USA > Missouri > Jasper County > A history of Jasper County, Missouri, and its people > Part 57
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A three minute report from each of the clubs in the federation was then heard with interest. Mrs. Miller reported for the Saturday Club of Aurora. From Carthage Mrs. Gray reported for the Alpha club; Mrs. Mary Brader for the Century club; Mrs. Hobbs and Mrs. Wallace for the City Federation. From Joplin, Mrs. Dangerfield reported for the Century club; Mrs. T. W. Van Sciever for the Emerson; Mrs. Joseph Rice for the Looking Forward; Mrs. J. W. Babbitt for the Morning Reciprocity ; Mrs. Henry Weymann for the Unity club, the oldest club in the city. From Monett, Mrs. Kennedy reported for the Woman's club. From Neosho, Mrs. Robeson, of the Unity club, gave a report. Mrs. Hawthorne reported for the Sarcoxie club. Mrs. Geo. H. Bruen, a member of the state board, reported from Webb City in behalf of the Woman's Study Club.
The contralto solo, "Twilight" (Nevin) was rendered by Mrs. C. V. Buckley in her usual charming manner, accompanied by Mrs. Charles Dudley Pratt. This concluded the morning program.
In the afternoon, Mrs. Moore, the state president, gave her address to the Federation. She said, in brief, that they had come together to select a president for that district. In choosing a president, who serves three years, they must look at the qualifications of the one who will guide
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them through even more difficult mazes than the state can offer. She must be a woman of tact and ability, a woman of judgment, because she is vice president of the state, by virtue of her office she holds as presi- dent. She must be progressive, never aggressive. She must be thor- oughly acquainted with the clubs of the district. She must assist at the organization of new clubs. One danger to local clubs unallied to state clubs is that they get so absorbed in their own work as to crowd out the comprehension of the work going on throughout the country.
Miss Gertrude Robinson rendered an exquisite solo on the beautiful and soft-toned Italian harp. The question box was presided over by Mrs. W. M. Howe, of Aurora.
A report from the State Federation was given by Mrs. Smith, of Monett. Mrs. Will A. Hacker, now Mrs. A. R. Fuller, one of Joplin's most gifted soprano soloists, gave a selection. Mrs. A. A. Carey gave an interesting talk on Shakespeare, in behalf of Mrs. Wadworth, state lecturer. The reports from the standing committees were read, after which the election of president took place. By unanimous vote of the federation Mrs. John J. Donehoo, of the Century Club, was elected president.
Mrs. Donehoo's name was placed before the assembly by Mrs. Charles . U. Porter. There were no other nominations, and when Mrs. Philip Moore, the presiding officer, called the vote, every delegate in the room answered yea. Mrs. Donehoo was therefore elected president of the Seventh District Federation. Immediately upon adjournment, Mrs. Donehoo was showered with congratulations, both from her closer club associates and from the visiting delegates who had so chosen to honor a .Joplin club woman.
The selection of Mrs. Donehoo was a happy one and paid to the younger club woman of Joplin a well deserved compliment. Mrs. Done- hoo was one of the original members of the Century Club, then one of the strongest and most active of the literary clubs of the city. It had on its rolls the names of some of the most cultured young women and had not only created a strong literary sentiment among the young women of the city, but had taken a lively interest in raising the literary and moral standard of the community. Mrs. Donehoo had taken a personal interest in championing the cause of the public library, and had also devoted much of her time to the matter of civic improvement and out-of-door beautification. She was in every way fitted for the high honor and discharged her duties with credit to the club to which she belonged.
THE AMERICAN MINING CONGRESS
At a meeting of the Joplin Commercial Club, in 1906, it was decided to ask the American Mining Congress to hold its 1907 session at Joplin and a committee, consisting of H. H. Gregg, Chris Guengerich and Clay Gregory, was sent to Denver, where the 1906 meeting was held, and were successful in landing the congress for 1907. The assemblage was held November -, 1907, and was a most important meeting.
