CHAPTER VIII
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS
The Marion County Infirmary--The Marion County Children's Home--The Old Ladies' Home-Benjamin Waddel-The Marion Public Library--The Marion County Agricultural Society--The Marion Cemetery--The Spontaneously -Moving Stone Ball-- St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery.
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.
Marion County, at public expense, cares. for the indigent and the homeless, clothes and educates the orphan, and administers to the sick. It in fact acts as a broad-minded, public spirited benefactor of the people, whose child it is.
THE MARION COUNTY INFIRMARY.
The paupers of the county were taken care of by their respective townships until 1852, when the county established an Infirmary just north of Marion. It consisted of a small tract of ground and several log buildings. In 1869 these ancient structures burned down, and the commissioners then purchased 130 acres on the Claridon road, two and a half miles east of Marion, to which have since been added 100 acres more.
The first superintendent of the new Infirmary was Daniel Lawrence, who served in that capacity from 1871 to 1885, when he was succeeded by John Hogan. Mr. Hogan served until April 1, 1900 since which time William F. Hurr, the present superintendent, has managed the institution.
The last annual report gave the inmates received during the year as 151 and the expenses of the institution for year as $8,949.23, and for outside relief as $7,342.26. The value of the farm, buildings, stock, machinery and equipment is not far from $50,000. The average number of inmates last year was 82, but at present (December, 1906) the number of inmates is reduced to 60.
THE MARION COUNTY CHILDREN S HOME
Was begun in 1900 and opened for public use January 1, 1902. The farm on which the Home is built contains 60 acres, beautifully located two and a half miles south of Marion on the Marion and Delaware pike. The main building is 75 by 120 feet in dimensions, with a wing for chapel and laundry, 60 by 60 feet. The main structure is two and a half stories high, above a 10 foot basement. It has 52 rooms and will easily accommodate 125 inmates. The building is of Findlay pressed brick, with basement and trimmings of Marion blue limestone. The cost of farm and building was $60,000 to which improvements have since been added to the value of $10,000
The farm was purchased and buildings
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erected by Benjamin Waddell and by him presented to the county. It is stipulated in the deed for the premises to the county, that the institution shall be operated by and be under the supervision of four trustees to be appointed by the Board of Commissioners of Marion County, two of whom shall be from each of the leading political parties. Each trustee is appointed for four years, and the term of one member expires each year. Religious services are held regularly and the Home has its own school.
Applicants from Marion County are first received. Since the Home was opened, there have been 117 children admitted, of whom 5 were full orphans, 27 had fathers living, 18 had mothers living, 10 had both parents living, and 57 had parents separated.. The daily average of inmates for the past year was 44, of which number 40 attended school.
The trustees of the institution have not been changed from the beginning, and are Michael Waddell (president), John E. Waddell, Jacob J. Schoenlaub and William G. Walters. The Home is under the capable management of the matron, Mrs. Clarissa C. Hand.
There are 63 children's homes in Ohio at present, which are under State inspection. The inspector of this Home reports that it is the most sanitary, modern, up-to-date and best planned Home in the State.
THE OLD LADIES HOME
Is located on about two acres of ground at the corner of Superior street and Delaware avenue, Marion. It was constructed and equipped by Benjamin Waddell at a cost of $50,000. It is a strictly charitable institution, run by endowments and donations, and managed by The Old Ladies' Home Associations a corporation not for profit. The charter members were George D. Copeland, Harry True, Mr. and Mrs. George E. Salmon, Mrs. John Evans, Mrs. John J. Hane, Edward Huber, I. A. Merchant, Edward Uhler, Michael Waddell and John E. Waddell. The officers of the association are George D. Copeland, president; Michael Waddell, secretary; Charles Turner trustee. Henry True was the other trustee, but the vacancy caused by his recent death has not been filled. The Home is under the able management of a matron, Mary Horsfall, from Ontario, Canada. The Home is nontaxable.
Mr. and Mrs. George E. Salmon, Amos H. Kling and the local W. C. T. U. have each furnished a room at the Home. Endowments have been made aggregating more than $100,000 with bright prospects for another like sum.
