USA > Minnesota > Freeborn County > History of Freeborn County, Minnesota > Part 37
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The representatives to the grand council have been as follows,
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
in the order of their election: Claude E. Southwick, D. C. Arm- strong, Julius E. Fitch, S. Halverson, S. K. Swenson. Leslie A. Hanes and Joseph P. Hurley. The following members from Albert Lea Council have held office in the grand council, namely : D. C. Armstrong, grand sentry, 1901; grand warden, 1902; mem- ber of committee on appeals, 1903-4. Julius E. Fitch, grand war- den, 1903-4; grand guide, 1905-6. S. K. Swenson, grand orator, 1908 ; grand vice-regent, 1909-10.
No deaths have occurred in the membership of Albert Lea Council since its institution; but two members that transferred to other councils have died, namely, Edward A. Foote, who became a member of Sisseton Council, in Fairmont; and Ira L. Weeks, a member of Sioux Council, No. 1308.
Albert Lea District Court of Honor, No. 478. The first meet- ing of this organization was held September 27, 1897, and at that time the following officers were duly elected: W. J. Anthony, chancellor ; Mrs. Hattie Greenwood, vice-chancellor ; Mrs. Jennie Reynolds, past chancellor; Mrs. Cora Styve, chaplin; Charles Greenwood, conductor; J. W. Stage, recorder; Carl C. Jorgenson, guard; Theodore Jorgenson, sentinel; Oluf Styve, treasurer; Myron Reynolds, E. Greenwood and Arthur Nelson, directors.
The organization now has forty-seven members. Its chan- cellors, who have guided its affairs since the first chancellor. are as follows: Myron Reynolds, 1897-1901; Ed. Greenwood, 1901- 1902 ; Myron Reynolds, 1902-1904; J. D. Clark, 1904-1906 ; Myron Reynolds, 1906-1907 ; Mrs. Lucy Bowman, 1907-1909 ; Mrs. E. T. Pettit, 1909.
The order is composed of both men and women and, aside from its purpose of advancing fraternity and promoting benevo- lence and charity, provides death benefits and assistance to mem- bers who are totally and permanently disabled by accident. It is a subordinate body of the Court of Honor, organized under the laws of Illinois, having its headquarters at Springfield.
The present officers are : Chancellor, Mrs. Ruth N. Petitt ; vice- chancellor, Mrs. Martha Clark; past chancellor, M. Reynolds ; recorder, Mrs. Della Elben; chaplain, Mrs. Hattie Greenwood ; conductor, Scott Elben ; sentinel, Edson Petitt ; guard, Mrs. Emma Luesman; directors, M. Reynolds, Edson Petitt and Ed. Green- wood; medical director, Dr. J. P. von Berg.
The Knights of the Maccabees of the World. The applicants for a charter to form a subordinate tent of the Knights of the Maccabees met at the Knights of Pythias hall, Albert Lea, on the evening of February 22, 1895, and were called to order by Deputy E. N. Crittenden. Owing to the small number present, no formal organization was made. The name chosen for the tent was Browning. On March 1, 1895, several more were added and offi-
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
cers elected, with S. W. Skinner as commander and J. J. Reid as record keeper. C. J. Johnsrud took office September 30, 1895. During the year 1895 the tent had some difficulty in retaining its dispensation for a charter, but grew from four to 'about twenty members at the close of 1895, the majority of the members, how- ever, carrying mostly sick and accident benefits. In the early part of 1896 an effort was made to close the charter with fifteen life benefit members, and on April 23 the charter of Browning Tent, No. 28, was granted, with T. V. Knatvold as commander and H. E. Skinner record keeper. From that time until the pres- ent the tent has enjoyed its share of usefulness to the community and has been the means of rendering aid in many cases to mem- bers in need, beside paying beneficiaries of deceased members- T. K. Olson, $1,000; C. H. Dills, $1,000; J. P. Madson, $1,000; C. G. Johnsrud, $1,000, and S. J. Wells, $1,000. The life member- ship on January 1, 1911, was ninety-seven, carrying insurance amounting to $108,750. The names of the commanders and record keepers from 1896 who have served a majority of months in any one year, or until successors qualified, are as follows: Command- ers-1896, T. V. Knatvold; 1897, C. G. Johnsrud; 1898, M. L. Olson ; 1899, C. H. Dills ; 1900, J. H. Menefee; 1901, C. M. Wilkin- son ; 1902, W. E. Hammond; 1903, W. H. Miniely ; 1904, 1905, 1906, J. E. Murtaugh ; 1907, 1908, 1909, Lewis Larson; 1910, W. E. Bickford; 1911, Lewis Larson. Record keepers-1896 to 1900, Andrew Haugen ; 1900 to 1903, J. E. Murtaugh ; 1903, R. E. Dills ; 1904 to 1906, J. K. Stoa ; 1907 to 1910, J. E. Murtaugh; 1910 and 1911, H. M. Yates.
