JAKE ASCHERBetween Night & Day

Annalisa Kleinschmidt

ak publications

Chapter

JAKE ASCHERBetween Night & Day

Annalisa Kleinschmidt

ak publications

© 2010 Annalisa KleinschmidtAll Rights Reserved

Published, Printed and Bound in Denver, CO. By Annalisa Kleinschmidt

Designed By Annalisa Kleinschmidt

Second Edition

Contents

7 Introduction

9 August 1909

14 A New Home

23 The Sanatorium

33 Between Yesterday and Tomorrow

Chapter

7

Introduction

The Jewish Consumptive’s Relief Society was

founded in 1904 by Dr. C.D. Spivak and Dr. Phillip

Hilkowitz. The Sanatorium opened during the height

of tuberculosis as it had spread to every major city

in the country. Many immigrants living in these

large cities were affected by tuberculosis. This lead

to an influx of a poor and sick population in these

crowded cities. To get well and remain together

with their families many people came out west

to sanatoriums in Colorado. JCRS was the only

sanatorium that would accept patients no matter

their condition and did not require payment of any

sort. It was founded on the principle that if you were

sick and if you needed help, they would help you.

Chapter

Jake Ascher

9

August 1909

The air of the hot summer day hangs heavy as I make

my way off the train. I’ve just arrived in Denver after

leaving St. Louis. Greeted by the bright sunlight

as I exit the train and head out of Union Station,

it is a beautiful evening and the streets are filled

with people walking in every direction. Gazing

towards the east, I look down a street and examine

the numerous shops and restaurants lining the

streets. Feeling winded and feverish I know that I

my illness has gotten worse. I pull the letter out of

my pocket, carefully folded into its envelope I pull

the pages apart and read it to myself once again.

We are sorry Mr. Jake Ascher, but we do not have enough

room to admit you to the sanatorium as of right now.

10

August 1909

It has been four years since I have been sick with

tuberculosis. Coming to the U.S.A. from Russia, I

settled in Pennsylvania and worked at a steel mill for

a few years. When I was working there was the first

time I got sick. It was not long before my body had

been taken over by the illness, I couldn’t work anymore

and became to weak to care for myself. The only place

that would take me in was in St. Louis, Missouri. They

took care of my for two years, but my time was up

and had to find somewhere else to seek treatment.

Now I am here in Colorado, still just as sick as

before. Picking up my small suitcase the leather is

work all over and has become discolored, I carefully

open it and look through to find a map inside. I

was lucky enough to receive this map from a friend

before I left St. Louis. Several other people had come

to Denver before looking for treatment, only to be

denied a space, they told me that most of these people

end up living in boarding houses near the city. On

Jake Ascher

11

the map I saw a few address written in the corner.

Making my way to a streetcar I navigated the city

streets that night until I found myself a new home.

A small frail woman answers the door to the

boarding house, I smile wide, reassured that I may

have somewhere to sleep tonight. She looks at me

and asks if I am sent by the sanatorium. Yes, I tell

her excitedly as I unfold my letter and show it to

her. She quickly examines it and lets me inside.

I sit down at a small table near the kitchen as she

gets me a glass of water and begins to explain the

rules and rent for the boarding house. I sit there

silently, barely able to comprehend what she is

saying, I am so tired from the heat and my long

trip, I sip my water and try to listen attentively.

They have some great doctors at that place,

she exclaims. They will take you in no matter

how sick or how poor. It is that sort of attitude

we need to help people, she continues.

12

August 1909

Before I know it am asleep. The old woman told me I

had passed out right there in her kitchen before she

even had a chance to show me my new room. I woke

up as she was trying to give me some more cool water,

hoping I would feel better and wake up. Once I was

able to collect myself I reassure her that I will be alright

and apologize. I know this will only be the beginning.

As long as I am weak like this, I don’t know how well I

will be able to handle these long days without getting

sicker. Exhausted from my journey I unpack a change

of clothes and slip into my bed, leaving everything else

unpacked. It can wait for now, I must get some rest.

14

A New Home

Sunlight streams in through small cracks around the

window as I wake up to my first morning in Denver.

