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181. Wales C. Martindale
- Description:
- This black and white halftone picture was cut from a page and shows a head and shoulder image of Wales C. Martindale who was the Superintendent of Schools (1900-1901) for the Detroit Board of Education. His name is printed in black text beneath the picture.
- Date Issued:
- 1900-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
- Collection:
- Detroit Anniversaries
- 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
- Collection:
- Detroit Anniversaries
183. The Stage in Detroit
- Description:
- 12-page letter handwritten in black ink on slightly yellowed paper by Bertram C. Whitney (son of Clark J. Whitney), manager of the Detroit Opera House. The paper is printed with light blue lines and has a faint embossed mark in the upper left corner that shows "Island City." The text of the letter has been transcribed as follows: "The Stage in Detroit I, Bertram C. Whitney, Manager of the Detroit Opera House, and son of C. J. Whitney, one of the oldest theatrical managers in this country, have been requested by our Mayor, Hon. Wm. C. Maybury, on this, the thirty-first day of December, 1900, to tell of the 'Stage' in our city, Detroit. It gives me great pleasure to compile the following facts to enlighten posterity. The theatre in Detroit seems to have been an American institution, for no record of any theatricals is found until after the coming of the United States troops. In 1798, military and civic entertainment were common and generally given in the old Council House. In 1816, a theatre was fitted up in the upper part of the large brick store-house at the foot of Wayne Street. The soldiers made the scenery and the officers' wives painted it. This was in 1830. The same year a theatrical entertainment was given in a barn belonging to the Steamboat Hotel. In 1834 a theatre was fitted up in the second story of the Smart Block, on the northwest corner of Jefferson and Woodward Avenues. the same year, the brick building on the southeast corner of Gratiot and Farrar Streets, built for a Methodist church, but never dedicated, was purchased and fitted for a theatre. In 1836 and 1837 a wooden building on the opposite side of Gratiot Street was used for a like purpose as was also the Museum at the corner of Jefferson Ave. and Griswold St. In 1848, theatricals were given at the City Hall. In 1849 the Metropolitan Theatre on Jefferson Ave., opposite the Biddle House, was opened; later it was called 'The Varieties' and then the 'Theatre Comiqul.' It was burned and rebuilt in 1883 and turned into a livery stable, In 1864 and old church on the corner of Randolph and congress Streets was converted into a theatre called the Athenaeum and used for several years. The old Baptist church on the corner of Fort and Griswold Streets was also at one time used as a theatre. The Park Theatre, on Michigan Ave. opposite the City Hall, was built in 1878 and rebuilt in 1881. The opening of the Detroit Opera House, March 29, 1869, was the event of the season, as it was then considered one of the finest opera houses in the west. Mortimer L. Smith of Detroit was the architect and successfully carried out the Renaissance style of design; the front being modeled after the pavilions surrounding the Louvre in Paris. Manager Garry Hough secured the first lease of the house, and a regular stock company was organized. The opening night, a brilliant gathering gladdened the managers heart to the extent of $1,475.00 receipts which were fabulous at that time. The drop curtain painted by Robert Hopkins was considered the handsomest in the country. At the time Mr. C. J. Whitney took the house in 1885, the ground floor was used for stores, but through his efforts, the owners were persuaded to remodel it, making a ground floor theatre. On Sept. 13th, 1875, was opened the Grand Opera House, built and owned by C. J. Whitney. It was located on the northwest corner of Fort and Shelby Sts. At the time, it was considered one of the finest theatres in America, and offered only high classed attractions. In the year [?] the property was sold to the Government and today our New Post Office stands on the site of the 'Whitney Grand.' 'Whites' Grand Theatre, formerly a music hall, on Randolph Street, corner of Croghan and Lafayette Sts. was erected in 1880. It seated 3,000 people, and was then the largest hall in the city. This structure was destroyed in the great fire of 1886, known as the 'Ferry Seed Fire.' I must not fail to record several old buildings used for theatricals which afforded Detroiters an opportunity of being entertained before our first regular theatre. Concordia Hall, on the east side of Rivard St. near Lafayette was used for German theatricals; but the first German theatre was located on the east side of St. Antoine near Gratiot Ave. The state Capitol was used for exhibitions of various kinds. In 1850, Young Men's Hall was dedicated. It seated 500 people and was the wonder and pride of the city for many years. Other buildings that figured in our early theatrical history were: Firemen's Hall on Jefferson Ave., Merrill Hall in the Merrill Block, corner of Woodward and Jefferson Avenues, Young Men's Hall in the Biddle House Block, Arbeiter Hall owned by the German Working Men's Aid Society, and St. Andrew's Hall, formerly the