Albert Lea Hive, No. 28, Ladies of the Maccabees of the World, was organized August 30, 1898, with twenty-three charter mem- bers, three of whom were benefit members. The first officers were : Past commander, Helen Cady ; commander, Mrs. E. J. Menefee ; lieutenant commander, Mrs. Sarah J. Skinner; record keeper, Grace Skinner ; finance keeper, Volberg Bjelland; chaplain, Mrs. Annie Sullivan; sergeant, Mrs. Lillian Anderson; sentinel, Gerda Kaas; picket, Grace Lackore; mistress at arms, Mrs. Ella Olson. Albert Lea Hive has lost four benefit members by death, and their insurance has been paid to their beneficiaries.
The present membership of Albert Lea Hive, No. 28, is fifty- six, and forty-five of that number are benefit members. The officers are: Commander, Mrs. Minnie Larson; lieutenant com- mander, Mrs. Cora B. Hill; past commander, Mrs. Julia Wahlin; chaplain, Mrs. Bessie Ringham ; record keeper, Mrs. E. J. Menefee ; finance auditor, Mrs. Arra Jeffries Calhoun ; lady-at-arms, Sophia Tolby ; sergeant, Anna Skophammer ; sentinel, Caroline Narveson ; picket. Mrs. Minnie Solheim ; official prompter, Mrs. Matilda Mur-
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
taugh ; musician, Mrs. Mabel Beedle ; captain of guards. Mrs. Vol- berg Skinner.
Albert Lea Camp, No. 835, M. W. A. This camp was insti- tuted February 25, 1889, with a membership of nineteen. Of this membership six are still members of the camp. The following were the first officers: Consul, J. R. Holverson; adviser, T. F. Thurston; banker, M. W. Sawyer; clerk, C. W. Haynes; escort, W. H. English ; watchman, Ben Barragan. This was the second fraternal insurance organization to be established in this city, and while it had to pass through the same struggles that all such societies must contend with, yet its success was assured from the start, as its growth and prosperity has been regular and con- stant. Known as "the poor man's insurance" because of its low rates and efficient management, all kinds of business and profes- sional men of the city were attracted to it, and it now has a membership of more than three hundred. In casting about for a suitable name, at the organization of the camp, Dr. H. H. Wilcox proposed the name "Chincapin," the name of a kind of wood growing where his former home had been, and this name was adopted. In December of last year the camp decided to change the name, and the camp is now known as "Albert Lea Camp." With so large a membership one would expect to find a large death list to mark its twenty-three years of existence, but such is not the case, as the camp has lost but nine members by death. The list is as follows : H. R. Fosson, Fred D. Dudley, L. J. Okre, M. C. Ruden, William Larsen, G. G. Chamberlain, William Sorenson, Charles Marpe, and L. Stadhem. On these deaths the society has paid in claims $17,000.00. Besides, it has assisted neighbors in distress to the extent of about $2,000.00 more. As the office of clerk is considered the most important, the collection of all funds as well as distribution being made through that office, a list of those holding the office at various times is here given in the order of their election: C. W. Hayes, Charles Drommer- hausen, R. E. Barragan, J. R. Holverson, C. L. Swenson, C. E. Brainard, C. J. Dudley, and Art. R. Jensen, who now holds the office. There have been few things of special prominence to mark the progress of the society, but all can testify to the many good times had as social affairs. In the summer of 1897, the Southern Minnesota Picnic Association held its annual picnic at Albert Lea as the guests of Camp 835, and thousands of members of the M. W. A. assembled here for the good time which they are always sure to have. In December, 1907, a class of 130 was adopted under the county class plan, all the camps of the county joining. The present officers, who are now ably conducting the affairs of the camp, are: Consul, E. S. Hammond ; adviser, W. C. Anderson ; clerk, Art. R. Jensen ; banker, R. E. Barragan ; escort,
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
Edwin Fuller ; watchman, Lars Christianson. The future of this society has now the brightest outlook of its entire history.
