Bristol County, Massachusetts - Chapter 16: Benevolent Institutions, 1924

Fall River, prosperous and progressive, has sustained loyally and provided generously for those dependent institutions for whose up-keep every community cheerfully rallies. Whether in times of war, or during the reign of peace, the less fortunate have been remembered by the community that has given for all worthy purposes, and in an ungrudging manner. Though the active workers in the homes and the hospitals of the city are few compared with the rest of the population, the silent partners and allies are the citizens as a whole.

Fall River General Hospital - The Fall River General Hospital was built in 1904 under the direction of the Board of Public Welfare, and operated under such auspices until 1913. Dr. John F. Cuttle was the first superintendent, and he was succeeded by Drs. A. J. Dolan and William A. Dolan. Dr. D. H. Fuller upon the retirement of Dr. Dolan became superintendent. He recounts the followings facts with regard to the Municipal Hospitals under which supervision the hospitals and dispensaries are conducted:

In the year 1913 an Act was introduced into the Legislature to establish a Board of Trustees of Hospitals, which was signed March 19, 1913, and enacted into law. Previous to this Act, the municipal hospitals and dispensaries of Fall River were operated under different municipal boards, the City or General Hospital by the Board of Overseers of the Poor, the Contagious Hospital and Bay View Hospital for Consumptives and Tuberculosis Dispensary by the Board of Health. By virtue of the Act, a board of five men were appointed, three by his Honor the Mayor, one by the Board of Overseers} of the Poor, and one by the Board of Health, whose duties consisted of the management and control of all municipal hospitals and dispensaries then in forcg or thereafter inaugurated. At the time of the inauguration of the board, the hospitals were run by their superintendents, under a régime which they had followed under their respective boards. The policy of the newly created board was to place the institutions under one administrative head, who would be responsible to the board for the promulgation of the policy as adopted by the board for the management and service of the different institutions. In October, 1913, Dr. David H. Fuller was appointed general superintendent and medical and surgical director of the department.

Overseers of the Poor, the municipal hospitals were immediately removed from the pauper class, at the same time increasing materially the service to the public, confining same not to the pauper sick, but rendering service to any citizen of the city who cared to enter as far as accommodations would warrant. The board's work up to the present time, and probably for the remote future, has been principally constructive work to build up a municipal group to satisfy demands for service from the citizens of our city. Since 1913 many additions have been made to our general hospital to increase capacity and service, which necessitated increased personnel and the installation of modern equipment. At the present time our hospital capacity is 125 beds, giving service to private cases as well as to the dependent sick. The hospital is on the approved list of the American College of Surgeons.

In 1914, a Training School for Nurses was inaugurated, and approved by the State and National nursing organizations. At the present time we have a student body of thirty-one nurses. In addition to inaugurating an Out-Patient Department, a Social Service Department, a Dietetic Department, with personnel, an X-Ray Department with full time roentgenologist, and a Pathological Department with full time pathologist, we have motorized our ambulance service, installed a modern laundry for the entire department, a switchboard with personnel for twenty-four hour service, a trained anesthetist, a historian and record clerk, and a medical library for the use of the Staff. In 1918 we established a school for academic and vocational training for tuberculosis children at Bay View Hospital; and a preventorium for pre-disposed and apparently arrested cases of tuberculosis among children attending school, the teaching personnel and transportation of children being furnished by the school committee. In 1913, contagious cases were housed in an old farmhouse located in the north end of the city. Increased demand for service made it imperative to secure additional accommodations. This was accomplished by the acquisition of a building formerly used as an Annex by the Overseers of the Poor. This building was entirely renovated and is serving as a Contagious Hospital with a forty-bed capacity.

In 1914, the Department, due to requests for service, inaugurated a Dental Dispensary which was at that time operated in conjunction with the Tuberculosis Dispensary and housed in the Fall River Globe building, North Main street. The increased demand for service made it imperative to seek other and more commodious quarters which were found on Purchase street. On completion of the new Police Department building, the structure located on Granite street, formerly used as a dormitory, became vacant. At the request of the board, it was turned over to the Hospital Department for clinic purposes, housing the Dental and Tuberculosis Dispensaries and the State Approved Clinic for Venereal Diseases. Constructive work recently completed includes a service building housing the boiler room, engine room, laundry, sterilizing room, morgue, garage and seamstress' department. A Maternity and Out-Patient Department building, the maternity division having a capacity of twenty-two beds, and the Out-Patient division housing all departments in separate units; a Tuberculosis Hospital of one hundred beds, and an addition to the Nurses' Home, are now in the process of construction. The construction of an eighty-bed Contagious Hospital is contemplated in the near future. All buildings will be connected by-corridors which have been completed.

River Hospital, founded in 1885, and situated on Prospect street, and the Emergency Hospital, established in 1895, in a building that stood where the Women's Union building now is. The Union Hospital received its charter October 1, 1900, and was at first situated in the Valentine house on Prospect street, formerly the headquarters of the Fall River Hospital. Fall River Hospital was founded September 17, 1885, and incorporated October 10, that year, with John D. Flint as president; Frank S. Stevens, vice-president; Hugo A. Dubuque, clerk. In March, 1887, the Valentine estate, 72 Prospect street, was purchased for seven thousand dollars; and the Woman's Board was established February 11, 1888, the first patient at the hospital being received May 9 that year. A school for nurses was added to the hospital in 1888. A west wing was built to the hospital in 1891, and a maternity ward was added in 1897.

