Atchison's Day Nursery - 1914

 

In the late 19^th and early 20^th century, Atchison had a network of individuals of means that offered a helping hand to those that were not as fortunate. One program that was created to help families with limited income was a short lived day nursery in 1914 that gave poor mothers an opportunity to elevate their circumstances. One of these mothers was Ivy Dell McNemee, daughter of Dr. Jesse F. Marshall, a respected Atchison doctor. 

 

Ivy Dell & Arthur on their wedding day (right)

 

Ivy Dell married Arthur McNemee at the age of 18. In 1907, they had a daughter, Inez and in 1910 a daughter, Dorothy. Arthur was a drinker, and he did not treat his family well while he was under the influence. Arthur employed at Great Western Junk Company, but spent most every paycheck on liquor.

On the night of November 10, 1912. The weather was unseasonably warm and Arthur had been drinking in “East Atchison.” Missouri never implemented its own state wide prohibition, and so East Atchison had long been a place to gain access to booze. When it was time to go home, though in his impaired state Arthur missed his grip, falling, mangled by the train. Ivy Dell, pregnant with their third child, was at home with her two girls asleep in a bed in one of the three small rooms of their house when the authorities arrived to notify her of the accident. As she listened to the news, a beer wagon belonging to local saloon of Dilgert and Forbriger, drove up to front door and a delivery man staggered up the walk with a case of beer. Distraught at the sight, Ivy Dell called out, “Poor Artie, poor Artie.... It is just this stuff that brought this terrible accident to us.” Her brother quickly intervened and turned the man away.  

 

Arthur lost an arm and a leg in his railroad accident, causing him to be treated at St. Francis Hospital during a lengthy stay. Ivy Dell was unable to visit because of her pregnant condition. Dr. Charles Robinson, the county health officer checked on the family and found them in great need. The McNemees had not been in a great financial situation before, and now they were practically destitute. In addition, the weather had suddenly dropped from balmy temps to the frigid weather of winter. And the McNemees were not ready. The girls didn’t even have shoes to wear. Ivy’s brother Jesse offered financial support, but could not support his sister’s family as well as his own for long. Dr. Robinson reported to the local newspaper the need of the family and others in the community. The citizens of Atchison were very sympathetic to the poor among them and rallied to help Ivy Dell and her children, providing enough clothes for the winter.

Ivy Dell ca. 1920

 

As her due date approached, concerns for a successful delivery of her baby surely mounted. Miss Jennie Harding, a veteran nurse who had rooms in the Harwi building, donated her services and delivered Ivy Dell’s daughter, Mae at the McNemee home on January 15^th. Miss Jennie would have known Ivy Dell’s father, and Florence Harwi was one of the ladies who would assist in the success of the future day nursery. 

Even when Arthur was released from the hospital, his ability to work would be liminted, and in November 1913, the plight of the McNemees and others like them prompted a surge of interest in “upbuilding” of Atchison. Assisting families in pulling themselves out of unfortunate circumstances. One of the ideas proposed was for a day nursery that would watch children while their mothers worked. Interested mothers were encouraged to leave their names with Mrs. Willis J. Bailey or at the Champion office.

 

The nursery was established to be operated by a board, with assistance by the welfare board of the Atchison Women’s Civic Club. President was Lucy Ingalls (Mrs. Sheffield Ingalls); 1^st Vice President, Ida Bailey (wife of former governor Willis J. Bailey); 2^nd Vice President, Ada Dysinger (Mrs. Holmes Dysinger); Treasurer, Anna Collett (Mrs. W. B. Collett); and Secretary, Miss. Helen Hackney. The board, while steering the project, also provided financial assistance for it. 

Ida Bailey from Kansas 1st Families at Home, 1993

The position of matron of the nursery was offered to Miss Emma Ackley at a rate $30 per month. Miss Ackley was not just any woman chosen to fill the position, however, she was in need of assistance herself. Emma’s father had died in 1882 leaving her and her mother, Lucy, at home without a sole breadwinner. Miss. Ackley, herself, was in poor health, suffering from bouts of neuralgia. Her episodes kept her from taking many working positions outside of the home for long periods, although she did try. Instead, she sought work that she could do at home, anything from typing to embroidery, to selling dolls at the local Corn Carnival. 

