THE FREDERICK DOUGLASS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL AND TRAINING SCHOOL.
The Frederick Douglass Memorial Hospital and Training School was
organized during the month of July, 1895, through the earnest effort
of Dr. N. F. Mossell. Its purpose is to give larger opportunities for
the training of colored girls as nurses, this class of learners in this
profession being to a large extent excluded from the other training
schools in Philadelphia. Girls of no race will be debarred from the
course of training offered in this hospital. This institution is open
to all without regard to race or creed.
The building is located at 1512 Lombard street. The money necessary to
equip and furnish the building has been raised through the efforts of
the management and four lady auxiliaries. The special need of the work
at the present time is support for free beds. The hospital has been in
operation four months, and its success up to the present date (April,
1896) shows both the feasibility and necessity for its establishment.
The class of nurses in training are progressing in efficiency. There
have been admitted a number of cases that have been successfully
treated.
[Illustration: Frederick Douglass Memorial Hospital and Training
School.]
The wards are light and airy, and are equipped with the most recent
appliances for hospital work; they are entirely aseptic, the
furniture consisting of enamelled iron and glass; the walls and
floors have been properly treated to preserve this condition, the
operating room is a perfect gem. The out-patient department is
thoroughly equipped for the various clinics. The drainage, plumbing and
ventilation are of the best. One fact worthy of notice is the hearty
co-operation in the work shown by both the best elements of colored
and white citizens, through contributions and subscriptions, also
by the patronage of all entertainments given for the benefit of the
hospital. Desiring to receive patients from all parts of the country,
the management feel that, as the work is not localized, the support
should not be, and in many cases friends at a distance have shown their
kindly interest by liberal donations. As the hospital stands, it offers
a notable proof of self-reliance and self-sacrificing devotion.
Mr. Jacob C. White, the able principal of the Robert Vaux School,
is President of the Board of Management; Mr. S. J. M. Brock,
Vice-president; Mr. Henry M. Minton, Secretary; S. B. Henry, Esq.,
Treasurer; N. F. Mossell, M.D., Chief of Staff; Miss Minnie M. Clemens,
Head Nurse and Matron; A. A. Mossell, Esq., Solicitor.
Medical Staff--Consulting Surgeons: John B. Deaver, M.D., Thos. S.
K. Morton, M.D.; Consulting Physicians: James Tyson, M.D., Roland G.
Curtin, M.D.; Consulting Gynecologists: B. F. Baer, M.D., Hannah T.
Croasdale, M.D.; Attending Surgeons: J. P. Tunis, M.D., N. F. Mossell,
M.D.; Attending Physicians: E. C. Howard, M.D., Wm. H. Warrick, M.D.,
James T. Potter, M.D.; Attending Gynecologists: Caroline V. Anderson,
M.D., Theo. A. Erck, M.D.; Assistants: George R. Hilton, M.D., D. W.
Ogden, M.D.; ophthalmologist, H. F. Hansell, M.D.; Pathologist, A. A.
Stevens, M.D.; Dermatologist, J. Abbott Cantrell, M.D.; Dental Surgeon,
Wm. A. Jackson, D.D.S.; Pharmacist, Henry M. Minton, Ph.G.
The first benefit for the hospital was given February 26, 1896, at the
Academy of Music, Philadelphia, with the "Black Patti" as the star. The
ticket-selling on this occasion broke the record for concerts given at
the Academy. Amount raised, over $3,000; amount cleared, $1,600. This
institution is without doubt the greatest memorial yet established in
honor of that great friend of humanity, Frederick Douglass.
NATHAN F. MOSSELL, A.M., M.D.
Dr. N. F. Mossell, of Philadelphia, was born in Hamilton, Canada,
in July, 1856. He entered Lincoln University in 1874, graduating in
1879 with honor, delivering the philosophical oration and receiving
the Bradley medal for excellence in physical sciences. In the fall
of 1879 he entered the Medical Department of the University of
Pennsylvania, being the first colored student to enter that department
of the University. And after bearing the taunts and scoffs of his
fellow-students during the first year, he won their confidence and
respect and at graduation was photographed with his class. His grade
was sufficient at graduation to call forth the following comment from
Dr. James Tyson, Secretary of the Faculty, and the same appeared in the
_Medical News_ of May 20, 1882.