CATHOLIC ORDERS.
Catholic orders are represented in Albert Lea by the Catholic Order of Foresters, St. Theodore Court, No. 1286.
St. Theodore Court, No. 1286, Catholic Order of Foresters, was organized March 10, 1902, by J. N. Mollers, then a resident of this city, with a membership of twenty-two. The first officers were: Chief ranger, Henry Stotz; recording secretary, J. A. Farry; financial secretary, J. P. Morton; treasurer, M. L. De- vaney. In 1903, T. F. Rogers was elected chief ranger. He served until 1905 and was followed by J. A. Farry, who occupied the office three years. Since then the chief rangers have been James Tuberty, William Walsh, F. N. Kilbride and Theodore Speltz. J. A. Farry has always been recording secretary, with the excep- tion of the years 1905-08, inclusive, when W. H. Murphy occupied the office. The present officers are: Chief ranger, Theodore Speltz; recording secretary, J. A. Farry; financial secretary, Arthur Speltz; treasurer, H. Stotz. The society opened club rooms on January 1, 1911, at the corner of Broadway and Clark street, and here maintains a pleasant society home.
PATRIOTIC ORDERS.
There are two patriotic orders in Albert Lea, the Robson Post, No. 5, G. A. R., and Robson Corps, No. 93, W. R. C. Both are treated elsewhere.
SCANDINAVIAN LODGES.
The Scandinavian element in Albert Lea is represented by the following societies: Sons of Norway, Normanna Lodge, No. 52; Dannebrog Lodge, No. 75, and Dagmar Lodge, No. 60.
Normanna Lodge, No. 52, Sons of Norway. This lodge was organized by an officer of the head lodge on July 26, 1905, with a membership of about fifty-five. The first officers elected and qualified were: Judge, A. S. Molstad; president, John Bessesen ; vice-president, Carl Mickelson ; secretary, Iver J. Dahl ; treasurer, W. W. Gravlie; financial secretary, Nels Logan; medical ex- aminer, Dr. G. Biornstad; regent, Andrew Haugen; marshal, Peter Wallum; inner guard, Mathias Hagen; board of trustees, O. K. Takle, B. Skjonsberg and Even Johnson. The present offi- cers are: Judge, Oluf Hellie ; president, S. S. Tveit; vice-presi- dent, P. O. Olsen; secretary, Peter Fosse; treasurer, Andrew Boyum; financial secretary, B. Skjonsberg; medical examiner, Dr. J. R. Nannestad; regent, O. K. Takle; marshal, S. Auster- heim ; inner guard, I. J. Hove; outer guard, Theodore Bell; board
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
of trustees, S. O. Wangen, Carl J. Hansen and Gaylor Olson.
The Order Sons of Norway has at the present time about 10,000 members all over the Northwest, with head offices at Min- neapolis, Minn. The order has three classes of members-insur- ance, non-insurance and social members. The insurance features of the order are of the very best, being thoroughly established on the American experience table. The order is gradually grow- ing and includes the very best of Norwegian element in this country.
In addition to the insurance feature the great aim of the order is to promote and maintain the high standing of the Norwegian people in America, to make them better Norwegian-Americans, . worthy of the sturdy Norse race.
Affiliated with the Order of Sons of Norway is the Order of Daughters of Norway, which is doing great work in the same line and with the same object as the Sons of Norway.
