Soup Kitchen (1831) & Bread Line

[Kathleen E. Miller]

This is not the first for "bread line" AND Fleischmann in the New York
Times- and strangely the first hit is from February  2, 1901 and already -
seemingly - has killed Mr. Fleischmann off, probably because he had a
"paralytic stroke" in 1899ish - but he was still kicking in September. He
dies in 1904.

The New York Times, Sept. 25, 1901 "Louis Fleischmann, Philanthropist,
Low." "Baker and Friend of Hungry May be Beyond Recovery." ESTABLISHED
"BREAD LINE" ...

... "Mr. Fleischmann emigrated to this country in 1874. His brothers has
been successful in the business of making compressed yeast, and in
connection with this the idea of establishing a bakery, although he knew
nothing of baking, came to him. He made his first venture in this direction
at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia where he established the
"Vienna Model Bakery, " and captured high awards at the Fair for the
excellence of his bread and rolls. Then he moved the business to New York,
although he still maintains bakeries in Philadelphia and many others of the
large cities. .... the bakery now covers a large area at East End Avenue
and Eighty-first street.
        "The bread line is perhaps the most picturesque and one of the best-known
charities in the world. The idea of the establishment came to Mr.
Fleischmann when he noticed a crowd of hungry tramps standing over the
grating  at the bakery at Tenth Street and Broadway, scenting the hot
loaves that were being turned out in the basement. Mr. Fleischmann offered
to feed one of the men, and soon a line formed. It was then that he
determined to give bread to every hungry man who would come for it. This
was more than ten years ago, and a long time went until Mr. Fleischmann's
family knew anything of the unique charity.
The bread line grew until at night as many as 500 loaves were handed out to
the hungry men."  ....


The piece has lots of cool historical info but too much to type right now -
I can email the article to anyone who wants it at a private email. ADS-list
will not accept the attachment.

The Obit, on October 2, 1904 seems to have even more info and says, "little
known facts about it's origin." And offers info on the introduction of
coffee in winter, and jam on rolls if a whole loaf of bread wasn't available.

Katy


Kathleen E. Miller
Research Assistant to William Safire
The New York Times