[Illustration: N. F. MOSSELL, A.M., M.D.]
"Dr. Mossell had graduated with an average higher than three-fourths of
his class"--the comment being called forth during a discussion as to
the necessity for separate colleges for colored students.
He was the first colored member admitted to the Philadelphia County
Medical Society, February, 1888. He has for a number of years secured
support for from one to two students in the Medical Department of
the University. The appointment of Mrs. Minnie Hogan, the first and
only colored graduate of the University Hospital, was secured by Dr.
Mossell. Since his graduation he has built up a lucrative practice.
He has systematized the beneficial departments of the various secret
orders of which he is a member.
He is deservedly one of the most popular men among his race in the
city. His watchword, enunciated in one of his addresses, while yet a
stripling student in the college, was then and is yet, "He who spares
his toil spares his honor."
J. C. WHITE, JR.
Mr. Jacob C. White, the president of the Board of Directors of the
Frederick Douglass Memorial Hospital and Training School, is better
known to the colored people of Philadelphia as the "pioneer educator."
From the year of his graduation from the Institute for Colored Youth,
in 1856, Jacob C. White, Jr., has been continuously engaged as a
school teacher, his nearly forty years of service having been spent
in two schools. For thirty years he has been principal of the Robert
Vaux School, and in that position has won the highest esteem of all
connected with public school work.
[Illustration: J. C. WHITE.]
Mr. White comes of one of the oldest and best-known colored families
in Pennsylvania. His maternal great grandfather, one of the Bustil
family, which intermarried with Lenni Lenape Indians, was a baker
in Washington's army. His grandparents were all Philadelphians, and
his father was secretary of the very first organized society of the
famous "Underground Railroad," which aided slaves to escape to Canada.
Robert Purvis was president of the organization. As a lad young Jacob
assisted in caring for the fugitives, who came here in a wretched
condition, and he tells many an interesting story of those who sought
escape from slavery, a score of whom would be hidden at one time in the
garret of his father's house.
Mr. White has always been actively identified with movements for the
betterment of the colored people. He is a member of the Teachers'
Institute, Annuity and Aid Association, Educational Club and the
Teachers' Beneficial Association.
DANIEL H. WILLIAMS, M.D.
Dr. Daniel H. Williams, one of the best physicians in this country,
white or colored, of Chicago, Ill., now of Washington, D.C., was born
January 18, 1858, at Hollidaysburg, Pa. He attended the Janesville,
Wis., High School, and was graduated from Janesville Classical Academy
in 1878. Commenced the study of medicine at Janesville in 1880, under
Surgeon-General Henry Palmer; attended three courses of lectures at
Chicago Medical College, from which he was graduated March 28, 1883,
his education having been obtained through his own exertions, his
parents being unable to render financial assistance. In May, 1883, he
located permanently in the practice of medicine in Chicago.
[Illustration: DANIEL H. WILLIAMS, M. D.]
Dr. Williams is a member of the American Medical Association; Illinois
State Medical Society; Chicago Medical Society; Ninth International
Medical Congress. He was a surgeon to South Side Dispensary, Chicago,
1884-92; surgeon to Provident Hospital, 1890-93; physician to
Protestant Orphan Asylum, 1884-93; member of Illinois State Board of
Health, 1889; reappointed in 1891. He is also a member of the Hamilton
Club, of Chicago. Was appointed surgeon in charge to the Freedmen's
Hospital, Washington, D. C., February 15, 1894.
THE PROVIDENT HOSPITAL.
Provident Hospital, Chicago, was instituted in January, 1891, by a few
gentlemen of that city, who saw the need of an opening for colored
physicians, as well as for colored women. At that time there was not
a hospital in the United States that admitted colored men as resident
physicians or internes. There was no place, in fact, that a colored
man could get a good practical experience so necessary for the proper
equipment of the young men in the practice of medicine and surgery; as
well to colored women, there were no institutions where they could be
admitted into the higher scientific work of nursing. There may have
been one or two exceptions in which persons of very light color, who
could not possibly be detected, were admitted into one or two of the
Eastern institutions for the higher education of women as nurses.
