davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-29
Banner Year Was 1908

In an institutional way the most eventful year In the history Of
the Women's Christian association was that Of 1908. for during that
twelve months period the removal took place of the Old Peoples
ing in Kountze place. December s of that year the association cele-
brated its twentieth anniversary and the Inauguration of q period Of
larger benevolence by an elaborate program preceded by a luncheon
in the parlors Of the First Methodist Episcopal church. at which the
ministers OF the city and their wives were guests. The program in
cluded two interesting historical sketches of the associations work,
one by Mrs. Perine. for upwards of a decade the chairman Of the
home committee, as we'll as former president, and the other by Mn.
William Fleming, whose mother, the late Mrs. W. V. DooItue, had
been the beloved second president of the association.
This was a significant annual meeting, too, because during the
preceding year the articles of Incorporation had been SO amended
as to admit men s we'll as women. and the name accordingly changed
from The Old Ladies' Home" to The Old Peoples Home"
whose record for public usefulness in Omaha is upexceIled. On Mrs.
George Tlden has rested through these years most OF the work of
the financing of the association, aside from active labors on her part
In active benevolent direction, and to her goes much of the credit for
the present large size and efficiency of the work. Likewise active for
five and twenty years in the association is the first vice president,
Mrs. G. W. Clark. Mrs. s. r. Wilcox is now second vice president,
and the other officers re as follows:
Recording Secretary-Mrs. John w. Gill.
Corresponding Seeretary-Mndred Merriam.
Treasurer-Mr. Clinton Miller.
T~rustees-Mesdam F. H. Cole. Edward johnson, Cadet Taylor,
A. X. Gault. w. B. Taylor, Charles Van Court, Jeff W. Bedford, C.
NJ. Fowler, Andrew Traynor, j.. J. McLain, NJ. A Elliott. L. l. Bolts,
L. o. Conner and P. L. Perine.
Any and all of these good women can tell the inquirer some
interesting events which have come within their experience in beneyo-
lent work Like all other organized charity workers of recent years
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-29

they have had to exercise care lest kindness be
imposed upon and care lest those capable Of self
support too willingly permit themselves to be
pauperiZed. They have heard untrue tales
which are pathetic enough in recital to wiring
tears from a statue of Iago and have been the
targets at which the shafts OF the most elaborate
deceit have been aimed. They have seen those
too proud to receive aid which circumstances
necessitated that they should receive and have
seen pain at the suffering of chick and child to
humble the haughtiest spirit.
They have discovered what every charity
worker finds; That aims are sometimes given
out of all proportion to income; that those in
pinehed circumstances are occasionally the most
liberal of purse, but they have also learned that
the reverse is far from an invariable habit and
that some of the biggest-hearted. most free
handed men and women in Omaha are of its
wealthiest citizens.
Charitable workers come and go. As the
years elapse the names OF thoze now most active
will perforee vanish from the roll OF members
OF the Women's Christian association. But IL
must be a source OF pleasure to those now
prosecuting a good work. and a great work, that
the fruit Of their labors will not perish with
them; that an institution like this will not die
and that in time far to come the work will be
carried on as zealously and a. effectively - q
In this year Of grace 1904
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-29

have paid or had paid by relatives and friends
a life fee when the old man or old woman
In question became a resident there. The
first factor is more important than would appear
at first sight. because to even more than ordi-
nary perscns does the nature Of their physical
environment, the furniture. carpets and pictures,
anect these who pass practically every hour OF
their lives within the four walls OF q single
building. To such the differences between q
CHEEKY room and a drab surrounding is Of prime
consideration. for they are by reason of age una
BILE to escape. The youth. male or female, con-
strained to sleep In a hall bed room need not
spend all his time there. Bright and cheerful
theaters and cafes or hospitable Young Mems
or Young womens Christian associations hold
open the door for him or her OF an evening, but
for the aged and inhrm these attractions might
as well not exist at all.
One need not emphasize the fact that kindlt-
ness and consideration from those in charge Of
an institution are vital factors in the equation
OF the happiness Of those living under their dis
pensation. Sufice It to say that at the Old Peo-
pies home this consideration and kindiiness 10
metsd out to all alike. whether the old man or
woman be appreciatiVe or not, and whether or
l not he or she IL an easy person to care for.
The third reason cited IL also worthy OF notA
tfhoss who have been able to pay this $500
life tss nay Justly feel that they are not
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-29
How a Great Charity Has Been Built Up and Sustained by the

