Logan County, Illinois - Chapter 25: Charitable Institutions, 1911

Chapter 25: Charitable Institutions

The City of Lincoln has achieved somewhat of a reputation throughout the state as being the home of a number of institutions of a charitable nature. One of these is a state institution, in that it was established and is managed, controlled and operated by the State of Illinois. The other is also a state institution, but in the limited sense that it is conducted under the auspices of the state Grand Lodge of one of the great fraternal orders of the country. Both of these institutions, while charitable, perhaps, in one sense of the word, were established not alone as homes, but as schools and educational institutions, where mental and physical training are given. The Odd Fellows' Orphans' Home, above referred to as being conducted by a great fraternal order, is more peculiarly an educational institution in that it prepares bright, energetic boys and girls, who have been unfortunately deprived of parentage in early life, to take their places in the onward march of the world's affairs. An historical sketch of this institution, as well as one of the Lincoln State School and Colony and of the two Lincoln hospitals, are herewith subjoined under one head, which for want of a better term has been denominated "Charitable Institutions."

Lincoln State School And Colony

In the year 1877, one of the great charitable institutions of the State of Illinois was located at Lincoln, in Logan County. It was then called the Illinois Asylum for Feeble-Minded Children and was established as a school and home for that class of unfortunates indicated in the name. Since then it has grown to be one of the largest institutions of its kind in the world and houses about 1,200 inmates. By the Act of June 1 5 1909, the name of the institution was changed to that of "The Lincoln State School and Colony," by which name it is now known.

The first action in relation to the establishment of an institution of this kind in Illinois was taken by the State Medical Society, held in Bloomington, June 5, 1855. A committee of three of its members, con- sisting of Doctors David Prince, E, R. Roe and J. V. Z. Blaney, was appointed "to memorialize the Legislature with regard to the establishment of an institution for idiots." This committee was continued during four years and presented a written memorial to each of the two succeeding general assemblies. In 1856, Dr. Andrew McFarland, Superintendent of the Insane Asylum at Jacksonville, also urged upon the Legislature, that year, the necessity for the exclusion of idiots from the Insane Asylums of the state.

Nothing tangible resulted from these efforts, however, and in 1860, Dr. Philip G. Gillett, Superintendent of the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, at Jacksonville, was so strongly impressed with the pitiable condition of children not deaf and dumb but feeble-minded that he took active measures in their behalf and besieged the Legislature until that body was finally induced to take definite action. By an act passed February 15, 1865, the Legislature appropriated the sum of $5,000 per annum from March 1, 1865, to March 1, 1867, "for the purpose of organizing, temporarily, an experimental school for the training and instruction of idiots or imbeciles, the results of such experiments to be reported annually to the Governor and by him to the next regular session of the General Assembly." The disbursement of this money, as well as the organization and management of the school, was placed in the hands of the directors of the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb. The first meeting of the directors, with reference to the new school, occurred March 1, 1865, at Jacksonville, and at that meeting Dr. Philip G. Gillett was appointed temporary Superintendent. Shortly after, the directors leased the grounds and residence of Ex-Gov. Joseph Duncan, at Jacksonville, as the temporary home of the new institution. The school was duly opened May 25, 1865, with three children as inmates,

On December 13, 1865, Dr. Charles T. Wilbur was appointed Superintendent, he having before that time sustained official relations to four of the seven then existing institutions of this kind, in the States of New York, Ohio, Connecticut and Massachusetts. He was the first permanent Superintendent of the new institution. The Legislature, in 1867, appropriated $14,000 per annum for the running expenses of the school, which was denominated in the act as "an experimental school for idiots and feeble-minded children." In 1869, the annual appropriation was increased to $20,000 per year, and in 1871 to $23,000. On April 6, 1871, the Legislature passed an incorporation act, which took effect July 1, 1871, this act giving the institution a permanent character as one of the charitable institutions of the state.

By the incorporation act of 1871, the institution became established as "The Illinois Institution for the Education of Feeble-Minded Children" and its object was stated in the act to be for the purpose of "promoting, by all proper and feasible means, the intellectual, moral and physical culture of that unfortunate portion of the community who have been born, or by disease have become idiotic, imbecile or feeble-minded, and by a judicious and well adapted course of instruction, training and management, to ameliorate their condition, to develop, as much as possible, their intellectual faculties, to reclaim them from their hopeless condition and fit them, as far as possible, for future usefulness in society."

By 1875, there were 80 inmates in the new institution, which was as large a number as could be taken care of with the facilities then existing. The institution still occupied the old Duncan mansion, which was yet being leased, and which was entirely too small and unsuited for the purposes of an institution of the kind, was inconveniently arranged, out of repair and insecure against fire. Its inadequacy was apparent when it was found that 80 inmates represented the limit of its capacity, while there were applications on file for admission to the number of 681. The Legislature in 1875 thereupon passed an act, which was approved on April 8th of that year, making appropriations for the selection of a permanent site for the institution, for the purchase of land and the construction of buildings. The act provided that the Governor should appoint seven commissioners, one from each Supreme Judicial district, to select a site for the proposed new buildings, the site selected to consist of forty acres of land "at such a place as shall be at the same time most economical to the state and best adapted to the wants of the institution, having regard in the selection to elevation, sewerage and drainage, never failing supply of water, facility of access, comparative centrality of location, the quality of the soil and the price asked for the land; but the said commissioners shall neither ask nor accept, on their own account, any gift or gifts in money, freights, land or other valuable property, as a consideration for the location or choice of site; and a violation of this provision shall be deemed a high misdemeanor, punishable by fine or imprisonment, or both."