The air feels cool as I open my window to look outside.

I quickly grab my bag and start unpacking my clothes,

looking for my best shirt and trousers. There is a small

wooden chest of drawers next the bed where I begin

to organize my belongings. I count my clothes, four

pairs of trousers, six shirt, and three pairs of socks,

and seven pairs of underwear. Its not much I think,

as I look down, but then again I never had much

before any ways. Determined to find some form of

employment I get dressed and head out onto the street.

I haven’t worked much since I got sick, not since I

was at the factory, now I am lucky if someone will

hire me. Walking through the city my mind begins

to wander and I think back on what it was like before

I got sick, before I ever lived here. How life was at

home. It was different back then when I was a child.

Jake Ascher

15

When I was young, I used to live on a farm. My

mother always worried about me and wanted nothing

but the best for me. Everyday I would wake up early

and work hard to take care of the farm with her.

Without our farm we would have nothing. She died

when I was fifteen and not long after that we lost our

farm. I didn’t have any money or anywhere to go so

I came to America. Some times I still think of my

mother. If only she could be here now, to see what it

was like here. I know she would have been happy.

Returning to the task at hand I feel my chest getting

tighter. My cough begins to get so bad I sit down

at bench on the street corner and catch my breath

for a bit, thinking about how much I left behind

and how much I have seen and learned since I’ve

been here. Peering across the street I see a camera

shop. The large windows are filled with the carefully

polished wood and leather boxes arranged in rows.

Each one is different in size and purpose. My eyes

16

A New Home

are locked on the window and I walk closer to

examine the selection. Several Kodak Brownies are

in a row together, they appear to be used. They also

have one of the new folding Brownie models on

display too. I wish I could afford just one of these,

but I look further back and see what I really want.

A large studio camera sits on a table inside. It is made

of carefully measured and polished wood, the bellows

extended slightly and the lens shining in the sunlight.

If only I could afford a real studio camera like that.

There is a man inside showing a demonstration to

a group of people, he looks over towards me and

smiles. He continues to show the group of people

how to adjust the aperture on a large studio camera,

the bellows moving in and out like the camera it

breathing. A row of lenses glint as the sun shifts, I

hesitate to go in, walking towards the door I lift my

hand to pull the doorknob, but withdraw my hand and

walk down the street instead. Not today, I tell myself.

Jake Ascher

17

The street is wide open while the sun sets slowly over

the horizon. Maybe this is it, I think, maybe this is

as close as I will ever get to being a photographer.

However, I suppose it doesn’t matter. At least its

something to distract me from all of this terrible

pain. Each day my fevers have been more intense,

I haven’t noticed a major improvement as I still

anxiously await the entrance to the sanatorium.

Leaves are falling from the trees when I get

home and I am only reminded of the ephemeral

moments of the passing seasons. Soon enough it

will be winter again and I can only hope I am strong

enough to make it through until the spring.

The days pass by slowly, dragging on longer as I

realize that my illness will not allow me to work

at least not for a while. Stuck here alone, I know I

must conserve my energy until I can get into the

Sanatorium, there they can help me. I must be careful.

I awake late at night in a cold sweat. My fevers

are getting worse and so are my nightmares. I

try to occupy myself with something to do, but

I can only find comfort in my thoughts and my

memories of life before I was ill. Fighting back the

pain in my chest I remember my first days here.

A New Home

18

Jake Ascher

20

My first moments in America were some of my favorite.

In New York was where I found my love for cameras

and photography. They were everywhere there, view

cameras, pinhole cameras, box cameras. Every variety

seemed to exist in one place. The city was chaotic

and there was always someone to photograph each

moment of it. I didn’t stay in New York for too long,

but I will always miss the wonder of the city and the

myriad of cameras and passionate photographers.

