Adams County, Nebraska - Chapter 18: Avomen's Clubs, 1916

Chapter 18: Avomen's Clubs

Just when the first woman's club was organized in Hastings is not known; certain it is that it was in a verj' early day. Somethinglike thirty years ago, about 188.5, a Chautauqua reading circle existed that was greatly enjoyed by the fortunate few who comi^osed it. This circle disbanded long ago, and the greater number of its members have moved away from Hastings. Among the membership the names of Mrs. John Ideson, Mrs. O. G. Smith, ]Mrs. II. B. Knowlton and Mrs. Lou Vance Phillips are recalled.

George Eliot

The George Eliot Club claims the honor of being the mother of clubs in Hastings. It was organized in December, 1889, with a membership of twelve, to which number the membership is limited. The first year's work was devoted to the studj^ of the Avorks of George Eliot. The first members were: JMrs. John iNI. Ragan, JNIrs. J. N. Clarke, Mrs. C. L. Stone, JMrs. J. M. Ferguson, ]Mrs. Claus Frahm, Miss Katherine Graydon, INIiss Carrie Renfrew, Miss Ella Royce, Mrs. H. Bostwick, JNIrs. O. G. Smith, ]Mrs. H. B. Knowlton and Miss ]Margaret Jones. The personnel of the club has changed greatly from time to time ; some members have been lost by death, some have moved to otiier j)laces, and a few have dro])ped out, so that only four of the original mnnber remain. The Eliot has remained purely a cultural club and it has done some excellent work along its chosen lines.

On the anniversary of George Eliot's birthday in the fall of 1897 this club gave a reception to all the other women's clubs in town ; it was given in the old Elks' club rooms in the Stern Block and was a most delightful affair. This Avas the beginning of a number of recijn-ocal social afi^airs between the clubs and it was probably due to these interchanges of courtesies that the idea of one large club developed in later years.

The P. E. O. is a sorority chapter rather than a club proper. In Hastings, however, it has always followed some line of literary work and in addition has done its share of philanthropic and educational work as directed by its central organization. The Hasting chapter was formed in October, 1889, thus antedating the George Eliot Club by a few months. Its original membership was jNIiss Helen Officer, Mrs. W. M. Button, Miss jMinnie Button (now INIrs. John Pickens), Mrs. ]Mollie Campbell, Mrs. Florence Lowman, JNIrs. Grace IvipjD, Mrs. Lillian ]Main, iNIrs. Flora Pearl, ]Miss Carrie Brown, JNIiss Estelle Ryan, ]Miss Elizabeth Jones, JNIiss ]Mary Jones, Miss Ada Nolan, Miss Laura Billey (now JNIrs. Rainard Wahlquist), JNIiss INIay Billey (now Mrs. Graham) . Unlike the Eliot, the P. E. O. is not a limited organization, but only three of the original ehai)ter remain.

A small reading circle of neighbors, started in 1894, developed in 189(5, into a club called the Carlyle. Eight delightful and profitable years Mere spent in a comi^rehensive study of German, English, French and Russian history, followed by five devoted to English literatiu'e. The membership was limited to twelve. The social aft'airs of this club were few, the most notable one being the bringing of Prof. I'aul iNI. Pearson to interpret the writings of Rudyard Kipling. The memliers were INIrs. S. V. B. HoUoway, Mrs. W. H. Fuller, JNIrs. I>amson. JNIiss Bella Cooke, JNIrs. L. J. Capps, Mrs. Robert Moritz, JNIis. W. N. Filson, Mrs. Rose Sliedd, JNIrs. Mary Michael, JNIiss JNIary Forsythe, JNIiss JNIargaret Lynn and JNIrs. JNIary Isham. Beath of members and the removal of others from the city caused the club to disl)and in 1910.

The JNIiss JNIargaret I^ynn mentioned was the professor of English literature at Hastings College during her stay in the city, and is now a teacher of English in the University of Kansas. She has done some excellent work for publication; among other things are a number of delightful essays with story elements contributed to the Atlantic Monthly. These were recently compiled in a ])ook. "A Half-sister to the Prairie."

