USA > Iowa > Scott County > Davenport > History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume I > Part 68
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THE CLIONIAN CLUB.
Davenport enjoys the distinction of having had the first formally organized woman's club in the state of Iowa. This was the Clionian club, founded in Feb- ruary, 1874, and from which sprung the Clionian club of today. The old Clionian club, named for Clio, the muse of history, was founded by Mrs. Maria Purdy Peck, assisted by Mrs. H. M. Martin, the latter now deceased, who invited a coterie of ladies to meet for the purpose of forming a study club, and thus was laid the foundation of the present day club system here. The old Clionian club flourished for ten years and finally adjourned. In 1899 it was formally reorgan- ized by charter members of the old club and a sister organization of about the same time, known as the Bric-a-Brac club. Mrs. Peck was chosen to be the first president of the Clionian. The Clionian club is original in its line of study, following no set program and issuing no year book. The general study, independent of fixed outline, is determined by world events of interest that call forth re- search along historical lines. A few general topics are chosen at the beginning of a season and current events relied upon to furnish live ideas for study and discussion. The Clionian is foremost among the study clubs of the tri-cities by its earnest, in- telligent study of vital topics of the hour.
THE PARLIAMENTARY CLUB.
The origin of the Parliamentary Law club of Davenport dates back eight years when an impetus was given students of the subject by Madame Urquhart Lee, lately of Leland Stanford university of California, who came here to de- liver a series of lectures on the topic before a circle of local club women. It was not, however, until three years later that a group of the women interested formed a morning club and resolved to meet fortnightly to continue their studies in that line. Earnestly and thoroughly has the study been pursued until its members today are considered splendid parliamentarians. The meetings have been resumed with vigor and practical work in parliamentary science is done at each session.
THE LEND-A-HAND CLUB.
The Lend-a-Hand club of Davenport, organized by the King's Daughters in 1887, incorporated in 1888, has done excellent service in behalf of the working girls and women of the city during these eighteen years. Its purpose is to be helpful in whatever direction girls need friendly counsel and protection. It provides social recreation and instruction privately or in classes and by an an-
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nual course of lectures. It encourages among girls a high standard of service and character and helps its members to attain skill and ability in whatever line of work they may be engaged. It stimulates an interest in every kind of woman's work and a spirit of mutual helpfulness among all women workers. It has no class distinctions, no religious test of membership, all meet on common ground for the common good. The club occupies the entire second and third floors of the brick block at 323 West Second street, where the Noon Rest serves dinner from II:30 a. m. to 2:00 p. m. The business affairs of the club are under the management of a board of directors, in which the seven circles of the King's Daughters in the city are represented by their leaders. A loan fund, without interest, guards members against financial difficulties and an educational fund helps girls strug- gling for an education. Ten nationalities, twenty churches, Catholic and Protes- tant, and twenty-five occupations are represented in the membership.
THE TUESDAY CLUB.
The Tuesday club is one of the leading and influential women's clubs of the three cities. Its organization dates from 1892 when thirty of Davenport's promi- nent women, realizing the value of a purely study club, became its founders. In its quest for knowledge the organization has come to base its researches along systematic lines. From topics of minor importance it has gradually broadened its work to that of higher thought, sociological questions and even municipal problems. Several years have been spent in the study of "Arts and Crafts," but later the Tuesday club took up a new departure, that of "The Economic Ener- gies of Our Government." This includes a study of the scope of the national departments of agriculture and that of commerce and labor, model tenement houses, the Panama canal, corporation ownership vs. government control of railways, river and harbor commission, our colonies, department of the interior with the educational bureau and of the work of the commission of Indian affairs.
DAVENPORT KINDERGARTEN ASSOCIATION.
This is the sixth year of the existence of the study department of the Davenport Kindergarten association and all interested are always welcome at the fornightly meeings held at the homes of the members. The work of this club has been to keep in touch with the progressive thought along educational lines as they effect the home, the school and the industrial world; to strive for the understanding of the kindergarten principles in their application and the discussion of practical problems concerning the growth of the child mentally, morally and physically.