A few days later I wake up again, this time it is

morning and I can feel the fever receding slightly. The

old woman knocks on my door to see that I am now

awake. I notice she has left breakfast and tea for me. If

it weren’t for her kindness, I would have no one. I smile

and thank her for checking on me during this difficult

time. After eating my breakfast I put on my shoes to

go outside for a walk. My stiff body aches as I stretch

out my legs and arms. Each cough pains me, but I must

go outside and get some air, I must leave the room

21

for a little bit. I think my body has almost forgotten

what it was like to be outside all day. Looking down

the long streets I can feel the sun across my body, I

already feel different even though I am still sick. There

is not much I can do in this condition; sitting under a

tree in the park I remember the first time I got sick.

The clanging of metal of the large machines deafens

me as I walk into work that morning. Men file in to

their work areas and another day begins at the steel

mill. The monstrous size of the building dwarfs all

its occupants. The air inside and surrounding the

area seems to be filled with soot, everything is grey

near the steel mills. It is a dark existence everything

is marked by the factory everywhere you go. That’s

how it was there at the factory. We worked twelve-

hour days in the worst conditions. Unlike the farm

work, you couldn’t even stop to drink a glass of water.

My hands would turn black each day as I toiled

away. By the time I got home, I would collapse.

A New Home

Jake Ascher

22

Each day I feel a little bit better and stronger.

When I am up to it I go out for a walk around the

neighborhood. Today when I arrived back home

the old woman was waiting on the front steps for

me. I was worried at first, unsure if she was going to

deliver bad news to me or not. I walked over towards

her and asked her if everything was all right. She

handed me a telegram, finally some good news! The

sanatorium has sent me a notice saying I am to be

admitted tomorrow. I am filled with joy knowing

they can help me get over this ailment, knowing I will

not be alone when I get sick, knowing that maybe

things can return to how they used to be. Making

preparations to leave I thank the old woman for

being so kind and allowing me to stay at the boarding

house while I waited to get into the hospital.

Chapter

25

The Sanatorium

I gather all of my things early in the morning and

arrange to have someone show me the way to the

hospital. The closer I get the hospital the smaller

the city becomes, fading behind me. But it is what

I see in front of me that is so beautiful, those

mountains. With a view unobstructed by buildings,

the mountains sit majestically against the pale blue

sky. They are like nothing else that I have seen

before, towering over the landscape enveloping the

rolling hills as I follow their path with my eyes.

Finally I arrive at a cluster of buildings surrounded

by almost nothing. It appears as though I have

arrived. I walk towards the largest of the buildings

as the end this short trip begins to take a toll on

me. Sitting in a warm office I am out of breath

and a young man behind a desk asks me several

questions, some I don’t know how to answer.

It is not long before a tall man in white clothes

26

Jake Ascher

greets me. He shakes my hand and tells me he

is one of the doctors. He leads me to a small

examination room where he asks about my illness

and determines what needs to be done for me.

We will not ask you for money, he explains. However

we will ask that you help out or find another way

to support yourself. We only want our patients to

get better, and we do the best we can for them. If

you are sick and you need help, we will help you.

I nod my head and praise him and the hospital on their

kindness. I told him how grateful I am to be here.

Looking over my information he writes down a few

notes on the form. He tells me that my illness has not

reached a critical stage yet and that I should respond

well to therapy. You will be staying in one of these tents

set up outside it has everything you need. Tomorrow

we will discuss treatment and something for you to

do while you are here. He asks a nurse to escort me

outside and show me my new living quarters. Next to

the large brick building are several rows of little square

tents. I am shown which one is to be mine as I pull

open a stiff door and begin to settle in. I tell the nurse I

am very tired and may fall asleep almost immediately.

Even the smallest trip wears me out. She nods in

agreement and tells me another doctor will be in later

to look me over as well and talk to me about tomorrow.

Jake Ascher

28

29

The Sanatorium

I drift off and sleep for what seems like an eternity.

I guess I am so relaxed here because I know I will

get better. There are so many people here like

me, many of them not from America. We are all

caught up with this unfortunate disease trying

to get better so we can continue on with our

lives. I seem to meet a new person each day.

Three months and several weeks later I am finally

here. The people here are generally nice and outgoing

despite the cold winter. I have become friends with

the patients next door to me. Everyone here seems to

be a little bit older than myself, many of them with

families. Sometimes their children visit them, but

they cannot stay here. Each morning I wake up, if I

am feeling strong enough, I help to feed the animals

kept here. They have everything one needs here; we

don’t have to leave for anything unless we wish to. It

reminds me of the farm and working for my mother.