The act further appropriated $185,000 for the construction of "a main building, with wings and for plumbing, heating and ventilating the same and to fit the same for occupancy and use, by not less than 250 pupils," and provided for the securing of plans and specifications for the said building and the letting of the contract for the erection of the same. In accordance with this act, the Governor appointed the seven commissioners to select the site of the institution and have the necessary buildings constructed and they were as follows: Robert S. Anderson, of McLeansboro; Robert L. Delaney, of Marshall; Charles M. Dace, of Mattoon; F. Ketcham, of Havana; Stephen G. Paddock, of Princeton; Elward R. Allen, of Aurora, and Joseph S. Reynolds, of Chicago. Soon after the passage of the act, a number of cities in Illinois became active candidates for the location of the institution in their boundaries, among them being Springfield, Decatur, Clinton, Quincy, Alton and Pana, while Jacksonville was making strenuous efforts to retain the institution. The candidacy of the cities soon suggested to the people of Lincoln that none of them could offer to the state any more central location, any greater facility of access or better general qualifications for a suitable site than could the City of Lincoln. The professional and business men of the city took the matter in hand and began a movement, which resulted in Lincoln being added to the list of the cities seeking to have the institution located within their boundaries. Conspicuous in their efforts to secure the institution were Col. R. B. Latham, A. B. Nicholson, then State Senator, R. A. Talbott and Thomas Wendell, then Representatives in the Legislature; Joseph Ream, Thomas Wendell, A. Mc- Galliard, Colby Knapp, William Toomey, A. M. Miller, Judge Lacey, John Wyatt and many others.

The commission held their first meeting in the Senate Chamber at Springfield, July 12, 1875. R.S. Anderson was made President and Dr. Charles T. Wilbur, Secretary. By this time, several cities had dropped out of the contest and new cities had entered. At this first meeting the following cities filed applications: Springfield, Decatur, Jacksonville, Alton, Ottawa, Mattoon, Quincy, Lincoln, Princeton, Elmwood, Vandalia, Pontiac and Peoria. Col. R. B. Latham appeared before the commission on behalf of Lincoln, Virgil Hickox for Springfield, Gov. Wood for Quincy, Dr. P. G. Gillett for Jacksonville, Judge Nelson and S. S. Jack for Decatur. After hearing these representatives, the commission adjourned for the purpose of visiting the different sites proposed. Pending definite action, it was decided that all competing cities should file bids by August 8, 1875, stating therein the tracts of land which could be secured, with the price per acre. The commission visited Lincoln, July 30, 1875. They were met at the depot by local citizens, were placed in carriages and were driven over the city, being particularly taken to the sites offered, namely, what was known as Wyatt's Grove, southwest of the city, and the Little farm, southeast of the city. The commission met again Aug. 8th, at Springfield and proceeded to ballot on location. Ten ballots were taken before any city had secured a majority over all and on the tenth ballot Lincoln was victorious. The first ballot stood as follows: Lincoln, 3; Springfield, 1; Ottawa, 1; Mattoon, 1; Princeton, 1. The tenth and last ballot stood: Lincoln, 4; Ottawa, 2; Decatur, I.

The site selected was Wyatt's Grove, of forty acres, which was purchased of John Wyatt and Robert B. Latham for $7,500, with an option on twenty acres additional at the same price. Referring to the site selected, the Chicago Inter Ocean, whose representative accompanied the commission on its tour of inspection, in a contemporaneous issue, thus described it: "The site is high and rolling, consists of forty acres, fifteen of which is a beautiful grove of old and stately trees, the balance of the tract being excellent prairie land. The price agreed to be paid is $7,500 or about $200 per acre, with twenty acres more reserved for the use of the institution at $200 per acre. Salt Creek, an ever living stream of water, fed by springs, adjoins the site, from which an abundant supply of water can be obtained, and in addition to this is the subterranean river which furnishes Bloomington with a most excellent and abundant supply of water. This river lies about fifty feet below the surface of the site and can be obtained by boring. The City of Lincoln is preparing to supply its inhabitants with gas and the works will be in operation by the time the building is finished. There are three railroads running into Lincoln, the Chicago & Alton, the Pekin, Lincoln and Decatur and the branch of the Toledo, Wabash and Western, the latter skirting the south side and the Chicago & Alton the east side of the land selected, so that access to the place is very convenient."

The Legislature in 1875 enacted a new act providing for the management of the State Charitable Institutions. In this act, the official title of the institution located that year at Lincoln was changed to that of "The Illinois Asylum for Feeble-Minded Children" and the control of the institution and its affairs was lodged in a board of three trustees, to be appointed by the Governor. The first board appointed was constituted as follows: Graham Lee, of Mercer County; A. B. Nicholson, of Logan County; and C. R. Cummings, of Tazewell County; and upon this new board devolved the duty of superintending the construction of the new buildings. Mr. Lee was made chairman of the new board. The general idea of the new building was designed by the then Superintendent of the institution, Dr. C. T. Wilbur, and these ideas were incorporated into working plans by H. C. Furness, architect, of Ottawa, whose plans were adopted. The trustees thereupon advertised for sealed bids for the construction of the building. There were twenty-nine proposals offered, ranging from $117,269 to $178,500. The bids were opened October 28, 1875 and after due deliberation the contract for constructing the building was awarded to T. C. Courtney, of Chicago, for $124,755. Later the plumbing, gas fitting and steam heating contract was let for $29,434, bringing the total cost to $154,209. Work was commenced on this building, which is now known as the main building, November 5, 1875, and was completed and ready for occupancy in June, 1877.

