USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, and its people, Volume I > Part 51
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Now this enthusiasm must have a determinate objective point, not just a pleasure trip to some seeluded spot along the river bank, as before, but some place where all could meet on an equal footing of eligibility (so often the popular places were usurped by preceding pieniekers), so forthwith a meeting was held at the M. W. A. Hall, Friday evening, March 5, 1909, and a Boat Club was organized, and elected the following officers: R. B. Raines, president; Her- man Frank, vice president; Fred Wackerbarth, secretary; and C. M. Roberts, treasurer. A board of directors composed of five members was named as fol- lows: W. G. Brown, William Wengert, W. C. Littlejohn, Joe Limbert and A. H. Wallace. The membership fee was $1 per year, and the organization started with a membership of eighty-five. The club insignia is the three-blade propeller ; the elub flag is white and maroon.
The object of the organization, as stated in the constitution, is to promote good fellowship, to foster and increase interest in aqnatie sports such as boating and fishing, and to a certain extent protect and police the river in regard to all objectionable features. The Government regulations regarding river craft, as to signals, whistles and lights, etc., were adopted. A committee, consisting of William Wengert, W. G. Brown and E. O. Parker, to solicit subscriptions of stock for the purpose of erecting a large clubhouse at some suitable point on the river. The Martin Weepie farm was selected as a favorable site.
The ground was leased for a period of years, and immediately the elub began the erection of a large and commodious clubhouse, 42 by 25 feet, equipped with a stage and dressing rooms, a dancing floor and pavilion. The daneing floor is of polished fir.
The grounds were cleared and fixed as an amusement ground, a tennis court and croquet grounds were laid out, seat benches and tables provided for pieniekers, and on Friday, June 4, 1909, the elub had its formal opening at the clubhouse grounds. The weather was ideal and the new register showed an enrollment of 390 names and many not registering. By the middle of Angust 2,700 people had autographed in the register.
There were all kinds of amusements afforded, baseball, tennis, croquet, and quoits, various athletic contests, amusing stunts, a fine musical program, and
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to conelude the day's festivities a dance and fireworks. Numerous similar occa- sions were enjoyed that summer.
Boat races have been one of the special interests from time to time, the race starting at the Boat Club, reaching to the water-works building, and return. Many boats enter and great excitement prevails. In the spring of 1900 the ladies of the town gave a big supper at the Gedney Hotel for the purpose of raising money to buy lamps. The required sum was realized and the lamps installed. A refreshment stand operated by some one licensed, usually the care- taker, furnishes refreshments to those wishing to buy. Fine spring water is also a great attraction to this place.
In 1913 a large addition was built on the south to accommodate the fastly inereasing membership. New amusement paraphernalia was added, boxball, shuffleboard, swings and toboggan slides for the children. Every two weeks the club gives a dance, and often some especially fine orchestra is employed to furnish the music. Sacred concerts on Sunday afternoons have been special features of this club's activities.
The register shows hundreds of names enrolled every season and from all over the United States, many visitors riding through in automobiles making this a stopping place.
Scarcely a day from early summer until fall but one to several pienie parties visit this pleasure resort.
In 1912 the organization changed the name to the Country Club, and its dues were raised to $3 per year. Between three hundred and four hundred membership tickets are sold, which means a much larger membership, as families are included in the tickets.
When flocks of people began to visit this retreat the necessity of some public convenience to carry those not fortunate enough to own a launch was felt, and straightway Mr. Andrew Donovan bought a boat twenty-five feet long which could accommodate twenty-five people. This boat was christened the Capitola and still plies the river when traffie is not heavy.
But increasing demand for staterooms and steerage passage indneed him to buy a still larger eraft-a big fifty-passenger-and many times the pilot is destined to ride the steering wheel, to give the crowds room.
Captain Donovan has done more than any other person to make the Country Club a success, and until the automobile craze was the only means of transporta- tion for those not owning launches.
Captain Donovan is a man of exceptionally fine traits, cautious, accommodat- ing to a degree and faithful to his duty.
But eredit where eredit is due-and back of the whole enterprise was the moving spirit of Mr. Joe Limbert.
