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100 - WOMEN OF CLEVELAND Cleveland. As may be supposed, there were in this city ladies brave and womanly enough to identify themselves with the temperance cause, and the feminine counterpart of this great movement crystalized here, during 1843, in the Martha Washington Society, for the retarding of intemperance, to which was added systematic labor for the inevitable result of this vice, viz : poverty of every description ; and with the example before them of that good woman of Joppa, full of alms-deeds, who was always making coats and gar ments," the women with one accord organized a Relief Society in connection ; hence we have the celebrated' MARTHA WASHINGTON AND DORCAS SOCIETY, with the following officers : First directress, Mrs. Benjamin Rouse; second directress, Mrs. J. A. Harris ; secretary, Mrs. William Mittleberger ; treasurer, Mrs. C. A. Dean. To Mrs. Rouse and Mrs. Harris was delegated at the first, by common consent, the Martha Washington part, and day after day these two blessed women followed up drinking men, whether in shop, store or office, soliciting their names to the temperance pledge and to membership ; often followed by twenty or more, rough in appearance but appar- AND THEIR WORK- 101 ently sincere, who wished to sign the pledge. The degraded of our sex they tried to help into a better life, and did all in their power to uplift every species of abandoned humanity. Ladies adapted to other branches of work were busy, cutting, making and refitting, soliciting for means and with other detail known only to patient, persistent Christian women. The records of this Society are wonderful. Mrs. Rouse describes minutely what was done, apparently each day for these six years, and her journal for this period would itself compose a volume. We see from various sources that this organization had the entire confidence of the citizens generally ; judges, lawyers, doctors; merchants of all sorts, mechanics and other laborers gave their mite, or, of their abundance. One dollar in those days was as munificent a gift as ten dollars now. These good ladies took as donations, merchandise of every sort, and seemed particularly grateful for wood. One item among at least five thousand pathetic notes is this : " Mr. Brown gave us twenty cords, of four-foot wood. A noble donation, and from a stranger in our city, too." All possible sects' and nationalities likely to be 102 - WOMEN OF CLEVELAND included among the destitute of any city shared in the liberal outflow of these Christian hearts, even Indians coming in for a share. In a letter written to the ladies October 25th, 1847, by Alvan Coe, mention is made of four aboriginal youths, who had left their friends and come here to be instructed. Mr. Coe compares the Society to the daughter of Pharaoh, who found in the Ark among the flags, a Moses—" Moses " in this case meaning the four impecunious native Americans : Pen-go, Mish-keau, Sno-bin-a, Was-so-gum, the last mentioned having been received into Mrs. Rouse's home. Mr. Coe speaks of the thrill of joy that will go from wigwam to wigwam as these poor converted Indian mothers hear of the kindness of ladies in Cleveland. One of the rare, delightful things about this Society is the exceeding love for it that all the workers bore, and, to the praise of womankind be it said, that not one word of jar or dissension was ever heard among them. The reason is because they loved it for the work's sake, never thinking of position or other advantages to be gained. We continue these annals from the " dear old Martha Washington and Dorcas " — the one, a AND THEIR WORK - 103 comparatively modern lady walking beside her of the Acts of the Apostles in perfect harmony. Thus it is that Christ doth inspire all of every age to work for others, and, in so doing, saith : " Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these ye have done it unto me." One of the choice spirits among early workers of our city was Mrs. C. A. Dean, treasurer of this remarkable Society when it met in an upper room of Miller's Block. " Lr works of charity she shone like a star." Among other enthusiastic participants were Mrs. Elisha Taylor, Mrs. A. H. Barney, of New York, and her sister Mrs. J. E. Lyon, one of the active women of Oswego, N. Y. The last mentioned two were sisters of James J. Tracy, of this city. From November 4, 1848, to November 10, 1849, Mrs. J. E. Lyon was its secretary. In a note to the writer of this series, Mrs Lyon says : " The work of that period was dear to all our hearts, and, so far as I can recollect, our noble, indefatigable president, Mrs. Rouse, was head and front, Manya poor wanderer was rescued from destruction by her untiring care and vigilance." Mrs. Lyon's report for 1849 is as follows : 104 - WOMEN OF CLEVELAND " The past year has been one of unusual suffering and sorrow among the poor of our city. The Winter, so extremely cold and long, found them not as well supplied at its commencement as some of the most thrifty and industrious always try to be. Scarcity of work last Autumn, as well as extreme sickness prevented this, so that many who had never begged before, and whom nothing but starvation could have induced to do it, had this year to be assisted by us. During the Summer months that dreadful scourge, the cholera, in its sad ravages brought suffering and death upon many poor families who had no one but us to rely on for help. " The calls upon our president have, of course, been increasing, and as no case has received aid without her personal inspection of the premises of the applicant, and obtaining an exact knowledge of their destitution and worthiness, we can well imagine what her labors must have been, and what a tax upon her time, strength and sympathies ! " Mrs. Rouse has been for six years the president, and has a large part of the real labor to perform. All that we have been able to do this AND THEIR WORK - 105 year in assisting her is to meet one afternoon each week during the Fall and Winter months, to make and mend garments for her to distribute. This is her manner of work : When application is made, she visits the family who require aid—perhaps they live on the flats, under the hill, or on the hill, down by the pier, often up in Jerusalem, or in Oregon street—finds out their condition, inquiring what they most need, whether worthy or unworthy of assistance. If the former, she comes up to our rooms, in the third story of Miller's Block, weighs out the quantity she deems necessary for their wants ; of candles, flour, meal and meats, selects the garments they need, puts them all in her carriage, and starts off again for destitute places, ready to begin the work of distribution. Perhaps she finds the people in the coldest day of Winter without a stick of wood. It would be a sad task, indeed, were we not cheered by the thankful and Christian deportment of many who bless and pray for us. Mrs. Rouse now feels that it will be utterly impossible for her to accept the offrce of president the coming year. Who of us stands ready to fill her place ? Who of us has the self-denial necessary to give up our time to visit-
