dent; J. L. Scofield, general secretary. Mr. Scofield resigned March 22, 1898, and was succeeded by G. J. Ross, while October 1st Mr. Beach was succeeded by Elmer S. Batterson in the office of president; 1899, Elmer S. Batterson, president; J. F. Robertson, general secretary; 1900, Mr. McQueston, president; C. F. Nevins, general secretary; 1901-2, John A. Robbins, president; R. M. Chase, general secretary; 1903-4, J. A. Robbins, president; C. F. Nevins, general secretary; 1905, W. F. Chevalier, president; C. F. Nevins, general secretary; 1906, Z. W. Hutchinson, president; Hugh Jameson, general secretary; 1907, Fred Beach, president; Hugh Jameson, general secretary; 1908-9, P. W. Francis, president; Hugh Jameson, general secretary. During the latter year Mr. Jameson resigned and June 8, 1909, J. G. Mitchell was elected general secretary; 1910, J. E. Hoopes, president; J. G. Mitchell, general secretary; 1911, J. E. Hoopes, president; J. B. McNiel, general secretary. YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION. The Young Women's Christian Association was organized June 6, 1905, at a meeting held in the lecture room of the First Baptist church. Miss Abbie McElroy, the state organizer, was present and explained the purposes and objects that should be sought by the members of the new society. This organizing meeting was the result of strenuous and persistent efforts on the part of Mrs. Ella L. Jayne, who was especially interested, as she has always been, in the welfare and uplift of womankind. The first officers of the association, having the title of board of managers, were: Mrs. J. N. Elliott, Mrs. F. S. Penter, Mrs. Laura Musser-McColm, Mrs. P. W. Francis, Mrs. Ella L. Jayne, Miss Winifred Giesler, Miss Mary C. Dean, Mrs. J. S. Kulp, Mrs. Celia Brigham, Mrs. Mary Hoopes, Mrs. Ida Brooks, Mrs. N. Rosenberger, Miss May Brown and Mrs. W. F. Bishop. The presiding officer of the meeting was Mrs. Ella L. Jayne; secretary, Miss Sue Browning. This newly formed society affiliated with the Rest Room Society and held its meetings at the headquarters of the latter, then located on Iowa avenue, these rest rooms being under the direction of the Association of Women's Clubs. Under the new order of things Miss Elizabeth Hoopes was placed in charge of the rest rooms. At a meeting held July 18, 1905, at the home of Mrs. Ella L. Jayne, the membership of the board of directors was completed by the addition of Mrs. J. W. Potter, Mrs. S. G. Stein, Mrs. Lilly Brown, Mrs. J. Risley Reuling, Mrs. M. W. Stirlen. Miss Winifred Giesler was made chairman of the membership committee, Mrs. Lilly Brown chairman of the rest rooms, and Mrs. Ella L. Jayne chairman of the finance committee. Miss Clara L. Darst of Chicago became general secretary and remained in that office one year, when she was succeeded by Miss Bertha Hoover. In October, 1905, the rest rooms were abandoned and the association and rest rooms moved to the Stein building, where there are various departments for the growing association. They are not large enough, however, and the next public movement in Muscatine will probably be that of building a permanent home for this worthy institution. The present officers of the association are as follows: President, Mrs. M. W. Stirlen; first vice president, Mrs. J. S. Kulp; second vice president, Mrs. A. K. Raff; third vice president, Mrs. H. S. Clark; fourth vice president, Mrs. Robert L. Thompson; recording secretary, Miss Mary C. Dean; corresponding secretary, Mrs. Emerson G. Hoopes; treasurer, Mrs. F. H. Little; general secretary, Miss Bertha Hoover. The board of directors are: Mrs. M. W. Stirlen, Mrs. Robert L. Thompson, Mrs. F. H. Little, Mrs. A. K. Lilly, Mrs. Ella L. Jayne, Mrs. William Stark, Mrs. H. S. Clark, Mrs. A. K. Raff, Miss Frances E. Hawley, Mrs. Laura Musser-McColm, Mrs. Cynthia Millar, Mrs. J. S. Kulp, Miss Winifred Giesler, Mrs. J. A. Stephens, Mrs. J. B. Hunt, Mrs. Emerson G. Hoopes and Miss Mary C. Dean. The one ultimate aim of the Young Women's Christian Association is the bringing of young women to realize the possibilities of the Christian life. All the departments of the association tend to the realization of this aim and toward higher Christian womanhood. The three distinct agencies toward this