Santa Clara County CA Archives History - Books .....Chapter XXV 1922
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Book Title: History Of Santa Clara County

CHAPTER XXV.

Charitable and Humanitarian Organizations of San Jose-The Good Cheer Club,
County Charities, Home of Benevolence-Pratt Home, Salvation Army, Notre Dame
Institute, and Young Men's Christian Association.

  The Associated Charities was organized in 1894, and while in existence met
with the generous co-operation of the public. The directors represented the
churches of every faith in San Jose, as well as other existing charitable
bodies. The aims were to make investigation and keep a record of all cases of
distress reported; to give temporary relief in emergency cases and then report
them to the charitable organizations under the jurisdiction of which they
belonged; to expose fraud and prevent duplicate giving; and to secure work for
needy women and men. Annual entertainments were given, which always netted the
society a sufficient sum to tide it over until the next year. The officers for
the first year were: Alfred C. Bean, president; Mrs. T. Ellard Bean,
vice-president; Mrs. W. B. Hill, secretary; James Bean, treasurer, and Miss Cora
M. Bethel, superintendent: board of directors, Mrs. S. B. Hawkins, Mrs. T.
Ellard Beans, Mrs. A. T. Herrmann, Rev. H. M. Tenney, Mrs. H. Branham, James
Bean, Mrs. W. L. Woodrow, Mrs. W. B. Hill, Mrs. E. G. Williams, Mrs. Anna Taber,
Mrs. Alfred C. Bean: honorary directors, G. D. Worswick, Mrs. S. C. Winchester,
Rev. Father Gleeson, Mrs. Geo. M. Bowman, J. H. Campbell, Mrs. E. O. Smith, Mrs.
H. Levy, Mrs. C. D. Blaney, Mrs. E. McLaughlin, Mrs. B. Cochrane. Mrs. Jackson
Hatch, J. E. Knoche, James Rhodes, Mrs. W. P. Dougherty, Mrs. S. A. Jones, E. A.
Hayes.

  The association continued its beneficent work until 1917, when the Santa Clara
County Charities was organized under the state law and with state and county
aid. As its operations and aims were about the same as those of the Associated
Charities, the latter organization concluded to disorganize and then to
reorganize under the name of the Social Service Agency. This action was taken
after it had turned over all its data to the County Charities. As the Social
Service Agency it allied itself with the Good Cheer Club, and for several years
assisted in the club's campaign work.

  Miss Cora M. Bethel, former superintendent of the Associated Charities, is the
investigator or superintendent of the County Charities, Ray B. Newman is the
secretary, and fine offices have been fitted up in the county court house. The
board of supervisors has discontinued its alms-giving system and has turned over
all that business to the County Charities for investigation and action. The
County Charities presents claims of applicants for relief to the board and the
board makes the allowances. The state aid for the six months ending December 31,
1919, amounted to $16,723.16; supplementary, $1,012.03; total, $17,735.19. Total
of all aid for the six months, $23,173.02.

  In addition to its other work, the County Charities dispenses the Widows' Aid
Pension. Nearly all the claims of applicants for aid are for groceries, clothing
and other necessaries.

The Good Cheer Club

  The Good Cheer Club, started in 1904, is the health organization of Santa
Clara County. The objects are to promote health and efficiency in the community,
to give systematic relief to the sick, poor and needy, and to establish a fund
for these purposes. Annual membership fee, five dollars; life membership,
twenty-five dollars. The officers are: President, De Lancey Lewis;
vice-presidents, Mrs. Chas. Allen, Mrs. John E. Richards; secretary, Miss Emma
Philbrick. It is supported by the Santa Clara County Welfare Association,
consisting of the Florence Crittenden Home, the Anti-Tuberculosis Society and
the Social Service Agency. It receives state and county aid and fees from
patients. The average monthly cases exceed 1,000. The departments include
mental, medical and dental clinics and social hygiene. There are nineteen
physicians on the consulting list.

  The work of the club is done by no other organization in San Jose, yet it is
in close co-operation with all the other humanitarian agencies and at the least
possible expense. It reaches not only the very destitute and deficient, but the
large American middle class in need of assistance. This assistance the club is
organized to give, not so much as a charity but as a public health service.
Visiting nursing in the homes was started in 1904 and for several years that
constituted the largest part of the work; but at last it became necessary to
establish an office and dispensary, where applicants could be received,
medicines and sick-room supplies distributed, surgical dressings made and
sterilized, patients met by appointment, doctors consulted, etc. Each branch of
work undertaken has been the direct result of a real need. One of these was the
clinic where children could have continued treatment. Doctors cheerfully cared
for patients through acute attacks. It seemed impossible at first for the club
to successfully follow up these attacks, as each child had a different doctor
and a different hour of appointment. But at last the club succeeded in opening a
medical clinic through which children below par mentally and physically have
been treated with wonderful results. Every child is given a thorough
examination, the case is properly diagnosed, often by means of X-ray pictures
and various tests. Treatment is then prescribed, medicine furnished, and when
necessary the case is dismissed, continued or referred to other treatment. Many
children have received expensive surgical corrective treatment and hospital
care, with no expense whatever to the parents. Through the operation of the
medical clinic was found an absolute need for a dental clinic. Before this, only
emergency work had been provided through the generosity of first one dentist and
then another, but it was found that nearly every child coming to the medical
clinic needed dental care, hence the establishment of a dental clinic.

  The social hygiene department was established on February 1, 1919, with the
assistance of the State Board of Health. There are now 200 patients being
treated. In San Jose there are clinics conducted daily in all departments.
Branches of the club have been established in Los Gatos, Campbell, Mountain View
and Santa Clara.