Each individual seeking or applying for admission to the Home is required to pay to The Old Ladies' Home Association the sum of $500, if between the ages of 60 and 75 years, and $300, if over the age of 75 years. The Home was opened on March 23, 1905, and now has 10 occupants, nine of whom are old ladies and one an old gentleman. An old man may be admitted on the same terms as the ladies, but only when accompanied by his wife.
The Home building is 40 by 130 feet in dimensions, three stories high above a 10-foot basement, with a wing for kitchen and dining room 40 by 60 feet, two stories high. It contains 70 living rooms, each one of which leads into a hall and has an outside window. It is constructed of Zanesville gray pressed brick, with Marion blue limestone for basement and trimmings.
BENJAMIN WADDELL.
On the occasion of the opening of the Old Ladies' Home, Mr. Waddell consented to read a brief sketch of his life, which so well explained his motives and purposes, that it is herewith reproduced for the benefit of the present and future generations.--
"You will please look over the mistakes I make in this speech, for I was only 13 years old when I graduated down in Richland township in an odd log schoolhouse. The cracks were wide enough to put glass in for windows just over the writing desk, which was a rough board supported by large wooden pins put in
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the logs. Our seats were made out of small basswood trees split in the middle, and legs were put in the round side, leaving the splintery side for us to sit on. Our water bucket was a home-made one with a hickory withe for .a bail, and we had a big gourd with a hole cut in one side to drink out of. Our teacher, Elias Jacoby, taught Dutch and English both, with about 20 scholars each and in about 20 minutes before spelling, the teacher would tell us to study our spelling lesson aloud. Then we would try who could study the loudest, but the English had to give up to the Dutch, when it came to making a big noise. But now nearly all my old schoolmates are dead and gone, while I am left here for some purpose
"But I am glad I have lived long enough to build this Old Ladies' Home, for I do think that the most worthy beings on the face of the earth are old worn-out mothers. I never will forget the good advice my mother gave me when I commenced to work out by the month. I was only 13 years old, and only got $3 a month for the first year, and when I left home mother made me promise her that I would be a good boy. I promised her that I would stay out of bad company, and would never chew tobacco, nor smoke, nor get drunk as long as I lived, but would save my money and come home every Saturday night, and had it not been for my mother's prayers and advice, in all probability I never would have been able to have built this Home.
"I will now tell you how I started to make money. When I was 10 years old, I caught and pelted 20 rabbits and walked nine miles to this town and sold the pelts to Judge Anderson, the fur hat maker, for $1, which was the first dollar I ever made.
"I worked out by the month and traded around until I was 21 years old, and had saved up $800. I then sold my interest in my father's farm for $200. I then had $1,000 which I gave for 100 acres of land. I moved in the old log cabin and kept bachelor's hall one year, and built myself a small frame house and barn, and then sold out for $3,000, which was my first speculation. I then commenced buying and selling hogs which made me plenty of money. But I took the $1,000 that I had made by working so hard for by the month, and put it out on interest at 10 per cent. for 12 years; then lawful interest was put down to 8 per cent.; and when I had kept the $1,000 on interest and all its earnings compounded for 50 years, it had increased to about $50,000, all drawing interest at 8 per cent., and secured with first mortgage, which I collected and paid out on the Children's Home in 1902 stopping that income of four thousand dollars a year, and only receiving an order on the treasurer for $1 consideration which I never drew, but gave the order to a little boy for promising me that he would never chew tobacco nor smoke, nor get drunk.
"And I have now built an Old Ladies' Home costing a little less than the Children's Home. This Home has not, nor ever will, cost Marion County $1 in the way of taxes, for it is a charitable institution, supported by the gifts of the good people, and I am glad that we have 11 good trustees named in our charter that will run this Home all right and look after the wants of those worthy old ladies that will end their days in this union, nonpartisan and non-sectarian temperance Christian Home.
"I am not sorry that I have built the poor orphan children and worthy old ladies good homes, and all I ask of those good trustees is that they will see that these homes are run right, and that the old ladies are all made happy for the rest of their days, and then die happy and go straight to heaven and meet that good old Christian man that used to give me such good advice when I was working for him by the month. I asked him one day to tell me how to get rich. He laughed and said, 'Benja, there are three keys to wealth.' I said, 'give me the keys.' He said, 'Economy, Industry and Good Habits.' I said, 'I will use those keys and no others.' And in 30 years after I had a mortgage or his 400-acre farm for $13,000. He had lost his economy key and I found it.