Woodward Ave. M.E. Church. This brings us up to the present day, and the theatres now being used in this city. On the site of the old 'White's' Theatre, there was built, in 1886, the Lyceum Theatre, a large beautiful house seating 2,400 people. It is what is called a 'Family Theatre,' the prices ranging from fifteen cents in the top gallery to seventy-five cents on the ground floor. The class of attractions offered to the public are clean comedy, interesting melodrama, and inexpensive, but good, light opera. Performances are given every night in the week, including Sunday, and matinees on Wednesdays and Saturdays. This house is very popular and is well patronized. In the year 1887, Mr. C. J. Whitney built the 'Whitney Grand Opera House' and Block on Griswold Street between Michigan Ave. and State St. This Block was eight stories high and was then the first and only 'skyscraper' in Michigan. Realizing that the poorer classes needed good clean entertainment at reasonable rates the prices were fixed at ten cents in the top gallery, twenty cents in the balcony, and thirty and fifty cents on the ground floor. This proved to be what the working classes wanted for the 1650 seats are generally filled at the six matinees a week and the house is packed every evening in the week. Good farce comedy and melodrama is given by inexpensive companies. In 1887, Stanley's Livery Stable, on Lafayette Ave between Griswold and Shelby Sts. was remodeled, and turned into a theatre. Its seating capacity is 1,500, but has never been a financial success. All classes of attractions have been given here, but to no avail. It is closed now and opened only for a lecture, local entertainment, or some related company unable to be taken care of at our other theatres. After roller skating had become a thing of the past, the rink on Griswold Street between Grand River Ave. and State St., was converted into a theatre, 1887, and is now used for burlesque and is called the Capitol Square. It caters to a strictly male audience, the prices ranging from twenty-five cents to $1.00, and performances are given every night and three matinees a week. This is a place we are not proud of, but it is to be found in every large city. The Merrill Hall, before spoken of, has been used for some years as a vaudeville and variety theatre, exhibiting animals, 'freaks,' and curiosities of all kinds. It proved such a success, that in 1899, the management built a new 'Wonderland Theatre' on the west side of Monroe Ave., facing the Soldiers Monument. There is a general ten cent admission to the three floors of curiosities, and also admits one to the top gallery of the theatre proper. For and additional ten cents, you are entitled to a seat in the balcony, and for twenty cents extra, you get a seat on the ground floor. The class of performances given in the theatre is variety in nature, consisting of six good specialties and generally one little skit or short play in one act. Four performances, lasting one hour and three quarters each, are given daily, two in the afternoon and two at night. The audience is allowed to remain for a second performance, but it is not the custom. The theatre is strictly fire-proof, no wood being used, and is tastefully decorated without any gaudy display. It is described as 'being a little gem' and has coined money for the owners. the profits are said to exceed $1,500 per week and although it seats 1,400 people, the manager is contemplating enlarging it next summer to accommodate 500 more. In 1897 the Old Detroit Opera House was destroyed by fire, and the following September, eleven months later, the New Detroit Opera House was opened. an expert in theatrical architecture, Col. Wood, of Chicago, who had erected over 85 theatres had been chosen as consulting architect with Messrs. Mason and Rice. Mr. Alpheus W. Chittenden, son of one our most prominent citizens, although a young man, not yet thirty designed all the interior decorations, and although the spirit of Francis I style was carried out, the exquisite color combinations, designs, decorative effect[s] were strictly original. the lobby, foyer, boxes, proscenium arch, and the splendid ceiling vie with each other in beauty and attractiveness. The auditorium is in brilliant red, with tapestried chairs, in contrast to the asbestos curtain of plain French grey with red fleur de lis. With the exception of the stage, every inch of flooring is solid concrete; steel lath is used in all parts of the house and sheet iron takes the place of boards. All scenes are painted in water color, not in oils, hard to burn. Seventeen fine dressing rooms with heating, lighting, and good ventilation in each are a special feature. the stage is equipped with every modern improvement and appliance for comfort, safety, and facility in handling stage properties. The house seats [?] and has an upper balcony, middle balcony, and ground floor, and eight large boxes. This theatre is not opened Sunday evening except for music or lectures. The class of attractions is the best on the world's stage today. All the great artists of this and every other country come to this theatre, in opera, drama, tragedy, and comedy. The regular scale of prices is from $1.50 downstairs to 25 cents in the gallery. For large productions, $2.00, $2.50, and as high as $5.00. Although this, our first theatre, is not as