The building so erected was of brick and consisted of a center, three stories in height, with basement and attic, connecting wings of two stories in height and extreme wings parallel with the center, also three stories in height. The general style of architecture is modern Gothic, with slate roof, stone trimmings, dormer windows and towers. The rear buildings and engine house, built at the same time, are of brick and of the same general style. The building faces to the east, fronting on State street. Its extreme length is 395 feet; extreme depth, 21 5 feet; depth of wings, 165 feet. The tower of the center building has an elevation of 100 feet and those on the wings 85 feet.

The building erected in 1877 is now known as the main building, additional buildings having been erected from time to time, until a great portion of the original tract is covered with buildings of various kinds. To the original forty acres utilized for buildings and grounds, forty-five more acres were purchased and the portions of the grounds not used for buildings have been converted into parks and playgrounds. In 1889 the growing necessity of providing and caring for custodial cases became so apparent that the Thirty-sixth General Assembly made appropriations for the construction of custodial building, which was completed in 1890. This building was built of brick, two stories in height, has a frontage of 258 feet and a depth of 149 feet, is capable of accommodating over 100 patients and cost about $40,000. In 1897, a large and commodious hospital building was erected, two stories in height and surrounded by a wide portico. Also in the same year, a handsome school and chapel was built, two stories in height with a high basement and an imposing tower in front. Various other buildings were also added to the institution, during the succeeling years, including a gymnasium, laundry, ice plant, cold storage plant, engine house, industrial buildings, work shops and the like, made necessary by the rapid increase in the number of inmates in the institution and the new and improved methods of education and treatment introduced and established from time to time.

In 1899, further appropriations by the Legislature were made for the erection of a system of boys' and girls' cottages, which resulted in doubling the capacity of the institution. One of these groups of buildings was completed in 1901 and the other in 1902. Each group is two stories in height, with the exception of the administration portion, which is three stories in height. The buildings are constructed of brick, with stone trimmings. Each group is 489 by 205 feet in dimensions. They face each other, with a magnificent court between that measures 600 by 800 feet. The estimated cost of the groups is about $200,000 and each group accommodates in the neighborhood of 360 wards.

Besides the tract of 95 acres upon which the buildings are located, the institution controls a farm of 450 acres owned by the state and about 400 acres leased for a term of years. This farm is located about a mile from the institution, south of Salt Creek. About 50 boys are kept at work upon this farm. In addition to the raising of standard crops, truck gardening is conducted on an extensive scale, practically furnishing to the institution all the vegetables consumed. A magnificent two story farm residence houses the inmates who are engaged in work on the farm.

In September of 1883, Dr. Charles T. Wilbur, who hal been Superintendent of the institution since its inception, was succeeded by Dr. William B. Fish, who had been Assistant Superintendent at a similar institution at Elwyn, Pa. In 1893, he was succeeded by Dr. A. M. Miller, of Lincoln, who served in that capacity until 1895. In 1897, Dr.

J. W. Smith was appointed Superintendent and served two years. In 1897, Dr. W. L. Athon was made Superintendent and continued in that position until 1901, when he was transferred to the Superintendency of the Insane Asylum at Anna, Ill. In 1901, Dr. Samuel H. McLean, of Hillsboro, was appointed Superintendent. He died at the institution, March 18, 1903, and was succeeded by Dr. Charles B. Taylor, of Elkhart. The present incumbent, Dr. Harry G. Hardt, assumed the duties of Superintendent in January of 1907, having been engaged for nine years in institutional work in other institutions of the state.

Prior to January 1, 1910, the management and control of the institution was vested in a board of trustees, three in number, appointed by the Governor. This system continued until the date above mentioned, when a law, passed June 15, 1909, went into effect. The latter law provided for the appointment of a single state Board of Control, to consist of five members, appointed by the Governor and to this board is delegated the management and control of all the charitable institutions of the state of Illinois. The present board is constituted as follows: Lawrence Y. Sherman, President, Springfield; Frank D. Whipp, Springfield; Benjamin R. Burroughs, Edwardsville; Dr. J. L. Greene, Springfield; Thomas O'Connor, Peoria. The names of those who occupied the position of trustee of the institution prior to the organization of the Board of Control are as follows: Graham Lee, 1876-92; C. R. Cummings, 1876-81; Ethelbert Callahan, 1877-85; Joseph C. Warnock, 1878- 83; Edward D. Blinn, 1881-89; Benson Wood, 1887-94; C. R. Gittings, 1889-93; A. B. Nicholson, 1891-94; Charles M. Dunlap, 1894-98; Charles A. Purdunn, 1894-98; T. N. Green, 1894-98; Z. K. Wood, 1898-99; C. R. Gittings, 1898-1901; S. C. Smiley, 1898-1901 ; George D. Corwine, 1899-1901; John F. Regan, 1901-05; Edward Stubblefield, 1901-03; Jacob F. Swank, 1901-05; James W. Gibson, 1903-07; John Wagner, 1905-09; Carl F. Bartling, 1901-10; W. H. Smith, 1909-10; Joseph De Silva, 1905-10. The present resident officers of the institution are Dr. H. G. Hardt, Superintendent; Dr. C. B. Caldwell, Assistant ; Charles T. Hoblit, Chief Clerk; John S. Haller, Treasurer. The average daily attendance of inmates is about twelve hundred.

