History of Columbia and Columbia precinct, Monroe County, Illinois, 1859-1959 and centennial celebration, Columbia, Illinois, July 3-4-5, 1959, Part 10

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Publication date: 1959?]
Publisher: [s.l. : s.n.
Number of Pages: 114


USA > Illinois > Monroe County > Columbia > History of Columbia and Columbia precinct, Monroe County, Illinois, 1859-1959 and centennial celebration, Columbia, Illinois, July 3-4-5, 1959 > Part 10


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February 23, 1948 was Charter Night with 27 charter members participating. There were about 250 guests from neighboring Rotary Clubs in attendance at this meeting.


The objects of the Rotary are: to encourage and fos- ter the development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service; high ethical standards In business and profes- sjons, the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occu- pations, and the dignifying by each Rotarlan of his occu- pation; the application of the ideal of service by every Rotarian to his personal, business and community life; the advancement of International understanding, good will, and peace through a world fellowship of business and pro- fessional men united In the Ideal of service.


The Rotary Club each year has a Rural Urban Night, the purpose of which is to bring town and country folks closer together. Each Rotarian Invites a country neighbor.


Inter-Club meetings were also a part of Rotary- neighboring Rotary Clubs being invited to Columbia with Columbia serving as host club.


First officers were: Ed Rudolph, President; T. B. Hen- derson, Vice President; Roy P. Conrad, Secretary; Arthur P. Wink, Treasurer; Dr. S. W. Susewind, Gustav C. Goec- keler and Walter Reichert, Directors; Sergeant-at-Arms, Fred Bruenig.


Besides the officers, charter members included: Gus- tav H. Boemer, Charles F. Diehl, Rev. Gerhard Friz, Edd L. Ghent, C. A. Hacker, William S. Haudrich, Walter F. Land- graf, Elmer and Forrest Oerter, Kendall Puckett, Walter F. Rapp, Orville C. Schmidt, Herbert Vogt, F. William Wel- nel, L. A. Weilbacher, Jr., Robert E. Weilbacher, George R. Wilde and Erwin Withum, Jr.


Present officers are Alfred Asselmeier, President; Oliver Riechmann, Vice President; Arthur F. Rueck, Secre- tary; Elmer Dillon, Treasurer; Jacob Daab, Sergeant-at- Arms; directors, Charles J. Grueninger, Wm. Cash and Emilio Bassy.


Among many projects sponsored by the Rotary Club were: summer playground supervised activities for several years; the celebration of the "Gay White Way" lighting project; flood lights on the high school ball dlamond for night games, which were later moved and re-erected at the Legion Memorial baseball park.


One of the most unusual programs was a tape record- ing of the Olympic games when this event was held in Australia.


The Rotary has two honorary members - Dr. F. L. Eversull and E. L. Rauch.


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ILL-232-3


THE STAGE COACH STOPS AT THE FRANKLIN INN


JUENGLING TAVERN


Flames wrote the last chapter of the story of the picturesque old Juengling Tavern on Main street in Co- lumbia in 1958. The Columbia Volunteer Fire Department burned the building after workmen had tried dismantling it in the orthodox manner. Walnut logs and handmade nails and century old construction made tearing down such a problem that a torch was applied.


It was razed to make way for the new projects of the Immaculate Conception Church, which include a school playground and recreation center and later per- haps other necessary buildings.


The old tavern and hotel had much interesting history. Many tracts of the original property were sold and these present a picture of the old names in Columbia history. Old deeds lent us by the Juengling family show it was 130 years old. It was purchased in 1828 by Robert Coleman. He established a grist mill, an ox mill, old records call it, for oxen were the power to run it. Coleman also had a store there.


Old deeds show that in 1838 Stephen Gardner sold the property to Tom Morgan and Patrick Artimony. In April of 1840 these men and their wives, sold to Henry Randleman. None of the sellers could write as was evi- denced by their marks. Witnesses were John Divers and Moses Hart. Cassendre Randleman, executrix of the will of Randleman, sold her husband's property as specified in his will, to Ernst Grosse and Richard Stueck, grand-


father of Alvin Klein. In 1853 Stueck sold his part to Mr. Grosse. Old histories call this inn the Franklin Inn. Later it was known as Buck Tavern. Its sign was adorned with the horns of a deer, hence its name. Mr. Grosse started the hotel and tavern in 1840. It was famous for its hospitality. Here the stage coach stopped and changed horses. The passengers refreshed themselves for the long journey to Renault which was the over-night stop en route to Kaskaskia where most passengers went to pre- empt land.