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The delegates to the congress were from every part of the United States and Canada where mining operations are conducted and the dis- cussions were along the lines of more scientifice and more profitable min- ing laws and usages. The congress was especially helpful to the Mis- souri-Kansas mining district, because it brought together nearly every prominent mine operator in the zinc-lead belt and a number of con- ferences were held looking to a general policy relative to local conditions.
Hon. J. H. Richards, of Boise City, Idaho, was the president of the congress, and J. F. Callbrath, of Denver, Colorado, secretary. The ses- sions of the congress lasted for ten days and we regret that the lack of space forbids a lengthy mention of the discussions. Secretary Callbrath is quoted as saying, on the concluding day, that the Joplin meeting had been not only the most profitable, but the Most enjoyable session which, up to that time, had been held.
THE SALT AND PEPPER CLUB
On January 16, 1900, a new literary and social club was formed, known as the Salt and Pepper Club and for a number of years was a very popular organization. Its monthly meetings were very brilliant affairs and at each, after a dinner, a number of addresses were made. Among the many who were guests of the club were Hon. Herbert Had- ley, E. A. Krattoff and James A. Reid. The Joplin Daily Herald gives the following account of its first banquet and literary symposium, which was held at the Keystone Hotel: "This new feature of Joplin's social life, which in its formative period was known as the 'Seven O'clock Club' at the suggestion of Rev. Paul W. Brown, was christened the 'Salt and Pepper Club' and was a source of genuine entertainment and much profit to its members. The motto of the club was very unique, 'You can't tell when knowing a man is going to come in handy.' It was to promote the pleasures of social intercourse which is always rendered more bril- liant by the glow of the festal board. To this end a banquet was held monthly, at which time the club was addressed by speakers from Joplin and the other cities of this and adjoining states.
"Preliminary to the banquet there was a business meeting, at which a constitution and by-laws were adopted, and officers elected, who are- O. D. Royce, president; W. H. Picher, first vice president; J. D. Eliff, second vice president ; Julius Becker, treasurer ; H. S. Miller, secretary ; and Rev. Paul W. Brown, F. J. Hart, A. E. Spencer, Dr. J. D. Pifer and J. H. Spencer, executive committee.
"By the time the company, numbering one hundred and twenty, were admitted to the elegant new Keystone dining room, their appetites were fully equal to the bountiful and delicious repast. (The Keystone has now ceased to be a hotel.) After the last course, President Royce introduced E. A. Krauthoff, a prominent attorney and then of Kansas City, who responded to the toast, 'The American Regular,' the speaker having been intimatedly associated by blood and good friendship, with Vol. 1-34
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the regulars of the United States, and who knew them well enough to put behind his graceful and easy delivery, the eloquent words of patriotic admiration and fervor. He touched briefly, but effectively, on nearly every phase of the regular soldier's life, not forgetting those brave ones who, although not on the muster roll, are nevertheless a noble part of our army-'The wives and daughters of the officers and men.' Mr. Krauthoff's eloquent presentation of the light and shade of the regular's life won for him unbounded admiration from all those present.
"A quartette contributed to the pleasure of the evening.
" 'The American Volunteer,' which is a favorite subject with all, was responded to by a favorite, the late Col. Chas. H. Morgan, then of Lamar (but since a resident of our city until his death), who did full justice to a subject that was very near to his heart and whose words brought forth many rounds of applause. Colonel Morgan's idea was that the American volunteer soldier is not a machine, but a man and a fighter with brains and nerve. He pictured the British in South Africa as lacking just the qualities the American volunteer possesses and attrib- uted their failure to this. Colonel Morgan declared himself an expan- sionist and insisted that it was a question in which there were no politics. "At the close of Mr. Morgan's remarks a toast to the 'Stars and Stripes' was drunk standing. Another song by the quartette was fol- lowed by a forceful and suggestive speech from Judge James A. Slanker, of Boston, an 'Expansion.' The speaker dwelt principally upon the commercial view of the question, and declared it to be the best and wisest course to pursue to furnish a market for our industries and products. Judge Slanker made a distinct impression and was warmly congratulated. "At the close of the program, 'America' was sung by all. It was in- deed a patriotic meeting."
