USA > Indiana > Vanderburgh County > Evansville > A Century of history of the Walnut Street Presbyterian Church of Evansville, Indiana : with sketches of it's [sic] pastors, officers, and prominent members and reminiscences of early times > Part 11
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With emphasis in schools and colleges on athletic games, the Bible School has caught the contagion and no up- to-date school is without its basketball or baseball team en- rolled in the Sabbath School League of Y. M. C. A. or Y. W. C. A., under the training of their athletic directors. The older boys organized in 1916, the girls following in 1917, when by brilliant team work they won the pennant, now hanging on our walls. The winning team consisted of: Vir- ginia Karcher, Doris Kirk, Anna Louise Thurgood, Kather- ine Welman, Agnes McConnell; Substitutes : Iva Spitz, Elsie Newcomb. In 1920 tennis and volley ball courts were pre- pared by volunteer labor on vacant lots on Chandler Avenue and dedicated to the use of boys and girls of the Sabbath School. In the same winter, to save the furniture from de- struction at the hands of exuberant Boy Scouts and furnish amusement for young people after their business meetings, the windows of the lecture room were screened and volley ball installed.
Thus, through the years, the Sabbath School has added to her nurture of the soul, the upbuilding of the body and the cultivation of the mind, not forgetting, however, her paramount object, through the teaching of the Holy Scrip- tures, to lead the boys and girls, by precept and example, into membership in the visible church, by faith in the Lord
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Jesus Christ. It has not been unusual in late years for whole classes leaving the Junior Department to come together into church membership. As we go into the future shall not our aim be the same as our forefathers of 1858? "Feeling the want of greater depth and spirituality in the Sabbath School, we look beyond methods to results, placing more de- pendence on the Holy Spirit and less on machinery. The measure of our success will be in proportion, as we are able to aid in leading the children to Jesus."
Among the officers of the past sixty years are: Mr. Charles S. Wells, Superintendent during the Civil War, dy- ing in office much lamented; Mr. W. T. Turner and Mr. John W. Foster, his successors. Mr. James L. Orr, after serving some years as Secretary, was elected Superintendent about 1870 and was active until 1900, when Mr. Walter L. Sullivan succeeded him, serving 15 years. Mr. S. N. Ruth- erford and Mr. G. H. Artlip preceded the present Superin- tendent, Mr. Paul Schmidt. Among the Secretaries in the last thirty years have been Mr. H. E. Read, Jr., Mr. George A .Cunningham, Mr. Colin B. Gilchrist, Mr. North Storms and Mr. Charles Clarke, who has served since 1903.
OFFICERS FOR 1921.
Superintendent-Mr. Paul H. Schmidt.
Asst. Superintendent-Mr. Walter Keeney.
Substitute Superintendent-Mr. Walter L. Sullivan.
Secretary and Treasurer-Mr. Charles Clarke.
Pianist-Miss Florence Dannettell.
Asst. Pianist-Miss Virginia Tourtelotte.
Cornetist-Mr. L. E. Karcher.
Chorister-Miss Christine Groh. Social Secretary-Mrs. Paul H. Schmidt.
Elementary Superintendent-Mrs. Geo. S. Clifford.
Primary Superintendent-Miss Blanche Jung. Junior Superintendent-Mrs. H. C. Ruddick.
Intermediate Superintendent-Mrs. W. J. Torrance.
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CHAPTER VI.
Y. P. S. C. E.
(Contributed by Mrs. Frank Fowler, of Chicago, formerly Miss Susan Goodge).
The first Society organized was a "Young People's Prayer Meeting," as best I can recall, about 1882, under the Pastorate of Rev. Seward M. Dodge. In 1886, a Y. P. S. C. E. was organized, with a pledge that was in keeping with what a true Christian should be. This was in the early days of Christian Endeavor, the National Society being or- ganized about 1881. Our membership was then about 35, 1 think. The Society was divided into several committees : Prayer meeting, Literature, Social, Music, Missionary. Each committee did splendid work and always had interesting reports at a business meeting held once a month.
The Society grew in numbers and strength, until it reached a membership of about 85 or more. Our advisory board, as far as I can remember, was Mr. J. L. Orr, Mr. John N. McCoy and Dr. Newell, and always the pastor. We received much encouragement and help from all older church members. Our first work outside of our own church was to furnish S. S. teachers for a Mission which later became Parke Memorial Church, eight or ten members going every Sunday afternoon. It was started in an old saloon building at Elsas and Virginia Streets. Thanksgiving and Christ- mas season found us always doing our share of cheer and comfort to unfortunate ones.