A very important feature of the institution is its schools. What is ordinarily called 'book learning" is found not to be well adapted to the needs of the feeble-minded inmates and the educational course has been made more practical, while manual training and music have been introduced. Expert teachers are provided to teach the special branches. The school proper consists of kindergarten, arts, manual training, physical culture, phonetic drill and music. In the manual training department, many kinds of manual work are taught, including clay modeling, basketry, needle work, cardboard construction, reed, raffia, sloyd and Venetian iron work. Entertainment for the children has not been neglected. Concerts are given in the chapel and also at the cottages where the children of lower mentality are kept. Dances are given each week, interspersed now and then with an entertainment of some kind. The institution has an excellent orchestra, the members composing it being inmates of the school.

The object of the institution is to furnish such training and education to the feeble-minded children of the state as will fit them, as far as possible, for future usefulness. Children between the ages of six and eighteen, who are so deficient as to be incapable of being educated at an ordinary school, and who are not epileptic, insane, paralyzed, extremely helpless or afflicted with contagious disease, may be admitted upon receiving certificates of admission from the superintendent.

Among the various institutions located in Logan County none reflect so potentially the fraternal spirit of the age as does the Illinois Odd Fellows' Orphans' Home. This magnificent institution, dedicated to a cause so humanitarian, is an exponent of the teachings of one of the great fraternal orders of the country and stands as a monument more enduring than marble and bronze. As its name indicates it is a home for the orphan children of deceased members of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows resident in the State of Illinois, and in addition to being a home, where such orphans are cared for and properly trained, it is also a well equipped school, in which the pupils are prepared, after they leave the walls of the home, to take their places in the various business avocations and occupations of life.

The Illinois I. O. O. F. Orphans' Home had its origin in the efforts of a number of members of the Daughters of Rebekah, a sister organization to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and composed of the wives, mothers and sisters of the members of the latter order. These ladies, imbued with a desire to carry into practical effect the charitable tenets of both orders, undertook to collect sufficient funds for the erecting of such a home, and their efforts were crowned with success. A private corporation was then formed and the original incorporators were Lizzie L. Morrison, Maria L. Spalding, Jennie A. Tichnor and Eva R. Withey. The name of the corporation was "The Odd Fellows' Orphans' Home," the object was stated to be "to maintain a home for the children of deceased Odd Fellows" and the management of the affairs of the corporation was vested in a Board of Trustees elected by the degree lodges of the Daughters of Rebekah of Illinois. The first Board; of Directors consisted of the following named persons: Lizzie L. Morrison, Maria L. Spalding, Jennie A. Tichnor, Eva R. Withey, M. R. Cunningham, Anna E. Moreland, Matilda Griebel, Sarah R. Crocker, Mary A. Funk, Roxy A. Bradley, Alfred Orendorff, Alonzo Wood, Wm. H. Crocker, E. S. Conway, J. Otis Humphrey, Henry C. Feltman and Wm. H. Underwood.

Prior to the date of the above incorporation, the proposition to establish an orphans' home had been discussed at various annual sessions of the Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows of the state. The local lodges of Lincoln were, from the beginning, favorable to the movement and the matter first came to the attention of the Grand Lodge, by the introduction in that body of a resolution by Representative George W. Chowning, of Lincoln Lodge, of Lincoln, declaring it to be the sense of the Grand Lodge that such a home be established. Charles E. Schaible, representative of Mozart Lodge, of Lincoln, followed with a tentative proposition from the City of Lincoln to locate the home, if established, at the county seat of Logan County. While no action was taken on this resolution and accompanying proposition, still it paved the way for more definite action later on. When therefore an incorporation had been created as above stated and sufficient funds had been raised in the state to warrant the incorporators and the Board of Directors in deciding upon a location for the proposed new home, with a view to erecting a building upon the site when selected, Lincoln was an active candidate as a suitable location for the proposed institution.

The local Odd Fellows Ledges in Lincoln, namely Lincoln Lodge, No. 204 and Mozart Lodge, No. 345, took immediate steps toward securing the home and stood sponsor for a proposition offering the new institution a cash bonus of $10,000 and a beautiful site consisting of forty acres of land. The site tendered was located on Wyatt avenue, in the City of Lincoln, and was known as the John Wyatt tract. At a meeting of the Board of Directors of the new corporation, held at Bloomington, February 22, 1890 Lincoln's, proposition was formally submitted to the Board by a committee from the two Lincoln lodges, the committee being constituted as follows: George W. Chowning, C. A. Nicholson, C. E. Schaible, Vincent Cherney, Jacob Bollin and P. M. Biwer. While a number of other cities in Illinois made formal application for the location of the home, Lincoln's chief competitor was Shelbyville, the citizens of that city having also offered forty acres of land as a site, but strengthening their proposition by a larger cash bonus than that offered by Lincoln. Subsequently Lincoln increased its offer of cash bonus to $14,000, which was substantially Shelbyville's bid, Lincoln having the advantage of a more suitable site and a more central location.

