USA > Missouri > Jasper County > A history of Jasper County, Missouri, and its people > Part 56
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Some of them had acquaintances here while for many of them it was their first visit to the mining metropolis. Little time was required for making the acquaintance of the hundreds of Joplin ladies who welcomed them here. The reception will long be remembered in Joplin as a bril- liant social function.
The division sponsor and Maids of Honor appointed by General Gant are Miss Helen Chestnut, of St. Joseph, sponsor; Maids of Honor, Miss Jewel Weidemeyer. Clinton; Miss Blanch Kilgore, Carthage; Miss Florence King, Joplin; Miss Genevieve Boadman, Springfield; Miss Vir- ginia Allen, New Madrid; Miss Ada Allen, Liberty; Miss Audrey Budd, Jefferson City; Miss Katheryn Mercer, Independence; Miss Grace Mc- Culloch, St. Louis; Miss Mary A. Ingram, Nevada.
That evening a "love feast" was held by the old soldiers at the rooms of the Commercial Club and proved to be one of the most pleas- ing of features of the entire day. Despite his protests to be excused, the veterans insisted that Commander Gant should make another speech. Among those gathered there were a number of the members of the local post of the G. A. R. and they enjoyed the occasion as much as any of the others. Commander Gant made a delightful talk which showed clearly that he held no malice toward the soldiers against whom he fought. He was followed by W. Jones, of the local G. A. R., who spoke in the same spirit of good fellowship. Both were heartily received. As the last speaker was nearing the close of his talk, the band from the Lyric theater drove under the window and began playing "Dixie." The speech-making ended with a wild cheer. Three cheers were then given by the old soldiers for the Commercial Club and Joplin, and ad- journment was taken to the billiard room where, at the direction of the club, William Drawe had served a splendid lunch. There were sand- wiches of every description and liquid refreshments to accommodate all tastes. It was 11 o'clock before the merry assemblage, after much story telling and happy incidents, adjourned.
Perhaps the most active of the Grand Army of the Republic in enter- taining the Confederate Veterans was Judge L. A. Fillimore. There . were a number of others who assisted him in the promotion of good feel-
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ing which was a feature of the day, especially at the meeting last night. Mrs. E. R. Botkin, of the Women's Relief Corps, was also active in the entertainment of the visitors and rendered excellent service to the recep- tion committee on many occasions.
The ball given that same night by the local camp of Sons of Con- federate Veterans for the sponsors and Maids of Honor attending the reunion was all that could have been desired. The splendid ball room of the Elks' Club, which had been donated for the purpose by the club, was beautifully decorated. Kachelski's orchestra furnished the music, which was excellent to a degree.
At nine o'clock the music started and the large number of guests attending the ball filled the room completely. Among the donors were a number of the veterans, who once more gave themselves up to this pleas- ure. They did not indulge to any great extent, however, fearing the results of stiff joints and sore muscles. The young people danced until a late hour.
The following morning a closed session was held in which John B. Stone was elected to succeed James B. Gant, who had stated positively that he was not a candidate for reelection. Then they adjourned at 1:30 in the afternoon and a large dinner was served at the park, at which S. A. Cunningham and Major Newman made addresses.
At the afternoon session which was an open one, there were several reports by Captain George H. Jones, of Springfield, treasurer, W. E. Hall, of Carthage, and several others.
A ladies' quartette, composed of Mrs. C. V. Buckley, Mrs. Harry Miller, Mrs. John McKinsey and Miss Olive Smith sang two numbers, "My Old Kentucky Home" and "Old Black Joe," which aroused much enthusiasm.
The wildest enthusiasm prevailed, however, when Miss Northrup, of Kansas City, in response to a hearty encore came smilingly to the front of the stage and before the veterans realized what she was doing began singing the words to "Dixie." In an instant the veterans were on their feet cheering wildly and waving their hats. Miss Northrup had almost completed the stanza before she could be heard again. After singing the chorus she started to leave the stage, but was recalled. She started the second stanza of the song and again the tremendous cheering began. Incidentally, Miss Northrup sang the song with wonderful sweetness and charm.
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC MATTERS
The Missouri Department Grand Army of the Republic again met in Joplin in 1909 the session occurring May 12-14th.