  The nationalities of the new cases treated for one month in 1920 were as
follow: American, 213; Italian-American, 86; Italian, 18; Spanish-American, 29;
Japanese, 2; Swedish, 3; Portuguese, 1; German, 3; Spanish, 2; Jewish-American,
4; Slavonian-American, 1. Total, 362.

Home of Benevolence

  The Home of Benevolence owes its existence to the efforts of the Ladies'
Benevolent Society. This society was organized in 1867, as a result of a meeting
of Richard Savage, internal revenue assessor; J. J. Owen, editor of the Mercury;
Mrs. A. M. Gates, wife of the principal of the San Jose Institute; Mrs. J. C.
Cobb, and a few others. At the organization meeting, on April 16 of the same
year, the following officers were elected: President, Mrs. J. C. Cobb;
vice-president, Mrs. A. Pomeroy; secretary, Mrs. N. Hayes; treasurer. Mrs. C. R.
Spaw. At the same meeting Mrs. W. N. Slocum, Mrs. G. Evans, Mrs. F. E. Adams and
Mrs. E. J. Wilcox were appointed managers. The constitution stated the object of
the society to be the rendering of assistance to sick and dependent persons
residing in the city of San Jose.

  Upon the acceptance of the constitution the following ladies were elected as a
visiting committee: Mrs. R. B. Hall, Mrs. E. Alban, Mrs. China Smith, Mrs.
Joseph Ingham, Mrs. D. L. Shead, Mrs. A. L. Rhodes, Mrs. D. T. Adams, Mrs.
Wesley Tonner, Mrs. J. R. Whitney, Mrs. T. Ellard Beans, Mrs. Josiah Belden,
Mrs. P. T. McCabe, Mrs. J. C. Smith; auxiliary committee, J. A. Quinby, J. J.
Owen, D. S. Payne, E. J. Wilcox, Richard Savage and A. B. Hamilton. The amount
of fees collected through enrollment was thirty-nine dollars. Thus was launched
upon the tide of human woes and human blessings one of the most beneficent, yet
unostentatious, of local forces; a power that for over fifty years has steadily
and quietly gone about doing good. There have been no emoluments or honors
connected with its offices, no worldly benefits accruing to any of its members.

  In May, 1867, Mrs. Spaw tendered her resignation, which was accepted, and Mrs.
N. Hayes, afterwards Mrs. Chas. J. Martin, was elected treasurer, pro tem, and
the names of Mrs. Norman Porter, Mrs. L. Archer, Mrs. R. B. Buckner and Mrs. R.
T. O'Hanlon were added to the list of members. During the second month, Mrs.
James Hart, Mrs. J. Manly, Mrs. R. Savage, Mrs. Chas. Allen, Mrs. C. S.
Crydenwise, Miss Sarah Severance, Mrs. K. Patterson, Mrs. S. A. Barker, Mrs. A.
N. Hamm, Mrs. John Rouse and Miss Anna Cobb enrolled themselves as members. In
August, Mrs. J. Lewis, Mrs. J. Cutler, Mrs. Stephen Thorne and Mrs. S. J.
Churchill joined.

  In 1872 the society incorporated under the laws of the state. At the same time
T. Ellard Beans, T. W. Spring, A. C. Erkson and Mr. Rhodes were appointed as
trustees, in addition to the presiding officers and board of managers. The event
of the year was an appropriation of $500 from the state.

  The Home of Benevolence was established by the society in 1877, and the same
year the constitution was so amended as to provide rules and regulations for a
home for destitute children and aged and infirm persons. The home was first
located in a rented building on the corner of Third and Martha streets, Mrs. A.
H. Anderson serving as matron. Special laws were made for the place. By
permission of the board of trustees children under peculiar circumstances could
be admitted, and all mothers who earn their living were allowed to place their
children at the home by the day, paying a small compensation for the
accommodation. Independent of the homeless children and helpless women who found
shelter and care in the home during the first year of its existence, twenty-five
tramps received "square meals."

  An Authors' Carnival to raise money toward the building of a home that would
answer all requirements was given at Music Hall on February 26, 1878. The
officers at this time consisted of Mrs. Nellie Eyster, president; Mrs. M. X.
McKee and Mrs. L. W. Moultrie, vice-presidents; Mrs. Louisa King, secretary, and
Mrs. Frances D. Williams, treasurer; board of managers, Mesdames J. C. Cobb, C.
R. Span, T. W. Spring, A. M. Gates, Ben Cory, P. D. Hale, Dr. Stone, E. Coombs,
T. E. Beans, S. A. Clark, C. H. Allen, H. J. Haskell, Jackson Lewis, P. T.
McCabe, A. T. Herrmann, M. Dimond.

  The carnival was a success, the sum of $2,987.85 being netted to the society.
In September, 1878, the home was removed to the old Schroeder place at the
junction of First and Market streets. Here, with a family of nine children and
two invalid women, the society took temporary possession, Mrs. A. R. Ransom as
matron. The house being large and unfurnished, the draught upon the treasury to
make it both habitable and comfortable was heavy. Various means to raise funds
were discussed, among which was the proposition to have a course of scientific
lectures by some of the savants of San Jose. About this time Geo. W. Fentress,
city librarian, was authorized to offer prizes for the best poem and the best
story by San Jose authors. That for the best poem, "An Arboreal Song of the
Alameda," was unanimously awarded, by intelligent judges and critics, to its
author, Mrs. Mary H. Field. The poem purports to be-

"The song of an ancient tree, 
Which it softly crooned to me 
As I walked on an autumn day 
In the Alameda-the beautiful way- 
The pride and glory of San Jose."

  It tells in musical rhyme the history of the century's years, dating from the
time when-

The gray old Mission Fathers nine sat
In the long refectory hall, 
Lingering over bread and wine, and planning.
For the glory of God and the good of man, 
to
Plant some trees whose greenery 
A screen from the burning sun shall be.