WEST END MOTHERS' CLUB.
The organization of the West End Mothers' club dates from 1902 and its years though few have been broadening and full of helpful work for its mem- bers. It was formed by a few earnest women for the purpose of promoting a study of domestic life and the problems of the home and child life among the mothers of that part of the city. At first papers and talks were given by the mem-
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bers informally at each meeting, but in 1905 the work became more sys- tematic with a lecture at every session by some person of prominence in a particular line of study, such as "The Library and the Home" by the city librarian, Miss Seybold; "The Visiting Nurse," by the city nurse, Miss Craine, or "Child Labor" by one of the leaders of the movement in the state, Dr. Jen- nie McCowen. These have proven of inestimable value and especially the dis- cussions of the general thought of the meeting which are made informal at the close of the lecture. The membership now numbers about forty-five and the club is enthusiastic in its study. The social side of the club life is not overlooked and every meeting closes with an hour of sociability when tea is served. The ses- sions are held once each month and the attendance and assistance of all women interested are invited.
THE S. L. A. CLUB.
The S. L. A. club is the outgrowth of an informal organization of 1894. when a circle of six ladies met every Tuesday for the purpose of reading and studying Shakespeare. The club was formally organized in 1896, since when it has flourished in a quiet unassuming manner, working always for a broader culture of its women. The S. L. A.'s have studied English literature, delved into the history of their own as well as many of the foreign countries. The social element figures delightfully in this club's work for its members are most con- genial. Many novel social gatherings are held each season at which the hus- bands are guests (for all the S. L. A.'s are married) and the husbands always reciprocate by entertaining the club ladies, usually at banquets.
ARLINGTON CLUB.
A number of bright and progressive women residing in close proximity on Arlington avenue some five years ago launched the Arlington club and an ener- getic and ambitious organization it has been from the beginning. To Mrs. F: Rainbow belongs the credit of being its founder, for she it was who invited a coterie of ladies of the neighborhood to meet at her home to form a study class. A reading club was thus begun. The members met at intervals, bringing their fancy work and one of their number was chosen to read aloud. A study of early American history was the first work. In September, 1901, the society was formally organized, taking up a line of regular club study. Current events at each session gave pleasant variety to historical research. A study of some of Dickens' works was taken up later and this has included "David Copperfield," "Pickwick Papers" and "Dombey and Son." This season the club has changed its usual plan and there is no general topic for the year, but each member furnishes a paper on some subject of general interest, one paper to be read and the topic discussed at each fortnightly session.
UNITED STATES HISTORY CLUB.
The United States History club has already accomplished considerable in its study of the history of our country. It was organized in January of 1902
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by a few earnest women intent upon a more thorough study of the early history of the United States. Beginning with the landing of the Pilgrims they have taken up the colonies and early history of the states in most interesting form. The club has broadened out and is pursuing the study of Alaska and the island possessions of our country, including the Sandwich islands, Cuba, the Philip- pines, together with some of the western states. Meetings are held fortnightly at the homes of the members.
DICKENS READING CIRCLE.
It was some three years ago that a little circle of enthusiastic lovers of Dickens met informally for the reading and study of the works of the famous English author as a summer's diversion. The reading club was an outgrowth or branch of the S. L. A. club and included a number of its members. The circle has never been formally organized, but meets alternate Monday afternoons and after an hour's reading and discussion of the book in hand the hostess serves English tea which promotes congenial sociability among the members. It is a delightful organization and both profit and pleasure is derived from this informal study of Dickens. They began with "Little Dorrit" and have taken up "Martin Chuzzlewit," "Hard Times" and "Barnaby Rudge." The study and discussion of "Dombey and Son" has been completed and later "Pickwick Papers" was taken up by the club. There is no official board as no formal organization exists.
CLUB OF EIGHTY-NINE.