The Emergency Hospital was incorporated in June, 1896, though it had been started in December of the preceding year in a house on Rock street, as an outgrowth of the Home Training School for Nurses, the latter having begun its work the year previously, with Dr. John H. Gifford as the active leader. Dr. Gifford was the first president; Miss Jessie A. Gage, secretary; Misses Elizabeth H. Brayton, Laura G. Shove and Elizabeth M. Borden were treasurers successively. The officers of Union Hospital in 1923: President, W. Frank Shove; clerk, B. Charles Chase; treasurer, Herbert H. Read; superintendent, Lee C. Stillings.

The Highland Hospital was first established as the private hospital of Dr. P. E. Truesdale, on November 1, 1905, at 163 Winter street. The building had recently undergone reconstruction for the late Bishop Stang, and with its modern conveniences was well adapted for a small private hospital. 'There was a capacity for twelve patients, some rooms having two beds. The nurses in attendance consisted wholly of such graduates as were especially fitted for the care of surgical patients. Although the location of the building was on the car line and within a short distance from the center of the city, such a situation was early discovered to be a disadvantage. Street traffic, especially trolley cars, proved a source of great annoyance to convalescents. The desirability of a more secluded environment as well as a demand for larger accommodations prompted a careful search of the outlying sections of the city for a hospital site. The land now occupied on Highland avenue, consisting of about three acres, was found to be particularly desirable, having a considerable elevation above the surrounding country, an abundance of sunlight, freedom from disturbing noises, good drainage, and an outlook unsurpassed for beauty upon a scene of hills and river valley.

Parker Morse Hooper "was selected as the architect, and ground was broken by the building firm of Darling & Slade on September 15, 1909. In the detail construction, Mr. Hooper designed a building combining artistic beauty and utility, and thereby expressed a physician's ideal and interpretation of the best type of building for the care of the sick. The hospital fronts easterly on Highland avenue and is about three hundred feet from the road, with the west side overlooking the river. Its long axis is north and south, thus allowing for a maximum sunshine in all rooms. The building is three stories and basement above ground. In January, 1913, a nurses' home providing accommodation for thirty nurses, was added to the hospital property. In 1914 an office and laboratory building was constructed on Rock street, a location near the center of the city, which made it convenient to the relationship of specialists and for the co-operative study of ambulatory patients. The hospital since 1915 has maintained a training school for nurses. On May 12, 1923, a new wing was added on the south side of the hospital, making the capacity of the hospital one hundred.

During the mayoralty of Hon. John T. Coughlin, Ste. Anne's Hospital, one of the best known institutions in the State, was dedicated February 4, 1906, a hospital that had been founded by the Dominican Sisters of Charity, of Tours, France. The institution was the result of a suggestion that had been made by Rey. Father R. A. Grolleau, and it was through his efforts that the Sisters were brought from France and the work started. Land on Middle street was bought of Jonathan and James Chace, of Providence, and thereon the present building was constructed, four stories in height, and covering an area of eleven thousand eight hundred and twenty-four square feet. The lines throughout are simple, except that the gables of the building are in the Flemish style. There are five wards, two for men, and three for women, and there are also forty private rooms and some suites. The operating room is accounted one of the best appointed in the country. The sisters in charge are nurses of exceptional ability, and the corps of physicians and surgeons well selected.

A comfortable home with its prevailing good cheer is the Home for Aged People, which from its organization in 1891 to 1923 had sheltered and cared for one hundred and twenty-five aged men and women. From the first, the Home has been greatly favored financially, but the long list of applicants indicates the necessity for enlargement of the premises. The capacity of the home is for twenty-seven, if there are several couples - otherwise twenty-five, the number in 1912. The old Leland house on High street was rented for the uses of the first Home, in 1891, and those who interested themselves in the establishment of the institution were Hon. Milton Reed, John S. Brayton, John D. Flint, Mrs. David M. Anthony, Mrs. Hannah Almy, Mrs. Charles Durfee, Mrs. John H. Boone, Miss A. B. Wrightington, Mrs. Edward S. Adams, and others. The present building that was dedicated as a Home for Aged People in March, 1898, was secured first by the lot of land on Highland avenue donated by the late Robert Adams, and then by the gift of $15,000 by M. C. D. Borden. The structure was completed at a cost of $41,000, and the Home was furnished throughout by a number of churches and societies. Invested funds for its maintenance through the generous gifts of friends amount to about $60,000. The officers 1905-1907: President, John D. Flint; vice-presidents, Hon. Milton Reed and Mrs. D. M. Anthony; secretary, Miss A. B. Wrightington; treasurer, Edward S. Adams. In 1907, President John D. Flint died, and Miss Wrightington resigned as secretary. The officers for 1908: President, Hon. Milton Reed ; vice-presidents, George H. Hills and Mrs. D. M. Anthony; secretary, Miss Louise L. Hathaway; treasurer, Edward S. Adams. Mrs. D. M. Anthony died that year. Officers, 1908-1918: President, Hon. Milton Reed; vice-presidents, George H. Hills and Mrs. Joseph L. Buffinton; secretary, Miss Louise L. Hathaway; treasurer, Edward S. Adams. George H. Hills died in 1917, and Miss Hathaway resigned as secretary. Officers, 1918- 1923: President, Hon. Milton Reed; vice-presidents, Dr. August W. Buck and Mrs. Joseph L. Buffinton; secretary, Mrs. Charles H. Carr; treasurer, Edward S. Adams.

