USA > Missouri > Jasper County > A history of Jasper County, Missouri, and its people > Part 43
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The Fort Scott team entered the contest for the world championship. but no other team contested their right to the honor-took no part in the contest proper. After the contest for the state championship was over- the team gave an exhibition drill which thrilled the huge crowd of spec- tators with admiration.
At night the eleven bands, having a total of 255 instruments, com-
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bined and paraded the street, concluding with an open air concert, and this feature was one which lent no little enjoyment to the day's program.
THE GERMANIA SOCIETY
In 1891 the Germania Society built a neat club room and dance and amusement hall at the corner of Third and Joplin streets and the dedica- tion which occurred January 7, 1892, was a great event among the Ger- mans of the city.
The dedicatory address was delivered by Lieutenant Governor Clay- comb and a number of short talks were made by prominent members of the organization, after which dancing was indulged in until the wee small hours.
Until the building of the Elk club house in 1905 the Germania Hall was the place where all swell society functions were had, and is yet a popular place for dances and social amusements.
Shortly following the building of the new home, a singing section was organized, with R. Seidenstriker as president and director. From that time to the present, this glee club, which now contains more than a hun- dred voices, has been one of the best singing societies in the state and has participated, with great credit to the city, in a number of musical events.
On January 1, 1897, the Germania Society celebrated its twentieth anniversary and the event was a great social success.
FIRST ELKS STREET FAIR
On May 29, 1899, Joplin Lodge No. 501, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, was instituted with fifty charter members, all of whom were social leaders and among the best business men of the city.
The Elks lodge differs from other fraternities in this-that it has for its fundamental virtue the very laudable purpose of making its fellow members happy and living in the present, rather than being content with the glorious deeds of the past, or the future expectations. With the Elks, therefore, the club house, and the social functions of the day are most important.
Joplin Lodge, No. 501, chose for its first presiding officer a man of great energy, Geo. H. Redell, and to the upbuilding of the order he gave much of his time. The lodge at once set about to furnish a club room and with this end in view, gave in 1899 a very successful street fair-which by-the-way, was the first street fair that Joplin had.
The fair occurred October 23-28, 1899, and was managed by an exec- utive committee, headed by P. A. Leedy as chairman. Booths for the exhibition of various wares and merchandise were erected all along Main street and the fair proper was given in a tented, fence-like enclosure on East Fifth street. between Kentucky Avenue and the railway tracks. The queen of the fair was Miss Mamie Schnur-and most graciously did she reign.
The fair opened with a grand parade Monday afternoon, which was
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witnessed by fifteen thousand people, the business of the city having suspended during the afternoon. The opening parade was largely a spectacular and fraternal one and formed in the following order. Squad- ron of mounted police; Company G, Second Regiment, M. N. G .; O. P. Morton Post, No. 14, G. A. R .; mayor and city officials in carriages; Joplin Lodge, No. 501, B. P. O. E., escorting the queen and her maids of honor; the Hoo Hoos; A. O. U. W. lodges; I. O. O. F. lodges; labor unions; Ore Producers' Association; floats.
The Elks carried canes decorated with streamers of purple and white. The Hoo Hoos wore black caps and ulsters and were preceded by an im- mense black cat-the emblem of their order.
Among the floats that attracted especial comment were the following : The 'Frisco lines-a miniature engine and cars manned by a crew of little boys and girls, who cried as they passed along the streets "Take the 'Frisco line!"
Walter Scott's little daughter appeared as a fairy driving a great white swan, and the effect was perfectly arranged and executed, win- ning the prize for the most unique float. The coronation of the queen occurred at night and was carried out with all of the splendor of a real inauguration. Mayor Spencer acted as high lord chancellor and placed the jeweled crown on the head of the social ruler for the week and figura- tively delivered to her and her subjects the keys of the city. The queen was attended by Misses Van Osdel and Norris of Carthage and Misses Clark and Montjoy, of Webb City.
The flower parade, also the first that Joplin had witnessed, occurred Tuesday and was a spectacle worth going miles to see. This parade was headed by the exalted ruler, Geo. Redell, who drove an automobile-the first one ever seen in Joplin. This parade excited so much favorable comment that it was repeated during the closing day.
Forty beautiful decorated carriages and traps were in line, among them the following: Mrs. Dr. Snyder and Mrs. J. H. Spencer, phaeton ; white chrysanthemums and ruchings of white tarleton.