The meeting brought to the city a large number of the old veterans. It lacked, however, the scenes of excitement and the brilliancy of the encampment of 1893, for the reason that during the sixteen years that had passed away since the great meeting of the nineties, the Grand Com- · mander of the Universe had summoned many of the men who partici-
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pated in that gathering to join the Grand Army Triumphant, and many others, now enfeebled by age, could not participate in the festivities.
E. W. Beach, who had been the grand marshal of the parade in 1893, and Galen Spencer, J. V. Pierce and F. M. Redburn, who were his aides- de-camp on that memorable occasion, were among the number who had passed to the great beyond.
L. A. Fillmore, Henry Digby, P. L. Swarts and H. W. Davison were the committee of arrangements and left nothing undone to make the gathering a success; and so well did they perform their duties that the delegates were royally entertained and they received from the depart- ment a vote of thanks for their magnificent efforts.
At the opening of the encampment addresses of welcome were made by Mayor Guy T. Humes; A. H. Waite, president of the Commercial Club, and Henry Digby, past commander of O. P. Morton Post, No. 14. G. A. R. Responses were made by the department commander and others.
On the afternoon of the first day there occurred a parade which was participated in by 427 members of the Grand. Army, Henry Digby, Post No. 14, being the marshal of the day. A notable feature of the parade was the few who dropped out of the line during the march, nearly every one of the gray-haired veterans remaining in the line to the close.
The Woman's Relief Corps and the Daughters of the Grand Army of the Republic, both ladies auxiliaries of this organization, also held their annual conventions in this city, Mrs. Mary F. Botkin, of Joplin, at that time, being the department president of the Woman's Relief Corps. One of the annual features of the Corps is the presentation of a United States flag to some one of the public institutions of the city where the conventions are held, and at the Joplin meeting the emblem of liberty was given to the High school, the presentation speech being made by Mrs. Jilson, of Appleton City. City Councillor Mercer Arnold, as a member of the alumni and on behalf of the schools, made the speech of acceptance. These exercises were very imposing.
Three splendid entertainments were given in honor of the visiting veterans and their ladies: A smoker camp-fire at the Club Theater; a "Dutch lunch" at Germania Hall and a reception and ball at the Elks clubhouse-all of which were much enjoyed. At the reception Mayor Guy T. Humes and department president, Mary Botkin, led the grand march and began the dance.
At the election for department officers in the Grand Army of the Re- public, L. A. Fillmore, of Joplin, was chosen junior vice department commander, and P. L. Swarts, also of that city, one of the delegates to the supreme encampment.
COMPANY F, SECOND REGIMENT, M. N. G.
Company F was organized February 24, 1910. The first officers of the company were: Captain, F. W. Manchester; first lieutenant. Chas.
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F. Gottfried; second lieutenant, Louis E. Hooker; first sergeant, George F. Wolfe. In July of this year business changes made it necessary for Lieutenant Gottfried to retire from the company and he was succeeded by Lieutenant Hooker. The same month Sergeant Wolfe was promoted to be first lieutenant and battalion adjutant. Thomas S. Bradshaw was elected second lieutenant and James B. Blankenship was made first sergeant.
Company F has made an enviable reputation at rifle practice. The company's score at the rifle range at Nevada in 1911 was far above the average. The following five members of the company having won marked distinction.
Expert Rifle Men-Captain F. W. Manchester, Lieutenant L. E. Hooker, Lieutenant G. F. Wolfe and Corporal L. D. Gass.
Marksmen-First Sergeant James B. Blankenship.
In order that the reader may understand the proficiency of these five we give the following military folklore. To be an expert rifleman, the soldier must make at least 295 points out of a possible 450 shots. A sharp shooter must make 185 out of a possible 250. Marksman 98 out of a possible 150.
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CHAPTER XLVI
GENERAL CLUB AND SOCIAL LIFE
JOPLIN CLUB'S SOCIAL SESSION, JANUARY 1, 1900-PRESIDENTS, 1900- 1911-MISSOURI BANKERS' ASSOCIATION-JOPLIN WOMEN ENTERTAIN FEDERATED CLUBS-THE AMERICAN MINING CONGRESS THE SALT AND PEPPER CLUB-JOPLIN CHORAL UNION.
As in the nineties, the Joplin Club continued to be the great motive power in the pushing of Joplin's interests and accomplished much good for the city in a commercial and business way.