We always had chickens I remember gathering the

Jake Ascher

30

eggs each morning as a small child. The days seem to

pass quickly even though it seems to snow constantly.

I keep working as long as I can keep my strength up.

Sitting in my bed a friend from the next tent over helps

me with my writing as he shows me a few pages he

has written himself. I was never skilled at writing and

learning to write English has been a struggle because

of my illness. I met Harold after my first day here, he

was in the tent next door to mine and was undergoing

a rather serious bout of pain and fever at the time.

However when I came to help he asked me to stay.

You are so young, he would say to me, you could

almost be my son. From there we would talk to

pass our time, about our families and where we had

been, what we did. I knew then that I had found a

unique friend. I examine the letters and decipher the

words. Some of them are familiar, but I never spent

time trying to learn perfect English. He sits there

patiently as I nervously write down my interpretation.

31

The Sanatorium

Whenever Harold gets a letter from his family in

Brooklyn he tells me about them and every detail of

the letter. His stories always paint such a vivid picture.

I always miss my brothers and sisters from home when

he talks. Wishing I could be with my family again, I

push away the sad thoughts and try to concentrate

on my writing. Maybe if I improve I will be able to

find all of them again. Carefully writing out each

letter Harold begins to cough violently as I finish my

sentence. I ask him if he wants me to get a doctor.

No, he says. I’m fine, you know it’s always like this.

I look back and nod at him, waiting for him to

read my letter. His pale, gaunt face stares back

at me as he reveals a sheepish smile. Well, it

seems you’ve got it, he exclaims. Pointing at the

letter. Grinning, I ask him if he thinks I will

ever be able to find my brothers and sisters.

He stares back at me solemnly and says, Of course you

will Jake, it just takes time you know. It’s a big world

Jake Ascher

32

and there are people moving around constantly, I’m

sure you will be able to find them someday. However

his response is cut short when he begins to tremble

and cough even more violently than before. After

helping him back to his bed and alerting a doctor I

realize how lucky I am to not be as sick as Harold.

With his family across the country missing him,

I’m sure they would be here if they could. I tell

him about my wild dreams and how I wish to

meet his family someday when he gets better. We

talked about the camera shop and all of those

fleeting notions of starting my own photography

business. He never judged me once or criticized

me for my ideas, sitting their quietly listening

he would give me words of encouragement.

A large format studio camera, that’s what I want

I would say. To take some of the best portraits

of anyone willing to be photographed.

34

Between Yesterday and Tomorrow

As the months pass, the weather begins to get fairer

and I can see spring around the corner as I make my

daily run through the farm feeding all the animals.

I’ve been able to work a whole month straight

now, without having to take a day off from feeling

weak. The doctors say they believe my condition

has improved. Harold however, is not quite so

fortunate. He does not recover from his coughing

fits as well and claims to ache all over his body. I

visit him only a few days out of the week now. He

can barely talk anymore, but he always wants to

tell me stories as he motions to a piece of paper.

I tell him not to waste his energy and that I will visit

him again tomorrow. Later that day I am called into

the small office I first went into. A short man sits

behind a desk and tells me that the doctor wishes

to speak with me. I have a feeling I know what he

is going to say, but I still walk in nervously not sure

35

Between Yesterday and Tomorrow

what to expect. Please take a seat, says Dr. Spivak

as he motions towards a chair. I sit down and he

begins to go through several pieces of paper.

So how are you feeling today Jake? Dr. Spivak asks.

Oh I am doing quite well, I was just visiting Harold.

He is always happy to see me. I say. Very good, says Dr.

Spivak. You know we have enjoyed having you here

while you have been recovering, he says. It appears as

though your health has improved greatly and I would

like to help you settle back into a job outside of the

sanatorium. He continues to explain the many options

available to patients leaving the sanatorium. While I

sit there I think back on what I have done in the past

seven years aside from being sick. I look at the doctor

as he peers pack patiently waiting for my response.