George Layne and Miss Kitty Austin, trap; literally covered with white roses, three white horses driven abreast, Russian fashion, with arches of white roses connecting them.
Mr. and Mrs. Patlon; road wagon in shades of purple and lavender. purple harness and satin ribbons.
Miss Murphy, trap; artistic covering of water lilies, accompanied by the Misses Paul, Dr. Simpson and Dr. Matthews.
Miss Kathleen Rauschenbach; trap in three shades of yellow roses and yellow satin harness, with Miss Della Wilson.
Mrs. Michaells; trap in corn flowers and oats, with Misses Pierce, Bertha Young and Daisy McKee.
Morgan Taylor ; pony cart in white roses, accompanied by little Miss Mona Henrichs.
Mrs. Chickering; surrey in pink and chrysanthemums and black tarletan, with Master Chester, Mrs. Amsbary and Miss Lawderback.
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The Misses Zelleken; carriage in pink, with Miss Luna Yale and Miss Kisler of Kansas City.
The Misses Gregg; trap in poppies and oats, accompanied by Mrs. Mamie Hendricks and Miss Maria Estrada.
Mr. and Mrs. Shiffendecker; stanhope in amber shades, a magnif- cently decorated vehicle.
Mesdames Fry and Work; phaeton in pink and green roses.
Misses Clover ; trap in morning glories with Mrs. Dr. Yeager.
Mrs. Church; trap with poppies, accompanied by Miss Reedy Wood- ring, Miss Louise Church and Mrs. Luther.
Mrs. J. F. Walker, trap; turquoise, blue tarleton and pink poppies, with Mrs. W. F. Snyder, Mrs. Cragin and Mrs. Lewis Craig.
Mrs. Jack Armil, surrey; goldenrod with Mrs. S. Cissna, Miss Fay Cissna and Miss Katherine Dolan.
Mrs. W. W. Clark; road wagon in violet and white.
Mrs. E. D. Porter ; trap in white and green hollyhock, with Mesdames Waite, Pifer and Will Porter.
Mrs. E. S. Lockett; trap in yellow and white roses, very elaborate, accompanied by Miss Edna Lockett, Miss Emma Roesch and Mrs. Smith, her sister.
Mrs. Wenrich; buggy in gorgeous display of sunflowers, with Miss Mollie Robinson.
Miss Riland Gregg; trap in yellow shades, accompanied by Miss Nellie Farwell, Esther Evans, Grace Lawder and Elizabeth Waite.
Miss Wilgus; trap in pink chrysanthemums and smilax, with Miss Dot Dennis.
The Geddes cart, lavender shades; driven by Miss Tillie Dorfield, with Miss Hattie Hohman.
Mrs. Joe Weyland, road cart; in American Beauty roses, accom- panied by Miss Elsie Coles.
Mrs. C. W. Adams and Mrs. H. Juergens; trap in pink and white roses and ribbons.
Miss Van Arsdale; trap in pink and green roses, with Mesdames Pearl Young, Alice Wilson and Miss Lida Johnson.
Napoleon Davis; cart in many tinted roses, with Emmett Toohey, Lena Burriss and Ruby Davis.
Charley White; cart in violet and white.
Mrs. Redell; carriage and pair, in black and yellow, with Mesdames Ball, Leonard and Campbell.
Mrs. W. H. Wells; trap in pink roses with Mrs. Wells.
Little Miss Ina Sayman ; pony cart in yellow.
Mrs. McIndoe; trap in pansy shades of purple and yellow, yellow satin harness and ribbons, with Mrs. Will Hacker.
Mrs. W. E. Morgan's two little children; pony cart in beautiful yellow shades.
Little Miss Helen Scott was out on her float in her fairy garb driv- ing her swan. This was one of the most beautiful of all the spectacles.
George H. Redell in his automobile, accompanied by Court Wetherill.
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Mrs. Bingham; surry in lavender and white, accompanied by Miss Florine Allen, Florence Wolff, Miss Allen Chapman, Chicago.
Miss Hester Michaells on a burro, decorated in blue, led by Ralph Michaells.
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
In our chapter of the 'eighties a mention was made of the efforts to organize a Young Men's Christian Association in Joplin. A perma- nent organization was effected February 11, 1891. On Friday evening, January 21st, a meeting was held at the residence of A. H. Waite, where plans were formulated for a permanent organization, and Sunday morn- ing, the 23rd, in all of the pulpits of the city addresses were made, ex- plaining the modes of working, and the benefits to the city of a Y. M. C. A. On February 11th in the old Tabernacle, at a mass meeting of the men of all denominations, the permanent organization was effected, with the following as the first board of directors : J. H. Dangerfield, president; J. W. Ore, vice president; A. B. McConnel, secretary ; J. C. Faulkender, treasurer: O. B. Hamlin, A. H. Waite, J. R. Yates, W. A. Nickell and E. T. Doty.
