10,790.54
FREE HED ENDOW MENTS.
Mrs. Mary P. Hitchcock .$5.000.00
Mrs. Maria Tod, George Tod. 5,000.00
Mrs. Grace Tod Arrel. Miss Sallie Tod. 5,000.00
John and Henry H. Stambaugh 5,000.00
Lucretia Althan's estate 5,000.00
Mrs. Caroline Stambaugh 5.000.00
Robert Bentley 5,000.00
Miss Belle Crandall, as a memorial of her father and mother 5,000.00
Estate of Richard Brown 5,000.00
LEGACY.
David and Caroline Theobald $ 500.00
PRIVATE ROOM DONATIONS.
Y. M. C. A. $250.00
St. John's Episcopal Church 250.00
First Presbyterian Church 250.00
Trinity M. E. Church 250.00
Masonic Order
250.00
Mrs. Edith Andrews Logan 250.00
Mrs. Caroline Theobald 250.00
Mrs. Mason Evans 250.00
Ferdinand Ritter and daughters 250.00
Rayen Club
250.00
Miss Grace Stambaugh 250.00
Thomas Parrock 250.00
William H. Park 250.00
Rodef Sholem Church 200.00
John S. Orr
200.00
Tabernacle U. P. Church 200.00
B. P. O. Elks .. 200.00
The German Lutheran Church 200.00
Mrs. C. P. Hutchinson 200.00
Endless Chain 200.00
Total $1.650.00
In addition to the above there were cash and material donated to the total amount of $12,822.59. This included contributions, a number of them in large amounts, from some of the leading business and manufacturing con- cerns of Youngstown as well as from private individuals. There were also a number of contributions amounting in the aggregate to $545.50, for the purchase of an X-ray ma- chine, as well as numerous contributions of books, papers, magazines, flowers, pictures, toys, baby clothes, etc., chiefly from ladies. In connection with the hospital there is a training school for nurses, which has achieved a high standard of excellence in the work done by its pupils. The following is the report of
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