History of Providence County, Rhode Island, Volume I, Part 51

Author: Bayles, Richard M. (Richard Mather), ed
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: New York, W. W. Preston
Number of Pages: 1036

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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

with iron roof partly slated and partly tinned. Two pumping en- gines have been erected in it, each having a capacity of 5,000,000 gallons in 24 hours. One of these was erected by George H. Corliss, and the other by the Providence Steam Engine Company.

In addition to the force main and leading main lines already described, there have been laid 6,855 feet of 20-inch pipe; 31,605 feet of 16-inch pipe; 59,125 feet of 12-inch pipe; 14,758 feet of 10-inch pipe; 156,820 feet of S-inch pipe; and 719,228 feet of 6-inch pipe; making a total of all sizes, including force and leading mains, of about 209 miles of pipe. Connected with and for the purposes of the water works, the city owns land in the village of Pawtuxet, situ- ated partly in the town of Cranston, and partly in Warwick. It was purchased of the American Wood Paper Company, December Sth, 1870, for the sum of $50,000. It consists of the water privileges on both sides of the river, which at this place is the dividing line be- tween the two towns mentioned. The city also owns the cotton mill estate, in the same place, with a lot of land about 96 feet square; the Randall estate adjoining, containing about 93 acres, all on the Cranston side of the river; and two lots of land adjoining each other on the Warwick side of the river. A wooden cotton mill which stood on this property when it was purchased, was destroyed by fire on the evening of January 15th, 1875. Also, about 22 acres on Olney's hill, in the town of Lincoln, was purchased for the location of a high service reservoir. Of this land about 153 acres were conveyed to the city by George W. Himes, July 30th, 1875; 6 acres by George W. Olney, August 31st, 1875; and about one-half acre by Orin Smith, October 30th, 1876.

A considerable part of the city lies so high that it cannot be served by gravitation from the reservoirs. It therefore requires a supplemental means of supply, which is known as the "high ser- vice." This is maintained by constant pumping, by steam power, into the mains to meet the varying demands. These pumping works are located at Hope reservoir or "Station," the pumping station be- ing on Olney street, near the reservoir. Mention has already been made of this house and the two engines which it contains. The first was erected by George H. Corliss in 1873, and the other by the Provi- dence Steam Engine Company, after designs furnished by A. F. Nagle, in 1875. These engines receive the water from the low- service main and force it directly into the distributing main as the demand varies. Arrangements have been made to secure a high service by means of gravity from a large reservoir, and the work is rapidly going forward, and will probably be completed before this volume is delivered to its readers. For this purpose land in North Providence was purchased to the extent of 30} acres. The high ser- vice reservoir is located on Fruit hill. Land for this reservoir and a road leading to it was purchased in quantities and of grantors as fol-

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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

lows: 241 acres of Stephen B. Olney, April 8th, 1886; 23 acres of Thomas H. Smith, June 19th, 1886; a little more than an acre of Walter S. Seamans and wife, July 14th, 1886; 11 acres of Walter W. Whipple, July 26th, 1886; about & of an acre of Carleton, Norwood & Co., July 23d, 1886, and half an acre of Charles Peckham, July 15th, 1886. The land having been purchased, the work of connecting the Hope pumping station with the proposed high service reservoir on Fruit hill was pushed forward as rapidly as possible. The details of a reservoir were worked out as thoroughly as practicable. Its capacity is about 25,000,000 gallons and it covers about seven acres. The ele- vation of the mean water lines of this reservoir will be about 274 feet above mean high water in Providence river, 112 feet higher than the mean water lines of Hope reservoir, and 94 feet higher than the mnean water lines of Sockanosset reservoir. A 24-inch pipe line con- necting this with Hope pumping engines is laid, running through the following streets and avenues: Olney, Camp, Lippitt, North Main, Stevens, Charles, Ashburton, Webster, Delhi, Chalkstone, Smith and High Service.

The total expenditures for the construction and maintenance of the water works up to September 30th, 1888, as shown by the books in the office of the board of public works, was $6,726,172.41. The re- ceipts for rent, labor, material, etc., to that date, were $544.950.21. There had been received for water supplied $3,915,544.66. The total receipts on account of the water works had been $4,460,494.87. The balance of expenditures thus left was $2,265,677.54.

