Later in the same year the congregation returned to its church home and installed as pastor the Rev. George W. Stone, whose services continued until June, 1900, when he resigned in order to resume his labors as field agent of the American Unitarian association. During his pastorate the church was reestablished and an indebtedness of $10,000 was liquidated, three-fourths of the amount being paid by two friends of Mr. Stone in the East, conditioned on the remainder having been paid by members of the congregation. The Rev. Charles Fergusan became pastor in 1900.

The oldest German Protestant church in Kansas City is St. Peter's German Evangelical church, founded in 1865. In 1867 a frame building was erected on Walnut street, between Ninth and Tenth streets. A substantial church edifice was built, Oak street and Irving Place, in 1883, at a cost of $13,000. This had been dedicated only a few days when it was entirely destroyed by a tornado, the calamity occurring only a few minutes after the Sunday school scholars had left the building. The church was rebuilt. The first pastor was the Rev. J. C. Feil, who served from 1865 until 1874, when he removed to Marthasville, Missouri, and was succeeded by the Rev. H. F. Kirchoff. In 1878 the Rev. Mr. Feil again became pastor, and served until May,7 1895, when he retired from active work. His successor was the Rev. John Aauer. About 300 families attend the church.

CHAPTER XIX.

CHARITIES.

The problem of caring for the poor and neglected in a great city is well worked out in Kansas City and finds its solution in the many charity associations located here. From very small beginnings, many different institutions have developed, endeavoring to keep pace with the manifold and growing needs of the hour. In an age of specialties the work is naturally divided so as to easily meet special requirements.

The federation of Kansas City's charities was effected October 18, 1899, under the name of the "Associated Charities of Kansas City" and active work was undertaken the following January. The first officers and executive committee consisted of W. C. Scarritt, president; the Rev. Henry Hopkins, D. D., vice-president; the Rt. Rev. J. J. Glennon, D. D., vice-president; S. A. Pierce, secretary; I. E. Bernheimer, treasurer; H. S. Boice and F. M. Howe. This is a federation, not a consolidation, of the city's char

ities and philanthropies, twenty-five in number at the time of its organization, and, although one or two changes were made, the number was the same in 1908.

Its purpose is to co-ordinate the benevolent forces of the city, in order to promote the better and more intelligent relief of distress and to elevate the standard of living among the poor. Its aims are to secure co-operation among the public and private charitable agencies, churches and citizens; to procure accurate knowledge of all cases treated; to find prompt and adequate relief for all who should have it; to expose imposters and prevent wilfull idleness; to find employment for the able-bodied; to establish relations of personal interest and sympathy between the poor and well-to-do; to prevent pauperism, especially to see that no children grow up as paupers; to collect and diffuse knowledge on all subjects connected with the administration of charities. As will be seen by the foregoing, the three most essential features of the Associated charities are co-operation, relief, and prevention. It could accomplish but little without co-operation, and the more the hearty co-operation the better the results. Better methods of giving relief are studied and taught, in order that it may be prompt, of the right nature, and administered with the least possible demoralizing effect. Prevention is the ultimate goal, and while the working force is entirely too small this federation is doing much re-constructive, preventive, and educational work. Some of the departments maintained by the association are investigation, registration, co-operation, visitation, education, medical and legal. This agency investigates not only the Provident Association, but for all who so desire. It procures relief from the source best equipped for meeting the particular needs. It cares for 1,500 to 1,800 families annually. It does not duplicate the work of any other organization, but is the servant of all. The headquarters of the Associated Charities in 1908 were in the Charity building, 1115 Charlotte street.

The Kansas City Provident association was incorporated December 20, 1880. The members of the first directory who also were its incorporators, were B. A. Sheidly, Kersey Coates, Witten McDonald, Theodore S. Case, George H. Nettleton, Charles S. Wheeler, W. P. Allcutt, W. S. Gregory, John W. Byers, Thomas K. Hanna, J. V. C. Karnes, E. L. Martin, W. B. Grimes, J. M. Lee, M. B. Wright, T. B. Bullene, L. K. Thacher, C. A. Chace and C. B. Leach. Its functions, as stated in Article II, are "to look after the interests of the poor of Kansas City, Missouri, to aid them in securing employment when expedient and otherwise to assist them in such ways as may be deemed most judicious." As will be seen by the foregoing Article it was organized on a basis sufficiently broad to permit of charitable reliefs of any nature. However, its efforts have been confined chiefly to giving aid of a

material kind both to individuals and to families, as well as to procuring or furnishing employment whenever possible. The association, operated a stone yard, fuel yard, laundry and sewing room. It also carried a stock of staple groceries from which those needing provisions were supplied. From the time of its organization until the inception of the Associated Charities, in January, 1900, it maintained a corps of skilled visitors who visited with those in need for the purpose of ascertaining their needs. Great effort was made to give relief adequately and to do it in such a manner as to preserve the self-respect and independence of the recipient, if possible.

After occupying different sites, the association, May 1, 1894, moved from the southwest corner of Ninth and Charlotte streets to the northeast corner of Fourteenth and Locust streets. This property was purchased by the late August R. Myer for the use of the association and was the home of this association for nearly eleven years. Mr. Myer took great interest in the society's work, was its president for several years, and gave the use of this site for more than seven years besides liberal cash contributions to this cause. In the fall of 1904, the association purchased of the Women's Christian association a three-story brick building at 1115 Charlotte street. After making repairs, it moved to this new location, March 9, 1905, and still occupies the property in 1908, with the Associated Charities, the Visiting Nurse association and the Kansas City Pure Milk commission as an office and laboratory. The Provident association has been the agency through which many of the business men made their charitable contributions.