  After much opposition from the brother Friars, who thought the plan of
planting a "league of forest" too large to come within their compassing, it was
done, and when the originator of the plan, the benevolent and weary Father de
Catala, slept one night a bright vision hovered o'er him,

And he saw, as in a magical glass, that
The trees of his planting so stately grew, 
They leaned their tops 'gainst the sky's soft blue, 
While intertwining on every side, 
The giant branches swept far and wide. 
'Neath the lovely living arches' span 
The broad, smooth highway level ran, 
Its verduous vistas stretching on 
Till the power of the raptured eye was gone.

  The vision shifted many times, until there came to the Friars' view some of
the scenes of today:

A surging crowd of an unknown name- 
An endless, hurrying, jostling throng, 
Full of laughter, and jest, and song- 
The ceaseless tide of a city's street, 
The stately coach and the lumbering wain, 
Which came with rumble, and rush, and roar, 
Swarming with people, behind, before, 
Above, within, and under, too,
For aught the puzzled Friar knew. 
Whose living monument stands today 
In the Alameda-the beautiful way.

  Mrs. Field presented the manuscript of the poem to the society and an
illustrated edition of 1,000 copies was printed, the sale of which produced a
modest revenue.

  It being found necessary to incorporate the Home of Benevolence as an
institution separate from that of the Ladies' Benevolent Society, a meeting to
take the necessary steps was called on October 21, 1879, an election of officers
followed and an application for a charter was made. In 1880, a house for the
home was built on the Morey land on the corner of Martha and Eleventh streets.
It consisted of eleven large rooms and two bathrooms. It was appropriately
dedicated on September 5, 1880. It was then reported that there was not a dollar
of indebtedness.

  The event of the summer of 1882 was the furnishing of the two dormitories with
thirty-six iron bedsteads, wire springs and hair mattresses, at a cost of $600.
The children, irrespective of sex, were now taught to do their own bed-making.
On January 21, 1885, the society accepted the deed of conveyance of the yearly
revenue from the "Contingent James Lick Trust Fund" of $25,000 for the benefit
of the Home of Benevolence. There were five acres in the original home tract,
but six and one-half acres were afterwards added; also a hospital and a large
addition to the building.

  After the Santa Clara County Charities and the Good Cheer Club began to do
city and county work, the members of the Ladies' Benevolent Society devoted
their time mainly to the care and maintenance of the home, which at present has
seventy inmates (children). The matron is Mrs. Skidmore. The officers of the
society are: Mrs. Geo. B. McKee, president; Mrs. J. W. Blauer and Mrs. W. S.
Clayton, vice-presidents; Mrs. A. G. Field, recording secretary; Mrs. Louis
Sonniksen, financial secretary; Mrs. P. H. Jordan, corresponding secretary; Mrs.
F. B. S. Williams, treasurer; trustees other than officers, Mesdames W. C.
Bailey, F. O. Read, H. Center, J. R. Kocher, P. F. Gosbey, G. W. Borchers, G. D.
Farrington, W. S. Van Dalsem, F. W. Moore, G. A. Muirson, C. R. Parkinson, S. A.
Ogier, Joseph Pash, C. A. Wayland, J. W. Hamilton, J. W. Faull, G. A. Sweigert,
and Miss C. Belle Eaton.

The Odd Fellows' Home

  One of the finest institutions of the kind is the Odd Fellows' Home, located
on Fruitvale Avenue about a mile south of Saratoga. It is a concrete building
and was erected in 1912 at a cost of $300,000. There are eighty-two acres in the
tract. In 1920 there were 174 inmates, fifty of them being women. The main
building contains a ladies' parlor, library, assembly hall, reception room and
rooms for the officers. A large part of the tract is planted in fruit trees and
in 1919 fruit to the amount of $5,000 was sold. The home maintains hog and
chicken yards and a vegetable garden, and in a large measure is self-supporting.
The management is in the hands of a board of trustees consisting of John
Hazlett, San Francisco; D. A. Sinclair, Oakland: Fred Pierce, Los Angeles; A. N.
Bullock, Sacramento; Sam E. Moreland, San Jose. The superintendent is Dr. C. S.
Arnold and his wife is matron. The average age of the inmates is seventy-six
years and the cost of maintenance per inmate is $25.50 per month.

The Pratt Home

  The Pratt Home, a gift from Mrs. W. W. Pratt, located on South First Street
near the Market Street junction, was organized in 1891. Since then two annexes
have been built. It has been used for the relief of homeless children and aged
people of both sexes. The main building is spacious and well appointed and is
surrounded by handsome grounds that are adorned with trees and shrubbery. At
present there are fifty inmates. The following are the officers elected in May,
1920: President, Mrs. W. L. Woodrow; secretary, Mrs. A. T. Herrmann; treasurer,
Mrs. J. E. Richards; financial secretary, Mrs. C. H. Hervey; assistant
treasurer, Miss Mayo Hayes; first vice-president, Mrs. Ernest Lion; other
directors, Mrs. William Bogen, Mrs. B. Laughlin, Mrs. W. G. Alexander and Miss
Dockstader.

Notre Dame Institute

  The O'Connor Notre Dame Institute, located at the corner of Second and Reed
streets, was formerly the residence of Judge and Mrs. M. P. O'Connor. On July
16, 1883, they donated the residence to the Sisters of Notre Dame for use as an
orphanage for girls. At present there are twenty-five inmates, though there are
accommodations for fifty. The inmates are cared for and given a thorough
education. Those who wish can afterwards enter the College of Notre Dame high
school. Others are placed in good situations after having been thoroughly
inducted into the mysteries of domestic science.

The Salvation Army and Volunteers

  The Salvation Army has been a humanitarian force in San Jose for over forty
years. It carries a message of relief and hope to the poor and sick and its
services both in war and peace have been important and far-reaching. The
industrial department in San Jose, at 573 South Market Street, is conducted by
Adjutant W. Boyd, while the hall on Post Street for meetings is in the hands of
Captain W. Bamford.