THE JOPLIN CHORAL UNION
A write up of Joplin's social and educational life would not be complete without a mention of the Joplin Choral Union, which played a large part in Joplin's musical life during the first and middle part of the last decade. The Choral Union was organized in the fall of 1899, with Prof. W. H. Sieb, late of Kansas City and a musician of note, as the director. The club made its first public appearance the last day of the year, 1899, and on account of its splendid singing came into great popularity. The club gradually grew in membership until the middle of the decade, when it numbered one hundred and fifty singers.
In 1901, 1902 and 1903 the choral club took part in the May musical festival at Kansas City, where organizations from the principal cities of Missouri and Kansas competed for honors.
In 1901 the Joplin Choral Union won second prize in this contest and brought home as its trophy a $600 grand piano. The next year it carried away the first honors. At the conclusion of its rendition of The Heavens are Telling, the Union was vigorously applauded. The
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ten thousand people who were present at Convention Hall applauded for at least five minutes.
In 1903 Walter Wheatley, a native of Jasper county, a rising young musician, who is now leading tenor of the Royal Convent Gardens, Lon- don, was chosen director and continued his leadership until his departure for Europe.
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THE COURT HOUSE AT CARTHAGE
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CHAPTER XLVII
CITY OF CARTHAGE
LOCAL POLITICS AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS-MUNICIPAL WATER WORKS SYSTEM-BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS-CENTRAL PARK-CARTHAGE SCHOOLS DURING THE LAST DECADE-SUPERINTENDENT J. M. WHITE RETURNS TEACHERS' RECEPTION BY PRESIDENT LOGAN-SCHOOL CHILDREN HELP BEAUTIFY CARTHAGE-ARBOR DAY, 1903-CARTHAGE HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI-THE FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY-EASTERN STAR AND ITS SILVER ANNIVERSARY-THE M. W. A. LOG ROLLING-KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS-THE CHAUTAUQUA-THE MISSOURI STATE BANKERS' AS- SOCIATION-COMPANY A, SECOND REGIMENT, N. G. M .- THE KNELL FAIR.
The record of Carthage during the opening decade of the century is well worthy of emulation by other municipalities and communities. Naturally, we first speak of those matters which most intimately con- cern her as a civic corporation, as a city, including especially within that province her municipal elections and the improvements in her various departments devoted to education, parks, water supply, etc.
LOCAL POLITICS AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS
The following gentlemen served the city of Carthage during the present century as its officers.
General election in April, 1900: Mayor, J. S. Ross; marshal, S. E. Drake; police judge, H. L. Bright; city attorney, H. J. Green; col- lector, Homer D. Smith; treasurer, R. S. Black; assessor, S. S. Riley.
Councilmen : First ward, W. V. Black, with F. G. Laubach holding over; second ward, James Spence with D. M. Stafford; third ward, George Brown, with W. W. Brinkley; fourth ward, J. C. Griscomb, with J. B. Chaffee; fifth ward, T. L. Wiggins, with J. A. McLean.
General election 1901: Councilmen-James P. Newell, D. M. Staf- ford, M. F. Viernaw, J. B. Chaffee and A. P. Hamilton.
General election 1902: Mayor, Jerome B. Chaffee; marshal, D. M. Stafford; police judge, H. L. Bright; city attorney, J. T. Shannon; col- lector, Homer D. Smith ; treasurer, Hale M. Boggs; assessor, S. S. Riley.
Council: First ward, H. G. Tanger, James Spence, George Brown, W. Schuter and R. J. Chaffin.