The annual reports of Benjamin S. C. Gifford, president of the Children's Home of Fall River, read much like a story of and for children, as indeed they are, to every intent and purpose, as they relate the beginnings and progress of an institution that has performed a wonderful work in the lives of thousands of children during fifty years, 1873-1923. The Home itself is a model care-taker and benevolent guidé whose up-keep is planned well and directed nobly into channels that lead towards self-help for those who have come under the charge of the institution. The Home, at the corner of Walnut and Robeson streets, is a landmark of practical good-will in this section of the State. It was incorporated in April, 1873, when the Children's Friend Society and the Fall River Orphans' Asylum united in this one institution; and it was in February, 1874, that the land was purchased and the Home was constructed, at a cost of $10,018, the dedication of the building taking place February 27 that year. Eight years later, in 1882, through the leading efforts of Simeon B. Chase and George H. Hawes, the sum of $12,000 was raised, and the indebtedness of the Home was cancelled. As time passed, and the demands upon the Home became more insistent, and room had to be made for the children seeking admission, it became evident that a new and larger building was the one thing needful for the future success. Thus the board of managers and the friends of the institution trallied to the aid of Mrs. Edmund Chace, to bring about a larger structure. Mrs. Chace was the donor of the greater part of the sum of $23,000, the cost of the building, which was dedicated to its present use May 20, 1895. Mrs. Chace had been associated with the Home as a member of its first board of managers, and her efforts for its continued prosperity were unceasing. The first donation towards the present large permanent fund was that of John M. Bryan, who in 1883 gave one thousand dollars. The first president of the society was Thomas J. Borden; vice-presidents, Thomas F. Eddy and J. L. Clarke, M.D.; secretary, John C. Haddock; treasurer, Samuel R. Buffinton. Thomas F. Eddy was elected president in October, 1874; Dr. James M. Aldrich in October, 1876; Nathaniel P. Borden in 1889. The vice-presidents in 1905 were: Hon. Robert T. Davis, Charles B. Cook, Oliver S. Hawes, Mrs. William Beattie; treasurer, Benjamin S. C. Gifford; corresponding secretary, Miss Lydia H. Read; recording secretary, Miss Ellen M. Shove. The matron was Mrs. Lydia Marchant; the superintendent, Edwin R. Marchant. In 1907, V. W. Haughwout was elected a vice-president. That year Hon. Robert T. Davis, one of the vice-presidents, died; while he was mayor he donated one year of his salary to the Home. John D. Flint, a pioneer in the work, and Mrs. P. W. Lyman, one of the vice-presidents since 1900, died. Nathaniel B. Borden, president of the Home from 1889 to 1909, died January 9, 1909. In 1910, Benjamin S. C. Gifford was elected president, and Oliver K. Hawes treasurer; matron, Miss Elizabeth T. Colburn. In 1912 occurred the deaths of Mrs. Daniel H. Cornell, Mrs. FE. A. Tuttle and Mrs. William M. Hawes, of the board of managers; and in 1913, Mrs. Andrew Borden and Miss Maria R. Hicks, also members of the board, passed away. In 1916, Mrs.

Clarence M. Hathaway was elected corresponding secretary. Several boys, once inmates of the Home, were now serving in the Allied armies, and the Home flung out a service flag with eight stars. In 1918, Miss Lydia H. Read and Randall N. Durfee were elected vice-presidents, and Mrs. Jennie Fessenden was elected matron of the Home. Israel Brayton was elected treasurer in 1920; and in 1921, Miss Eunice A. Lyman was elected corresponding secretary. Since the establishment of the home, 1318 children have been cared for here.

Women's Union. - More than fifty years ago, writes Mrs. James M. Morton, Jr., a group of far-sighted, public-spirited women realized the needs of the women and girls of Fall River for opportunities of self-improvement and recreation. With this in mind, a meeting was held on October 30th, 1873, which was addressed by Mrs. Jennie Collins, of Boston, a pioneer social worker. As a result of this meeting, the Fall River Women's Union was organized. The first business meeting was held December 15th, 1873, and the following officers were elected: President, Mrs. Abram G. Hart; vice-presidents, Mrs. Lydian S. Adams, Mrs. James M. Aldrich, Mrs. S. C. Wrightington; secretary, Miss Minnie B. Slade; treasurer, Mrs. W. B. Durfee. It was voted to secure a room where women and girls might come for "enjoyment and assistance". The Troy Manufacturing Company, through Mr. Thomas J. Borden, kindly gave the use of Room 18 in the Troy building, and from that time to the present the Women's Union has carried on the work it then planned.

A Sewing School was begun in 1879 which continued many years. Many Fall River women even now attribute their skill in the family sewing to the training given by this early school. In 1883 the Union Manufacturing Company, through its treasurer, Mr. Thomas E. Brayton, came to the assistance of the Women's Union and generously offered the use of the rooms over its offices for the growing work of the Union. In these rooms classes for millinery, dress-making, cooking, and gymnastics, were suc- . cessfully carried on until the erection of the present building. In these rooms the Working Girls' Club was organized in 1891 under the leadership of Miss Mary E. Shove. She served as its president for twenty-five years and under her wise guidance the club became one of the most successful in Massachusetts. The Working Girls' Club was followed by a club for younger girls called the Happy Girls' Club.

On February 25th, 1889, the organization was incorporated under the name of the Fall River Women's Union. The following persons signed the original articles of agreement: Lydian S. Adams, Phoebe H. Trafton, Mary H. Beattie, Rachel B. Dodge, Mary L. Bassett, Mrs. W. H. Chace, Rachel M. Trafford, Nancy L. Hooper, Louisa G. Aldrich, Ellen M. Wrightington, Mary L. Chace, Mary G. Dean, Harriet H. Brayton.

