Pettis County, Missouri - Chapter 36: Clubs and Other Organizations, 1919

Chamber of Commerce. - The Sedalia Chamber of Commerce is the eyes and ears of Sedalia. This organization is composed of our best busi¬ ness and professional men and exists for the welfare of the city. When Sedalia has a chance to secure a factory, an association, a convention or an enterprise of any character, the Chamber of Commerce spends its money and its efforts to that end. It has been eminently successful in securing many enterprises for the city. In fact hardly any of our recent institutions have come to the city except through the influence of the Chamber of Commerce and a remarkably small number of failures along these lines have been charged up to it. This organization is patriotic. Since the beginning of the World's War it has spent most of its time and energy in behalf of the Government. Its offices have been headquarters for Liberty Loan and Thrift Stamp and Red Cross drives and for every other undertaking where the Government has called on Sedalia to do its part in the present struggle and too much credit can not be given the officers and members for their patriotism and success. The offices are located in the Yeater building, and over Bard's Jewelry Store, on the west side of Ohio avenue between Third and Fourth streets. The organization is supported by the dues of its members and it conducted its business dur¬ ing the year ending October 7th and it has money left to spend for the welfare of Sedalia. Roster of present officers and directors, 1918 and 1919: President, W. B. Malone; Vice President, W. B. Cloney; Treasurer,

J. S. Lamy, E. M. Stafford, J. H. Rodes and Lee Montgomery. A ninehole golf course was laid out on the State Fair Grounds and a very small temporary structure erected which served as a locker room for a year. In 1906 an attractive little club house was built on a tract adjoining the links. The growing number of buildings on the Fair Grounds and the annual damage done to the greens by the fair soon made it evident that other grounds must be obtained. Accordingly, in 1910, the club sold its club house to the State Fair Board, and purchased a sixty-acre tract ad¬ joining the State Fair Grounds on the south and served by the street car line. On this tract a commodious and well planned club house was built according to plans drawn by Spencer & Powers of Chicago. An interest¬ ing nine-hole course, 3,150 yards in length, was constructed. The holes vary in length from 117 to 525 yards. The topography of the tract makes it very well adapted to golf and furnishes from one to three natural haz¬ ards on every hole. Bogey is forty-one; par 36. The golf record for the course was made by Jesse L. Carlton of St. Louis in thirty-one strokes - a performance which has never been in danger of being equaled. The club's presidents have been as follows: E. B. Farley, J. A. Lamy, George

Sorosis. - (By Mrs. John Montgomery, Jr.) - The oldest woman's club in Central Missouri is Sorosis, which was founded in Sedalia in 1889 by Mrs. J. C. Van Riper, who conceived the idea of organizing a woman's club for the study of literature, art and history after the pattern of Sorosis of New York City, the pioneer woman's club of the country. Among others associated with Mrs. Van Riper as founders were Mrs. C. E. Yeater, Mrs. Fontaine Merriwether, Miss Helen Gallie (now Mrs. W. D. Steele), Miss Gertrude Smith (now Mrs. J. S. Brenneman) and Miss Emma Longan. The first president of the club was Mrs. J. C. Van Riper. The original membership was fifteen. The club membership gradually enlarged and its functions broadened, keeping pace with the broadening work of woman's clubs throughout the land, until it has now divided its work into four departments and has nearly 200 members. Mrs. T. P. McCluney became its president in 1892 and continued to be the leading spirit in the club for more than ten years, until her removal from the city. The writer succeeded her as president and served in that capacity until 1918. The present officers of Sorosis are: Honorary presidents, Mrs. T. P. McCluney and Mrs. John Montgomery, Jr.; president, Mrs. Lee Montgomery; vice-presidents, Mrs. S. P. Sneed, Mrs. Walter Warren and Mrs. John T. Heard; recording secretary, Mrs. J. S. Rogers, correspond¬ ing secretary, Mrs. M. D. Sturges; treasurer, Mrs. George Bichsel; audi¬ tor, Miss Jessie Blair ; chairman of the department of art and drama, Mrs. W. F. Keyser; chairman of the department of history and literature, Mrs. G. M. Riddle; chairman of the department of civics, Mrs. Sylvain Kahn; chairman of the department of current topics, Miss Nettie Lamm. The club meets weekly in the art room of the Public Library.

