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CHAPTER XXI.

INSANE ASYLUM-INFIRMARY-CHILDREN'S HOME-WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION -GERMAN BAPTISTS-GYPSIES.

SOUTHERN OHIO STATE ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.

OHIO has reason to be proud of her institutions, for no State has grander, none better furnished and in none are better accommodations provided. In the Ohio State Institutions, not only the erection of buildings, fitting up, and furnishing of them is done by the State, but every dollar of expenses is drawn from the State Treasury. No one, rich or poor, pays for treatment or board, and where patients, from any cause, are not clothed, the State clothes them. She houses, feeds, clothes, and furnishes medical attendance. The poor have to be cared for by the public under any system, the rich pay the taxes for them, and, when insane, should be entitled to the same advantages; hence, both alike enjoy the advantages of treatment and care free of expense.

In 1851, the asylum at Columbus was the only one in the State, and was known as the " Ohio Lunatic Asylum." Its capacity was 300 patients. To-day there are in Ohio asylums about 3,600 patients. Prof. S. AT. Smith, who was Superintendent of the " Ohio Lunatic Asylum " in 1851, estimated the insane of the State that year at 2,000, of which only 300 were provided tor, while more than 200 of God's afflicted were refused admission during the year. He says: " By the latest accounts I have received, 120 were in the Commercial Hospital of Cincinnati, housed in narrow and wretched quarters, that, with all the exertions of the excellent officers of the hospital, their condition is lamentable in the extreme, and has been again and again pronounced by the grand july of Hamilton County to be disgraceful to the age. Some counties, however, have made, or are making, very good provision for such of their insane as cannot be admitted here. The jails in such counties as have no infirmaries, are crowded with poor, fettered lunatics. Hundreds remain to be accounted for whose lot is too horrible to be believed, Confined in cellars and out-houses, or in log pens; suffering the extremity of cold in winter, exposed to a burning sun in summer; pelted with sticks and stones, as an amusement, by unthinking schoolboys; a scanty meal tossed in through a narrow aperture, as to a wild beast; their dens for that is the only appropriate term I can apply to them--cleaned out of the accumulated filth at distant intervals. Is this romance? No! indeed, no! it is sad and sober truth." Truly, a dark cloud obscured the future of the insane.

The State was steadily progressing in other directions, population increasing, and with it the number of insane. As a result of the recommendations of Dr. Smith and others, the following winter the Legislature passed an act, dated April 30, 1852, entitled "An act to provide for the erection of two additional lunatic asylums." Prof. H. A. Ackley, E. B. Fee, D. B. Woods, Charles Cist, and Edwin Smith composed the Board appointed under the act. An appropriation of $140,000 was made by the Legislature for the purpose of building two asylums, and the Board met at Cleveland, May 18, 1852, and upon the following day agreed to visit different Eastern asylums, and take with them an architect who was to prepare plans for the new buildings. The Board visited Philadelphia, Trenton and Harrisburg, but Mr. Bush, of Dayton, the architect employed, failing to meet the Board at Philadelphia, Samuel Sloan, of the latter city, was engaged to draw up plans

512 - HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

for the two asylums. Mr. Bush subsequently made drawings of the asylums at Trenton and Harrisburg. On the 7th of July the Board met at Cincinnati, and on the 8th at Dayton, and resolved not to locate either of the two asylums at any point, unless 50 acres of land were donated for the purpose. On the 9th a vote was taken to locate the northern asylum at Canton, which was defeated, the Board deciding to locate it in the vicinity of Cleveland. An effort was made to secure the location of the southern at Cincinnati, which failed, and on the 10th of July Dayton was selected as the site. On the 1st of September the selection of the ground was made, the same being in the northeast corner of Section 32, Van Buren Township, and September 6th the County Commissioners appropriated $500 toward paying for the land, the balance of the purchase money being donated by the citizens.

The site is one of the most beautiful in Ohio, and seems to have been specially designed by nature for such an institution. It overlooks the city of Dayton, and the Miami Valley spreads out in a magnificent panoramic view, de lighting the eye and filling the heart of the beholder with awe and reverence. The original contract for building the Dayton Asylum was let to Daniel Richmond & Co., for $67,350.50, beside the money expended in payment of architects, superintendent, traveling expenses, etc. June 22, 1854, Joseph Clements, M. D., was appointed by the Board Superintendent of the Dayton Asylum, and the same year Dr. C. M. Godfrey, of Ottawa, was appointed a member of the Board, and has since served many terms in that capacity. In his first report the Superintendent says: "Very little has been done towards grading the grounds; no library, eight iron bedsteads, no smoke-house or ice-house." The current expenses were $4,900.52, and the number of patients 59. In April, 1856, the institution was reorganized, an entire new Board of Trustees appointed, and on April 23rd, Dr. J. J. McIlhenny was elected Superintendent. The number of patients 133, current expenses $13,233.14. For 1857, the same administration continues, except Dr. Richard Gundry is appointed assistant instead of Dr. Poague, resigned. S. Strauch and J. W. Van Cleve furnished plans for improving the grounds. The number of patients 161, current expenses $28,781.65. For 1858, the report shows 161 patients, and the current expenses $26,309.70. October 2, 1858, the roofing of the southwest wing blew off. Some improvements were made in out buildings and grading the grounds. In 1859, a workshop, two stories high, 36x22 feet, was erected and a lake made; 156 patients reported and $25,180.13 current expenses. In 1860, there were 157 patients cared for, and the current expenses were $28,142.75. A severe storm this year blew off forty squares of roofing. The grounds were much improved during the past season, trees were planted, considerable grading and sodding done, and the roads within the enclosure were nearly all completed. In 1861, 159 patients were reported and $32,630.59 current expenses, also the grading was reported finished, which cost altogether, upon the front of the building up to that date, nearly $6,000. April 15, 1862, Dr. Richard Gundry was appointed Superintendent. The number of patients at the end of the year was 161, and current expenses $24,043.13. There were 24 acres of land purchased costing $3,750. In 1863, the current expenses were $31,254.06, and the number of patients 163. In 1864, current expenses $41,584.93, and 162 patients. In 1865, patients 171, current expenses $48,623.17. In 1866 a kitchen was build, a rear corridor rebuilt, and $40,000 appropriated for building new wings.

The Board contracted with James W. McLaughlin, of Cincinnati, as architect, to prepare necessary plans and specifications for the proposed addition to the building. The number of patients reported this year was 170, and $46,362.55 current expenses. In 1867, work upon the new wings was rapidly pushed forward and another appropriation made of $62,500. Daily average of patients 172, current expenses, $45,452.88. The report of 1868 shows that Dr. Gundry had so far succeeded in his indefatigable efforts to secure the new wings, that the Trustees report that they hope to occupy the new wards by February, 1869. The total ex-

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penditure upon these wings up to date of the report was $187,146.13, and the Trustees reported the financial condition of the institution good. A wind storm blew down the cow-shed, upper story of the stable, and carriage house; also seriously damaged the gas-house. The sum of $6,000 was appropriated to repair this damage and the Board reported that five times in twelve years, extensive portions of the roofing have been carried off by storms. Number of patients, 174, current expenses, $46,130.25. In the year 1869 the new wards were occupied by patients, and Drs. W. J. Conklin and H. B. Nimemaker were appointed assistant physicians, Dr. Bell resigning. The total expenses of the new wings, up to this time was $290,000. The daily average ofpatients was 255, and the current expenses $61,471.99. The daily average of patients for 1870 was 481, and the current expenses $99,285.73. In 1871 the daily average of patients was 531, and the current expenses $103,273.82. This year a large portion of tile roofing was again blown off, thus causing much labor and expense. Dr. Rutter was appointed assistant, in place of Dr. Nunemaker, resigned. The report for 1872 shows the daily average of patients to have been 609, and the current expenses $98,310.58.