106 - WOMEN OF CLEVELAND ing and supplying these poor distressed creatures and relieving them ; to have our homes besieged at all hours of the day by the sick, the lame, the halt and the blind ? Can we not have some permanent mode of relief ? We need in our city a House of Refuge, an Orphan Asylum, where the children of drunken parents and orphans, left houseless by the desolating scourge that has visited our shores during the past summer, may find a home. Mrs. Rouse proposes that we temporarily hire a house for that purpose, secure a competent person to take charge under our supervision,. and have these dear, lonely children where they can be trained for usefulness and happiness. This would be also a kind of office where the poor could apply and to which we could all go and share in lightening the labors of our president, and at a future time may we not hope that some of our benevolent and wealthy citizens will give us a lot of ground in a convenient locality and funds to erect thereon a good, substantial building as a fixed abode for orphan children ? This will require an increase of subscriptions ; but a little more from each one would enable us to make at least a beginning in this noble enterprise. AND THEIR WORK - 107 " The number of families who have applied for assistance (hiring the past year is 231, consisting of 1,051 individuals ; the quantity of flour given out is 2,632 lbs. ; beef and pork, 254 lbs. ; sugar, 280 lbs. ; fish, 415 lbs. ; candles, 325 lbs. ; rice, 227 lbs. ; coffee, 165 lbs. ; tea, 19% lbs. ; bushels of meal, 23 ; number of garments distributed, 736 ; comforters for beds, 26 ; pairs of shoes and stockings, 99 ; number of loads of wood, 59." Mrs. William Mittleberger was one of the rarest of its workers, her enthusiasm kindled even after thirty years had passed, at the mere mention of the Society's name. Her eyes sparkled and her cheeks glowed as the old memories came trooping about her pillow. Upon her and Mrs. A. H. Barney fell the task of soliciting funds for its maintenance. Leonard Case, Jr., was the first person to give a ten dollar bill. The books of the treasurer show that the business men must nearly all have contributed either money or merchandise. Without design of invidious mention, we are glad to record that the husband of our gray-haired friend, Mrs. W. T. Smith, seemed in those days to be very liberal in the line of shoes. From 1843 to 1852, this Society absorbed all woman's work 108 - WOMEN OF' CLEVELAND into its own and included the second visitation of cholera, during which its usefulness as well as its labors were wonderfully increased.
Miss Anne Walworth, a worker of 1872, states that " one branch of the Martha Washington Society " was provision for needy little ones. " The most loathsome places in the city were visited, particularly those about the canal, and children were often found, especially duriug aud after the cholera of 1849, in a deplorable state of destitution. The want of a place where such might be sheltered was greatly felt, and an attempt was made by the ladies of this city to provide for it by the establishment of a kind of temporary home under the roof of a pious and humble couple, who, for a small sum paid weekly, were willing to take a dozen or more poor children to board and care for. Means to accomplish this were obtained by collections made from time to time upon business streets. Our first Asylum was in a very plain house upon the site of the present City Hall. As time went on, the need of a permanent establishment became apparent, until at last it was deemed advisable to call the attention of the public to the subject.
AND THEIR WORK - 109 " A meeting of citizens was therefore held in the Stone Church, January 22, 1852, at which it was resolved to organize an institution for the purpose of sheltering orphan and destitute children, to be called the Cleveland Protestant Orphan Asylum. A committee of gentlemen drew up a plan for work, which was handed to a committee of ladies to be executed.
" A dwelling house was found for rent, corner of Erie and Ohio streets, and as the feeble association was hesitating in regard to this expense, a noble woman of Cleveland, Mrs. Stillman Witt, stepped forward and pledged its payment.
" A self-sacrificing Christian lady, whose name should never be forgotten in the annals of this Asylum, offered her gratuitous services as matron and teacher. The lady to whom the institution is thus indebted is Miss Sophia L. Hewitt.
" The house was furnished by contributions from the garrets and store rooms of its friends, and April 21, 1852, eleven children, none of them over eight years of age, were transferred to this lowly asylum on Erie street."
We close this narration with a letter written in 1880 to Mrs. L. Prentiss by Mrs. Mittleberger, in
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which is foreshadowed the establishment of this FIRST CHARITY of Cleveland, the outcome of the MARTHA WASHINGTON and DORCAS SOCIETY.
" Mrs. Rouse gave, in person, to the poor, here, there and everywhere, in all winds and weathers, first visiting applicants for aid. Sometimes the dear woman, in spite of vigilance, would be imposed upon, as it is easy to recall her entertaining accounts of such cases. The securing of money fell upon a few of us, who did not find the task au easy one. As Cleveland charities have grown and multiplied till now they are sustained by magnificent and almost spontaneous liberality, we have often smiled at the thought of ever having gone round from office to office through Superior and Water streets, then down on the dock, often mounting outside stairways and always choosing some cold, stormy Fall day to ask for $1 subscriptions to the dear old Martha Washington and Dorcas Society. If ever, after some earnest appeal, a kind-hearted donor handed out a $5 or $i0 bill, what commenting and rejoicing there would be for days after ! Once there was much merriment caused by a question asked, ' if the President received a salary for her services ? ' How
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little that interrogator dreamed of the kind of salary the dear, earnest worker did have then, and has had all during the years of service, for her continued labors of love. The Master whom she served is the only one who knows. I have been trying to think why our Society ever disbanded. Was it not because it was supplanted by another charity to which it gave birth? The quick ear of Mrs. Rouse and others in their rounds of visitation among,- the poor and suffering caught the cry of the children, and she could not rest until an effort was made to hush it, and a few of them were gathered together under one roof.
" The Society left a most creditable record, which it is pleasant to know will in part, at least, soon be given to the public in the history that is being written of the early work of Cleveland women. A happy thought it was that led to such an undertaking ! "
This movement having crystalized, there was organized, June 27th, 1850, the CLEVELAND LADIES' TEMPERANCE UNION, with the pledge that intoxicating liquors should not be used as a beverage, nor as an article of entertainment.
Directors—Mrs. B. Rouse, Mrs. J. A. Harris,
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Mrs. J. Lyman ; Treasurer—Mrs. C. D. Brayton ; Secretaries— Miss M. A. Brayton and Mrs. Wm. Warren.
Managers—Mrs. E. T. Sterling, Mrs. Wm. Mittleberger, Mrs. E. F. Gaylord, Mrs. H. F. Brayton, Mrs. Levi Benedict, Mrs. M. C. Sloane, Mrs. Joel Scranton, Mrs. Kelsey, Mrs. Elisha Taylor, Mrs. S. Williamson, Mrs. B. M. Williams, Miss Eliza. P. Otis.