"Well, 60 years ago the young folks didn't spend the last dollar they had for dress, and then borrow money to get a bottle of perfume,
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but were satisfied with home-made clothes and calico. I never will forget the first lady I ever went home with from an old-fashioned apple cutting. She had a cheap calico dress on, and I was in my shirt sleeves and barefooted, and I know she liked me, for she kept looking at my big feet, and invited me back again. That lady is four years older than I am, and has been married three times and I think would sooner marry again than to go into the Old Ladies' Home.
"Well, when I was a boy, they used to call me 'Stingy Ben,' and when I got to making money pretty fast, they called me 'Lucky Ben,' but now they call me 'Old Happy :Ben.' "
A few other facts concerning Mr. Waddell's life will be of interest here. He was born in Richland township, this county, February 23, 1829, and is a son of John Waddell, a Virginian by birth. He married Jane daughter of Joseph and Mary Oborn, January 8, 1852. Mrs. Waddell died May 20, 1891. At this time Mr. Waddell is hale and robust and looks to be a man of 50, which is due probably to the fact that he has been a man of regular habits all his life, and never used tobacco or drank intoxicants
THE MARION PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The inception and continuance of the Marion Public Library for the first five years of its existence was due more to the thought and perseverance of John J. Crawley, than to any other person. At the time he was Edward Huber's private secretary, and first suggested the plan of a library to Mr. Huber, who encouraged him by friendly suggestions, time and money. At the time, he went about the streets with a wheelbarrow and gathered up the books from contributing citizens. Mr. Crawley has kindly contributed the following sketch, at the request of the writer, which will be of more than usual interest, coming as it does from one who has been in constant touch and sympathy with the institution from its very beginning.--
"The Marion Public Library is an institution of which the people of Marion are justly proud. It had its origin in the industrial conditions of our city and our late honored citizen Edward Huber, the great pioneer manufacturer of Marion County, who not only solved important mechanical propositions, but, having a deep friendly interest in the financial, social, moral and intellectual conditions of the men employed in the factories of the city, grasped every opportunity to put his theories for their betterment into practice. Therefore, when a library for Marion was suggested to him, he entered into the proposition with enthusiasm, believing that the workingmen would be elevated in every way, and that the information gained from the reading of good books would make his services more valuable to the employer. Mr. Huber rented the second story of the Conrad Block on North Main street, now owned by John F. Lust, May 1, 1886, determining that in case other shops did not join in the movement, he would stock the rooms with suitable reading matter, and keep them open evenings from 7 P. AD. to 10 P. M. for the benefit of the Huber employees at his own expense. But the other factories and industries of the city did enter into the movement with great interest, and at a mass meeting held May 20, 1886, the Mechanics' Library Association was organized, a constitution adopted and 15 trustees elected to serve the ensuing year. George B. Christian, Sr., was the first president of the association, as were also W. B. Jessop and Frank A. :Huber, secretary and treasurer, respectively. By the constitution, any person residing in Marion could become a member of the association and be entitled to all privileges by the payment of $1 per year.
"The association started with a membership of over 600, representing all the industries and the citizens in general. As above mentioned, the library rooms were opened only evenings under the administration of the Mechanics' Library Association, and the first librarian was ,. J. Crawley, who was assisted by Charles W. Haberman and William J. Fies, all of whom served without pay the first two years.
"The library grew in favor with the people
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PAGE 130 PICTURES: UNION PASSENGER DEPOT (MARION), "JIM"FISK'S PRIVATE CAR, MARION COUNTY INFIRMARY (MARION TOWNSHIP), OLD LADIES HOME (MARION), MARION COUNTY CHILDREN'S HOME (MARION TOWNSHIP) AND ST. MARY'S PAROCHIAL SCHOOL (MARION).