In this year tile Superintendent, Dr. Richard Gundry, was selected by the Legislature to complete, furnish and open tile Athens Asylum, where he remained four years, and was then selected to do a like work at the Columbus Asylum. It was mainly through Dr. Gundry's indefatigable exertions, that the Dayton Asylum was so rapidly brought to its present high standard among the institutions of the Union. Without casting any reflection upon those worthy Superintendents who preceded and followed him, it is but justice to say that none did so much towards building up this institution, and making it one of the foremost Asylums in the land, as Dr. Grundy. All honor to those men who have labored so assiduously and faithfully in alleviating the sufferings of poor, afflicted humanity. May their names never be forgotten, but be inscribed indelibly, on the pages of history.

Dr. S. I. F. Miller succeeded Dr. Gundry as Superintendent of the Dayton Asylum, and Dr. Conklin resigned his place as assistant, having served two and one-half years in that capacity. In 1873 the daily average of patients was 569, and the current expenses $87,000. Dr. Miller resigned in June, 1873, and Dr. Rutter was acting Superintendent until one was appointed. Dr. McLain resigned his position as assistant, and Dr. John M. Carr was appointed. In this year small-pox broke out in the Asylum and was not eradicated until the large brief. house, known as the Dr. William Egry property, was secured for a pest-house. In 1874 the number of patients was 526, and the current expenses $90,367.36. This year the benevolent institutions of tile State were re-organized. Dr. Clark had previously succeeded Dr. Miller as Superintendent of the Dayton Asylum, and after serving about two years resigned, and was followed by Dr. L. R. Landfear, who was appointed in 1875. This latter year tile daily average of patients was 578, and . current expenses .$86,213.29. In 1876 tile institutions were again re-organized, but Dr. Landfear, who had previously been re-appointed, was allowed to remain. The daily average of patients was 596, and the current expenses $91,173.85. In 1877 the current expenses were $88,000 and the daily average of patients 571. In 1878 another re-organization took place, and Dr. D. A. Morse was elected Superintendent. The daily average of patients for this year was 492, and the current expenses $87,255.01. Dr. P. N. Adams was appointed an, assistant this year, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Dr. C. A. Hoff. In 1879 the report gives the daily average of patients as 578, and the current expenses $82,167.55. The report for 1880 shows that in May of that year Dr. H. A. Tobey was elected Superintendent, to succeed Dr. Morse, who resigned. Dr. Tobey took charge July 15, of that year; Drs. John M. Carr and P. N. Adams were continued as assist ants, and Dr. George B. Evans added to the corps of assistants. The daily average of patients was 594, and the current expenses $101,035.33, yet it is but fair to say that more than $10,000 of this amount was used in paying debts con-

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traded previous to this year. During the year 1881, telephones were put in the building, new gas works built, costing about $10,000, an adequate and extensive water system completed at a cost of $5,000; a new lake made, and a deer-park constructed, where formerly stood a hog-lot.

Many other improvements have been made and still others contemplated, which in the near future will be finished. Among the latter is an addition on the rear of the main building, which will give eighteen additional rooms for employees, of whom there are ninety-seven, and six rooms to the administration buildings, beside giving a chapel back of amusement hall and increasing by one-fourth the size of the latter. An appropriation of $17,500 is now on hand to pay for those needed improvements. In 1881 six fire plugs were put in along the front of the building, which, with the seven plugs in the rear, afford first-class protection against fire. Two one-inch streams of water can be thrown over any part of the building, thus dem onstrating the perfection of the water system recently built. The daily average number of patients during 1881 was 591, and the current expenses $98,530.67. For 1882, $8,000 has been appropriated for boilers, beside the $17,500 already spoken of.

The Asylum now contains 190 acres in all, though the land is somewhat scattered. The building is 800 feet long upon the front, has ten female and nine male wards, and the total cost of lands and buildings upon them, up to November 15, 1878, was $520,000, and no doubt ere this has reached $600,000, as many necessary improvements have been made during the past three years. The grounds surrounding the Asylum are beautifully laid out, and on the front and east sides are inclosed by a substantial iron fence. In front of the building is a circular drive, enclosing a smooth, grassy lawn, dotted with ornamental trees, while to the right and left handsome drives branch off from the central one, which are fringed with beautiful shade trees, thus cutting the landscape into artistic designs, pleasing to the eye. Flower beds here and there break the monotony of the green sward and lend themselves to beautify the scene. In the rear of the buildings are two pretty lakes, sodded to the water's edge and enclosed by a substantial gravel drive. On their banks grow stately trees, while artificial cascades and miniature islands lend to art an appearance of nature. These lakes are principally the creation of the present genial and efficient Superintendent, who has always done everything in his power, inside and outside of the Asylum, to add to the comfort and well-being of those unfortunates over whom he has been placed. The grounds and buildings are kept scrupulously neat and clean, while systematic order pervades throughout the whole institution. The following are the names of the present Board of Trustees and resident officers

Board of Trustees. - S. A. Baxter, M. D., President; C. M. Godfrey, M. D.: J. D. Kemp, M. D.; Joseph Clegg ; John M. Milligan. Superintendent acting as Secretary.

Resident Officers. - H. A. Tobey, M. D., Superintendent; John M. Carr, M. D., P. N. Adams, M. D., and George B. Evans, M. D., Assistant Physicians; John L. Hughes, Steward; Mrs. Minnie C. Tobey, Matron.

INFIRMARY.

The Montgomery County Infirmary is a plain, substantial brick building, situated a few miles southwest of Dayton, in Jefferson Township, and located on a farm of 166 acres. The present building dates back to 1852, and is the first substantial building for an infirmary that was ever erected. As has been stated in a previous chapter, the Poor Farm was purchased more than fifty years ago, and has always been the same in extent. We find from the records that in the June session of 1826 the County Commissioners nominated and appointed the following named persons to take charge of and manage the affairs of the poor, viz.: Abraham Darst, John Folkerth, John C. Negly, Abraham Troxell, Henry Oldfather, Edmund Munger and John Ehrstim. They were ordered to meet on the third

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Monday in June on the Poor Farm. These men met as directed and organized by electing Gen. Edmund Monger President, and John Folkerth Secretary James B. Oliver was given charge of the Poor House and farm until the following March, and John Folkerth was ordered to draw up rules prescribing the duties of the President and Secretary and present them for the consideration of the board at their next meeting. William Darst and William Oldfather were appointed visiting committee to meet at the Poor House the following July. This first meeting took place June 19, 1826. After this date the Board met regularly to audit bills and receive the report of the examiners on the condition of the poor and arrangements for their comfort. The constantly increasing population of the county, as a matter of course, increased the number of paupers from year to year, until the first building was found inadequate to the demands, and as early as 1831 the directors, with the consent of the County Commissioners, ordered the Superintendent to erect a building of hewn logs 40x16 feet, which was done. Thus buildings were erected from time to time for the grooving wants of the poor, but were mostly of a temporary character and put up at a comparatively small expense, until 1852, when the County Commissioners, recognizing the growing necessities, concluded to have erected a substantial building of brick. At their meeting, held June 26, 1852, the Board ordered that D. Waymier be required to construct the drawings and make specifications for material and workmanship required for said building, and that it be advertised that sealed proposals would be received for construction of the building up to July 10. This time was afterwards extended to July 17, when the Board accepted a proposition from Seybold & Baggett, they contracting to construct the same, according to the specifications, for $8,240, and to have the walls erected by December 1, following. The final cost of the building, including everything, exceeded, by a considerable sum, the amount named, and, it is stated by good authority, was nearly $12,000.

The building, as erected by them, is substantially the infirmary of to-day, though there have been several additions, a house for the insane and numerous out-buildings being among the number.

The cost of keeping the poor has increased in proportion to the increase of population and wealth of the county. Thus we find in 1835 that the expenses were $1,219.10; in 1850, $1,972.66; in 1860, $10,000, and tax levied in 1880 amounted to $22,847.13. At present there are 216 inmates, of which number 68 are insane. The present Superintendent is Isaac Haynes, who has held the position some three years, and who keeps the institution in excellent and cleanly condition.