The Round Table Avas organized in 1893 with the following members: JNIrs. F. JNI. Crowe, Mrs. W. H. Holland. JNIrs. L. B. Terrill, Mrs. Thomas JNIcIntosh, JNIrs. N. R. Hamilton, JNIrs. N. F. Bamron,

Mrs. Bertha Jefferson, [Mrs. C. B. Hutton, ]Miss Harriet FyiFe, Mis!> Ella Koyce, Miss Edith Damron, ^Nlrs. W. H. Dillon. Miss Fyft'e was the president for a number of years.

Tliis club has followed a varied program, which has included history, biograi^hy, fiction, poetry, the drama, and mythology; the year 1914 was devoted to the historj' of Nebraska. Thoroughness and enthusiasm have characterized all the work. Current events have been discussed informally at nearlj' all the meetings. The membershij) has greatly changed but the number has always remained the same, twelve being the limit. Mrs. W. H. Dillon is the only charter member remaining in the club. The early members were j\Irs. ]M. A. Hartigan, Mrs. S. S. Snyder, Mrs. Will Duer, ]Miss Grace Dillon. ^Nlrs. William Sheldon, Mrs. C. J. INIiles, Miss Clara Miles, Mrs. Russell, 3Irs. D. W. Palmer, JNIrs. ]McKee St. John, ]Miss Diantha St. John. :Miss Pearl Tomlinson.

Because the Fortnightly was the only one of the culture clubs to federate and also the only one to disband when the larger democratic club was formed, it seems to merit the distinction of having been the direct forerurmer of the present Woman's Club. The Fortnightly Club was formed among the little group that gathered for study around a very remarkable man, the Rev. John Power, who was the ]"ector of St. JNIark's Episcopal Church at the opening of the present century. ]Mr. Power was a most accomplished Shakespearean scholar and drew around him a group of friends who met to study the works of the great dramatist under his instruction and guidance. Later, when ]Mr. Power left the city to go to Brownwood, Texas, where he now resides, the little study club organized itself into the Fortnightly Club and began the study of the American novel; later, it took up varied programs. The members were ]Mrs. R. P. Falkner, ]\Irs. Lem Tibbets, ]Mrs. S. E. Howard. ]Mrs. W. H. Fergiison, ^Irs. M. Reed. ]Miss Grace Dillon, IMiss Clara JMiles, jMiss Agnes Power, ]\Iiss Julia Vineyard, IMrs. F. C. Wood, Miss INIaude Faxon, JNIrs. Louise Kimball, Miss Stella Payne, INIiss Laura Payne, ]Mrs. L. H. Young, Mrs. William Dutton.

'J'lie Fortnightly was the only one of the small clubs that e\er joined the state federation; it did so in the same year that it was organized and IMrs. S. E. Howard and IMrs. Lem Tibbets were sent as delegates to the meeting of the state federation in the fall of 1903. The club continued to do good work along literary lines until the Woman's Club was formed in 1906, when it disbanded.

American Literature

The American Literature Club was organized in 189.5 with the following membership : President, IMrs. Nellie S. Willard; vice president, Mrs. JNIay Weeks JMattocks: secretary, JMrs. M. E. Averill; critic, Miss Elizabeth Pease; Mrs. Isabel Work, ]Mrs. Nettie M. Scott, JMrs. Lulu J. Pease, ]Mrs. JNIinnieL. Ferris, ]Mrs. E. M. Schaufelberger, Mrs. Susette E. Pease, Miss Emma Parker, Miss ]\Iatie D. Kelley. As indicated by the name, this club was organized to study American literature, which course it pursued for some three years, after that followed a period of art study, then English, French and German history and literature; also two years each to the study of Shakespeare and Browning. The club continues to flourish at the present writing.

Junior Clubs

A history of Hastings clubs would indeed be incomplete without mention of Uvo junior clubs that met with INIrs. John M. Ragan and enjoyed the jjrivilege of her instruction and guidance. The first was called the Odd Number Club, the latter was the INIargaret Fuller Club, ^^arious subjects were taken up from time to time. Among others was a comprehensive consideration of Dante's Inferno. Many of the brightest among the young women of Hastings look back with pleasure and gratitude to the time when they enjoyed the rare privilege of Mrs. Ragan's scholarly leadership and her influence is felt in many distant states through the altruistic service of these young women \vhose characters she helped to mould.

