Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, March 27, 1904, PART I, Page 7, Image 7
I THE OMAITA DAILY BEEi SUNDAY, MAUCII 27. 104. i . CHURCHES YIELD TO BUSINESS j Two Lsft in Distrkt t Sm(mi Trada Activities, KOUNTZC MEMORIAL BEGINS TO MOVE (. Fhlloaaoaa'a CtethoUo ruU4rtl, Oae of ! Terr Oldew, Mmi 914 Bit Xtata (root. Demolition begun this week en the tower cf Kountse M mortal church, Sixteenth mail Harney streets, mark the destruction of another of the old down-town churches. With the growth of the city and the ehsnires ot the business and residenco dis tricts the churches which were, once the pride of Omaha worshipers are sold to tanks room for business blocks. Whea the last bricks shall have bee pulled dowrl from Kountse Memorial only two churches wilt remain In the down-town section St. Phllomrna's cathedral and tho. First FTes "1yterlan church. The former, la a few years, will five way to some wholesale house, but the latter being on the Dodge Street hill, which business will be slow to climb, has a longer limit ef usefulness. Its congregation haa for sereral years, how erer, thought of selling. Trinity cathedral la another church which, whoa built, was thought to be far from the arrests of busi ness, but It la now on debatable ground. A few years' growth will bring 1t down town as much as is the Freabyterlaa house, St. Phllomena'a Is one of the oldest churches In the city. In 1856 the Catholic were first organised and the aaaie year began foundation trenches at Eighth aad Howard streets In what had been laid out for a publle park to extend from Jackson to Davenport streets. Strength was lack ing, however and not until 18S6 was 4 church built on Ninth street. In WKT the cathedral was finished and the old building became the pariah school. 1 The first of the down-town churches was the First Methodist Episcopal. It begaa la small room at Eleventh aad Jonea streets, later uspd the rapltol building, was later riven lots by the city at Thirteenth and Dodge streets, which were sold sad a brick church put up In 1856 with borrowed money. This wan Inst through debt and In 18TT the frame building put up far from the buay crowd, at 1711 Davenport street. Front there to Twentieth atreet waa the latest move. Trinity Comes Seat. Trinity parish began Its existence In ISM and Its first church was In the fashionable center at Ninth and Farnam streets. This was on ground leased for ten years. In ISM the vestry struck for the cornfields and bought the ground at Eighteenth and Capitol avenue, where the cathedral now stands. The church finished In 1867 was burned two years later and the f rasas building which followed It was twice en larged and served until the stone house was begun shortly before 1880. The First Congregational was organised In 185ft and met in the atatehousa and tha dining room of the Douglas house. In VEt a Stoo church waa built at Sixteenth and .Farnam, then a quiet blue grass patch, and used until IN", when It was sold and became part of the elty halt. The next move waa to Chicago street, between Eigh teenth and Nineteenth streets, and later the present Davenport street house of wor ship wsa built. The First Presbyterian had n hard time In getting to Seventeenth and Dodge Streets. Organised. In 18ST, It gradually dis solved to an end. The Second church be gan life In 1R61, and after using the Con gregational church, later the Baptist and the courthouse, finally in 1888 moved Inta the basement of the present church and became tha First church. The upper part Of the church was finished In 18(8. Tha First Baptist church la now far enough from the business center, but after being organised In 1858 It worshiped In n 1200 frame church on Douglas atreet be tween Fifteenth and Sixteenth. It sus pended for a time, but in 186s built a fine frame church a Fifteenth and Davenport Streets. Beth Eden church branched out and built on Park avenue, and after tha First church burned, lota were bought on upper Farnam. Later they united In Beth Xden church and are now building again. Hearlr ef First Christina. The First Christian church has been get ting away from down town alnce 186S. A little church waa built on lower Harney gtreet. but the society later disbanding, thla was leased. In 1871 they took the old Methodist house on Seventeenth street, and later put up tha frame structure at Twentieth and Capitol avenue, which was lately torn down. St. Mary Magdalene, Gorman Catholic, la another church which had business thrust upon It In Its old location. When the uglas street house waa destroyed