Committee on Lectures—Mrs. S. B. Canfield, Mrs. S. C. Aiken, Mrs. S. W. Adams, Mrs. Wm. Day, Mrs. G. B. Perry, all of these wives of cler- gymen.
Committee on Collections— Mrs. M. C. Sloane, Mrs. E. Taylor, Mrs. L. Benedict.. January 1st, 1853, this Society enrolled fourteen hundred members.
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CHAPTER XII.
PHANTOM CHARITY -MRS. CHARLOTTE DEGMEIER-MRS. JACOB LOWMAN-THE RAGGED SCHOOL-CHILDREN'S AID SOCIETY-TRINITY CATHEDRAL HOME-MRS. JOHN SHELLEYM RS. HARVEY RICE-MRS. 0. A. BROOKS-MRS. N. W. TAYLOR-ORPHAN ASYLUM. WORK ERS -MARY CHAMPION - MRS. ELIZA JENNINGS-MRS. LEWIS BURTON-MRS. M. WETMORE—MRS. JULIA BEDELL.
ALMOST another early benevolence, a minute of which is furnished by Mrs. S. Williamson —Protestant Home for Friendless Strangers—concerning whose fate we can obtain no tidings. It seems, like Melchisedek, to have no father or mother, neither beginning nor end of days. We 4 should pronounce it a phantom, did not its visible constitution look sadly at us out of its hollow eyes. We can not withhold a surmise that this skeleton ought to be clothed with the substance of the modern Bethel.
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In 1853, Mrs. Charlotte Degmeier, wife of a German Methodist minister stationed in this city, seeing the great number of neglected children here, conceived the project of a School and Relief Society, directing her attention more particularly to those of her own nationality. Gathering together boys and girls in the old brick building, corner of Detroit and Pearl streets, she began her labors of love, with the co-operation of the following ladies : Mrs. Alf. Davis, Mrs Horace Penton, Mrs. W. B. Guyles, Mrs. John Cannon, and others.
Subsequently, Mrs. Degmeier purchased a building on Main street and to it removed her school; the Relief Society meeting for sewing at private houses in Ohio City. Not far from this date, Rev. D. Prosser established a Ragged School, corner of Water and Canal streets ; his pulpit was an inverted flour barrel, from which he preached to the " great unwashed." This effort for the rescue of destitute children was warmly seconded by Mrs. Harriet Sanford Mitchell and Mrs. Abby. Fitch Babbitt. Mrs. Charlotte Degmeier, removing from Cleveland to Dayton, sold her Main street building, and the Ohio City undertaking was merged into the Ragged School enterprise. As the work pro-
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gressed, Messrs. G. W. Whitney, Samuel Foljambe and A. W. Brockway became, in 1855, identified with the leadership of its various departments of Sabbath labor, and Mrs. Jacob Lowman, whose labors among idle and destitute children and youth were a marvel ; Mrs. John Hale, Mrs. Elizabeth Staats, Mrs. Marble, Robert Waterton and daughters, Miss Nellie Wick, Miss Mary B. Janes, and did others contributed clothing, taught classes, and missionary work among tenement house population.
The school and relief headquarters were by this time located in a large brown house on Champlain street, not far from the present site of the Central Police Station, built by benevolent citizens for this mission. Many of these children, coming from the unemployed and vicious classes, it seemed imperative that a missionary be appointed to visit the homes of the abandoned.' Robert Waterton was chosen, and proved to be the man for the place. Having the correct idea of labor for those people, he opened a brush factory on Champlain street, still continuing the religious exercises on Sunday. Mr. Waterton had the confidence of the community, and when the work had in turn been given up by the Methodists and by the Young
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Men's Christian Association, he laid it before Harvey Rice and T. P. Handy. These benevolent men aided Mr. Waterton's efforts, and in 1857 the , Children's Aid Society was formed, and in 1865 incorporated, under the State law, with a Board of Trustees and the institution called the Industrial School, set in operation under the efficient management of Robert Waterton, receiving generous assistance from city and county authorities.
A wealthy Methodist lady, Mr. Eliza Jennings, became interested in him and his work, from the fact that in an earlier day Mr. Waterton attended upon the sick and dying bed of her husband, and in his simple, hearty fashion led Mr. Jennings to Christ. As a token of her appreciation she -presented their homestead—a large house and twelve acres on Detroit street—to the Children's Aid Society, and, in 1868, Mr. Waterton, with his own and his large adopted family, occupied the premises. Subsequently Leonard Case presented the Society with twenty acres of valuable land adjoining. Amasa Stone, Esq., added the gift of an elegant building, suitable for the noble undertaking. Leffingwell Chapel was given by a lady ; women aided the work always.
AND THEIR WORK - 117 The Children's Aid Society now possesses on Detroit street every advantage for destitute boys and girls, its Home being accessible by the Lake Shore Railroad and West Side Street Railway. The project is supported solely by its own industries and by voluntary contributions from city and country ; citizens, not only east of the Cuyahoga, but from the West and South Sides, give it their liberal and hearty sympathy. Rev. and Mrs. William Sampson, Superintendent aud Matrou. are well fitted for their arduous tasks. From the records, the writer judges that one hundred and fifty boys and girls are there cared for yearly. Industry is inculcated as a cardinal virtue, and the farm gives opportunity for boys to cultivate a habit of manual labor.
The institution knows no sect or nationality and has a Christ-like mission, viz.: To benefit the neglected, destitute and homeless children of Cleveland and vicinity, who are over four and less than sixteen years of age, by receiving, maintaining and instructing them in the branches of a common school education, and in the principles of sound morality, with habits of industry, until they can maintain themselves or be provided with homes in good families.
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Many ladies identified with the three charities named in this and the previous chapter have place here. The Children's Hospital in the Protestant Orphan Asylum is a memorial for Mary Clark Brayton, wife of Dr. Alleyne Maynard. The furnishing of this hospital was entrusted to Mrs. S. M. Hanna, who does valiant service wherever enlisted. Mrs. T. S. Paddock, Mrs. G. W. Jones, Mrs. Horace Benton, Mrs. Jason Canfield, Mrs. John Poole, Mrs. Randall P. Wade, MI6. Thomas Wilson, Mrs. C. W. Lepper, Mrs. H. Chisholm are all friends of the orphan, with others whose names have not come to us. Omission must not be made of Mrs. Julia Warren Shunk, matron of the Asylum, and of Miss M. J. Weaver ; they both leave ineffaceable impress upon children. Like Mademoisellee Baptistine, Miss W.'s whole life has been " but a succession of pious works, producing upon her a kind of transparent whiteness—the beauty of goodness—a little earth containing a spark." A venerable member was Mrs. Harvey Rice, born in Putney, Vt., in 1812 ; came to Cleveland in 1833 ; in 1840, married Hon. Harvey Rice. She felt for twenty years a practical interest in the Children's Aid Society, and Industrial School, be-
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ing equally devoted to Trinity Church Home for Sick and Friendless.