For sixteen years has the Club of Eighty-Nine flourished and the enthusiasm that marked its early years has only increased as time rolled on. Miss Phoebe Sudlow is founder of the organization which evolved from a reading circle of congenial women, a history class as it was styled in the beginning, into a full fledged study club that has some good meritorious work to show on its balance sheet for the years. Its members have through its medium delved into Roman and Italian history, Latin literature, one year took a trip through Mexico, last year reviewed English literature and this year are enjoying a delightful study journey entitled "A Trip to Europe." The various countries of the world and their lit- erature have furnished them interesting topics for research and discussion. Meet- ings are held bi-weekly at the homes of the members.
CUISINE CLUB.
While other clubs searched literature, art, history and sociology for topics of study, twelve young society girls of Davenport decided to band themselves together for the study of the art of cooking, the preparing and serving of dainty dishes. It was in 1901 that the Cuisine club was formally organized and today all but a small number of the club members are happily married and presiding over cuisine departments of their own. The Cuisine club differed from the usual domestic science organization in its mode of study. At every meeting a
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course dinner was served, each dish being prepared by a member of the club. On these occasions the hostess at whose home the spread took place, made out the menu and assigned each member a certain dish to prepare and bring. Then during the progress of the dinner there were free and unbiased criticisms of every- thing and the members assert that in those early days of the club none were spared. They learned, however, by mistakes and gradually became perfect in certain dishes while friends who were invited guests at the club dinners consid- ered themselves most fortunate. In the past two seasons the members have been married off so rapidly, many removing from the city, that it was found necessary to discontinue the former method of preparing club dinners and the few remain- ing members still meet fortnightly but have taken up an informal study of topics of the day. This was first accomplished by the means of prepared answers to questions, but lately the members discuss current events in world history and the hostess provides the luncheon. Occasionally they resort to the old custom of a general club dinner and these occasions are always happy ones. It was the Cuisine club girls who recently furnished entirely and in a most artistic manner the ladies' dressing room at Outing club after its recent destruction by fire.
CHEMAUN CLUB.
The youngest in Davenport's galaxy of study clubs is the Chemaun club. It was organized in the spring of 1904 by a party of fifteen young ladies who de- cided to meet fortnightly for an evening of study. The initial plan was to take up American history and its study proved so absorbing that it was decided to continue on this line. The members began with prehistoric times in America, following the current of events through the Revolutionary period until now they have reached the interesting time of the Louisiana Purchase. The early settlement of the various colonies furnished good topics for general discussion in a series of meetings. The plan followed is that of one member preparing a paper on the topic of the evening which is read, and is then followed by a list of questions propounded by the leader of the discussion that follows. A pleasant feature of the organization is the social hour after every study session. Its name, Che- maun, is of Indian origin.
TRI-CITY KINDERGARTEN CLUB.
To promote the welfare of the kindergartens, the kindergartners and directors of the various schools for little folks, both public and private, in the three cities, organized themselves into a study club in 1901. The Tri-City Kindergarten club has done excellent work along its lines and each member has found benefit from the meetings and discussions. The first year was chiefly theoretical, the work being along the line of child study. For the past two years more practical matter has been taken up including the every day experiences with the children in the schools. This season the study has grown more specific, taking the form of stories, games and songs in which the kindergarten children are instructed. Constructive work and clay modeling are among the topics to be considered dur- ing the winter when practical illustration of the work done by the children will
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be given. An interesting ruling of the season is that each member of the club is a committee of one obliged to assist in the program of each session. Members are requested to bring any new or unusual suggestions they may have found in their practical work with the children.
DAVENPORT MUSIC CLUBS.
The music clubs of the tri-cities center in Davenport, which has always prided itself on being a musical city. However, many prominent musicians of both Rock Island and Moline are affiliated with the Davenport clubs, and sessions and reci- tals are often held in homes of the sister cities. The clubs given herewith comprise the large music study clubs. There are also a considerable number of teacher's music classes, organized into clubs, which had to be omitted on account of lack of space. Yet many of these, though their members are of tender years, are doing as earnest and conscientious work in pursuing the study of music and harmony as are the older established clubs.