The building is heated by steam and has hot and cold water throughout. The inmates have a regular physician who attends to their wants and dispenses medicine from a drug store which is connected with the building. The health of the infirmary at present is excellent, and speaks well for the care that is taken of the inmates. The only thing apparently needed at the present time is some additional room to meet the increasing demands. It is believed something towards the enlargement of the infirmary will be done an early day.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY CHILDREN'S HOME.

In 1844 the following ladies petitioned the Legislature to pass a bill incorporating the "Dayton Female Association for the benefit of orphans:" Catherine Phillips, Sarall Parrott, Mary D. Este, Margaret Haines, Sarah M. Fry, Susan M. Jones, Catherine Clark, Jane W. Ells, Sarah King, Julia Barney, Hannah Richards, Mary Brown, Mrs. R. Green, Mrs. T. Blair, Mrs. E. A. Shed, Mary Bartlett, Mrs. Major Wheelock and their associates. The act of incorporation was passed in February, 1844, and empowered the association, as a body corporate, with perpetual succession, to provide by all suitable means for the comfort, maintenance and proper education of destitute orphans and other destitute children. The society was authorized to purchase, receive, hold and convey such personal and real estate and

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property as was necessary in carrying on the institution, provided the same did not exceed $20,000. The payment of $1 annually was the membership fee, and the payment of $5 at one time constituted a life membership. The laws, rules and regulations governing the society were such as are commonly used by like associations.

The citizens of the county contributed means to buy the land and erect a small brick building for an asylum, on Magnolia street, in Dayton, which was used for an orphans' home until the erection of the new home across the Miami River. Dr. Job Haines was an active worker in the establishment of the first children's home, which was carried on in a small way until about 1860, when new life seems to have been infused into it by the indefatigable exertions of Mrs. Richard Bates, who came to Dayton in 1858. This noble woman, imbued with a spirit of love and charity for suffering humanity, began at once to infuse into the association that energy and desire for doing good that characterized her own life. She soon took a leading position in every worthy and charitable work, became President of the Dayton Orphan Association, and commenced gathering in Christ's little ones, and relieving suffering, sorrow and distress, which holy work she continued until October 22, 1870, when she peacefully passed away to a blissful immortality. Many other noble women have labored zealously in the cause and passed heir years in ministering to and caring for those little ones, of whom Christ said: "Suffer little children to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven."

It cannot be questioned that untold good was done by this old association, which came to an end by the Commissioners taking the institution under their care. The Legislature passed a law March 20, 1866, authorizing the establishment of children's homes, and under that act the County Commissioners resolved to take charge of the children in the Dayton Orphan Asylum and occupy their building until a more commodious home could be erected. On February 23, 1867, C. Herclrelrode, Robert W. Steele and Dr. C. McDermont were invited to take the supervision of the institution until an act pending in the Legislature amending the former one, should be decided. The managers of the old home having made an agreement with Mrs. Sarah Snodgrass to board the children at the rate of $2.50 each per week, the same arrangement was continued by the new Board. On the 16th of April, 1867, the Commissioners under the act passed April 10, 1867, appointed the same gentlemen Trustees, Robert W. Steele for three years, C. Herclrelrode for two years and Dr. C. McDermont for one year. Mr. Steele was elected President and Mr. Herchelrode Secretary of the Board. At the same meeting Miss Rebecca R. Comly was appointed to teach a school at the Home, and this lady served continuously in that capacity until June, 1881, when she resigned and the school was discontinued, the children now attending the public schools. In May, 1867, Mrs. Snodgrass having given notice of her intention to leave the institution on the first Monday in June, the Trustees resolved to employ a matron and furnish supplies. Mrs. Laura A. Hersey was appointed matron at a salary of $400 per year. On the 3d of June, 1867, James Anderson was appointed Secretary of the Board at a salary of $100 per annum, and Dr. H. K. Steele became attending physician. April 13, 1867, five acres of land in Harrison Township were purchased of B. F. Kuhns at $1,000 per acre, upon which to erect a children's home. June 15, 1867, the contract for the building was awarded to Daniel Waymire & Co. for $32,800, and M. Rumbaugh appointed superintendent of the building.

In July, 1867, four lots adjoining the Home grounds were purchased of J. M. Paul, for $500, and the Children's Home was finished and opened this year. In April, 1868, Jesse Demint succeeded Dr. C. McDermont as a member of the Board of Trustees, and September 12, 1863, the matron resigned and Mrs. M. A. Broadbent was appointed to fill the vacancy. April 6, 1869, the Secretary having resigned, Perry Marker was appointed to fill the position, lie having been previously elected a member of the Board to succeed C. Herclrelrode. June 7, 1869, the Commissioners ap-

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pointed Jos. R. Wagoner a member of the Board in place of Perry Marker, deceased, whose unexpired term he was to fill. William R. Tomlinson was appointed at this meeting as Secretary and bookkeeper of the Board at a salary of $100 per year, and was annually re-elected until he resigned June 3, 1876. June 12, 1869, Mrs. Sarah K. Snodgrass was appointed matron instead of Mrs. M. A. Broadbent, resigned, and at a special session June 12, 1869, she was re-appointed. On the 7th of January, 1870, Dr. J. C. Reeve was appointed attending physician to the Home. March 7, 1870, Marcus Eells was appointed a member of the Board in place of Robert W. Steele, whose term expired. April 2, 1870, Mrs. Lavine Baker was appointed matron instead of Mrs. Snodgrass, resigned. February 6, 1871, Dr. Reeve was re-appointed physicianof the Horne, and in March of that year Jesse Demint was re-appointed as a member of the Board. June 5, 1871, Mrs. Anna Grady was appointed matron in place of Mrs. Baker, resigned. February, 5, 1872, Dr. Reeve was re-appointed physician of the Home, and March 4, 1872, J. B. Wagoner was re-appointed as his own successor on the Board; also Mrs. Grady as matron of the Home. At the meeting March 3, 1873, Mrs. Grady was again re-appointed. Dr. Reeve was re-appointed in 1873 as attending physician. In February, 1874, John W. Turner was appointed a member of the Board vice Joseph R. Wagoner, deceased. March 2, 1874, Jesse Demint was re-appointed as his own successor, Mrs. Grady as matron and Dr. Reeve as attending physician.

In September, 1874, a contract was let for a new slate roof to the building at a cost of .$510, Wm. H. Scott, of Dayton, doing the work. During the same year an iron fence was built in front of the Home by Herhold & Hunter, at a cost of $2 per foot, lineal measure. March 1, 1875, Mrs. Grad was re-appointed matron, and March the 3d the Commissioners re-appointed John W. Turner on the Board of Trustees. In May, 1875, the building was re-furnished with lightning rods and the old ones taken in part pay for the same, Henry Webber doing the job. March 6, 1876, the Board, re-appointed Dr. Reeve as physician and Mrs. Grady as matron of the Home. In March, 1876, the Commissioners appointed Robt. W. Steele as a member of the Board of Trustees vice Marcus Eells, whose term expired. On the 5th of June, 1876, Hiram Lewis was appointed Secretary in place of William R. Tomlinson, resigned. On March, 1877, Oliver Zell was appointed a Trustee of the Home, succeeding Jesse Demint, and, on March 31st, the Board re-appointed Mrs. Grady as matron of the Home, also appointing Dr. W. J. Conklin as attending physician. In March, 1878, John W. Turner was re-appointed as his own successor and Dr. Conklin as physician. On the 6th of May, 1878, Mrs. Mary E. Mants was appointed to succeed Mrs. Grady as matron of the Home, beginning her duties on May 13th. This lady has been appointed annually up to the present and has been one of the most efficient matrons the Horne has ever had, having served in the Dayton Asylum, Zenia Home, Iowa Home and Michigan State Public School, previous to taking charge of this institution. In March, 1879, Jesse Demint was appointed a member of the Board, succeeding Robert W. Steele. March 22, 1879, Dr. J. C. Reeves succeeded Dr. Conklin as attending physician of the Home. In April, 1880, Thomas A. Legler succeeded Oliver Zell as a member of the Board of Trustees; Dr. Reeves was re-appointed attending physician and C. J. Knecht Secretary of the Board to succeed Hiram Lewis, who had served four years as Secretary. In March, 1881, H. H. Laubach succeeded John W. Turner as a member of the Board of Trustees, and April 16, 1881, Dr. Reeves was again re-appointed attending physician. In March, 1882, James Turner was appointed a member of the Board vice Jesse Demint, whose time had expired, and March 20, 1882, C. J. Knecht was appointed Superintendent and Clerk. An inventory of the personal property belonging to the Home, February 24, 1882, values it at $7,152 and the current expenses and repairs for the past year were $13,094.60. Average number of children supported, 107, viz., 75 boys and 32 girls; cost per capita., $114.25.