During the early part of the decade many new faces were seen at the weekly meetings of the club and the new blood, which was judicially mixed with the old, made the organization exceedingly useful. The fire and vigor of the young men, and the wise counsel of the older members, made a good combination and the club did things for the city and com- munity at large.
The year 1900 was ushered in with a smoker, which was largely at- tended. The speeches all showed that the men of the club had caught the fever for a greater and better Joplin and, because of the importance of this meeting-both on account of the things planned and the good that came from it-we give here a brief account of the proceedings had at this initial meeting of the new century.
JOPLIN CLUB'S SOCIAL SESSION, JANUARY 1, 1900
The club rooms were well filled with a representative gathering of Joplin's business and professional men. Good will and best wishes pre- vailed on this happy New Year's day, and there was a feast of reason, and a flow of wit, while the entertainment committee had not been un- mindful of the "spiritual" welfare of the visitors. An air of good fel- lowship prevailed, and, without doubt, this social session drew the busi- ness men of the city closer together and the plans that were laid re- dounded not only to the good of the club but the city at large.
The club rooms were tastefully draped with the American colors, the entire north end of the assembly room being hidden by the folds of an enormous flag and numerous smaller ones were placed here and there. The meeting was called to order by President E. O. Bartlett, who ex- pressed the hope that those present would profit so much by what was said and done that they would take an active interest in the club's efforts .
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and well being and assist to make Joplin what it ought to be-a city of 100,000 people. He then called George B. Paxton to preside over the meeting. -
Mr. Paxton said the club was the author and originator of most of the good things that had come to Joplin in recent years, but the mem- bership was too limited among business men to accomplish what ought to be done. If every business man in the city was a member of the club and lent his efforts to its good calling, it would be an easy matter to make Joplin a city of 100,000.
L. P. Cunningham, one of the oldest citizens, and who, as mentioned in our chapter of the seventies, was responsible for the building of the first railroad into Joplin, was called upon and responded with a happy and profitable speech of some twenty minutes' length. He gave some interesting reminiscences of the early days and pointed out clearly the fact that Joplin would be just what the people made her. What we should do in 1900 is to build smelteries here in Joplin, where the ore is produced. Joplin could get anything she wanted if she would go after it right.
Percy Wenrich was introduced as a Joplin product and rendered a delightful piano solo. He was generously encored and responded with one of the popular pieces of the day. Mr. Wenrich is now a resident and a composer and musician of note in the metropolis.
Judge Galen Spencer was introduced as the first president of the Joplin Club at its organization, October 29, 1888. The judge indulged in many pleasant reminiscences and said that what the club had done for the upbuilding of Joplin was a matter of history and everybody knew it. In connection with the coming visit to Joplin of the Kansas State Press Association, the judge referred to the visit of the Kansas bankers last fall and said that it was but meet and proper that the newspaper men should be entertained equally as well and sent to their homes with a good opinion of Joplin and the Joplin Club.
General James A. Huston, of New York, ex-treasurer of the United States, was next introduced. In part he said : "I have just arrived after a long, tiresome trip from New York, and am hardly able to make a speech-in fact did not expect to-but I want to say that I am greatly surprised at what I have seen since coming here. We often meet people in the east who know about Joplin and we hear a great deal of it, but at the best we have a very imperfect idea of the magnitude of your great industry. I met a gentleman in St. Louis who had been to Joplin and returned. He said that Joplin was on the decline and that there were plenty of vacant storerooms, and especially plenty of vacant rooms in the hotels. (Laughter.") He said that Arkansas was now the great center of interest. I never saw a place where there were so many wagons on the streets and so many other evidences of industry and business of
*At this time Joplin was at the height of a boom-and there was not a vacant house on Main street.
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all kinds. I believe that fellow came here and didn't get what he wanted. I don't believe anybody can foretell the great future in store for Joplin, or any other town in this mining district. Just such organizations as the Joplin Club are potent factors in the upbuilding of any town and just as much devolves upon the lawyers and preachers as anyone else. Every business man and citizen in town should lend his support and in- fluence to the club in the upbuilding of the town.