Mrs. Eliza Jennings, Mrs.. Lewis Burton and Mrs. Minerva Wetmore are daughters of Judge Wallace, of Canfield, Mahoning County, Ohio. The last mentioned of these sisters is a worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and like Mrs. Burton, active in the reforms of the day. The first of these ladies was born in1808,, in Columbiana county; after marriage residing in Virginia Mrs. Jennings possessed unusual vigor and energy, excelling in business traits, was a lady of travel and culture ; in manner, stately and courteous ; in Christian character, richly endowed, public-spirited and benevolent. Giving to the Methodists of Illinois their Seminary at Aurora, it was named in her honor, " Jennings Institute." We are largely indebted to her munificence for the second charity mentioned here, and for the Home for Incurables on the grounds directly adjacent to and west of the Industrial School building. This eminent woman died after a brief illness at the residence of her sister, Mrs. Minerva Wetmore, Sunday morning, September 25th, 1887, aged 76. The younger sister, Jane, is fitted to be, the wife of Rev.
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Lewis Burton, D. D., the beloved senior rector of the Protestant Episcopal Church of this city ; for twenty-four years rector of St. John's Church ; the Founder of St. Mark's, and its present rector emeritus. This beautiful edifice is built largely through the good management and liberality of Dr. and Mrs. Burton, with the untiring assistance and self-denying tabor of Rev. F. M. Hall, his vestrymen and Other members ; prominent among these is Mrs. J. C. Williams, abounding in good works. The children of Dr. and Mrs. Burton, of Mrs. Wetmore and of Mrs. Williams, are an honor to the homes which nourished and sent them forth to make this world better. In connection should be mentioned the lovely character and unusual beneficence of Julia, the invalid wife of Bishop G. T. Bedell, who was one of the rarest women of Cleveland.
Trinity Church Home for Sick and Friendless was opened in 1856, with Mrs. Philo Scovill President of its Board of Managers. This Home was secured to Trinity Parish through Rev. Dr. Bolles, and afterwards more favorably located by Mr. Scovill. A beloved worker in this charity was Mrs. John Shelley, a lady of refined taste, a good
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housekeeper, a faithful mother ; one who loved nature and cultivated flowers ; yet was she devoted to the needy, to the orphan. Avoiding publicity, she served the Church with true devotion, giving generously. Active in all good work, her specialty was the Diet Kitchen, which she founded for furnishing nourishment to the destitute sick. Her daughter, Mrs. E. C. Pechin, states that the Home is the result of a bequest left to Trinity Church by Mr. William Stubbs, an Englishman, who, desiring to benefit his fellow creatures, left all that he had —$4,000—to the establishment of such a Home. This institution has been in active operation since December, 1856, and now numbers twelve inmates. While under the direction and management of a Board of Managers belonging to Trinity Parish ( this being one of the requirements of Mr. Stubbs' will), the Home has extended its benefits to all denominations. It has no endowment fund, and is entirely supported by free-will offerings from members of Trinity Cathedral, and a few others. It is certainly a charity that deserves to be more widely known and appreciated by the general public. It is located, now, corner of Euclid avenue and Perry street. With the wife of Bishop
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Leonard president of its Board of Managers, the indwellers of the Home are under the direct care of the Sisterhood of the Blessed Nativity, connected with Trinity Cathedral. The other twenty-three members of the Board of Control are : Mrs. N. W. Taylor, Mrs. George Avery, Mrs. George B. Ely, Mrs. Mary S. Pechin, Mrs. J. T. Wann, Mrs. Mary S. Bradford, Mrs. W. A. Ludlum, Mrs. Bailey, Mrs. E. S. Flint, Mrs. William Edwards, Mrs Brainerd Mrs. H. M. Brainard, Mrs. James H. Lee, Mrs. R. D. Lowe, Mrs. O. A. Brooks, Mrs. Gaylord, Mrs. I. M. Himes, Mrs. Burt Parsons, Mrs. Ansel Roberts, Mrs. Sarah Haydn, and Miss Katharine Mather ; from St. Paul's Church, Mrs. D. Z. Norton and Mrs. A. C. Hord ; from Grace, Miss Handerson ; from St. John's, Mrs. R. R. Rhodes; and from Emanuel, Mrs. Geo. Deming. Of these ladies should be mentioned Mrs. 0. A. Brooks and Mrs. N. W. Taylor, whose long services for Trinity and its charities have won for them a place in the hearts of all communicants. The generosity of Mr. and Mrs. S. L. Mather and their devotion, is shared by their family who live to perpetuate the good begun by the departed. Mary Champion was the first child baptized in
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Old Trinity. Her father's beautiful home stood on the site of Huron Street Hospital. The Champions were an old family, connected with which are many prominent names, the founder of our city leading them all.
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CHAPTER XIII.
SOLDIERS' AID SOCIETY OF NORTHERN OHIO—DEAR MRS. PRESIDENT — MARY CLARK BRAYTON—ELLEN F. TERRY—MRS. WILLIAM MELHINCH—MISS SARA MAHAN.
IT is said that among the centers of supply and distribution of the United States Sanitary Commission none accomplished so much as the Soldiers' Aid Society of Northern Ohio, headquarters at 95 Bank Street. This extraordinary efficiency was due almost wholly to the energy and business ability of its officers. The one thing we admire most of all is the privilege of looking over the record of women who do something in the world ; therefore are we proud to present the work and its results of this celebrated Society, composed entirely of ladies ; organized at Chapin's Hall, April 20, 1861, five days after the President's proclamation for troops.
* Mr.H. F. Brayton gave the writer access to these records.
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No constitution or by-laws were ever adopted, and beyond a verbal pledge to work for the soldiers while the war should last, and a fee of twenty-five cents monthly, no form of membership was prescribed, and no written word held the association together to its latest day. Its sole cohesive power was the bond of a common and undying patriotism.