- TWENTY-FIVE years come Friday, December A. the first r.
ganized charity in Omaha came into being and n the sixth
day of the present week. that charity, the Womens Chris
tRn association, will celebrate its silver jubilee. The his
tory of this institution, its memories of days and events
passed. re dearest to the members OF the association, and partcu-
larry 81 to the women who have with abiding zeal and enthusiasm
worked for al. this quarter century; but because they have worked so
long, so hard and so successfully, the story of their labor and achieve
ment belongs in a measure to the city of Omaha, and in their success
all its citizens may and do feel proud.
A tale OF long continued, we'll directed benevolence is a pleasant
thing to hear, a pleasure to recount. None but he in whom the milk
of human kindHness has soured completely, he in whom there is
no more mercy than milk in a male tiger" can feel otherwise than
glad when he comes to think of the we'll nigh countless deeds of
ministry and mercy which have come to pass in twenty-five years of
human life, OF human suffering and misery. Particularly to those
whose daily routine bring them in frequent contact with the seamy
side, with thieves and hop" or coke" fends. with "sickup" men
or shopliters, with all the men and women who have made shipwreck
Of their lives, to one who sees overmuch OF this phase of human
caIon gives new zest and inspiration to the reading of the book of
life.
1t was in the parlors of the First Methodist Episcopal church
that "a great work had, like most great works, its seemingly small
beginning. AS the fifth annual report of the association says in e
counting the history of the chartys inception, there was little but
zeal with which to begin: AT our first meeting one woman promised
to give IS with which to pay the rent Of three rooms in the city hall
building. With this small amount of money, but with a larger
amount OF faith, re commenced our work in this apology for a home.
Efficient committees we're appointed in every ward in the city, and
all cases OF need were thoroughly investigated before help was given.
The dispensing Of public charities has been from the beginning a
prominent feature of our work-there being then no organized
charity in the city. However. since the organization of the Bureau
of Charities last winter qsSs), the work of the relief department
has been dropped in a measure, although that work will ever remain
prominent in the labors of the association"
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-29

you think soT" she appealed to her caller. That person agreed with
ease being a Hawkeye-born. Mrs. Scott. also born across the river.
proved more loyal to Nebraska, however, and protested Indignantly
In behalf Of the state of her adoption. "Iowas all right" said she.
but 1t is not any better-not so good, in fsct-as Nebraska"
Mrs. Parkers life reaches back over all the important periods in
American history after the revolutionary war, for the echoes of the
war OF 1912 had hardly died away when she was a child. She wal
a slip OF a girl when John Quincy Adams sat in the White House and
20 years of age when Andrew Jackson caused the first panic which
the United States had known. She was a grown woman, q wife and
mother of several children when the Mexican war came in 1SIS. BY
1884, when she removed from Ohio to Iowa, the slavery question was
the great and burning issue and Charlton, near her home. was q
depot for the great underground railway" the secret relay system
by which escaped slaves were helped to Canada and freedom. In the
state in which she is probably to end her days, and In Kansas, the
question was beginning to be agiated as to whether they should
come into the union free or slave and bands of Mhssourians for the
for their conviction.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-29
Comparison Of Events

