Evening journal., 1890-07-14
RAYMOND BATH HOUSE.
JOB Il JAcKsoN's GENEROUS GIFT
OPENED TO THE PUBLIC.

| Company's Wharf-speeches of Hon.
o. b. Lore and Mayor Harrington.
The Swimming Exercises.
The first free bath house, which was
built by Job h. jackson, and by him pre-
sented to the Free Baths Association. was
opened on Saturday afternoon with ap.
propriate ceremonies at the wharf of the
Jackson and Sharp Company.
About 400 people had gathered to
witness the opening exercises and they
crowded the building and wharf, The
house was moored at the wharf at the
foot Of Seventh street and had very
pretty appearance. It's general plan and
outline has been fully published, but
scarcely any idea has been given of the
excellent appearance 1t presents
The colors In which the house had been
painted harmonized beautifully with the
dark color Of the water and the pictur-
esque surroundings.
On the top of the house a large ma
tional flag was placed and smaller ones
were also placed on the corners. In
front Of the entrance a flag pole bore a
long streamer containing the word Ray
mond In large blue letters. This Is out
Of consideration for Police Officer Ray
mond, to swhose work and energy the
building of the house and the formation
Of the Frse Baths Association is due.
Among the most interested spectators
at the opening were about 15O urcbips
who had patiently waited until the work
in the shipyard had been suspended for
the day so that they might be present
at the exercises, These frequently ex-
pressed themselves loudly as being
pleased by Mr.. Jacksons liberality.
The crowd was SO much greater than
was anticipated that officers were present
to preserve order and they had to allow
only adults to go inside the house at FIRST.
As the bath house was very low in the
water the gang plank was .slanted to
great degree, but fortunately there were
no accidents.
At 80 o'clock the people began to file
aboard and examine the house All the
arrangements were viewed and inspected
and criticised, but every one expressed
only satisfaction with the manner In
which the house had been built, pleasure
at Its splendid appointments, surprise at
its handsome appearance and gratitude
at the generosity of the donor.
At o'clock, as had been announced.
Mayor Harrington in response to re.
quest by Mr.. Jackson, told the assembled
people that it had been the original In
tention to hold the exercises on the
wharf, but as it was found that the house
would hold all present except the boys,
the ceremonies would be held inside, and
the boys could come In afterwards.
At the conclusion of Mayor Harrlng-
tons remarks the Hon Charles B. Lore
came upon the platform and presented
the bat h house on behalf of Mr. Jackson
to the Wilmington Free Baths Associa
tion.
Re said In part 'fThese exercises are
to be entirely informal, and suppose ia
commencing that ! should first dive in
and take a bath but Mr. Jackson has
already tried its efficacy as a cleaning
agent and can vouch for it. In the re-
spect Of free bath houses, the Turks and
Arabs have superior facilities to ours and
ere far ahead Of us in the number and
size Of them. We have very few houses
in the United States, and these are
mostly small but in Rome they have one
where 1880 persons can battle at once.
But we have start In this line, and ii
does credit to its donor and the Free
Baths Association.
The people Of this city have become
awakened TO the fact that we need
bath houses by the serious accident Oh
the Brandywine some time ago, by
which two children were drowned. Our
boys must battle, and they cannot 20 to |
the rivers as we did In our youth be- /
cause the city has grown greatly and the
rivers are dangerous. Therefore, the
bath house is a necessity, and this was
perfectly plain TO Mr.. jackson, and to
meet it he Immediately commenced work
and ultimately finished this commodious
building for their use. We all give
honor to him for 1t. In this house $50
people can bathe at one time with per
feet ease. The building does credit to
Its builder, to the Free Baths Associa-
ion and to the public of Wilmington.
But this bath house Is not only for
the use Of boys. 1t is also for the men
Ind women and girls Thursday is the
day which had been set apart for women,
out know that If they wish more. than
one day it will be speedily and heartily
granted. | am sure that Mr. jackson is
IF that class which believes in letting
women have first choice and letting the
AXE what is left.
Now all places like this must be
famed and we will now see what name
his is to bear. AS he spoke a man who
vas standing, elasping the flag pole.
suddenly tioated to the breeze a roll of
,unting which he held and which bore in
arge blue letters the name Raymond +"
This" said Mr. Lore, sis the name bv
which this bath house will be known
The name is familiar to those who are
Interested ia the plan to secure free
paths. 1t is the name Of Police officer
Raymond, the originator of the move
neKt to establish free baths, and we
lame the first bath house in his honor.
1e is not skyscraper. who is known TO ,
very one, but is policeman who has
worked eonscientiously. steadily and per
for the contamination OF this
,lan, and we are to day celebrating the ..
of his design.
Il am sure that it was Mrs Job II.
Jackson who first suggested that name,
nd now, in the name Of Job II. Jack
on, present this bath house to the
Free Baths Association for
he use and convenience Of the people oF I
The speaker, at the conclusion OF his [
emarks, was heartily and enthusiast {
ally spplauded, and 1t could be easily L
cen that the assemblage concurred with t
ir. Lore by the spontaneous and hearty Z
lanner In which the applause was :
iven. Z
Mayor Harrington had been selected ,
y the Free Baths Association 80 accept [
he gift on its behalf, and he did so in a i
eat speech entirely appropriate and be-
tting the occasion.
He said in part ."A fter what nv friend