"I have been ill for several days, a part of the time in bed, and was not really able to make a speech, but I want to say that I will take back to the east many happy remembrances of my visit to Joplin. I will be here for several days yet, and want to meet the business men of the town. I expect to visit Joplin again soon. Gentlemen, I thank you."
General Houston was greeted with great applause, after which the chairman announced a recess of ten minutes for refreshments and cigars.
Upon reassembling bright speeches were made by Hon. Thomas Do- lan, of Joplin; Judge Brown, late of Topeka and formerly clerk of the federal court of Kansas at Topeka; Attorney J. W. McAntire, of Joplin; J. P. and Joseph Stewart, of the Webb City Commercial Club; and At- torney R. W. McClelland, late of Clay county and a former college chum of George B. Paxton. As a finale to the evening's program, Jesse Cooper, the efficient and obliging colored adjunct of the club, was in- troduced and, to the strains of a popular air played by Percy Wenrich, gave an exhibition of the cake walk accompanied by a smile that would make any fair dusky damsel weep for joy. At 11 o'clock the meeting adjourned and the members and their guests went home feeling that the new year had been started out aright. .
During the past eleven years the club has, as in the nineties, been exceedingly active. It has secured for the city, by its efforts, quite a number of new enterprises and has brought to Joplin much outside capital. In 1906 it purchased and platted a forty-acre tract of land into city lots and placed the profit from these sales into a "booster fund," to be used in advertising Joplin's resources and securing new industries for the city. A second addition was platted and placed on the market two years later but, owing to the after effects of the panic of 1907. was not so successfully disposed of as the first.
The Joplin Club changed its name to The Commercial Club of .Jop- lin in 1906.
PRESIDENTS, 1900-1911
The following have served as presidents during the past eleven years: 1900, E. O. Bartlett; 1901-2, O. H. Picher; 1903, T. W. Cunningham; 1904, Marion Staples; 1905, Jerome B. Trigg; 1906, Max Wolfroth; 1907-8, W. A. Sandford; 1909, A. H. Waite; 1910, Henry Weyman; 1911, F. L. Yale, C. S. Poole.
MISSOURI BANKERS' ASSOCIATION
The meeting of the State Bankers' Association May 20-21, 1908, brought to Joplin fully one thousand visitors, and they were most royally
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entertained by the Joplin Club and the local bankers. This was the first convention which had met in Joplin after the opening of the Connor Hotel, and the management did its full share in the matter of entertain- ment. The Connor, which had been selected as headquarters, was lit- erally filled with bankers.
On the evening of the 19th an informal reception was held at the hotel and after everyone had gotten acquainted a booklet, containing glimpses of the mining activities of the district and points of interest, were distributed to the financiers.
The convention was held in the New Joplin theater and was pre- sided over by George A. Neil, of Moberly.
Previous to the formal opening of the convention, a gavel made of wood, lead and zinc was presented to the presiding officer by the bank- ers of Joplin. Addresses of welcome were made by Mayor J. F. Osborn and President E. B. Jacobs, of the Jasper County Bankers' Association.
To give an idea of the magnitude of the convention, we mention that Missouri had the largest bankers' association of any state in the Union at the date of this convention, 1,158 banks in the state holding mem- bership.
On the afternoon of the first day of the convention and while the financiers were disposing of the business of the association, Mrs. A. H. Waite tendered to the wives of the bankers who were in attendance a most delightful reception. The beautiful home of Mr. and Mrs. Waite was profusely decorated with roses, ferns and palms, and pink roses were given to each of the guests as favors. In the receiving line with Mrs. Waite were Mesdames J. E. Garm, J. A. Cragin, T. B. Jenkens, C. W. Bartlett, J. T. Wise, Howard Murphy, H. M. Ramsey, F. T. Snapp, William Houke and V. F. Church. During the entire afternoon an or- chestra, half hidden from view by a bower of roses, played, and this effect added much to the brilliancy of the occasion. Refreshments were also served.
On the evening of the first day a ball and musical was given at the Auditorium, and was a most enjoyable occasion. Previous to the dance a musical program was rendered by the Apollo Club, twenty-five strong, under the direction of F. B. Rogers. For those who did not dance a "Dutch lunch" was served at the Joplin Club. This function was under the direction of E. O. Bartlett, the prince of entertainers, and the lunch was said to have been of such excellence as would have tempted even the gods.
An auto and trolley ride on the last day concluded the program.