In 1896 the Women's Union hired a house on Pine street and opened the Women's Union Home, where women and girls could find comfortable and respectable lodgings at a small cost. In the same year the Women's Industrial Exchange was opened. In 1904 land was bought on Rock street and the board of directors began upon the task of raising $50,000 to erect a building suitable to house afl the activities of the organization. This was accomplished, and on March 12th, 1909, the present Women's Union build- ing was dedicated free of debt to the use of the women and girls of Fall River. Mrs. William H. Jennings, for many years president of the Women's Union, presided at the dedication exercises, assisted by Miss Mary E. Shove, Mrs. Clarence F. Swift and Mrs. John B. W. Day. The uncommonly simple and beautiful building was designed by Mr. Parker M. Hooper, of New York, whose grandmother was one of the founders of the Union. It is well adapted to the work of the organization.

The present work of the Women's Union is under three departments: the House Department, the Department of Social Work and the Industrial Exchange. The House Department, under the charge of a superintendent and matron, aims to furnish a comfortable home at a moderate cost for self-supporting women. 'There are twenty-five rooms to rent, a small restaurant serves simple, well-cooked meals at moderate prices.

The Women's Industrial Exchange enables women to put on sale articles of their own making, thus the woman who cannot leave her home to become a wage earner is afforded an opportunity of earning something towards her.own support or that of her family. A committee suggests to the handicapped woman articles which will be salable, and often furnishes materials and designs.

The Social Work Department, which is the real work of the Women's Union, is in charge of a superintendent of social work, and her assistants and volunteer workers. Some five hundred women and girls are enrolled as members of this department. They are divided into groups according to age. Each group forms a club with officers chosen by and from its own membership. All club affairs such as programs, dues, changes of activities, new members, Officers, etc., are brought up at the monthly business meeting or in the weekly business meeting in the younger clubs. The clubs are all self-governing and non-sectarian, being open to all girls and women regardless of race or creed. The Junior Clubs - the Little Citizens, the Merry Group, and the Sunshine Club - have training in simple business meetings, hand-craft and games. They have occasional parties and plays. A spirit of co-operation and service is developed in all the clubs.

The older clubs - the Fall River Girls' Club, originally the Fall River Working Girls' Club, the Home Makers' Club, and Happy Girls' Club - have programs of a recreational and educational nature, including classes of various kinds, such as gymnastics, dramatics, basketry, dress-making, and millinery classes. These classes are open to other than club members, materially increasing the number of women reached by the Women's Union. Talks on variovs interesting subjects as well as dances, plays and parties are included in the monthly program. In the summer there are out-of-door interests. The Fall River Girls' Club belongs to the Massachusetts League of Girls' Clubs. Each summer some club girls and their friends avail themselves 'of the State Vacation House at Rockport. Every two years the club is represented at the National Convention of Girls' Clubs. A Girl Scout Troop, a small High School Club and a club from one of the mills hold meetings in the rooms of the Social Department.

The Women's Union, through its Social Department, is a centre of recreational and educational activities for the women and girls of Fall River. It has been a large factor for pleasure and improvement in the lives of many in the fifty years of its existence. The Women's Union was incorporated "to promote the welfare of women and girls, especially those who are dependent upon their own exertions for their support, by providing them at a moderate cost with lodgings, a,reading room with good literature, a gymnasium, instruction in sewing, cooking, and other industrial arts, helpful music and social entertainment, and otherwise to aid them and better their condition." As the benefits and needs of such work have become more widely recognized and appreciated, and as the city has grown in size, the demands upon the Union have increased and the present building is becoming inadequate. While the Women's Union has a small endowment fund, the income is insufficient for its work and it is dependent upon voluntary contributions. The officers of 1923 are as follows:

Other Societies. - January 21, 1888, a meeting of the Citizens' Committee of Thirty was held, John W. Cummings president. Of these a committee of seven was appointed to consider the matter of organizing an Associated Charities, members of the committee being Josiah C. Blaisdell, Rev. Thomas J. Barbour, Rev. Archibald McCord, Rev. Eldridge Mix, Rev. A. Judson Rich, Hon. J. W. Cummings, and Percy 5S. Grant. Under the direction of this committee, a general council of fifty members at large was formed, and the city was divided into five districts. The organization found a home in the B. M. C. Durfee Bank building. The first officers who directed the work of the Associated Charities, which was to secure harmonious action of different charities in Fall River, to prevent mendicancy and pauperism, to encourage thriit, independence, and industry, were as follows: President, Hon. John W. Cummings; vice-presidents, Thomas Ts. Borden, James W. Morton; treasurer, William F. Hooper; recording secretary, Rev. Percy S. Grant; corresponding secretary, Rev. A. Judson Rich. Miss Alice Wetherbee was early identified with the work of the Associated Charities in the capacity of corresponding secretary. Her formal term of office began in June, 1888. Under her direction the Associated Charities was regularly incorporated in 1899, Those who petitioned for incorpora- tion were Alanson J. Abbé, James N. Buffinton, William C. Atwater, Alice EK. Wetherbee, Walter C. Durfee, John Gregson, and Annie M. Slade. At this time it was stated that the purpose of the Associated Charities was to secure harmonious action of different charities; to raise the needy above the need of relief; to prevent begging and imposture; to diminish pauperism; to encourage thrift, independence through friendly intercourse, advice and sympathy, and finally to help the poor to help themselves rather than to help them by alms.