Each year, Provident Hospital has graduated a class of ladies who
have scattered themselves throughout the United States; and in every
instance they are succeeding and doing commendable work, demonstrating
at once the necessity of opening a field of usefulness to colored women
who are debarred from every avenue of employment on account of color.
Provident Hospital, since its inception, has been blessed in having
as its supporters sincere and honest helpers, white and colored, in
Chicago. It has done, already, a good work, and is on the road to
prosperity. In March, 1896, ground was broken for the erection of a
new building, the like of which will not be seen anywhere in the West.
Fifty thousand dollars has been donated by a philanthropic gentleman,
in Chicago, for the erection of the building, his only request being
that his name be not mentioned. This building is to be erected in
the southern part of the city, and with all the modern improvements.
Another gentleman, Mr. H. H. Kohlsaat, one of the persistent and
faithful friends of the colored people in this country, gave the
ground on which the building is to be erected. Mr. George H. Webster,
the partner of Mr. Armour, of Chicago, and a member of the Board of
Trustees, is a sincere and sympathetic friend of the colored people in
their efforts to upbuild and maintain Provident Hospital. The gentlemen
composing the Board of Trustees, a mixed board of Chicago's prominent
citizens, are untiring in their endeavors to promote the interests of
the institution.
THE FREEDMEN'S HOSPITAL.
Within the past eighteen months, Freedmen's Hospital, Washington, D.C.,
has been entirely reorganized. In the fall of 1894 the reorganization
began by instituting a training school for nurses. A competent
superintendent was had, and reorganization, reform and improvement went
hand in hand until the present time. Now, there is a training school
of forty nurses, all colored, selected from hundreds of applicants
and from every State in the Union. The work of the training school is
commended by everyone who takes the trouble to study it. Marked change
in every department of the institution was manifested by the advent
of these intelligent women, who brought new life and a new future to
the hospital. Instead of remaining a political institution, it was
converted, at once, into a scientific institution for the education and
upbuilding of the more progressive members who have selected this as
their life-work. You cannot overestimate the good that will come from
the education of the young men and women in this institution.
In connection with other features, a corps of internes has been added.
These are young graduates of medical colleges who are giving a service
of twelve months of practical work in the several departments of the
hospital. At the expiration of this service, they receive certificates
which commend them at once to the people in the communities in which
they are to reside.
In keeping with other lines of progress, an ambulance, with all the
modern improvements, has been added to the service within the last
year. This ambulance is complete in all its appointments, with the
quickest emergency service to any part of the city. This feature of
hospital work is one that has been neglected by colored people in this
country, and one which they are particularly adapted to succeed in.
It is a marvel to the observer of human affairs that this institution
has existed, for over twenty years, receiving an annual appropriation
of over fifty thousand dollars, without an ambulance in its service,
in a city like Washington, where a great many of the people are poor
and depend upon charity in cases of sickness and distress. This
ambulance makes as many as sixty or seventy-five emergency calls per
month, furnishing a rich field of surgical study to the internes and
nurses in the institution.
I have given in this sketch but a brief outline of the noble work of
Dr. Williams. I can testify to his ability as a physician, and I take
great pleasure in so doing. He is one of the cultured and polished
gentlemen who reflect credit on the race.
HOME FOR AGED AND INFIRM COLORED PERSONS.
The Home for Aged and Infirm Colored Persons, in West Philadelphia,
Pa., is one of the best institutions of the character in the United
States. The society, under whose auspices the home was founded, was
organized September 28, 1864, in a private dwelling on South Front
street.
The first Board of Managers and principal promoters of this most
noble charity was composed of Friends and colored persons, whose
circumstances gave them the confidence of and influence in the
community, and was elected in the month of November, 1864, whose names
are as follows: Officers; Dellwyn Parrish, President; Stephen Smith,
Vice-President; Marcellus Balderson, Secretary; Samuel R. Shipley,
Treasurer; William J. Alston, William Still, William H. Bacon, Abram
Fields, Joshua Brown, Maurice Hall, Israel H. Johnson, Joseph M.