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Councilmen elected in 1903: First ward, Ray S. Beam; second ward, D. W. Keltner; third ward, Wesley Ralston; fourth ward, W. H. Stout; fifth ward, Curtis Wright.
General election, 1904: Mayor, J. T. Harrison; marshal, D. M. Staf- ford; police judge, J. B. Loyd; city attorney, Jos. D. Harris; collector, Homer D. Smith; treasurer, H. M. Bogges; assessor, J. A. McLean.
Council: First ward, C. B. Gammon; second ward, G. C. Hawan- stein; third ward, A. M. Wallingford; fourth ward, G. C. Kellogg; fifth ward, C. M. Kitchum.
Councilmen elected in 1905: Ray S. Beam, Wesley Ralston, J. S. Ross, W. H. Stout and Geo. A. Evans.
General election, 1906: Mayor, J. P. Leggett; marshal, Owen Doty ; police judge, J. B. Loyd; city attorney, Jas. D. Harris; collector, Homer D. Smith; treasurer, Hale M. Boggs; assessor, G. W. Woodford.
Councilmen: First ward, Michael Torphy and R. L. Mars; second ward, R. A. Moneyham; third ward, A. M. Wallingford and E. A. Cun- ningham ; fifth ward, P. N. Wiggins. In the fourth ward C. M. Ketchum and Eugene O'Keefe each received 192 votes and the election, being a tie, was decided by the council which chose Mr. Ketchum on a strict party vote.
Councilmen elected in 1907: Ed. Murdock, J. A. Cherry, John W. Gray, Ed. Ingle and S. J. Barber.
General election in 1908: Mayor, J. P. Leggett; marshal, James Deagan; city attorney, Ray A. Hackinsmith ; collector, Homer D. Smith; treasurer, W. H. Waters, Jr .; assessor, R. J. Knight.
. Councilmen : W. H. Black, L. D. Heath, Harry Strickland, Geo. W. Miller and Millary Bryan.
Councilmen elected in 1909: Jno. T. Ruffin, G. A. Gibson, J. D. Carter, Ed. Garland and Robert F. Glenn.
The following officers were elected at the general election, 1910-11, and are serving the city at the date of publication: J. P. Leggett, mayor; `James B. Loyd, city clerk; Robert Jones, marshal; James Deagan, police judge; George W. Crowder, attorney; W. H. Waters, Jr., treasurer; H. D. Smith, treasurer; R. J. Knight, assessor; W. G. Kasken, street commissioner; S. S. Mathews, chief fire department; U. L. Landreth, plumbing and sanitary inspector; F. B. Newton, city en- gineer; W. H. Gentry, M. D., physician; W. J. Houser, milk inspector.
Board of public works: C. B. Platt, president; S. C. Boggess, W. H. Black and I. C. Hodson.
Councilmen: M. F. Thomas and J. H. Wilber, first ward; Tom Pennington and G. L. Abrams, second ward; J. D. Carter and J. C. Hil- dreth, third ward; Geo. W. Miller and D. S. Emerson, fourth ward; John W. Griggs and Charles Tobias, fifth ward.
MUNICIPAL WATERWORKS SYSTEM
The electric light plant built by the city in 1897 having been suc- cessful in its operation, it was proposed to build a waterworks system
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to be owned and operated by the city. When the franchise of the old Carthage Water Company should expire. At a special election March 12, 1907, the city authorities were authorized, by a vote of 1,420 to 1,146, to issue bonds in the sum of $220,000 to build a waterworks system. The contract for the construction was let May 25, 1908, and the plant completed in 1910 and so for has proved highly satisfactory.
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
After the voting of the waterworks bonds the City Council, by an ordinance duly passed, created an executive department for the manage- ment of the waterworks system and the electric light plant. The mayor named as the first Board of Public Works the following: W. A. Turner, James S. Ross, C. B. Platt and C. C., Catron. This board devoted much time to the supervision of the waterworks system and the city very greatly profited by their wise business judgment and self-sacrifice. Each member of the Board of Public Works receives as compensation for his services $100 per year.