development are the Bible classes, mission study classes and Sunday vesper services. All these agencies bring the women and girls of the different churches as well as the women and girls of no church together and tends to bring other members. When it is realized how many women and girls are brought in contact with religion through the Young Women's Christian Association, often those who could not be induced to attend a church and many times those who are waiting to be invited to a church home, it seems that a new building in which this important work would not be hampered, should be forthcoming. HERSHEY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL. June 26, 1902, the Benjamin Hershey Memorial Hospital was opened to the public. This magnificent public benefaction is the gift of Miss Mira Hershey in memory of her father, Benjamin Hershey, one of the pioneer business men of Muscatine a man who spent many years of activity in the community and died, leaving a vast estate. The hospital stands on the heights of North Mulberry street. Its ground dimensions are 81 feet 9 inches by 76 feet 6 inches. The material is of red pressed brick set in red mortar with red sandstone trimmings. It has three stories and a basement. The general architectural lines and features are extremely pleasing to the eye. This institution is easy of approach, being on the trolley line, and is situated far and away from the hurly burly of city traffic. The interior is nicely furnished and possesses all the requisites for an institution of this character. Every convenience and accessory is to be found in Hershey Hospital. The rooms are furnished, many by Miss Hershey, others by private individuals and fraternal orders. All kinds of acute, curable and non-contagious diseases are treated here. Those suffering with chronic and incurable maladies are received and retained at the discretion of the consulting medical staff, but no one will be entertained who, from the nature of his disease,' will occasion discomfort to other patients. The prohibitory list embraces cases of incurable cancer, insanity and those of an offensive character. Cases of emergency will be received at any hour. Applicants for admission outside the city must be made in writing upon a printed form which the superintendent furnishes upon request. Surgical operations are given preference and no nurses except those furnished by the hospital will be permitted to serve therein. In the general wards the rate is $7 per week, payable in advance. Private and single rooms are from $14 to $25 per week. The hospital is incorporated as the Benjamin Hershey Memorial Association. The members of the corporate body compose the board of trustees made up of business men of Muscatine, who have the power to fill any vacancy that might occur in the board. This board has numerous sub-committees who meet often and keep in close touch with the business transacted and the way things are conducted. The greatest satisfaction thus far has existed in the management, and physicians of the city speak in highest terms of the treatment of patients, the accommodations and the skill and character of the nurses. BELLEVUE HOSPITAL. One of the attractive public places of Muscatine is the grounds and building of Bellevue Hospital which stands on a high, commanding bluff, overlooking the Father of Waters, as it sweeps down through the islands of green. Far from the noise, the dirt and grime of the city, here the invalid has an ideal home, where the best of nursing and all nature combine to make his lot as pleasant as possible. This house is known for its historic past and great beauty. The building is historically known as "Wagner's Folly." Many years ago a lawyer known as "Alphabet" Wagner, from the fact that there were three initials to his name, A. B. C., settled in Muscatine and was at once struck with the beautiful view of the Mississippi and the surrounding country from the hill overlooking the river at the head of Second street. Every evening found Mr. Wagner gazing far out over the bluff and it was not long before rumors were afloat that he was about to erect a magnificent building at this point. In fact, it was not long before great pillars of stone arrived in the city and work was commenced in