Chautauqua. - (By Mrs. Harry E. Carpenter.) - The first Chautauqua began in a camp meeting, or Sunday school institute, a two weeks session of lectures, normal lessons, illustrative exercises with recreative features, in concerts, fireworks and humorous addresses. The session was held in the woods in tents and immediately became known as the Chautauqua Sunday School Assembly. Later books were published, magazines printed, questionnaires sent out, all prepared by university professors or their equal, and the family circle or city friends became a school for learning. They are not at Chautauqua, but the students are claimed around the world. From a general course of seven books a year, for annual study, it has been systematized to four, bearing on a certain sec¬ tion of the earth and is now divided into a continuous cycle of four years ; English, American, European or Continental, Classical. A certificate is given for the full year's study and a diploma at the end of four years. The course of study includes literature, history, science, etc. Another branch that found its way everywhere was the entertainment or lyceum coui'ses. The Chautauqua Circle of Sedalia is a branch of the National Chautauqua of New York City, with the same constitution, outline of study and system generally. The local circle was organized in the fall of 1904 by Mrs. Harry E. Carpenter. Fourteen constituted the member¬ ship of the first year. The present year finds over thirty students. The officers for the year 1917-1918 are as follow: President, Mrs. Harry E. Carpenter; vice-president, Mrs. Frank Strahler; secretary, Mrs. F. L. Hayes ; treasurer, Mrs. W. B. Stambaugh.

General George R. Smith's Post, No. 53, Grand Army of the Repub¬ lic, was organized in Sedalia in 1885. Colonel Ritter was the first post commander. This is a patriotic organization, the purpose of which is to commemorate the deeds of soldiers who fought in the Union Army dur¬ ing the Civil War, and who were honorably discharged from that service, as well as to perpetuate the names of their comrades who fell in this struggle. The grim reaper has ravaged the ranks of this post until it has only twenty-nine members at the present time, all of whom are old men. Present officers are as follow: Post commander, Joseph Star; senior vice-commander, Fred Schneider; junior vice-commander, J. Warren; of¬ ficer of the day, J. F. Williams; chaplain, Rush G. Learning, and adjutant and quartermaster, Charles Koock.

Sedalia Camp No. 189, United Confederate Veterans, is a patriotic organization, instituted for the purpose of commemorating the deeds and lives of those men who fought in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. To be eligible to membership, a soldier must have served with the Confederacy and must show an honorable discharge from that service. At one time, this camp had a large membership, but time has reduced the ranks until few members are living. Judge John A. Collins is the camp commander, James H. Melton is vice-commander and Thomas C. Holland is adjutant and quartermaster.

United Daughters of Confederacy have two chapters in the city. The purpose of these organizations is to commemorate the lives and deeds of the soldiers of the Confederacy. They also look after the welfare of the soldiers and their families. During Christmas times they go to the Soldiers' Home at Higginsville and see that each ex-Confederate has a Christmas present and that he is not forgotten. In addition, the chapters have undertaken to look after the education of the soldiers' children. They have an educational fund for this purpose and are extending their efforts in this behalf to a very marked degree. John R. Gordon Chapter No. 1420 was organized September 6, 1912, with seven charter members. The present membership is thirty-five, and the officers for 1919 are as follow: Mrs. F. E. Hoffman, Jr., president; Mrs. C. C. Lawson, treasurer; Mrs. Alfred Frick, corresponding secretary.

Emmett MacDonald Chapter U. D. C. No. 630. - (By Mrs. Lou Eva Walker Longan.) - Emmett MacDonald Chapter, United Daughters of the Confederacy, No. 630, Sedalia, Missouri, was founded in 1898 by Mollie Vest Jackson (Mrs. George P. B.) and was in accordance with gen¬ eral constitutional requirements organized and registered by Lou Eva Walker Longan (Mrs. George F.) in 1909, at which time the following ladies constituted the official board: Mrs. William H. Powell, honorary president; Mrs. George F. Longan, president; Mrs. H. W. Harris, William Schnare and Mrs. C. C. Evans, vice-presidents; Mrs. Frank Leach, recording secretary; Mrs. Major B. Coleman, corresponding secretary; Mrs. John A. Collins, treasurer; Miss Ella Barrett, historian; Mrs. F. E. Hoffman, registrar ; Mrs. William IJ. Reynolds, recorder of crosses ; Mrs. Robert W. Griffith, directress of children's chapter. "The objects of the United Daughters of the Confederacy shall be memorial, historical, be¬ nevolent, educational and social. To honor the memory of those who served, and those who fell in the service of the Confederate States, to protect, preserve and mark places made historic by Confederate valor, to collect and preserve the material for a truthful history of the war be¬ tween the States. To record the part taken by Southern women in patient endurance of hardship and patriotic devotion during the struggle, as in untiring efforts after the war, during the reconstruction of the South, to fulfill the sabred duty of benevolence towards the survivors, and to¬ wards those dependent upon them, to assist descendants of worthy Con¬ federates in securing proper education, and to cherish the ties of friend¬ ship among the members of the organization. Artists of renown have honored Sedalia through this chapter. Miss Felice Lyne, of Covent Gar¬ den, London, England, grand opera fame, was brought to Sedalia through the efforts of MacDonald Chapter, under contract of $1,000 for her con¬ cert, and from receipts of which the Melita Day Nursery, Y. M. C. A., and Salvation Army were remembered with $50.00 donations. The LT. D. C. electric flag was placed on the Court House by Emmett MacDonald

