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- Description:
- This writing paper was from the personal stationery of Florence Smith Stoddard who was a member of the Board of Managers of the Young Women's Christian Association. The paper has a watermark that shows a crown emblem and the words, "Royal Court Bond." It is slightly yellowed and the sender's initials, "FSS," are printed in a decorative blue monogram design at the top of the folded paper. The 3-page letter was handwritten in black ink and the text has been transcribed as follows: "30 East High Street Honorable William C. Maybury Dear Sir I take the liberty of unclosing you the Year Book of the Young Women's Christian Association, with the request that it be filed with other papers in the City Hall at the close of the present century. The work needs no introduction to you, but I will simply add this bit of information, that the growth of this organization has been phenomenal, it is nearly self supporting - and we have every reason to believe that in a short time a new building will be erected that will grace our city for many years to come. The work is a noble one indeed, that of elevating young women, preparing them for about any line of work and is a Christian organization. The International Association of which we are a branch has representation in nearly every country in the world. There is also an Association in nearly every Woman's College in the United States. Thanking you in advance for your courtesy I am cordially yours Florence [Florine?] Smith Stoddard (Mrs. Edward N. Stoddard) December thirtieth nineteen hundred"
- Date Issued:
- 1900-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
32. This 2-page letter was handwritten in black ink on slightly yellowed paper by William C. Houghton
- Description:
- This 2-page letter was handwritten in black ink on slightly yellowed paper by William C. Houghton who was an alderman from the eighth ward of the city. The paper is printed with light blue lines and shows the letterhead of the Common Council, City of Detroit at the top. It also has the watermark, "Old Berkshire Mills." The verso shows the names and addresses of Common Council members and members of the various Council committees. The text of the letter has been transcribed as follows: "Dec. 31st 1900 To the relatives of Wm. C. Houghton who are left in Detroit in the year 2001. At this date I am living at 241 Avery Ave. I was married to Lou. [Louise] H. Echlin of Buxton Ont on Sept 10th 1879. We have four children: Irene Clara aged 19 years Charles William " 16 " Harold Wesley " 13 " Edna Catherine " 7 " My age is 45 years and four months. My wife's age is 42 years on the 10 of Jan 1901. My father is living also. My mother who was Elizabeth Keel of Greenfield. My father came from England in 1835. I have three brothers Walter C., John W. and George, and two [no?] sisters. Yours, Wm. C. Houghton"
- Date Issued:
- 1900-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
33. This 3-page letter was typewritten in black text on slightly yellowed paper by Armond H. Griffith
- Description:
- This 3-page letter was typewritten in black text on slightly yellowed paper by Armond H. Griffith who was the Director of the Detroit Museum of Art. The first page shows the letterhead of the Detroit Museum of Art and is dated "December 31st, 1900." The page also has a partially readable watermark, "West---ock." The second two pages are of a larger size and show the watermark, "Riverside Paper Company." The body of the letter gives some description of the museum, attendance by the public, and mentions the names of various local artists. All three pages have several corrections that have been handwritten in black ink and the last page is signed in black ink by the director, "A. H. Griffith."