On July 16, 1890, a committee from the Board of Directors visited Lincoln to inspect the site offered for the new home and the members of the committee expressed themselves as highly pleased with the location. The committee consisted of Alfred Orendorff, J. Otis Humphrey, J. L. Barnum, Mrs. L. L. Morrison and Mrs. J. S. Tichnor. They were received by a local committee of Odd Fellows, taken to the Wyatt tract and shown the city and were given a dinner and reception at the State School and Colony. Subsequently the Board of Directors met at Bloomington, July 29, 1890, to take final action on the selection of a location. The following committee represented Lincoln at this session: C. M. Knapp, E. D. Blinn, A. C. Boyd, George W. Chowning, C. E. Schaible and John Edmonds. Earnest addresses in behalf of Lincoln as the proposed location were made by E. D. Blinn, C. E. Schaible and A. C. Boyd. Following these addresses, the committee made Lincoln's proposition good by tentatively tendering the Board of Directors a certified check for $14,000, and a deed and abstract of title for the forty acres of land. Upon a vote being taken, Lincoln was successful and the home was duly located in accordance with the vote. The vote stood: Lincoln, 7; Shelbyville, 5. It may be said in this connection, that the business men and citizens of Lincoln gave liberally to this cause and the entire sum of $14,000, together with $4,000 for the purchase of the land, making $18,000 in all, was raised without much difficulty. Among those contributing larger sums were B. P. Andrews, $3,000; Harts & Frorer, $3,000; S. A. Foley, $1,000; R. B. Latham, $1,000.

Bids for the erection of the first or what is now called the main or administration building were advertised for on February 1, 1891. The contract was awarded April 15, 1891, to W. F. Hoyle for $25,000. The corner stone of this building was laid May 21, 1891, with formal ceremonies. A monster Odd Fellows procession was one of the special features of the day. The procession was divided into four divisions, the divisions being headed by Spencer's Light Guard band, of Peoria, the De Molay band, of Bloomington, the Havana band and the O. O. D. C. band, of Lincoln. Company G., 5th Inf., I. N. G., of Springfield, headed the first division. Cantons were represented from Chicago, Peoria, Champaign, Urbana, Springfield, Decatur, Monticello, Lincoln and Englewood; Odd Fellows' lodges from Bloomington (three lodges), Normal, Heyworth, Wapella, Sullivan, Clinton, Niantic, Peoria (two lodges), Ipava, Lexington (with band), Maroa, Farmer City, Urbana, Atlanta (with band), Waynesville, Armington, Delavan, Minonk, Havana, Mason City, Petersburg, Athens, Pleasant Plains, Bethany, Springfield (four lodges), Grayville, Mt. Pulaski, Elkhart, Middletown and Lincoln (two lodges), Daughters of Rebekah lodges from Bloomington, Pekin, Delavan, Atlanta, Minier, Rantoul, Maroa, Mason City, Macomb, Elkhart, Havana, Champaign, Urbana, Monticello and Lincoln. The fourth division included the Lincoln lodges, the State Asylum band, the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic, the City Council and City officers of Lincoln and citizens in carriages. The procession moved to the site of the home where the following exercises were had: Address of welcome, E. D. Blinn; address on behalf of the local lodges, L. C. Schwerdtfeger; response by Grand Warden W. H. Crocker, of Chicago; ceremony of laying the corner stone, conducted by Grand Master R. W. S. Wheatly, of Du Quoin; short addresses by Mrs. Lizzie L. Morrison, Alfred Orendorff, Otis Humphrey, Grand Representative

Miller, E. S. Conway, George M. Adams, Judge Tipton, George W. Chowning and others. The building was completed and formally dedicated August 19, 1892. Another Odd Fellows parade: marked this occasion, about 75 lodges being represented in the ranks and bands from Bloomington, Peoria, Decatur, Springfield, Pekin, Lincoln, Clinton, Mt. Pulaski and Mason City participating. At the dedicatory exercises, Mayor Knapp delivered an address of welcome, to which response was made by Alfred Orendorff. The oration of the day was delivered by David Ward Wood, of Chicago. The dedication ritual work was performed by the following persons: W.C. McMasters, I. Altman, Robert Goebel, C. E. Schaible, Nicholas Scheid, J. F. Tearnan, August P. Kuemmel, Uriah Hill and Frank Braucher.

The main building is three stories and a basement in height. The basement is eleven feet in the clear and its exterior walls are constructed of Joliet limestone. The balance of the building is of red brick, with brown sandstone trimmings. The roof is of Old Bangor slate, with cornice and ridging of galvanized iron. This building now contains the office, is the home of the superintendent and matron and contains the boys' dormitories. The first cottage was erected in 1895 and was dedicated August 27th of that year with appropriate exercises, addresses being delivered by Grand Sire Stebbins, of New York and J. Otis Humphrey, of Springfield. A girls' cottage was erected in 1897, two stories in height, being 43 by 58 feet in dimensions, costing about $8,000. Special exercises were also held at its dedication. Since then there have been erected a school building, a central heating plant, laundry, manual training and domestic science building. The latter was erected at a cost of about $20,000. At its dedication, addresses were delivered by Grand Sire John L. Nolen, Dr. J. A. Lucas and Owen Scott.