The resignation of Miss Wetherbee in January, 1917, was followed by the appointment of Miss Alice M. Bell as corresponding secretary in May of the same year. Under Miss Bell's direction, the Associated Charities was reorganized in 1918 under the name of the Association for Community Welfare in Fall River. It was thought that the new name would more nearly indicate the present policy and work of the association. It is interesting to note that the aims and policy of the association were definitely more constructive than those of the earlier organization. The association aimed to promote normal family life by helping families and individuals to overcome their difficulties and find opportunities for development, by emphasizing heaith, education, industry, recreation, and character, as essential elements; by encouraging thrift, initiative and responsibility within the family group; secondly: to relieve distress; thirdly: to encourage and train volunteers for sympathetic and understanding service; fourth: to promote the social betterment of the community and to cooperate with other organizations in lessening those abuses in society which undermine the wellbeing of individuals and families; fifth: to interpret social facts so as to lead to the improvement of conditions. The association is supported by private contributions, and in 1923 had a membership of six hundred. The officers then were: President, James N. Buffinton; first vice-president, James W. Brigham; second vice-president, Fenner A. Chace, M. D.; treasurer, Henry H. Eddy; clerk, Miss Julia A. Harrington; general secretary, Miss Dorothy F. Phelps.

The Queen's Daughters of Fall River were organized in April, 1903, by the Right Rev. Bishop Matthew Harkins, of Providence, Fall River then being a part of the diocese. The organization is devoted to charities whose chief care is the support of the White Sisters, who came from Brittany, France, on the invitation of the bishop, to act as nurses for the sick poor in their own homes, as well as to give care to children in day nurseries. Persecution of religious orders in France at this time obliged the nuns to seek service in other countries. The society has maintained these Sisters ever since, by the revenues from various charitable benefits that have become annual events - the June lawn féte, the New Year's reception, and the May Pole festival. The association is composed of members of every English-speaking Catholic parish in the city, who materially help other charities, also, with contributions and service. During the prolonged strikes of years ago, they distributed clothing and food to the suffering unemployed. While the World War was on, a special surgical dressing class was formed, and thousands of dressings were sent to the Red Cross, and garments were made for hospitals, a White Sister nurse being qualified for and directing this work. Devastated France has been greatly assisted by the organization.

In 1921 the Red Cross called upon the Queen's Daughters to make layettes for the children of Central Europe; the members of the organization formed a sewing circle in the summer, and by the middle of October one hundred layettes were made for the Red Cross. The splendid work that has been done in behalf of the White Sisters by the Queen's Daughters justifies their existence; and in their turn, the White Sisters have rendered to the sick poor in Fall River needed help at all times, caring for them in their own homes, getting the meals often, providing proper clothing, putting the house in order - no case being too repugnant for their service. Many cancer cases have been relieved by them, and during the influenza epidemic Bishop Stang and St. John day nurseries were given over as emergency hospitals under the charge of the White Sisters. Some of the charter members of the Queen's Daughters are still active in all the works of charity, and new members are constantly being enrolled, the membership now being two hundred and fifty. There were thirty-two charter members. 'The first president was. Mrs. B. F. Nickerson; vice-president, Mrs. John Marshall. Mrs. Margaret E. Brennan, who was then secretary, was elected president upon the retirement of the president, and she still holds that position. The other officers now are: Vice-president, Mrs. Matthew Mannion; treasurer, Mrs. B. A. Leary; recording secretary, Mrs. Thomas D. Sullivan; financial secretary, Mrs. William Crowley; corresponding secretary, Miss Rose L. Vallee; Right Rev. Monsignor James E. Cassidy, chaplain; Right Rev. Bishop Daniel F. Feehan, spiritual director. The Fall River Association was affiliated with the General Council of the Queen's Daughters in 1904.

One cannot take many steps in Fall River without hearing of the work and progress of the Young Men's Irish American Catholic Total Abstinence and Benevolent Society, in existence since 1872, and always existing for the steady advancement of the community and its increasing membership. The beginnings were small. There were only four men present at the first meeting; but the society has become a power in the community, and a factor for upright dealing and for total abstinence. It is interesting to note that on Sunday, January 28, 1872, Patrick E. Foley, Daniel Downing, Timothy Harrington and Frank O'Brien met to form the organization, and that very afternoon had enlisted the interest of sixteen more men, and elected the following-named temporary officers: President, F. A. O'Brien; vice-president, Timothy Harrington; recording secretary, Daniel Downing; financial secretary, A. J. Thacker; treasurer, P. E. Foley. Rooms in Concert Hall building were secured, and here were held the subsequent meetings of the organization, the ndme of the society as adopted at that time being the Young Men's Irish American Temperance Society. Shortly afterwards, upon request to join the Massachusetts Catholic Total Abstinence Union, the word "Catholic" was added to the title.

The members of the society joined in their first parade in regalia, May 30, 1872, and on August 10 that year they removed to Mayhew Hall, when officers were elected as follows: President, Marcus Leonard; vicepresident, Patrick E. Foley; recording secretary, James E. O'Neill; financial secretary, Thomas F. Cunneen; treasurer, Frank O'Brien. 'The society attended the annual parade in Boston in October, 1872. The first anniversary ball was held January 28, 1873, and in May that year, Marcus Leonard was succeeded by Patrick E. Foley as president. In June the benevolent feature was added to the work of the organization, and the word "Benevolence" was added to the title. Two hundred of the members attended the annual parade of the C. T. Union in Boston, October 10. P. M. McGlynn was elected president of the society in August, 1875. The beginning of the year 1877 found the society with five hundred members, the year that P. H. Baldwin was elected president. April 1 the society removed to Carrolton Hall, with larger quarters and improved conditions; in May the annual convention of the C. T. U. was held at Carrolton Hall. The society participated in the Centennial celebration of the birth of Rey. Father Theobald Mathew in October, 1877. In February, 1878, Edward F. Murphy was elected president; in February the following year, Augustus P. Gorman; and in August, 1879, John H. Carroll filled that office. Dr. E. J. McGrath was elected the first physician of the society, September 28 that year.

