Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-11-27


was completed and dedicated Jan. 1,
1894.
To Rock Island thus belonged
the credit of having been one of the
first cities in the middle west to pro-
vide her young men with building
exclusively for their own use. In
1894 there were but 300 association
buildings in the United States, with
a total valuation of $4,000, 900. Rock
Island had one of the best of all the
buildings in cities OF moderate size,
been felt in the lives of uncounted
men who have come under its inf1u-
ence.
Just as an illustration of the in
fuence that this association has eX-
erted in the community, may be mer-
toned the fact that one old-time mem
Der of the association has list which /.
he has kept for years, showing the
names Of young men who have been
helped to enter various lines of Chris |
tian work. This list shows that near
ly 25 young men, during the past 25 .
years, have gone from the member /
ship and influence of the Rock Island |
Y. NJ. c. A. into some form of active !
Christian service, either in Y. NJ. C. !
! A. work, or as ministers and social
workers
QUARTERS OUTGROwN.
Twenty-Five years passed from the
beginning of the first building move
ment, and then Rock Island awoke
to the realization of the fact that
/ her Young Mems Christian associa-
ton was housed in inadequate and
ou'-otdate quarters. No sooner was
/ this fact fully realized than steps
were taken TO meet the need. AS she
had been one OF the first to provide
building for the young men, SO she
stirred herself when the time came
TO make a new and better provision
for them, and not only to do as we'll
as other cities of her size, but to 90
far beyond what most of them have
done.
The campaign was of so recent date
that It's history need not be recount
ed. Two hundred of Rock Islands
strong men, brought together by their
common enthusiasm for this great
civic movement, threw themselves in
TO the fight with such effect that in
seven days of work, they had secured
; enough to assure Rock Island of the
best buildings In the state, outside of
Chicago.
CAMPAIGN SPECTACULAR.
The men who did this work were
led by II. E. Casteel, as general chair
man, who, with his two able lieuten-
ants. II. S. Cable, and J. H. Hauberg,
directed every move with consummate
skill. The campaign, remarkable
enough under any circumstances, was
made more spectacular by the success
attained while the city was in disor-
der, with soldiers patrolling the
streets, and with martial law in force.
1t all went to show what the people
of Rock Island are capable of doing
when they really try.
The first building was erected at
total cost of 10000, which was Civ
en- by sos subscribers. The new build
ing fund of s127,00O was subscribed
by 3,167 individuals. The first fund
was raised during a period extending
over nearly seven years. The new
building fund was secured in a cam
paign lasting seven days. The new
plant when completed and equipped
will represent an investment of not
less than S15O,O00. It will be one
of the 756 buildings owned and used
by the Young Mems Christian associa
tons in North America, which, alto
gether, represent an investment Of
$50, asa 900.
GET IDEAL SITE.
The building committee, who had
entire charge of the work of provid
ing this great institution for Rock Is
land, and who are now experimenting
the erection of the building, are as
follows: H. E. Casteel, H. S. Gable
S. S. Davis, L. S. McCabe, w. H
Marshall, c. Z. Sharpe, w. A. Rosen
] field and J. H. Hauberg. One of the
first official acts of this committee
after the money had been pledged
was to purchase a lot for the new
building site. They inspected a dozen
different lots that were offered, finally
settling upon the one at the corner
q of Fifth avenue and Twentieth street
Here they found what they consid
j cred to be the ideal location for the
y new building. There is a frontage OF
$50 feet on Twentieth street, by 49,
on Fifth avenue. thus giving room
! not only for a splendid building, but
4 for an outdoor playground as well.
4 c. D. McLane was chosen as the
q architect to prepare the plans for the
new building, and during the pas
summer he has worked faithfully al
4 his task OF Planning a building thai
will be adequate to the needs of this
s city.
The new building VIII be ore Of the
largest and finest specimens Of the
4 builders art to be found in the three
j cities OF fire proof construction
& standing four stories high, and cover
! ing ground area of 1900 feet, it viii
be a point Of pride to every citizen
i The exterior is to be plain but at