Dannebrog Lodge, No. 75 (Danish Brotherhood) was organ- ized April 16, 1894, with thirty-four charter members. P. C. Johnson was the first president and James Anderson was first secretary. Mr. Johnson served from April 16, 1894, to July 1, 1895. Following him the presidents have been: N. P. Nelson, from July 1, 1895, to January 1, 1896; P. C. Johnson, from Jan- uary 1, 1896, to July 1, 1896 ; P. F. Peterson, from July 1, 1896, to July 1, 1897 ; T. Meinecke, from July 1, 1897, to January 1, 1898; P. C. Johnson, from January 1, 1898, to July 1, 1898 ; M. S. John- son, from July 1, 1898, to January 1, 1899 ; A. C. Sorenson, from January 1, 1899, to July 1, 1899 ; P. C. Johnson, from July 1, 1898, to January 1, 1900; Henry Larson, from January 1, 1900, to Jan- uary 1, 1901; P. C. Clausen, from January 1, 1901, to July 1, 1901 ; G. A. Clausen, July 1, 1901, to January 1, 1902 ; J. P. Jensen, from January 1, 1902, to January 1, 1903; P. C. Johnson, from July 1, 1903, to January 1, 1905; Anton Larson, from January 1, 1905, to July 1, 1905 ; A. C. Sorenson, from July 1, 1905, to July 1, 1906 ; C. M. Tapager, from July 1, 1906, to July 1, 1908 ; N. C. P. Lunde, July 1, 1908, to January 1, 1909; C. M. Tapager, January 1, 1909, to January 1, 1910; Ole C. Olson, January 1, 1910, to January 1, 1911, and Andrew L. Nelsen, the present president. The member- ship is 169, and the officers from January 1, 1911, to July 1, 1911, are : Past president, Ole C. Olson ; president, Andrew L. Nelsen ; vice-president, Otto Sorensen ; corresponding secretary, Benjamin Jensen ; financial secretary, James J. Anderson ; treasurer, Robert Anderson ; trustees, M. C. P. Lunde, J. Alb. Sorensen, Charles Swendson ; pilot, Andrew M. Nelson; inner guard, Hans Nelson ; outer guard, Anton Larsen; biblotheker, Rasmus Alb. Sorensen ; building manager, James J. Anderson; entertaining committee, James Swenson, Anton Larson and Robert Andersen. In the year
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
1910 the Danish Brotherhood organized into a corporate body and purchased a lot on the corner of Clark and Newton streets in the city of Albert Lea and erected a two-story brick building, the second story being occupied by the Danish Brotherhood and nine other lodges, the cost of the lot and building being $21,000, a part of this being donated by the Danish Brotherhood, this being the only building owned and occupied in the state by that order.
Dagmar Lodge, No. 60, of the Danish Sisterhood, was organ- ized July 24, 1902, with the membership number of twenty-one. The names of the first officers are as follows: Exalted president, Mrs. C. P. Engen ; president, Mrs. Ole Olsen ; vice-president, Mrs. A. L. Nielsen; secretary, Mrs. C. Christensen; treasurer, Mrs. L. Madsen; trustees, Mrs. Henry Larsen, Mrs. J. T. Svendsen, Mrs. S. Nielsen ; conductor, Mrs. C. Pedersen; inner guard, Mrs. A. Larsen; outer guard, Miss J. Jensen. The organization of this lodge is to care for the members of same in sickness and give others of their own nationality help when it is needed. This lodge has a membership now of thirty-eight, and its officers in 1910 are as follows: Exalted president, Mrs. N. C. Lunde ; president, Mrs. C. Pedersen ; vice-president, Mrs. C. Christensen ; secretary, Mrs. T. C. Jensen ; treasurer, Mrs. C. P. Engen ; trustees, Mrs. J. T. Svendsen, Mrs. Otto Sorensen, Mrs. A. Sorensen; conductor, Mrs. C. Larsen ; inner guard, Mrs. C. Svendsen; outer guard, Mrs. O. Olsen.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
SOCIAL AND INTELLECTUAL LIFE.
Clubs of Albert Lea-Sociability and Mutual Help the Keynote- Church Organizations-Woman's Christian Temperance Union -City Relief Society-Women's Relief Corps-Travel Class- Beethoven Club-Study Club-Albert Lea Science Association Fortnightly Club .- By Mrs. Alice I. Todd.
From the first of its existence, a distinctive characteristic of Albert Lea, has been the sociability and hospitality of its people.