MUSIC STUDENTS CLUB.
The Music Students club, the leading music club of the three cities, dates its existence from 1883, when four women, well known then in music circles, Mrs. D. C. Garrett, Mrs. Robert Smith, Miss Celestine Fejervary and Mrs. Marcus Curtius Smith met informally during one whole season for short recital programs. Formal organization was effected in the winter of 1884 and the Music Students has since then done much for the music loving people of the city by bringing artists here annually for concerts and recitals. Many talented musicians are numbered among its members whose bi-weekly recitals are always of high merit. The Music Students has thirty active members and its year book this season out- lines a fine list of recitals. Its work is always of the highest order. The club is a member of the National Federation of Music Clubs.
HARMONIE SOCIETY.
Many years have elapsed since the Harmonie Society of Davenport was launched in the music world of the city and well and wisely has it paved the way for the many musical clubs that followed. It was in the year 1875 that the ladies' chorus, with men as associate members, was formally organized and the late lamented Professor Theodore Cramer assumed charge as director. The chorus did good work from the first and became the pride of the musical people of the city. After the death of Prof. Cramer the chorus was conducted by Prof. Toen- niges for two years, and then Prof. Jacob Strasser was in charge. The most im- portant public work that the chorus had done up to this time was its participation in the great northwest Saengerfest held in Davenport in 1898. The Harmonie chorus then sang several numbers accompanied by an orchestra of sixty pieces and called forth most favorable comment from critics both at home and abroad. In former years fine concerts were frequently given by the Harmonie in Turner hall with a full orchestra, when the choral work was a feature. Later there was
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an interim of two years when the interest in the singing waned and no meetings were held. In 1903, however, prominent musical people of the city who had real- ized the value of the Harmonie choral work, effected its reorganization and Miss Louise St. John Westervelt was made director. Miss Westervelt has done most effective work with the chorus for years and this season has opened most auspici- ously. The chorus now numbers seventy members. The Harmonie society holds monthly recitals entirely distinct from the work of the chorus, which is a branch of the main society.
MUSIC LOVERS CLUB.
Much good work has been done by the Music Lovers club of Davenport since its beginning some few years ago among a coterie of music lovers of the city. This club differs in its plan of study from any other musical organization in the city in that it works under no set constitution nor by the direction of any official board. There are a number of rules governing the club, but beyond these, there is no formal organization nor any list of officers. The membership is in three divisions, viz., active, associate and student auxiliary. Twenty-two well known musicians of the three cities comprise the active membership, eleven the associate and there are fifteen in the student auxiliary, making a total of forty-eight in all. One recital is given each month during the season at the home of the leader of the club, Mrs. W. D. Middleton, Thirteenth and Ripley streets, and the programs include a study of world composers and their music in every phase. The Music Lovers study music on the broadest lines and its work is done thoroughly. One gratuitious recital is given annually to which friends or other music clubs are invited guests, but the remainder of its time is devoted to furthering the study of its own members in music and musical lore.
THE ETUDE CLUB.
It was in the autumn of 1896 on the return of Miss Selma Bruning from her musical studies in Boston, that a circle of her friends met with her informally once each week for the purpose of a mutual study of music. These meetings, held every Thursday afternoon, continued for some months until in January, 1897, organization was perfected and the Etude club was launched. There were fourteen charter members for, at the initial session each young lady had been asked to bring a friend. The first year the "Music of Nations" was taken up, at each meeting the music of another people being played and illustrated. The Etude club has flourished well since its organization and today has a membership of thirty-five. Its musical study has been on the broadest of lines and has in- cluded a year of grand opera when both music and singers of prominence in the grand opera world were discussed. "Form in Music" was the interesting topic that occupied one whole season. Last year the study was divided between Russian and American composers. This year the program committee has arranged a mis- cellaneous course, various composers of note being taken up at each meeting. A leader is appointed for each session who is responsible for the recital program. Meetings are held on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month at the homes of the members.