In October, 1861, it was offered to the United States y Commission as one of its receiving and distributing branches, and the following month its name was changed from the Soldiers' Aid Society of Cleveland to that which stands at the head of this article. In 1862 and 1863, the number of its Auxiliaries was 525. None of these ever seceded or became disaffected, but throughout the war the utmost cordiality prevailed between them and the central office. In the five years from.its organization to April, 1866, this Society had collected and disbursed $130,405.09 in cash, and $1,000,003 in stores, making a grand total of $1,133,405.09. This amount was received mainly from contributions, though the excess over $1,000,000 was mostly made from the proceeds of exhibitions, concerts, and the Northern Ohio Sanitary
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Fair, held in February and March, 1864. The net proceeds of this bazar were $79,000. Supplies and necessary funds were forwarded to the western depot of the Sanitary Commission at Louisville, except in few instances where they were required for the eastern armies. The reception, repacking and forwarding of this vast quantity of stores, as well as all the correspondence required with the auxiliaries, and with the western depot, and the bookkeeping necessary in consequence, involved a great amount of labor, which was performed with the utmost cheerfulness. Not only were the services connected with the actual needs of the war, but among its additional institutions and operations, the most important was the " Soldiers' Home," established near the old railroad depot, April 17th, 1861, as a lodging room for disabled soldiers in transit, having in connection a system of meal tickets, given to deserving soldiers of this class." In October, 1863, the Soldiers' Home was opened, a building 235 feet by 25 feet, erected and furnished with funds obtained through personal solicitation of ladies, maintained until June 1, 1866, affording special relief to 56,520 registered inmates, to whom were given 111,707 meals, and
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29,973 lodgings, at a cost of $27,408. No government support was received for this Home, and no rations drawn from the commissary. The lady officers gave it daily personal attention, directing its management and appointing its officials. They established a Hospital Directory for the soldiers of Northern Ohio, recording promptly the condition and location of sick and wounded men, from returns received from all hospitals in which they were found. In May, 1865, an employment agency was opened and continued for six months ; 205 discharged soldiers were put into business situations by their personal efforts; the families of the disabled men were cared for again and again, many of them being regular pensioners of the ladies' bounty. Its surplus funds, June 1, 1866, $9,000, were used in the settlement of soldiers' war claims, bounties, back pay, pensions, etc., free of charge to the claimant. The secretary and . treasurer were daily in attendance as clerks. The admirable management and detail of this grand work, even to the shipping and other business of a great receiving and forwarding hawse, show what woman, in emergency, may do. Before officers were permanently appointed,
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Mrs. B. Rouse, Mrs. S. B. Page, Mrs. C. D. and Miss Mary Clark Brayton, Mrs. George A. Benedict, Mrs. J. A. Harris, Mrs. H. L. Whitman, Mrs. C. A. Terry, Mrs. Dr. Long, Mrs. Lewis Severance, Mrs. Philo Scovill and Mrs E. F. Gaylord were prominent in labor for Camp Taylor and in disbursing funds raised for the benefit of volunteers' families. At length were chosen, president, Mrs. Rebecca Cromwell Rouse ; secretary, Mary Clark Braytou : treasurer. Miss Ellen P. Terry: vice-presidents, Mrs. William Melhinch, Mrs. John Shelley, Mrs. Lewis Burton.
Chairmen of Standing Committees—Mrs. Joseph Perkins, Mrs. Charles Hickox, Mrs. Joseph Lyman, Mrs. M. C. Vounglove, Mrs. D. Howe, Mrs. J. A. Harris, Mrs. Hiram Griswold, Mrs. W. P. South-worth, Mrs. D. Chittenden, Mrs. J. H. Chase, Mrs. S. Belden, Mrs. Peter Thatcher. Mrs. William Mittleberger, assisted by ladies mentioned, canvassed the city for funds.
The Sanitary Fair was probably the largest entertainment of the kind ever given in Ohio. It were vain to enumerate the ladies who took part in this and other devices for securing money, or even to mention those enrolled in committees ;
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they number hundreds. Every part of the city was represented by true women, who in their country's peril were worthy of husbands, brothers, and sons, whom they had bidden to go to the front, and, if need be, come home on their shields. Grand, glorious women ! The State of Ohio is proud beyond expression of their patriotism.
The entire time of the four first mentioned officers, viz : Ladies Rouse, Brayton, Terry and Melhinch, was given daily to this work from 8 o'clock A. M. to 6 P. M., or later, for five and a half years. These being in circumstances of wealth or independence, no salary asked or received, no traveling expenses were charged to the Society, although the president visited repeatedly every part of our territory, organizing and encouraging auxiliaries. Both secretary and treasurer went more than once to the front of the army and to the large general hospitals in southern cities. All these ladies were equal to the emergency, and no sires of the revolution could have had more loyal daughters than these.
It is impossible to present the sum total of the president's work; Once, she had three gun boats at her service on the Ohio river, and was aboard
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one of them when mattresses were hung about the pilot house to shield the pilot from rebel bullets. Her visits to Louisville, Pittsburgh Landing, and Perryville can never be forgotten. An enthusiastic friend, writing of her in 1867, furnishes a just tribute: " She is of tireless energy and exhaustless sympathy for every form of human suffering. For forty years she has been the foremost in all benevolent movements among the ladies of Cleveland, spending most of her time and income in the relief of the unfortunate ; yet she is entirely free from personal ambition and love S of power or notoriety. She is a descendant of Oliver Cromwell, and has much of his energy and strength of endurance, but is remarkably unselfish and ladylike. It is due to her efforts that there was not a town of any size in the region, to which the Soldiers' Aid Society of Northern Ohio looked for its contributions, which had not its Aid Society, or Alert Club, or both. Though plain and polite in person, she possessed the rare ability of influencing those whom she addressed. Earnestly patriotic herself, she never failed to inspire those who listened with the resolution to do all possible for their country."