Prices for liquor, and this included a free lunch, were $1.25 a gallon for cheap whiskey and $1.85 for the best, and by the drink 5 and 10 cents. Horses were fed there too at a comparable price and a deep well under the porch provided abundant water for stock.


August F. Weinel, son-in-law of Mr. Grosse conducted the tavern until about 1872 when the stage coach gave way to the railroad.


Ernst Grosse sold the place to Charles Juengling of St. Louis in 1873. Mr. Juengling took over the tavern and other members of his family conducted it for eighty- five years. Fred, senior, purchased it in 1912; Fred, junior and senior succeeded him and then Fred Junior operated it until 1954 when Charles Bergmann took charge.


John Kolb, who lived across the street from the pres- ent Weinel Lumber Yard, was one of the early stage coach drivers.


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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA LODGE NO. 474 A. F. AND A. M. 1866 - 59


"The Worshipful Master, Wardens and Brethren of Co- lumbla Lodge U. D., A. F. and A. Masons met in Regular Communication at Masonic Hall, in the Town of Colum- bia, County of Monroe, State of Illinois, Jan. 6, at 7 0°- clock p. m., A. D. 1866, A. L. 5866, and opened on the first, second and third degrees of Masonry in form. Present were: W. Bro. D. S. Donagin, Master; Bro, F. Horan, Senior Warden; Bro. H. A. Bornemann, Junior Warden; Bro. J. A. Reid, Treasurer; Bro. L. Warnock, Secretary; Bro. A. F. Agnew, Senior Deacon; Bro. Michael Doren, Junior Deacon; Bro. George W. Scheuerman, Tyler."


These are the first recorded minutes of Columbia and represent all the first history of Columbia Lodge No. 474, Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of Columbia, Illinois. There is no record of who organized the Lodge nor who besides the officers were members.


A meeting was held on Sept. 15, 1566, at which time officers were elected to be named in the charter. These elected officers were installed on Friday night, Oct. 26, 1866, and were installed by Brother Charles Meyer, "act- ing as proxy for the Grand Master".


The officers were: Frank Horan, Master; H. A. Borne- man, Senior Warden; H. S. Hibbard, Junior Warden; La- fayette Warnock, Treasurer; Jas. L. Gall, Secretary; G. Hoffman, Senior Deacon; James McKee, Junior Deacon; John Angerer, Steward; Christian Reither, Steward; August Hoffman, Tyler.


The first meeting place was in the Scheuerman build- ing, now upstairs over Greatting's Market; then the old Methodist Brick church, now the site of the high school building until 1870. The next meeting place was above Charles Schneider's furniture store at the corner of Main and Mulberry streets until 1876; then they met in the "new building of Messrs. Niemeier and Weinel" until the Masonic Hall building was completed on the present site of the First National Bank building. On Sept. 30, 1882 the Masonic Hall Association was incorporated and on Oct. 17, 1882 the contract was let to erect a three-story brick building, 33 feet x 70 feet for the sum of $7077.65. The third floor of this building was the meeting place for Columbia Lodge.


This building was destroyed by fire March 12, 1953. A new site on Columbia city route 3 was purchased at the northern city limits and a Masonic Temple erected. For- mal dedication ceremonies were held Dec. 18, 1954.


This building has a lodge room, ante-room, lounges, dining room, kitchen, conference room and recreation room.


It is also the meeting place of the Order of the East- ern Star, Job's Daughters Bethel and the E. A. Weinel De Molay chapter.


In 1914 Herman L. Rose was commissioned a Grand Lecturer and subsequently appointed District Grand Mas- ter of this Masonic District. F. W. Weinel was appointed District Deputy Grand Master of the 91st District In 1943.


Ernst Grosse was elected treasurer in 1869, serving until his death In 1892, succeeded by A. F. Weinel who served until his death in 1913. Ernst A. Weinel was elected to succeed his father and served until his death.