Since this Home was built there have been 968 children cared for and 162 of the number indentured. There are now 123 in the Home, 83 boys and 40 girls,

522 - HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

and 75 of the whole number are attending school. The rules of the Home are that when a child arrives at the age of sixteen it can no longer remain, but must go out into the world for itself. The majority have been returned to their parents or friends, some have run off, while eighty have died since the Home was started in 1867. The Home has yearly received a certain fund from the State for the support of soldier's children. This fund has been collected by Col. M. P. Nolan, and in some years has cut down the expenses of the Home to a very small margin.

The Home is a large three-storied brick building, with cupola and basement, and contains forty-two rooms, heated by steam and lighted with gasoline. In front is a nice lawn, dotted with ornamental and shade trees, while the main entrance from Summit street is approached by a neat walk, giving to the whole a home like appearance. In the rear is a brick building wherein is located the heating apparatus, and which is also used for a laundry, while conveniently situated is the fuel house, a two-storied brick structure. The whole rear part of the Home grounds is used for gardening purposes, where useful lessons of industry are sought to be inculcated into the hearts of the children. The building is supplied with plenty of light and ventilation, and throughout is convenient, clean and comfortable, approaching as near a home as is possible for such an institution.

No doubt many of those little ones have better attendance and more of the physical comforts of life, than they could get with their parents, vet the strict routine of duty, expected and enforced, cannot be conducive to the intelligent develop ment of the child, and has a tendence to dwarf orally of its finer instincts. The present officers are: Thomas A. Legler, H. H. Laubach, James Turner, Trustees; C. J. Knecht, Superintendent and Clerk; Mrs. Mary E. Mants, Matron; Geo. Caswell, Steward and Fireman.

THE WOMANS' CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE SUPPORT OF WIDOWS AND DESTITUTE WOMEN.

As is generally known, it was mainly through the efforts of Mrs. Richard Bates, President of the Orphans' Home, that an act of the Legislature was passed to transfer the property of the old Orphans' Home to "an association for the sup port of destitute widows and other -Women." To have such a home in Dayton was the cherished pleasure in the heart of this noble woman, foremost in every good work. On the 6th day of May, 1808, Mrs. Bates -Wrote her last letter relative to this transfer, and on the 6th day of May, 1871, the association, with Mrs. Jno. H. Winters as President, took the last legal steps towards receiving the property. Thus wits the daughter enlisted in consummating the mother's cherished work. The legislative act allowing such associations to be incorporated was enacted March 80, 1864, but the Dayton society was not formally organized until Nov. 26, 1870. In answer to a call made by a few Christian Women of Dayton, a goodly number of ladies met in the parlor of the Y. M. C. A. hall, thus manifesting sufficient interest to justify a regular organization.

The following officers were chosen for 1870-71: President, Mrs. J. H. Winters; Vice-Presidents, Mrs. J. B. King, Mrs. W. Herr, Mrs. H. N. Stephens; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. J. Harry Thomas; Recording Secretary, Miss Maggie Cox; Treasurer, Mrs. H. D. Carnell. Fiscal Trustees, Mr. John H. Winters, Mr. R. W. Steele, Mr. C. H. Crawford.

In order to extend the work, the association became an incorporate body by adopting the name of "The Wornans' Christian Association, of Dayton, Ohio, for the Support of Widows and Destitute Women." Thus were they enabled to re ceive the property and endowment fund of the Dayton Female Orphan Asylum, which transfer arts ultimately completed in the latter part of 1872. The building was out of repair and unsuitable for a dwelling, but, much was clone in needed improvements towards making, it more comfortable and home-like. The horse was opened for the reception of inmates Feb. 8, 1875, and publicly dedicated oil the

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11th day of May. Mrs. A. L. Connelly was its first matron and was succeeded by Mrs. Addie Broadrup, who took charge in September, 1875. The objects of the association are the spiritual, moral, mental, social and physical welfare of woman. Any widow of good moral character over sixty years of age, belonging to Dayton, can be admitted to this home upon the payment of $100 to the endowment fund, furnishing her own room, clothing and paying funeral expenses, but females destitute of funds, friends and home will also be admitted temporarily. Every inmate is required to pay for her board either in money or work, and those who have employment outside of the home may enjoy its benefits by, paying $2 per week. Family worship is observed morning and evening, all inmates being required to conform strictly to the rules of the institution, while the order and decorum of a well-regulated Christian family is carefully adhered to. It is not the intention in the management of this home to sustain suffering humanity in idleness, but to arouse, if possible, energy and ambition, and to help others to help themselves.

Besides operating this home, the association has an Industrial School, where more than 1,000 girls have been taught many useful branches of industry and learning, thus fitting them for a moral and intelligent sphere in life's battle. This school, now numbering over 200 little girls, meets Saturday afternoons and for the past eight years has clone untold good. The association have a committee who regularly visit the county jail, infirmary, workhouse and city prison; an employment committee untiring in their efforts to find work for willing hands; a devoted band of women, in charge of the fallen and tempted ones; a visiting committee of volunteers in every ward who stand always ready to answer to calls of distress and sorrow, whether it be found in the homes of the rich or the poor, and a committee who hold regular services in the wards of the Soldiers' Home Hospital. The association has struggled along for years, nobly doing its work, yet on account of the small size of the old "Widows' Home," which, at best, could shelter but seven persons at one time; much was left undone that with better accommodations might have been accomplished. The entire work of the society is voluntary, even the matron working without remuneration. The institution is supported by private donations, the offerings of charitable and benevolent people. It is true that they derive means from the endowment fund of $5,000, which came into their possession when the transfer was made. In 1881 $10,733 was raised by subscription for the purpose of erecting a new and more commodious Widows' Home. Win. P. Huffman gave two acres of ground for a site, and the work of erection immediately began. They hope to have the home ready for occupants in the fall of 1882, and when completed it will cost about $20,000, which, with trusting, Christian assurance, they feel will be dedicated free of debt.

Officers and managers for 1881-82: President, Mrs. John H. Winters; Vice-Presidents, Mrs. C. E. Corp, Mrs. Ann L. Martin, Mrs. W. D. Bickham; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. Geo. Keister; Recording Secretary, Mrs. Geo. W. Hoglen; Treasurer, Miss Mary Mitchell; Copyist, Mrs. Walter Smith; Matron of the Home, Mrs. Ellen Siddell; Fiscal Trustees, Mr. John H. Winters, Mr. R. W. Steele, Mr. C. H. Crawford; Managers, Mrs. James R. Young, Mrs. David Gebhart, Mrs. D. E. McSherry, Mrs. L. B. Allen, Mrs. Abia Zeller, Mrs. John V. Dicks, Mrs. M. B. Parmely, Mrs. J. C. Kiefaber, Mrs. A. W. Beall, Mrs. Mary H. Ramsey, Miss Jennie Whitmore, Mrs. Leonard Moore.

THE GERMAN BAPTISTS OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Being of German descent and Baptist in principle, we are properly termed German Baptists. But we are known also as "Tunkers" or "Dunkers." The principal name assumed by ourselves is simply Brethren. "One is your Master, even Christ, and all ye are brethren." Matt. xxiii, 8.

