Jasper County, Missouri - Chapter 46: General Club and Social Life, 1912

JoPLiN Club's Social Session, January 1, 1900 - Presidents, 1900- 1911 - Missouri Bankers' Association - Joplin Women Entertain Federated Clubs - The American Mining Congress - The Salt and Pepper Club - Joplin Choral Union.

As in the nineties, the Joplin Club continued to be the great motive power in the pushing of Joplin *8 interests and accomplished much good for the city in a commercial and business way.

During the early part of the decade many new faces were seen at the weekly meetings of the club and the new blood, which was judicially mixed with the old, made the organization exceedingly useful. The fire and vigor of the young men, and the wise counsel of the older members, made a good combination and the club did things for the city and community at large.

The year 1900 was ushered in with a smoker, which was largely attended. The speeches all showed that the men of the club had caught the fever for a greater and better Joplin and, because of the importance of this meeting - both on account of the things planned and the good that came from it - we give here a brief account of the proceedings had at this initial meeting of the new century.

The club rooms were well filled with a representative gathering of Joplin 's business and professional men. Good will and best wishes prevailed on this happy New Year's day, and there was a feast of reason, and a flow of wit, while the entertainment committee had not been unmindful of the ** spiritual" welfare of the visitors. An air of good fellowship prevailed, and, without doubt, this social session drew the business men of the city closer together and the plans that were laid redounded not only to the good of the club but the city at large.

The club rooms were tastefully draped with the American colors, the entire north end of the assembly room being hidden by the folds of an enormous flag and numerous smaller ones were placed here and there. The meeting was called to order by President E. 0. Bartlett, who expressed the hope that those present would profit so much by what was said and done that they would take an active interest in the club's eflforts and well being and assist to make Joplin what it ought to be - a city of 100,000 people. He then called George B. Paxton to preside over the meeting. '

Mr. Paxton said the club was the author and originator of most of the good things that had come to Joplin in recent years, but the membership was too limited among business men to accomplish what ought to be done. If every business man in the city was a member of the club and lent his efforts to its good calling, it would be an easy matter to make Joplin a city of 100,000.

L. P. Cunningham, one of the oldest citizens, and who, as mentioned in our chapter of the seventies, was responsible for the building of the first railroad into Joplin, was called upon and responded with a happy and profitable speech of some twenty minutes' length. He gave some interesting reminiscences of the early days and pointed out clearly the fact that Joplin would be just what the people made her. What we should do in 1900 is to build smelteries here in Joplin, where the ore is produced. Joplin could get anything she wanted if she would go after it right.

Percy Wenrich was introduced as a Joplin product and rendered a delightful piano solo. He was generously encored and responded with one of the popular pieces of the day. Mr. Wenrich is now a resident and a composer and musician of note in the metropolis.

Judge Oalen Spencer was introduced as the first president of the Joplin Club at its organization, October 29, 1888. The judge indulged in many pleasant reminiscences and said that what the club had done for the upbuilding of Joplin was a matter of history and everybody knew it. In connection with the coming visit to Joplin of the Kansas State Press Association, the judge referred to the visit of the Kansas bankers last fall and said that it was but meet and proper that the newspaper men should be entertained equally as well and sent to their homes with a good opinion of Joplin and the Joplin Club.

General James A. Huston, of New York, ex-treasurer of the United States, was next introduced. In part he said : * * I have just arrived after a long, tiresome trip from New York, and am hardly able to make a speech - ^in fact did not expect to - ^but I want to say that I am greatly surprised at what I have seen since coming here. We often meet people in the east who know about Joplin and we hear a great deal of it, but at the best we have a very imperfect idea of the magnitude of your great industry. I met a gentleman in St. Louis who had been to Joplin and returned. He said that Joplin was on the decline and that there were plenty of vacant storerooms, and especially plenty of vacant rooms in the hotels. (Laughter.*) He said that Arkansas was now the great center of interest. I never saw a place where there were so many wagons on the streets and so many other evidences of industry and business of all kinds. I believe that fellow came here and didn't get what he wanted. 1 don't believe anybody can foretell the great future in store for Joplin, or any other town in this mining district. Just such organizations as the Joplin Club are potent factors in the upbuilding of any town and just as much devolves upon the lawyers and preachers as anyone else. Every business man and citizen in town should lend his support and influence to the club in the upbuilding of the town.