In the early pioneer days the settlers would gather together at the different homes, where friendly greetings were exchanged, good cheer and hospitality were dispensed, and the weather, the crops, and all the little neighborhood events were discussed. In those gatherings the embryo club life commenced. That long- ing for comradship has developed into the characteristics of the club member of today, who, with others, wishes to belong to an association for the promotion of some common object.
In this way Albert Lea may be called a club town. There are the many fraternal organizations; dancing and card clubs in- numerable; and the small social coterie found in every block. Each of our churches has its own particular societies, where mem- bers may enjoy the social life which the church furnishes.
Shakespeare clubs and reading circles exist for a longer or shorter time, depending upon the characteristics of their members. The Cooking Club and Home Economics Club are always in a flourishing condition. Some clubs have been organized for the abatement of a temporary evil; the object accomplished, they have been allowed to die out.
The Waverly Club, whose original object was the reading of the Waverly Novels, later became as much a social as a literary club.
The Cream Club, whose members were a social company of ladies, flourished some twelve and fifteen years ago. A pitcher of cream arriving at the home of one of its members foretold the advent of the club. One of the enjoyable events of this club was the gathering of the families of its members July 4 of each year on the lawn of W. A. Morin for a supper, the gentlemen furnishing the fireworks for the evening. Both this and the Waverly Club are of the past.
The Woman's Christian Temperance Union was the pioneer
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MRS. MARGARET E. MORIN
MRS. R. B. SKINNER
MRS. A. C. WEDGE
MRS. FRANC E. BLACKMER
MRS. JOHN G. GODLEY
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
woman's organization in Albert Lea, and, with the exception of a few years interim, has had a continuous existence to the present day. On March 30, 1877, fourteen women, pledged to total absti- nence, organized a W. C. T. U. to "work for the suppression of intemperance in our midst." Mrs. D. R. P. Hibbs was the first president, Mrs. J. W. Smith secretary, and Mrs. W. P. Sergeant treasurer. Other prominent workers in the early days were Mrs. E. C. Stacy, Mrs. J. Barden, Mrs. Laura Fixen, Mrs. J. D. Prince, Mrs. W. Buel, Mrs. W. S. Krebs and Mrs. R. B. Skinner.
Later presidents have been Mrs. Teeter, Mrs. A. A. Barck, Mrs. M. F. Armstrong and Mrs. Mary Ellickson. At present Mrs. Mary A. Petran is president, with a membership of forty-five in the union.
In an existence of thirty-four years the activities have been varied. Regular meetings have been held twice a month, a study of topics of vital interest to the home has been made ; union gospel meetings have been held in churches and in the park. Many prominent lecturers have been procured; boxes of literature have been maintained at depots, and barrels of good reading matter sent to men at the lumber camps; a booth and rest room hys been supplied at the county fair. City and county' temperance campaigns have been assisted by the union with work and money, and contributions have been made to state and national W. C. T. U. work.
In 1910 a sanitary drinking fountain was presented to the city and placed on the corner of Broadway and William street.
The Woman's Christian Temperance Unions of the county were organized in 1890 into a county union, holding annual con- ventions. Mrs. Mary Aldrich was for many years a leader in the work at Freeborn; Mrs. T. E. Noble and Mrs. Ben Whittemore were the chief factors in making the Armstrong union famous, and Mrs. H. C. Cottrell has long been prominent in the Glenville union. She has also served many years as president of the Free- born County W. C. T. U.
The City Relief Society, whose members are doing a noble work among the worthy poor of Albert Lea, was organized some twenty-five years ago. Mrs. J. W. Smith, now of Minneapolis, was the first president, and retained that position until she left Albert Lea. Mrs. Walker was president for the following year, and Mrs. Day, the present president, has held the office ever since.
In the years since its organization this band of women, work- ing together, have helped a great many families, not only with clothing and food, but have given them encouragement by the interest taken in them. They have many times aided and assisted the family while the husband, just recovering from illness, was obtaining work.
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
This organization receives gifts of clothing and anything use- ful. Some people, recognizing the good they are accomplishing, donate money liberally to the cause, and thus they are enabled to give all needy ones a good and substantial Christmas dinner, as well as something for other dinners.