In giving the following brief history of our people for this county, I assume

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no responsibilities I give simply a few of the main points pertaining to our early history, or reorganization of the church as commenced in Germany and completed in America, as I chance at present to have them at hand.

Our early history can perhaps be more accurately given than can our success, increase, etc. This is owing to the fact that the meek and humble profession of our people has hitherto forbid them saying much about themselves that would betray any desire whatever for boasting, vain glory or display. But, when asked for particulars, as we have been by the publishers of this work, for the better acquaintance of ourselves to their readers and the community generally, we hesitate not to give them a few particulars so far as our knowledge enables us so to do.

Away beyond the great waters, in about the year 1700, at the time when there existed in Germany a state of religious apostacy which seemed to some as a manifest evidence of a great decay in the vital principles and true devotedness to the Holy ordinances and Divine commandments as set forth in the Divine Law of the Lord, there were those there whose convictions were more refined, and whose candor as to the true services of the Lord forbid their longer union or adherence with such an apostate state of things; and, being possessed, or largely imbued, as it seems, by Divine instinct, with the Waldenses' faith and principles, they halted to enquire for a pure Christianity that they might re-establish the holy services of the Lord in their primitive purity and simplicity.

That there remained here and there traces' of the ancient and much persecuted Waldenses is reasonable to conclude from the following few quotations which I take from Brown's Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, pages 1147, 1148, 1149 and 1150.

"The Waldenses themselves, in a conference with the Bohemians, declared that they had been dispersed through Lombardy, Calabria, Germany, Bohemia and other regions ever since the year 1160."- Venama's Church History, Mosheim, Milner, Jones, Benedict.

"It is now generally acknowledged that the Waldenses were the witnesses for the truth in the Dark Ages, and that they gave the first impulse to a reform of the whole Christian Church, so called."

"Waldenses, Valdenses, Vandeis, or 'people of the valleys;' the most celebrated body of Protestant dissenters during the Middle Ages. The history of these churches of persecuted saints, these meek confessors, this noble army of martyrs, this most ancient stock of religion.* * * The evidence is now ample, that so far from being a new sect at that period (1170) they had existed under various names as a distinct class of dissenters from the established churches of Greece and Rome in the earliest ages."

"The Cathari, or Puritan churches of the Novatians, also, had at that period (about A. D. 325) been flourishing as a distinct communion for more than seventy years all over the empire (see Novatians). These Puritans, being exposed to severe and sanguinary persecutions for dissent, from age to age, were compelled to shelter themselves from the desolating storm in retirement; and when at intervals they reappear on the page of contemporary history, and their principles are propagated with new boldness and success, they are styled a new sect, and receive a new name, though in reality they are the same people. * * They reappear in the Panlicians, who have been falsely accused of Manichaeism, but who from the middle of the seventh to the end of the ninth century worthily sustained by their preaching, their lives and their martyrdoms, their claim of being the genuine descendants of the primitive churches." (See Paulicians.)

"If we will believe the testimony of the suffering Waldenses themselves, their doctrine and discipline had been preserved in all its purity and efficacy, from the days of the primitive martyrs in Spain, France, Germany, Italy and especially in the valleys of Piedmont."

I have made the above historical quotations to allow, in part, that in the various ages there has existed a people-though in different pasts and under different

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names-in whom God was careful to preserve the true worship. He has always had a people, though small the number at times, who would not and could not be overcome by their enemies. Though oppressions and persecution dispersed them and drove them from place to place and from land to land, smothering the true worship of God to such an extent that it was with great difficulty under such trying times that it would rise again. Such was the true state of things in Germany early in the seventeenth century, when the Lord, in the hearts of a few, again revived His work, and at Swartzenau, in the land of Witgenstein, so overruled that His few could have a present place of refuge in that poor and rugged country until His holy worship could, in part, again be reinstated.

With regard to the persecutions of these newly enlightened persons and their conceptions and views of the true faith, I will here submit a few facts from the writings of Alexander Mack, who was one among the number whose heart was influenced by divine impulse to re-establish the Lord's worship.

"Here and there private meetings were established beside the public church organization, in which newly-awakened souls sought their edification. Upon this the hearts of the rulers were embittered by an envious priesthood, and persecutions were commenced in various places, as in Switzerland, Wurtemberg, the Palatinate, Hesse and other places.

"To those persecuted and exiled persons the Lord pointed out a place of refuge, or a little "Pella," in the land of Witgenstein, where at that time ruled a mild count, and where some pious countess dwelt. Here liberty of conscience was granted at Shcwartzenau, which is within a few miles of Berlenberg. And from this cause, though Witgenstein is a poor and rough country, many people and those of various kinds collected at Schwartzenau, and this place, which had been but little esteemed, became so much changed, that in a few years it became extensively known.

"Those who were brought together there from the persecutions, though they were distinguished by different opinions and also differed in manners and customs, were still, at first, all called Pietists, and they among themselves called each other brother. But very soon it appeared that the words of Christ, Matt. xviii, where he says, 'If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone,' etc., could not be reduced to a proper Christian practice because there was no regular order yet established in the church. Therefore, some returned again to the religious denominations from which they had come out, because they would not be subjected to a more strict Christian discipline.

"Under these circumstances some felt themselves drawn powerfully to seek the footsteps of the primitive Christians, and desired earnestly to receive in faith the ordained testimonies of Jesus Christ according to their true value. At the same time they were internally and strongly impressed with the necessity of the obedience of faith to a soul that desires to be saved. And this impression also led them at the time to the mystery of water baptism, which appeared unto them as a door into the Church, which was what they so earnestly sought.

"Finally, in the year 1708, eight persons consented together to enter into a covenant of a good conscience with God, to take all the commandments of Jesus Christ as an easy yoke, and thus to follow the Lord Jesus, their good and faithful shepherd, in joy and sorrow, as his true sheep, even unto a blessed end.

"'These eight persons (five brethren and three sisters) covenanted and united together as brethren and sisters into the covenant of the cross of Jesus Christ to form a church of Christian believers. And when they had found in authentic histories that the primitive Christians in the first and second centuries, uniformly, according to the command of Christ, were planted into the death of Jesus Christ by a threefold immersion into the water-bath of holy baptism, they examined diligently the New Testament, and finding all perfectly harmonizing therewith, they were anxiously desirous to use the means appointed and practiced by Christ him-

526 - HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

self, and thus according to his salutary counsel, go forward to the fulfillment of all righteousness.

"After this the said eight persons were more and more powerfully strengthened in their obedience to the faith they had adopted, and were enabled to testify publicly in their meetings to the truth; and the Lord granted them his special grace so that still more became obedient to the faith, and thus, within seven years time, namely, to the year 1715, there was not only in Schwartzenan a large church, but here and there in the Palatinate there were lovers of the truth, and especially was this the case in Marienborn, where a church was gathered; for the church in the Palatinate was persecuted, and its members then came to Marienborn. And when the church here became large it was also persecuted. Then those that were persecuted collected in Creyfeld, where they found liberty under the King of Prussia.

"Since the persecutions in the form of poverty, tribulation and imprisonment, by which they were oppressed, made them only the more joyful, they were tried in another manner by men of learning, seeking to confound them with sharp disputations and subtle questions of which the forty searching questions of Eberhard Ludwig Gruber will sufficiently inform the reader."

About this time the church at Schwartzenau issued a publication containing the questions which I have above referred to, with their answers annexed, containing also a discourse between a "father and son," in which is set forth the humble doctrine of primitive Christianity. The publication was especially designed for the instruction of those pure-minded persons who are seeping after truth." After the removal of the church to America (of which I shall next speak), and some of the fathers having fallen asleep, it was thought good, for the benefit of those who should rise up to conduct the affairs of the church in their stead, that this same testimony should be republished, which was done and is still preserved amongst us, and known as the "Writings of Alexander Mack," from which I have made several quotations.