GUN CLUBS
Buchanan County sports have from the earliest day evineed a great attrac- tion for firearms. In the early days the pioneers scarcely left their homes with- out their trusty weapons by their sides, and always was the old muzzle-load- ing gun within easy access; either standing in a corner of the kitchen or just above the door; for game was plentiful and skulking Indians not a few, and one
FIRST GAS LAUNCH ON RIVER, INDEPENDENCE
Courir Cum
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COUNTRY CLUB, INDEPENDENCE
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never knew what occasion might arise when stalking through the unbeaten paths of the wilderness, the dim and shadowy forests, or the long, unbroken prairie grasses. Indians and the beasts and fowls of the primeval country were the subtle and fleeting objeets of their true and steady aim.
Then later when these had disappeared, the lawless and unscrupulous des- perado, who seeks the wild and thinly settled communities to exploit his games, the squatters, confidence men and those with a past to conceal, were the tar- get at which this pioneer aimed.
After this period came the small game proposition which kept the hunter of the '60s and '70s busy; his arm steady and his aim accurate; and this to his future undoing, as far as real live sport was concerned. Then came long closed periods and only occasional shots and "the call of the wild" to distant "game reserves."
But all these years immerous gun clubs have been organized to keep up the practice, not enthusiasm, for that seemed never lacking, which have periodically waxed and waned. It used to be the custom for the various gun clubs in the county to meet in contest, and shooting formed a conspicuous part of Fourth of July and other programs. One chib was organized in Independence in 1896. thrived for a few years and then subsided. Another, named the Wapsie Gun Club, was organized September 20, 1910. The organization leased a plot of ground of Martin Weepie, on the banks of the Wapsie about 21/4 miles above Independence. On this they erected a clubhouse, installed a trap and hold shoots, at which all the amateurs and professionals contest for honors. Dr. J. H. McGready was elected the first president. He was succeeded by Fred Lehmkuhl, who still retains the office. L. C. Simmons is secretary and E. E. Everett, treasurer. The membership of the club is forty-five.
THE GOLF CLUB
Independence can boast of being one of the smallest, and at one time the smallest city in the state that supported a golf club. There were many enthus- iasts of the game who could only vent their enthusiasm while visiting some city. The interest in the game grew to such an extent that on Friday, October 15, 1909, a meeting was called for the purpose of organizing a golf club. Much enthusiasm was manifested at this meeting. At this time there were thirty- five or forty devotees of the game. numbered among the professional and busi- nes men of the city, and it was fast usurping the place in popularity that had formerly been held by tennis and baseball. At this meeting Don D. Donnan was elected president ; Doctor Donahue, vice president ; and Joseph Limbert, secretary and treasurer. Don Donnan, Joe Limbert and R. J. O'Brien were named as a committee to draw up the constitution and by-laws.
In 1908 a course had been laid out in the vicinity of the boat club grounds by Mr. Donnan and other golf admirers.
The next year the ground was leased from Mr. Martin Weepie and the course somewhat improved, and every year thereafter.
In 1914 the Wackerbarth cottage, situated on the golf grounds, was bought by the golf club and fitted up as a clubhouse, with all the convenient and neces- sary things that are indispensable to a clubhouse. Lockers were installed and
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a kitchen was completely furnished with necessary utensils. A large porch was built on the west side, which gives one a fine view of the golf grounds.
Thursday of each week was designated as ladies' day and a chairman was appointed whose duty it was to arrange some sort of a hincheon for the play- ers. Friday is gentlemen's day. A program for the ladies and gentlemen is arranged at the beginning of the season, which have proved very attractive and entertaining. These programs consist of every conceivable feature known to golfdom.
The present membership is about seventy-five men and fully forty-five women, and never a day in the week, if the weather is not utterly impossible, but finds many devotees of the game pursuing the nimble and elusive ball in the gullies, swamps and cornfields. Several cups each year have been offered as prizes for special features of the game, and have proved to be a most attrac- tive drawing card.
For three years a three-days' tournament was conducted, and visiting golfers from all the neighboring cities and throughout the state were in attendance. The golf club is one of the most attractive features to visitors that Independence possesses.
The dues of the club are $10 a year for gentlemen, and $5 for women who join.
Families of members have the privilege of the grounds.