**I have been ill for several days, a part of the time in bed, and was not really able to make a speech, but I want to say that I will take back to the east many happy remembrances of my visit to Joplin. I will be here for several days yet, and want to meet the business men of the town. I expect to visit Joplin again soon. Gentlemen, I thank you."

Upon reassembling bright speeches were made by Hon. Thomas Dolan, of Joplin ; Judge Brown, late of Topeka and formerly clerk of the federal court of Kansas at Topeka ; Attorney J. W. Mc Antire, of Joplin ; J. P. and Joseph Stewart, of the Webb City Commercial Club ; and Attorney R. W. McClelland, late of Clay county and a former college chum of George B. Paxton. As a finale to the evening's program, Jesse Cooper, the eflScient and obliging colored adjunct of the club, was introduced and, to the strains of a popular air played by Percy Wenrich, gave an exhibition of the cake walk accompanied by a smile that would make any fair dusky damsel weep for joy. At 11 o'clock the meeting adjourned and the members and their guests went home feeling that the new year had been started out aright.

During the past eleven years the club has, as in the nineties, been exceedingly active. It has secured for the city, by its efforts, quite a number of new enterprises and has brought to Joplin much outside capital. In 1906 it purchased and platted a forty-acre tract of land into city lots and placed the profit from these sales into a ''booster fund," to be used in advertising Joplin 's resources and securing new industries for the city. A second addition was platted and placed on the market two years later but, owing to the after effects of the panic of 1907, was not so successfully disposed of as the first entertained by the Joplin Club and the local bankers. This was the first convention which had met in Joplin after the opening of the Connor Hotel, and the management did its full share in the matter of entertainment. The Connor, which had been selected as headquarters^ was literally fiUed with bankers.

On the evening of the 19th an informal reception was held at the hotel and after everyone had gotten acquainted a booklet, containing glimpses of the mining activities of the district and points of interest, were distributed to the financiers.

Previous to the formal opening of the convention, a gavel made of wood, lead and zinc was presented to the presiding officer by the bankers of Joplin. Addresses of welcome were made by Mayor J. F. Osbom and President E. B. Jacobs, of the Jasper County Bankers' Association.

To give an idea of the magnitude of the convention, we mention that Missouri had the largest bankers' association of any state in the Union at the date of this convention, 1,158 banks in the state holding membership.

On the afternoon of the first day of the convention and while the financiers were disposing of the business of the association, Mrs. A. H. Waite tendered to the wives of the bankers who were in attendance a most delightful reception. The beautiful home pf Mr. and Mrs. Waite was profusely decorated with roses, ferns and palms, and pink roses were given to each of the guests as favors. In the receiving line with Mrs. Waite were Mesdames J. E. Garm, J. A. Cragin, T. B. Jenkens, C. W. Bartlett, J. T. Wise, Howard Murphy, H. M. Ramsey, P. T. Snapp, William Houke and V. P. Church. During the entire afternoon an orchestra, half hidden from view by a bower of roses, played, and this effect added much to the brilliancy of the occasion. Refreshments were also served.

On the evening of the first day a ball and musical was given at the Auditorium, and was a most enjoyable occasion. Previous to the dance a musical program was rendered by the Apollo Club, twenty-five strong, under the direction of P. B. Rogers. For those who did not dance a ** Dutch lunch" was served at the Joplin Club. This function was under the direction of E. 0. Bartlett, the prince of entertainers, and the lunch was said to have been of such excellence as would have tempted even the gods.

On January 26, 1903, the club women of southwest Missouri met in Joplin for the purpose of organizing the Seventh District Association of Women's Pederated Clubs. The president of the district association became, by virtue of her oflSce, one of the vice presidents of the State Federation. The club women had for their guest Mrs. P. L. Moore, state president of the Missouri Federation of Women's Clubs. One hundred and fifty delegates^ representing the clubs at Carthage, Webb City, Sarcoxie, Monette, Aurora, Marionville and other southwest Missouri points^ were in attendance. The sessions of the convention were held in the First Presbyterian church and that handsome edifice was beautifully decorated for the occasi<m.