But the church in Germany being sorely oppressed by the bind of persecution, in the year 1713 twenty families crossed the great deep and landed at Philadelphia, seeking an asylum in the bosom of this new country and blessed land of religious liberty. And in the year 1729, ten years later, about thirty-nine persecuted families came over to join the little band already here.

Among this last number was Alexander Mack, who was the first minister and teacher chosen by the church. "He, however, did not live long to enjoy the quietude of a home under the mild government of Pennsylvania. In 1735, six years after he came to America, he closed his labors on earth. He was buried in the Brethren's public burying ground in Germantown, and the following inscription in the German language marks the place: "Here rest the remains of A. M., born 1673, and cued 1735, aged 56 years."

The brethren first settled at Germantown, Philadelphia, and in various other surrounding localities. Among some of the earlier noted ones in the ministry were Alexander Mack, Sr., Peter Becker, Christopher Saur, Johan Naas, George Adam Martin, Abraham Duboy, Michael Pfauts, Martin Urner, Sr., George Klein, Martin Urner, Jr., Michael Frantz, Christian Lanecker, Peter Eigenberger, Jacob Stull, Johannas Zug, Jacob Besbore, Peter Keyser, Jr., and others. This Peter Keyser was much noted for his wonderful knowledge of the scriptures. He had the entire New Testament and part of the old by heart. After lie became blind, in his more advanced years, he would point out his test and read it off as well as when he had his vision.

For the names of these ancient worthies and early fathers of the church in America, I am somewhat indebted to the information afforded me by the biographical sketches of most of these brethren as heretofore written out and published by our brother, A. H. Cassell, of Harleysville, Pa.

Through the untiring efforts of the above named brethren and others the

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membership increased pretty rapidly, and the church soon spread from Germantown and Philadelphia into various other parts of the State and into New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia. From thence, by the arduous labors of our fathers, the borders of Zion were enlarged more and more. The old brethren, on horse-back, made their way across the mountains and valleys into the dense forests of Ohio and Indiana, organizing churches and establishing the faith.

Union and harmony seemed to prevail in the churches to a great extent, and the membership increased and spread still farther west-over the broad prairies of the far western as well as into some of the southern States and at the present date, April, 1881, we have churches in Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Oregon, and in some of the Territories, Texas and California, with a ministry of fifteen to twenty thousand, and a membership of from seventy-five to one hundred thousand.

The church in this county is divided into six districts or churches: The Dayton Church, Lower Miami Church, Bear Creels Church, Still Water Church, near Dayton, Wolf Creek Church and the Salem Church. These six churches have at this time ten meeting-houses or places of worship, twenty-two ministers and about twelve hundred members.

I am not able to give any definite date when these several churches were organized, but the fist and oldest of the six is the Lower Miami Church. Elder Jacob Miller, who was born in Franklin County, Pa., in 1785, was the first brother that settled here. He moved to Ohio in the year 1800, and settled about four miles southwest of Dayton on the west side of the great Miami River, where he lived about fifteen years, and died in 1815 at the advanced age of four score years. The county, at this time, was yet a dense forest inhabited by the Indians. Through the land treatment which these Indians received at the hands of Brother Miller, they very much respected him, calling him "the good man whom the great Spirit sent from the east."

This church was organized between 1800 and 1808. Brother Miller served here as Elder for many years; then Brethren Benjamin Bowman, Abraham Miller, Frederick Holler, Michael Moyer, Daniel Noffsinger and now George Holler, who has Jacob Holler, his son, and James A. Ridonour to his assistance in the ministry. This church has a neat frame house about six miles southwest of Dayton, on the Germantown Pike, where the congregation meets for worship every two weeks.

Daniel Miller, who settled on Wolf Creek in 1801, and George Shoup, who settled on Beaver Creek in 1805, were the first brethren, and their wives the first sisters that lived in the vicinity of Dayton.

The members of the Dayton Church meet for worship on the corner of Jackson and Van Buren streets, in a brick house, built for that purpose a number of years ago by M. Shoup, D. Kneisley and Bro. Oughenbaugh, Trustees. The first Elder here was Daniel Miller; and then Eld. Holler, Michael Moyer, Moses Shoup, and at this time George Holler has the care and oversight of the church here.

The Bear Creek Church was organized perhaps seventy-five years ago, and had at times as many as 300 members. They meet every two weeks for worship in their large brick house, on the Eaton Pike, six miles west of Dayton.

The oldest Elder in this church, of which I have any knowledge, was Father Bowman-David Bowman, Sen.; then his son David - David Bowman, Jun., and then David Brumbaugh and Isaac Bright, with J. W. Fitzgerald, George Miller and John Bowman as their assistants in the ministry.

The Still Water Church (near Dayton) was organized perhaps pretty soon after the Bear Creek Church. My recollections of this church carry me back to some thirty-five or forty years ago, when old Joseph Garber had the charge here. After

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that Father Nead (Peter Nead) served as the Elder, and then Abraham Flory and Phillip Wampler, and at this time Abraham Flory with John Smith and Samuel Kinsey and George Garver as their fellow laborers in the ministry. This church has at this time perhaps 250 members, with two houses for worship-a brick, the "Lower House," on the Free Pike, four miles west of Dayton, and a large frame house, the "Upper House," on the Salem Pike, nine miles west of Dayton and three miles east of Salem.

The Wolf Creek Church has perhaps 350 members at this time, and has also two houses for regular meetings-a frame house of medium size near the Eaton Pike, about ten or twelve miles west of Dayton, and a large brick on the Wolf Creek Pike, near Brookville. Here the council meetings and their love feasts are usually held. Elder Pfoutz had the charge of this church years ago, then Christian Arnold, Abraham Erbaugh, Joel Wogaman, and at this time Samuel Garber is the Elder, with Conrad Brumbaugh and Jacob Garber to assist, and John Kimmel, Simon Mixell and Henry Garber fellow laborers.

The Salem Church has perhaps 250 members, who meet for worship every other Sunday or oftener in their large frame house on the Pike, two miles east of Phillipsburg. They have also an interest in a house about four or five miles north, at Georgetown, where they also have regular meetings. Forty years ago this church had Elder Jacob Karn for their Bishop and Elder. Since then John Studebaker , John Bower and at this time David Murray, with Abraham Detrick, S. Shellaberger, J. Solenberger and Jesse Kinsey as co-laborers in the ministry.

Now, for the further information of the readers of this work, I wish to set forth, briefly, a few of the outlines of our faith and practice:

We believe that in all God's creation MAN was the chief object; that God created him for his own glory, and that He will reward him for obedience as well as punish him for disobedience.

We believe that though God suffered the transgression, in Eden, He made provision by which the sin could and would be removed in due time. The great and wise plan of salvation will only be fully comprehended by those who will take spe cial pains to study the character of God and to acquaint themselves with His vast purposes.

We believe that after the patriarchal and Mosaic dispensations had served their purposes, and the "time being fulfilled," the great provision for the salvation of the human family was manifested in the person of the LORD JESUS CHRIST, whom God had foreseen and provided for this special purpose before the creation.

We believe that Christ, by the shedding of his blood on Calvary, canceled the Adamic son, and made good what was lost in Eden ; and that hence man is accountable to God for his own sins only; and further, that God, through Christ, did deliver to us His plan of salvation, which is based upon conditions.

We believe that Christ organized and set up his kingdom in the hearts of all true believers, and that this is the only kingdom or organization needed by man and recognized by the Father.

We believe that Repentance, Faith and Baptism are essential to church fellowship and constitute the conditions upon which the remission of sins and the gift of the HOLY GHOST is promised agreeable to Mark. i, 15-16: and Acts, ii, 38.