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The secretary and treasurer of the Soldiers' Aid Society were young ladies of wealth, high social position, of accomplished education, fond of intellectual pursuits, and of modest, retiring disposition. During the whole. of the war they isolated themselves in the one work of caring for-soldiers. They had sufficient executive ability to have conducted the enterprise of a large mercantile establishment ; and the perfect system and order apparent iu their trausactiou of business would have done honor to any mercantile house in the world. After the war was over they acted as clerks of the Free Claim Agency, for recovering soldiers' dues from the government. From early morn until evening, and sometimes far into the night, Miss Brayton is said to have toiled in the Aid rooms, or elsewhere, conducting the immense correspondence of the Society, and contributing to the Cleveland newspapers on topics connected with the work. Not one of these ladies received a dollar of pay.
Now, in her turn, superintending and purchasing supplies for the Soldiers' Home, looking out for a place for some partially disabled soldier, or relieving the wants of his family ; at rare intervals
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varying her labors by a journey to the front, or a temporary distribution of supplies at hospitals in Nashville, Huntsville, Bridgeport or Chattanooga, and then having ascertained by personal inspection what was most necessary for the comfort and health of the army, returning to her work, and by eloquent and admirable appeals to the auxiliaries, securing and promptly forwarding necessary stores. Her untiring energy impaired her health repeatedly, but ver lay down her work a long as there was opportunity of serving her country's defenders.
Mary Clark Brayton was born in Albany, in 1833. In 1840, her mother married Dr. Charles D. Brayton, of Cleveland, Ohio, and subsequently Miss Mary Clark adopted the name by which she is universally known. She was married to Dr. Alleyne Maynard, October 21st, 1875, and died July 12th, 1878.
Miss Ellen F. Terry was a daughter of Dr. Charles A. Terry, then Professor in the Cleveland Medical College. Her mother was one of the sweetest spirits in a choice circle of Old Trinity's Parish. Miss Terry kept the books of the Soldiers' Aid Society, of itself a great labor, made all dis-
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bursements of cash, and did her whole work with a neatness, accuracy and dispatch that would have done honor to any business man in the country. No monthly statement of accounts from any of the branches of the Sanitary Commission reporting to its Western office at Louisville were drawn up with such careful accuracy and completeness as those from the Cleveland branch, although in most of them experienced and skillful male accountants were employed to make them up Aft., Terry also superintended the building of the Soldiers' Home, and took her turn with Miss Brayton in its management. She also assisted in other labors of the Society, and made occasional visits to the front and the hospitals. A lady residing in our city, who could always be counted on to " stay by the stuff" in absence of chief officers at the front, was Mrs. Rosamond Dexter Melhinch. Having no family cares, and boarding at the American House, Mrs. Melhinch put on her hat and shawl the instant Sumter was fired upon, and scarce took them off until the Rebellion was subdued. Brain, heart and hands all enlisted, she sewed during the war, and for four months of the time sustained the brunt of receiving troops, seeing that meals were
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properly served, and that anxious friends who were apt to come in any hour of the day or night were helped and comforted. Supplying the sick at the hospital on the pier with food, beds and medical attendance, she was often up until three o'clock in the morning. Brave, patriotic woman ! She lost her health, but has never murmured on that account. She helped everywhere with shears, needle, and all implements of woman's work that furnish physical relief. What soldier that has received a " comfort bag " and bundle of warm underwear, but that has grateful remembrance. Mrs. Melhinch relates that, by way of diversion from her accustomed duties, one morning she and Miss Ellen Terry went out to solicit funds for the construction of the pier Hospital, and in the short time they were out collected $1,800. Mrs. Melhinch speaks in the highest terms of the, business men of the city, who always responded liberally to the ladies' call for help, regarding at this crisis vox femince, vox Del. In August, 1864, a small printing offrce with a hand-press was attached to the rooms ; the ladies learned how to set type and work the press, issuing weekly bulletins to their auxiliaries, to stimu-
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late and encourage effort. For two years, from October, 1862, two columns, weekly, were contributed to the Cleveland Leader, by the ladies, for the benefit of the auxiliaries, keeping them to the highest condition of patriotic activity, but the fair corps editorial, with their stirring appeals, digests of business, sanitary news, home relief reports and condensed letters from the front, often overrun the allotted columns, and a regular office with unlimited capacities, by way of space, was provided, and the ladies issued circulars and bulletins ad libitum. Those who assisted in this department at different times during the earlier years of the war were Misses Mary Shelley, Carrie Grant, Georgia Gordon, Helen Lester, Nellie Russell, Clara Woolson, Nettie Brayton, Mrs. George S. Mygatt and Mrs. Frank W. Parsons. The invoicing and registering had become too important to be left to the changing hands of volunteer committees, and Miss Sara Mahan, whose valuable services had for some months been given, was, from August 1, 1862, employed as foreman of the printing offrce. Mrs. Miller and Miss Carrie P. Younglove cheerfully gave their services, and Miss Ruth Gillett was employed to assist Miss Mahan.
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Conceive of the number of cards, bill forms, price lists of material, letter heads, blanks, circulars and bulletins issued by these ladies, until the close of the war. The total amount of reporters' bulletins and documents of the General Commission issued by the Cleveland branch is 74,725. This, added to 29,525 copies of the Society's own publications, makes the total of 104,300, exclusive of minor print, and of several thousand copies of Loyal League publications from Philadelphia, New York and Boston houses.
We must here acknowledge the services. of Mrs. George Willey, Mrs. John M. Sterling, Jr., Miss Vaughan, Miss Stewart, Misses Anna Baldwin and Annis Carter, members of the Document Committee, for more than two years of its heaviest duties. During 1869, Misses Mary Brayton and Ellen Terry prepared a general history of the Society, and accounts Of special relief—a great labor—in book form : " Our Acre and its Harvest," dedicated to the " Branches of the Vine." Mrs. Miller, alluded to as one of Miss Mahan's assistants, was afterward matron of the Soldiers' Home, at Dayton, to which our Aid Society gave $5,000, for the support of its members. We believe that most of the
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ladies mentioned as connected with this marvelous printing office still reside here. One of them, Miss Gordon, married a Belgian Count, and died a few years since.
Mary Shelley is our Mrs. E. C. Pechin, foremost in charitable and patriotic endeavor. The central figure in this branch is the indefatigable laborer, Miss Sara, daughter of Rev. Asa Mahan, formerly president of Oberlin College, and later of London, England. Mrs. Mahan, her mother, was a Dix, relative of the governor, famous for his utterance, "If any man hauls down the American flag, shoot him on the spot."