Conspicuous in the costumes of the visitors^ as well as the members of the local committee, were strands of white and yellow ribbon, the badge of the Federation. The visitors were met, on their arrival, by a reception committee composed of Mesdames G. A. Clymer, Branham, M. H. Keeley and Rice, representing the Joplin Federated Clubs. When all had assembled, Mrs. A. A. Carey arose and introduced the state president, Mrs. P. L. Moore. She said : * * It is one of the delights of this meeting that we have with us our state president, Mrs. Moore, and it is a further delight to know that she will preside over us. We wiD now have demonstrated the example of a perfect presiding oflScer."

Mrs. Moore made a brief and feeling response to the applause of welcome and in the absence of Dr. Porter, who was to have delivered tiie invocation, announced a silent invocation.

Dr. Porter, pastor of the First Baptist church, arrived soon after, and at the call offered an eloquent prayer with the parting wisb that progress and prosperity attend the women in their work.

An instrumental solo **Last Hope" (Gottschalk) was excellently rendered by Miss Hazel Hickey, her instrument being the prize piano won by the Choral Club at Kansas City, two years before.

Mrs. C. S. Walden placed the name of Mrs. Mary Brader, of the Century Club of Carthage, in nomination for secretary for the day, and by unanimous vote Mrs. Brader was declared elected.

The address of welcome, on behalf of the Joplin club women, was made by Mrs. Mary Troutriian, of the Emerson club, and seldom was a more eloquent address ever tendered the visitor to Joplin. Mrs. Troutman was well known in the State Federation and it was especially appropriate that she should be chosen to welcome the visiting ladies. She said in substance that there should be nothing but pleasure in the first meeting of the District Federation ; that the noble thou^ts and inspirations of the scientists and historians and writers should be the connecting link between them as sisters in club work. She then paid tribute to each of the five federated clubs of the city, extending to the visitors a welcome from each. In the closing lines of her talk, Mrs. Troutman presented Mrs. Moore with a handsome bouquet of American Beauty roses as a token of welcome. Her address closed with the encouraging words: ** Friendship, earnestness and zeal will make this, the Seventh district, the banner one of the State Federation."

Mrs. J. M. Whitsell, of Carthage, responded for the visitors. She said that the delegates to the District Federation were to be congratulated that the first meeting should be held in Joplin, which was such a wonderful city in its untiring energy, its rapidly growing mercantile interests^ its culture and intelligence, and its women, so large hearted and earnest, who have its best interests at heart and never fail to work for those interests at home or abroad. *'To talk it over" is the delight of every woman's heart - be it dolls, sweethearts, husbands, babies or clubs, so it is with great interest that the clubs come together to talk, to gain, to give, to learn more of organized club efforts. She said that in this sympathetic and congenial atmosphere of friendship and good will no one should hesitate to ask questions that may bring knowledge. No one should feel that what she had to say would not be received with attention and respect ; that they were there to learn and teach.

**The idea of district meetings of the federations is one to be heartily commended because the number of delegates will be small enough that the timid sister can speak. Cooperation works wonders in bringing club women together and giving them a unity of interests. Every little study club, every big philanthropic club, every club whose object is helpful work for others and themselves, is working for the same object - the uplifting, the upbuilding of humanity. It is a poor ideal of any organization or individual to have, that holds for self alone, and that club which looks but to the pleasure of the moment, keeping as it were the sacred circle closed about it, is not using the power for good which lies with its members. Every club by extending its influence, clasping hands with the neighboring club, uniting influences and joining forces, can become a wonderful factor for good in its community.''

A three minute report from each of the clubs in the federation was then heard with interest. Mrs. Miller reported for the Saturday Club of Aurora. From Carthage Mrs. Gray reported for the Alpha club ; Mrs. Mary Brader for the Century club; Mrs. Hobbs and Mrs. Wallace for the City Federation. From Joplin, Mrs. Dangerfield reported for the Century club; Mrs. T. W. Van Sciever for the Emerson; Mrs. Joseph Rice for the Looking Forward; Mrs. J. W. Babbitt for the Morning Reciprocity; Mrs. Henry Weymann for the Unity club, the oldest club in the city. From Monett, Mrs. Kennedy reported for the Woman's club. From Neosho, ^Irs. Robeson, of the Unity club, gave a report. Mrs. Hawthorne reported for the Sarcoxie club. Mrs. Geo. H. Bruen, a member of the state board, reported from Webb City in behalf of the Woman's Study Club.

