George Frederick Hulbert

Hvilbert, George Frederick, physician, was born August 11, 1855, in western New York. He came to St. Louis and completed his education in the public schools of that city. He studied medicine at St. Louis Medical College, and served in the United States Marine Hospital. After obtaining his degree he entered upon practice in St. Louis, and from 1882 to 1887 was superintendent of the St. Louis Female Hospital. In 1880 and 1881 he was also surgeon-in-charge of the St. Louis House of Refuge. For a time he was professor of gynecology in the St. Louis College of Physicians and Surgeons. Later he was professor of the principles and practice of medicine at the Marion Sims Medical College. He is now president of the board of trustees of St. Louis Woman's Hospital, and is also consulting surgeon of the Missouri Pacific Railroad Hospital, and examining physician for the Fidelity Mutual Life Insurance Company. He is a Presbyterian churchman, and is a Republican in politics. December 22, 1881, he married Miss Susie Q. Cowan, daughter of James E. Cowan, of St. Louis. Their children are George Frederick Hulbert, Jr., and James Cowan Hulbert.

Humane Society of Kansas City.—

This society, having for its purposes the protection of children, the prevention of cruelty to animals, and the promotion of humane sentiments among all classes of persons, was organized in December, 1883, and was incorporated December 24th of that year. The initial movement grew out of interest in the work of similar societies in New York and Boston. The original membership comprised nearly 100 persons, representing all reputable calling in life, and all religious denominations. The first officers were: T. B. Bullene, president; Samuel H. Yonge, first vice president; W. N. McDearmon, secretary, and Homer Reed, treasurer. Two agents are employed; they are commissioned police officers, and have authority to make arrests of those guilty of cruelty to children

HUMANE SOClEf Y OF MISSOURI— HUMANITY CLUB.

or dumb animals. An additional agent is to be employed, whose sole duty shall be to secure the enforcement of laws for the protection of animals, especially of horses. In the first year of its existence the society procured the passage of a city ordinance "For the Punishment of Cruelty to Animals." Under the operations of this and other ordinances, every offense, including overloading and mistreatment, is provided against. Up to September, 1900, nearly 50,000 cases of humane work had received attention, these including about 3,000 children provided with homes, and many adults cared for in asylums and hospitals, or transported to the custody of distant friends. The society also procured the establishment of drinking fountains for animals, and has aided in securing State legislation to further humane purposes. Mr. T. B. Bullene served as president in 1884-5, and again in 1893, his death occurring during his latter term; to his intelligent enthusiasm in the work, and his liberality in contributions, is ascribed in large measure the firm establishment of the society and its early successes. Edwin R. Weeks was elected president in 1895 and has served continuously to the present time, devoting his time and means unstintingly to a cause in which he is deeply interested. At his instance was held a most unique meeting in the Academy of Music, January 14, 1895, the purpose of which was to consider "The Humane and Economic Care of the Horse," and the addresses and discussions were of far-reaching effect. The Humane Society, led by President Weeks, effected the organization of Bands of Mercy in all the schools, their membership comprising children pledged "to be kind to all harmless living creatures and to try to protect them from cruel usage." Aside from the primal purpose of the Band of Mercy, school-teachers commended it for its reflex influence in improved personal conduct on the part of children, and consequent improvement in school discipline. The immediate work of organization was principally devolved upon Mrs. Jessie Mackenzie Walker. Some years previous to that time Miss Mary B, Little had organized a few similar bands in connection with the work of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, but these had practically disappeared. One of the most notable gatherings ever held in the great Convention Hall was April

28, 1899, when Mr. Weeks assembled the Bands of Mercy, 25,000 children being present, with 10,000 adults as spectators. This was the largest meeting of the kind ever held in the world, surpassing the famous one held in the Crystal Palace, Sandringham, England, and it brought to Mr. Weeks congratulatory letters and telegrams from many foreign countries. In 1900 the Humane Society numbered about 1,000 members; the annual expenditures were about $1,500; the city provided a place for meetings in the City Hall.