I would very much like to leave and find myself

a job Dr. Spivak, but I do not know what skills

I could offer. I spent most of my time working

at a steel mill before I got sick, but I don’t think

Jake Ascher

36

I could do that again. I said. It would probably

kill me, I am glad to have survived this time.

Looking through the papers some more he asks

me if I have any interests that might help me

find a job if I don’t have the skills necessary.

Well, I said, I’ve always been quite partial to the

idea of working for a photographer. I always

visit their shops when I am in the city. I don’t

know much about it other than that though.

I see, said Dr. Spivak. I am sure we can figure out

something. You have one more month to stay here

and figure out what you would like to do. Shaking his

hand I assure him I will be looking for a new career

as soon as I can. Dr. Spivak tells me he will write to a

few friends and see if they might be able to aid me.

37

Between Yesterday and Tomorrow

Mr. A.L. BarnholtzDear Sir: Permit me to bring to your attention the cause of Mr. Jacob Ascher a patient at our Sanatorium, a former resident of St. Louis. He has been at our Sanatorium since November 11th 1910, has greatly improved and wishes to leave the Sanatorium and start in some business. It is self-understood that he is without funds and this is the reason why I write you in his behalf. Would it be possible for you to help him, materially or otherwise to establish in some business of trade. Hoping that you will consider the matter

and expecting to hear from you favorably.

Time seems to be passing more quickly as I get ready

to leave. I don’t know where I will go when this month

is over perhaps St. Louis again? It was a nice city, but

I never had a chance to enjoy it when I was there.

At least there I know the charitable organizations

would be willing to help a former patient such as

myself. Desperate to resolve my situation I ask the

Jake Ascher

38

office secretary if there is any way I could speak

with Dr. Spivak. I am told he is too busy to meet

with me, but I may leave a message for him and

expect a response by the end of the week. I nervously

explain to the secretary how I wish to return to St.

Louis and start taking my own photographs, but I

don’t have the money or the equipment necessary

to do so. Typing out a letter the secretary assures

me Dr. Spivak will respond as soon as he can.

As I wait to hear a response from Dr. Spivak, I begin

making my plans to leave Denver. I don’t know how

it will be everywhere else, but maybe I will be able to

work and take care of myself. Wandering through the

city streets, I gaze longingly at the camera shop. In the

window is a Delta Reflex camera, the newest model.

Sitting in its plain black box the silver metal around

the lens stares out at me, calling to me. Despite its

size it seems like quite a reasonable camera. However,

inside is the real jewel. The Century Grand Studio

Camera. Set atop wheels with cranks and levers on

39

Between Yesterday and Tomorrow

all sides, it takes up the majority of the floor space.

What a magnificent camera, you can adjust it to print

all sizes of negatives too. This is the camera I want.

Staring through the window longingly for several

minutes, I decided I should probably go. After being

sick for the past seven years and not working a regular

job, I have almost nothing. I turn around and catch

a streetcar heading back towards the sanatorium.

Upon my arrival back I am greeted with several letters

next to my bed. On of them is from Dr. Spivak himself.

The other two are from people he knows whom he

asked to help me out. Their responses were most

kind and have filled me with hope and excitement.

I wanted to go thank Dr. Spivak personally, but he

was very busy treating a serious case at the time.

Jake Ascher

40

Dear Sir:

Your communication relative to Mr. Ascher

at hand and contents carefully noted. If Mr. Ascher

could arrange to see me at my residence, 2656 Champa

St. any evening at p.m. or any Sunday morning up to

12PM. I would be glad to talk the matter over with him.

In the meantime you can rest assured that I will do all

in my power to make some arrangements for him.

I fold the letters and put them into my jacket pocket.

Tomorrow I will leave to meet this man, a complete

stranger willing to help me out. If it were not for the

kindness of strangers I would have nothing at all.

Strolling along the street this Sunday afternoon I look

across the whole street at rows of buildings. As I get

closer to street corner, I spot the large brick townhouse

bearing the address I’m looking for. Walking up

slowly I see a man through the window sitting down

to read a book. I knock on the door and he gets up

to greet me. He asks if I am a friend of Dr. Spivak.

