Davenport Democrat Davenport, Scott, Iowa July 24, 1924 LADIES' INDUSTRIAL RELIEF SOCIETY HARKS BACK TO THE BENEVOLENT DAYS OF '49. FUNCTIONED DURING CIVIL WAR AS SOLDIERS' RELIEF--GREW INTO AN ORGANIZATION FOR MORAL, SOCIAL AND SPIRITUAL UPLIFT OF HELPLESS WOMEN. There is probably no older society in Davenport than the Ladies' Industrial Relief, which had its beginning as the Ladies' Benevolent society about 1849 and grew into the Soldiers' Relief Society during the Civil war. In its present form, the Ladies' Industrial Relief opened its home Oct. 1, 1892. The home was made possible thru the liberality of Davenport citizens, notably the philanthropic Nicholas Kuhnen, whose bequest formed a large part of the fund. It was a group of devoted women who banded together for benevolent work and labored with self-denial to aid an comfort the soldiers in the field during the dark days of the Civil war standing ready when the need for such work no longer existed for war work to do any humane task. In 1869, actuated by a desire to improve the moral, social and spiritual condition of helpless women, the ladies of the society decided to provide and maintain a home for these unfortunates. At the Ladies' Christian association, they organized and adopted a constitution on April 24, 1869. Soon afterward, thirty ladies pledged their influence to the cause. They made an earnest effort to secure and maintain a home, rented and furnished a building on the corner of Ripley and Fifth streets, and welcomed a number of homeless women in a place of refuge until they could take care of themselves. Despite all effort, however, the members were obliged to close their home on Dec. 1, 1869, for want of material support and the furniture was sold to pay off the indebtedness that had been incurred. The indomitable spirit of the society remained inactive but a short time, however, for the Chicago fire of 1871 was a bugle note to which they responded with all the zeal of war times. This activity performed, the society rested until the autumn of 1872, when a new impulse and a new direction were given by the thought of Mrs. James Armstrong, who in her care for the poor found more than she could do unaided and called a meeting of the ladies of the Sixth ward to propose that they organize for relief work. Learning of this, the ladies who had previously held membership in the Soldiers' Relief and Christian association of 1869 asked that the plan of work be enlarged to cover the needs of the whole city. This met with a ready response, and a call was issued to all women of the city thru the Y.M.C.A.. The result was the new form of organization known as the Ladies' Christian Auxiliary to the Y.M.C.A., the object being to relive the wants of the city's poor. Open Industrial School. By change of constitution in 1876, the connection with the Y.M.C.A. was discontinued but the object remained the same. Then in 1878 a change was made in the method of helping the poor and the industrial school was begun. The first department opened was the sewing school for girls of needy families, to which in 1887 a cooking school was added. The name was changed at this time to indicate the scope of the work, and on Dec. 31, 1886, it was voted to be known as the Ladies' Industrial Relief Society. As such, the society has since stood as one of Davenport's most useful charitable organizations. Miss Phoebe Sudlow, in whose honor the East Intermediate school was recently named, was one of the members, and served as president for many years. Present Activities. In the Ladies Industrial Relief Home on Sixth street between Main and Brady, the poor woman can do her washing with appliances, soap, hot water-everything necessary-without cost. Here her children are cared for out of school hours, those too young to go to school are cared for all day while the mother goes to work. Warm, nourishing food is given to the children, and mothers are instructed as to how to care for their families with greater efficiency. Clothing is furnished, and hundreds of Christmas diners are sent out annually. Girls have been helped thru school by the society. In one respect the Ladies' Industrial Relief is unique among Davenport organizations. Never has it conducted a drive. The society is supported by voluntary contributions which, with the endowment fund, carry on the work. Cases Cared For. The Industrial Relief's object is a constructive family welfare work, to relieve distress, to promote self-support, and to raise the standards of home life. The society maintains relief, free employment, day nursery, and juvenile protective departments. Among the cases cared for are those of non-resident families in the county less than a year, transient families, and resident families. Emergency visits are made when destitute families are unable to call at the office, and relief is given when needed until the proper organization can be notified. In the case of family problems, the cooperation of relatives is enlisted in supplying relief. Other organizations are asked to assist in removing causes of distress as rapidly as possible and promoting a wholesome family life. The Nursery. The day nursery provides for children of families whose mother is obliged to work or thru illness or other unfortunate circumstances in the home is unable to give the proper care. The nursery helps keep such families together and instructs the heads in proper care for the children and developes a sense of responsibility as parents. The nursery also assists in the normal development of the children. The nursery is open five days a week, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and is closed on legal holidays. No distinction is made in respect of nationality, race or religion, and children from the age of 1 month thru school age are cared for. Noon meals and lunches are furnished and kindergarten children are taken to and from school by a nurse. The free employment bureau furnishes day work for women, such as laundry wor k and cleaning, odd jobs for men and boys. The cases dealth with include school truancy, illegitimacy, neglected children, extended constructive work for young people, cases referred by other agencies, delinquency problems of juvenile offenders to the age of 18 years, underprivileged children needing social contracts and correspondence investigations of outside agencies. Trustees of the Industrial Relief. Mrs. C.A. Ficke, president. Mrs. G.H. Ficke, secretary. Mrs. J.W. Watzek, treasurer. Mrs. Nathaniel French. Mrs. J.A. Crawford. Mrs. W.H. Kimball. G. Warren French. Wm. H. Kern. Frank D. Throop. G.M. Bechtel. S.A. Sahem? Mr. Mary Ravenhill Dopp, general secretary. Cathy Joynt Labath Scott Co, IA USGenWeb Project http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/index.htm Iowa Old Press http://www.IowaOldPress.com/