When the fall OF Sumter electrified the north, Mrs. Parker was
81, a score of years older than the average longevity. The civil war
is now fortythree years past and Mrs. Parker is haler and heartIer
than the average man or woman of SO years. August II last her
92d birthday was celebrated at the Old Peoples home with elaborate
ceremony. Prediction is a vain thing and prophecy a snare and .
deluston, but 1t may safely be said that there seems every likelihood
that Mrs. Parker will for quite a number of years to come continue
to cheer the home with her bright mind and youthful spirit
She may indeed live to see the Old Peoples home established
in a building better suited to its needs. The present home is a good
one in many ways, but it is four stories, counting a basement, and
the stairs arc a trial to stiff and elderly knee hinges. An elevator
is an impossibnity because of the construction of the building and
would be a considerable expense besides. Some day or other there
will he hnilt a large twostory building and then the Old Peoples
home will be ideally located, provided that considerable ground sur
situation.
interesting. not only because of the fact that It reaches back to a by
gone portion of Omaha history, but many wellknown names are
there inscribed. The life membership in 1889, five years after the
beginning of the work, included Mesdames Guy c. Barton, Virgil q.
Bogue, Samuel Brown, H. C. Cady, r. H. Clarkson. Frank Colpetzer,
Thomas Creigh, o. F. Davis, NJ. A Detwiler, P. H. Himebaugh, N.
Merriam, ]. H. Willard, Ezra Willard, ". v. Morse. c. oskamp, A. J.
Poppleton, e. H. Sherwood. E. L. Stone, A. F. Wood. Clark Wood
man and Mrs. James Woolworth.
Mrs. Byron Reed and Mrs. John NJ. Thurston, first wife of the
ship list was a 8 follows: Mesdames p. H. Allen. W. N. Babcock,
L. L. Boltz, R. p. Bosworth, D. J. Collins, A. Carlisle, H. M. Clayton,
George Darrow, S. ]. Ferris. c. !. Fisher, william Fleming, Charles
Gardner. T. S. Grgor, w. Hanchett, ]. A. Hatnes. James A. Haynes.
L. S. Halter, John L. Heth, R. D. Hills. A P. Hopkins, Philip Igoe.
J. B. Jardine, George A. Joslyn, George A Joplin, F. B. Johnson, l.
B. Knight, George Little, Horace Lexington, George l. Lyman, J. J.
McLain, J. H. Miller, Thomas McCague. James H. Mcconnell. r. L.
nolds, J. A. Robinson, A S. stiger. C. E. silsbee, A B. somers. R.
NJ. Stone, w. B. Taylor, Cadet Taylor, George Tnden, 8. r. Towne.
John NJ. Thurston, H. Van Geisen, W. J. Welshans, James WoolWorth.
E. B. Wood and Wilbur.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-29
Difficulty skiIlfully Avoided

This difficulty. peculiar to such institutions as the Old Peoples
hor e. has been sknlfuIly avoided in this almost single instance.
Paltl this has been accomplished through the plain, but not homely
nor severe furnishing OF the home; partly through the spirit in which
Mrs. Scott. the matron, and the executive board conduct the insttu-
tor: nartly through the fact that many Of the members of the home
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-29

face retorted Mrs. Parker with spirit, and the other left abashed.
Mrs. Parker first saw the light of day in -- county,
near New Albany, n. Y. She was born in 1917. when James Monroe
was president and the era o. good feeling" was on. 1t is not likely
that this fact has anything to dc with the sunniness of her disposi-
ton, but it may be said that she has remained true to the good omen
of heB birth time all her life.
The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1908-12-14
FOLDING BED IS
CLOSED ON MAN
LIKE JACK-KN.FE
Neighbors Rescue Dawson and
an Ambulance Surgeon
Dresses His Wounds.

When Philip Dawson, OF No. 1877 East
One Hundred and Twenty seventh
street. left the East one Hundred and
Tw' nty- sixth street station, where he
had had a scalp wound dressed early
this morning, lie vowed that his first
work would be to lose his fodl I; bed.
Dawson has. or rather did have, q
large folding bed In his room. 1t was.
as he expressed II. one OF those large
patented affairs which works on a hair
trigger" Dawson didn't sleep we'll last
night and woke out of troublesome
slumber convinced that there was some
thing wrong with the bed, lie cot out,
tried TO rearrange the covering and
then crewled back again.
But there was still something wrong
So he stood up on the bed and trod
around. AS he stepped toward tho head
he broke the equilibrium and the bed
shut up like a jacknife. Dawson was
caught and held as II in a wise.
Half-blinded by blood which trlckled
from a scalp wound, he shouted for
help. Other tenants ran TO his room,
and It was good five minutes before
they could pry him loose from the bed.
Dawson was bleeding profusely from
the liberation on his forehead where
the OthOard had struck him, and he
donned his clothes ana went 20 the East
one Hundred and Twenty sixth street
station, with his head wrapped in a
large Turkish towel There DR.. BEN
nett. Of the Harlem Hospital, dressed
his wound
The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1908-12-14
KELSEY GETS OUT
TO TAKE ANOTHER
STATE OFFICE
Superintendent of Insurance to
Be the New Deputy
Comptroller.