the little village on a building that incited in the breasts of the villagers the utmost wonder at its grandeur, but after several weeks' construction on the edifice work was stopped and Wagner left the city. The great stone pillars that had been brought from Boston were left remaining, lying about the unfinished building. The undertaking had been too great for its projector and eventually the unfinished structure fell into the hands of General Gordon, who completed it. The building in its present state shows the honesty of its construction and the classic beauty of its lines. About 1898 the building became a private hospital under the direction of Drs. A. J. Weaver and J. L. Klein and from the beginning the institution has been a success in every regard. OLD LADIES' HOME. In 1894 certain ladies of the various Muscatine churches started a movement toward the establishing of a home for women who had arrived at that age and condition as to make for them most desirable and necessary a place to spend their declining years in comfort and security. On December 6, 1894, an organization of the Christian and philanthropic women of Muscatine was effected, by the selection of a board of managers and the adoption of by-laws, under which the proposed home should be governed. In 1895 the home was incorporated and under the charter the following board of managers was elected: Mrs. J. E. Musser, Mrs. E. L. Jayne, Mrs. Emina Dean, Mrs. L. E. Giesler, Mrs. S. A. Foulke, Mrs. Mary Weed, Mrs. W. S. Robertson, Mrs. Ellen M. Brown, Mrs. Anna Lee Mahin, J. S. Braunwarth, M. D.; Mrs. I. O. Horton, Miss Susan F. Stone. The first president of the home was Mrs. P. M. Musser, who has continued in that position up to the present time. Mrs. W. S. Robertson was elected vice president; Mrs. Henry Jayne, secretary; and Mrs. Alfred Brown, treasurer. From various sources and through the indefatigable efforts of Mrs. George D. Magoon, Mrs. T. R. Fitzgerald and others, funds were secured to furnish a home, but it was not until 1896 that a permanent building was obtained, and this was made possible by the generosity of P. M. Musser, who bought a residence property at 1119 Mulberry street for $5,000, and presented it to the board of managers of the Old Ladies' Home. Since that time the home has been open, with every room occupied, every inmate comfortable and happy in the restful security afforded her. The first person to make application for entrance into this retreat was Mrs. Kate F. Stone, who was admitted January 17, 1897. She gave $500 as an entrance fee. Mrs. Stone's was the first death of the institution, she having passed away January 4, 1900. Other inmates have followed her to the grave in the order here named: Mrs. Minerva B. Drake, October 24, 1900; Mrs. Margaret Humphreys, January 16, 1901; Mrs. Kate Nelson, June 1, 1901; Mrs. Martha A. Parvin, May 13, 1902; Mrs. Parintha D. Butts, November 14, 1903; Mrs. Helen D. Aylworth, March 31, 1904; Mrs. Lucelia F. John, June 19, 1907; Mrs. Abbie E. Fields, February 21, 1908; and Miss Eleanor Howell, April 9, 1911. Donation socials have been held from time to time, suppers and the like, by and through which funds have been added to those already in hand, to replenish the larder, the coal bin and the clothes press. As the existence of the institution is wholly dependent upon the good will of the citizens, the home management is always appreciative of any assistance coming its way. Gifts of a very substantial nature have been received and at this time the management has a sinking fund of $15,000. At the beginning, the entrance fee was $200, which was soon found to be inadequate and raised to $500. The number of inmates is limited, owing to paucity of accommodations, to five persons. The present officers of the home are: President, Mrs. P. M. Musser; vice president, Mrs. W. S. Robertson; secretary, Mrs. J. A. Bishop; treasurer, Mrs. A. B. Brown. Board of directors: Mrs. J. A. Bishop, Mrs. Z. W. Hutchinson, Mrs. J. Scott Blackwell. GERMAN LUTHERAN ORPHANS' AND OLD PEOPLE'S HOME. South of the city is located a home, conducted by the German Lutherans, for orphans and superannuated adults. This most worthy benevolent institution was founded in 1894 by Rev. Reinemund, who began his labor of love by |