When yet a young girl, Miss Sara taught the Lake Superior government school, at Bay City, Wis. ; was noted for quick intelligence and executive power, always attracting admiration by her courage and fearlessness. She excelled in out-door sports, and was an accomplished horsewoman ; had her own sledge and dogs up there, which she managed with much skill. She is remembered as the first lady skater on Cleveland ice, and those here during the Rebellion will hot forget how speedily she came to business with her horse and phaeton. Close application to writing and the
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work of the printing office so impaired her eyes that at 28 years she was forced to wear glasses suited to a person of 75, and constant standing induced lameness, so that she, the fleet and athletic, often went upon crutches. Despite these disabilities, at the close of the war she went into business, in Chicago, exhibiting remarkable ability. Subsequently, she established a boarding and day school at Bay City, but was finally obliged to succumb to exhausted nature, dying a martyr to her country, in this city, January 22, 1875, aged 34 years, at the residence of her sister, Mrs. W. C. North. Both Mrs. Maynard and Miss Mahan died for the Union cause as much as any soldier ever did in battle. Either of them would have been a Joan of Arc, in the siege of Orleans.
The War and the Claim Agency, the duties of which last were relinquished in 1867, draw a red line between woman's earlier work and her work of to-day in this city.
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DORCAS-MRS. J. ROSS-MRS. J. S. WHITE-LADIES' BETHEL AND MISSION AID SOCIETY-MRS. H. CHISHOLM - REBECCA - RAILROAD WOMAN'S UNION -WOMAN'S REPOSITORY-WOMAN'S EXCHANGE-FIFTY WORKERS- SECRET ORDERS -MIXED SOCIETIES-LIDA BALDWIN INFANTS' REST-THE CURE FOR POVERTY.
A FAVORITE Relief Society is " Dorcas," named by Mrs. J. A. Harris, upon its organization in 1867, when the Allopaths and Homeopaths decided each to go separate ways, and have hospitals of their own. A few ladies of the Willson Street Hospital found themselves with sick people to be cared for. Mrs. H. H. Little was the first president, a lady of extended reputation for philanthropy and advanced views on the woman question. Mrs. C. E. Wyman, the present beloved head of the Society, states that " the success of Dorcas was assured from the beginning ; for
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the ladies who took up the work were possessed of characteristics that mean permanence and advancement." Besides the ladies named, Mrs. A. McIntosh, Mrs. J. Ross, Mrs. W. T. Smith, Mrs.. W. B. Hancock, Mrs. Peter Thatcher, Mrs. J. Richards, Mrs. Horace Fuller, Mrs. M. H. Nyce, Mrs. Sarah W. Mansfield, and Sarah L. Chittenden are enrolled. In 1872, Mrs. Joshua Ross was chosen to preside. During the illness and death of her husband, the Mrs. W. C. North supplied her place until 1877. Mrs. Charles L. and Mrs. J. H. Rhodes, Mrs. N. A. Gilbert, Mrs. A. B. Foster, Mrs. Castle, Mrs. Dr. Leggett, and her mother, Mrs. O. C. Whitney, Mrs. Dr. Gerould, Mrs. Dr. Prentice, Mrs. W. G. Rose, Mrs. F. W. Pelton, Mrs. L. A. Benton, Mrs. M. C. Worthington have been, and most of them still are, exceptionally faithful. Mrs. J. S. White is very successful in raising money and in carrying forward the religious work of the institution maintained: the Invalids' Home, No. 600 East Madison avenue, Mrs. M. C. Worthington, chairman. The aim of the " Modern " Dorcas is to aid destitute women and children, to help the sick of both sexes, and in exigency it has been known to pay the rent of distressed
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women. Its latest enterprise, to establish this hospital for incurables, is a grand undertaking, and has the fullest sympathy of our best citizens. Mrs. Joshua Ross deserves extended notice. In 1874, she was chosen president of the Ladies' Christian Union; the auxiliary of the Y. M. C. A., holding its work for eight years. During that time she was on the executive committee of the Bethel Relief Association, and on the purchasing committees of the Aged Woman's Home, and chairman of the Domestic Missionary Society of the Second Presbyterian Church. After fourteen years of leadership in Dorcas, she resigned, and Mrs. B. D. Babcock became a loved president. In 1887, Mrs. C. E. Wyman was elected chairman, and is distinguished for ability and devotion.
November 14, 1867, a large number of ladies representing the different churches of the city assembled on Spring street for the purpose of forming the Ladies' Bethel and Mission Aid Society, designed to co-operate with and extend the interests of the Bethel Union, organized January 31, 1867. Its object was to afford Christian sympathy and material aid to the needy connected
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with the mission, and, as far as practicable, to visit and relieve the families of the poor. The officers were : president, Mrs. B. Rouse ; vice president, Mrs. S. Williamson ; secretary, Mrs. John Poole ; Board of Managers, the three officers and Mrs. D. A. Shepard, Mrs. H. Newberry, Mrs. L. M. Hubby, Mrs. E. C. Pope, Mrs. G. L. Chapman, Mrs. W. B. Guyles, and Mrs. H. Chisholm. In 1880, the last mentioned was president of the Society, lady whom the orphan, the needy, the betrayed and abandoned have reason to revere and love, and whom such call " friend," is surely a friend of Him who gave his life for humanity.
Yet another Relief Association is " Rebecca," formed in 1873, which does all it can to aid those less fortunate than themselves. Mrs. E. A. Wilson, of Wade Park avenue, is its secretary, with headquarters in City. Hall.
In 1878, the Railroad Woman's Union organized to render aid socially, religiously and charitably to all classes of railway employees. This agency is still effective.
The Woman's Repository was established in December, 1880, by Mrs. G. V. R. Wickham, who, in writing out the needs of working women for
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one of the city dailies, saw the necessity for a center of deposit for woman's handwork. For two years, Mrs. Wickham gave her services ; afterward, Mrs. R. R. Rhodes, Mrs. J. C. Delamater, Mrs. F. I,. Tuttle assumed the management. What beautiful embroideries there were, from elegant sofa pillows to initials for hat-bands, painting on velvet and silks, knitted and wrought lace, dainty silk mittens, invalids' slippers, pressed and framed sea-mosses, dolls in full dress, crocheted woolen goods, widows' caps and sweeping caps, all sorts of plain, made-up material, baby carriage blankets, etching, stamping and pinking. A little French woman, through this agency, was able to bury a helpless daughter outside the potter's field. A. woman who had lost six children and her husband was face to face with death in the taking of her seventh by consumption. Being a good cook, the management told her to bring of her best work. They sold for her, weekly, twenty-one dozen of doughnuts, at eighteen cents per dozen, twenty loaves of bread, at twelve cents the loaf. Many More instances of help might be given. Why that Repository should not have lived, we never knew. At present, we have a struggling Woman's Ex-
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change, high up in the Kendall Block, opened in 1890 by the ladies of Grace Church (Protestant Episcopal), and eminently worthy of patronage. Miss H. F. Handerson is president of its Board ; her associates are Mrs. E. W. Worthington, wife of the rector, Mrs. Kemmer, and Mrs. William Bowler.