Chapter. The present official board is as follows: Mrs. William H. Powell, Mrs. George F. Longan and Mrs. Frank S. Leach, honorary presidents; Mrs. R. R. Highleman, president; Mrs. B. E. Braddus, Mrs. H. R. Camp, Mrs. M. H. Morris and Mrs. E. H. Harris, Jr., vice-presidents ; Mrs. W. A. Davidson, recording secretary ; Mrs. George F. Longan, corresponding secretary; Miss Josephine Ayres, treasurer; Miss Nell Ayres, registrar; Mrs. William D. O'Bannon, recorder of crosses ; Mrs. Charles A. Schaeffer, historian, and Mrs. R. A. Higdon, directress of children's chapter.

Gen. George R. Smith Woman's Relief Corps No. 32, auxiliary to the Grand Army of the Republic. - This corps was organized in September, 1886, at Sedalia, and has been actively engaged in the performance of its duties required ever since. The object of the Woman's Relief Corps of America is to preserve the Union in the great war by giving relief - relief on the battlefield, in hospitals, relief in homes, to wives and children of the soldier at the front, as well as the widows and orphans of those who went forth never to return again, and to inculcate lessons of patriotism and love of country and to perpetuate the memory of our heroic dead in the sacred observance of Memorial day.

Osage Chapter, Daughters of American Revolution, Sedalia, Missouri. - (By Mrs. Dr. E. A. Wood.) - Osage Chapter, Daughters of American Revolution, was organized February 26, 1898, with the following twelve charter members: Mrs. Mary Tuttle McCluney, regent; Mrs. D. H. Smith, secretary; Miss Gertrude Smith, registrar; Mrs. D. T. Abell, treasurer; Mrs. A. D. Jaynes, historian; Mrs. W. F. Tuttle, Miss Lura McCluney, Mrs. J. G. White, Mrs. W. F. Kett, Miss Flora May Jaynes, Mrs. Anne T. Shafer. Osage Chapter has always taken an active interest in all patri¬ otic events occurring in Sedalia. Flag day, June 14, 1915, the chapter presented, with appropriate exercises, a flag staff to the city at Liberty Park, and was also instrumental in having placed in the walls of the rotunda of the Pettis County Court House in Sedalia the marble tablets given by the United States Government in memory of two Revolutionary soldiers buried in the county. The present membership numbers 134» The officers are: Miss Nettie Lamm, regent; Mrs. E. A. Wood, vice¬ regent; Mrs. Louis Hoffman, vice-regent; Miss Harriet Gold, secretary; Mrs. B. E. Broaddus, registi'ar; Mrs. R. M. Johns, treasurer; Mrs. Rich¬ ard Gentry, historian; Mrs. C. C. Kelly, librarian.

familiar to those not versed in the tongue of the Osage Indians - the "Nehemgar." We are told that this term is an equivalent of Niangua - a name very familiar to most Missourians. It is said that one name is a corruption of the other; but which is elegant and sound and which is the "baser sort" this affiant sayeth not. At any rate, the second annual year book tells us the name means "a stream from many springs," a name forceful and quite appropriate for this club. It does not limit its study to one theme, but draws inspiration and gathers knowledge from any useful source - law, medicine, religion, agriculture, mechanical arts, trade, commerce, systems of education and schools, poetry, prose, music, painting, sculpture, history, politics and any other phases of human in¬ terest. However, each regular meeting - once a week for eight or nine months of the year - is limited to a half hour of consideration of current events and the discussion of an appointed topic, introduced by a paper from some member or invited guest. George V. Buchanan, then the superintendent of the Sedalia Public Schools, was the organizer of the club, and Messrs. Brosing, Sampson and a few others actively cooperated in the organization. At first - and until 1912 - in as far as accessible records show the only officers have been a president and a secretary. The officers in 1918 were: President, Rev. A. W. Kokendoffer; vice-president, D. Sangree Lamm and P. G. Stafford ; recording secretary, Miss Rebie Shaeffer; corresponding secretary, Miss Charlotte Snow, and treasurer, Mrs. Clarence Dow. Officers from the beginning: Presidents, George V. Buchanan, Dr. H. B. Cole, George W. Barnett, Rev. A. W. Kokendoffer; recording secretaries, Mrs. H. A. Pratt, F. A. Sampson, Miss Beatrice Selah, Irvin Rautenstrauch, Mrs. U. G. Stevens, Miss Frances Fordyce, R. D. Shannon and Miss Rebie Shaeffer.