 

The nursery was to be housed at the Ackley residence at 613 Santa Fe. Committees were charged with seeking out necessities for nursery, lunches for children, and industrial committee. Lucy Ingalls promoted the nursery to the community. Not soliciting businesses for funding but asking that any monies be given as free will donations. Community members gave items to be used at the nursery: a sign to swing welcomingly in front of Ackley home, supplies for a sand pile, wire fencing which to separate the playground from the rest of yard, and towels.

 

After plans were made, the day nursery was set to open in mid-April. To entice local women to utilize the service, the board celebrated with an Easter-themed open house, complete with gifts for the children and entertainment for the mothers. Rates for the nursery were geared toward making the service accessible toward poor mothers, but the service was also made available to other mothers in the surrounding area. Working mothers would pay 3 cents a day; farmers’ wives could leave their children for a flat rate of 10 cents; and mothers wanting to go shopping unencumbered could use the service for a flat rate of 10 cents. The opening day, however, was a dismal failture - no one showed up. The rain was blamed though and optimism still abounded.

 

Lucy and Emma Ackley in their front parlor

 

And the children did come. It might not have been the first day, but shortly after five children attended plus two that stayed at the nursery before and after school. Among the children served by the nursery were the McNemee girls – Inez (age 6), Dorothy (age 3), and baby Mae. The children had activities, toys to play with, and swings to kick their feet in freedom. The nursery also had advantages for the mothers. Nursery committee members assisted mothers in making clothing out of donated material for the children.

 

Through it all, Ivy Dell McNemee was doing her best to keep her home and family intact. She would get up at 4 o’clock, get breakfast ready, do the necessary housework, dress her girls and and the deliver them to the day nursery. She would then work downtown until 5:30 pm, pick up her children and return home. A tiring cycle that took its toll on her health.

 

But the nursery, while so dear to the McNemees, consistently had low attendance. Compoundinf the issue, the Ackleys also decided to move to nearby Cummings where Miss. Ackley was to take a position at the bank. And so, by August, the decision to close the nursery was made. Ivy Dell was hospitalized for intestinal troubles within days of the announcement. 

 

For the McNemees, the closing of the nursery was a great loss, and home life was not any improved. When Arthur would drink, his anger led to uncontrolled outbursts, and sometimes jail. Money he earned would be spent on liquor and not for the necessities of the home. But no matter the unchanging circumstances on the home front, the fact remained that the Atchison Day Nursery kept this family together during its greatest upheaval. 

 

*Author's note: Ivy Dell and Arthur are my maternal grandmother's grandparents. Miss. Emma Ackley never married and was a good friend of my maternal grandfather's mother, who inherited many of her family items after Miss. Ackley's death.

 

Sources Used:

 

Atchison Daily Champion

1912    “Paid Dearly for the Stolen Ride.” Atchison Daily Champion (newspaper), Atchison, KS. November 10, 1912, page 1.

1913    “Plan Day Nursery for Atchison Babies.” Atchison Daily Champion (newspaper) Atchison, KS. November 26, 1913, page 8.

1914    “Day Nursery Opened.” Atchison Daily Champion (newspaper) Atchison, KS. April 7, 1914, page 3.

1914    “Open House Today.” Atchison Daily Champion (newspaper) Atchison, KS. April 14, 1914, page 2.

 

Atchison Daily Globe

1914    Atchison Daily Globe (newspaper), Atchison, KS. March 17, 1914, page 2.

1914    Atchison Daily Globe (newspaper), Atchison, KS. April 21, 1914, page 8.

1914    Atchison Daily Globe (newspaper), Atchison, KS. June 18, 1914, page 6.

 

Atchison Weekly Globe

1912    Atchison Weekly Globe (newspaper), Atchison, KS. November 28, 1912, page 3.

1914    Atchison Weekly Globe (newspaper), Atchison, KS. April 2, 1914, page 3 & 7.

1914    “City Items.” Atchison Weekly Globe (newspaper), Atchison, KS. April 6, 1914, page 3.

1914    Atchison Weekly Globe (newspaper), Atchison, KS. August 1, 1914, page 10.