Soon after the erection of the main building, the home was turned over by the corporation controlling the same to the Grand Lodge of Illinois, 1. O. O. F., which body took immediate possession of the institution and it has been conducted under their auspices ever since. Charles E. Schaible was temporary superintendent of the home for a short time in 1892, in the latter part of which year Mrs. Lizzie L. Morrison be-| came the first permanent superintendent, continuing in that position until her death in 1905. She was succeeded by the present efficient incumbent, Dr. J. A. Lucas, who, with the assistance of Mrs. Lucas as matron, has brought the institution to the high standard it now enjoys.

The home is managed by the superintendent under the direction of a Board of Directors of five members appointed by the Grand Masters of the Grand Lodge of Illinois I. O. O. F. The latter official also appoints five members from the Daughters of Rebekahs as an advisory board. The present Board of Directors is constituted as follows: Theodore Finn, chairman, Chicago; George M. Carson, secretary, Bellflower; J. Otis Humphrey, Springfield; John J. Brown, Vandalia; J. W. Birney,

Bloomington. The members of the auxilliary board of Rebekahs are as follows: Mrs. Lina D. Carlin, Jerseyville; Mrs. Kate Troxell, Canton; Mrs. May C. Keiser, Chicago; Mrs. Fannie Coon, Springfield; Mrs. Margaret Weldon, Cairo.

The first children were received into the home on January 26, 1893, and since that time over 500 children of deceased Odd Fellows have been admitted. The total number in the home, as shown by the report of 1909, is 150, of whom 83 were boys and 67 were girls. Lodges or guardians seeking to place children in the home make application to the superintendent, who presents the names to the Board of Directors for consideration. In the by-laws of the home, the objects are set forth as follows: "To care for and educate children of deceased Odd Fellows, whose mothers are also deceased and whose fathers were in good standing in the order at the time of their death; children whose fathers are dead and whose mothers are unable to support and educate them; children whose mothers are in good standing in a Rebekah lodge, and whose fathers are deceased; children whose fathers are living, but whose mothers are dead, provided the father will pay to the home such a sum for the care and support of the children as the directors may determine."

The home school is as good as the best of equal grade. The course of study is substantially the same as outlined in the state course of study and graduates of the home are admitted to the Lincoln High School without examination. One teacher gives her entire time to instruction in instrumental and vocal music and another teacher makes a sole specialty of teaching practical house keeping, sewing and cooking. A no less important feature is the manual training school where the boys are taught carpentry and furniture building. A number of the graduates are occupying positions in railroad offices, as teachers, engineers, stenographers, etc. The home supports a band of 17 pieces.

The home has 157 acres of land under cultivation, where the boys are given an opportunity to learn truck gardening and farming. There are three barns on the place, beside hog houses, chicken sheds, implement sheds, silo and the like.

St. Clara's Hospital, one of the most important and beneficent institutions in Logan County, was established July 9, 1884. Father Conrad Rotter, the priest in charge of St. Mary's Catholic parish at that time, recognized the great necessity for a hospital in the City of Lincoln and took steps to bring about the establishment of the same. After consulting with local physicians, Father Rotter called a mass meeting' of citizens to meet at the court house in Lincoln to consider the matter. At this meeting, addresses were made by Father Rotter, Dr. R. M. Wilson and the Mother Superior located at Springfield. It was the consensus of opinion that a hospital was needed and a committee was appointed to devise ways and means to raise funds for the purpose of establishing the same. The first move in this direction was the giving of an entertainment at Gillett's Hall, under the auspices of the ladies of the City of Lincoln, at which entertainment over $1,000 was realized as a nucleus for the necessary funds for the proposed institution. Two frame buildings, known as the Mann property, located on Third street, south of St. Mary's church, were purchased and the sisters who were to take charge of the new work fitted them up for hospital purposes. Sister Aurelia was installed as superioress and served until 1894, when failing health compelled her to retire and she was succeeded by Sister Candida. The hospital was opened July 9, 1884, was dedicated to St. Clara and received the name of St. Clara's Hospital.

The frame buildings were soon found to be inadequate for the proper care of the sick who needed attention and further efforts were put forth by the sisters, assisted by Father Hout, of St. Mary's parish and father Tuohy, of St. Patrick's parish, to erect a building that would be suitable and adequate in every respect for hospital purposes. To that end, in 1886, the sisters purchased a half block of ground on the south side of Sixth street, between Union and Maple streets, and upon this site there was erected, that year, the handsome building now in use. The building is a brick structure, two stories in height, with a high basement. The original building had a frontage of 80 feet, with a tower in the center. It was dedicated November 14, 1886 by Bishop Spalding, of Peoria. Since that time, many additions and improvements have been made to the institution and its equipment compares very favorably with those of much larger cities, being provided with all the modern conveniences of a sanitary nature and all the modern appointments needed for medical and surgical work. It is under the direction of the Sisters of St. Francis and is conducted purely as a humanitarian enterprise.