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and many liberal donations of books were received. The interest of the patrons constantly increased, and soon the old quarters were not thought adequate to the needs of the association. So quarters were secured in the Bennett Building, corner of Main and Center streets, and after a term of years there the library was removed to rooms in the second story of the, Marion National Bank Building, where it will be until July 1, 1907, when the new Carnegie Library building will be completed.
"During the early years of the association, Mr. Huber kept in close touch with the library, and it can be truthfully said that had it not been for his moral support and financial aid at different times, the association would have been a failure. Frank A. Huber, who has been the treasurer from the organization to the present time, was inspired by the enthusiasm of his noble father, and the financial end of the library's affairs has been carefully managed. Much credit is also due W. B. Jessop, of Fremont, Ohio, who until a few years ago was secretary of the board of trustees, and whose interest in the library affairs never wavered throughout his long service.
"After five years of successful operation of the library, the trustees felt that the city of Marion ought to make it a public institution, so in the early part of May, 1891, the trustees of the Mechanics' Library Association went before the City Council and urged the necessity of the city taking the library and fostering it as a public library. The Mechanics' Library Association had done great good and was popular, so by the aid of A. H. Kling, F. E. Blake and other councilmen, the request was granted and a nice levy was made for its support. This action was taken August 3, 1891. Since that time, the levy has been increased and the business affairs have been ably managed, by a board of trustees, six in number, appointed by the mayor and approved by the City Council. The present members of the board are: E. H. Raffensperger, president; J. J. Crawley, vice-president; J. F. Dombaugh, secretary; F. A. Huber, treasurer; Michael Waddell and H. N. Quigley; Mr. Huber and Mr. Crawley, having served on the board from early organization to the present time. The following persons have also served as librarians: George H. Foster (now probate judge), Mrs. T. C. Bowen, Miss Sadie Hume, Miss Jessie Masden, Miss Adda Barker and Miss Margaret Leonard.
"The library as operated by the city is open forenoon, afternoon and evening, each day of the week except Sunday, and is supplied with over 10,000 good books in various departments of literature, science and art, which will be increased as soon as the new library building is occupied. The reading room is well lighted and strangers and visitors in the city will be welcomed by the librarian. The latest periodicals and magazines can always be found on the tables. The patrons of the library are increasing rapidly and the trustees are exerting every effort to meet the demands.
"In May, 1905, Andrew Carnegie, the steel magnate, offered the city $25,000 for a library building, the city to furnish the site and to pay annually for the support of the library 10 per cent. of the donation secured. The city thought that $25,000 was not sufficient, so a committee was appointed and sent to New York to consult with Mr. Carnegie's agent, who signified his willingness to increase the donation to $30,000 The City Council bought the beautiful little park on South Main street just opposite the Sanatorium as a site, and the trustees took up the matter of securing an architect and after careful investigation decided to employ the firm of Richards. McCarthy & Bulford, of Columbus, Ohio. This action was reported to the Carnegie agent, who for some reason said the donation could only be $28,500, when assurances had been given for $30,000. The plans adopted called for the latter sum, so alterations had to be made accordingly. The contract for building was awarded J. V. Berry, of Mansfield, Ohio, to be completed July 1, 1907.
"Thus from a small beginning 20 years ago, the Marion Public Library has grown to be one of the most substantial institutions for good in our progressive little city, and in its. growth and power will be a blessing for generations to come."
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THE MARION COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
Has now been in existence for more than half a century--to be exact, since November, 1851. The first fairs were held in "Copeland's Woods" in Ballentine's Addition. Then the society purchased three acres north of Kenton avenue, where fairs were held for a few years. In 1862 37 acres were purchased, to which additions have been made from time to time, so that the grounds now contain 47 acres. The grounds are now owned by the county.
The 56th annual fair was held in September, 1906, at which purses in the sum of $3,000 were paid to the racing fraternity, and a like amount in premiums to exhibitors. The officers of the society at present are: H. W. Cookston, president; A. F. Goerlick, vice-president; C. B. Jenkins, treasurer; and J. A. Knapp, secretary.
THE MARION CEMETERY.