a rather small brick church was built on tha name location, and when two years ago the land became valuable thla waa sold Ml a move mads to Nineteenth and Dodge street. The matter of location is now a very seri ous Question for the Board of Directors of Kountse Memorial church. Some of tha members feel that since the church has twice been forced to move, now la the time to get out In the deep, sweet smelling clover and tha H0.400 residences, and place a fine church where It will not be bothered by trafllo. Others point to tha faot that on both occasions when the churches were old a very handsome profit waa, realised and the society was abls with the money gained to build creditable churches, These people favor move of only a few blocks. There Is probably a majority in favor of h neighborhood of Twenty-fourth and Farnam streets. Tet there are members of the church who feel that this la away in the country. First Traasaelsstsslpat Latheraa. The first Lutheran church welt of the Mississippi liver was organised In Omaha la ltfcl Rev. II. W. Kuhns had been sent West as a missionary by the Allegheny ayuod of Pennsylvania, and during his first year here ha succeeded in forming a church with seventeen members. Of these two only are now alive, these being Mra Fred Drexel and Mrs. Clara Boeder, both living in Omaha. The church was first called the rmanuel Lutheran. Mr. Kuhns remained as pastor until 1S70, and his three sons live here still. Of these Rer. Luther Kuhns Is secretary of the Luther league and Paul and John Kuhns are connected with the First National bank. In lma ths congregation built at WO Douglas street what was for that Urns a tine brick church, which would aeat about 1W persons. The church during the first two years saw many hard times. Mr. Kuhns went east to raise money, but the aivll war was at Its height and his was a aevero Uak. It is said of Mr. Kuhns that at one time he carried a letter about with him for days because he had not the money for the l-cent stamp. When Henry O. Harts reached Omaha In IMS, however, the aurch had forty n.enibers and was In a 'alrty nourishing coudition. After the loath or Mr. Kuhns the church had only Irregular supplies for eighteen months, and then came. In 171, Kev. Mr. Blllhelmer. Two years later the pastorate was tendered to Rev. A. W. IJpe. who arrived in the prlng of 1S74. and continued In the pulpit until 10l After this came Rev. H. L. Uaugher. D. U. lute professor In the Penn sylvania oolWge at Gettysburg. He held the charge from July, ISM, for ons year. 14 w4 Cserse4e4 b Rev. a. T. Bieliing. D. IX, who was largely Instrumental In building the Sixteenth street church. Gtvwa Wats- e Wfljsrs Hatel A month bsfor Dr. eteUtng reached his pas karate, the old charoh was sold for lis.. 000 to the builders of ths Millard hotsl, now covering the western half ot tha lot Dr. Stelllng worked hard for the new church, but died befntw Its completion. When tha lots at Sixteenth and Harney streets were bought, ma ay of the congregation thought hat a very foolish move had been mado in going so far out of town. The lots must save beea onoatdered In the outskirts, for they cost only P.MO. Later the north third of them waa sold to Shukert for KX.000 end the recent sale to Jndgo Neville brings ts.0SO, so that from the original Invest ment of 83.100 tha church haa realised tlH.OOa. Thla la the argument need by those who think it lucky to court business encroachment The new 'church was not built Just ss It stands now, because It stood twelve or mora feet above the present grade. The original cost was $48,000, but when the basement was built under the church, IS, 000 more was spent The door at the south of the entrance which was only a foot or two above the street was left high in tha wall and no steps built to It. About three years ago the church wns re modeled, frescoed snd otherwise Improved at a cost of, 110.000. The building of the church had created a debt ot 830,000. This became very burdensome and during the hard times the northern forty-four feet of (he lota were sold and the money applied oa the debt Of this only $6,000 now re mains to bo deducted from the $90,000. The church was built in 1881 and this was the time when tha name was changed from Emanuel. Period at Prosperity. When ttra church was built the member ship waa . ITS. The Sunday school which had beea organised had grown to 200 mem bers. Dr. P. 8. Leisenring was at this time superintendent. J. S. Detweller was the first pastor In the new church and there followed a period of considerable prosperity. A