The credit and prosperity of the organization is largely due to Mr. Don Donnan.
THE HAMILTON CLUB
A history of Buchanan County that failed to mention the Hamilton Club would be a frand on the face of it.
The English tongue is totally inadequate to fittingly describe this mysterious, mystical, mythical and mythological organization, whose beginning is obscure and whose end is not yet. The Hamilton Club is like the mule, without pride of aneestry or hope of posterity. No man stands sponsor for its existence, and no one has yet been found who claims the honor of having started it or of ever having belonged. In one respect it is like the Omnipotent-no man has ever seen it and lived-politically !
Political savants, astrologers and soothsayers of the vintage of 1902 first discovered its presence on the horizon in the early dawn of the campaign of that year. Like a meteor it flashed across the sky and then apparently dis- appeared into oblivion, so sudden was its rise, so tragie was its fall.
Failing in its avowed purpose of purging polities of the persistent, insistent, pestiferous, odious and offensive partisan ; or of removing the firmly attached, ancient, honorable, antique and ossified incumbent from his Inerative office- all in the name of civic righteousness and in the interest of the young man in politics-it became a buccaneer on the high seas of political activity and a terror to the aspirant for office who inadvertently stubbed his toe or became the objeet of its solicitous attention. Secretly, silently, unobtrusive, intangible and ghost- like, it still appears on occasion to worry and annoy or to badger and amuse, according to whim or fancy.
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This peerless organization has never been known to desert a member in the hour of his need-or its! It is claimed that its sinister influence is ubiquitons, omnipresent and insidious and that in its ramifications it reaches ont into every voting precinct of Buchanan County. It is alleged that with its subtle secret power it ean blast with a breath the power of the demagogue and cause his political potency to evaporate like a snowball on the ramparts of hades!
That the Hamilton Club is a power to be reckoned with in the political life of the county, there is no question. Observers are nnanimous in asserting that it can defeat any candidate for office to whom it may turn its attention by simply indorsing him! There are those who know this to be a fact. Enough said.
"To gild refined gold, to paint the lily, To throw a perfume on the violet, To smooth the ice, or add another hue Unto the rainbow or with taper-light, To seek the beanteons eye of heaven to garnish, Is wasteful and ridiculons excess."
After life's fitful fever it sleeps well: Treason has done his worst : nor steel, nor poison, malice domestie, foreign levy, nothing, can touch it further !
CALEDONIAN CLUB
A Caledonian Club was organized in Independence in the '70s, by the lovers and admirers of Robert Burns, the Scotch poet.
The membership for the most part consisted of his own countrymen. For many years this club was in existence and the Scotland bard's birthday was the occasion of grand festivities, with a materialistie and a enlogistic feast of both the poet and philosopher. Their programs were for the most part musical and literary, and occasionally interspersed with a dramatic production, the numbers being as far as possible of Scotch origin.
Mr. W. P. McGuire was one of the leading spirits of the organization and one of the star performers of the dramatic productions.
BUCHANAN COUNTY ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION
A Buchanan County Illinois Association was organized September 8, 1909, at the Buchanan County Fair. Its membership is composed of all persons who ever were residents of Illinois. W. H. Warburton was elected president; T. J. Disbrow, vice president ; Mrs. G. B. Westfall, secretary and treasurer. Seventy- six members enrolled at the first meeting.
A fine program was enjoyed. Meetings have been held every year since, and great interest attaches to this event, and a surprising number of "Illini- Iowans" are in attendance at these "love-feasts."
To give a complete history of the fraternal and social life of Independence and all other towns as well, would form a conspicuous chapter, but as that chapter would easily necessitate a separate volume, we can only mention the names of many of them. As their chief desire and aim in life was primarily social
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enjoyment, recreation and personal emolument, we can not devote the space that societies of some broader scope commanded among the number of Young Ladies' Soiree and Young Ladies' Crown Society, the G. P. Cooking Club girls. the "Conundrums," the "Salmagundi," the Mellatriki Basicuroki," the "M. M. Club," the "Bachelor Maids," the "D. T. C's," the "Bloomer Girls," the "Mother Goose Club," "Fin-de-Cycle," the "Round Dozen," "Reading Cir- cles," the " Eromathean," dramatic clubs, ete., and these are synonymous with those of every other town in the county.