We believe that applicants for membership should be carefully examined to know that they have been properly moved, that their motives are pure and that they "bring forth fruits meet for repentance." Hence we pay them a private visit and get an expression from them as regards repentance and faith; when also we learn their willingness to comply with the doctrine of nonconformity to the vain fashions of the world, not to "swear" before a court of justice, not to sue at law, and not to go to war to kill their fellowman. A portion of the 18th chapter of Matthew is read to them with appropriate instructions and questions as to their willingness to so conduct themselves towards their fellow members as is therein demanded for the sake of reconciliation and peace in case of offenses. And, further,

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while upon their knees in the water, we demand of them a public confession of the Lord Jesus Christ, a renunciation of sin and a covenant of obedience to God in Christ Jesus unto their lives' end. Upon this good and faithful confession we baptize them by a threefold immersion, agreeable to the great commission: "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." We baptize face forward because a backward work is not in harmony with the general progress of Christianity, and all figurative baptisms do teach a forward action. Hands are laid on the head of the one so baptized and a blessing is invoked upon the newly born in Christ, who now rises up to walk in newness of life-a full member of the body of Christ.

We hold baptism as the rite of initiation into the church and the act in which the pardon of sins is promised as taught in Mark: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved;" and Acts. ii, 38. Repent and be baptized every one of you for the remission o f sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." And according to the instructions given to Saul, "And now why tarriest thou? Arise and be baptized, washing away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord."

At our Communion seasons we wash one another's feet according to the lesson and pattern taught us by Christ in John, 13th chapter.

We eat the Lord's Supper, a common and full meal, expressive of the term, and in the evening, when a supper is proper. After which we enjoy the Communion the bread and wine as emblems of the broken body, and shed blood of a crucified redeemer.

We salute one another with an "Holy Kiss," according to the teachings of Paul and Peter.

We anoint the sick with oil "in the name of the Lord," according to James v, 14.

Our principles of nonconformity to the worldly fashions in dress and that of noncombativeness, we gather from the meek, humble and self-denying character of Christ and his apostles, as well as from the plain teachings of the Scriptures and the general spirit of the Gospel throughout.

We believe in the spread of the Gospel by a live and active ministry and the upright walk and conduct of all the members. "Let your light so shine that others may see your good works and glorify your father which is in heaven."

We preach the gospel "without money and without price." "Freely ye have received, freely give." But we think it right and do consider it our duty to assist the poor and relieve the wants of the needy, whether private members in the church ox those who labor in the ministry-.

In fine, we believe in a plain, humble, devoted life of faith, prayer and good work throughout, bringing into subjection both soul and body to the glory and honor of God, that we may finally obtain an inheritance in the unsullied climes of angelic felicity.

APPENDIX.

Since writing out the above brief history of the church, a separation or division, I am sorry to say, has taken place amongst our people, and in order that the readers of this work may have an idea of the cause of this division, I will resume my pen and explain.

For a number of years after the planting of the church in America, she enjoyed much peace and quietness. Her harmony was not generally disturbed more than is common to all churches. But in later years, as the membership became more numerous, there was urged upon her, through the district meetings to the annual meetings, deviations, new measures and changes from the old and former usages and order; and as these were asked for and urged again and again, the annual conference began to give way, and as the advocates of these measures became more numerous and stronger, the annual conference continued to yield more and more.

530 - HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

These deviations and departures from the old "land marks" of the church had quite a grievous effect, and the old Brethren, or those who favored the old order and old usages of the church, began to protest against the things which seemed to make void the early principles of the church and to mar her peace and make trouble in the body. Hereupon, the old Brethren, or old order of Brethren, as they were now termed, began to send petitions to the conference, praying that body that these objectionable measures, to which she had in a measure consented, might be removed and that she fall back to her former decisions and former usages. But as these points could no more be fully reached, the advocates thereof being in the minority, and a strong foothold having been gained in the church by them, their various efforts seemed to be rather unfruitful, they called a special conference, which was held near Arcanum, Ohio, on the 24th day of August, 1881.

To this meeting were invited all the officers of the church who were favorably disposed to the old order. Here, after the condition of things in the church were set forth, a paper was produced and read in which were set forth the causes of the existing troubles, with resolutions to withdraw from the fast movements and deviations, sanctioned by the annual conference. The paper was passed and the result was a division in the church.

The separation was then soon made in all the churches of this county as well as in many others in the brotherhood. A large number in the several churches of this county stand with the old Brethren or old German Baptist Church, but the majority go with the annual council and her decisions.

Those who still hold to the rulings of the conference have so far claimed the right to the meeting houses, and have therefore bolted the doors against the old order worshipers in nearly all the houses. The old order Brethren have therefore so far worshiped in private houses, barns and school-houses. But they expect to build themselves houses for worship soon. The district meetings and the annual conference will be held by the old order worshipers at the usual time, but more after the former manner.

Very truly, SAMUEL KINSEY.

GYPSIES.

The settlement of gypsies in this county had its origin in the year 1856, when in the fall of that year came the "pioneer" families, chief among whom were Owen Stanley and Harriet Worden, his wife, Levi Stanley and his wife, Matilda Joles, with their families. Others accompanied them, most of whom had done some extended travel before striking this camping-place, which was for a time not far from Fairfield, on what was known as the Jack "Frick" farm, then on the "Davis" farm in Montgomery County. The Stanleys soon became property holders, Owen purchasing the "Black" farm, situated about eight miles north of Dayton, and now owned by Levi Stanley. In the course of years the families of Stanleys and Jeffreys have accumulated considerable of property, located principally in Harrison Township, with some in Wayne, Mad River and Butler. These families with their numerous descendants comprise the Dayton class of gypsies; however, there are many other families and some differing in nationality, who often frequent, in their wanderings, this vicinity, but are not considered local. Of these are the families of Wells, Harrisons and Coopers, the former being quite numerous and are a big, hardy class of people, coming from a settlement near Detroit, Michigan. The Harrison's are from the vicinity of Washington City. There is also a tribe darker in complexion than any yet mentioned, and of a rough, ugly nature. The Dayton settlement is made up of,an English class. The Stanleys were quite numerous in England, and there boasted as being a better class of the traveling tribes, which we believe to be true, as will appear in the progress of this sketch.

Owen Stanley, styled by the Dayton gypsies "king," was born in Reading, Bershire, England, and died February 21, 1860, in the sixty-seventh year of his

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age. His wife, the queen, departed this life August 30, 1857, aged sixty-three years. They were succeeded to the throne (permitting us to call it such,) by their son Levi and his wife, Matilda, (now deceased). This kingdom and queenship is but a popular notion; there is no investiture, no authority or state. Listen to the words of the venerable "Uncle Levi," who says, "Why, there is nothing in it more than a good man, a good woman. Our people trust me and love me as they did my father and mother before me, that is all. They do pretty much as I tell them, and we all work together, and that is all there is in it." King Owen and Harriet died as they had lived, "roof-dwellers." When Matilda died, although in the blithe sunshine of Mississippi, in January, 1878, in the camp, she was the owner of farms and town lots, having reached the point of independence. Said the bereaved husband, " We have seven children, and their children are learning very fast, and it won't be long before we'll go no more a roaming." The race of gypsies differ as do other classes of men, in their religious views; some are Orthodox while others are Catholic in their opinion. "I once saw, "says a writer on the subject of gypsies," a woman in a gypsy tent reading the Bible to a circle of nine children, all her own, and though on coming near, her blue eyes and light hair showed her to be English woman, the daughter, as I found, of a game-keeper who had married one of the Boswell gang, yet the interest which she assured me the whole camp took in it, was sufficient evidence that it is only for want of being taught, that they still remain in ignorance of the best knowledge. They have been so long treated with contempt and severity, that they naturally look on all men as their enemies. For my part, when I seen a herd of them coming some solitary way, with their dark Indian faces, their scarlet cloaked women, their troops of little vivacious savages, their horses laden with teuts, beds, etc., I cannot help looking on them as an eastern tribe, as fugitives of a most ancient family, as a living enigma in human history and feeling, with all their Arab-like propensities, they have great claims on our sympathies and on the splendid privileges of a Christian land.

