The Women Who Refused to Give Up Built a Home for Working Girls

The building of the Woman's Home Association at Popular and Republican streets has been completed. Architect John Parkinson has turned it over to the board of directors and it has been accepted. The building stands as a monument to the perseverance, energy and intelligence of a band of Seattle women who have overcome great difficulties in carrying it to completion.

The building presents an imposing appearance, fronting on Republican street. The basement, or first story, is of brick, while the main and second floors are of wood. The inside of the entire building has received a double coat of plaster, while the halls, which enter from north to south the full length of the building, are neatly and tastefully wainscoted.

The ground floor contains a dining-room 16x18, a kitchen, pantries, store-room, laundry, gymnasium 25x16, bath-room, lavatories, elevator for trunks, boiler-room for steam-heating apparatus, an office and room for the janitor. This floor has four entrances, and from it run two wide stairways leading up to the main floor.

The main floor contains eleven chambers with closets, large double parlors with sliding doors that connect with the hall and adjoining rooms, and a neat bath and toilet room. The second floor contains thirteen chambers, bath and toilet rooms, trunk elevator and many other conveniences. There is also a large attic, which with a little work may be turned into good and comfortable rooms whenever the association feels the need.

The striking feature of the entire structure is the air of cheerfulness with which it impresses the beholder. The rooms are all light and airy; the ceilings are high and the ventilation throughout is good. Each room is heated by steam.

The gymnasium on the basement floor is a large room, neatly wainscoted and finished in various tints. It will be fitted up with every possible healthful appliance and will be one of the attractions of the place. The cost of the building as it stands is about $12,000.

The first papers and books of the society were lost, but it is known that it has passed through three incorporations, Mrs. W. S. Bush being the first president. Before the fire there was $158 in the treasury. This was increased by $5,000 from the surplus of the relief fund, $1,435 in donations and a further sum of $5,000, secured as a loan from the German Savings and Loan Society of San Francisco. This loan was effected through the aid of the men's advisory board, and it was this loan that enabled the association to complete its work.

A second start was made by the incorporation on May 28, 1890, of the Woman's Home Society of Seattle. The original officers of the society were: President, Mrs. Gardner Kellogg; vice president, Mrs. Rees P. Daniels; secretary, Mrs. Fred H. Peterson; treasurer, Mrs. W. H. Reeves. The first board of trustees was composed of Mrs. Angus Mackintosh, Mrs. J. H. Lewis, Mrs. Eben Smith, Mrs. Gardner Kellogg, Mrs. D. T. Denny, Mrs. D. A. Mitchell and Mrs. W. S. Bush.

Then the struggle for public support began. Entertainments of various natures were given and money was slowly raised. Mrs. D. T. Denny gave the society the corner lot on which the building now stands, which is valued at at least $2,000, and the society purchased another adjoining. More than a year ago these brave women started the building. They got the walls up and the roof on, but the inside work had to wait many months before it could be completed. But the women never lost heart and bravely held to their first intention in the matter.

About six months ago they conceived the idea of adding to the association a male advisory board, whose duty should be to help out the board of directors in the matter of finances. This board consisted of Thomas W. Prosch, Samuel L. Crawford, John H. McGraw, Roger S. Greene, Rev. D. C. Garrett and Jerome Catlin. These gentlemen have rendered the ladies great assistance and have hastened the work to a great extent.

On April 19 the society was again reorganized under the name of the Woman's Home Association, with the following officers: President, Mrs. H. S. Parkhurst; vice president, Mrs. M. M. Daniels; secretary, Mrs. M. C. Ingraham; treasurer, Mrs. E. A. Waterhouse; trustees, Mrs. H. S. Parkhurst, Mrs. E. W. Sackman, Mrs. C. E. George, Miss Julia Kennedy, Mrs. A. H. Frye, Mrs. M. M. Daniels, Mrs. G. Mitchell, Mrs. M. C. Ingraham and Mrs. E. A. Waterhouse. Quite recently Mrs. H. S. Parkhurst resigned and the members insisted on Mrs. J. S. Bentley assuming the office of president, and the officers now are: President, Mrs. J. S. Bentley; secretary, Mrs. M. C. Ingraham; treasurer, Mrs. E. A. Waterhouse; trustees, Mrs. J. S. Bentley, Mrs. E. W. Sackman, Mrs. M. M. Daniels, Mrs. E. R. Johnson, Mrs. M. C. Ingraham, Mrs. E. A. Waterhouse, Mrs. Henry Fuhrman, Mrs. D. K. Howard and Mrs. D. A. Mitchell.

The present board will make every possible exertion to open the institution early in September. Steps will be taken at once to furnish the building and all who desire to contribute will kindly communicate with Mrs. E. W. Sackman, chairman of the special committee on that subject, or Mrs. J. S. Bentley.

It will be made a bright dwelling place where working girls and women, who are out in the world for themselves, may find a place surrounded by every comfort and attraction of the happiest home. The association has about $1,000 in the treasury, but this will be needed to set the institution going, so that any aid now will be most highly appreciated. It is thought that as soon as the institution is placed squarely on its feet the Women's Association will be able to make it pay its own way.

The ladies are particularly grateful to Architect Parkinson, who gave his services without charge and labored faithfully to the end.