The fraternal spirit has always been very strong in the City of Independence. The lodges have, without exception, been active and have contributed materially to the improvement of the town. There are the Modern Woodmen of America, with a membership of about seventy, the Woodmen of the World, with a sub- stantial membership, which are lodges that have cooperated. The Mystic Toilers. the Mystic Workers, the Yeomen, the United Commercial Travelers, and the Owls, are the other lodges in town besides those mentioned above. The United Commercial Travelers, which is Wapsie Council, No. 413, have a membership of about sixty. They have been active in the social life of the town, having given dances and banquets at various times during their existence. They have been organized about five years. A nest of Owls was organized in Independence on March 15, 1909, and is now a flourishing organization, with a membership near the one hundred mark.
WOMAN'S SUFFRAGE INTERESTS
One noticeable fact which shows that women's approval and cooperation was solicited and appreciated in polities in the early '60s was that they were not only invited but urged to attend all the political speeches and celebrations. All during the war the political parties were at very strained relations and feelings were intense and the women were quite as pronounced in their views as the men, and their influence was sought by both parties. At all the rallies they took quite a conspicuous part.
In 1869 woman's suffrage lectures were being given in Independence-one at the Baptist Church was given by J. L. Loomis, former editor of the Bulletin. Men and women of all shades of political and religious belief were requested to be present. Mr. Loomis also lectured at several other places in the county. At a meeting of the Hazleton Lyceum the woman's suffrage question took the form of a debate and the verdict of the judges was that the opponents were com- pletely vanquished.
Probably the first efforts to educate the citizens of Buchanan County into the suffrage question, at least in a literary way, was by a series of letters against woman's suffrage written over the signature " Ann Idea" which appeared in the Bulletin in 1866, with editorial replies. The letters evinced a sparkling vivacity, wit, and penetration which attracted much attention and it was not until several years after did the publie learn that they were written by Nannie Densmore, a young girl of eighteen years, who was a resident of Independence at that time and that these were not an expression of her real views, for she was a firm believer in the principles of political equality and this means was taken by herself and J. L. Loomis, the editor, to excite greater attention and interest in the subject and
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they fully accomplished their purpose. During her residence here Miss Dens- more was best known for her musical attainments. Besides giving private instruc- tion on the piano, she taught a number of vocal classes and gave two or three concerts which gave evidences of her marked ability. She removed to Winnetka, Illinois, where in June, 1870, she died and thus early in life was ent off what might have proven to be a brilliant career.
IOWA WOMAN'S SUFFRAGE CONVENTION
On November 25, 1896, the Iowa Woman's Suffrage Association convened in Independence for a two days' session. Over forty delegates were present. The town was profusely decorated with yellow, the society's color. The prominent suffrage women from all over the state were present. and some outside workers. The meeting was one of great enthusiasm and determination. At this meeting various plans for future educational and campaign work were adopted, among them that a county organization should be formed in all counties containing three clubs or more-hence the organization of the Buchanan County Association. Fine music, addresses, reports, discussions and new projects constituted the program.
At the election of officers Mrs. N. T. Bemis, of Independence, was elected vice president ; Mrs. C. L. Hussey, Independence, a member of the executive commit- tee, and Mrs. Bemis and Mrs. John Barnett, of Independence, were elected as delegates to the national convention which convened at Des Moines in 1897. The report of the superintendent of enrollment showed the names of 8,000 women who had signed the book as favorable to the cause. Polk County headed the list with Buchanan County second in numbers, a sure proof that this is a progressive community.
The Buchanan County Woman's Suffrage Association met at Independence for a two days' session, April 23 and 24, 1897, Miss Mary G. Hay as state organ- izer conducted the session. The meetings were held at the Baptist Church and many delegates and prominent speakers were present, among them Rev. Anna Shaw. now president of the National Woman's Suffrage Organization. She gave a fine address. Delegates were here from all over the state and excellent papers were read ; great enthusiasm was manifested.