CENTRAL PARK
Early in 1900 the club woman of Carthage began to agitate the question of beautifying the City Park and took the initiative by erecting a beautiful fountain which was put in place during the spring and formally presented to the city, May 3, 1900.
The presentation speech was made by Mrs. T. B. Hobbs, president of the Federation of Women's Clubs, who in an eloquent little talk made a plea for a more beautiful Carthage. This fountain adds very greatly to the general appearance of the park and stands as a monument to the club women who began a new era in civic improvement at the county seat.
The building of this fountain had more than a passing interest be- cause it set the example for out-of-door beautification and, as a re- sult, the laws of the city were a little better kept. The club women of- fered prizes to the school children for the best kept lawns, the most beautiful flower beds, the most graceful vines, etc., and the competition was brisk.
On the occasion of the presentation of the fountain to the city the name of the park was christened Central Park, and has since been known by that name.
CARTHAGE SCHOOLS DURING THE LAST DECADE
1900 found the schools of Carthage in a most flourishing condition. W. J. Stevens, the superintendent, was a most excellent organizer and possessed the three most essential requisites for a school superintendent. He was a scholarly man and commanded the respect of both the pupils and the public; he was a diplomat and put forth his idea and plans in
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such a manner that there was practically no friction in the movement of the school machinery, and, lastly, he was an advertiser, in that he kept the school system before the public and thus had not only the pupils, but the patrons interested. And, with the keen interest of the parents maintained and the universal cooperation of the public, the schools attained a high standard.
In 1902, Professor Stevens accepted a position in St. Louis, which carried with it much prestige and a much larger salary, and was succeeded by G. M. Holiday, of Independence, who remained in charge of the schools for two years.
SUPERINTENDENT J. M. WHITE RETURNS
At the annual election of teachers in 1903 the superintendency was tendered to J. M. White, then high school examiner of the State Uni- versity, and after an absence of six years he returned to Carthage and has remained at the head of the school since that time. Superintendent White was very greatly beloved in Carthage, and his return was hailed with great delight by his many friends.
We present here a few of the school happenings which will give an idea of the character of the work, the methods pursued and the re- sults accomplished. A list of the High School graduates from the first class in 1880 to that of 1911 will appear at the conclusion of this article.
TEACHER'S RECEPTION BY PRESIDENT LOGAN
For many years it has been the custom for some members of the Board of Education during the school year to entertain the teachers of the city. These receptions have been given from time to time, primarily for the purpose of bringing the teachers and directors closer together in a social way, and, as the bonds of friendships have been strengthened. the teacher and board have worked more harmoniously together. We present here an account of the reception tendered by W. R. Logan, president of the Board of Education in 1900.
One of the most delightful of the annual receptions in honor of the teachers occurred May 10, 1900, at the beautiful home of President W. R. Logan. The two parlors and the reception halls were tastefully decorated in green and white, and this color scheme lent an additional charm to the otherwise brilliant affair. The Carthage Light Guard orchestra was present and rendered a number of selections.
President and Mrs. Logan were assisted by the members of the Board of Education and their wives, Superintendent and Mrs. W. J. Stevens. Mrs. Geo. Webster and Miss Lyda Weil. As the guests entered the re- ception hall they were met by Miss Weil who pinned on each a bouton- nier of carnations and Mrs. Webster presided at the sideboard and served, most charmingly, frappe and other dainty refreshment. Al- though it was a stormy night, one of the worst rains of the season com-
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ing on, only five of the invited guests stayed away. The evening was most delightfully spent and every one was amply repaid for having braved the storm.