The Odd Number Club was composed of the following young girls: Ruth Wilson, Mary INIcCreary, Carrie Jones, Eugenie Hayden, Margaret Pickens, Gertrude Yocum, and the members of the JMargaret Fuller Club were Essie Hamot, Luella Brach, Sadie Bailey, ^^ida Ferguson. Ona Reed, Grace McClelland.

Matinee Musical

The iVIatinee ]Musical or INIusical Culture Club, as it was called later, was organized in 1908 at the home of 3Irs. W. E.' Barnes. The following officers were elected: President, Mrs. R. B. Wahlquist; vice president, JNIiss Clara JNIiles; secretary. Miss Lillian Brown; executive committee, ]Mrs. John INI. Ragan, INIrs. John Slaker, IMrs. Fred J. wSchaufelberger, Mrs. Beall, JMrs. Townsend, JMrs. Van Sickle, Mrs. H. A. Blenkiron; program committee, JMrs. O. C. Zinn. JMrs.

O. Oliver, JNIrs. W. E. Barnes; musical director, Mrs. W. E. Barnes. Sixty-five active members signed the constitution at the first meeting ; subsequently the number reached eighty-five with twenty-five associate members.

This organization was active for ten years, giving a number of delightful programs. In 1908 this society ceased to be as a separate unit and became merged in the Woman's Club as the musical department, and has been a very valuable addition to the club, supplying musical numbers for general programs and rendering efficient assistance in many ways. Shortly after its fusion with the Woman's Club a series of reciprocal programs was arranged with Grand Island, Fairburj' and Kearney. This department maintains a high standard of culture. In 1914 it gave its members two rare artistic treats in the form of two illustrated lectures, one on "Italian ]Music" by ]\Irs. C. F. Morey and one on "Parsifal" by INIiss Grace Sylla. Both were accompanied with appropriate music.

Hastings Avojiax'S Club

AVith such an array of small culture clubs already in existence it would seem that tliere was no place in Hastings for the larger democratic club. But when it is considered that these clubs were all limited in membership and were ijurely self-culture circles it Avill be seen that their existence only emphasized the need for the general club. The small clubs, like the women's colleges, had been teaching women to think. The study of literature inevitably leads the student to the consideration of life in its various phases, and then comes the call to action.

The history of the Hastings Woman's Club, or rather, the history of the causes which led to its organization, is precisely the history of every club of its kind - north, south, east and west, England, the continent and the islands of the sea. It is one chapter of the great social phenomenon of the age - the awakening of woman. As the small clubs, exclusive and aristocratic in their tendencies, outgrew their spirit of mere mental acquisition, there arose a desire to do and to be; then came the call to act their ])art, to bear their share in the woi-ld's work.

On the afternoon of February 10, 1906, a group of women met liy invitation at the home of ]Mrs. William Dutton, 1200 West Third Street. ]Mrs. Alice Whitney was called to the chair and ]Mrs. W. B. Snyder stated the purpose of the meeting, which was the organization of a woman's club on broad, democratic lines, whose object should be "individual development, a united effort toward harmony, charity and that broad culture which comes through service to others." A committee composed of ]Mrs. John Pickens, Mrs. J. D. French and ]Mrs. S. E. Howard was ajjpointed to draft a suitable constitution and bylaws. Later, the committee reported and the proposed constitution was adopted, after which the following names were affixed:

Temporary officers were then elected as follows: President, ]Mrs. Ida ]M. Howland; vice president, JNIrs. Gilliam; recording secretary, ]\Irs. W. R. Snyder; corresjsonding secretary, Mrs. Robert Falkner; treasurer, INIrs. J. D. French. JNIeetings were held every two weeks at different places but considerable difficulty was encountered in finding a suitable club home; finally, the auditorium of the Carnegie Library was secured and regular meetings were held there until the s])ring of 1910 when the club moved into its present comfortable quarters in Brandes Hall, on Second Sti-eet and Burlington Avenue.