- Date Issued:
- 1900-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
- Description:
- This 1-page letter was handwritten in black ink on slightly yellowed paper by the Commissioners of the Metropolitan Police Commission. The letterhead of the Commission is printed in black ink across the top of the page which also has the watermark, "Calvert Bond." The text of the letter has been transcribed as follows: "Dec. 31st 1900 To the Honorable Mayor and Common Council of the City of Detroit for the year 2001 Greeting, While the Mayor of the City of Detroit, William C. Maybury, Police Commissioners of Detroit, George W. Fowle, Ralph Phelps, Jr., Marvin M. Stanton, Homer Warren, and J. Edward Dupont, Secretary, together with Captain D. B. Hogsdon (one of the heroes of the battle of Manila, who was in command of the ship, 'McCulloch,' at Manila) were at lunch in what is known as the 'Russell House Cafe' situated at the southeast corner of Woodward Avenue and Cadillac Square, at 2 o'clock P.M. December 31st 1900, they prophesied as follows: That the business center of Detroit will be at what is now known as 'The Grand Circus Park.' Mayor Maybury and Commissioner Stanton prophesied that Detroit will have a population of 1,500,000 and Commissioners Phelps and Fowle prophesied that the population will be 2,500,000 and all agreed that Canada would be annexed and become a part of the United States and that Detroit would be known as 'Greater Detroit.' The Mayor William C. Maybury proposed the toast: "The health and prosperity of the Mayor and the Citizens of Detroit of the 21st Century.' the toast was pledged with 'High Balls' which consisted of a fluid composed of what is known as whisky and a fluid known as water, the latter but little used except for bathing purposes and navigation; a little ice being added to make the High ball a trifle more palatable. Very courteously and respectfully yours, W. C. Maybury Geo. W. Fowle Ralph Phelps, Jr. Marvin M. Stanton J. Edward Dupont D. B. Hodgsdon"
- Date Issued:
- 1900-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
- Description:
- This 12-page letter was handwritten in black ink by Mrs. Sidney Trowbridge Miller on her personal stationery. Her address, "524 Jefferson Avenue," is printed in blue text near the upper right corner of each page. The text of the letter has been transcribed as follows: December thirty first, 1901 [1900] A travelled Englishman, writing in the London Spectator about three years ago, said that the most exclusive society that he found anywhere was in the large American cities outside of New York and Chicago. He gave as the reason for this that the leading social circles in the 'old mold' were kept together principally by cohesion, while in these American towns it was pressure from without their line that solidified them. In example, [if] a man pleads of bribes his way into society in this country, he usually attempts to force it. The latter method gives rise to resistance and hence exclusion. Be the reasoning true of false, it certainly is true that the leading social circle in Detroit is today, and has been for decades, hard to get into. It is possibly more true here than in most cities of this part of the country. The early leaders of society here, say from seventy five to a hundred years ago, were the families of French civil officials and army officers who had settled here, together with a few English and Scotch officers, and younger sons with their families, supplemented by the representatives of the American government as they were selected, and the American officers from the Fort. Withal it was a refined collection, which rated good breeding higher than wealth. It left its indelible stamp on the society of the town, and each successive generation has it impress, so that today the tone of society is good and the atmosphere has a sweeter fragrance than in many places more noted. It is of course a fact that there have been great changes in the personnel. The names of Godfroy, Beaubien, St. Aubin, Desnoyer, Van Dyke, and Campau of the French have many of them passed away from the social calendar, their descendants having intermarried with other stocks. And the same is true of some of the earlier Americans here, but the Brushes, Biddles, Sibleys, Stantons, Jones[es], Ledyards, and Trowbridges still have prominent representatives in society, and they are there not because of wealth. For most of them are not among the rich, but because of the conservatism already described. The days when the only carriages in Detroit were owned by General Cass and the Trowbridges are sixty years away; now the having of fine horses and handsome trappings is beyond description. To the older circle have been added families like the Lothrops, Millers, [?], Joys, Russels, Douglas' and others who have some from different places within the last sixty year, and have attained distinction in professional life. To them might be added the descendants of some gallant Irish gentlemen like the Georges and Lysters who have been welcomed long since. The descendants of these families are the arbiters of form today, and with them, the most prominent additions within the last years are perhaps the