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Recovery Associates Inc. is closing its doors leaving many addicts with limited options. The center which helped addicts recovering from substance and gambling addiction, will at least temporarily be shut down. According to this article, in Indiana, Vigo County ranks "sixth for meth addiction, eight for prescription drugs, and ninth for alcohol abuse." These numbers show the large amount of addicts needing treatment in the area. This is largely linked to the amount of drugs being produced in the area. Recovery Associates is a United Way partner and currently there are no plans to re-open. In order to help reduce any negative impact a gap in treatment might have Freebird Solutions is opening its doors to the displaced addicts.
Earlier today I attended a presentation about the Motor Sports Minor available at ISU. The program is a collaboration of the colleges of business, technology and nursing, health and human services. Although I only attended because it was required for a class I came away from it impressed by the efforts of the faculty and students. The program is very unique and aims to prepare students in all aspects of the racing world. This program can also be beneficial for individuals who aren't familiar with racing. One of the highlights of the program is Team Sycamore Racing, which is run solely by ISU students. Team Sycamore Racing is a great example of motivated students working together to better themselves and the university. The competitive nature of racing and the applicable experiences students receive, help prepare individuals for any job even those not related to racing. In the future, hopefully similar opportunities will be available in other areas and help improve the university and the students it graduates.
Continuing the work of his wife Herman bought a building capable of holding 60 patients, three times as much as before, and donated another $10,000 to convert it to a hospital. The Herman would continue to contribute to health care in the Terre Haute area providing $80,000 for hospital expansion in 1908. As Herman aged, he occasionally took time to hunt and fish, along with ride his horses. But business was always on his mind and Herman was hopeful that Herman Jr. would join the family business. Those plans changed when Herman Jr. left to be married in Cincinnati. After he eventually returned, he never lived up to his Father's expectations.
Undeterred Herman started the biggest project of his life, the new Hulman Building.
The project was an obsession for Herman and he often became ill from the long hours he was working. Herman began looking for a site in 1888, and he found it at 9th and Wabash in 1892. ``It was easy enough to plan the exterior, but to plan the interior and arrange the machinery and different departments from cellar to dome was a mental tax with which I never again want to be burdened,'' Herman recalled. Finally after settling on plans, the building was opened in 1893. More than 5,000 people came out to see the Romanesque Revival-style building. By 1903 Diedrich and Theodore had passed and Herman's sons began taking on more responsibility in the family business.
The business continued to expand and employed over 150, including 50 traveling salesman. The new territory being covered created needs for new branches in Mattoon, Ill., Paris, Ill., Evansville, and Brazil. During this period Herman continued various philanthropic efforts throughout Terre Haute. In 1898, Anton's marriage would end in divorce. This was especially troubling to Herman, a devout Catholic. But soon after Anton remarried, and an event would happen that changed the Hulmans forever. In 1901, Anton Hulman Jr. was born. An event that made the usually reserved Herman unable to hide his pride. Anton "Tony" Hulman Jr. is a name that has become known to race fans around the world. From that day forward the Hulman legacy would continue to grow.
Herman, now 27, the same age as Francis when he started his partnership was managing a very profitable business. Herman's experience from his apprenticeship proved to be very beneficial and he led the business with a confidence that calmed his brother Theodore. As the Civil War loomed, Herman feared for his personal and professional life. Personally, Herman feared that the war would keep him apart from his girlfriend, Antonia Riefenstahl. After several unsuccessful attempts to persuade her to travel to U.S., Antonia finally arrived from Germany in 1862, and they were married the same year. The stress of war made acquiring goods to keep their store stocked even more time consuming. In 1863, while Herman was working more than ever, Theodore left to be married. Soon there after Herman celebrated the birth of his first child Maria. Theodore briefly left the business to serve in the Indiana Home Guard. As the war ended, Theodore returned and Herman celebrated the birth of his first son Anton. By the time their third child was born, Herman Jr., Antonia and Herman had already mourned the loss of Maria.
The war which had created times of uncertainty for the business, ultimately resulted in greater success and expansion. In 1869, Herman's desire to diversify led to a merger with R.S. Cox Jr., his biggest competitor. That same year he purchased the Alexander McGregor distillery. Six year later Herman was exhausted from all of his ventures and sold the distillery prior to an extended European vacation. After returning Herman purchased half-interest in the distillery, which he would keep until 1878. That year he traded his distillery interests to regain full interest on his wholesale business, ending the Hulman and Cox merger. Herman diverse investments would continue with stakes in railroads, the telegraph, water and sewage systems, and gas and electric companies.
Although not all Herman's ventures succeeded, nothing could slow his desire for success. The strain of such success forced Theodore to retire to outdoor work in 1879. He focused on raising vegetables on a 756 acre farm that he sold to the government for used a federal prison. As Herman's responsibilities continued to grow, his time with family was further reduced. Antonia focused on their sons, while Herman focused on business. While focusing on raising her sons Antonia couldn't help but be frustrated with the city's lack of health care infrastructure. The city had very few trained nurses and the sick would often be treated at home or the jail. Following Antonia's lead, Herman bought a vacant building at 2nd and Mulberry, and in 1882, St.Anthony Hospital was opened. By this period Antonia was already very ill and passed away in April. The loss of his wife led Herman to continue his wife's work.