There are nine secret societies in Cleveland, including thousands of members ; the Pythian Sisters alone have four hundred and twenty-seven then, there are the Daughters of Rebecca, the Eastern Star, seven posts of the Woman's Relief Corps, Daughters of Veterans, the Daughters of St. George, the Ladies of Honor, Woman's Protestant Association, and Chosen Friends. The tendency of the times is to organize and fraternize. Comradeship and that " fellow feeling which makes us wondrous kind " fill our lodges and halls with women who find in their home lives a lack of the social element, so necessary to happiness. Mrs. Louise K. Sherman, an earnest Christian woman, is my ideal realized of a Pythian Sister ; Mrs. Louisa Roland, Mrs. Crane, widow of one of our brave colonels, and many other ladies work in the Relief Corps.
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Several organizations exist with ladies upon their Boards of Management ; " Lakeside," a Protestant hospital, has twenty-four ; Huron Street Hospital is largely controlled and maintained by ladies, the Humane Society, or S. P. C. A., with a " C" annex ; little children as well as domestic animals being shielded from cruelty. An attache of this organization is very attractive, The Lida Baldwin Infants' Rest, a beautiful building on Cedar avenue, near Bell, completed aud occupied January 1, 1892. This charity was located by Mr. H. R. Hatch, a well-known philanthropist here, as a memorial for his wife, who, in her life-time was very desirous to do for children, but on account of deafness, was deprived of that pleasure. Most appropriately does this excellent and charming work bear the girl-name of Mrs. Hatch.
The Jones Home for Friendless Children, on Pearl street, is a well placed beneficence. Mrs. S. C. Moore is chairman of its Board. Other mixed charities there are, which may not now claim attention.
The West Side Frauen Verein, organized in 1876, is prosperous ; composed of three hundred German ladies, Mrs. John Meckes, president.
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Altenheim is their institution ; an exceedingly valuable property.
Several smaller benevolent societies of various nationalities exist unrecorded, save in their good deeds ; among these the " Oakdale Benevolent," organized in 1891, and " S. S. S.," a mystery of effort on the South Side.
The writer finds two causes which tend to impoverish a large proportion of our population. They are : first, intemperance in general ; secondly, the sufferings of under-paid women in the lower grades of labor. To shut the breweries and saloons, to treat drunkenness as a crime, to oblige a man by law to support his family, and for us to give work at living wages to women, would solve the problem now puzzling so many philanthropists. Sewing schools, employment bureaus, education of the masses, the prosecution of radical temperance work, the centralization of power in churches and Sunday schools, any provision for neglected, or abandoned children, for adults, sick or helpless, and the aged, or to redeem. fallen humanity, are deserving our noblest liberality and highest Christian effort.
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CHAPTER XV.
SARAH E. FITCH—THE WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION — THE RETREAT—ITS FOUNDER —MRS. MERIBAH FARMER AND MRS. TATUM — MRS. A. P. DUTCHER— THE BOARDING HOME —HOME FOR AGED WOMEN —DAY NURSERY AND FREE KINDERGARTEN BRANCH ASSOCIATION—THE EDUCATIONAL AND INDUSTRIAL UNION—ELIZA JENNINGS HOME FOR INCURABLES—HONORABLE MENTION.
WE are glad to know that taking up the work of to-day will afford " a fountain and seventy palm trees" to thirsty readers and faint pilgrims, not so much for the manner of this pen's utterance as for its subject, always beloved by the citizens of Cleveland, viz., the work of its women.
We delineate in this chapter her who for years has stood in this city at the head of laborers for humanity, Miss Sarah E. Fitch, president of the Woman's Christian Association. She possesses the
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rare grace of modesty with much dignity.. Hers is an unwavering faith, an absolute evenness of temper under all provocation to the reverse. She is unselfish, hence love for human souls and patient sacrifice mark every step of her way. Entirely wanting in any form of self-aggrandizement, she possesses in eminent degree the love of women everywhere; of those who meet her in the councils of association work, and of any who are touched, even remotely, by her influence but especially does she live in the hearts of the women of Cleveland, whether they occupy the drawing rooms of the avenues, or the close apartments of tenement houses. Best of all, the fallen love her.
One of our cherished writers, Mrs. Fairbanks, long connected with her in membership in that grand old church—the First Presbyterian—leaves this line : "It is a gracious privilege to testify to the worth and work of Cleveland's noblest woman." Mrs. Mary H. Severance adds a laurel leaf to our wreath of testimonial, having known her from childhood. Miss Fitch consecrated herself to good work in youth ; her first efforts were in the Sunday school. In looking after children in their homes, the needs of the poor and sorrowing were
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revealed to her and so aroused her sympathies as to lay the foundation for these succeeding years of charitable and helpful labors. The great secret of her success as teacher and leader in these varied ways of usefulness from the first seems to have been due to unimpassioned, excellent judgment and steady perseverance, self-abnegation and whole-souled devotion to work. This made her a helper to her pastors, Rev. Dr. Aikin, Rev. Dr. Goodrich, and their successors. Dr. G. once said, "It would be like losing my right arm to have Miss Fitch laid aside." Mrs. S. truly states : " Others may have had more brilliant talents, but very few have been so steadfast and true to their convictions of duty, and so successful in winning the respect and confidence of the varied classes to whom she has been a blessing."
When the Woman's Christian Association was formed here in November, 1868, by H. Thane Miller, of Cincinnati, Sarah E. Fitch was unanimously chosen president.
This is the oldest branch of entire woman's work here now in active and progressive labor, except the Board of Managers of the Cleveland Protestant Orphan Asylum ; its growth has been |