A Junior C. E. was organized and carried on for a few years by Mrs. T. H. Taylor, later was cared for by one of the C. E. members. This was a splendid society of about 35 members, some of whom now are working in this and other churches. Our meetings always seemed filled with a true religious feeling and I am sure those of us who had our early training in the Y. P. S. C. E. could never drift so far away, that its memory would not follow us and keep us nearer our Master.
You will remember Blanche Lee and Mr. Lee and Rev. August Sonne, our members of whom we are all so proud. If I can remember rightly, Mr. and Mrs. Lee went on their mission to Korea under Dr. O. A. Smith's pastorate, and Rev. Sonne started his studies then and completed them in
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Rev. S. N. Wilson's time. Our Missionary money was given under a plan, "2 cents a week and a prayer" per member, and was for home and foreign work, sent through the Wo- man's Board. About 1897, six girls from the Society took the responsibility of conducting a S. S. in the old Cotton Mill Block in the West End of the city, taking over the work from a crippled girl, when ill health forced her to give it up. This work as a S. S. was conducted by this Society for over three years, under the leadership of the Misses Walters, and later on by two or three and outside help, and then given over to a King's Daughters 'Circle of the Cumberland Pres- byterian Church. The work there was certainly a wonder- ful blessing to us who took part and required much work, along charity lines, as well as religious work. In the last few years of our existence, Mr. Rutherford was one of our loyal supporters.
Delegates were sent to State and International meet- ings, which were the largest bodies of gatherings of a re- ligious nature ever assembled and were a source of wonder- ful influence on all attending. A State Convention was held in Grace Church in 1890, with national officers as speakers. The social feature of our Society was always most enjoyable and the memory still lingers with us.
We assisted in many ways with the work of the church under the direction of the pastor, whoever he might be.
The Society disbanded twenty years ago next spring and it was a sad day for many, who had held so dear the work of the Society in former years. Of the members in early days still active in the church I recall Mr. and Mrs. Herman Pfafflin, Mr. Herbert Baird, Mrs. M. A. Sheridan, Mrs. W. J. Torrance, Mrs. George S. Clifford and Miss Hen- rietta Davidson.
LATER HISTORY OF C. E. SOCIETY.
During Rev. Chas. Nickerson's pastorate the Christian Endeavor had so decreased in numbers and interest that it was disbanded and a young people's discussion class substi- tuted.
It was revived again in Rev. John Kennedy's pastorate with a membership of 28. After a few years, through lack of support it was again disbanded, to be restored in 1920 by the present pastor with 57 members. Officers, Miss Dorothy Archer, President; Doris Kirk, Secretary; Katherine Wel- man, Treasurer, all girls trained previously in Sabbath School and Emily Orr Circle.
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The present officers, elected in 1921 are: Clyde Smith, President; Dorothy Miller, Secretary; Elsie Newcomb, Treasurer.
MESSENGERS.
In 1879 the wife of the minister, Mrs. J. Q. Adams, gathered the boys and girls of the church into a Mission Band, called the Messengers. Memories of knitted wash cloths and fancy work bazaars mingle with the magic words -Gaboon, Africa and Oroomiah, Persia, where, for the six- teen years of its existence, the money raised by monthly dues and laborious needle-pricks supported students in Christian schools. The Treasurer's books in 1884 show a membership of 43 receipts from the annual bazaar of $82.00, and a budget of $150. Its first Treasurer, Emily Orr, became herself the leader of succeeding Bands. One of the members, Loraine Cutler, is leader of the Circle to- day. One of the officers, Blanche Webb, as the wife of Rev. Graham Lee, spent many years as a Missionary in Pyang Yang, Korea, in the early years of that station. She writes from her present home in Gilroy, California, where she set- tled with her children after Mr. Lee's untimely death.
"It has been a glorious privilege to have been a mis- sionary in Korea, and I doubt not but what those "Messen- ger days" were instrumental in making it easier for me to see the need, when opportunity came.'
In 1905 the Band was merged with the Junior Y. P. S. C. E.
In 1890 a Young Ladies' Society was organized with 18 members and Miss Blanche Webb as President.
S. F. O. CLUB
(Sunshine for Others)
One Saturday ofternoon in September, 1906, the mem- bers of Miss Kaloolah Howe's class met at the home of their teacher and organized the S. F. O. Club, with officers, regu- lar monthly meetings and a definite object in mind. It was at this time the only organized body of girls in the church.
The original members of the club were : Miriam Archer, Eloise Copeland, Lillian Ellerbusch, Helen Straub, Grace Stratton, Mary Keeney, Otilla Weintz, Eula Rose Karcher, Mary Smith, Florence Kiechle, Mary Owen, Hazel Baker and their teacher, who acted as advisor to the girls and personally chaperoned them in all their activities.