The city is well served by a system of sewers devised by Civil Engineer J. Herbert Shedd, and adopted by the city in 1872. Up to January 1st, 1889, there had been constructed over 58 miles of sewers of all sizes, from S-inch pipes up to brick oval sewers 66 by 72 inches in diameter. The total number of catch basins connected with them was 2,095 and the number of manholes 3,028. The total number of house connections was 5,238, taking the sewage of about 54,000 people. Some of the newer sections of the city are yet without sewer connections.

CHAPTER XV.

PROVIDENCE CITY-BENEVOLENT AND REMEDIAL INSTITUTIONS.

The Dexter Donation .- Dexter Asylum .- Butler Hospital for the Insane .- The Rhode Island Hospital .- Home for Aged Women .- Home for Aged Men .- The Children's Friend Society .- St. Aloysius Orphan Asylum .- Association for the Benefit of Col- ored Children .- Various Benevolent Societies .- The Homeopathic Hospital .- Women's Christian Association .- The Little Sisters of the Poor .- St. Vincent de Paul Society .- St. Elizabeth's Home .- Public Charities in the Past.

C ONSPICUOUS among the institutions of Providence for the care of its helpless and indigent people stands the magnificent benefaction of Dexter Asylum and the Dexter donation. To begin with the origin of this princely benefaction we must turn back to the philanthropic life whose close gave it birth. Ebenezer Knight Dexter died August 10th, 1824, in the 52d year of his age. He was educated a merchant, and pursued his business with such strict at- tention and was rewarded with such successful results that he was able to retire with a fortune at an early age. For several years pre- vious to his death he held the office of marshal for the district of Rhode Island. This office during the time of the embargo was one involving considerable perplexity and arduous duties, as well as lia- bility to make enemies in the faithful discharge of his duties. Yet he so carefully and skillfully managed the office that he held the esteem and respect of his fellow townsmen and the confidence of the government. By his last will he gave the greater part of his property, amounting by estimated value to $60,000, to his native town, to be appropriated to the support of the poor. The freemen of the town, in town meeting on the 22d of November following his death, by vote accepted the donation, approving the conditions under which it was granted, and pledging the town to the faithful performance of the trust thus placed in their hands. The following is the extract from his will which contains the bequest spoken of:

" Seventeenth .- Feeling a strong attachment to my native town, and an ardent desire to ameliorate the condition of the poor, and to contribute to their comfort and relief, I give, grant, and devise to the aforesaid town of Providence, in fee simple forever, my Neck Farm in Providence, lying southerly of the Friends' Yearly Meeting School estate, together with all the buildings thereon, to be appro- priated to the accommodation and support of the poor of said town,

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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

in manner hereinafter mentioned, and for no other use or purpose · whatever. Provided, however, and this devise is upon condition that said town shall, within five years after my decease, erect a building or buildings on said farm, suitable for the use and accommodation of the poor of said town, and shall, under their own management and direction keep and maintain the same for that sole use and purpose forever; and provided also, and this devise is upon this further con- dition, that said town shall within 20 years after my decease, erect all around upon the exterior lines of said farm, leaving. however, suitable passage ways into the same, a good permanent stone wall, at least three feet thick at the bottom, and at least eight feet high, and to be placed upon a foundation made of small stones, and as thick as the bottom of the wall, and sunk two feet deep in the ground. I hereby authorize said town, however, to exchange at any time before the building of said wall, such parts of said farm as they may think best, for other lands adjoining, for the purpose of straightening the lines of said farm or throwing into better shape, but for no other purpose.

" Eighteenth .- I also give, grant, devise and bequeath to the afore- said town of Providence, in fee simple forever, for the use of the poor of said town, as hereinafter mentioned, all the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, both real and personal, not herein otherwise disposed of; the said town paying thereout, or out of the rents, profits or income thereof, at their discretion, the annuities aforesaid; and for the payment of which said annuities all the real estate herein de- vised to said town, except the said Neck Farm and said lot devised for a Training Field, is to stand charged and chargeable. And I do hereby give said town full power and authority to sell, if they judge it best, the whole or any part of the real estate herein devised to them, except the said Neck Farm and the said lot devised for a train- ing field, and to invest the proceeds of the sales thereof in bank or other stocks-the whole of said property and estate herein devised and bequeathed to said town to be kept together, and to constitute a permanent fund for the benefit of the poor of said town, and to be preserved entire forever: and until the said town shall have erected a building or buildings on said Neck Farm in the manner and for the purpose as is hereinbefore mentioned, the rents, profits and in- come of all the property and estate herein given and devised to said town, including the rents, profits and income of said Neck Farm to be added to said permanent fund and to constitute a part thereof; and when said town shall have so erected such building or buildings, and placed the same in suitable condition and under proper regula- tions to receive the poor of said town, then and from that time all the rents, profits and income of all the property and estate herein given and devised to said town, including the rents, profits and in- come of said Neck Farm, to be applied by said town to the support