  The Volunteers of America organized in 1876, just after Ballington Booth had
severed his connection with the Salvation Army and had formed the national
organization of Volunteers. A home for men is located on North Fourth Street and
an industrial department does business at 477 North First Street. Both of these
places are administered by Staff Captain Rose Goth.

  The work of the Salvation Army is illustrated in the story of old Bob Bennett.
Fishermen and hunters in the Mt. Hamilton region will remember the old man, who
lived the life of a hermit in a little cabin high up in a gulch that debouches
into the Canyon of the Santa Ysabel. Old Bob is dead and the coyote yips and
barks and the wildcat snarls and cries in the little flat where once was heard
the plaintive strains of Old Bob's violin. The old fellow was a curious
character. He was an Englishman, unmarried, and had no relatives in America.
While a young man he followed the sea as a ship's carpenter. In middle life he
came to San Jose and was employed for a number of years as a cabinet-maker in
one of the city's large furniture stores. He had one besetting
fault-overindulgence in strong drink-and inability to control the appetite sent
him to the eastern hills for recuperation and reformation. But the habit of
years was too strong to be easily thrown off. Some men in his situation might
have fought the booze devil to a finish, but poor Bob was not a man of stamina.
He was kind-hearted, honest and a hard worker, but he lacked the will-power to
fight resolutely against his enemy. For a while he chopped wood, but ceased to
manipulate the axe when the late W. T. Adel purchased Campoodie, a large flat
below the Kincaid ranch, and engaged him to stay on the place and keep an eye on
the improvements- an old log cabin and a recently built shack of two rooms. Bob
stayed at Campoodie for a while, employing his spare time-which was about all
his time-in making commercial use of the wood of the manzanita trees which grew
in profusion above the flat. He was a cunning artisan, and having as his
belongings a lathe and a full set of carpenter's tools, was able to fashion out
of the seasoned manzanita all sorts of useful articles, from napkin rings to canes.

  After he left Adel's place he located in a gulch across the Ysabel Creek. The
spot had a fine spring, and near the water he erected a cabin and a workshop,
and while he lived he turned out manzanita work that found a ready sale. His
best patrons were the astronomers at the Lick Observatory. Bob was a natural
musician, though he could not read a note of music. He played the violin and
banjo with equal facility, and during the camping season he would entertain the
Ysabel campers with his music. All the time the drink habit held him in a vise.
Once a month he would send to San Jose for provisions and a demijohn of whiskey.
The whiskey would last about a week and during that time Bob would indulge
himself to the limit. As the years passed the habit grew stronger, would not be
denied. He found that he could not wait for the monthly supply, so he tried
shellac to tide him over the shaky time. One day his shellac gave out. But he
had a bottle of wood alcohol. Perhaps he did not know that sudden death lurked
in the bottle. Perhaps he did know, and was reckless of consequences. At any
rate, he drank deeply of the poison and twenty-four hours later a rancher found
him dead in bed. Some time before his death, news of his unfortunate habit
reached the lassies of the Salvation Army in San Jose. Two of them resolved to
ride up to the place and use arguments and prayers to induce him to cut loose
from John Barleycorn. Bob was shy and embarrassed in the presence of women, and
when the Salvation Army lassies arrived he was shyer than ever, for he was just
recovering from one of his periodical debauches. He greeted his visitors
awkwardly and listened shamefacedly while they argued and pleaded. All the time
he was fingering nervously the strings of his banjo. Argument was followed by
prayers. The lassies knelt with heads bowed and prayed earnestly for the
redemption of the man who stood above them. And while they prayed Bob, hardly
knowing what he was doing, kept on with his banjo playing. He gave them as
accompaniment to the prayer, "Old Dan Tucker" and "There'll Be a Hot Time in the
Old Town Tonight," and other lively tunes. Once a lassie looked up, a smile on
her face, but when she noted the rapt expression on Old Bob's face the smile
fled and the eyes dropped.

Juvenile Court and Probation Office

  In 1908 Judge M. H. Hyland of the Superior Court became convinced from
observation and experience that the law was unfair in its treatment of offenders
under the age of twenty-one. In his opinion they should not be treated with the
same severity that marked the treatment of adult offenders. He was therefore
instrumental in the establishing of a juvenile court. To carry out his idea it
was necessary that a probation officer should be appointed. There was no
authority in law for the payment of a salary to this officer and for a time he
had to rely on the enterprise and good sense of the board of supervisors. This
body allowed his claim for expenses, but could go no farther in the matter. The
first probation officer was Frank R. Shafter, who for some time had been
actively connected with the Humane Society. He was succeeded by Geo. W. Lee, a
Civil War veteran, and it was during Mr. Lee's incumbency that the State
Legislature established the juvenile court and fixed a salary for the probation
officer. From this time on the court waxed in influence and the probation
officer found all the work he could do. Mr. Lee was succeeded by J. L.
Montgomery, who held office until appointed as the head of the Preston Reform
School at Ione. After him came C. H. Waterman and Mrs. Catherine Brattan, the
present officer. She has as assistant E. A. Raymond. At the start the object of
the probation office was to look after the interests of juvenile offenders, but
latterly it has taken charge of state adult criminals who have been released
from prison on probation. These offenders living in Santa Clara County are
obliged to report to the probation office at stated times. Employment is found
for them and they are given every opportunity to become good citizens. Of the
117 looked after in 1919, eighty-seven per cent have made good. In respect of
the juveniles the probation officer, representing the juvenile court, hunts up
cases of minors whose home life is not what it should be, or who have been
regarded as bad boys or girls, made so by evil association and home
surroundings, and as far as possible so improve the conditions as to give the
subjects opportunity to lead moral lives. Many cases which might have come into
court have been satisfactorily settled by the probation office. The juvenile
court holds weekly sessions and offenders who are not released on probation are
sent, not to prison, but to a reform school, convent or orphanage. Mrs. Brattan
has been in office for seven years and has made a fine record for efficiency.
From her last annual report the following statistics are taken:

  New cases in which court action was taken -Male, 118; female, 44; total, 162.
Cases settled informally-Male, 327; female, 97; total, 424. Wards placed on
probation since January 1, 1919, to-January 1, 1920-Male, 38: female, 2; total,
40. Free homes found, 30 since January 1, 1919, to January 1, 1920. Positions
found, 60 since January 1, 1919, to January l, 1920. Families reconciled, 26
since January 1, 1919, to January 1, 1920. Visits to homes. 242 since January 1,
1919, to January 1, 1920. Investigations, 571 since January 1, 1919, to January
1, 1920.

The Coffee Club

  The San Jose Coffee Club Association is a semi-philanthropic, co-operative
membership association, organized for the purpose of establishing rest and
reading rooms which are maintained by the proceeds of the lunch department
conducted in connection. The idea was originated about twenty years ago by
Ernest Fox, now of Stockton, who received his inspiration from the old English
coffee houses and tea rooms. These places were, and in some places still are,
the social centers of their respective communities, operated as they are along
temperance lines, but partaking of the conviviality of the ancient taverns. The
club has fine rooms in a building on South Second Street near the corner of San
Fernando Street. Almost any day one may see in the clubrooms the well-to-do man
of affairs rubbing elbows with the "down-and-outer," to their mutual profit.
Thus the club has become the melting pot of the community, enabling all * sorts
and conditions of men to meet as equals, for all are treated with courtesy and
respect. It was started with membership fees and donations amounting to about
$600 and has grown to its present worth through the recapitalization of the
accumulated profits, there being no dividends or disbursements among the members
or directors, all accumulations remaining in the business to be used for
improvements and extension work.

  With a growth from $600 to $15,000 in cash value, of floor space from 900 to
12,000 square feet, wages paid annually from $1,000 to $12,000, foodstuffs
bought from $3,000 to $27,000, and from 300 to 1800 people accommodated daily,
it may be seen that the Coffee Club fills a need and meets with public approval.
The officers and directors of the Coffee Club Association are: Charles F.
Crothers, president; L. P. Edwards, vice-president; Mrs. Maud A. Jacks,
secretary; Dr. E. R. Wagner, Dr. Edward Newell, Prof. C. B. Gleason, Mrs. E. H.
Baker, Miss Alice Winans, A. D. Campbell and S. D. Mathews is the manager.

The Woman's Exchange

  The Woman's Exchange was started in 1899 from money gathered by Mrs. A. T.
Herrmann and Mrs. Collins. The main object of the exchange was to give to needy
women unable on account of family ties to do work on the outside, the
opportunity to make a living in their own homes by baking bread, cakes, pies,
etc., to be sold at a very small profit by the exchange. The sale shop is in
Central Market, with Miss Alice Myers as manager. Mrs. Herrmann has been
treasurer ever since the organization. She now acts as president also. The other
officers are Mrs. M. V. Nye, vice-president; Mrs. Wallace, secretary. The only
salaried officer is the manager.

Humane Societies

  The Santa Clara County Humane Society came into existence over twenty years
ago, but for a time no business was done. In June, 1909, a reorganization was
effected, with Dr. John W. Davy as president. The original object was to prevent
cruelty to animals and children, but when the probation office was established
the society ceased to work for the children and gave its whole attention to dumb
animals. In June, 1919, Dr. Davy resigned the presidency and was succeeded by
Geo. F. Wakefield. At the election in June, 1920, the following officers were
elected: President, G. F. Wakefield; vice-presidents, Dr. J. W. Davy, F. R.
Shafter, Mrs. A. M. Olinder; secretary, Mrs. E. R. Croft; treasurer, Miss F.
Ury; directors, Mrs. E. R. Croft, Mrs. G. F. Wakefield, Mrs. E. H. McCarthy,
Mrs. E. A. Guilbault.

  In December, 1919, the Humane Educational Committee was organized as an
offshoot of the Humane Society by Mrs. G. F. Wakefield. It has twenty-one
members and the object is to educate the young to being kind' to animals by
talks and lectures. These talks are given mainly in the public schools. On June
23, 1920, under the auspices of the committee, Mrs. Minnie Maddern Fiske, the
distinguished actress, spoke at the Hotel Vendome on the conservation of food
animals and the abolishment of the trap. She was introduced by Mrs. Wakefield.
Mrs. Fiske first made fetching apology for her appearance, stating that she had
hoped to arrive in time to put on ''her beautiful dress," but as she looked very
lovely in her satin traveling cloak with its corsage of orchid-tinged sweet
peas, her appearance was delightfully satisfying and proved that a lecture may
be twice as interesting when the lecturer retains her femininity.

  Touching briefly on a recent moment of discouragement when after twenty years
of incessant labor a small body of humanitarians found that conditions were no
better but even worse, Mrs. Fiske told of the renewed courage that came to them
with a suggestion from a man in Denver who had devoted the best years of his
life to their particular study. It is no longer necessary, she explained, to
apologize or offer explanation for the mental attitude of those who feel a very
great responsibility toward the dumb creation, although fifty years ago anyone
interested in it was laughed at, and the old criticism that such people were
insensible to human need should be extinct by this time, for it is stupid and
wicked. Nor are humanitarians sentimentalists. Booth Tarkington, the creator of
Penrod, and James Metcalf, editor of "Life," both active humane workers, were
cited as examples and no one would consider them sentimentalists.