Past Masters from 1866 to 1959


D. S. Donagin 1866; Frank Horan 1866-68: Fred Daab 1869; Madison G. Nixon, 1870-74; 1877; 1882-84; 1886; 1889-95: 1898-99; H. A. Bornemann 1875; Wm. F. Smith 1876; Monroe M. Gray 1878: 1880-81; Isaac H. Brown 187.º; Wm. B. Smith 1885; Albert L. Martin 1887; Corry M. Fike 1SS8; Jos. M. Amin 1896-7; Emil Heer 1900; E. A. Weinel


1901-2; Hy. Reichenbach 1903-4; Hy. Rueck 1905-06; II. N. Kunz 1907-8; Geo. B. Schoening 1909-10; Herman L. Rose 1911-12: 1918; F. W. Weinel 1913-15; Geo. Grob 1916; Chas. L. Ebel 1917; Chas. Williams 1919-20; Albert Lepp 1921-22: Robert C. Kunz 1923; Christ L. Dehn 1924-25 and 1929; Ira J. Mund 1926; Chas. A. Brucker 1927-28 and 1930; Alvin E. Tunze 1931-32; John W. Compton 1933; Chas. W. Swartz 1934; John W. Hamilton, Jr. 1935; Hy. F. Breuer 1936; Alien W. Robertson 1937; Herman F. Taake 1938; Wm. F. Taake 1939-40; Clarence A. Hacker 19-11; Roland E. Muskopf 1942; Benjamin E. Bowers 1943; Wm. Henfling 1944; Wayne S. Compton 1945; Louis J. Loewe 1946; N. S. Church 1947; E. E. Scott 1948; P. P. Pretzlic 1949; C. H. Bordewisch 1950; P. C. Beal 1951; W. D. Bailey 1952; George Pentecost 1953; R. J. Tunze 1954; H. O. Schaefer 1955; O. L. Brewer 1956; Alvin N. Koch 1957; V. A. Hoep- finger 1958; J. E. Rains 1959.


Officers serving in 1959 are: Worshipful Master, James Rains; Senior Warden, Russell E. Smith; Junior Warden, Robert L. Bottiaux; Treasurer, Clifford H. Bordewisch; Secretary, Wayne Compton; Senior Deacon, Adam E. Mer- nick; Junior Deacon, Louis J. Girard; Senior Steward, Har- vey W. Hoover; Junior Steward, James B. Barfield; Chap- lain, Vernon A. Hoepfinger; Marshal, Martin C. Dunkin; Tyler, Peter P. Pretzlic.


HISTORY OF MONROE CHAPTER NO. 597 ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR OF ILLINOIS


On August 21, 1907, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ernst Weinel, the preliminary plans were made to organize a Chapter of the Eastern Star in Columbia. Mr and Mrs. Hawkins, members of the Rob Morris Chapter, O.E.S. of East St. Louis helped in this organization.


Twenty-one Columbians signed a petition to the Grand Chapter of Illinois for dispensation to form a new Chapter. The following who signed the petition are also charter members of the Chapter: Julia Hills, Lydia Rapp, Emma Grosse, Louisa McKee, Adella Rose, Lizzie Arnin, Bertha Arnin, Bertha M. C. Weinel, Ida Kunz, Adelia Schoening, Emma Rueck, Emelia Kunz, August F. Weinel. Bertha Weinel, Ernst and Mollie Weinel, Emelia Weinel. Lena Wenkel, Emelia Grosse, Elizabeth Schoening and Henry N. Kunz.


This request was granted and the Monroe Chapter No. 597 O. E. S. was instituted on August 31, 1907


Brother W. P. Vaughn of Rob Morris Chapter 98, O. E. S served as Deputy Grand Worthy Patron. Assisted by officers and members of his Chapter he instituted Monroe Chapter 597 and installed the Charter officers.


The charter officers were: Worthy Matron, Julia Gross Hills; Worthy Patron, Ernst Weinel; Associate Matron, Lydia Rapp; Secretary, Emma Grosse; Treasurer, Mollie Weinel; Conductress, Louisa McKee; Associate Conductress, Adelia Rose; Marshal, Lizzie Arnin; Chap- lain, Henry N. Kunz; Adah, Bertha Arnin; Ruth, Bertha M. C. Weinel; Esther, Ida Kunz; Martha, Adella Schoen- ing; Electa, Emma Rueck; Organist, Emelia Weinel; Warden, Emilie Kunz; Sentinel, August F. Weinel.


On that evening, petitions from four candidates were received, accepted, balloted upon and initiated. The four were: Fred G. Rapp. F. W. Weinel; George B. Schoening and Henry Reichenbach.


The Chapter meetings were held on the third floor of the Masonic Hall building in the Masonic Hafl.