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Throughout the life of the club an active interest was taken in the Mission Sunday School in the Cotton Mill Block. The class frequently visiting in a body and individual members often helping the superintendent, Miss Amelia Walters, by teaching or with the music.
The first effort of the club was the buying of twenty- five bibles which were much needed at the mission. They raised the funds for this by giving a little Bazaar. The first Thanksgiving, baskets were taken by members to the homes of needy families. This became a regular custom with the club. In connection with the Associated Charities, clothing and new towels and other garments were sent to the poor. On Easter the girls went to the hospitals and gave flowers to those in the wards. Whenever an oppor- tunity presented the girls endeavored to live up to the name of the club by scattering sunshine along the way.
The thing of which they were very proud and thank- ful was the giving of an organ to the Mission School. In various small ways the funds for this were gathered and to make up the considerable deficit a Social and Bazaar was given and this was found to have brought in sufficient to complete the sum required. The class were very happy to take part in the program on the day that saw the organ in place.
The club was active for five full years and only dis- banded when it came time for a number of the girls to go away to college while those who remained moved into places of responsibility, all of them becoming teachers in the S. S.
ABREK CLUB
In the early spring of 1913 the Abrek (ready to serve) Club of Walnut St., S. S., was organized. The thought that led to the club's organization was the desire to bring together the girls of about the same age in sev- eral of the classes that they might learn together how to put into practice some of the teachings they had been re- ceiving in the S. S., and together serve their own church, their community, to become helpful wherever and when- ever a chance was given them and to study both home and foreign mission work.
Mrs. George Clifford, Mrs. Elgin Archer, Mrs. Robt. Smith and Mrs. Sheridan were the Advisory Board of the club. Miss Kaloolah Howe was asked to act as patroness
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of the organization. Miss Howe continued with the club for the first three years of it's life.
The first meeting was held at the home of Miss Howe on Saturday ofternoon, March 1913 with twelve present who became members of the club.
The members were. Dorothy Archer, Martha Keen- ey, Edna Rutherford, Susette Dunlevy, Virginia Karcher, Ethel Jones, Elizabeth Doerr, Nellie Spillman, Agnes Mc- Connell, Dorothy Miller, Helen Sheridan and Anna Thur- good.
The first officers were: President, Edna Rutherford, Secretary, Dorothy Archer, Treasurer, Mary Crawford.
The meetings were held monthly at which a business session followed by a devotional and general discussion was concluded with a social hour.
In the beginning Camp Fire Work was a part of the obligation of each and every member-and as in Camp Fire work beads were awarded for the honors earned-several of the girls still have the little strands of beads earned in the early months of the club's life.
During the first year several packages were sent to Miss Edith Dickey in Ningpo, China to use in her work there in the hospitals. At Thanksgiving several baskets were sent out to the poor. This became a regular custom and continued as long as the club existed.
The second year a number of boxes were sent to the Presbyterian Mission School at Brevere, N. C. These boxes contained gifts for the boys and girls of the school, books, magazines; and new materials for the sewing classes. We also began to work in connection with the district nurse, who let us know from time to time what was most needed by the poor on whom she was calling.
Funds were raised by giving little social affairs and it was the joy of the members to spend it for the helping of those in need.
The third year the work was continued much along the lines of the second. The girls were coming to know how to conduct a really interesting program and to take the in- itiative in planning activities for themselves. Miss Howe, for business reasons was obliged to resign from the work and Mrs. M. A. Sheridan was appointed by the Advisory Board to take her place.
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In 1915 the Club was reorganized into a Westminster Circle to conform to the Presbyterian plan and continued for five years the same work of sewing for the District nurse, filling and distributing Thanksgiving baskets, and Christmas gifts for the poor, besides subscribing for the required Guild bonds for missions. In 1920 on the organiza- tion of a Y. P. S. C. E. it seemed best to disband the Guild (into which the Circle had been merged at the required age, 18 years) and these girls so ably trained for service by Mrs. Sheridan became the leaders of the new movement.
KALOOLAH HOWE.
EMILY ORR CIRCLE
BORN April 1st, 1916-the Emily Orr Circle-the child of the Woman's Missionary Society of Walnut Street Church.
Died in the spring of 1820, an untimely death-this promising organization-at the age of four years.
During the first years of its existence it was sturdy, steady, strong. Surprise boxes were made for the children at the hospitals; plain sewing was done for the district nurse; a child that needed garments to wear to Sunday School, was clothed; it helped make the first 200 soldier kits for the first Evansville boys that entered the service of the World War; also for one year, supported one of the Fatherless children of France.