In jNIarch, 1906. the following dejiartments were formed: Parliamentary law, civics, cm-rent topics, household economics and physical cultin-e. Excej^ting the last, these departments are all actively at work at the present time, and they have been re-enforccd by literature, art, music and dramatic art departments.

]May 12, 1906, the following permanent officers were elected: President, ]Mrs. J. D. French; vice president, IMrs. W. R. Snyder; recording secretary, JNIiss Gertrude Dietrich; corresponding secretarj-, Mrs. J. IM. Sewell; treasurer, IMrs. JNI. E. Barnes. These officers were reelected in 1907.

eral federation. At the annual meeting of the state federation held in Kearney in 1906 the club was represented by JMrs. French and JNIrs. W. M. Dutton. jVlrs. French as president of tlie Hastings Club extended an invitation to the federation to hold its next meeting at Hastings. The invitation was accepted and the convention met in Hastings in the JNIethodist Cliurch during October, 1907. It was a courageous thing for so young a club to attempt to entertain the whole state federation, but the meeting was a great success from start to finish and placed the Hastings Club in the front rank of the Nebraska clubs that are "doing things," which rank has been maintained. Among the notable social events of the convention were a rare musical treat provided by local talent and a banquet at the JMasonic Temple at which 150 guests were seated.

The officers elected in 1908, while meetings were still being held in the library auditorium, were: President, iNIrs. W. E. St. John; vice jiresident, JMrs. A. H. Brooke; recording secretary, IMrs. R. P. Falkner; corresponding secretary, JMrs. John M. Ragan; treasurer, Mrs. E. A. St. John. These officers were re-elected in 1909.

Among the things accomplished during JMrs. St. John's presidency was the furnishing of a room at the Young JMen's Christian Association for the use of that association at a cost of $100; also the tajving up of tlie club's abode in tlie new Fraternity Hall (Brandes Hall) , where there is ample accommodation in tlie parlors for general club meetings, also department meetings, with the free use of a well equipped kitchen and of the large auditorium for the pliysical culture class, and large social gatherings, including the annual club banquet.

In January, 1910, the officers elected were: President, JMrs. John JM. Ragan; vice president, Mrs. U. S. Roherer; corresjionding secretary, JMiss Louise Lepin ; recording secretary, Mrs. Hurst ; treasiu'cr. JMiss Ella St. John; Mrs. Ragan was elected delegate to the biennial convention to the general federation to be held in Cincinnati in June of that year. This was the first time that the Hastings Club was represented in the general federation.

The most notable event of this administration was the establishment of that organization known as the Civics Board of Charities. As early as 1907 the club had a charity committee. It sought to relieve suffering whenever possible, especially among women and children. A number of orphans and neglected children have been cared for; some placed in homes, others in the various state institutions such as the Institute for the Feeble JMinded, at Beatrice, the Girls' Industrial School at Geneva and the Boys' Industrial School at Kearney. The club feels particularly hapjjy over the fact that one of its proteges, a crijjpled boy, whom it was able to place in the Orthopedic Hospital at Lincoln, is greatly improved and is learning a trade, so that he bids fair to become a self-supporting and useful citizen. Among other activities this committee collects cast off clothing from the citizens and distributes them in different ways according to the need. In winter a room is open once a week where people, especially mothers, can come and replenish the family wardrobe. JMrs. Alice Brooke and JNlrs. F. C. Wood are the leading spirits in this part of the club's activities.

Early in their work the club found that there was danger of confusion and positive harm from the duplication and overlapping of the work of different organizations, all seeking to alleviate suffering, so the plan of the civics board of charities was devised. It is composed of the Charity Committee of the Woman's Club, the three members of the board of county sujiervisors who reside in Hastings, the superintendent of the Hastings schools, the truant officer and the editors of the daily newspaper. The plan has worked out admiral)ly and has resulted in a much more intelligent and efficient method of dealing with cases of destitution.