When Marion was laid out, land for a cemetery was dedicated to the public by the proprietors of the town. After 25 years it was found that the old burial-grounds were too small, and were poorly located. Besides, the ground was not suitable, owing to its flat surface and the water-holding properties of the soil. The town had grown out to and beyond the "Grave-yard," and the unsentimental and practical railroad had violated the sanctity of the place. All of these undesirable features were dwelt upon by an anonymous correspondent of the Independent, who signed his name "Israel Fishbones."
As a result of this agitation, a meeting was held July 3, 1857, at the banking house of J. S. Reed & Company, to take the matter under consideration, and The Marion Cemetery Association perfected an organization. The following persons signed the original articles: John Ault, J. S. Reed, S. S. Bennett, H. A. True, J. J. Williams, B. H. Williams, Patten & Wallace, John Ballentine, J. B. Dumble, E. Peters, J. W. Bain, Bowen & Beerbower, J. H. Godman and W. H. Sarles. Of this number, only T. P. Wallace still survives.
J. S. Reed, John Ault and E. Peters were appointed to select a suitable location, and after considerable investigation the grounds now occupied by the cemetery were selected. No one now doubts the wisdom of the selection. The grounds possess many beautiful slopes and finely shaped ridges, and forest trees of various kinds add to their beauty. The grounds at first contained 47 acres, but have since been added to, from time to time, so that they now include in their limits 62 acres.
For a number of years the association struggled under a load of debt. About 1873 all obligations were met and since that date the grounds have been improved and beautified, until they are the pride of every citizen in this vicinity. An endowment fund insures continued improvement and perpetual care of the grounds.
The officers of the association are: T. P. Wallace, president; W. Z. Davis, vice-president; Charles N. Phillips, secretary and treasurer; P. O. Sharpless, A. H. Kling and I. A. Merchant, trustees.
THE SPONTANEOUSLY-MOVING STONE BALL.
In the Marion Cemetery is a monument which has attracted a great deal of attention. It consists of a large stone ball, 36 inches in diameter, resting upon a heavy stone pedestal. The ball slowly turns on its base, revolving about a horizontal axis in a direction from north to south.
The monument was erected by C. B. Merchant in 1896, but it was not noticed that it was turning until some two and a half years later, when Mr. Merchant discovered that it had shifted slightly. The ball was never securely fastened to the base, but an unpolished spot was left where the ball set in its socket, and it was supposed that the friction of the two rough surfaces would be sufficient to prevent any displacement. At the time the picture was taken, in April, 1905, the rough spot was half way to the top on the north side, and had moved more than five inches in the seven months proceeding. The ball weighs 5,200 pounds and would require extensive machinery to move it.
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A number of theories have been advanced to account for the cause of this remarkable phenomenon. State Geologist Edward Orton, Jr., in a letter to a member of the Marion Cemetery Association, says that the rotary movement is probably due to two causes. First, the ball becomes more heated than the heavy base, and consequently expands more, giving rise to a slight creeping. The ensuing contraction might not be sufficient to take up the displacement caused by the heat in the earlier part of the day. Secondly, we may regard the circumference of the sphere as lengthening out on one side, and giving rise to a pulling stress between the ball and base upon which it rests. It has been suggested that the monument is partly shaded during a portion of the day, and that there is some connection between this fact and the rotation. Still another theory is that the base becomes more heated, and expanding somewhat "bites" the ball slightly on the south side, and in contracting, when cooling again, draws the ball down a little to the south.
The foregoing, with slight modification, taken from the Scientific American of April, 1905, is a fair account of this unexplained phenomenon. The highest point reached by the unpolished spot was 22 inches from the socket in the base. Since the article was written, it has moved eastward and downward some 15 or 20 inches, so that it is now over the corner of the base. Many people visit and inspect this scientific curiosity. The firm, by which this monument was erected, attribute the movement of the ball to mineral deposits within the ball, which bring the center of gravity away from the center of the ball, and to the action of the elements as above explained.
ST. MARY S CATHOLIC CEMETERY.
On May 3, 1858, nearly three acres off of the south side of the Marion Cemetery grounds. were sold by the association to the Roman. Catholic Church for burial purposes. About 14 years ago it became apparent that the grounds were too small for the growing demands of the Catholic community, and 20 acres were purchased of Joseph Johnston, on the west side of the Marion and Delaware pike. The grounds are beautifully located and; are being rapidly improved.