Humane Society of Missouri, for the prevention of cruelty to children and animals, was organized January 3, 1870, but after an existence of a few years became dormant, and was reorganized May t, 1881. On the 28th day of May, 1884, the society was incorporated, and in 1892 an addition to its charter was made. The first articles of incorporation stated that the objects of the society were to aid in preventing cruelty to animals and to promote humane sentiment among all classes, to which was added by the amended charter the prevention of cruelty to children and the right of the society to become guardian for waifs. Many of the best citizens of St. Louis have been members of the society, and among the presidents were George Partridge, Edwin Harrison, J. Cliff Richardson, Charles Parsons and George D. Barnard. Dr. T. Griswold Comstock has, since the reorganization of the society, been chairman of the executive committee. Thousands of revolting cases of cruelty have come under its notice and been remedied. Many cruelties ' to children have been prevented, and over 500 children cared for in the five years' work of the society in that branch. The cruelties that made the society a necessity did not save it from the enmity of some, the ridicule of others, and the indifference of the masses. But the founders were constant and confident, and the society has gone forward, making its way in popular esteem, and increasing its opportunities and power for good, until it is now one of the acknowledged and highly favored institutions of the city.

Humanity Club.— This club originated with Lizabeth H. Noble (Mrs. John W. Noble) in the autumn of 1893. The general desire for beneficence was then brought to a focus through her attention being called by Susan V. Beeson to the report of some abuses in the hold-over system of St. Louis. She resolved at once to call upon her friends to aid in finding out what was wrong and to use their influence toward having it righted. She believed that women are not exempt from civic duties by the fact that they have no political power. Indeed, this may well be of value to the work, as no partisanship can enter into the aims of such an organization. Social evolution has reached the point where the ideal is not justice, but the welfare of humanity, and hence woman's place in public life is necessary and logical, for in her is the spirit of motherhood toward the whole race. Hearty response was given to Mrs. Noble's call, and the club, organized under its present name, adopted the motto of "Nothing human is alien to me." This later was inscribed upon the club stamp, which shows a shield bearing the club name and motto and the device of a winged world. From the first the idea prevailed that the efforts of the club should not be confined to any one place, but embrace all the departments for charity and correction belonging to the city. The standard of judgment was that no person should be worse on leaving a public institution for having been there. This seems to be self-evident, for, while most of the places are not reformatories, every one would agree that the criminal should no more be demoralized by his method of punishment than the insane or the paper should be oppressed under the guise of care. The sound public sense of justice and decency would uphold any organization looking to this end. The club was divided into committees, each one of which had a department relegated to its care for investigation and report. Every city institution is continuously visited, and one is selected as the object of concentrated effort each year, those already in hand being firmly held meanwhile. The first field was the jail and holdover, and after the facts had been investigated a memorial to the mayor was drawn up, in which remedies were suggested for the evils found. The mayor, Mr. C. P. Walbridge, and the president of the council, Mr. Charles Nagel, always glad to forward any good movement, encouraged the club in its efforts. One of the chief changes-advocated was in regard to the insane and delirious, taken up on the street or elsewhere, who were confined in the hold-over until the health officer could examine them. The cells set apart for them were dark, utterly bare, and opposite those used for drunkards. Here they were kept for a few hours or several days. The committee was told repeatedly that however slightly demented the unfortunates were on entering, they never left save as having maniacs. An ordinance changing the law so that such persons should be taken direct to the City Hospital for observation was drawn up at the request of the club, and pushed through the municipal assembly successfully. Now there are frequently ten or twelve persons under observation at the hospital, where they receive intelligent attention and are often sent away as sane after a short detention. In the jail, the women at that time were not only cooper up in small cells, three or four in each, overlooking the rotunda, where the male prisoners were exercised twice daily, but they were allowed no exercise, were in the sole charge of men, and were often put in the dungeon, sometimes for eighteen hours, once at least for the horrifying period of three weeks. Where there are women confined there should be a woman in charge, is one of the plain principles enunciated by the club. It has been carried into effect gradually at the jail; first by getting a law passed authorizing a day woman guard, later, one authorizing a night guard, and quite recently by causing these laws to be obeyed, so that now all the women are under the care of a woman guard continuously all the twenty-four hours. This was not accomplished save by persistent determination, with the aid of the press, and in spite of much opposition. The result proved, however, that the club's reliance on a deep-seated sense of fairness in the majority of legislators and in the mind of the people at large was a secure foundation. New day quarters, airy and sunny, were built for the women, and a bath room and out-of-door exercise ground were provided. With a woman guard present no abuses were allowed, and she maintains dis' cipline continuously, so that punishment is less often needed and less severe when given. Of course, no adequate classification is possible so long as men and women are where they can see and hear each other, and where those possibly innocent and those adjudged guilty are confined together, even in the same cell. This is true of men, as well as of women and children also. The more decent of those under arrest are without protection from those hardened in crime, used to filth and often diseased. Great improvement might be made even with the present wretched conditions. The House of Refuge was next undertaken. Here criminals, vagrants and those simply thrown upon the city for support were mixed up together, and still are, though some measure of classification has now been adopt" ed. The club arranged with several charitable institutions of different religious denominations to take, free of charge, any unoffending children without support, but this did not prove practicable, as parents or guardians prefer the House of Refuge. Two of the members of the club were appointed by the mayor as members of the board of managers of this institution, and under their 'supervision, with the aid of their colleagues, there have been provided greater cleanliness, improvement of dormitories, a woman teacher, a trained nurse, a kindergarten and a training school for girls in domestic work. The Woman's (Female) Hospital was next taken up. Here and at the Insane Asylum the club was instrumental in getting good superintendents appointed when the quadrennial change was made; also in helping to put through bills providing a supervisor of nurses, a trained nurse in each department and a separate lying-in ward. This latter cost endless efforts, and when finally completed was so badly built that it was adjudged unsafe and has stood unoccupied, therefore, many months, with a badly overcrowded hospital alongside. The Workhouse came next on the programme. The first object was to get women guards in charge of women sentenced there. The bill introduced into the municipal assembly to accomplish this was defeated once, but the club does not give up easily, and when reintroduced, the bill was supported by incessant efforts and finally became a law. The mayor appointed the candidates recommended by the club, and they were installed early in 1897. small part of the club's work is in selecting suitable women for these new and trying occupations. They have to meet many prejudices working against them, as well as to do the work adequately, and the first trial has not always been successful; but the mayor, Mr. Walbridge, constantly supported the club, and while he was in office the reforms instituted by it were left largely in its hands to carry out. The City Hospital and the Poorhouse are frequently visited by the club's committees, but owing to the fact that the whole hospital system, including the Poorhouse, where there are more insane than paupers, was given over for four years to a hospital commission, created especially to construct it, the club has made little effort in regard to them, except in minor matters. The Insane Asylum is well built and admirably conducted, and is justly a pride to the city. The Poorhouse is also well and humanely conducted.