Mrs. W. H. Dillon was elected president in 1912, with JMrs. J. M. Sewell vice president; Mrs. A. E. Allyn, recording secretary; JMrs. (ieorge Kimball, corresponding secretary; and Mrs. W. E. Painter, treasurer. In June of that year the general federation met at San Francisco and Hastings was represented by Mrs. John M. Ragan, JMrs. F. C. Babcock, Mrs. Charles F. Morey and JMrs. John Slaker. In the fall of that year the convention of the clubs of the Fifth Congressional District met in Hastings.

In 1913, according to the club's established precedent, JMrs. Dillon was reelected president, but because of removal and other changes her fellow officers were changed to JMrs. F. C. Babcock, vice i^resident: JMrs. Sexson, recording secretary; JMrs. Slaker, correspondingsecretary, and JMrs. George Kimball, treasurer. These were succeeded in 1914- by JMrs. John Slaker, president; J\Irs. George Kimball, vice president; JMrs. Silas Ljaiian, recording secretary; JMrs. George Churchill, corresponding secretary; and Mrs. E. A. Francis, treasurer. All of these ladies are now filling their respective offices, having been reelected January, 1915, with the exception of Mrs. George Kimball, Avho declined reelection and was succeeded by JMrs. Agnes JMeston.

It was during JMrs. Dillon's administration that the club ventured upon the most imjiortant undertaking of its career, tlie thing by Avhich it will be remembered when all of its other activities have been forgotten - the establishment of Sunnyside. For a long time the civics board of charities, and especially the women of the charitv committee of the club, had been realizing the need of some place where those in need of temporarj' shelter might find a safe place, where a sick, tired woman could go for a time, where a neglected or abandoned child could find a loving, friendly welcome and where old people of limited means could be cared for. From the first suggestion of its possibilities the enterprise met with enthusiastic suiJjJort from the club women. Several entertainments were given to raise funds and finally, on February 27, 1914, a resolution was introduced providing for the apjjointment of a committee to take the necessary stejis for the establishment and maintenance of such a home. The resolution was passed with one dissenting vote.

The Sunnyside Home was opened April 1, 1914, upon the site and building purcliased at the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Fourteenth Street. The building was destroyed by fire on the night of January 6, 1916. Steps were taken at once for rebuilding and the present Home was erected and opened in September, 1916. The cost of the building was $12,000. Sunnyside has thirty rooms and at present has twenty guests. It has awakened interest in its work among the woman's clubs in many states. jNIiss ]Margaret Kealy has been the matron since the oiJening of the institution and at the time of the fire saved the life of two of her wards at the risk of her own.

In June, 1914, the biennial convention of the general federation was held in Chicago. At this meeting Hastings was represented by its i^resident, Mrs. Slaker, and its ex-president, IMrs. Dillon, also ]Mrs. A. H. Brooke, Mrs. Will Lowman, JNIrs. William Dutton and Mrs. C. F. Morey. It was at this meeting that the general federation took its stand as being unequivocally in favor of equal suffrage for men and women. One of the Hastings delegates described it as one of the most dramatic episodes she had ever witnessed. This was the moment for which many of those women had striven for years; whichever way it Avent it was fraught with consequences of deep significance, and yet the spirit manifested was one of most kindly consideration.

It took less than ten minutes from the time that the resolution was introduced until it was passed, the cheering over and that vast assembly, which completely filled the ^Vuditorium Theater, settled back to the order of the day. Some had feared that the southern women would balk at it but it was found that some of its Avarmest supporters were among the southern delegates.

While engaging freely in civic affairs the club strongly emphasizes its jjosition as a conserver of culture in the community and its influence is always to be felt in any undertaking which tends to advance the intellectual status of Hastings, also as a social center it is a valuable asset. Each year several dehghtful social affairs find place on the club calendar and the annual birthday jjarty which is celebrated on or about the first of February is always an event of delightful importance. At first it took the form of a club breakfast, but in more recent years it has been the occasion for a formal evening banquet, at which toasts are responded to in a manner quite up to the liigh standard which the club has set in every other branch of its activity.