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CHAMINADE MUSIC CLUB.
Excellent work has been done in a quiet, unassuming manner by the Cham- inade Music club, which is one of the most earnest and studious organizations of its kind in the city. The Chaminade dates its beginning from 1899 when Mrs. Rudolph Toll and Miss Cora Hetzel assembled a circle of music students and formally organized this club for mutual study and benefit. For the first few years the recital programs, which are given monthly, were of a miscellaneous character but later a more definite course of study was begun. Today the club is taking up systematically the music of nations of the world. At one meeting there will be a program of music by German composers, again it is that of the French, and then again the Russian music. Thus its members become familiar with the best in music of composers of all the world. These monthly recitals, which are held in the evening, always close with a social hour during which the hostess serves luncheon. This gives a delightful air of informality to the club's work. Two miscellaneous meetings are held each year at which the members are privileged to bring a limited number of guests and these are always the occasion for most artistic recitals.
THE AMATEUR MUSICAL CLUB.
The Amateur Musical club of Davenport is a small organization just entering upon its third year. The club's work has been along musical lines, having studied the music of the principal American cities, their composers, best known perform- ers, music halls, clubs, societies and musical atmosphere generally. The first meeting was devoted to the recent musical celebration at Oberammergau, wit- nessed by Mrs. N. S. Stephens, one of the members who sent to the club books of the play and pictures, the full music score and an account of her personal im- pression of the performance of this "David and Christus."
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CHAPTER XXV.
THE COMMERCIAL SIDE.
CHEAP FUEL, TRANSMISSIBILITY OF ELECTRICAL POWER AND FINE SHIPPING FACIL- ITIES HAVE MADE DAVENPORT A GREAT MANUFACTURING CENTER-THE THRIFT OF THE PEOPLE OF SCOTT COUNTY HAVE MADE IT A GREAT BANKING CENTER -THE GROWTH OF MANUFACTURING INTERESTS AND THE WIDENING OF THE FIELD SUPPLIED-COUNTRY BANKS SPRINGING UP, EVERYWHERE.
These are the days of big things, Davenport has come in for at least a part of her share of them, and is reaching out steadily and persistently for more. This thriving, enterprising and ambitious city is possessed of manufacturing in- dustries, the products of which reach many parts of the world, and the unceasing aim of the men interested in this branch of the city's multifarious activities is to extend her manufactures whenever possible. The growth of Davenport's fac- tories has been slow in comparison to some other cities that might be mentioned, but that growth has been substantial and dependable. It is probable, however, that this place will compare very favorably in that regard to any city in the state and it may not be going too far in saying that as a manufacturing city her superior can not be found within the borders of Iowa.
BEGINS WITH THE MILLS.
The beginning of manufacturing in Davenport is marked by the saw mill and the flour mill, which were the prime necessities of the early settlers and were put up as soon as possible, the details of which are given by Mr. Barrows. Other industries followed as the settlement grew and today Davenport has a place in the manufacturing world of which her citizens are proud. Transportation facili- ties here, in a measure, meet the demands of the manufacturing trade, as three great trunk lines, the Rock Island, Burlington and Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul enter the city, and the Mississippi comes in for a share of the traffic sup- plied by the factories.
In the early hisory of Davenport its lumber industry was of large proportions and several mills for years were busily engaged in turning out the manufactured article, giving employment to a small army of men. Local saw mills are a thing
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of the past, but the lumber business in Davenport has been brought to great dimensions by certain of her merchants engaged in the trade. The flouring mills also took an important place in the industries of the town and then came the plow factory of Bechtel & Krum, the first of its kind in this section, and also the Eagle Manufacturing Company. The Crescent Mill's product became known far and wide, but competition became too strong in the northwest, where the bulk of the hard winter wheat was raised and big mills established, so that this industry in this section has become of less importance.
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