Woman's Relief Corps. One of our city papers, dated Febru- ary 7, 1894, contained the following: "Robson Post, No. 93, W. R. C. The meeting at G. A. R. hall Wednesday evening, January 31, 1894, to organize a W. R. C., was very largely attended, and why should it not have been, when there was a fine supper to all who were there? Four long tables were filled with eatables and fully 150 partook, and in no half-hearted man- ner either. After supper the tables were cleared and a social time enjoyed, after which Mrs. Dr. Rice, of Fairmont, invited the gentlemen to retreat to the rear. The movement was performed in an artistic manner, showing that many were familiar with that kind of action. Mrs. Rice then proceeded to muster in the corps, forty-five being the number of charter members. The officers elected are as follows: President, Mrs. Anna Hibbs, senior vice- president, Mrs. Nancy Payne; junior vice-president, Mrs. Jennie Frost ; secretary, Mrs. Elva Wannamaker ; treasurer, Mrs. Frances Farnsworth; chaplain, Mrs. Hulda Colvin; assistant conductor, Mrs. Nancy Randall; guard, Mrs. Mary Fobes; assistant guard, Mrs. Sarah Peck. They mustered in the largest charter member- ship of any corps in southern Minnesota, an unusual number, so the mustering officer and the state treasurer declared. The brass of the G. A. R. will be the brighter, now that the W. R. C. are enlisted for their assistance."
In the years since then they have faithfully assisted the G. A. R., not only in visiting with them the graves of their departed comrades and leaving their floral offerings, but also in remember- ing their comrades in the Soldiers' Home with some of the lux- uries as well as the substantials of life.
The officers at the present time are: President, Mrs. Harry Weeks; senior vice-president, Mrs. J. R. Dunbar; junior vice- president, Mrs. Dell Converse; chaplain, Mrs. Myron Reynolds ; secretary, Mrs. Martha May ; treasurer, Mrs. Mercy Rogers; con- ductor, Mrs. Cora Thomas; assistant conductor, Mrs. H. W. Lukins ; guard, Mrs. Elizabeth Kruse; assistant guard, Mrs. James Peterson.
Travel Class. In the year 1890 a number of the earnest and progressive women of Albert Lea, desiring to improve themselves and extend their knowledge, especially in history and literature. conceived the idea of the organization of an association for per- sonal study, intellectual growth and mutual improvement.
The first meeting was held November 10, with the following
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MRS. HARRIETT J. BARDEN
MRS. GEORGE CHAMBERLAIN
MRS. D. R. P. HIBBS
MRS. EMILY A. HUYCK
MRS. ELLEN THOMPSON
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
ladies present : Mrs. D. R. P. Hibbs, Mrs. William Hazelton, Mrs. M. H. Truesdell, Mrs. R. B. Skinner, Mrs. F. A. Blackmer, Mrs. H. G. Day, Mrs. E. L. Jacobus, Mrs. C. S. Prentice, Mrs. T. V. Knatvold, Mrs. W. C. Merrill, Mrs. C. A. Briggs, Miss Anna Hibbs, Miss Fanny Hazelton and Miss Mary Gates.
At a preparatory meeting the following committee was ap- pointed to draft a constitution : Mrs. Prentice, Mrs. Jacobus and - Mr's. Hazelton. The constitution presented by this committee was adopted at the next meeting, November 17, and the following officers elected : Mrs. Hibbs, president; Mrs. Merrill, vice-presi- dent ; Miss Mary Gates, secretary, and Mrs. Day, treasurer. The association was, by the constitution, named "The Travel Class."
The meetings of this class are at the homes of its members on alternate Monday afternoons from October to June, a short vaca- tion occurring during the holidays.
Membership is elective, and while at one time the roll call was responded to by forty-two members, at present there are only twenty-seven.
As the name indicates, the course of study of this club has been along the line of travel; taking some country, and with the aid of the great writers and travelers, obtaining knowledge of its geology and geography, and becoming familiar with the history, government, religion and literature of its people. In this way the class has studied, not only the United States and its possessions, but England and most of the other foreign countries. Two papers descriptive of the country being studied and a character sketch, followed by a general discussion of each, are given at every meeting, also a budget of current event items. Fines are imposed for failure to do the work assigned, and also for non- attendance.
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