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and maintenance of the poor of said town, in such way and manner as said town from time to time, at any meeting legally holden, shall' in their discretion direct, and for no other use or purpose whatever; provided however, that no vote of any town meeting in relation to any part or portion of the property or estate herein devised and be- queathed to said town, or in relation to the management of the same, or of the rents, profits or income thereof, shall be of any force or effect, unless forty freemen at least, be present at the time of passing such vote."

The resolutions of the freemen of the town accepting the condi- tions of this bequest contain the following passages in regard to the benefactor: "That while they cherish his memory, with a pleasing reference to such traits of his character as claim the respect of those who remember him, and of those who in future time shall hear of him, they will not forget that he has meritoriously acquired the titles of a public benefactor and a friend of the unfortunate; and that they will take pride in connecting with his name the recollection that in the bosom of their community was born and lived and died a citizen of such large and sagacious views, who by the energy of his benevo- lence and the influence of his example, has accomplished so much to render his existence a blessing to generations yet to come-a citizen who in the last solemn act of his life, in the progress of that scene which crowns the character of man and tries the secrets of his heart, evinced that he learned the true value and highest use of those riches which it sometimes pleases the Disposer of all good to make the fruit of industry and prudence, and to bless, as means of effecting good will to man."

The funds accruing from this bequest, as well as the property be- longing to it, were denominated the Dexter Donation, and the man- agement of the property was placed in the hands of a board of com- missioners. Steps were at once taken toward building an asylum for the poor, according to the provisions of the will. In January, 1826, Isaac Brown, Caleb Earle and Truman Beckwith were appointed, a building committee, and under their supervision the work was car- ried forward to an early completion. The building was finished in 1830, at a cost somewhat exceeding $43,000. Its location was on a range of high land about half a mile northeasterly from the market house, a spot that had been selected by Mr. Dexter himself. The building, fronting south, consisted of a central section 50 feet front by 55 feet deep, with a wing on either side, each 60 feet front and 45 feet deep. The central basement is of granite, in courses, and the basement of the wings of natural faced stone. Above the basement the walls are of brick, crowned with an eave cornice of freestone. When first built the central section was three stories in height and the wings two stories, with an attic. A corridor divided the building lengthwise through the center, in each story, and a transept corridor

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divided the central section, extending from front to rear, making on each floor four rooms in the central section and six rooms in each wing. Different rooms in different parts of the building were ar- ranged for the various wants and uses of its occupants, including a chapel in the third story. The architect of the building was Mr. John H. Greene. The plot of ground on which the asylum stands contains about 40 acres, and this was enclosed with a stone wall ac- cording to the will. The stone wall was finished in 1840, at a cost of about $22,000. It is 6,220 feet in length, and contains 7,840 cords of stone. On the west side, fronting on Hope street, the wall has since been lowered and finished with a capping of granite. The building was first occupied in 1828, Mr. Gideon Palmer being placed in charge of the institution. The number of inmates received at first was 64, which number was increased considerably during a few years. In 1842 it was 103; in 1847, 152; in 1875, 140, and in 1888, 75. The first superintendent, Mr. Gideon Palmer, remained in charge for nearly a quarter of a century. In 1852 Hollis Chaffin was superintendent, continuing until 1872, when he was succeeded by Thomas E. Payson, who remained about five years. John M. Knowles was in charge of the institution in 1878, and he remains in the position in 1889.

In 1868 an appropriation of $30,000 was made by the city council for the purpose of providing heating and laundry apparatus, and making some changes in the interior of the main building. In the following year the work of improvement and renovating the build- ing was continued until the entire building was materially changed, so that nothing remained of the original structure except the main walls and some parts of the inside woodwork. An expense of about $100,000 was involved in the alterations, and when completed it was claimed for it that this was the finest pauper building in the country. The annual expense of maintaining the institution, over the receipts of the farm, as shown by the last annual report, is about $13,000. Over $17,000 worth of farm products are annually sold, besides what are used in the institution.