  The Jack London Society was formed in May, 1920. It is a national organization
with headquarters in Boston. There are no officers and no dues. Each member, by
his signature, agrees to leave any motion picture or other performance where
trained animals appear, and to inform the manager of the reason for the
departure. The movement was started after the publication of Jack London's two
dog stories, "Michael" and "Jerry."

Young Men's Christian Association

  The Young Men's Christian Association of San Jose was formed in 1867. For
several years it had a precarious existence. In 1873 it "ceased to function" and
its books and other furnishings were sold to the San Jose Library Association. A
few years later, it was on its feet again and in 1890 a fine two-story modern
wooden building was erected for its use. The location was on North Second Street
near St. John. For several years the association had its ups and downs, but as
debts began to accumulate it was found necessary to sell the building and lot.
The Labor Temple Association was the purchaser. Up to 1912 the Y. M. C. A.
occupied rented quarters. In May, 1911, with new blood in its veins, the
association started a campaign for funds for a new building and equipment. The
first gift was that of Chas. D. Blaney for $5,000. This was followed by one from
Mrs. Maria P. Schofield for $25,000. In all, in ten days' work, the sum of
$160,000 was subscribed. A large lot on the southeast corner of Third and Santa
Clara streets was purchased and ground for the new-building was broken on April
IS, 1912. The cornerstone was laid on August 20 of that year. The building is a
credit to the city. It is of the modern renaissance design. The building is 132
1/2 feet on the Third street side and 57 1/2 feet on the Santa Clara street
side. At the rear the gymnasium, which has a width of 40 feet, forms an L
extending to the east 75 feet. The building is five stories and basement. It is
of entire concrete construction with concrete stairways.

  The basement has four first-class bowling alleys. Electric and steam driven
pumps supply water from the artesian well and circulate the hot and cold water
supply to the baths and different parts of the building. The ventilating and
indirect heating system is installed and there is also the Rotex vacuum system
of cleaning. The reading room is a portion of the west side of lobby and
provides a very convenient place for the reading of the many periodicals, books
and newspapers on file. Here is a correspondence table inviting the stranger to
write the delayed letter. On the east side of the lobby are the billiard and
pocket billiard tables. All the furniture here, as well as in all parts of the
building, is of solid fumed oak construction. The gymnasium is 40 feet wide and
75 feet long. The floor is of white maple. It is provided with a running track 6
feet wide, the track being twenty-eight laps to the mile. The swimming pool is
20 by 60 feet. The floor of the pool is laid with vitrified tile and its walls
are lined with glazed white tile. The edge of the floor around the entire pool,
as well as the overflow edge which continues entirely around the pool, is
constructed so as to keep the pool in the most sanitary condition and also
provides good hand holds. The water is crystal clear, the pool having a capacity
of over fifty thousand gallons. The twenty-two shower baths are constructed of
marble and tile and nickel fittings throughout. The boys' department is located
on the west portion of the second floor, with separate game and reading rooms,
equipped to delight every active boy. The assembly room has a seating capacity
of 250. A kitchen adjoins this room, providing means of serving banquets and
suppers. The dormitories occupy the third, fourth and fifth floors. There are
seventy-five rooms in all. Each floor is equipped with ample lavatories, shower
baths, linen closets and trunk room.

  Chas. D. Blaney was chairman of the building committee and his assistants were
E. N. Richmond, Prof. J. E. Hancock, H. A. Blanchard and Geo. C. Wilson.
Blanchard, then president of the board of directors. The Citizens Campaign
Committee to raise the funds for the building had as chairman Henry C.
Murgotten, who was assisted by Chas. A. Titus, special secretary, Y. M. C. A.,
and the following group leaders business men: J. S. Williams, C. H. Waterman,
Fred M. Stern, W. L. Prussia, V. Koch, E. K. Johnston, J. W. Chilton, G. W.
Borchers, H. M. Barngrover, L. B. Avery. Young men: W. E. Spearman, E. D.
Shepherd, E. N. Richmond. F. H. Patterson, M. D., J. W. Nixon, Ed. Newell, M.
D., C. W. Janes, Geo. N. Herbert, J. D. Crummey, C. D. Cavallaro.

  The new building was opened on May 29, 1913. The association is conducted by
the following business men of San Jose: Board of directors-A. S. Bacon, Frank H.
Benson, H. A. Blanchard, Geo. B. Campbell, C. D. Cavallaro, John D. Crummey, D.
J. Denhart, Geo. D. Gilman, J. E. Hancock, J. E. Hoblit, Dale Holland, Stanley
D. Mathews, V. T. McCurdy, Dr. Edward. Newell, W. B. Reilly, H. T. Reynolds, W.
H. Stray, Dr. E. R. Wagner, C. H. Waterman, Dr. A. E. Dickinson; board of
trustees- W. G. Alexander, Dr. D. A. Beattie, H. A. Blanchard, C. D. Blaney, D.
C. Crummey, Chas. F. Crothers, W. S. Orvis, Dr. E. R. Wagner, Dr. C. M.
Richards: the activities of the association are directed by these secretaries:
R. C. Smedley, F. A. Saxton, G. E. Atkinson, H. V. Lucas, C. G. Mathews.

  It is the business of the association to keep men on their feet; to help them
to be physically strong, well and efficient. The total attendance at the
gymnasium for the last year was 24,793. Shower baths to the number of 29,000
were taken and 21,600 swims were enjoyed in the big, crystal pond: 3,136
different men occupied rooms in the dormitory, some for one night, some for
months, finding a clean, safe place away from home. Over 1.400 service men were
helped since June 1, 1919. Ex-service men, numbering 427, were helped to find
positions and 582 were given temporary help when they were without money.
Hundreds were given counsel and advice on personal and business matters. Through
lectures, entertainments, socials and personal service hundreds have found 'help
at point of need. The association is distinctly a Christian Association. It does
not force religion on anyone, but conducts a work intended to present Christian
principles in a practical way. Geo. D. Gilman is president of the association,
John D. Crummey is vice-president, R. C. Smedley is secretary, and Fred Saxton
is physical director.