James F. Manning was the head of the society in February, 1880, the charter being procured May 11 that year. Dr. A. P. McGee was elected physician in March. Michael H. Connelly was elected president, February, 1881, and Dr. James E. Sullivan physician. Thomas Donahue was presi- ~ dent in February, 1882, and he was succeeded in August that year by William J. Brooks. In February, 1883, John Casey was president; the Meagher Guards were guests at the anniversary ball of the society, January 28, 1884. On May 13, the Guards presented the society with a framed set of resolutions. Lawrence H. Coyle was the president in August, that year; he was succeeded in August, 1885, by Daniel F. Sullivan, and in May, 1886, by James A. Burke. James F. Manning was president in 1887; James M. Manning in February, 1888; Laurence H. Coyle in August that year: John T. Neeson in February, 1889, in which year a gymnasium was added to the society's equipment. That year, in March, the I. A. Guards were organized, and in April a drum corps. Dr. Michael Kelley was appointed the society physician in 1889. John C. Sullivan was the president in February, 1890, and the building committee was appointed, the society purchasing the site of the present building in July. The I. A. Guards and the drum corps made their first appearance March 17.

Jeremiah G. Riley was elected president in February, 1891, and Michael H. Sullivan in 1892, the Ladies' Auxiliary being organized that year. Jeremiah J. Connors succeeded as president in 1893, and in October that year, Dr. Michael Kelley was elected physician. Succeeding presidents were Maurice H. Horan in February, 1894, and John T. Neeson in 1895. Removal of the society was made to a hall in the Quinn, Woodland & Company building March 10, again in May to the D. D. Sullivan building, and soon afterwards to St. John's Hall, on Third street. There plans were made for the construction of a building at a cost of $20,500, the work being begun July 31, 1895. Laurence H. Coyle was elected president in February, 1896, when the society met in its new home, with an indebtedness of $21,000. John H. Sullivan was president in 1897; Jeremiah G. Riley in 1898, (a number of the members answering the call to service in the Spanish-American War); Thomas D. Sullivan in 1899, the annual requiem service on Thanksgiving Day being instituted. John F. X. Murray was the president in February, 1900, when Rev. Father Christopher Hughes, pastor of St. Mary's Church, was appointed spiritual director. Succeeding presidents were: Michael Downey, 1901; James McDonald, 1902; William O. Brooks, 1903. It was this year that the Saint John's Temperance Society became amalgamated with the Young Men's Society. Thomas V. Doran was elected head of the society in 1904; George F. Coyle, in 1905; James J. Fagan in August that year; Thomas J. Fitzpatrick in August, 1906, in which year bowling alleys, billiard room and other improvements were added, at a cost of $10,000; Frank L. Coyle, 1907; Cornelius Donovan, 1908. In May that year, Very Rev. Father James S. Cassidy was appointed spiritual advisor, death having removed Rev. Father Hughes. John S. Mitchell was president in 1909; George F. Coyle in 1910, in which year the society received from friends the sum of $2645. John S. Mitchell was president in 1911; Algernon D. Sullivan in 1912, when the society presented a chalice to the Very Reverend Chaplain upon his elevation to the rank of Monsignor. Thomas J. Geary was president in 1913; Joseph F. Kelly in 1914; Thomas Poirier in 1915 and 1916; Daniel A. Reagan in 1917. The society participated in the preparedness parade in April.. Two hundred and fifty members were called as subject to the first draft in the World War; all social activities were suspended; a welfare committee was appointed to assist in war work, and the building was placed at the disposal of the local war workers. As a result of a tag sale for the benefit of soldiers and sailors, the sum of $3,000 was netted. Louis E. Brady, succeeding Daniel A. Reagan, resigned in November, 1917, was reélected in February, 1918. The society had one hundred and eighty members in the service.

J. Frank Heflin was president in 1919-20, and a reunion of service men was held January 27, 1920, and a Roll of Honor prepared. The outstanding indebtedness of the society was paid December 1, that year, the ceremony of burning the mortgage being celebrated January 27, 1921. Thomas J. Geary was president of the society in 1921. The society building on Anawan street is one of the most attractive society buildings in the city, the total cost of the property being $47,000. The building is in charge of a board of seven trustees.

The Women's Catholic Associates, an auxiliary of the Y. M. I. A. C. T. A., was organized March 27, 1892, with the following-named officers: President, Mrs. Louisa F. Connelly; vice-president, Mary A. Sullivan; recording secretary, Nellie McGraw; financial secretary, Ella Foley; corresponding secretary, Katie A. Corrigan; treasurer, Mary E. Quigley; guard, Ella Freeborn. "Fraternity, Harmony and Unity" is the motto of the organization, and this has proved no misnomer. February 4, 1896, the society began to hold their meetings in Anawan Hall, in the Young Men's new building. Mary J. Geagan was elected president in 1903, and has been reélected each succeeding year. April 19, 1906, the Associates presented the Young Men's Society with an American flag and pole. There was a successful membership drive in 1910 and 1911. Through the years of the World War the Associates assisted in the work of caring for the needs of the men in the service. January 27, 1921, the society debt was extinguished. .