Again on September 22, 1897, the first meeting of the Buchanan County Equal Suffrage Association was held at Jesup. Miss Harriet S. Jenks, of Jesup, was elected president : Mrs. Narcissa Bemis, Independence, vice president ; Miss Olive Mallow, Littleton, corresponding and recording secretary; George W. Bemis, Independence, treasurer : Harriet Lake, Independence, and Mrs. Nellie Spangler, Winthrop, auditors. These conventions were held annually for several years, then, owing not so much to lack of interest as to continual thwarting of plans, the leaders of the organization became discouraged and the county association was abandoned, although individual societies still maintained an active interest in the cause for which it was organized, and should occasion arise, the Buchanan County Equal Suffrage Association would be resurrected and newly born and pledged to the cause.
On September 23. 1897. Rev. Anna Shaw was in Independence and lectured on "The New Man," at the Presbyterian Church.
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THIE POLITICAL EQUALITY CLUB
The Political Equality Club was organized in December, 1889, by Mrs. Carrie Lane Chapman, Washington, D. C., national president of the political equality movement, in the parlors of the Presbyterian Church, with Mrs. G. W. Bemis, president ; Mrs. Il. A. Fisher, vice president ; Mrs. M. R. Ross, secretary, and Mrs. C. L. Hussey, treasurer.
The object of the organization, as set forth in the constitution, to be the ad- vaneement of woman socially, industrially and politically ; and the enlture of its members in matters pertaining to the responsibility and duties of citizenship.
The first regular meeting was held in January, 1890, in the G. A. R. Hall. Mrs. Ross having sent in her resignation, Mrs. Aliee R. Davies was elected to fill the vacancy. The membership of twenty-eight included both men and women.
The Political Equality Club has worked along the lines first suggested, quietly, but faithfully, and trusts that it has helped, in a small way, to promote the growth of the present almost universal recognition of the justice of political equality. In November, 1896, the Independence club entertained the twenty-fifth annual convention of the lowa Woman's Suffrage Association for a two days' session. Over forty delegates were present and a most enthusiastic meeting was held.
While there have been many loyal friends enrolled as members, it must never be forgotten that Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Bemis were the club's greatest inspiration and most zealous workers for the cause.
At the present time Dr. Florence Barnes is president, Mrs. A. J. Dunlap, viee president, and Miss Jennie M. Young, secretary and treasurer.
The meetings are held the third Friday in the month at the homes of the members, and the study is civil government. When the State of lowa finally recognizes the just and inalienable rights of her women, with the ballot, this band of earnest, loyal and devoted women of the Political Equality Club of Independence, shall be accredited with what is their rightful dne, as an ardent and untiring worker for the cause.
P. E. O. SOCIETY
A. P. E. O. Society was organized in Independence October 6, 1897, by Mrs. Judge Couch, of Waterloo, state organizer. This is a secret society of women and originated at Mount Pleasant, lowa. Three of the Independence women were already members of chapters in other places. Miss Emma L. Funk and Mrs. Lulu Schabacker were members of the Hampton Chapter and Mrs. J. HI. Rogers of the chapter at West Liberty.
The Independence Chapter was named Chapter B. D. The officers elected were: President, Mrs. Buechele; vice president, Carrie Williams; recording secretary, Miss Isabelle Currier ; corresponding secretary, Miss May Luther : chaplain, Miss Sadie Herriek ; treasurer, Miss Lillie Soener ; guard, Mrs. Flor- ence McConnell.
There were eight charter members, as follows: Mrs. J. L. Buehle, Mrs. A. II. Wallace, Mrs. Florence McConnell, Miss Isabelle Currier, Miss Carrie Wil- liams, Miss Emma L. Funk, Miss Lillie Soener and Miss Mary Luther.
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Meetings were held fortnightly, now monthly, and some fine and unique programs and plays have been produced. Their annual guest night has always been a "red-letter" occasion and was observed with especially entertaining programs and usually a banquet. The P. E. O. has always identified itself with all worthy public enterprises and has the credit for being the promoter of the Oakwood Cemetery Association. They, with the Eastern Star and Rebekah societies, were associated together to improve Oakwood Cemetery. B. D. Chapter has assisted in the Scholarship Loan Fund, the Munson Federa- tion and other altruistic work.
It is actively interested in the state work, sending delegates to the state conventions, and every year the state inspector finds B. D. Chapter in a flourish- ing condition.
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