Miller, Newberry, Alger, Walker, and Palms families whose social power comes largely from business ability and great wealth, but who are cultivated and refined as well. So much for the leaders. The others are too numerous to mention, and the beautiful women and charming young men of their families with those of the older stocks already named suffice to make Detroit known through the country as a recognized social circle. Jefferson Avenue is par excellence the fashionable street of Detroit. There is a growing tendency toward the building of handsome homes far up the street in the neighborhood of Van Dyke and Seminole Avenues away from the dirt and noise of the factories and trains on the back streets, but the little portion of the Avenue between Hastings Street and St. Aubin Avenue is still the most highly prized and contains the very power of Detroit society. Woodward Avenue, the most beautiful of all the streets, has a distinct society of its own; although many of its residents and the residents of the innumerable pretty side streets that run from it are members of the more aristocratic Jefferson Avenue set. Fort Street and Lafayette Avenue which until recently have been popular residence streets, are now rapidly being deserted and left to the mercy of tailors, factories, and railroads. Social life here today is much as everywhere else in the civilized world. The forms of amusement are in Winter, the theatres, balls, receptions, afternoon teas, dinners, and card parties. for theatrical amusement there are three playhouses. The best of these is the Detroit Opera House on the Campus Martius where almost all of the best actors from New York and from abroad are seen during their times. It seats about two thousand and is gorgeous in internal coloring - too much probably for the taste of most. Here on gala occasions, all of the socialites are gathered. A theatre party of ten or twelve is a familiar mode of entertainment and on first nights, many are found. After the performance, such a party sups at the home of the hostess or perhaps at the Detroit Club or the Russell House Cafe. The other theatres are the Lyceum and Whitneys which are not so expensive and appeal more to the popular taste for sensation or extravaganza. The balls are seldom given in private homes nowadays as the list of eligibles is so long that few homes are large enough for this form of entertainment. They are usually given in public halls engaged for the purpose by the host. Of these, Strassburg Hall on Adams Avenue, Harmonie Hall on Wilcox Street, and the armories of the Light Infantry Guard on Congress Street and Larned Street are most in vogue. These halls are elaborately decorated by professional decorators and florists - the adornment sometimes costing several thousand dollars. Dances usually commence about half past nine and last until the wee hours! An incident, but not a feature is the supper - across the boundary in Canada it is the feature. There it consists of different salads, oysters, croquettes, frequently quail, ices, coffee and punch, and sometimes champagne. All prepared by a caterer - usually one who rejoices in the name of A. Hain. In Summer, the Country Club at Grosse Pointe to which a trolley line runs, is the haunt of the fashionables, here golf and steam yachting claim most of the habitants, though many ride and drive, and the automobile has just been introduced, a new diversion is offered. Various clubs of a literary and musical nature improve the taste, and add to the acquirements of the members. They are too many to mention and are very popular. Whist is the fashionable card game - bridge whist being the craze of this season. Taking it all in all, the society of Detroit today is attractive in the extreme and you will find many tributes to it if you read the letters or writings of visitors from other places. To say more might seem self laudatory, but I can only add that I hope the readers of this a hundred years hence will be as beautiful and charming and fine as my dear friends in its present social life. Lucy Trowbridge Miller"
- Date Issued:
- 1900-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
- Description:
- This 4-page letter was handwritten in black ink on slightly yellowed paper by lawyer, D. Augustus Straker. The paper has the watermark, "Riverside Paper Company." The text of the letter has been transcribed as follows: "December 31, 1900 Detroit, Michigan To the Hon. William Maybury Mayor of the City of Detroit, Mich. "The past, present, and future of the colored race in Detroit." Sir, none who have lived the allotted time of human life within the confines of our beautiful city can fail to notice the changes, and events which have marked the 19th century, and especially so as relates, to the colored race of people, living and who have lived in Detroit. The 19th century found the colored people of Detroit a race of slaves although slavery is not known ever to have had a foot hold here. The incoming of the 20th century finds every man, and woman, and child of the colored race enjoying complete freedom under the law. The 19th century found the colored race in Detroit ignorant, uneducated, poor, and unenlightened, save with few exceptions. The 