The St. Vincent de Paul society is an international organization founded more than one hundred years ago in Paris where its parent house is situated. The Kansas City conferences were established in 1881, the first officials being William C. Gass, president, and John O'Brien, secretary. The two local conferences in 1908 had headquarters at the Cathedral, 412 West Twelfth street, and at St. Patrick's church, 806 Cherry street. It is composed of Catholic men who meet weekly, take up collections, appoint visitors. to look after the needy and distribute their relief in a systematic manner.

The Humane Society of Kansas City, was incorporated December 24, 1883 with Thomas B. Bullene as the first president. The main objects of this society are to aid in protecting children and dumb animals and in preventing cruelty, and to promote humane sentiments among all classes of persons. This is done by employing agents, with the authority of police; by encouraging the organization among children in all the schools of "Bands of Mercy," and by the circulation of books and papers for the purpose of educating both the head and the heart of the young, promoting kindness, consideration and sympathy toward suffering humanity and toward the lower animals. It is maintained by the annual dues of its members, which are $5.00 for each man

and $2.50 for each woman. An amendment to the charter enables the society to receive bequests and to hold both real and personal property.

The House of the Good Shepherd conducted by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, situated at Twentieth street and Cleveland avenue, was established June 29, 1887, and incorporated December 20, 1887. The members of the reform class are employed in sewing, laundry and domestic work, the income from which helps to defray expense of maintaining the institution. The children of the preservation class are entirely separated from the inmates of the reformatory, all communication between them being forbidden, and it is the effort of the sisters to give them an education with instruction in the different branches of industry, thus securing for them occupation and the means for future maintenance. This institution owns a tract of four acres and its buildings include a laundry, which is well equipped with modern machinery. The capacity of this home is about one hundred and twentyfive.

The Protestant Door of Hope was chartered under the state laws of Missouri, September 3, 1895. It had been in existence for more than a year before the articles of association were filed. It was organized for the purpose of providing a home for the homeless, wayward girls, for those who might come to the home with a desire to reform, those placed there by their parents, guardians, or the officers of the law, to teach them some occupation that they might become self-supporting and to find homes for them when they are ready to go out into the world. It is managed by its officers, board of managers, three trustees, and an advisory board. The officers in 1908 were: Mrs. G. A. Wood, president; Mrs. J. K. Burnham, vice-president; Mrs. G. R. Chambers, secretary; Mrs. G. L. Coomber, corresponding secretary; and Mrs. J. N. Moore, treasurer. Trustees: Judge J. H. Hawthorne, I. E. VanNoy, J. N. Moore.

The Visiting Nurse association of Kansas City, Missouri, originated in December, 1899, as a charitable organization, in the First Congregational Church, supported by the members of the Church and holding its meetings in connection with the Women's society of the Church. The organization was started by Mrs. I. C. Howes, and the initial work of the undertaking was largely carried on through her. The name of Instructive Nursing association was adopted, one nurse was employed, and her work began with one patient. Sixteen months later, on March 30, 1891, it was found expedient to place the growing charity in the hands of a regular board of governing members and call for the assistance of people charitably inclined among all denominations, making it an independent organization.

The name Visiting Nurse association was adopted, and under that name has continued for seventeen years to give help through trained nurses, to all sick among the poor in need of assistance, free of any charge. Visits are made

to the sick in their homes, instruction given on sanitary and hygienic matters, and medicines and delicacies provided where the patient is unable to supply them. Cases for hospital treatment are removed at the expense of the association The funds for the work are obtained from gifts, membership dues, an annual entertainment and an occasional bequest. In 1908 three nurses are constantly employed, and during the year 1907 to 1908, 4,910 visits to the sick were made and $1,863.57 was expended. The co-operation existing between this association and the physicians, the Provident association, and the other charitable societies, has been of the heartiest nature; and during the entire period since its reorganization, the Nursing association made its headquarters with the Provident association and still offices in the Charity Building, 1115 Charlotte street. It has also been a member of the Associated Charities since its federation. The Old Folks' and Orphans' Home was established in December, 1889, at 1308 Vine street.

Kansas City with its thirty-four railway lines has become one of the great labor exchanges of the country, and therefore the problem of the transient unemployed has commanded the serious attention of its authorities. In four of the larger cities municipal lodging houses have been organized to supply the needs of those of this class who appeal for public aid. In Kansas City the Helping Hand institute, established in September, 1894, and incorporated in April, 1900, was organized to undertake the management of the transient class. It is, however, a private charity and it also conducts an undenominational religious service. It provides work for the transient unemployed to earn meals and lodging until paying positions can be secured. It maintains a free employment bureau which secured 8,463 paying positions in 1907. It has free shower baths with certain hours reserved for the boys of the North End. In the Women's Department penniless, homeless women are temporarily cared for until permanent homes are found for them. They are provided with bath and laundry facilities. Its lodging department has an equipment of almost 500 beds, with mattress, blankets, white sheets and pillow cases and two large fumigators. Beds are given the sick or disabled, earned by the able-bodied, or sold for ten cents. Meals are given or earned-none are sold. The institution has a representative in the police court every morning, as a friend of the unknown homeless man and as a visitor at the General hospital to attend to errands of mercy for the sick. Other features of the work are, outings for the boys, flower distribution, free ice water on the street; also a gospel wagon with stereopticon pictures in the neglected portions of the city. Its board of directors in 1908 were: George W. Fuller, president; J. A. Carpenter, vicepresident; E. E. Richardson, secretary; S. A. Pierce, treasurer; Gardner Lathrop; Dr. John Punton; J. W. Jenkins; E. L. McClure; David Thornton; William Volker; James H. Austin; E. T. Brigham, superintendent.