The contralto solo, *' Twilight" (Nevin) was rendered by Mrs. C. V. Buckley in her usual charming manner, accompanied by Mrs. Charles Dudley Pratt. This concluded the morning program.

In the afternoon, Mrs. Moore, the state president, gave her address to the Federation, ghe said, in brief, that they had come together to select a president for that district. In choosing a president, who serves three years, they must look at the qualifications of the one who will guide them through even more difficult mazes than the state can offer. She must be a woman of tact and ability, a woman of judgment, because she is vice president of the state, by virtue of her office she holds as president. She must be progressive, never aggressive. She must be thoroughly acquainted with the clubs of the district. She must assist at the organization of new clubs. One danger to local clubs unaUied to state clubs is that they get so absorbed in their own work as to crowd out the comprehension of the work going on throughout the country.

^liss Gertrude Robinson rendered an exquisite solo on the beautiful and soft-toned Italian harp. The question box was presided over by Mrs. W. M. Howe, of Aurora.

A report from the State Federation was given by ]klrs. Smith, of Monett. Mrs. Will A. Hacker, now Mrs. A. R. Fuller, one of Joplin's most gifted soprano soloists, gave a selection. Mrs. A. A. Carey gave an interesting talk on Shakespeare, in behalf of Mrs. Wadworth, state lecturer. The reports from the standing committees were read, after which the election of president took place. By unanimous vote of the federation Mrs. John J. Donehoo, of the Century Club, was elected president.

Mrs. Donehoo 's name was placed before the assembly by Mrs. Charles U. Porter. There were no other nominations, and when Mrs. Philip Moore, the presiding officer, called the vote, every delegate in the room answered yea. Mrs. Donehoo was therefore elected president of the Seventh District Federation. Immediately upon adjournment, Mrs. Donehoo was showered with congratulations, both from her closer club associates and from the visiting delegates who had so chosen to honor a Joplin club woman.

The selection of Mrs. Donehoo was a happy one and paid to the younger club woman of Joplin a well deserved compliment. Mrs. Donehoo was one of the original members of the Century Club, then one of the strongest and most active of the literary clubs of the city. It had on its rolls the names of some of the most cultured young women and had not only created a strong literary sentiment among the young women of the city, but had taken a lively interest in raising the literary and moral standard of the community. Mrs, Donehoo had taken a personal interest in championing the cause of the public library, and had also devoted much of her time to the matter of civic improvement and out-of-door beautification. She was in every way fitted for the high honor and discharged her duties with credit to the club to which she belonged.

At a meeting of the Joplin Commercial Club, in 1906, it was decided to ask the American Mining Congress to hold its 1907 session at Joplin and a committee, consisting of H. H. Gregg, Chris Guengerich and Clay Gregory, was sent to Denver, where the 1906 meeting was held, and were successful in landing the congress for 1907. The assemblage was held November - , 1907, and was a most important meetinsr.

The delegates to the congress were from every part of the United States and Canada where mining operations are conducted and the discussions were along the lines of more scientifice and more profitable mining laws and usages. The congress was especially helpful to the Missouri-Kansas mining district, because it brought together nearly every prominent mine operator in the zinc-lead belt and a number of conferences were held looking to a general policy relative to local conditions.

Hon. J. H. Richards, of Boise City, Idaho, was the president of the congress, and J. P. Callbrath, of Denver, Colorado, secretary. The sessions of the congress lasted for ten days and we regret that the lack of space forbids a lengthy mention of the discussions. Secretary Callbrath is quoted as saying, on the concluding day, that the Joplin meeting had been not only the most profitable, but the ftost enjoyable session which, up to that time, had been held.