The following invocations tire part and parcel of the devotions of gypsies: "Our father who dwellert there in the heaven, may Gentile and Gypsy love thy name. Thy kingdom come. May they do thy word here on earth as it is done there in the heaven. Give us to-day our daily bread, and forgive us indebted to thee as we forgive them indebted to us. Suffer not that we fall into no temptation, take us out from all evil. Thine is the kingdom, my God, thine the strong hand, thine all goodness in all time, Aye, Amen."

"Sweet Goddess, give me health, Holy Goddess, give me luck and grace, wherever I go, and help me, Goddess powerful and immaculate, from ugly men, that I may go in the road to the place I purpose; help me Goddess, forsake me not, Goddess, for I pray for God's sake."

It is said by one, to whom, in conversation with the late Matilda and family around their campfire, the following remarks were addressed: "Here is our book of prayers. Although we do not read it glibly as do some others, we know it when we hear it, and we love it as all our people have done." She went on to speak of the churches in Bristol by the sea, giving a fair account of the north porch of St. Mary, Radcliff, and the Norman gateway of the Abbey, and last she said, "We are law-minding, God-fearing," and then gravely added king Levi, "and tax-paying, too, and we are glad to pay these taxes in this country, where we enjoy our living and have our fair chances alike." There spoke out the true Briton; such, then, is Stanley's gratefulness and piety, well calculated to enliven those to the name born. These different families of Stanleys and Jeffreys are looked upon by the people of Montgomery County as a good and honest class of people, and the universal response of all who have had business transactions with them, is that they were very honorable. Their word is considered as good as their note, and, in short, they are as "old wheat in the mill." This tribe, while the possessors of considerable

532 - HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

property, as heretofore described, are nevertheless as nomadic in their habits as the race at large. They generally rent their lands and property, and roam, as it were, over the country, the men following, trading, principally, and the women fortune-telling; however, there are times when they live "under roof," and farm their lands for a period of years, as was the case in the years 1877 and 1878, when for two years they had kept in this county, contrary to their ancient custom of migration. This was, probably, owing first to the illness of lady Stanley herself, and then the ominous signs of civil war, which then shook not only the minds of these simple-minded keen judges of the weathers and waves of human passions, but also of the wisest of our statesmen. The winters are spent through the south, and it was there, as aforesaid, that queen Matilda died in the vicinity of Vicksburg, aged fifty years. She was enclosed in a superb casket and brought to Woodland Cemetery, by her affectionate husband, as well as her son Levi, Jr. The great Palm Sunday funeral of 1877, which was nine miles north of Dayton, with its long procession through the rain, was even more impressive than usual. Indeed, stout men expressed their grief over the death of Amelia Stanley Jeffrey, and Thomas Jeffrey, her husband, much more demonstrative than the youth or the women. If it had not been unquestionably earnest it would have appeared even ludicrous; but at the grave in Woodland, all expressions were evidently overawed by reason of the oppressiveness of being the object of intense scrutiny. The rather bright colors of apparel and the expressive features of these people, standing in the rain without umbrellas, and vacantly wandering around the grounds under restraint were noticed, When Dr. Berger stood at the head of the wide grave, the only umbrella upraised was over his head. The good queen Matilda was a mother of her people, with rare nobility of nature. This title of queen, as far as it embodies the love and trust of countrymen and countrywomen, is beautifully appropriate.

The gypsies' burial place in Woodland is believed to be the only "Campo Santo" of gypsydom in the United States. It occupies ground near the central part of the cemetery, about one hundred yards south of the lake. The following are some of the interments made there

" REFIANCE "

Wife of Richard Harrison, died May 3, 1873, aged 45 ,years.

" JOSHUA,"

Their son, died May 1, 1873, aged 10 months. A husband and six children left to mourn their loss.

This tomb is a graceful one of marble. It fronts to the west. Above the relief (a lamb) is "mother", and below " babe." This is very tastefully adorned with plants. In 1867 Frank A. Harrison was buried, aged 11 months, born in Urbana, Ohio. Due east from the Harrison lot is the first Scotch granite tombstone erected to a gypsy, the Jeffrey monument, to Amelia and Thomas Jeffrey, who died within a few days of each other in March, 1877. The Owen-Stanley lot, south of Harrison, contains twelve graves. On the outer line, the south, are these tombstones: "E. Young, died July 17, 1873, aged fifty ,years;" east of this is a tombstone bearing on its summit a lamb in full relief, for two sisters, "racy, died October 5, 1871, aged fourteen months; Harriet, died December 25, 1865, aged sixteen months, children of Dangerfield and Richanda Stanley." Then eight graves are on the north side of this. Coming back to the west front to the north of the Young tombstone stands that of Priscilla Stanley. This stone bears a hand, painted upward on its face, "There is rest in Heaven." Priscilla, wife of Owen Stanley, died March 19, 1866, aged forty-nine years, five months and five days, born Woodbury, England. This stone bears many verses. Emanuel, son of John and Isabella Broadway, born January 20, 1852, in Somersetshire, England, died June 20, 1869, aged seventeen years and six months; buried August 29, 1869. Little Charlotte

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Stanley, (a lamb,) died December 13, 1864, aged two years and two months. She was buried in 1867; born in Urbana; granddaughter of the late queen. Passing north from the Owen Stanley lot-crossing the queen's place-we come to the very graceful marble, erected by Paul Stanley to his young wife. It bears close resemblance to that of Mrs. Richard Harrison; a grave lies along side of hers. "Mazella, wife of Paul Stanley, died April 9, 1871, aged twenty years.

" Ye that mourn a mother's loss,

Ye that weep a wife no more,

Call to mind the Christian cross,

Which a wife and mother bore."

Probably the most touching instance of grief which ever occurred in Woodland Cemetery, was that of the husband and father, Ephraim Joles. Within fourteen months he buried his wife and all his children, six in all. The central tomb, standing near which is a hickory and dogwood tree, where the vault will be opened to contain the queen and her little daughter, and a place is allotted to king Levi, and for Michael, the youngest heir of the house of Stanley. It is seven feet long, six feet wide, three and one-half feet deep in the clear. Here, resting within a case, the queen's casket has remained. The plate bears the name Mrs. Matilda Stanley, aged fifty years, with the date of her death. In the casket was placed her worn Bible with her. The railed enclosure which contains the graves of the first king and queen lies farther west, lower down the hill. The tombstones are plain slabs, the man's on the right, the woman's on the left, and appear like the pages of a tall ledger. That of the queen was the first gypsy grave in Dayton. On the tombstones the following quaint verses appear:

"Our father has gone to a mansion of rest

From a region of sorrow and pain

To the glorious land of the blest,

Where he will never suffer again.

"Whilst in this tomb our father lies,

His spirit rests above,

In realms of bliss it never dies,

But knows a Savior's love.

"Sleep on. father, the work is done,

The mortal pang is past,

Jesus has come and borne thee home

Beyond the stormy blast.

"Owen Stanley was his name,

England was his nation,

Any wood was his dwelling place,

And Christ his salvation."

"Alas! I have left you, my spirit has fled,

My body now slumbers along with the dead,

My Savior has called me, to him I have gone.

Then farewell my husband and children all.

From you a mother's Christ doth call,.

Mourn not for me, dear wanderers, 'tis vain

To call me to your sight again.

" Farewell, dear wife. a short farewell.

We at your loss do mourn.

Oh, may we meet in heaven to dwell,

With our wandering children now forlorn.

"OUR MOTHER.

"Harriet Stanley was her name,

England was her nation;

In any wood her dwelling place,

In God was her salvation.

534 - HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

" She was a tender mother here,

And in her life the Lord did fear;

We trust our loss will be her gain,

And that with Christ she's gone to reign."

The prosperity of these people is interwoven with our own. They are a curious addition to American citizenship. In the prosperous future, old ways and manners will fade out before the new; but revered will the simple lives and kindly influences of Matilda and Levi Stanley ever be. Happy are the people that cleave to the simple, ancient ways of industry and generous aid to our fellows wherever we wander on God's footstool.

"Kind hearts are more than coronets

And simple faith than Norman blood."