The sum of three thousand dollars was subscribed for the mainten- ance of the rooms and quarters covering fifty feet over Nos. 414-16 Main street were rented and used until the present elegant building was con- structed. These old Y. M. C. A. rooms, although small, were the scenes of many splendid gatherings, both religious and social.
On January 1, 1892, the Ladies Auxiliary of the Young Men's Christian Association tendered a reception to the young men of the city, and this was the beginning of a series of social events which drew the Christian young people closer together in a social way. These New Year receptions were annual events in Joplin during the remainder of the decade and were always popular. At the reception of January 1, 1897, more than three hundred young people were present.
J. E. Colter, who came to Joplin in 1894 as secretary, was a most popular and hard working officer, and by his personal efforts built the Y. M. C. A. up to a formidable men's organization. During the Spanish- American war Secretary Colter accompanied the troops to the front and kept at the great camp at Chickamauga a Y. M. C. A. tent which, as much as any other thing, helped to keep the boys in good spirits. The Y. M. C. A. tent was "just like home." Here were all of the county papers, magazines, letter paper, etc., and when, during the hot weather so many of the boys were sick, Mr. Colter ministered to their wants, and visited them in camp and hospital, always bringing comfort and cheer. Every man in the Second Regiment had a tender spot in his heart for the Y. M. C. A. tent, and the local association has always been a power in the city for good.
ENTERTAIN THE STATE Y. M. C. A. CONVENTION
The State Young Men's Christian Association met in Joplin Febru- ary 11-13. 1897, and brought here a large number of Christian young
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men and church workers. The sessions of the convention were held at the First Methodist church and a number of splendid addresses were heard.
. Walter G. Tyzzer, of St. Louis, led the big chorus which opened the conference, and it was an inspiration to hear the seven hundred men who were in attendance sing the Gospel hymns. It seemed to the author, who was present, as if the very rafters in the roof echoed and reechoed the songs that were sung. Andrew Baird, of Kansas City, W. P. Andrews, of Atlanta, Georgia, and G. T. Coxhead and Dr. Doggett, of Springfield, Massachusetts, were among the noted Y. M. C. A. workers present, who delivered helpful addresses to the young men. In the selection of officers Hon. Jno. H. Taylor, of Joplin, was elected president of the state association for 1897.
One of the notable features of the convention was the entertainment which Joplin accorded the visitors. The local Y. M. C. A. had appointed a reception committee of fifty, which was in every sense of the word a reception committee, for they at once made every out-of-town visitor feel at home and left nothing undone that would add to the comfort and enjoyment. Every delegate was supplied with a badge on which was printed "My name is I am from
let's get acquainted. Shake!"
This informal introduction not only served as a means of at once getting the delegates acquainted with each other, but with the citizens as well, and the acquaintances that one made, and the friendships formed were long and lasting. The delegates were also entertained in the homes of the people, no one was permitted to pay out a cent for hotel accom- modations and on the last day of the gathering the citizens turned out en masse with their carriages and took the entire delegation over the mining district, visiting all points of interest.
THE JOPLIN CHARITABLE UNION
A history of Joplin would not be complete without a special mention of the Charitable Union, an organization which during the 'nineties came into great prominence and which did a grand and noble work for sweet charity's sake.
The panic of 1893 brought to an end the building boom which was then at full height and, with the general business depression which fol- lowed and the temporary closing down of many of the mines on account of the slump in the price of jack, there was naturally much suffering among the poor.
This condition called for immediate relief and the good people of the city organized the Joplin Charitable Union to care for the needy. In all ages women have been good ministering angels and the history of the world is full of their noble acts and kind and loving deeds. It was therefore but natural that the women of the city should take the initia- tive in this good work and they, with the assistance of a few men who
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could take a little time now and then from the business cares, brought comfort into many homes and relieved the distress of the hour.
The first officers of the Charitable Union were: President, Mrs. E. D. Porter; vice president, Mrs. L. A. Fillmore; secretary-treasurer, Mrs. Dr. A. R. Snyder. In order that the work might be more effectively carried on the five wards of the city were organized into separate dis- tricts, with a relief committee in each precinct, and in this way when a case of suffering was reported it was at once investigated by the com- mittee and if worthy, assisted.