The Patroness of this organization endeavored to teach the members to conduct a meeting in a business like way, to think while standing, to realize the need and the worth of early consecrated devotion to the service of Christ, to be mindful of the rights of others in whatever station in life, to impart easily to the hearer the knowledge gained from careful consideration of the Mision Study Books.
During the four years of its existence, the Circle read three books-"The Makers of South America", "The King's Highway," and "Comrades in Service," the latter was par- ticularly interesting and it was gratifying to one of the Su- perintendents of the Young Society to be asked by one of the youngest members of the society for one chapter of "Com- rades in Service" for use in a Christian Endeavor Pro- gramme.
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There were present at the first meeting eight girls, who, according to the rule of the Westminster Circle must be be- tween 11 and 18 years of age. So zealous were they in good work that, before the end of the first year, the number had doubled. Though there were, at one time, 21 or 22 on the roll, the average attendance was 10 or 12. The Chapter wished to have the name it bore because each member ex- pressed the affectionate appreciation she felt for the faith- ful, efficient training of Mrs. Clifford in the Junior Sunday School Department. With reluctance, Mrs. Clifford con- sented to let the Missionary infant be christened "Emily Orr," her maiden name.
The charter members were:
Ruth Kennedy
Dorothy Corsett
Doris Kirk
Helen Corsett
Elizabeth Wright
Margaret Hummert
Margaret Wright
Iva Spitz
The following names were soon added to the roll:
Katherine Haas
Louise Wright
Thelma Jones
Grace Marie Lockyear
Elizabeth Thurgood
Lucile Genning
Catherine Wellman
Virginia Harper
Mrs. Russell, Mrs. Wellman, Mrs. Ogle and Mrs. Gil- christ, at different times, made plans for the meeting and directed the thought of the organization, whose aim was really and truly two-fold. first, to develop symmetrical Christian young womanhood; second, to build together for world-wide Christian service the young women of our de- nomination.
The work of the Emily Orr Circle ceased-to live a larger, richer life in Christian Endeavor Service.
MARY P. GILCHRIST.
A new Emily Orr Circle was organized March, 1920, with Mrs. Harry Little and Miss Lorain D. Cutler as pa- tronesses. After the first meeting, Mrs. Little resigned on account of ill health and Miss Cutler became the head. This Circle was formed for the development of missions among the girls of the church belonging to the Junior Department of the Sunday School. The aim is three-fold-missions, de- votional and social. The meetings are held the first Satur- day in each month omitting the summer months of July, August and September. The dues are ten cents each meet- ing. This is necessary as we want to be able to take shares
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in the Westminster Circle of the Boards of the Women's Society. Usually the Boards publish good mission books which the patroness uses in connection with the mission programme. Often charity work can be introduced and thus connect the Circle with civic work of our own com- munity. We are now numbering a dozen little girls, all eager, all willing, all praying to have their part in World Wide Consecration.
Membership.
Lorain D. Cutler
Elizabeth Clifford
Clarice Jones
Aime Leich
Elizabeth Robertson
Orvilla Smith
Helen Wright
Esther Kirk
Dorothy Peck
Kendrick Orr
Dorothy Farrow
Ida Elizabeth Riley
Lucile Harris
BOY SCOUTS.
Walnut Street Presbyterian Boy Scout Troop No. 20 was organized and granted a charter by the National Coun- cil on October 31, 1916, with Paul H. Schmidt as Scoutmas- ter, and Walter E. Keeney as Assistant. Organization of this troop was:
Bear Patrol- Wolf Patrol-
James L. Clifford
John E. Owen
George W. Dougherty
F. William Russell
Tom O. Keeney
Vernon W. Copeland
Francis J. Owen
John P. Baird
Daniel F. Spitz
Robert L. Greek
Charles P. Culp
Jesse G. Patterson
John F. Baker
George W. Heston
Roland L. Baker
Robert E. Leggett
Norman D. Schmuck
George M. Archer
Regular meetings were held Friday evenings during the fall, winter and spring, Mr. Schmidt stressing the pro- ceedings by parliamentary law and following the general program for scout advancement. In early June of 1917, shortly after the darkening war clouds had finally burst, the leaders joined the colors and during this time of military service, troop meetings were discontinued.
In September, 1919, upon my return from service,
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Troop No. 20 was reorganized and meetings have been con- ducted weekly since that time. The present personnel of the troop is as follows :
Scoutmaster-Walter E. Keeney. Assistant-Clyde Smith.