The Deaconesses' Home has become a settled institution in Fall River, and Methodism has increased its activities through the work of the deaconesses. The plans for the launching of the project of this Home originated with the following-named, who were called together at the suggestion of John D. Flint, December 21, 1892: William S. Greene, J. R. Butterworth, Job Gardner, J. N. Wilde, I. N. Smith, Lafayette Nichols, A. J. Marble, C. E. Case, T. F. Vickery, Daniel Moore, Rev. A. J. Coultas, J. G. Gammons, Walter Ela, W. A. Luce, F. S. Brooks, L. M. Flocken, R. D. Dyson. A permanent organization was effected January 28, 1893, with John D. Flint as president, Job Gardner vice-president, Rev. W. A. Luce, corporation clerk, and Iram N. Smith treasurer. The disciplinarian management of the Home is in the hands of the New England Southern Conference, represented by the board of nine members; but its direct supervision is in the hands of the local board of corporation and board of managers. Previous to incorporation, Miss Emma Ross, employed as a city missionary, instituted the work of the deaconess here, and this gave an impetus to the present movement. An endowment of $10,000 was made by Mr. Flint, and as headquarters for the Home the Benjamin Covel estate on Second street was purchased. Miss Mary N. Adams was elected secretary in June, 1894, Miss Eva C. Fields succeeding her in 1899. The Deaconess' Aid Society was organized in 1894 to assist in providing financial support and furnishings for the Home. Miss Mary E. Williamson was acting superintendent in 1913, and Miss B. Marion Hope was appointed superintendent in 1915. The Home for Working Girls is under the direction of this organization.

The Ninth Street Day Nursery, from 1910 to 1923, has made its presence a needed and a secure one in this city, and planted and cared for under the direction of the Fall River Branch of the Association of Collegiate Alumnae, it has proven both a home and a home-maker for many scores of people who have required just the message and the gift that the institution has brought. The Nursery, instituted by the kindly college folk, has been supported by contributions of the generous people of Fall River, assisted by occasional special effort on the part of the board of managers. The first officers of the Fall River Branch of the Association of Collegiate Alumnae were as follows: President, Mrs. Randall N. Durfee; vice-president, Dr. Mary W. Marvel; secretary, Miss Grace Lincoln; treasurer, Miss Ina F. Covel, and with a board of twenty-six directors. Mrs. Charles D. Davol was the secretary in 1914, in which year the nursery building was marked with the blue cross of the District Association. In 1915 Mrs. Alanson J. Abbé was named as auditor, Miss Mary EK. Nowell as branch treasurer, Miss Harriet T. Marvel as councilor; Miss Stella H. Baylies as branch director. Mothers' meetings and clinics were frequently held. Miss Harriet A. Durfee was named as councilor in 1916. Miss Mary C. Cummings was the secretary in 1917. Miss Alice T. Abbé was elected vicepresident in 1919, and Mrs. Carl A. Terry branch director. During the epidemic, the nursery was used as an emergency home, and meals were served as needed. Ten nurses were accommodated for varying periods. The officers in 1920: President, Mrs. Owen Durfee; vice-president, Miss Marion T. Thompson; secretary, Miss E. Estelle Miles; treasurer, Miss Ina F, Covel. Miss Mary A. Parsons, who to this date had served as matron, resigned, and Miss Annie Miller was secured as matron. Mrs. Philip E. Tripp was elected vice-president in 1921. Miss Miller resigned as matron, and Miss Annie Dunphy, assistant matron from the first, took her place temporarily. In 1922, Mrs. Randall N. Durfee again returned as president. Miss Edith Farnham was elected vice- president, and Mrs. Harold S. Barker secretary.

The District Nursing Association has for its object primarily, to improve the health of the community, seeking to provide trained nurses to visit sick persons deprived of proper care, and to care for them at their homes, as well as to instruct members of the household in the simple rules of hygiene. The association was incorporated in 1912, and during the succeeding years there has been noted a constant and steady decrease in both the general and infant mortality rates of the city. Throughout its history there has been steady cooperation on the part of the Board of Health, the Red Cross, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, the Association for Community Welfare, day nurseries, and other organizations. The year 1912 started with but two nurses, but before the year was over it was necessary to add nine, and in 1922 there were sixteen nurses on the staff, three of whom were doing child welfare work only; two pupil nurses from the local hospitals who came for part of their training during their third year; a superintendent and supervisor. While more than nine thousand visits were made in 1912, over 51,000 were made to homes to give service to the people in 1922. The Ninth Street Day Nursery was opened. May 15, 1910, with forty-five children to be cared for. Miss Dorothy Smithson was the matron, and Mrs. Randall N. Durfee was president of the board. The Bishop Stang Day Nursery (Corporation), Third street, was opened August 15, 1911, the number of children to be cared for being sixty to one hundred and twentyfive. The St. John's Day Nursery, a Roman Catholic Bishop corporation, was opened in June, 1917, the number of children being from seventy-five to one hundred and forty.

Recognizing the need in Fall River of the teaching of good house-keeping and of right home-making, the District Nursing Association opened the King Philip settlement house in 1913, the only settlement house in the city. The Weetamoe House welfare station was opened in a model tenement in the north end of the city in 1917, where clinics are held, and there are continued many activities for the general social uplift of the community. Welfare stations besides the above-mentioned are those of the Neighborhood House, the Boys' Club building, the Portuguese Men's Club, the Tennessee Boys' Athletic Association. With general headquarters at the Boys' Club building, the general superintendents have been Miss Eugelia L. Eddy, R. N., Mary A. Jones, R. N.; supervisors of settlement work: Mrs. Gertrude L. Tebbutt, Miss M. Guiditta Daley, Miss Florence L. Nye.