In 1917 the United States went to war. The Chapter bought Liberty Bonds, and a Service flag. They donated to the War Camp Recreation Fund, the Red Cross, Y.M.C.A., War Relief Fund, and the Soldiers' Memorial


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They worked many hours on Red Cross Home projects and supported a fatherless child in France, named Rachel LeClerc.


World War II came, and again the members worked for the Red Cross, made dressings, served at Blood Banks, saw the boys go forth to battle.


In 1943 a tragic flood occurred on the Mississippi river. The Chapter donated services and supplies to the stricken. A reading and recreation room was set up for the soldiers from Scott Field who were here to help hold the levees.


A Bethel of Job's Daughters was established in 1948 which was given moral and financial assistance by the chapter.


A chapter of DeMolay was started in 1950 and the Chapter sewed all the DeMolay robes.


In March of 1953 a fire started in the theatre on the first floor of the Masonic building and destroyed most of the contents and the belongings of the O. E. S., Masons, Job's Daughters, and the DeMolay. Then meet- ings were held in the Brucker building, the Columbia high school gymnasium and the Dupo grade school gym- nasium.


A new Masonic Temple on route 3 on the northern city limits, was built and dedicated, and the first Eastern Star meeting held there on June 24, 1954.


In July of 1954, Adelia Schwartz, Past Matron, was honored as being the first Grand Lecturer from Monroe Chapter.


The chapter is fortunate in having had the services of officers who filled their positions for many years: Past Matron, Bertha Arnin Schoening, also a charter member, has been an officer for 52 years of continuous service.


Past Matron Lydia Rapp, also a charter member, held office for 37 years.


Past Patron W. A. Schoening served as Worthy Patron for 24 years.


Dorothy Weinel Eppinger has been an officer for 25 years.


Past Matron Viola Rapp Rueck held various chairs for 20 years.


The following are the Past Matrons from 1907-59: Julia Hills, 1907-09; Lydia Rapp, 1910-14; Adelia Rose, 1915; Mollie Weinel, 1916-17; Bertha Schoening, 1918-20; Zula Bollinger, 1921-22; Elizabeth Weinel, 1923-24; Flor- ence Kueffner, 1925-26; Viola Rapp Rueck, 1927-28; Amelia Swartz, 1929; Ruth Burke, 1930-31; Ophelia Muel- ler, 1932-33; Emelia Tunze, 1934; Virginia Landgraf, 1935; Dorothy Weinel, 1936; Anna Gaines, 1937; Elsie Tunze, 1938; Esther Cohen, 1939; Gertrude Swartz, 1940; Edna Daab, 1941; Adelia Schwartz, 1942; Lucille Bersche, 1943; Florence Becker, 1944; Edna Faulkner, 1945; Marie Goley, 1946; Theresa Stroupe, 1947; Rosalind Blittersdorf, 1948; Grace Lenhardt, 1949; Necia Bryant, 1950; Opal Peters, 1951; Bernice Church, 1952; Ruth Raitt, 1953; Ruth Brubaker, 1954; Alma Bordewisch, 1955; Lorraine Kossina, 1956; Florine Burks, 1957; Elsa Mae Jacobs, 1958.


The principal officers for the year 1959 are: Mary McDaniel, Worthy Matron; Norman Smothers, Worthy Patron; Associate Matron, Hazel Miller; Associate Patron, Lewis J. Girard; Secretary, Bertha Schoening; Treasurer, Dorothy Eppinger; Conductress, Florence Haberl; Associ- ate Conductress, Clara Kirleis; Chaplain, Frieda Lopinot; Marshal, Opal Cook; Organist, Ida Thompson; Adah, Patricia Smothers; Ruth, Gladys Wills; Esther, Miriam Girard; Martha, Lucinda Smith; Electa, Evelyn Schnell; Warden, Anetha Schiemer; Sentinel, Clifford H. Borde- wisch; Color-Bearer, Ray Tunze.


LIONS CLUB


The Columbia Lions Club charter night was celebrated at the Columbia Turner Hall October 1, 1952. The Water- loo Lions Club sponsored this organization, and James L. Kitchens, International Councilor, assisted their or- ganization.


The Charter members of this organization were: Emilio Bassy, Arthur Beckmann, George J. Brucker, James Crowe, Lester Deffenbaugh, Albert Diehl, Walter Frierdich, Walter Giffhorn, Clifford Haberl, Guy Haltenhof, Stanley Herbst, Wayne Hettenhausen, H. G. Immenga, Alvin N. Koch, Leo Koberlein, August McConkey, Carl L. Schiemer, Frank Schmidt and George F. Vogt.