There is no limit to the scope of the Humanity Club save such as is set from time to time by expediency and tact. Perhaps the chief object the club has gained is in estab- Hshing itself as a recognized body, which the public knows and officials have acknowledged to be disinterested and earnest in its aims, and whose judgment is considered worthy of attention. The efficient co-operation of a mayor desirous of having the city benefit by the efforts of the club, and the assistance of a majority of the Municipal Assembly, have been incalculable aids to its work, but it relief chiefly, as all good work must, on the fundamental integrity of public opinion. It is invoicing this and in thus convincing those who have the power that it should be used in the right direction that the club's reason for being lies. Mrs. Noble, the first president, died soon after founding the club, and it was continued with increased activity as a memorial to her undying public spirit. Mrs. E. C. Cushman succeeded her, Miss Beeson and Mrs. Henry C. Pierce were made vice presidents, and Miss Leonora B. Halsted, secretary and treasurer. At the end of two years these officers were unanimously re-elected, but Mrs. Pierce resigning, Mrs. Edwin Harrison was made vice president in her stead. The chairmen of committees have changed from time to time; among those who have rendered efficient services in that capacity are Mrs. John A. Allen, Mrs. Dwight Tredway, Mrs. Henry Eliot, Mrs. Anthony H. Blaisdell and Mrs. Hugh McKittrick.

Leonora B. Halsted.

As printed in Encyclopedia of the history of Missouri, a compendium of history and biography for ready reference (1901). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.