The real work of the club is done chiefly in the departments, the general meeting being a kind of clearing house for department and committee work, and so the annual banquet is almost the only occasion when all the members are together.

During the spring of 191.5 the club gave an entertainment at the Kerr Oj^era House which was unique in many ways. This was the presentation of a morality play. "Everymatron," modeled after the old morality plays of the dawn of English literature and written by ]Mr. R. D. Scott of the state university. The play was beautifully staged under the direction of JNIrs. Frank Babcock, the cast was unusually strong, there were no evidences of amateurishness and altogether the performance left nothing to be desired. Admission was by invitation only; each club member being given a certain number of tickets, which she was free to distribute among her friends.

Among the notable achievements of the club was the historical parade which formed a part of the Fourth of Jidy celebration in 191.5. It was a panorama of American history by periods from the landing of Columbus down to the present time. Some of the floats were remarkably beautiful, others were humorous; the whole parade was an object lesson in om- liistory not easily forgotten. The difficult undertaking was carried to its successful issue by a committee composed of Mrs. C. H. Dietrich, chairman; ]Mrs. Alice Dudley, ^Nlrs. Silas I>yman and ]Mrs. A. E. Stiff.

In September, 191.5. when the state federation met at Norfolk ]Mrs. Slakei-, the president, unanimously endorsed by the chamber of commerce and the city council, asked for tlie federation to meet in Hastings in 1916. This invitation has been accepted and the federation will meet here in October, 1916.

Among the recent acts of generositj- are a gift of $35 to the civics board of charity to be used for the jjoor at Thanksgiving time and a box of some two hundred books and magazines to a small club in the western jxirt of the state that is making heroic eiForts to start a public library.

The club is hojjing that at some time in the future it may possess its o«n club house for there are many things that it would be able to do that are impossible while occupying rented qviarters. A few years ago a fund was started for this purpose, but for the past few years club energies have been expended in other ways. Its mission is to do the thing at hand, to fulfill the duty of today and, adapting itself to Avhatever condition may arise, the Hastings Woman's Club is proving its value to the communit^^

The scope of the work carried on by the woman's club necessitates the division of the workers, hence there are the following departments: Parliamentary law, civics, physical culture, household economies, literature, art, current events and dramatic art. New departments are added from time to time as the need appears.

Niobrara Chapter of Hastings was organized October 12, lOlO, and chartered ]March 23, 1911, with nineteen members, JNIrs. Charles G. Lane charter regent.

The chajjter has had enrolled one real daughter. A real daughter is one whose father rendered Revolutionary service. JNIrs. Caroline Herrick Johnson was born in Towanda, Pennsylvania. Her father when a mere boy was enrolled in the Eighth regiment, state militia, and was soon called into active service. These poorly equipped, young and undisciplined troops were quickly discharged. Henceforth Ebenezer Herrick's service was that of the camp. The national society pays a small monthly pension to each real "daughter."

The chapter is open to any woman proving her eligibility under conditions of article 3, section 1, constitution and by-laws of the national society: "Any woman may be eligible for membership who is of the age of eighteen and who is descended from a man or a woman who with unfailing loyalty rendered material aid to the cause of independence, ])rovided the applicant be acceptable to the society."

The jjurpose of the organization is, "To foster true patriotism, love of country and love of God; to perpetuate the memory of men and women, who by self-denial, sacrifice and heroic endeavor achieved American independence; and to uphold the blessings and responsibilities of liberty; to hold hands and hearts ever ready to aid the needy and succor the distressed."

The monthly meetings are devoted to general business, study and discussion of history and topics of interest and importance at the present day. A beautiful silk flag is displayed by request of the late Mrs. S. T. Riordan. The flag was presented to the chapter by Mrs. Riordan, mother of ]Mrs. Charles F. jMorey.