ALBANY, Dec. H.-Superintendent Of
Insurance Otto Kelsey. whom Gov.
Hughes has twice attempted to Dust
from Office, has decided to resign that
place on Jan. l, and accept the position
of deputy to the New York State Comp
troller. Charles II. Gaus. Kelsey's terri
as Superintendent OF Insurance would
have expired on Feb. II. His with
drawal terminates a two years fight Of
the reform forces. led by the Governor,
TO rid the department OF Kelsey. who
was charged with gross inetficiency. The
Senate. however. both in 1907 and 1905
when Kelsey's removal was demanded,
refused to grant the Governors request
and kept Kelsey in office.
Gov. Hughes, IT is believed. will APP
point Matthew c. Fleming. one OF the
Inquisltors OF the insurance investga-
lion, to succeed Kelsey. Mr.. Fleming
was the special commissioner who in
vesugated Kelsey in 1907. and whose
report furnished the basis for a second
demand for lis removal.
The appointment of Kelsey as Deputy
Comptroller. which pays $500 a year.
was secured by Boss" Barnes. Of AL
bany County, and is regarded as a slap
at the Governor by the organization
leaders, such as Woodruff Barnes and
Hendricks. all OF whom stood back of
kelsey in his fisht TO remain in office,
In letter asking Kelsey to accept
the deputyship, Comptroler-elec Gaus
says: There Is no man In the State OF
New York upon whom | could rely In
that responsible office with more perfect
security than yourself, and ] sincerely
hope that you will lay aside whatever
personal Discrimination you may have
and In the interest OF the public service
accept this tender as a favor to me and
to the State"
In his reply accepting the position
Kelsey says: Il deeply appreciate the
confidence yotr express In mo In tender
ing the appointment OF Deputy Comp
troller OF the State. l Will accept the
position. Recognizing the honor and re-
sponsibility conferred by an invitation
to share In your administration of this
great State department. II will be my
effort to aid you in making It successful
and worthy of the Just expectations OF
the public"
Kelsey was appointed Comptroller by
Gov. Odell to succeed Comptroller Miller.
who resigned. He was then elected for
a full term, but resigned to accept an
appointment by Gov. Higgins to the
office of Superintendent OF Insurance.
succeeding Francis Hendricks
The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1908-12-14
FRITZ. SCHEFF'S
F|AKCE WILL NOT
DENY MI .RRIAGE
Novelist Fox Only Threatens
She Won't Sing if Story
Is Published.

Madame ees not married. She ees
asleep! Non non, will not wake her
to ask her II she ees married"
Thus FRITZ Schef's excited French
porter for The Evening World investl-
eating report this morning that the
prima donna and John Fox. jr., the
Kentucky novelist. had been the princi-
pals In very quiet. almost impromptu
Gretna Green affair
Despite the denial of the maid and the
dense fog OF ignorance regarding the
story around the offices Of Charles b.
Dillingham;. under whose management
Nine, Scher is now playing. 1t has come
to be generally believed In theatrical
circles and among many OF the couples
closest friends that there has been
wedding.
The ceremony Is said 10 have been
performed some days ago at the coun-
, try home OF Rector X. Fox, the pub
Usher and brother OF the writer. This
home Is Seven Spring Farm. near
Mount Kisco, and both the brothers are
now there.
John Fox jr. was much flustered when
he was told the story was out.
Il don't want to say anything about
it," he said II don't want anything
published about It, 1t isn't anybodys
bushes but ours. and II the story is
printed. III tell you this-Miss Scheit
will not appear for Two nights In The
TRINA Donna. "
The engagement of the prima donna
and the novelist was announced some
months ago and while no definite date
was set II was understood that they
were TO be married early this month
Nine, Scheff secured a divorce less thai
year ago from the Baron Won Bardele .
hen, who was a lieutenant I'm the der
man army, and not long after the de-
cree was granted she admitted that Mir
Fox wac her nance.
FRITZ Sche1 deserted the Metro
politan Opera about five years ago ana
since then has had very successful
career In comic opera. Most OF her PLAYS
have been written for her by Victor
Herbert and Henry NJ. Blossom.
Mr. Fox is one OF the most successful
OF young American novelists lie has
done much magazine work and was one
OF the war correspondents who didn't
get near the war In the recent Russian
Japanese unpleasantness, His long
novels, such as The Little shepherd
OF Kingdom Come" and The Trail OF
the Lonssomss Pine are among the
The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1908-12-14
CROWD CHEERS
WOMAN AS SHE
HOLDS A THIEF
Mrs. Levy Seizes Nan Who
Robbed Her While Posing
as Gas Inspector.

