Spokane County, Washington - Chapter 28: I-Hilaxthropic and Other Organizations, 1900

Ladies' Benevolent Society. - This organization can justly be deemed one of the most beneficent in the country. There is no work more Christlike than to provide for the little ones who are homeless. The society was organized as early as 1884 in the millinery store of Mrs. William Butterworth, who was the first president and has been identified with it from that time to the present. Its oliject as originally expressed was for "charitable and educational purposes." At first the members did what they could to help the needy without confining themselves to orphan children. They endeavored to practice benevolence in any and every way opportunity offered itself. But as organizations for specific purposes multiplied, their work naturally developed in the direction of making provision for friendless children, which culminated in the erection of the "Home of the Friendless," or "Children's Home." The first incorporation took place in 1886, but legislative enactments necessitated reincorporation in 1896. The incorporators were Mrs. Fannie Cannon, Mrs. W. A. Lewiss. Mrs. Fanine Hanson, Mrs. William Butterworth, Mrs. C. D. Ide, Mrs. F. A. Wills, Mrs. E. Bertrand, and Mrs. ^May Barker. In 1890 the present building was erected on Washington street, in central addition, on lots donated by ISIr. J. J. Browne. The building cost about ten thouand dollars ; of this sum one thousand was appropriated from the fire relief fund. The officers at the time of the erection of the building, to whom much credit is due, were Mrs. Thomas Jefferson, president; Mrs. J. M. Armstrong, secretary ; Mesdames Todd, Junken-Becker, Albert Allen. Miss Patterson and Mrs. Armstrong acted in capacity of secretary, and did excellent work for several years. In 1892 Mrs. W. A. Cannon became president and filled the office efficiently for several years. I\Irs. C. D. Ide, vice-president; Mrs. E. Bertrand, treasurer; Mrs. J. W. W'ilson, secretary. For many years the association ])rovided for all expenses, through public and private donations, fees of members and partial pay received for the children. During those years the membership was large, reaching as high as three hundred. In 1895 the association made an appeal to the city and county for regular appropriations, and each granted one hundred dollars per month, which continued until last year, when twenty-five dollars jier month was deducted from the county, in favor of the Children's Home Finding Society. The first matron was Miss Wilkinson, and was succeeded by the following: Mrs. Ada Prindle. Miss McCuUough, Mrs. E. S. Odgers, Miss Hellbig, Mrs. F. Cannon. The present matron is Mrs. Mattie Shaw, who came highly recommended from Tacoma. She has had considerable experience in hospital work. In addi - tion to the matron there is a cook, laundress, nurse girl, and housekeeper. It takes nearh' three hundred dollars a month to sustain the institution and the present officers and members (about fifty) often find themselves embarrassed, and it is only by constant exertion and devotion that they are able to meet expenses. About one hundred different children are taken in, for more or less time, annually, making it safe to say that no less than one thousand have found a home in the institution during its history. Words are inadequate to convey the sweetness, sunshine, and joy which it has brought to this army of God's precious children. .\]\ children up to twelve years old are taken in. if properly recommended. Homes have Ijeen found for a large number; fourteen nationalities have been represented, the majority of the whole being Americans. The matron listens to the stories that are heart-rending of faithless husbands and fathers. The present officers are Mesdames C. D. Ide. president; \V. A. Lewis, first vice-president; Wm. Butterworth, second vice-president: F. Hanson, secretary; K. L. Dodd. treasurer; advisory board, mayor of the city, chairman of county commissioners, Mr. K. L. Dodd.

Woman's E.xxliaugc. - This is one of the most practical and wisely managed philanthropic organizations in the city. The ladies who have had the management of it have given evidence of business capacity of a high order, consequently, it has commended itself to the confidence of the public more and more from year to year. The purpose and work of the organization was presented by Mrs. C. B. Dunning in an address a few months ago when retiring from the presidency :

"Eight years ago a band of earnest women organized the Spokane Woman's Exchange. For eight years a depot of exchange has been provided for women (housekeepers and homemakers) who felt the need of adding to their income by their own labor. This is not charity - it is rather a helping hand to those who will avail themselves of it.

"The food thus deposited and sold in a year amounts to thousands of dollars, and finds its way into the homes of the wealthy, and brings cooking in reach -of many lix-ing in rooms where cooking is impossible. It is the desire of the exchange to encourage small depositors and thus supply the increasing demand from more homes and divide its benefits, rather than large deposits from the few. Our business is steadii}' increasing, as the reports show, and still we ask for more deposits. Bring bread, cakes, pies, fancv work - anything that the public needs and will buy.

"Our small membershivi is a matter of regret and gladly do we welcome new members who have returned to take up the work. Too much cannot be said of the faithful few who now represent this organization and who by their untiring energy have brought this exchange to its present prosperous condition. Our employees ha\'e ever been prompt and efficient, and the skillful management of the dining room is manifest in its patronage."