Jake Ascher

42

Well I suppose so, I reply. I am one of his patients

and I’ll be leaving the sanatorium soon.

Excellent, he replies. I have been waiting to talk to you.

When I received the letter I knew right away I must

meet you. Dr. Spivak will always help out those who

will truly make the most of the assistance. I suppose

you are very eager to get on with your life after being

sick? By the way my name is Albert. Yes its very nice to

meet you, I am glad you answered that letter. I replied.

Well I suppose we should get down to business, shall

we? Albert began, I have read over your letter and

understand your situation quite well. Photography

happens to be a hobby of mine, but I don’t think I

would be interested in pursuing it the way you wish

to. I do however know quite a bit about the technical

side of it. I have agreed with Dr. Spivak to help you

out the best I can. To do so I would like to give you

some photographic supplies and one of my cameras.

I don’t know what to say this is one of the

43

Between Yesterday and Tomorrow

kindest things anyone has don for me. I said.

Oh don’t worry about it, Albert said. I don’t need

repayment; I only want to help out someone who

needs it more than I do. I don’t really use any of

these things anymore. I find myself far too busy

with work. I would much rather have them put

to use by someone who can appreciate them.

In a large wooden box on a table sat the camera, Albert

opened the box and revealed to me a rare treasure

of a camera. It was a Rambler Tropical Field Camera

from J. Lizars. They were designed to go to far away

lands and withstand all weather conditions. The brass

mechanisms around the lens glistened in the sunlight

as I carefully adjusted them. Every part was fascinating

and meticulously crafted. I knew I could do so much

with this camera, take it with me wherever I wandered.

After talking to Albert for a while about how to use

the equipment, he told me to send him a message

Jake Ascher

44

once I got to wherever I was going, so that maybe

he could visit me. Completely overjoyed I assured

him I would do my best to become just as good as

any other photographer in the city. On my way back

to the sanatorium I begin to dream about all of the

things I want to do now that I have an actual camera.

With my new occupation settled I go through my tent

one last time before I leave. It is never easy to leave.

The afternoon while I was visiting Albert was the last

moments of Harold’s life. He passed away early that

evening as I was arriving back. Some one was going

into his tent to collect and make a record of all of his

possessions. They sorted through piles of letters and

books and I cried a little knowing the letters were

between him and his family. He wrote to them so

diligently and kept all of their letters with the notion

of someday being able to reminisce over them with

his children. I knew how much he missed them and

I was sure they had missed him too. Leaving behind

45

Between Yesterday and Tomorrow

four children and his wife was the result of catching

this unfortunate illness. Nothing was ever perfect.

The next day I said goodbye, goodbye to Harold,

goodbye to Albert, goodbye to Dr. .Spivak, and

goodbye to my illness. After much debate I decided

to go north instead of east to St. Louis. As much as

I would want to return I would also like to see the

west too. Denver was the furthest west I have been

the whole time I’ve lived here. I set my destination for

Wyoming and left a message for Dr. Spivak. Following

the mountains north I knew I would be happy, I’m

not sick anymore and I know I will not be sick again.

Dear Doctor:

Mr. Jake Ascher left the Sanatorium on August

5th. Voluntarily; to go to Wyoming for business.

freedom

Chapter

49

Typefaces

Minion Pro

Gill Sans

Paper

Neenah Classic Crest 28W

Neenah Environment Cover Cosmos Black 80lb.

Grid layout is based off of a 5x7 inch film negative.

©2010 Annalisa Kleinschmidt

50

Credits

All documents Courtesy of: JCRS Collection, Beck

Archives Special Collections, Penrose Library and

Center for Judaic Studies, University of Denver, 2008

Patient Name: Jake Ascher

Folder Number: 2078

Doeffinger, Derek, Todd Gustavson, and George

Eastman House. Camera: A History of Photography

from Daguerreotype to Digital. New York: Sterling

Innovation, 2009. Print.

“JGSCO | JCRS Index.” JGSCO | Welcome to the

Jewish Genealogical Society of Colorado. N.p., n.d.

Web. 10 July 2010. <http://jgsco.org/jcrs-index.html>.