Senior Patrol Leader-Wylie Little.
First Patrol-Flying Eagle Emblem.
Frank Hawkins, Leader
Frank Kraft
Amos Erwin, Assistant
Robert Smith
Byron Weintz
Marcus Mozay
Louis Puster
Florian Mandel
Second Patrol-Bear Emblem.
Harold Leich, Leader
William Shofner
Aubrey Tilley, Assistant
Chester Atwood
Arthur Bartlett
Oliver Atwood
Leroy Meyer
John Bays
This gives us two full patrols, every boy of which is well advanced in the fundamentals of higher scouting.
Two of our church members, Mr. B. F. Persons and Mr. Samuel Orr are members of the executive committee of the Boy Scouts of America in Evansville.
Our Boy Scout motto is "Be Prepared," prepared to do the right thing in any emergency which may arise. We try to be efficient and self-reliant. Then each boy scout does at least one good turn each day to some one, and that in addition to the home chores. These are the cornerstones of the Boy Scout movement.
At the commencement of our scout life we take the following oath of allegiance:
"On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country, and to obey the scout laws, to help other people at all times and to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, morally straight.'
The scout laws which we hold as our example upon which to model our lives require that each of us be trust- worthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.
There are three grades of scouts: (1) tenderfoot, (2) second class, (3) first class. A beginner is a candidate. Upon learning the scout oath, laws, motto, sign, salute, sig- nificance of badge, composition and history of the American
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flag and customary respects rendered to it, and some useful knots of rope tieing, the boy takes the o'ath and is promoted to tenderfoot rating.
Upon meeting certain other requirements, a tender- foot becomes a second class scout. These include elementary signaling either semaphore or international Morse codes, tracking, going a mile at scouts pace, proper use of knife and hatchet, fire building, cooking and boxing the compass.
A broader study of program outlined for second class together with some additional requirements along similar lines, permits the boy to become first class, after which he by thorough study can gain various merit badges for pro- ficiency.
We devote many of our Saturday afternoons to hikes and outings, fostering a love of the great outdoors and teaching unlimited confidence in individual ability. We try to aid self-development for each boy, directing thought and action into the channels most constructive for good citizen- ship and stronger manhood.
WALTER E. KEENEY.
WALNUT NEIGHBORHOOD BOYS' CLUB.
With the coming of Rev. Whitcomb, there found ex- pression a purpose long felt in the church to make the church a greater force for neighborhood social life. With the increase in apartment houses, where family life was cramped, the neighborhood gave evidence of the need of a playground for the children, social rooms for the young people, etc. Zealous of making the church of the greatest possible usefulness in meeting these needs, the con- gregation appropriated a small fund with which to begin such a social program and the ground next to the church in the rear of the manse was fenced in by a high wire back- stop and equipment provided for indoor base ball, basket- ball, volley ball, etc. The boys of the neighborhood were organized into the Walnut Neighborhood Boys Club under the leadership of the pastor, twenty boys holding member- ship at the time of writing. During the summer of 1920, shower baths were provided in one room of the building formerly used as a stable, and a commodious club room was arranged by remodeling the upstairs of this building. The Club was thoroughly cosmopolitan in its makeup, comprising Catholic, Christian Science, Methodist, Baptist, as well as Presbyterian denominations, even including one colored boy who later "joined out," however.
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CHAPTER VII.
WALNUT STREET CHURCH CHOIR.
The early history of Walnut Street Choir was very in- terestingly related in a letter written in 1895 by Col. C. K. Drew, then residing in New Orleans, La., and a former or- ganist, and read by a former member of the Choir at the twenty-fifth anniversary of Prof. Tinker's leadership, which was celebrated at the Church, Oct. 11, 1895. Some facts are here mentioned :-
Mr. Drew says, "The Choir of Walnut Street Church is said not to have been born-it grew. There never was a formal organization. In the decade ending with 1850, in the little brick structure "set upon a hill," the corner at the right of the white box pulpit was occupied by a few of the faithful who sang familiar hymns to old tunes. Father Chute, the leader, was the inspiration of the song service, for to him singing was worship. In 1847, those sufficiently advanced to turn a tune, were accustomed to meet at the Exchange Hotel kept by Col. C. K. Drew, Sr., who became the leader. He led with his flute which he played with grace and skill and Father Knight assisted with a violin- cello called in those unlettered days a bass-viol. It was an honor then, as it has always been, to belong to the Choir. Invitations to join it were sparingly given out. In those informal early choir meetings held at the Exchange Hotel because it afforded convenient room, refreshments after the singing were always provided.
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