The men of means contributed large sums of money and a series of entertainments, dances, etc., were given to raise funds. The city council came to the front and did its part by providing employment on the streets and at a public wood yard for a limited number of men. In order that as many men as possible, might be given work, and thus keep the family in groceries and necessaries, no one was permitted to spend more than three days in each week on this public work.
POTATO DAY
On the day before Thanksgiving the pupils of the schools were asked to contribute provisions, and they were asked to bring at least one po- tato. The response was generous and whole-hearted. Wednesday after- noon the boys and girls came to school bringing potatoes by the pocket- ful, by the sackful and by the peck, and the school rooms of the city resembled miniature groceries. So generous were the pupils and patrons that over one hundred bushels of potatoes were gathered up and distrib- uted by the union on Thanksgiving day, besides a considerable assort- ment of other groceries and provisions.
The Charitable Union continued its organization until the Provident Association came into the field to relieve it.
As mentioned before, the men of the city did their part and lent valuable assistance to the ladies in carrying out their noble work.
A NOVEL ENTERTAINMENT
Among the entertainments given under the auspices of the union for charity's sake was one at the Germania Hall, January 10, 1894.
The admission was free and, as an attraction to get the people there, a number of gymnastic events were had including a silent drill and bay- onet exercise from Company G; Indian club swinging from the Pansy Club; twenty-four young misses from the Franklin school, and vaulting. etc., by the gymnasium class from the Y. M. C. A. After the exercises lunch baskets were sold. After selecting a basket the purchaser hunted up his partner-the lady who packed the lunch-and paid for it at the rate of one quarter cent a pound of the lady's weight; and it was strange how much more the young ladies weighed on the charity scales than on the standard scales elsewhere. This entertainment netted a good round sum.
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The Charitable Union continued as an organization until 1900 and did a noble work. During the later years of the decade, however, the work was largely done by the ministers, each of the denominations being represented on the official board. Rev. W. T. Wright, of the Methodist church, was the last president. The union was succeeded in its charity work by the Provident Association.
The following little incident came to the attention of the author one day in 1899 and he relates it here as one of many stories that might be told of the philanthropically inclined men of Joplin.
One cold and blustering day-and, by the way, just following a bliz- zard-the master of one of the Masonic lodges received a telegram from the lodge at Oklahoma City stating that one of their brethren, a former Joplinite, had died, and that his body was being brought to his home city for interment. The Joplin lodge was asked to perform the last sad rites at the grave for the Oklahoma lodge. The master of the lodge started out to summons a committee to meet the train and escort the remains to the home of his relatives. The first member of the lodge who was met was C. W. Lyon, later mayor of Joplin, and then one of the hard-working members of the Charitable Union. The master hailed Mr. Lyon, who was hurrying along the street, and told him the contents of the telegram.
Mr. Lyon said that he would be at the train at the appointed time. but said that he must hurry along as he had some important work to do. It so happened that the presiding officer of the Masonic lodge was going in the same direction that Mr. Lyon was hurrying and, as the wind was cutting, he hurried too, kept up with the kindly disposed man and found that he was out distributing coal to the homes which Jack Frost had caught short of fuel. He afterward learned that Mr. Lyon had been out since early sunrise and had been to fifty or more box houses and tents in the Kansas City bottom, leaving at each place a little pile of coal and wood.
THE JOPLIN CHILDREN'S HOME
In June, 1899, a movement was started by the Women's Christian Temperance Union of Joplin, to provide for the homeless children of the city-and, after a few months of preliminary work, a children's home was established in a small four-room cottage at No. 708 Pearl street, with Mrs. C. E. Barr as matron. In this small house what is now Joplin's most widely supported charity had its beginning.
"Charity should begin at home"-but not if there are destitute children somewhere else. "Suffer little children to come unto Me" were indeed a sarcastic adjuration if those children had to come hungry and cold and forlorn. Men whose lives are thrown into that hunt of gaunt, gray Want that romancers so glibly name the "underworld" soon learn to look calmly upon scenes of misery that a Dumas could not describe. But when they look into the pinched face of a starved, world- weary child the most hardened of them feels an unwonted tightening of the throat.