20th century dawns upon us with every school door in the City of Detroit wide open, welcoming within its walls every colored as well as white child of our common citizenship, and from whose precincts have come educated and well equipped colored men and women who have filled high honor and trust. The 19th century found laws upon the statute books of our state which deprived the colored man and woman of employment of every civil, and social privilege participated in by our white fellow citizens. The 20th century finds the colored citizens of Detroit in the employment and right to go and enter every public place established for public accommodation. the 19th century found the colored race poor and in many instances homeless, because of the low wages and restricted opportunity to labor and receive adequate wages. The 20th century finds a large percent of the colored race in Detroit the owner of their residences. In the past, enough was not earned for any part to be saved. On the incoming of the 20th century a large number of our colored citizens are depositors in our savings banks and some carry a fair commercial account in the transactions of their business. The moral status of the colored race in Detroit with the advantages afforded compare most favorably with that of any other race of people similarly situated. No laws discriminate between the races on account of color. These achievement have been brought about by the pioneer energy of such veterans among the colored race as William Lambert, Ben De Baptiste, John Richards, George Parker, and others. And now as to the future of the colored race in Detroit. If we should augur from the past and present, we have the brightest expectation for the future. Two elements must enter into the future progress of the race. One by the white race and the other by the colored themselves. This element is equal opportunity. This and this only remains to test the true development of the race. In the past this was wholly desired by the colored race, in the present it is but partially employed. We look to the future for its completion. We ourselves must be ready for the wider opportunity to come. May one hundred years hence find us in the full enjoyment of those rights and privileges which prejudice now deny us. A prejudice does now exist on the fringe of the 20th century. I predict that the sunlight of a more perfect understanding of man will drive out the demon prejudice and when the 21st century arrives he will find no resting place in the beautiful city of the straits. D. Augustus Straker"
- Date Issued:
- 1900-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
37. This 1-page letter was handwritten in black ink on slightly yellowed paper by Edward F. Marschner
- Description:
- This 1-page letter was handwritten in black ink on slightly yellowed paper by Edward F. Marschner who was the president of the Detroit Board of Education. The paper is printed with light red lines and shows the letterhead of the Board of Education of the City of Detroit as well as the names of officers. It also has the watermark, "English Bond." The text of the letter has been transcribed as follows: "Detroit, Mich. December 31st 1900 I was born in the City of Detroit, at the northeast corner of Lafayette and Dequindre Streets April 16th 1857. Was married at Milwaukee, Wis. in 1880 to Miss Emelia Mayer who was born in New York City February 2nd 1862. We have three children: Edward P. Marschner - 19 years. Lillie F. Marschner - 18 years. Armin O. Marschner - 14 years I entered an apprenticeship to learn the trade of Lithographic Engraving with the Calvert Lithograph Company February 29th 1872 - have been employed with that firm since that date and am now a foreman of the Engraving Department. Ed. F. Marschner."
- Date Issued:
- 1900-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
- Description:
- This 8-page letter was handwritten in black ink on slightly yellowed paper by Edwin W. Abbott who was the owner of a real estate and insurance company. The paper shows the company letterhead across the top of the page and also has a watermark that shows an image of a swan along with the word, "Linen." A small brass clip (not shown in the images) was used on the upper left corner of the letter to hold the pages together. The text of the letter has been transcribed as follows: "Detroit, Mich. Dec. 31, 1900, 10 P.M., Local Time. To the Mayor and Citizens of Detroit of 2001, I have just returned home from a trip into the county and find the Mayor's request for a short letter on "Detroit's Suburbs." Our present City limits are on the east side present (I suppose I should say old) water-works or Cadillac Boulevard thence north to Gratiot Ave thence west to St. Antoine and MCRR [Michigan Central Railroad] known as the Milwaukee junction - thence west to Mall and thence west to Cameron thence north to Woodland thence west to Hamilton Boulevard thence south to within one block of the Boulevard thence southwest to Grand River and Scotten Ave. thence south to McGraw thence west to Livernois thence south to the river, making our present river frontage about 7 1/2 miles and our north limit 5 miles. The first place I shall refer to is "Grosse Pointe" proper which is 5 miles east of the city limits and is reached by an electric car line and Jefferson at which point the Lake Shore line for Mt. Clemens and many points connects. Grosse Pointe is the home of many of Detroit's most notable families and is noted for its handsome homes and beautiful Greek club houses etc. The second place is "Palmer Log Cabin Park." This park is 5 miles north of the present city limits and is in a very crude state. There is a frame building that cost about $3000.00, a small artificial lake and the "Log Cabin" of Senator Palmer where the Senator used to give his famous dinners. It may be advisable to refer to "Royal Oak," a hamlet of about 500 people, and 13 miles from our present City Hall. Birmingham 5 miles beyond, a place of about 1500, is Detroit's most popular suburb and is here that many of our businesses own farms. Detroit's most important suburb is Delray which adjoins city limits on the southwest and has recently expanded. Here are the ammonia works of the "Solvay Process" and voluminous salt wells. Just below is Ecorse and only 12 miles from the City Hall is Wyandotte a bustling town of 3000 and next Trenton only 4 miles beyond. But why need I dwell, these places are already known by you in history. They have long since ceased to exist and are now a part of "Greater Detroit." I cannot close without [?] our neighbors across the river, Windsor, Walkerville, and sleepy old Sandwich. They too are lost - absorbed by "Sault Detroit" [Windsor]. And from the flag pole on the City Hall waves the Glorious Stars and Stripes and they are now "flesh of our flesh and bone of our bone." Wishing you all a Happy New Year, I remain as ever Yours very sincerely, E. W. Abbott"
- Date Issued:
- 1900-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
- Description:
- This 12-page letter was handwritten in black ink on slightly yellowed paper by Mrs. Jacob F. Teichner (maiden name: Fannie Freedman) who was the Recording and Corresponding Secretary of the Detroit Ladies Society for the Support of Hebrew Widows and Orphans. The paper is made of linen, but the watermark is not readable. The pages are bound at the top with a narrow red ribbon (not shown in the digital images) and the first page is entitled "Hebrew Homes and Charities in Detroit." The text of the letter has been transcribed as follows: "Hebrew House and Charities in Detroit" The closing of this nineteenth century finds the Hebrew charities of Detroit established in such form that any and all cases of need and suffering find those who can minister counsel and alleviate the distress that seeks relief. We need only to recognize that charity is duty, and our highest ideal should be the fulfillment of that duty which brings its own reward. It was in 1863 that a few benevolent ladies banded themselves together and incorporated the first Jewish charitable organization in Detroit. The charter members of this Society were Mesdames Fanny Heineman, Rosalie Frankel, Betty Butzel, Fanny Lambert and Caroline Freedman (my beloved mother). Its name "The Detroit Ladies Society for the support of Hebrew Widows and Orphans" its object is obvious from its name. This Society has lived and thrived, has succored the poor widow when in her darkest hour she was almost in despair and today it numbers a membership of one hundred and eighty ladies from whose dues of four dollars each per year together with interest of its invested endowment fund of twelve thousand dollars ($12,000) the relief work is carried on. This gradually acquired endowment represents chiefly the result of annual entertainments formerly given by the Society. The present officers are :- Mrs. Fanny Heineman - President Mrs. J. Selling - Vice-President Mrs. F. Marrymount - Finan. Sec'y. Mrs. F. Teichner - Rec. and Cor. Sec'y. Mrs. A. Engass - Treasurer The annual meetings are held the first Thursday of October; quarterly meetings, January, April, July and October. Trustees of whom there are twelve meet monthly. A few years after the ladies Society had started in its good word the "Hebrew Bethel Relief Society" was formed by gentlemen who for many years carried on systematic and efficient rendering of assistance to the destitute and needy. The funds required being contributed by the Jewish citizens of the city. Later a second Relief Society was established and each in its way cared for the poor and suffering. Prominent among the early charitable organizations was the "Ladies Serving Society" its aim and object the supplying of garments and house hold goods. From the first gathering of a few earnest workers meeting weekly to sew for the poor this Society has grown to have one of the largest memberships of any and this past year eighty five applicants were supplied most of whom were mothers of large families, the number of garments distributed were 1394 - dry goods 1716 - shoes 338 pair - bed linen 336 pieces - comforters 59. The meetings are held each Thursday afternoon from November until May and an average of fifty ladies industriously fashion the garments for distribution. The present officers are, Mrs. Sarah Berger - Pres. Mrs. L. Wineman 1st Vice-Pres. Mrs. J. Wurzburger 2nd Vice-Pres. Mrs. A. Sloman