Boys' Outing Farm

  After the earthquake of April 18, 1906, Mrs. Bertha M. Rice, a philanthropic
woman of San Jose, visited San Francisco and what she saw enlisted her
sympathies in behalf of the boys who roamed the streets in the Potrero district.
Her sympathy soon found practical form and a few months after her visit she
secured control of a large tract of rolling land in the foothills above
Saratoga. The tract commands a fine view of the Santa Clara Valley and is in
every respect admirably suited to the purpose she had in mind-to provide a place
for boys' outing in vacation or other times. Her plans met the approval of many
charitable and well-to-do women of San Francisco and funds were secured for the
launching of the laudable undertaking. Every year since 1906 the boys of San
Francisco and other cities of Central California have flocked to the place,
finding there not only a healthful climate and beautiful surroundings, but all
the appliances for outdoor sports and recreation. The farm is supplied with a
large cement swimming pool, a Greek Theater and many tents. The Boy Scouts have
found the farm an ideal camping place and they come in numbers to the place
every summer. Last year (1921) was the fourteenth annual encampment of the
Scouts. Sunday evening services were held around a huge camp fire and many noted
speakers came down to address the children. A number of San Francisco school
teachers and scientists from the universities are assisting Mrs. Rice and her
son, Roland, who is her right-hand man, in a course of nature study trips and
lectures which have been inaugurated for the benefit of the children. Visits are
made to the Lick Observatory at Mt. Hamilton, the State Redwood Park and other
points of interest.

Red Cross Society

  The San Jose Chapter of the Red Cross Society was organized in 1898 and the
work it has done forms one of the brightest pages of history. The first thought
of this mighty philanthropy that set the pulse of the whole world throbbing in
sympathy, originated with Henry Dunant, an humble but noble-hearted Swiss, who
while wandering over the battlefield of Solferino, in the capacity of a
reporter, was so forcibly impressed with the necessity of immediate help for the
multitude of mangled soldiers he saw lying there with their livid faces turned
to the sky, crying out with their dying breath for a drop of water, that he
determined to make an appeal to the world at large to relieve, if possible, the
misery of those who risk their lives on the battlefield for their country. He
wrote not of the glory of war, or in praise of its heroes, but on the horror of
the sacrifice and suffering it involved, stirring the very heartstrings of the
people and creating such enthusiasm for the cause that he was requested to
appear before the public and explain his views. The meeting was held and Dunant
set forth his plan of organized and systematized relief, in time of war,
irrespective of friend or foe. At this meeting a call was issued for an
international convention to be composed of those in sympathy with the noble
design of its founder. The convention met in Geneva in 1863, held a four days'
session and issued a call for a general convention in 1864. This second
convention lasted two weeks and resulted in the adoption of a code of nine
articles which afterwards became the basis of what is known as the Geneva
Treaty. This code, which has been accepted and adopted by every civilized nation
of the world, is the basis of the Red Cross Society.

  The Geneva Treaty provided for the neutralization in time of war of the
wounded, of persons and material for their care, of hospital nurses and hospital
supplies. A flag as a common sign for hospitals, and an arm badge for convoys
and attaches, was agreed upon. The flag adopted was a red cross on a white
ground in honor of the country in which the charity originated. Wherever this
little flag, blazoned with its red cross, is unfurled, it announces no idle
dream of material glory, but regardless of country or creed, touches the heart
of every soldier with the spirit of brotherly love. It is even on the
battlefield "the touch of nature which makes the world akin." It gives place,
too, for woman, with her tender and humanizing influences, even on the "battle's
bloody marge." She need no longer sit with tearful eyes and folded hands,
awaiting the dread issue of the conflict-she can serve under the flag of the Red
Cross as an angel of mercy.

  The organization of the Red Cross in America is mainly due to that noble
woman, Clara Barton. The formation of the International Society came too late
for its utilization in the American Civil War of 1861-65, in which Miss Barton
took an honorable arid active part. During the Franco-German war of 1870 she
went to Europe, carrying on her deeds of mercy under the sheltering folds of the
Red Cross. On her return to the United States she tried to have the American
Government adopt the Geneva Treaty and persisted in her efforts during the
administrations of Presidents Hayes, Garfield and Arthur. It was finally adopted
by Congress on March 2, 1882. Miss Barton, who had previously organized a Red
Cross Association, was made its first president, and the exceeding glory of
having first planted this beneficent society on American soil belongs to her.
After the acceptance of the Geneva Treaty, the National Association at
Washington was formed, and that was quickly followed by state associations. No
society, however, was formed in California until the breaking out of the
American-Spanish War in 1898. During that war and through the strenuous days
that followed the earthquake of 1906, the San Jose Chapter performed noble
service. But its crowning efforts were exhibited during the European war of
1914-1918, particularly during the two years that witnessed America's
participation in the struggle. The story of the self-sacrificing work of the
chapter, which was organized in 1917, is told in another chapter of this
history. It was the first chapter on the Coast to manufacture and ship garments
to the refugees of France and Belgium. It has never been without funds. Overhead
expenses were never more than two per cent of the money handled. The society
affords relief in times of peace as well as of war. The National Society was the
great reliever of suffering during the floods at Galveston and Dayton, the fires
at Boston and San Francisco, and the earthquake on the Pacific Coast. The
organization is semi-military and always ready for work. The officers of the San
Jose Chapter are Dr. J. B. Bullitt, chairman, and W. T. Rambo, secretary.

The W. C. T. U.