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JOPLIN WOMEN ENTERTAIN FEDERATED CLUBS
On January 26, 1903, the club women of southwest Missouri met in Joplin for the purpose of organizing the Seventh District Association of Women's Federated Clubs. The president of the district association
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became, by virtue of her office, one of the vice presidents of the State Federation. The club women had for their guest Mrs. F. L. Moore, state president of the Missouri Federation of Women's Clubs. One hundred and fifty delegates, representing the clubs at Carthage, Webb City, Sar- coxie, Monette, Aurora, Marionville and other southwest Missouri points, were in attendance. The sessions of the convention were held in the First Presbyterian church and that handsome edifice was beautifully decorated for the occasion.
Conspicuous in the costumes of the visitors, as well as the members of the local committee, were strands of white and yellow ribbon, the badge of the Federation. The visitors were met, on their arrival, by a reception committee composed of Mesdames G. A. Clymer, Branham, M. H. Keeley and Rice, representing the Joplin Federated Clubs. When all had assembled, Mrs. A. A. Carey arose and introduced the state presi- dent, Mrs. F. L. Moore. She said : "It is one of the delights of this meet- ing that we have with us our state president, Mrs. Moore, and it is a further delight to know that she will preside over us. We will now have demonstrated the example of a perfect presiding officer."
Mrs. Moore made a brief and feeling response to the applause of welcome and in the absence of Dr. Porter, who was to have delivered the invocation, announced a silent invocation.
Dr. Porter, pastor of the First Baptist church, arrived soon after, and at the call offered an eloquent prayer with the parting wish that progress and prosperity attend the women in their work.
An instrumental solo "Last Hope" (Gottschalk) was excellently rendered by Miss Hazel Hickey, her instrument being the prize piano won by the Choral Club at Kansas City, two years before.
Mrs. C. S. Walden placed the name of Mrs. Mary Brader, of the Century Club of Carthage, in nomination for secretary for the day, and by unanimous vote Mrs. Brader was declared elected.
The address of welcome, on behalf of the Joplin club women, was made by Mrs. Mary Troutman, of the Emerson club, and seldom was a more eloquent address ever tendered the visitor to Joplin. Mrs. Trout- man was well known in the State Federation and it was especially ap- propriate that she should be chosen to welcome the visiting ladies. She said in substance that there should be nothing but pleasure in the first meeting of the District Federation; that the noble thoughts and inspira- tions of the scientists and historians and writers should be the connecting link between them as sisters in club work. She then paid tribute to each of the five federated clubs of the city, extending to the visitors a welcome from each. In the closing lines of her talk, Mrs. Troutman presented Mrs. Moore with a handsome bouquet of American Beauty roses as a token of welcome. Her address closed with the encouraging words: "Friendship, earnestness and zeal will make this, the Seventh district, the banner one of the State Federation."
Mrs. J. M. Whitsell, of Carthage, responded for the visitors. She said that the delegates to the District Federation were to be congratu- lated that the first meeting should be held in Joplin, which was such a
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wonderful city in its untiring energy, its rapidly growing mercantile interests, its culture and intelligence, and its women, so large hearted and earnest, who have its best interests at heart and never fail to work for those interests at home or abroad. "To talk it over" is the delight of every woman's heart-be it dolls, sweethearts, husbands, babies or clubs, so it is with great interest that the clubs come together to talk, to gain, to give, to learn more of organized club efforts. She said that in this sympathetic and congenial atmosphere of friendship and good will no one should hesitate to ask questions that may bring knowledge. No one should feel that what she had to say would not be received with attention and respect; that they were there to learn and teach.
"The idea of district meetings of the federations is one to be heartily commended because the number of delegates will be small enough that the timid sister can speak. Cooperation works wonders in bringing club women together and giving them a unity of interests. Every little study club, every big philanthropic club, every club whose object is helpful work for others and themselves, is working for the same object-the uplifting, the upbuilding of humanity. It is a poor ideal of any or- ganization or individual to have, that holds for self alone, and that club which looks but to the pleasure of the moment, keeping as it were the sacred circle closed about it, is not using the power for good which lies with its members. Every club by extending its influence, clasping hands with the neighboring club, uniting influences and joining forces, can be- come a wonderful factor for good in its community."
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