Officers and directors were: President, Alvin N. Koch; 1st vice pres., James Crowe; 2d vice pres., George F. Vogt; 3d vice pres., Arthur Beckmann; sec., Stanley Herbst; treas., Walter Giffhorn; Lion Tamer, Guy Halten- hof; Tail Twister, George J. Brucker; Directors: Frank Schmidt, Carl L. Schiemer, Lester Deffenbaugh and August McConkey.


The Lions slogan is: L for liberty; I for intelligence; O for our; N for Nation's; S for Safety.


Their annual achievements are: Support for the Leader Dog to the Blind, the Hadley School for the Blind, Mentally Retarded Children and sponsoring a Khoury League team.


The projects which they have completed are: the presentation of bicycle racks for the public and parochial schools; a flag pole for the Catholic school and con- tributions amounting to $600 for the Khoury League.


Ever since their organization it has been the desire of the Lions Club to have a swimming pool in Columbia. Obstacles have interposed, chiefly financial, but the Lions have kept this project constantly in mind. Recently the club voted in favor of making a study of the feasi- bility of a swimming pool for the city and appointed a committee to work out the details. Lions International has a club project reporting in detail the cost, the op- erating costs and revenue. This will be studied, and ap- propriate action taken after mature consideration.


Present Lions Club officers are: President James H. Crowe; Sec .- Treas., Walter Frierdich; 1st vice pres., Elmer Diel; 2d vice pres., Lowell Campbell; 3d vice pres., Roy Limestall; Tail Twister, Arthur (Bunny) Rueck; Lion Tamer, Carl Schiemer; directors are: Carl Schiemer, Clif- ford Haberl, Kendall Puckett, Lowell Campbell and Elmer Diel.


BI-COUNTY TOASTMASTERS 826


The Bi-County Toastmasters 826 received its charter Thursday, June 15, 1950 at a meeting at Oerter's Sangra- lee restaurant.


Charter members were: R. P. Cash, W. H. Cash, Les- ter Deffenbaugh, Walter Giffhorn, Guy E. Haltenhof, Harold Harres, Kenneth Harres, Paul Heisler, Arthur Kruse, E. J. Lude, August McConkey, William E. McFar- lane, Dr. Charles L. Moskop, Harold Pieper, Pete Radi- son, Elmer G. Rauch, G. P. Reis, William J. Ryan, Chester G. Schmidt, Herbert Schueler, Leo Weilbacher, B. D. Wohlwend.


First Officers were: President, Guy E. Haltenhof; Vice President, Chester Schmidt; Secretary, William Ryan; Treasurer, Lester Deffenbaugh; Deputy Governor, William McFarlane; Education Chairman, Leo Weilbacher; Ser- geant at arms, R. P. Cash.


Present members are: Walter Giffhorn, Alvin Koch, Lloyd Lindemann, August McConkey, Robert Myrick, Harold Nolte, Clarence Pickering, Wm. R. Phelps, Har-


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veylouis Stumpf, Clarence Schueler, B. D. Wohlwend, and Len Petrasek.


Present officers are: President, Alvin Koch; Educa- tional Vice President, B. D. Wohlwend; Administrative Vice President, Clarence Schueler; Secretary-Treasurer, William R. Phelps; Sergeant at arms, Waiter Giffhorn.


The following members won aren speech contests and participated in District Speech contests: 1951, William Mc. Farlane: 1953, Edward Nieman; 1957, Walter Giffhorn; 1958, Lloyd Lindemann.


The club has furnished spenkers for varlous civic functions: Memorial Day services, Masters of Cere- monies for parades; Judges for student speech contests; programs for other organizations; speakers to other organizations; and groups to promote Red Cross Blood Donations, TB Chest xrays.


The purpose of this organization is: To improve its members in the oral expression of thought; to increase their ability to appear before audiences and creditably express themselves, and to encourage the development of such ability in others; to secure fair and constructive criticism; to promote sociability, general welfare, and good fellowship amongst its members; to gain experience in public speaking and instruction in chairmanship and parliamentary procedure.


HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COMMERCIAL CLUB OR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE


A history of the Columbia Commercial Club, or the Chamber of Commerce, as it is now called, is almost the history of modern Columbia.


A perusal of old club records pictures its development. Every measure for the good of Columbia was referred to this organization, where it was carefully studied, and, if worthy, received the indorsement of the organization. Farmers and townspeople joined the club.