On January 16, 1900, a new literary and social club was formed, known as the Salt and Pepper Club and for a number of years was a very popular organization. Its monthly meetings were very brilliant affairs and at each, after a dinner, a number of addresses were made. Among the many who were guests of the club were Hon. Herbert Hadley, E. A. Krattoff and James A. Reid. The Joplin Daily Herald gives the following account of its first banquet and literary symposium, which was held at the Keystone Hotel: **This new feature of Joplin 's social life, which in its formative period was known as the * Seven O'clock Club' at the suggestion of Rev. Paul W. Brown, was christened the *Salt and Pepper Club' and was a source of genuine entertainment and much profit to its members. The motto of the club was very unique, 'You can't tell when knowing a man is going to come in handy.' It was to promote the pleasures of social intercourse which is always rendered more brilliant by the glow of the festal board. To this end a banquet was held monthly, at which time the club was addressed by speakers from Joplin and the other cities of this and adjoining states.

''Preliminary to the banquet there was a business meeting, at which a constitution and by-laws were adopted, and officers elected, who are - O. D. Royce, president; W. H. Picher, first vice president; J. D. Eliff, second vice president ; Julius Becker, treasurer ; H. S. Miller, secretary ; and Rev. Paul W. Brown, F. J. Hart, A. E. Spencer, Dr. J. D. Pifer and J. H. Spencer, executive committee.

**By the time the company, numbering one hundred and twenty, were admitted to the elegant new Keystone dining room, their appetites were fully equal to the bountiful and delicious repast. (The Keystone has now ceased to be a hotel.) After the last course. President Royce introduced E. A. Krauthoff, a prominent attorney and then of Kansas City, who responded to the toast, *The American Regular,' the speaker having been intimatedly associated by blood and good friendship, with the regulars of the United States, and who knew them well enough to put behind his graceful and easy delivery, the eloquent words of patriotic admiration and fervor. He touched briefly, but effectively, on neariy every phase of the regular soldier's life, not forgetting those brave ones who, although not on the muster roll, are nevertheless a noble part of our army - *The wives and daughters of the oflScers and men.' Mr. Krauthoflf 's eloquent presentation of the light and shade of the regular's life won for him unbounded admiration from all those present.

** *The American Volunteer,' which is a favorite subject with all, was responded to by a favorite, the late Col. Chas. H. Morgan, then of Lamar (but since a resident of our city until his death), who did full justice to a subject that was veryTiear to his heart and whose words brought forth many rounds of applause. Colonel Morgan's idea was that the American volunteer soldier is not a machine, but a man and a filter with brains and nerve. He pictured the British in South Africa as lacking just the qualities the American volunteer possesses and attributed their failure to this. Colonel Morgan declared himself an expansionist and insisted that it was a question in which there were no politics.

''At the close of Mr. Morgan's remarks a toast to the 'Stars and Stripes' was drunk standing. Another song by the quartette was followed by a forceful and suggestive speech from Judge James A. Slanker, of Boston, an 'Expansion.' The speaker dwelt principally upon the commercial view of the question, and declared it to be the best and wisest course to pursue to furnish a market for our industries and products. Judge Slanker made a distinct impression and was warmly congratulated.

A write up of Joplin 's social and educational life would not be complete without a mention of the Joplin Choral Union, which played a large part in Joplin 's musical life during the first and middle part of the last decade. The Choral Union was organized in the fall of 1899, with Prof. W. H. Sieb, late of Kansas City and a musician of note, as the director. The club made its first public appearance the last day of the year, 1899, and on account of its splendid singing came into great popularity. The club gradually grew in membership until the middle of the decade, when it numbered one hundred and fifty singers.

In 1901, 1902 and 1903 the choral club took part in the May musical festival at Kansas City, where organizations from the principal cities of Missouri and Kansas competed for honors.

In 1901 the Joplin Choral Union won second prize in this contest and brought home as its trophy a $600 grand piano. The next year it carried away the first honors. At the conclusion of its rendition of The Heavens are Telling, the Union was vigorously applauded. The

In 1903 Walter Wheatley, a native of Jasper county, a rising young musician, who is now leading tenor of the Royal Convent Gardens, London, was chosen director and continued his leadership until his departure for Europe.