Sec'y. and Treas. In 1889 Mrs. Sarah Krolik founded the Self Help Circle ably assisted by Mrs. Sarah Berger. The object of the Society was educational more than charitable and always teaching the children the value of independence. Beginning with only five pupils the enrollment this year numbered one hundred and eighty three. In the serving classes the girls are taught plain serving, parching and darning by a regular system, the kitchen garden instructs them in housework cleanliness and the beautifying of every day life, while in the kindergarten the younger ones enjoy their songs and games and come with their elder sisters on Saturday afternoon to attend the library class - three hundred volunteers with the necessary book cases being the generous gifts of Mrs. Henry Krolik. The boys have various evening classes and receive the benefits of manual training in several branches. The officers are - viz:- Mrs. Alfred Rothschild - President Mrs. M. Rosenfield - Vice. Pres. Miss J.V. Kopple - Sec'y. Mrs. L.M. Franklin - Treasurer The rooms are at 379 Brush St, the girls classes meeting on Tuesday - the boys classes meet every evening. Through the mentoring efforts of Rabbi Franklin this past year saw the meeting of various charities under the name of the "United Jewish Charities" combining all with the exception of the "Ladies Hebrew Widows and Orphans" which felt that its work should be done as heretofore by women for women, maintaining that poverty caused by the death of the bread winner is different from that caused by shiftlessness and to prove that the lot of the widow and the children is not nearly so hard when special and permanent provision exists for them, when mothers can come for counsel as well as for cash, so that they can rear their children to better destinies. The united charities is supported entirely by contributions and the results of its first year's work has been most gratifying, showing plainly how much was accomplished. Total receipts from two hundred and forty five subscribers - $4283.85 - disbursements by the Ladies Serving Society $567.80 - by the Self Help Circle $116.62 - General Expenses $462.14 - Assisted seventy four families $2498.72 - transportation to eighty five persons $312.44 - donations to fifty eight persons $148.90 - Expense for recent arrived Roumanians $97.43 - Total expenditures $4204.05. The executive board meets 1st Tuesday in every month, the Relief Board meets every Thursday evening at 379 Brush St. The officers are - G.W. Simons - President Samuel Heavenrich - 1st Vice. Pres. Mrs. Sarah Berger - 2nd Vice. Pres. A. Benjamin - Sec'y. E.H. Van Baalen - Treas. Joseph Wertheimer - Supt. The "Gemilas Chasodim" Society deserves mention, an admirable system of charity that preserves character and obviates the stigma of receiving alms. One who still possesses pride and yet is in need of immediate assistance is permitted to return a loan without interest in small installments and thus cancel his obligations has been aided at no sacrifice of his personal character, provided such a system is carried on in strict confidence. With the great increase in foreign immigration, a larger field for the systematically organized Hebrew charity is being opened, nor is it distinctively sectarian charity, for so long as poor people of any race or creed to assist themselves, while it keeps them and their children from street begging or from the poor master's door, it cannot be said to be doing special but rather communal charity. Hebrew charitable homes or institutions have as yet found no place in this city, yet most of the Jews of Detroit contribute to the support of the Cleveland Orphan Asylum and Old Folk Home. The betterment of the quarters now occupied by the poor is a problem to be solved, we trust in the near future and the erection of suitable tenements will do much to improve the condition of the destitute. The enormous possibilities spreading out in this new century brings with it the promise that the naked shall be clothed and the hungry shall be fed in the truest way, the best methods yet undreamed of. Then welcome to this New Year and Century. Bring out the old, ring in the new. The year is going, let him go. Bring out the false, ring in the true. Mrs. Jacob F. Teichner (nee Fannie Freedman) Monday, December Thirty-first 1900"
- Date Issued:
- 1900-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
- Description:
- This 1-page letter was typewritten in blue text on a light tan linen paper by Clarence A. Cotton who was the Mayor's secretary. It is dated "12 O'Clock Midnight Dec. 31st 1900" and is signed in black ink by Clarence A. Cotton. The paper also has a watermark which might be "Bauerhum" The letter is entitled, "Denominational Churches in Detroit," and gives some brief statistics about the numbers of churches of various denominations that existed in the city as of 1900. The letter has numerous handwritten corrections and the author noted at the bottom, "P.S. - In justice to myself I must disclaim credit for the bad spelling in the above. It was rapidly dictated by me to an inexperienced stenographer. C.A.C."
- Date Issued:
- 1900-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society