The following teachers and members of the board participated in the affair: Messrs. and Mesdames Robert Moore, W. J. McClurg, E. B. Jacobs, T. B. Luscomb and C. C. Catroon of the Board of Education, assisting President and Mrs. Logan; Superintendent and Mrs. W. J. Stevens; W. J. Whybark, supervisor of music; Misses Lulu Van Neman, Helen Cunningham, Winifred Bryan, Pauline Kirk, Lida B. Perry, May C. Biffer, Nellie S. Cate, Grace McCarty, Myrtle Thomas, Gertrude Post, Lizzie Pieffer, Gertrude Fugitt, Lena Confer, Lulu Freed, Bessie Lundy, Ethel Cragin, Ora M. Cupp, Francis Hall, Florence Fabyan, Ethel Newgent, Janet Schurman, Hattie Perry, Lizzie Russum, Mattie Bardow, V. May Smith, Francis Chapman, Pearl Blake, Lillian Baker, Myrtle Collier, Edna Baird, Nellie McCarty, Grace Hutchinson and Edna Gladden; principals-S. W. Howland, G. J. Hout and H. C. Kil- burn.
SCHOOL CHILDREN HELP BEAUTIFY CARTHAGE
In the spring of 1900 the Women's Federated Clubs of Carthage began agitating the question of out-of-door beautification and offered to the pupils of the Carthage schools prizes aggregating seventy dollars for the most beautiful flower bed, the neatest and best-kept lawn, the prettiest running vine, etc. This prize offering excited great interest, and as a result Carthage was made even more beautiful than before.
Superintendent Stevens invited every pupil, large or small, who felt an interest in the art of civic beautification to write an essay to be read in school, and in these writings tell what might be done to beautify the homes of Carthage. One thousand essays were written and their read- ing awakened a most intense interest, and so excellent were some of the thoughts that Superintendent Stevens, on invitation of the directors of the Chicago Art convention, took fifty of the best of these essays on out-of-door beautification to Chicago and they were read by hun- dreds of people who took great delight in their perusal.
These contests for the beautification of Carthage became very pop- ular. The following prizes were offered in 1902 and were competed for by the school children of the city.
Flower bed contest-In this contest the flower beds contained not less than sixty square feet.
(1) Asters raised with access to hydrant water: First prize, Car- thage Water Company, $5.00; second prize, the Wells & Wiggins Com- pany premium, $2.50; third prize, the B. S. Briles premium, a five-pound box of candy. $2.00. Judges: Mesdames R. E. McCarthy, J. M. Whit- sett, C. F. McElroy, of the N. N. C. Club.
(2) Asters, raised without hydrant water: First prize, the Archias Seed Company premium, $5.00; second prize, the B. B. Allen Shoe Company premium, a pair of fine shoes, value $3.00; third prize, the
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MAIN STREET, CARTHAGE, 1911 Regan's Hall only building of the '70s now standing
SCENE AT STONE QUARRY, CARTHAGE
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Christman Brothers premium, framed picture, $2.00. Judges: Mes- dames J. W. Miller, I. C. Hodson, Frank Harrison, of the Ianthe Vincent Chautauqua Circle.
(3) Petunias, raised with access to hydrant water: First prize, the Carthage National Bank premium, $5.00; second prize, the Holbrook & Son premium, books to the value of $3.00; third prize, the Jacob Schlect premium, $2.00. Judges: Mesdames Geo. Porter, C. R. Sir- kosky and R. F. Glenn, of the U. C. D. Club.
(4) Petunias, raised without hydrant water: First prize, the A. A. Ramsay premium, $5.00; second prize, T. B. Tuttle premium, $2.50; third prize, the Frank Edel premium, a bottle of perfume, value, $2.00. Judges: Mesdames Sarah Turner, J. B. Toomay, George Brown, of the Stratford Shakespeare Society.
Foliage Plants-The beds were the same size as the flower beds and the plants consisted of a center of castor beans, surrounded by cannas and bordered with coleus.
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