large, nor as expensive as many others in this country, none surpass it in beauty, originality, comfort, and completeness. Before closing this resume of our theatrical history of the closing century, I should like to tell you of the great people who have visited our city and charmed our Detroit public. But time and space does not permit of it. But if these poor pages survive the ravages of 'moth and dust,' for a century, and are still readable, when brought to the critical man of the twenty-first century, I trust it will inspire some few to trace back the early history of this century and give credit to the Detroiters of today for the zeal and good faith in which they have planted the landmarks of the future. Between 1849 and 1882, the following artists visited us: Julia Dean, Charlotte Cushman, Ristori Modjeska, Janau Schek, Mary Anderson, Edward A. Southern, Joseph Jefferson, Edwin Booth, Lawrence Barrett, Edwin Forrest, Adalina Patti, Christine and Adalaide Neilson, Clara Louise Kellog, Sign. Campanini, and many others of world wide fame. From 1882 up to the present day, a few of the great actors and actresses who have played here are: Sarah Bernhardt, Henry Irving, Wm. J. Florence, and Mrs. Florence, Mrs. John Drew, Maud Adams, John Drew, E. H. Southern, Olga Nethersole, Rhea, Fanny Davenport, Mrs. Scott Siddons, Wm. Warde, J. K. Emmet, Nat C. Goodwin, John T. Raymond, Frank Mayo, Tommaso Salsini, Margaret Mather, John McCullough, Clara Morris, Kate Claxton, Richard Mausfield, Denman Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Kendal, Ed S. Willard, Sol Smith Russell, Lilly Langtry, Charles Windhamm, Dion Boucicault, Wilson Barrett, Ellen Terry, Ada Rehau, Julia Marlow, Rosina Volkeston, W. Keene, and W. H. Crane. Among the great opera singers are: Emma Calve, Melba, Nordika, Scalchi, Albani, LaSalle, Plaucon, Emma Juch, Sembrick, Minnie Hauk, Emma Nevada, Edward Floyd, Edouard and Jean De Reszke, Sign. Brignoli, Max Alvary, and Myron W. Whitney. Among the great conductors are: Walter Damrosch, Theo. Thomas, John P. Sousa, and Strauss."
- Date Issued:
- 1900-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
- Collection:
- Detroit Anniversaries
- Description:
- This cyan halftone picture was cut from a page and shows a view of one wall inside the new Detroit Opera House. Some of the architectural details of the new Opera House (built in 1898) are described in the text that is printed adjacent to the picture and on the verso.
- Date Issued:
- 1900-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
- Collection:
- Detroit Anniversaries
- Description:
- This slightly yellowed paper envelope contained several booklet pages and an 8-page letter and that was written by Edwin W. Abbott. The front of the envelope is addressed in handwriting to "The Mayor of the City of Detroit, Jan. 1st 2001, Suburbs of the [City of] Detroit of 1901, By E. W. Abbott." The return address of the Executive Office of the Mayor is printed in the upper left corner of the envelope.
- Date Issued:
- 1900-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
- Collection:
- Detroit Anniversaries
- Description:
- This 2-page letter was handwritten in fine black script on both sides of a slightly yellowed paper by Clarence M. Burton. The paper is printed with light blue lines and has a double red line near the top. The handwritten text is transcribed as follows: "Real Estate Titles in Detroit, Past Present and Future. Detroit's Founder, Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, came on the 24th day of July 1701 and immediately commenced the erection of a palisaded fort. This work accomplished he set about purchasing food from the Indians, sufficient to keep his garrison and his Indian friends from want during the succeeding winter. Indians flocked in great numbers to his settlement, so that before the first years had passed he had nearly or quite 6000 people here. Cadillac understood that his appointment of Commandant gave him the ownership, and civil, and military control of the entire country and acting upon these rights he settled the Indians at various places near the new fort but he did not undertake to convey to them any parcels of land in fee simple. He gave them merely the right to occupy during his pleasure. As he was intent on building the post into a permanent colony, he proposed to give his soldiers and the civilians who came here, parcels of land with rights of ownership, and, with that ends in view, he settled many of these persons on garden plots and farms and village lots, promising to make them good conveyances when he might be permitted, by the French Government, to make proper deeds. In 1704 he obtained this authority and at once set about making transfers, to the citizens and soldiers, of the lands they were occupying under him. All of these transfers were similar in character to the feudal holdings in France. In all of them Cadillac, as lord of the manor, reserved certain rights to himself, such as a fine upon alienation; the obligation on the part of the grantee to set up a May Pole each year in front of the house of the commandant; the obligation of the grantee to grind his wheat at the mill of commandant; the payment of small annual dues for privileges of carrying on a trade, and make other like obligations. Cadillac was removed from his place in 1711 and the