mission Sunday school had been started some years before and main tained near Tenth and Caatellar streets. During this pastorate two new Lutheran parishes branched out from the older church. These were St. Mark's, which be gan its existence with tha blessing of the parent body about fifteen years ago, and Grace, which waa organised about two year later. Qraco church absorbed the mission Sunday school. After Mr. Det weller came Rev. A. J. Turkic, who was followed In turn by Edward Frederick Trefs. After bis resignation the pulpit was vacant for months and Rev. J. E. Hummon has but lately assumed Its charge. The membership now numbers about $50. The congregation has been growing dis satisfied with tho eld church for some time. It was felt that it was too far down town and for this reason too expensive a property to maintain. There was also no parsonage. A more modern building was desired, so for these reasons the board has been as willing as Barkis for a long time, the only thing being a bidder who would pay tho price. The board haa not yet decided on tha new location nor as to whether a meeting place will be rented and work begun as soon as - possible on tho new homo or Whether a stucco tabernacle be erected and used for twelve or eighteen months while preparations for a fine new church are made with deliberation. Tho work of de struction will be hurried and Easter sees the last Sunday service. A farewell re ception has been planned for the evening of April 11 and then the church will end Its existence ss a place of worship. The Women's Helping Hand socletly Is having a number of large photographs of the church printed and will awell the fund by Bailing them to membera who desire Souvenirs. JAPAN'S HEART IN THE WAR eawaaasaasaaa What am Omaha Girl Who Is at Osaka Writes Homo to Her Frleads. F. W. Foster has Just received a letter from Grace Anne Hughes of Osaka, Japan. Miss Hughes graduated from Omaha High school In 189$. She haa been-In Japan four years. Shs gives these bright little touches from real Ufa In central Japan during these war tln.es. She writes: "War waa formally declared on the Mem orial day (February 11), called Rlgensetsu, celebrated each year In memory of the as cension to the throne of the first emperor Of Japan, Jlmml (tenno). Tha naval vic tories of tho three or four days previous put the people In Juat tho right mind for a very exciting celebration, but they seemed to keep well in mind that this was the beginning of a great unknown end, and they were very moderate, at least in Osaka. "Wo get most ot our daily news from tho Japanese daily. The Jap. papers try to keep things moving by getting out extras several times a day, but news Is scarce.) Last night (February 25) the extra waa ssnt around after midnight People got up, thinking something Important had hap pened, but there was nothing worth read ing. ' "Wo are about 1.000 miles' from the ob jective point Port Arthur, and we hope the fighting will keep at that distance; but wa are In the heart of Japan, and we can feel tho throbbing of tha best blood of tho country, as they have been sending tha troops through tha Osaka station at the rate of one train load of (00 every two hours for the past two weeks. Other reg ular trains are taken off and tho whole transfer business of this great elty is being put to great Inconvenience, but every one la willing, and no one complains. 'It is the ceuntry'a call.' "The method they have of calling out men who are In different walka of life, with many depending on them for support. Is most pitiable. Vsually they give them only a few hours In which to wind up aftatrs. They must go and leave alL An emer gency fund is already being raised for the purpose of providing for tboee who are thus left destitute. In yesterday's paper were the names of five men who used to be dalmlyos (feudal princes). Each gave to tha war fund l.OOO.OOO yen (about $500,000). The world has not yet seen the hesrt of Jspan. ' This gives us more faith that when onoe Jspan turns to worship the true Ood there will be no lack of gifts In His treasury." ESTABROOK TO BE THE ORATOR Will Deliver tho Principal Address at the Omaha f eml-Ceateaalal Celebration. Henry D. Estabrook haa written from New York to Edward Roaewater, accept ing the Invitation to deliver the principal address st the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the passags of tha Kansas Nebraska bill, which will be held In Omaha on May $1 next At Lawrence. VCan., on May 3D the same event will be celebrated, at which place Hon. William H. Taft, sec retary of war. will be the principal speaker. An effort Is being mads to secure Mr. Taft for participation In the Omaha celebration also. Whaling; Bark Gees North. SAN FRANCISCO. March W.