The Animal Rescue League of Fall River has a home, a mission and faithful helpers that have assured a place for its continuous work in the Border city. An independent society, incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1914, it first began its important work as a committee of the civic department of the Fall River Woman's Club, its object being to provide a temporary shelter for lost, injured and unwanted animals. Under its direction, one thousand and eighty-four animals were taken care of the first year. The first meeting was held May 5, 1914, at the residence of Mrs. Edward B. Varney, with A. N. Lincoln, Esq., as attorney, to organize the Animal Rescue League of Fall River. The first officers were: President, Miss Helen Leighton; vice-presidents: Mrs. Clarence M. Hathaway, Mrs. Edward B. Varney, Rev. John B. W. Day, William E. Fuller, Jr.; secretary, Miss Annie E. Allen; assistant secretary, Mrs. W. Frank Shove; treasurer, Miss Gertrude M. Baker. In 1916, Rev. Everett S. Herrick was elected a vice-president, and Mrs. Walter Irving Nichols assistant secretary. Lectures were given and stereopticon talks concerning the aims of the League and its plans and purposes were presented by competent speakers before many local clubs and organizations. During these first years, twenty-seven hundred animals had been given needed care. In the year 1919, Chief of Police William H., Morey was elected one of the vicepresidents of the league; and in 1920, Miss Meredythe Wetherell was elected assistant secretary. T. F. McCarty, special dog officer for the city, has been the efficient agent of the league from the first.

The Fall River District of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children was instituted in 1910, to prevent physical injury, to prevent physical neglect, to rescue children from immoral surroundings, to protect wives and dependent children from non-support and desertion, to secure suitable guardians for children. In 1922 the Taunton branch was combined with the Fall River district, which added the city of Taunton and the towns of Berkley, Raynham, Rehoboth and Seekonk. This territory was formerly covered by an agent from the central office in Boston, who gave two days a week to the work. The society in its twelve years of existence here has filled its place among the social agencies of the district. It carries on a work vital to the children and the community. The officers in the Fall River district for 1923: President, Israel Brayton; vicepresident, Mrs. Jonathan T. Lincoln; secretary, Thomas Chew; treasurer, Miss Harriet E. Connell; district agent, John F. Hallahan.

The first call for the organization of a W. C. T. U. in this city was made January 9, 1882, when sixty-three women met at the Central Congregational Church and subscribed to the constitution of the society, Mrs. Emma McLaughlin presiding at the meeting. The charter membership was shortly afterwards increased to one hundred and twenty-two. The Union since that time has had two presidents - Mrs. Phebe Aydelott, who served in that capacity for nineteen years, and Mrs. Ella F. Stafford, who in 1923 closed her twenty-second year of faithful service. Mrs. M. E. Waring, the secretary, tells the story:

The first work undertaken of any wide extent was the opening of a coffee house. Its purpose was to furnish wholesome food at a reasonable price to the operatives in the mills, but the location chosen was not convenient for the class it was intended to benefit, so it seemed best to turn the attention of the Union to other lines of helpfulness, and after a year it was sold to another party who conducted it on strictly temperance principles. For some years a paper, The Holiday Advertiser, was issued and was a valuable medium for disseminating temperance facts, as well as an aid to the treasury.

At the municipal election of 1886 our women stood at the polls throughout the day for the first time, with two at each precinct, and distributed the "no" ballots. Our city was carried for prohibition. The scoffs and ridicule of the liquor element were not easy to endure but by such means as these temperance sentiment was created. In 1889 the Union entered with spirit into the campaign to secure the Prohibitory Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. The means used to arouse public sentiment were lectures, distribution of literature, the public press, and work at the polls. Sixty-five thousand leaflets alone were at this time carried personally into the homes of voters by the systematic districting of the city. The present membership is about 160, and various departments of work are well superintended. For the past sixteen years the Union has employed a worker whose work carries with it much of comfort and helpfulness to the class of girls who through defective training in the home or the temptations of the street have fallen from the path of pure and honest lives and have come under the claims of the law. The worker has met girls at the police station or wherever they may be found in need of Christian help, she learns their peculiar trials and gives effective help to them in their attempt to regain a useful and respectable life. Letters of encouragement have been written, calls have been made in homes and institutions that girls may be kept in touch with the worker, some girls having no home have been secured a comfortable and safe home in which to earn an honest living. Services have been held in New Bedford House of Correction and the City Home of Fall River. At Easter and Christmas time simple gifts have been taken to show love and kindness. These have been accepted with deep appreciation by the women unfortunate and alone. Mrs. Ada C. Rogers has been the devoted worker in this capacity for a number of years and is greatly appreciated by the Fall River Union.

Miscellaneous. - The Young Men's Protestant Temperance and Benevolent Association has a large membership and accessible headquarters, as well as an excellent social and charitable programme. The officers are: Peter Devitt, president; William B. Russell, vice-president; Robert A. Macfarlane, recording secretary; Herbert Shaw, corresponding secretary; William H. Platt, financial secretary and agent; William T. Brown, treasurer.

In 1915, the county building on Bay street was purchased as a City Home, at a total cost of $165,000, and equipped for the housing of about four hundred inmates.

Ligue De Tempérance has its headquarters at Temperance Hall, 10 St. Joseph street, and its officers in 1923 were: President, Pierre R. Picard; vice-president, Zenon D. Barrette; secretary, Louis P. Gamache; treasurer, Edmee Picard.

St. Joseph's Portuguese and Benevolent Society has its headquarters at 208 Bank street. Its officers in 1923: President, Julia R. Medeiros; secretary, Manuel C. Carvalho; treasurer, Seraphim J. Pontes.