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Charity begins with the children in Joplin; or, to be more accurate of diction, Joplin's most pretentious charitable institution is devoted to the care of children who would otherwise be thrown upon the tender mercies of a busy-with-its-own-affairs world. Not once, in the years since it was established, has this institution failed to receive adequate sup- port from the citizens of Joplin. Not once, in that time, has it failed in its fulfillment of the public obligation to unfortunate childhood.
Further mention of the Home will be made later.
NEW YEAR'S DAY, 1891
Previous to 1891 there had been no general observance of New Years in a social way, and only now and then an occasional lady would keep open-house. January 1, 1891, however, the day was generally observed and at a score or more of homes, open-house was kept, the lady of the house being assisted by a number of her lady friends.
The following were among the places where New Year's Receptions were held: Mrs. W. A. McMillen, assisted by Madames James A. Bolen, T. D. Waninfred, W. K. Proudfoot, and Misses Ella Johnson, and Opal McMillen. Mrs. L. Riseling, assisted by Miss Corine Allington and Lizzie Riseling; Mrs. A. II. Waite, assisted by Madames H. H. Gregg, Lillian Robinson, and Miss Mary Carson ; Mrs. Will Moore, assisted by Madames H. H. Crittenden, Will Holman, H. P. Campbell, and Miss Mattie Camp- bell ; Mrs. Dr. A. R. Snyder, assisted by Mrs. Jno. Craigin, E. D. Porter, Miss Lillie Campbell, and Miss Clara Mason; Miss Dora Landauer, as- sisted by Misses Stella Thurman, and Belle Prince; Miss May Hunt, as- sisted by Misses Maude Hunt and IIelen Purcell; Mrs. M. C. Allen, as- sisted by Misses Ida Babst, and Kate Allen; Mrs. J. E. Pearson, assisted by Madames Dr. M. T. Batsley, and L. M. Bates; Mrs. W. C. Witman, assisted by Mrs. W. S. Paul; Mrs. A. V. Allen, assisted by Mrs C. V. Petrause.
At each of the above places a large number of gentlemen called and the day was most delightfully spent, old friendships were renewed and new acquaintances formed. This pleasant custom of keeping open- house on New Year's day has been observed on numerous times, but never more pleasantly than in 1891.
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CHAPTER XXXVI
MUNICIPAL AND MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS
JOPLIN CLUB ASSUMES CITY PROBLEMS-CLUB HOUSE AND THEATER DED- ICATED OTHER JOPLIN CLUB TOPICS COMPANY G, SECOND REGI- MENT, N. G. M .- RELIEF ASSOCIATION-THE "HERALD'S" COMPANY G Box-GRAND ARMY ENCAMPMENT OF 1893-THE PARADE-THE CAMP FIRE-ELECTION SOUTH WEST MISSOURI PROTECTIVE ASSOCIA- TION PICNIC-THE JOPLIN CYCLE CLUB.
Early in 1890 the Joplin Club inaugurated a policy which greatly increased its activity and usefulness-to-wit, the plan of setting aside one night in the week for the discussion of important matters pertain- ing to the city's welfare.
JOPLIN CLUB ASSUMES CITY's PROBLEMS
At the first business meeting in January of that year the late W. B. McAntire, in a vigorous speech set forth the good that would come of a full and free discussion of the questions relative to civic improve- ment and business policies that would arise from time to time and sug- gested that, by those discussions, many plans for a greater Joplin would be brought out and that by a concerted action of the people of the city, the plans agreed to would be carried to a successful termination.
Acting on his suggestions, the club set apart Wednesday evening of each week for the discussion of the questions of the day, and from that time to this the weekly meetings have been of great importance and have perhaps more than any other one factor moulded public opinion in Joplin and shaped the destinies of the city. During the 'nineties the Joplin Club was instrumental in securing the erection of a number of public buildings, among them the Club Theater and the Keystone Hotel. By a series of public meetings they educated the people to the need of a public sewer system. They secured from the several publicity depart- ments of the state proper recognition of the mining industry and caused the mining output to be correctly reported. To illustrate: In the report of the labor commissioner for 1889 the output of the Jasper county mines was published as $2,144,000, less than the actual amount pro- duced; this matter was brought to the attention of the club by Col. H. H. Gregg, and, in a subsequently printed report the error was cor- rected by the state.
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It would be impossible, in a brief history such as this, to enumerate in detail all of the activities of the club. We will, however, mention here a few of its acts, in order that the reader may understand the importance the organization sustained to Joplin's business life
CLUB HOUSE AND THEATER DEDICATED
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