A few examples will illustrate the activities of the chapter. October, 1911, a committee composed of JMrs. J. M. Dailey, JNIrs. A. II Allyn and Mrs. W. H. Fuller was appointed to take charge Of raising money for a marker to be placed on the Oregon Trail at the point nearest Hastings. The fund was started by voluntary contributions from chapter members. In February, 1912, JMrs. C. F. JMorey. with the consent and approval of the proper authorities, gave an entertaining and instructive lecture on "JHistoric Spots in America" at the Hastings High School. Pupils who wished to do so contributed their mites to the cause. In April, 1912, Mrs. F. C. Babcock gave a reading from Dickens at Fraternity Hall. Her highly cultivated natural talent and sympathetic delineation of character assured a large audience and crowned the eff'ort with success. The Oregon Trail State Commission added $2o. The granite marker, engraved :

Oregox Trail

A moving picture show was given by the chapter, X^ovember, 1913, for the purpose of assisting the pupils of Longfellow School, to secure a silk flag for the assembly room and similar flags for the other rooms. They were presented February, 1914.

During' February, 1915, woolen scarfs, caps, and socks were knitted by chapter members and their friends and sent to the Belgian suft'erers. Enough clothing, non-perishable food and toys for little children to fill three large boxes, was collected and sent to the war stricken countries of Europe on the Christmas ship of 1913.

The chajiter was invited to take charge of a patriotic program before the patrons' league of the Alcott School, JMay 20, 1915. Pu])ils furnished the music. JMrs. E. B. Hamel real a paper on "How to Teach Patriotism in the Home," and JMrs. William JMadgett presented a paper on "How to Teach Patriotism in the School."

in the charge of Niobrara Chapter, ]Mrs. A. E. Allyn, regent. An automobile parade, in wliich the cars were beautifully decorated in the national colors, started at 3 o'clock in the afternoon and at -t the school children assembled on the court house lawn and with Civil war veterans and a large concourse of citizens listened to a program of music and speaking. The music was in the charge of ]Mrs. W. E. Barnes and the sjjeakers were J. N. Clarke, ]Mayor William ^Nladgett and Rev. A. A. Brooks, pastor of the JNIethodist Church. ]Miss Lucia Dillenback gave a reading, and at intervals the JNlonroe Drum Corjjs rendered stirring music. At the conclusion of the i^rogram the children under the escort of the teachers and Company G, state militia, marched to the train to greet the Liberty Bell. The car stojijied immediately east of the Burlington Station, where a platform had been built that enabled pedestrians to view the old bell Avith comfort and despatch.

On the occasional social affairs mention may be made of one, a garden party given on Flag Day, 1912, on the lawn of Mrs. A. E. Stitt. Chapter members wore colonial costumes and a varied program realizing the spirit of the colonial era and the work of its leaders was enjoyed. Fortunes were told in a wigwam and the Treble ClefF Society of Hastings College sang patriotic songs. A display of relics of colonial and revolutionary days was made on the veranda, which was beautifully decorated with flags, flowers, and the colonial colors, buff and blue. Among the articles were a family tree and rare books and samplers. ]Mrs. Lucy E. Gutherie exhibited a rollingpin 12.5 years old; ]Mrs. E. B. Hamel displayed embroidery 12 j years old and Mrs. A. E. Allyn contributed for the occasion solid silver monogramed spoons of an equally early date. An interesting exhibit Avas a hand embroidered dress that had been worn at a party honored with the presence of George and JNIartha Washing-ton. This dress is the possession of JNIrs. A. E. Stitt and is an heirloom from the family of JMrs. W. H. Dillon.

The charter members of Niobrara Chapter are jNIesdames Charles G. Lane. C. E. Pratt. L. C. Gutherie, A. E. Allyn, M. Sims. W. H. Waldron. E. F. Yarndley, A. R. Van Sickle. M. Stewart. G. W. Tibbets, E. B. Hamel, W. T. Blackman, J. A. Loudermilch, S. T. Riordan, Chicago, G. H. Pratt. W. H. Fuller. Oswald Oliver. J. M. Dailey and A. E. Stitt. INIrs. Riordan lost her life August 17, 1013. in the wreck of the S. S. California off the coast of Alaska. The real daughter, Mrs. Carolina Herrick Johnson, died at Hastings. January 23, 191.'). She would have been ninety j^ears old the following IMarch.