  The National Woman's Christian Temperance Union, which has several branches in
Santa Clara County, the most important one being in San Jose, was organized in
Cleveland, Ohio, in November, 1874, with Mrs. Wittemyer president and Frances
Willard secretary. In 1879 California locals were formed in Grass Valley,
Sacramento and Petaluma. A convention was held in Petaluma in that year and the
California State W. C. T. U. was then organized. Mrs. G. S. Abbott of Oakland
was the first president and Mrs. M. E. Congdon of Petaluma was the first
secretary. The next year she was instrumental in organizing the San Jose branch,
which had Mrs. Nellie Eyster as its first president. After the outside branches
in the county were formed, Mrs. Fannie Woods was elected county president. Ever
since its organization in Santa Clara County it has fought for good laws. It
secured the passage of a bill forbidding the sale of liquor or tobacco to anyone
under sixteen years of age. In 1893 a school suffrage bill championed by the W.
C. T. U. was vetoed by Governor Markham. The present officers of the local
branch are: Mrs. Laura Beal, president; Mrs. John G. Jury, vice-president; Miss
Mary Burkett, corresponding secretary; Mrs. George Worley, recording secretary;
Mrs. Addie L. Johns, treasurer.

  There was a strong temperance movement in San Jose in 1874, and many women,
afterwards members of the W. C. T. U., participated. The movement was started by
Alex P. Murgotten, who obtained the requisite number of signatures to a petition
asking the state legislature to pass a bill permitting a local option election
in California. Other counties having filed petitions, the necessary act was
passed March 18, 1874, which permitted every township or incorporated city in
the state to vote on the question of granting or not granting licenses to sell
intoxicating liquors. The supervisors of Santa Clara County issued the call on
the third of June of that year and the election took place on June 27. Murgotten
made a valiant fight to close the saloons, but he was without a strong
organization, while opposed to him were the organized, determined and desperate
band of saloonkeepers and winemakers. To aid his cause Sallie Hart came down
from San Francisco, gathered a number of temperance women about her and made
several speeches. One of the speakers hired by the saloonkeepers to bolster up
their fight against Murgotten and his supporter was Rev. J. L. Hatch, who had
succeeded Rev. Chas. G. Ames as minister of the Unity Congregation. Hatch was
foot-loose at the time and made quite a stir while following up the redoubtable
Sallie Hart. On election day there was intense excitement, for this was the
first local option election ever held in San Jose. Rough measures were employed
by adherents of the liquor-sellers and several attempts to mob the temperance
women were made. In one, Sallie Hart had a narrow escape, and in another Mrs. L.
J. Watkins and a number of her friends were subjected to harsh treatment. There
were many refreshment booths about town and it was afterwards asserted that
numbers of Murgotten's supporters, instead of getting into the thick of the
fight and doing their utmost to defeat the saloonkeepers, passed the greater
part of their time about the eating places. The result was that the temperance
people were beaten, the vote standing 1430 for license and 918 against license.

  Forty-one years elapsed before the temperance advocates made another attempt
through local option to close the saloons of San Jose During this time the
temperance cause had everywhere strengthened, and therefore with confidence the
issue was submitted for the second time to the voters on Tuesday, November 7,
1917. Now there was strong organization, newspaper support, unlimited funds and
a favorable public sentiment. The proposition submitted was not as drastic as
that of 1874- it meant the closing of the saloons, but permitted private
consumption in homes and the sale of wine and beer at restaurant and hotel
tables. A heavy vote was polled. 6,214 electors voting to close the saloons and
4,667 voting to keep them open as before. In January, 1919, the national
prohibition law went into effect.

Community Shop

  In the spring of 1921 the Community Shop was started for the purpose of giving
assistance to the poor and needy of San Jose by the sale of articles donated by
charitably disposed citizens. It is conducted in such a way that people in need
of clothing and other necessaries may buy at a small price to prevent the
feeling that they are objects of charity. The annual report, made in April,
1922, showed that during the year the receipts were $14,675.46. Disbursements:
Good Cheer Club, $2,541; Santa Clara Tuberculosis Association, $2,541; Day
Nursery, $640.25; Home of Benevolence, $640.25: Sisters of the Holy Family,
$423.50; Catholic Children's Aid, $847. Playgrounds, $265; Palo Alto
Convalescent Home, $415. Mrs. F. A. Nikirk is the president of the board of
directors, and the shop is located on San Fernando Street, between Second and
Third.

Fraternal Orders

  San Jose abounds in fraternal societies, and among the great number the
following may be mentioned: Free and Accepted Masons, including York Rite and
Scottish Rite; Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Red Men, Woodmen of the World,
Modern Woodmen, Order of Camels, Order of Amaranth, Grand Army of the Republic,
with women's auxiliaries, Woman's Relief Corps, Ladies of the G. A. R., Loyal
Workers; Junior Order of American Mechanics, Fraternal Aid Union, Order of Good
Fellows, Royal Neighbors, B. P. O. Elks, Order of Moose, Order of Eagles,
American Yeomen, Daughters of Isabella, Rebekah and Eastern Star, Fraternal
Brotherhood, Sons of St. George, Pythian Sisters. Knights of Pythias, Pyramid of
Sciots, Cheerful Workers, nine troops of Boy Scouts, Spanish-American War
Veterans, Knights of Columbus, Young Men's Institute, Young Ladies' Institute,
Ancient Order of Hibernians, Native Sons and Native Daughters of the Golden
West, Daughters of Veterans, Foresters of America, Ancient Order of Foresters,
Disabled American Veterans of the World War, Veterans of Foreign Wars, National
League for Women's Service.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY CALIFORNIA
WITH
Biographical Sketches
OF
The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been Identified With Its Growth
and Development From the Early Days to the Present

HISTORY BY
EUGENE T. SAWYER

ILLUSTRATED COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME

HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 
1922


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