Truman, Jr., Henry Gorden, Clayton Miller, Jacob C. White, Sr., and
John S. Hills. Female members: Sarah M. Douglas, Helen Johnson, Rachel
T. Jackson, Anna M. Laws, Catharine M. Shipley, Priscilla H. Heniszey,
Sarah Parrish, Mary Jeanes, Eliza Harris, Alice Hudson, Grace Mapes and
Mary Shaw.
[Illustration: Home for Aged and Infirm Colored Persons, Philadelphia,
Pa.]
The original constitution was adopted on the 25th day of the tenth
month (October), 1864, the preamble of which most clearly reveals the
noble impulses and sentiments which burned upon the altar of these
noble hearts, and actuated this noble band of true disciples of the
blessed Christ to such splendid deeds.
The preamble reads as follows: "For the relief of that worthy class
of colored persons who have endeavored through life to maintain
themselves, but who from various causes are finally dependent on the
charity of others, an association is hereby organized under the name of
'The Home for Aged and Infirm Colored Persons.'"
The number of persons admitted to the home within the first thirteen
months, or up to the twelfth month, 1865, was (21) twenty-one, and all
women, representing the States of New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania,
Maryland, Virginia, Massachusetts, South Carolina, West Indies and
far-away Africa; their ages ranging from (70) seventy to (102) one
hundred and two years, which clearly indicates how nobly they had
struggled on in the race of life against all odds.
The receipts for the establishment and maintenance of the home during
the first fiscal year were $6,033.80.
[Illustration: REV. STEPHEN SMITH.]
The work of the home was conducted in the house at 340 South Front
street until 1871, when, through the munificence of Rev. Stephen
Smith and his wife, colored persons of considerable means, one acre
of ground on the corner of Girard avenue and Belmont avenue was given
the Board, together with a magnificent four-story brick building,
valued at $40,000. The inmates of the home on Front street moved to
West Philadelphia. This building was opened June 29, 1871, since which
time it has stood there as an ornament to the city and an enduring
and fitting monument to the memory of its noble donors, and with
ever-widening influence, power and helpfulness, standing for and
fulfilling all that is involved in the term "Home" for that worthy and
deserving class of Aged and Infirm Colored Men and Women.
Mr. Edward T. Parker, of Philadelphia, who died October 3d, 1887, gave
$85,000 to the institution for the purpose of erecting the annex to the
old building. Additions have been made to the home in recent years at a
cost of $85,000, thus making the entire plant cost upward of $150,000,
with capacity for the maintenance of a family of near 200 persons, and
giving us a home at once the most complete, extensive and far-reaching
in its benefits of any institution of its kind in the city, and for the
class whom it is designed to bless, possibly in the world. The total
number cared for by the home has been: men, 116; women, 427; total,
543, while the present number in the home is 138; or the whole family,
help and all, 160; the maintenance of which requires an expenditure
monthly of from $1,500 to $1,600, or near $20,000 per annum. With
the enlarged facilities come greatly increased demands and largely
increased outlays.
The chief need now, therefore, is more means, that the Home may
always be able to extend the hand of help to worthy applicants, and
comfortably maintain this large and most interesting family of worthy
aged and infirm colored persons, up to the full capacity of the
building to accommodate.
This noble charity has been supported largely by members of the Society
of Friends, they constituting the principal portion of the Board of
Managers. Yet the colored people themselves have contributed to this
institution between $175,000 and $200,000 since its establishment.
[Illustration: EDWARD T. PARKER.]
The present Board of Management consists of sixteen men and fifteen
women, with a co-operative committee of nineteen women, all of whom are
most earnest and self-sacrificing in behalf of the Home and the family
of old people.
Officers of the corporation are: Wm. Still, 244 South Twelfth street,
President; Joseph M. Truman, 1500 Race st., Vice Pres.; Walter Penn
Shipley, 404 Girard Building, Treas.; Thos. H. McCollin, 1030 Arch
st., Secty.; C. T. Shaffer, M.D., 1821 Camac st., Chairman of Board of
Managers.
Communications addressed to any one of the above-named gentlemen will
receive prompt, courteous, and careful attention.