It is the purpose of the officers and directors to enlarge the work by adding a reading room. The officers for this year are as follows: Mrs. Helen Smith, president; Mrs. Robert Easson, first vice-president; Mrs. John L. \\'ilson, second vice-president : Mrs. C. G. Brown, third vice-presitlent; Miss De Lashmutt, recording secretary; Mrs. E. W. Talbott, corresponding secretary; Mrs. C. E. Groves, treasurer; Mrs. G. T. Penn, auditor. The board of directors is made up of the officers and the following members ; Mrs. C. B. Dunning, Mrs. W. A. Cummings, Mrs. Mary Elmendorf, Mrs. W. J. Kendrick, Miss Victoria Fellowes, Mrs. D. Holzman, Mrs. Cyrus Happy, Mrs. W. H. Dodd and Mrs. Adolph Galland.

Rescue Home. - As the result of meetings held in the city, April 2nd to nth, 1899, by the merchant evangelist, C. E. Crittendon, of New York, assisted by ]Mrs. Moffat, money was provided to build a rescue home. The building was erected in Ross Park, on land donated by Mr. George Odell. It is a commodious building, costing complete about four thousand dollars. The churches and fraternal organizations contributed liberally toward its furnishing. It was opened early this year under the management of Mrs. \\'olf.

5. A. Rescue Home. - The Salvation Army opened a rescue home in 1894. It was located for some years on Fourth a\-enue, near Mill, but was recently removed to Liberty Park. It has done excellent work, and continues to do it at a cost that is astonishingly low, considering the nature of it.

Ladies' Catholic Benevolent Society. - Headquarters, hall adjoining church Our Lady of Lourdes. Organized in October, 1889. Meets first Tuesday of each montli. Mrs. C. Conlan, president.

Lidgerzcood Ladies' Home for the Friendless Society. - Organized in 1897. Meets first and third Wednesdays each month. Airs. G. M. Nethercut, president ; Mrs. H. W. Greenberg, vice-president; Airs. D. Davenport, secretary; Airs. H. Schuier, treasurer.

St. Vincent de Paul Society. - Aleets first Monday of each month, in St. Ignatius school building. Organized December, 1889. Alembership, seventy. James Alonaghan, president ; N. S. Caplice, first vice-president ; Prof. W'm. Orndorf, secretary; Sebastian Haas, treasurer.

Spokane County Horticultural Society. - This society was organized early this year and made permanent by electing the following officers : President, E. P. Gilbert ; vice-president. Alary A. Latham ; secretary, W. D. Pratt; trustees. J. N. Butler, C. E. Peyton and E. H. Jamieson.

before. The constitution and by-laws which are to govern this society, and which were those of the fruit growers' association that existed in this city three years ago, were adopted and signed by those present.

The purpose of the organization is to hold a session every three months and discuss the different methods of protecting the fruit and trees from the pests that infest the orchards. It is also the purpose to further the interests of the horticultural industry.

Those becoming members by signing the constitution and by-laws were : John E. Reed, J. N. Butler, G. D. Sutton, A. A. Kelly, O. A. Burnett, James Hopkins, A. L. Smith, Jason W'hiney, Joseph A. Finigan, Charles Boice, E. P. Gilbert, William Feneer, W. W. Lake, C. E. Peyton, Samuel Davidson, R. E. Pearce, Alary A. Latham, Rachel Grayson Creek, Isaac H. Pugh, W. .A. Veomans, J. T. Olmstead, W. G. Pratt, E. H. Jamieson, F. B. Alercer, C. A. Story and W. J. AIcKay.

Any one interested in horticulture is eligible for membership and can be a member by paying the dues, which were fixed at one dollar per year.

Gousaga Athletic Association. - Ed Gokey, president; John Hogan, secretary and treasurer; Frank Alitchell and Carl Budde, counsellors; James Kennelly, S. J., moderator.

Gonzaga Dramatic Society (Gonzaga College). - Dan'l A. Hanly, S. J., director; John P. Hogan, president; Edmond Twohey, secretary and treasurer.

Spokane Amateur Athletic Club. - 515-519 First avenue. Organized 1896. Alembership, six hundred and fifty. A. C. Ware, president ; W. F. Leslie, secretary; D. L. Weaver, treasurer : S. E. Aloorman, manager.

Spokane Country Club. - Thirteenth avenue, east of Ivory. Organized August, i8g8. Membership, one hundred and sixty. A. G. Avery, president ; F. Lewis Clark, vice-president ; J. M. Blake, secretary and treasurer ; A. G. Avery, F. H. Mason, F. Lewis Clark, D. L. Weaver, J. C. Williams, J. M. Blake, H. M. Hoyt, Dr. J. M. Semple, Morton Ramsdell, trustees ; R. Insinger, chairman house committee; T. K. Binnie, chairman grounds committee; Alorton Ramsdell, chairman sports committee.

Spokane Press Club. - Headquarters, Review building. Meets at call of president. W. H. Cowles, president; A. M. "Murphey, vicepresident ; J. Oscar Peterson, chairman ; J. H. Brown, secretary; W. Storey Buck, treasurer.