The Dexter Donation, of which the asylum is a part, comprises the following parcels of real estate, now in the possession of the city, besides the asylum property already described: The Tavern estate on North Main street, leased to J. B. Barnaby for 40 years from Novem- ber 1st, 1871; the lot and building next south of the Tavern estate, leased to Horace B. Knowles for 40 years from June 1st, 1874; the house and lot on Meeting street, leased to William V. Wallace for 40 years from November 1st, 1871; four lots, each 40 by 150 feet, front- ing on Cranston street, also 48 lots, fronting on Harrison and Ham- mond streets, each 50 by 100 feet, being part of the Dexter farm, all of which are leased; the Dexter Training field, containing 93 acres, situated west of Dexter street, reserved as public training ground by Mr. Dexter's will; a strip of land, formerly a thatch right, on the

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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

north side of the Woonasquatucket river, containing 15,344 square feet; a parcel of land on Bacon street and on the south side of Doyle avenue, between Scott and Olney streets, called the "Dwight lands." a greater part of which is leased to different individuals; a lot on High street, having a front of about 78 feet, which is leased to James Hanley for 40 years from October 1st, 1868. Besides this the fund holds notes and bonds to the value of about $72,000. The annual in- come accruing from interest, rents, etc., amounts at about $15,000.

The Butler Hospital for the Insane is situated in the northeast part of the city, at the corner of Butler avenue and North street. Its grounds consist of 140 acres, suitably divided into tillage and pleasure grounds. They are by nature beautifully diversified with ravines and wooded eminences, and are admirably adapted to the use for which they have been selected. On the east side they front on Seekonk river, which is here about a mile in width. This institution had its origin in a bequest of the late Hon. Nicholas Brown, of this city, who died in September, 1841. He directed in his will that $30,000 should be appropriated from his estate to aid in the establishment of a hos- pital for the insane, " where that unhappy class of our fellow-beings who are, by the visitation of Providence, deprived of their reason, may find a safe retreat, and be provided with whatever may be most conducive to their comfort and their restoration to a sound mind." In 1844 Cyrus Butler, Esq., a venerable merchant of Providence, whose mind had long been impressed with the great desirableness of such an institution, offered to add to the bequest of Mr. Brown the sum of $40,000, on condition that an equal sum should be raised by subscription. The condition was speedily fulfilled by the contribu- tions of benevolent persons in the community. An act of incorpora- tion by the general assembly was passed in 1844, and the first meet- ing of the incorporation was held March 20th of that year.

In 1846 the hospital building was begun, and during the following year it was completed. It was opened for the reception of patients December 1st, 1847. Since that time several important additions have been made. In 1856 a building to contain a steam engine and boil- ers, laundry, etc., was erected at a cost of $25,000, which was met by voluntary contributions of the members of the board of trustees and the then president of the corporation. Ray Hall was completed in 1875, being the joint gift of Alexander Duncan and Robert H. Ives, and was named in honor of Doctor Isaac Ray, the superintendent of the hospital from its commencement to January, 1867. The building contains a museum, a reading room, billiard room and bowling alleys for the use of the patients. Its cost was over $28,000, which was wholly paid by the donors named. About 1876 large additions were made to the north wing, including the providing of rooms for 30 pa- tients, and involving the expenditure of $56,310.70. The greater part of this expense was met by the generous gift of $30,000 made by

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Alexander Duncan, Esq., as a memorial to his son, who had recently died. In recognition of this generous gift the name David Duncan Ward was given to the new building. An additional tract of land, known as the "Grotto farm." was purchased in 1871, improving the surroundings, and with ten acres purchased a few years later, bring- ing the area of the grounds up to the present liberal extent.

