Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-09


known as the Bailey Davenport home
cad, located between Fifteenth and
Seventeenth streets and Seventh and
Eighth avenues
In a limited way educational classes
III electricity, mechanical drawing,
penmanship and music were started.
Practical talks on law. medicine, sci
ence and current topics and moral is
sues. suggested the educational work
/ fcI the new building
THIRD MOVEMENT BEGIsS.
The movement for the third home
/ began az gospel service held at Rey-
rolds in January, 1887, by some of the
az ISOLATION men Two little girls,
ATna Stewart and Libbie Schoon-
maker, were interested in pictures
shown of Y. NJ. c. a. buildings and
gave so cents each without any solicit
tation TO put up a new building in
Rock Island for young men. Later a
like amount was given by Louis Bow
nan. That $3.50 was the nucleus of
the fund which gave the association
it's present vacated property at Nine
teenth street and Third avenue and
interested over seven hundred con
tributors for the new and old projects.
SITE WAS FROG POND.
The lot chosen for the building was
a frog pond and an eyesOre to the
city. The purchase was unpopular IN
tie eyes of many. 1t was chosen
from % different sites.
The building committee was com
posed of Chairman A. NJ. Blakesley,
J Frank Robinson, Dr. j. ~. Stewart.
J. w. Welch, c. Z. Adams, 4. D.
Sperry, Frank Nader, G. NJ Looslev.
a. NJ Rruner, F. H. Kaupke and E.
b. McKown.
The lot was purchased in August of
1888, the corner stone was laid June
p, 1890. and the building completed
Jan. /, 1894 The lot, building ann
furnishings cost the association SAL
SAL.
HAS HARD STRUGGLE.
Changes in tie original plans and a
shrinkage of $500 in subscriptions left
the association a debt of $4,000, which
, finally grew to $4,000. For 10 years
the association struggled with inter.
, est charges until one morning a wo,
nan friend offered $1,000 if sufficient
, money were raised to clear the debt
, by Dec. 81. That condition was met
, at noon Dec. 81.
, Much credit is due General Secre
, tary X. c. Smedley the building com
. u'.ttee and the board of directors Tor
, their unselfsh and devoted efforts
towards the building of the new 'Y
When Mr.. Smedley came TO this city
three years ago he perceived that the
association building which had beer
found suitable two decades ago was
for behind the times now and that
what Rock Island needed was a new
institution. Mr.. Smedley devoted bis
uptiring efforts towards the project
- and after two years the awakening oC
- Cured. The business men and mem
bers realized that a new building wa;
needed and a canvass was at length
> launched.
Az organized force of 200 men wa!
put in the field and within seven day.
, the sum OF $4,000 had been secured
Tie new y. NJ. {. 4. will be an eXCep
= t;cnally fine structure throughout an,
. win be dedicated TO the manhood o
Rock Island and will meet the needs
: OF a growing population for years Z,
., come. II is expected 10 be completed
=, about oct. l, 1913.
|, ADDRESS by sHTMAKER
?. K A. Shumaker Of Chicago, stat
a. Y. NJ. {. A. secretary. was the speake
D Of the occasion and in a brief an
forceful address he commended III
q association highly for its persisten
: efforts which made possible the cree
ton Of what is 10 be one of the III
= esl institution buildings of its kind il
/ the middle west. The speaker con
| mented on the splendid cooperation G
i the business men and the association
| members in the work of the securin
| OF funds for the erection Of the ner
building The spirit displayed by III
L business men in the recent canvas
j for funds was fine" said Mr.. Shit
maker. which is an evidence tina
= they fully realize the worth and in
81 portance OF modern up-to-date Y \
II {. a. IN the city OF Rock Island
INFLUENCE FOR GOOD.
The speaker dwelt on the good il
fuence that the y. NJ. {. A. eXerts o
81 young men and boys. He told of
81 school for correction which he had T,
Gently visited in which were aboJ
n 500 young men Of all ages who WEI
81 iUcarcerated there for various misd
81 young men would not be confine
81 there today if they could have ha
+ the good influence exerted by the
d n c. A. guiding them in their ear
boyhoOd,' said MIR. Shumaker. TT