The Commercial Club was organized October 3, 1913. Officers were: President, Ernst A. Weinel; vice president, Herman L. Rose; secretary, Henry N. Kunz; treasurer, George Roessler. Executive committee: F. W. Weinel, E. J. Schneider, W. A. Schoening, Albert Lepp.


Road building was of primary importance and the first year saw much of this. A report from the Good Roads Committee reveals why: "the Milistadt road, since road work outlined by the Club has been completed, can now be traversed in wet weather." The club bought three road drags for road districts and saw that they were used; gave money for roads, got donations, pius city and county aid; helped secure a state road outfit which constructed 1200 feet of road on Schneider's hill south of town; recondi- tioned parts of North and South Second streets, and Cherry and Pine streets; and helped road commissioners get rock for district roads from the street railway. They were in- strumental in getting 550 feet for rock roads 13 feet wide on the Milistadt road near town; helped by getting dona- tions to get 1500 feet of road made on the Millstadt road at a cost of $10 to the district; bought a car load of rock for Schlemmer's Hill, and saw that it got on the road The Club had a peculiar but very effective way of getting road materials. They would donate a car load of rock if the district would buy four.


In their first year they entertained the triennial con- vention of the Modern Woodmen of the county; helped en- tertain the Catholic Societies of the Diocese; Group 9 of the Illinois State Bankers' Association. They served as hosts at these affairs.


An advertising man with the Chicago group fell a vic. tim to Columbia's charm, and had some signs printed,


christening Columbia 'Spotless Town". lle had these placed on the street cars and other places.


The club, in 1915, helped entertain nt the Farmers' In- stitute here at the Turner Hali, and spent $100 for adver- tising the event. As a result, 5000 came on Education Day. The City Club and the Business Men's League of St. Louis had been invited by Mayor Rapp to this event, and they enme on special street cars. They marched in the parade, their bands joining with the Columbin Band, and the 2500 school children from all over the county.


The Club sponsored and helped organize the Colum- bia Buliding and Loan Association, helping sell the first 448 shares of stock. They attended and entered n float in the Belleville Centennial celebration. At the request of Mayor Fred Baltz of Miilstadt they entered n float in the Millstadt llomecoming parade and won first prize.


The next year they gained 19 members and their membership was well over one hundred. They had inter- esting meetings, good speakers and a lunch always foi- lowed the meetings. Farm members brought in their fine sausages and as a reward received a year's membership to the club. Meetings were held in New Hanover and all surrounding settlements with splendid attendance and in- terest. The Club's indorsement of civic projects was al- ways sought and when they indorsed they got out and worked for the project.


A community high school appeared to be the solution to the high school problem, so the club invited everyone to attend the meeting called to explain the proposition. On January 12, 1920 a report was made by their education committee, Fred G. Rapp, R. P. Briegel and John C. Gum- mersheimer that the proposition had carried by a vote of 107 to 47. However, since the law provided that there could be an election every two years on the will of the voter to keep the school, the proposition was defeated in 1922 when it came up for a vote, by (408) for and (985) against.


The Club was anxious to get industries to Columbia but they would not buy a building nor pay a bonus. The only one that ever came on these terms, the Columbia Cleaning and Dyeing Co., was in the Hills Building. Fire destroyed their machinery and the plant was discontin- ued.


In World War ] the Turners and Commercial Club gave a going-away party for the first soldiers called to the col- ors. They had happy memories when they entrained for Camp Taylor. They sponsored another celebration when our boys came home.


The Club sponsored the Boy Scout Troop and Ed Schneider, as their Scoutmaster. This was In 1917.


The Commercial Ciub officially adopted a siogan for Columbia. It was "Columbia, the City of Gardens and Homes, thirty minutes from Broadway, St. Louis."


The Club entered the Columbia Drum and Bugle Corps in the Pagennt of Progress celebration in E. St. Louis; in- dorsed the city park pian, contributed to the new Colum- bia Band; indorsed and helped with the distillery project. On February 11, 1935 they presented former Mayor Rapp, the club president, with a purse filled with biils, as a to- ken of their esteem for his 2.] years of service ns mayor; they indorsed the 114 mill sewer maintenance tax, Lions' Club; Scout Jut and the Legion Hut. On February 27, 19-10, they conducted a mass meeting on the new city building proposition. As usual the proposition carried and the club now holds their meetings in the building they worked for.




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