The superintendent succeeding Doctor Ray was John W. Sawyer, M.D., whose service in the position began in 1867 and continued till 1885. He was succeeded in 1886 by William B. Goldsmith, M.D., who held the position about two years. William A. Gorton, M.D., the present superintendent, has held the position since 1887. A bene- ficiary fund is in the hands of the trustees, amounting to $111,000, made up of the donations of different individuals, for the purpose of assisting poor patients to the benefits of the institution. In estab- lishing this fund Mrs. Elizabeth A. Gammell took the initiative with a princely gift of $50,000. Other contributors were Mrs. Elizabeth S. Bartlett, the family of William F. Weld, Thomas Withredge, George I. Chace, and many others. The officers at the opening of the hospi- tal were: Cyrus Butler, president; Benjamin Aborn, vice-president; Zachariah Allen, John C. Brown, Thomas Burgess, Francis Wayland, D.D., Rowse Babcock, Thomas R. Hazard, Robert Rogers, Amasa Manton, Richard Waterman, Alexander Duncan, trustees; Moses B. Ives, treasurer, and Robert H. Ives, secretary. Since its opening about 3,400 patients have been admitted, about one-third of whom have recovered. The usual number of inmates ranges from 150 to 200. The present officers are: Amos C. Barstow, president; William Butler Duncan, vice-president; Jabez C. Knight, Rufus Waterman, Rowland Hazard, Royal C. Taft, Stephen Brownell, Daniel Day, Wil- liam Gammell, John Nicholas Brown, William Goddard, William G. Weld, trustees; Moses B. I. Goddard, treasurer; Charles Morris Smith, secretary: William A. Gorton, M.D., superintendent.

The Rhode Island Hospital is located in this city, on Eddy street, between Lockwood and Dudley streets. It was opened for the re- ception of patients in 1868. It had its origin in gifts by Mr. Robert H. Ives and others of his family amounting to $75,000. The institu- tion is substantially eleemosynary in its character. It is primarily designed to afford relief to the indigent class-to such as, without the ordinary comforts of a home, are suffering from any of the graver ills that flesh is heir to. Applicants of this character have the first claim to its beneficent ministrations. After these have been pro- vided for its doors are open to those who, in better circumstances, seek a temporary residence in it for the advantage of its skillful medical or surgical treatment, and to such a moderate charge is made, sufficient barely to cover the actual cost of board and attendance.

The hospital structure consists of a central building connected by corridors with two large wings, each of which is ornamented by

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a tower. The wings contain the hospital wards and private rooms for paying patients. The central building contains the superintend- ent's rooms, the operating and instrument room, museum of anatomy, library, chapel and other departments. The staff of the institution is composed of 19 physicians, assisted by a consulting staff of 12 phy- sicians. These physicians attend about 4,500 outside patients annit- ally, and about 600 are annually admitted to the institution. There are endowments providing for about 50 free beds. A children's ward was opened February 15th, 1882, for children between the ages of two and ten years. A training school for nurses was also established in 1882. The hospital is supported by the income of a fund of about $360,000, and by annual collections taken up in the city churches. Guarantors of deficiency holding regular shares in the responsibility make up any lack of income to meet current expenses. Contribu- tions to the founding and the fund for maintenance of the institution were made by philanthropic citizens of the city and other parts of the state. The building was erected at a cost of about $500,000, was four years in process of erection, having been begun in 1864. It is believed to be one of the most perfect in its plans and complete in its appointments, of any institution of its kind in the country. The superintendent in 1872 was Doctor C. W. Fabyan, with the title of admitting physician, assisted by Mrs. Eliza J. Pratt, matron and act- ing superintendent. Reverend Charles Nason followed as superin- tendent. In 1877 William T. Thurston, M.D., occupied the position of superintendent. He was succeeded in 1882 by Charles E. Wood- bury, M.D., as admitting physician and superintendent, who remains in charge of the institution at the present time. The present officers and trustees are: Royal C. Taft, president; John W. Danielson, treas- urer; John C. Pegram, secretary; Thomas P. I. Goddard, Henry G. Russell, Henry J. Steere, Robert I. Gammell, Arnold Green, Albert L. Calder, Eli W. Blake, John McAuslan, John H. Congdon, Samttel R. Dorrance, and the mayors of Providence and Newport, cx-officio, trustees.

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History of Providence County, Rhode Island, Volume I, Part 51

Author: Bayles, Richard M. (Richard Mather), ed Publication date: 1891 Publisher: New York, W. W. Preston Number of Pages: 1036

Author: Bayles, Richard M. (Richard Mather), ed
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: New York, W. W. Preston
Number of Pages: 1036