The Deaconess Hospital

The movement which resulted in the establishment of a second hospital in Lincoln originated in the year 1899, when Rev. F. W. Schnathorst, of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran church brought deaconess nurses to the City of Lincoln and arranged for a mass meeting, which was subsequently held at the Broadway theater. Considerable interest was manifested by the citizens in the movement and later a deaconess society was organized, constitution and by-laws adopted and the following officers elected: Rev. F. W. Schnathorst, president; Adam Denger, recording secretary; L. W. Mittendorf, financial secretary; Gustav Briegel, treasurer. A charter was secured November 14, 1899, for the "Evangelical St. John's Deaconess Verein," with the following named directors: Jacob Bollin, Adolph Rimerman, Adam Denger,

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Gustav Briegel, M. Reinhardt, Sr., Peter Obcamp, Henry Bock, F. W. Schnathorst, Henrietta Briegel, Elizabeth L. Bollin, Katherine Spatz and Mary Kiest. Rev. Mr. Schnathorst, Dr. H. B. Brown and M. Reinhardt, Sr., thereupon visited hospitals in various cities in Central Illinois and received ideas and suggestions. Subsequently, a site was purchased at the corner of Seventh and Walnut streets, in the City of Lincoln, for the sum of $2,500. The work of collecting funds for the building was under the direction of M. Reinhardt, Sr., and other members of St. John's church and met with a ready response. The work on the foundation of the structure was begun in October of 1900, and the laying of the corner stone occurred Sunday, November, 4, 1900.

The hospital building was completed and dedicated Sunday, January 19, 1902, on which occasion addresses were made by Rev. Mr. Schnathorst, D. H. Harts, Judge L. C. Schwerdtfeger and the pastors of the local Protestant churches. The building is three stories in height, 108 feet long and 85 feet wide. The construction is of blue Bedford stone, and the style of architecture is colonial. The contract price of the building was $22,897, which, with the cost of the lot and equipment, would bring the entire cost in the neighborhood of $30,000. In every respect, the hospital is modern and up to date, and is conducted with scientific care and precision. Rev. G. Niebuhr, pastor of St. John's church, is superintendent of the hospital, by virtue of his pastorate, Charlotte Boekjus being the deaconess in charge.

Lincoln Chautauqua

Among the various educational movements that in more recent years have spread their sphere of influence over the country, none have been more potent in widening the local horizon and broadening the local mind than what has been known and styled "the Chautauqua movement." Ten years ago "the Chautauqua movement" gained a foothold in Logan County and the Lincoln Chautauqua, now a permanent institution of the. county, had its origin at that time. The "Chautauqua" name has been widely used and widely abused in being utilized too often to designate what in reality are only temporary tent meetings in the woods. A large number of these spring up with each summer and about as many die with each fall. The Lincoln Chautauqua, with its spacious and beautiful grounds of 120 acres, not leased or rented but owned in fee simple, with its magnificent steel auditorium, its scores of handsome cottages, its special buildings, its system of water works and sewage, and its extensive equipment of various kinds - with an investment representing some $50,- ooo in all - is differentiated from the ephemeral summer gatherings that oftimes bear the "Chautauqua" name.

The Lincoln Chautauqua had its birth at a public meeting held in the city hall, in Lincoln, Dec. 6, 1901. This meeting was called for the purpose of hearing proposals made by James H. Shaw, of Bloomington, to conduct a Chautauqua in the summer of 1902, near the city of Lincoln. His proposition was to supply all the talent for a Chautauqua assembly, pay all expenses, receive all profits or make good all losses, provided the citizens of Logan County would subscribe for 800 season tickets for the proposed assembly. Pending an acceptance of this proposition, a committee was appointed, with J. H. Boyd as chairman, to ascertain if the required number of season ticket subscriptions could be secured. At a subsequent meeting, Mr. Boyd reported 815 tickets subscribed, whereupon Mr. Shaw's proposition was accepted and an organization was at once formed, known as "The Lincoln Chautauqua Association," the season ticket holders to form the membership of the said association. The fol-

Scenes And Cottages At Lincoln Chautauqua

On April 12, 1902, the above directors applied for and received articles of incorporation for the association and on May I, 1902, the association leased of Mrs. Ella W. Brainerd, for a term of three years, for Chautauqua purposes, the lands now owned by the Lincoln Chautauqua Association and which, in honor of their former owner and her generous dealings with the organization, have been styled "Brainerd Park." The first assembly of the Lincoln Chautauqua was held upon these grounds, July 25 to Aug. 4, 1902, the chief attractions being William J. Bryan and Sam P. Jones. Other talent that year was John G. Wooley, Dr. Krebs, Dr. J. L. Brandt, Wallace Bruce Amsbary, Edmund Vance Cooke, Dr. Mellrath, Father Burke and others. Following the first assembly, the interest had so increased that a new contract was entered into between the association and Mrs. Brainerd, on Sept: 10, 1902, whereby the grounds occupied were leased for Chautauqua purposes, for a period of ten years instead of three, at a nominal rental, and with the option reserved to the association to purchase the grounds, at the price of $100 per acre, at any time within the said period of ten years. It was also provided that the association should have the right to erect such buildings upon the said grounds, construct sewage, water works, driveways, etc., as were deemed necessary to the proper use of the land.

The second Chautauqua assembly was held from Aug. 7 to 17, 1903, and was managed and controlled by the association itself, the relations existing between Mr. Shaw and the association in the conduct of the first assembly having been dissolved. The leading attractions of the second assembly were Father J. L. Vaughn, Maud Ballington Booth, Gen. John B. Gordon and Gen. Fitzhugh Lee. The second assembly was a decided success and was such as to warrant the promoters in believing that it was the desire of the community in general that the Lincoln Chautauqua should become one of the permanent institutions of the county. To effect this, it was decided that some sort of a permanent organization' with a permanent membership was needed to take the place of the annual temporary membership based upon the mere purchase of season tickets each year. There was also a demand for the private ownership of lots in order that patrons might erect cottages thereupon, which could not be done under the existing system. In addition, there was an immediate necessity for the erection of an auditorium or pavillion, in which to hold the various lectures and entertainments, in place of the large tent which had been previously used for that purpose but which had proven inadequate. To this end, a committee was appointed, Sept. 14, 1903, to suggest ways and means for a more permanent and: substantial organiza- tion. The committee made its report in the shape of a proposed new set of by-laws, which were adopted Oct. 26, 1903, and which were to gon into effect upon the subscription to the same of 100 names.