-The whal ing bark (iadhead has nailed for a crulae In the Arctic. It will be the only sailing; vessel In the northern watera this sen son In search of bn and ivory. The tJay haad for years has crulaed In the south seaa in the early spring snd along the Japnneae and filbeHan coasts in the sum mer snd fall, but this season It will take ae ehanree In waters where either Rus sian or JananeM vir - . .-- nv-w Jte be encountered. FIFTY-TWO IN THE FAMILY Bird and Animal at KwaiJs Fark an Io teres ling Lot KttPCR AN MI SON HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD WatraM Otf Bis gsjscehJoos Wards silk VujUaaee, hat Falls te Al ways Fieaessa POase sal Goodwill. One of the most Intereslng families In Omaha undoubtedly la under tho care ef N. P. Andersan at Rirervlew park. Al though not human in makeups that fam ily of fifty-two has Its tittle likes and dislikes that must be 'catered ta; little aches and pains that must receive atten tion from Keeper Andersan, who watchee over his charge with a sealous care. And It is doubtful whether the return of spring has more significance with any other fam ily in Omaha than it haa with the fifty-two animals and birds housed at Rlvervlew park. Keeper Andersan was distributing a pall of meat to tho eamlvorous animals and birds and exchanging pleasantrien with his dumb friends the other evening when the question, "How have tho animals and birds passed tha wtntert" waa asked of him. .' "Quite nicely, thank you; they have had a few colds and have been oft their feed at times, but generally they have had an exceptionally pleasant winter," was the reply received. The herd of buffalo, four noble relics of ths plains, appear to take their Incarcera tion with becoming grace. "Old Ben," IS years of age, the senior member of the herd, feeta his position and makes "Rosie." "Bessie" and "Bridget" tend to their knit ting. The keeper says some days he Is particularly cranky and refuses to bo consoled. The herd was formerly with a wild west show. The four bears, "Nipper," "Queen," ''Marshall" and "Victoria," are eagerly waiting for the good old summer time when the boys snd girls and the older folks throw peanuts and sweetmeats into the pit Their keeper has no hesitancy In going Into the pit snd making a little afternoon call with the bruins. With "Nipper," the black bear, he is almost on speaking terms, at least to the extent that "Nip" will give hint the "glad hand when asked. Some Domestic Infelleltlea. Little family differences appear to arise In the animal world even as they do with human households. The domestic harmony of Keeper Andersan's family has been marred by the coyotes, three In number, mother, father and son. The latter became so unruly that his parents objected to his presence In the same' cage with them, so the keeper had to place the offspring in a sepaiite cage, which seems to have settled the trouble. " It Is the usual custom for the keepor lo name his pets, but In the . case of the young coyote no name haa as yet been selected. Asked the reason of this, the keeper said the young coyote was so foolish and Irresponsible that he had not yet found a suitable name to give It. Tho un-naroed coyote paces up and down his cage from dawn to darkness with no plana, nor pur pose; ho doesn't seem to have enough aenao to get In out of tho rain, ao his master affirms. The old folks, though 'still re taining the coyote characteristics, receive their meals with at least some show of decorum. The proudest of all tha Rlvervlew park family la the peacock, which had a grand "coming out" a few weeks ago with his new Easter tall, a gorgeous affair. His pride would bo pardonable were It not for the fact that ho lords It over hie com panion, the peahen. In a manner that si awful to behold. He strata and stares around tho aviary, looks over In a patron izing way to his helpmeet, standing In tha oorner with a go-way-back-and-have-a chair expression en her face. He realises that there will be no Easter for her and he takes delight apparently. In reminding her ot the fact that she Is an outcast at Eastsr time; she will have no crowning glory, no fine fall feathers. Wild Cats and Messtata Lion. The two wildcats, "George" and Elisa beth," and the mountain Hon, "Prince Victor," are In a double cage, the cats and the lion being separated by a heavy wire netting. This does not prevent the two