post fell to decay. The French Government refused to recognize the deeds Cadillac had made but it did not undertake to dispossess the people who held deeds from him. In the next forty years only a few patents or land transfers were made by the Governor and Intendant of New France, and none whatever were made by the succeeding commandants of Detroit. The Registry of Deeds that had been opened in Detroit by Cadillac was continued until it contained fifty or sixty pages of manuscript and was then removed and stored in the French Archives, and lost to every one interested, until accidently found and transcribed for me a few years since. The French ceased to govern Detroit upon the advent of Robert Rogers in 1760, and from that date until 1796 the English were in possession. Very few transfers of land were made during that period, excepting that there were many conveyances from Indian tribes to the English and French. A new registry of deeds was commenced about 1763 and maintained as long as the English remained here. General Anthony Wayne with the United States army under his command took possession of the post in 1796 and from that time dates our modern history in this department. Titles were very uncertain; generally without any solid governmental foundation; resting largely on possession and in tradition. The first effort was to begin anew with an undisputed ownership and, looking to that end, our government, in effect, set up title in itself to all lands. Commissioners were appointed by Congress to investigate and settle titles in the Detroit District, and those who had, before the coming of Wayne's army, been in possession of lands, laid their claims and proofs before these commissioners. If their claims were well founded and undisputed, or, if disputed, were found to be established, the commissioners accepted them and certified their finding to Congress. The government issued a patent, which was undisputable, to the applicant. This is the basis and foundation of all titles at the present time, and in theory and in proper practice no system of titles and transfers could be more simple. The grantee from government who wishes to transfer his title, has the proper deed of transfer drawn up and he executes it in due form and it is recorded with the County Registry. The new owner when he comes to sell, goes through exactly the same process. There are no fines to pay, no public officers to superintend the transaction, no unreasonable expenses to be borne. The process is simple, rapid, and inexpensive. Various modes have been devised to make the transfer of real estate more simple, but I doubt if this can be done in but one way. The only troubles we meet with now, are that conveyances and notaries are careless and owners of real estate are still more careless and indifferent. If some way could be devised so that conveyances could only be drawn by persons skilled in their work, and could be recorded, as soon as the transaction in completed, by a register who would employ only competent assistants in his office, there would be small need of delay in any real estate transfer. This is the millennium I am looking forward to in the century that will be ushered in at midnight to-night. December 31, 1900. C. M. Burton"
- Date Issued:
- 1900-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
- Collection:
- Detroit Anniversaries
- Description:
- This folded sheet of writing paper was from the personal stationery of William E. Quinby who was the President of the Detroit Free Press. It is blank, slightly yellowed, and the shows the sender's initials, "WEQ," in a decorative blue and silver script at the top. The paper also has a watermark that shows "Academic, C.G.&S., London."
- Date Issued:
- 1900-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
- Collection:
- Detroit Anniversaries
188. Belle Isle Station
- Description:
- This cyan halftone picture was cut from a page and shows a front corner view of the Belle Isle Police Station building. A handwritten date at the bottom of the cutout shows "Jany. 1st 1901."
- Date Issued:
- 1900-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
- Collection:
- Detroit Anniversaries
189. Belle Isle Park
- Description:
- This folded map of Belle Isle Park was prepared by the Park[s] and Boulevard[s] Commission. The map drawing is based upon a survey of 1899 and is printed in black ink on slightly yellowed paper.
- Date Issued:
- 1899-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
- Collection:
- Detroit Anniversaries
- Description:
- This 9-page letter is a blue carbon copy that was typewritten onto slightly to heavily yellowed paper by Wales C. Martindale who was the Superintendent of Public Schools. The paper shows his office letterhead in fine black script in the upper left corner of the page (first page only). The letter is dated December 31st, 1900, on the first page and is signed, "Wales C. Martindale," in black ink on the last page. He has also signed "W. C. Martindale" along the left margin on pages 1 through 8. The body of the letter gives many details and statistics concerning the history and development of the public school system in the city. The pages of the letter are held together at the top with two brass prongs.
- Date Issued:
- 1900-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
- Collection:
- Detroit Anniversaries