The new by-laws provided that the association should be known as "The Lincoln Chautauqua Association'? and its object was stated to be for the purpose of "owning, by lease or fee, a Chautauqua grounds or public park within Logan County, Illinois, and to maintain the same for Chautauqua assemblies and for educational and other purposes. The members of the association were to consist of those who would agree to pay the sum of $100 in two installments, as called for, the first installment of $50 to be used to build an auditorium and otherwise improve the grounds, the second installment to be used for the purchase of the grounds before the expiration of the period of the existing lease and option to buy. Each membership entitled the holder to a perpetual lease of one Chautauqua lot. The first officers elected under the re-organization were as follows: President, E. G. King; secretary, L. B. Stringer; treasurer, Henry Traub; directors, E. G. King, L. B. Stringer, Henry Traub, Joseph Landauer, L. C. Schwerdtfeger, J. H. Boyd and C. E. Gullett. Soon after the reorganization the services of G. C. Cone, a landscape architect, of Minneapolis, Minn., were secured to plat the grounds into . lots, avenues and parks and a topographical survey was made. On March 30, 1904, a contract was entered into with the Decatur Bridge Company, of Decatur, IIll., to erect the steel work and concrete foundations of an auditorium building and soon after a contract was let for the lumber construction of the structure and the gravel roofing for the same. The work of construction began at once and the auditorium was ready for occupancy for the sessions of the third assembly, which were held Aug. 11 to 21, 1904. The auditorium was designed under the supervision of Thomas L. Blackburn and was the first auditorium of the kind erected in the country. It has since become a popular design in auditorium construction and has been copied by a large number of Chautauquas throughout the west. It is a steel framed structure, circular in form, 160 feet in diameter, the posts set in solid concrete, seats about 4,500 people, has a commodious platform and contains but a single interior post. It is located on a hillside and the view is clear and unobstructed. The sides are open to the free circulation of air. It is lighted by electric lights as are also the entire grounds. The seats are arranged in circular tiers, amphitheatre style, the floor rising from the pits to the sides and rear. The entire cost of the structure complete was in the neighborhood of $10,000.

Since the erection of the auditorium, substantial improvements of various kinds have been made upon the grounds, rendering them convenient and complete for all Chautauqua assembly and park purposes. In 1904, a custodian's cottage was erected at a cost of $1,000. One of the first buildings erected on the grounds was the Masonic headquarters.

Steel Auditorium At Lincoln Chautauqua

The Lincoln National Bank also erected a commodious bungalow and the First National Bank a log cabin, in which have been collected a veritable museum of pioneer relics. Over thirty other artistic bungalows and cottages adorn the grounds, where those residing in the same combine the comforts of home with life close to nature. A system of arc electric lights was installed on the grounds in 1905, to which was added an incandescent system for tents and cottages in 1908. A water system, connected with the Lincoln water works system, was installed in 1907 at a cost of about $3,000. In 1907, a bayou of Salt Creek was deepened and widened and converted into an attractive lagoon, surrounding a wooded island. The transportation problem early confronted the promoters, the terminus of the Lincoln street car line being about a mile from the grounds. This was met by the organization of an independent street car company stock in which was sold to the amount of $6,000, the said company financing the construction of the line from the terminus of the city line to the Chautauqua grounds, the Lincoln Street Car Company running their rolling stock over this line under a special contract with the independent line. In 1908, a magnificent administration building was erected upon the grounds, having been presented to the association by the lady friends of the Chautauqua, the funds for the same having been secured by them and the work having been carried to completion under their supervision. This building is 30 by 42 feet in dimensions, with two spacious porches. Through the further efforts of the women of the association, handsome concrete post and iron fence entrances have been erected at the places of ingress and egress to and from the grounds. In addition to the above improvements, bridges have been erected over the ravines, a system of sanitary sewage introduced, roads and driveways iaid out and the premises made generally attractive.

At a meeting of the association held Aug. 21, 1908, the second assessment of $50 was ordered upon the membership of the association and the funds so secured were used in paying for the original grounds, a deed to the same being made to the association by Mrs. Brainerd, Dec. 19, 1908. A contract of sale was also entered into between Mrs. Brainerd and the association, providing for the further purchase of twenty acres additional, immediately north of the original grounds, at the price of $200 per acre. With this new addition, the Lincoln Chautauqua can boast of possessing the largest and most beautiful Chautauqua grounds in the Central West. They consist of about 120 acres of virgin forest, diversified by hill and valley, creekside and rugged ravine. The platted lots occupy but a fraction of the grounds, leaving ample space for woodland rambles and outdoor sports. The lot portion is arranged in circles, octagons and other geometrical figures, leaving public areas in the camp. During the assemblies, the grounds are equipped with telephone, dining hall, stands of various kinds, postoffice, news service, feed yards, automobile garage and