The United States Daughters of 1812. - (By Mrs. Charles C. Evans.) - A chapter was organized June 3, 1913, by the state organizing regent, Mrs. H. R. Carpenter, of St. Louis, at the home of Mrs. 0. M. Barnett. The regent appointed the following officers to serve one year: Regent, Mrs. 0. M. Barnett; first vice-regent, Mrs. W. H. Powell; second vice¬ regent, Mrs. S. E. Cotton; recording secretary, Miss Susan Thompson; corresponding secretary, Mrs. W. T. Wells ; treasurer, Miss Lura McCluny ; registrar, Mrs. Charles C. Evans ; historian, Mrs. F. E. Hoffman ; directors, Mrs. Anna R. Henton, Mrs. D. J. Loofbourrow and Mrs. H. W. Knight. In addition to the above-named officers, the following ladies were enrolled as charter members of the chapter: Mrs. E. W. Dugan, Mrs. T. R. Flem- ming and Miss Harriett P. Guild. As an honor to the regent, the chap¬ ter was named for two of her distinguished ancestors - "Spencer-Mc- Clure."

May 19, 1914, under the auspices of Spencer-McClure Chapter, an 1812 bronze marker was placed on the grave of General David Thompson, one of the two soldiers of the War of 1812 buried in Pettis County. His remains lie in the historic Thompson burying grounds on the old homestead, five miles north of Sedalia. Wishing to honor General David Thompson, the hero who led the charge in the famous battle of the Thames, in the War of 1812, and his only granddaughter, Mrs. Sarah E. Cotton, for whom Sedalia was named, the name of the chapter was changed, in November, 1915, to that of "General David Thompson." The follow¬ ing officers served the reorganized chapter for three years: Regent, Mrs. Charles C. Evans ; honorable regent, Mrs. S. E. Cotton ; first vice¬ regent, Miss Harriett P. Guild ; second vice-regent, Mrs. H. W. Harris ; secretary, Mrs. Ernest W. Dugan; treasurer, Miss Lura McCluny; regis¬ trar, Mrs. George W. McKown ; historian, Mrs. Thomas Flemming ; direc¬ tors, Mrs. Henry Lamm, Mrs Anna Reece Henton and Mrs. Thomas Flem¬ ming,

During the spring of 1916 the chapter and descendants of General David Thompson purchased a large town clock for the court house as a lasting memorial to the brave and illustrious soldier and pioneer of this county. On August 21, the anniversary of his birth, the clock was form¬ ally presented to Sedalia and Pettis County by the chapter and descend¬ ants, the State Regent, Mrs. Theodore Shelton (nee Gentry), a great granddaughter, the Honorable Regent, Mrs. S. E. Cotton, a granddaugh¬ ter, and Mr. David Thompson, a grandson of General Thompson, and Mrs. Charles C. Evans, delivering appropriate addresses.

In June, 1917, a bronze U. S. D., 1812, marker was placed on the grave of Reuben Ester Gentry in Crown Hill Cemetery by the chapter and descendants of the distinguished family in this State and a brave defender of Fort Kincaid during the War of 1812.

The chapter is proud of having among its members one real Daugh¬ ter, Mrs. Adelia Monroe, whose father was a soldier in the War of 1812. The chapter has been very active in all patriotic work since the declara¬ tion of war April 16, 1917. The present officers are: Regent, Miss Har¬ riett P. Guild ; honorable regent, Mi's. S. E. Cotton ; first vice-regent, Mrs. J. A. Lamy ; second vice-regent, Mrs. H. W. Harris ; secretary, Mrs. Clay

D. Steele, who is still its executive officer. The club has built up an en¬ viable reputation extending over a period of twenty-five years. The leading vocalists of many cities in Missouri owe their success to training received in this organization.