specie from having little factional differ ences now and then through the netting. They get as close as they can through the wire and snarl and spit back and forth, the lion, It Is said, being tho aggressor. This can easily be explained. The wild cats are mates, whlls tho Hon Is alone, the only animal In the park that Is not mated. Tnls fact seems to rankle In his bosom. He seems to realise that It is not good to ba alone, at least, all of the time, and he Is pining for a companion, so Keeper An dersan states. It is stated that the Park board expects to secure a female mountain lion as soon as possible and then It la expected that the present differences be tween the wildcats and the mountain Hon will have been adjusted. The eight wolves, four gray and four black, are kept in tho aama rage, with no separation whatsvsr. They usually live in peace and happiness, but occasionally In dulge In a dispute, which Is short lived, the keeper says. Ths only animals to have gone "abroad" to spend ths winter are the twelve Guinea pigs, which were sent to the hothouse at Hanscom park last fall to escape the rigors of a winter In Rlvervlew. They are expected to return when the violets peep again. The eagles, hawks snd owls, a pair of each, have passed the winter In an un eventful manner. The owls continue to look wise and say nothing, the hawka grab their portlona of liver from day to day, while the eagles havs a faraway look as If liberty to them was a meaningless word. The two Arkansas travelers of the park are ths pair of raccoons, brought from Arkansas. They eat their bread and meat without much ado and appear to be giad they are alive and well. The four elk. thriteen deer and three foxea all fill their niches In the animal world at Rlvervlew. "You should hesr the coyotes and wolvea make the welkin ring every time a train passes the park at night-time," aald Keeper Andersan. "Usually one of them will start the concert and the rest will Join In with a grand refrain, filling the woods with thetr howls. They stop when ths train hs passed." Kennedy on tho Stump. Kountse Memorial church will have a great finale April 8. I'pon the evening of that day Mr. William Kennedy (the ver satile advertising manager for the Ben nett company), will deliver his popular lec ture, "Through Scotland with Scott," under the auspices of Clan Oordcn, the local stronghold of ths Scots. Mr. Kennedy has a double barreled op portunity for a big house bis admitted platform superiority and ths fact that his appearance on the Kountse Memorial church platform will be tho last publlo en tertainment In that edifice. Petlluarill Cossosay Falls. BOSTON. March 2a The newspaper ad vertising agencr of Pettlngtll A Co. an nounced that It had placed Ita a IT aire In the handa of Its creditor Counsel representing Pelting-ill a (' stated that the liabilities may rach ll.uOG.0w wiih ass e la Msalaiy oae-uartor of tbat anvouai. . ' ". ". - ?' ' " iV'lilli MUSIC n2jaij y a . f . ' .' 15 SB it. urn SXSS1 WE WELCOME W! 8 -U a r--.w,-'f'- rV. i ..vj -.71 An event in the world of retail merchandising. Beautiful effects, both in the decorating of our show N rooms and in the display of New Spring Goods. We invite your in spection and court your criticism. An unequaled showing of values, that will appeal to those who look for all that is desirable in qualities and styles, combined with a low ness .in price. Do justice to your self and call tomorrow. Our stocks and assortments surpass more than we hoped for--a surprise even to ourselves. The Suit and Millinery Department is aglow with a splendid array of all that is beau tiful in ladies' ready-to-wear clothing. You will And a visit to this department interesting a a well as profitable. We invite your special attention to our Men's and Boys' Clothing, Hat and Shoe Departments. A new and excellent stock that will appeal to all discriminating buyers. Our usual lines of Furniture, Carpets, Draperies, Stoves and Crockery are greater than ever before. In vastness of assortment, low ness of price, beauty and style, nothing like it has ever before been attempted. A vast acre age of merchandise at prices that cannot be equaled. . ; Music and Decorations of a superb order. Our store has been beautified and will prove highly pleasing to you. MUSJC IN THE MORNING AND AFTERNOON. A MAGNI FICENT CONCERT HAS BEEN ARRANGED. STORE OPEN FROM 8 A. M. TO C P. M. NOT OPEN IN THE EVENING. ' r , i 1 r i fia i f ti Nil 5itmiji i fti'iiia in 1 '( it"- if- r ' - -i ., ;;nJ "ft ij 'r mm .V7M Mi I'-.'-rHi f. vl vl ST-; , s 9K ( rv.v '.Vs" i