Joseph Levy, eighteen years old, bore
the marks of Mrs, Amelia Levy's finger
nails on his face when he was arraigned
to-day before Magistrate Walsh in the
Norrisan!a Police Court, charged with
mpcrsonatiug a gas meter inspector and
stealing money ana jewelry.
Levy got the scratches In n tusse last
ni6ht with Mrs. Levy, who puunced on
him AZ he was crossing Lexington ave-
nue. al one Hundred and Eleventh
street, She held him until u policeman
appeared, The struggling couple was
surrounded by "A bowling corwd
Mrs, Levy lives at No. 4Gl East One
Hundred and Thrty-nfth street, and
she says that on Dec. 3 the young man
called there pretending TO be an lnspec-
tor for the gas company. He sent her
into a front room and told her 10 turn
on the gas while he inspected the meter
She says that when she looked for him
he had disappeared and with him her
purse. witch contained $40. and about Sl5C
worth of jewelry.
Mrs, Levy reported the theft to the
police. but heard nothing until last
night when she met the young man,
after she had been visiting friends In
Lexington avenue, Levy says ne Is a
photographer and that he lives at No,
N1 East one Hundred and Ninth street.
Detective Wagner told Magistrate Walsh
that LEWIS picture is In the Rogues
Gallery and that he 10 now on parole
from Elmlra.
The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1908-12-14
FERRY SHUT DE- WIN
u. "HOLD-UP,"
DECLARES METZ
Comptroller Says Williams
burg Co, Wants to Sand
bag" the City.

The abrupt closing down to-day OF the
five important ferry lines from Will
iamsburg to New York operated by the
New York Terminal Company. was
characterized by Comptroller Metz as a
bold attempt at sandbagglng the city
into paying 100000 for the seventeen
aged boats and equipment of the com
pany,
According TO Mr.. Metz, Daniel
Cohn'on appeared as counsel for the
ferry companies at a hearing before
the Board OF Estimate recently and
boldly declared that the company
would discontinue operation OF the lines
unless the city consented TO finance the
operation OF the ferries At the last
seslon OF the Legislature bin was
passed giving the city the right TO ac-
quire ana operate the East River lines.
II was soon after this that the New
York Tomna Company notified the
city of It's determination 10 quit A
mandamus Sc urei some weeks ago
from Justice Blaekmar In BroOk.yn
compelling The city 10 keep open the
ferries as public highway" was also,
It Is claimed used ns club by the
company n its hgm with the c!B.
Immediately after the down legal
action was taken hy both the city and
the ferry company
Tho Sew York Terminal Company ap-
pgIgrd tmough counsel before Justice
The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1908-12-14
Hansen, in Department a Few
Weeks, Always Wanted to
Distinguish Himself.
SKULL WAS FRACTURED
Man Plunged Through "Well'
of Fire-Escape Found Dying
on Pavement of Yard.

young fireman who had only been
doing duty few weeks was killed this
afternoon at a small! fire in an apart
ment-house al No. 7ls Hancock street
Brooklyn.
Henry Hansen. the man who died at
his duty, had often told his mates OF
Hook and Ladder Company No. q that
he wanted to do something to distin-
guish himself.
1T would be nice for the wife and
children to read about" Hansen used
TO say.
When the call came in from the apart
ment house this afternoon Hansen and
his fellow firemen piled on the wagon
and were hurried to the scene of the
blaze. When they got there smoke was
pouring from the windows of the apart
ment on the first floor occupied by Mrs
William Jacobs. Mrs. Jacobs, a minute
earlier. had opened her dumbwa alter
shaft and been met by burst OF smoke
and flame from the cellar. She at once
ran out and asked a passer-by to turn
in an alarm.
voman's cry "ame from the second
floor. Hansen ran through the hallway,
and as the stu'rways were burning. got
though a wintuU 10 climb up the re ,r
iir escape. In his txciterent Mt max
nK LIS first ROWE the young ireltn
'"G,t the opealn~ IN The rs -. a, :.
he 'unged through to the IL eyed yard
h"jhw. In tho mean time Mrs. A. l..
Smith, the woman who screamed, had
escaped by the roof
His fellows saw Hansen lying In the
yard and some of them went down there
He was bleeding from the nose and
mouth and was unconscious.
DR.. II. G. Wills OF No. 2i9 Jefferson
avenue, and DIR. Davis happened to be
passing the house In an automobile at
the time, One of the firemen recognized
them as physicians.
Say. doc he gasped out. come in
here a minute. will you? There's a fell
low badly nurt"
DR.. Wills FASTENED In and bent over
Hansen.
Il can do nothing for him." he said;
his skull is fractured"
Hansen died a few minutes later as
they were lifting him into an ambulance
from the Bushwick Hospital, The lieu
tenant OF the company sent man
around to break the news to Hansens
wife and two children, who live at No.
11S5 Putnam avenue.
The fire was extinguished with a loss
of $1,000. The tenants all escaped by the
roof to an adjoining house The cause
of the blaze has not been discovered.