USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume I > Part 84
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On April 22, 1914. the woman suffrage convention was called to order in Eagle Temple, Jamestown, by First Assembly District leader, Mrs. Hettie Sherwin, twenty-five delegates being present, representing nine different towns. Mrs. Myrtle Nelson called attention to the election of April 7 on a constitutional amend- ment which was carried by less than one-tenth of the qualified voters of the State. Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt made the address of the afternoon. Mrs. Shuler. chairman of the Eighth District, giving instruction in working methods. Leaders elected: Mrs. Hettie Sher- win for the First District of Chautauqua (re-election) ; Mrs. Nellie Erb, Second District (re-election). A con- stitution for county assembly districts was adopted, and announcement made that Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt would speak at Chautauqua, August 29. It was also learned that a club had been organized among the young women of the high school in the interest of equal suffrage. In August, 1914, the first suffrage street meet- ing was held in Jamestown, and was addressed by Miss Harriet May Mills, who also spoke in neighboring villages.
The 1915 annual convention of the First and Second
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CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Assembly Districts of the Chautauqua County Suffrage Association was held in Mayville, May 24, Mrs. Hettie Sherwin presiding. Reports were made by captains on enrollment work, and increasing interest reported. Much literature had been distributed, good progress along suffrage reported. The election resulted in the choice of Mrs. Hettie Sherwin as leader of the First District, with Mrs. G. A. Haynes, secretary, Mrs. Marietta Rhodes, treasurer. Mrs. Gertrude Nelson Andrews was elected leader of the Second District, she to choose a secretary and treasurer. Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt ad- dressed the evening meeting. Many speakers of na- tional reputation were here in the county during the summer of 1915, preparatory to the battle of the ballots, a bill having passed two successive legislatures authoriz- ing a State referendum on the suffrage amendment. Every nerve was strained, and a gallant fight was made, a fight which was won in Chautauqua county by a ma- jority of 2,667, a larger majority than any other county in the State. The strongest woman suffrage town in the county was Ellicott. But the amendment failed in the State, and, greatly disheartened, the women prepared for another test of strength.
Early in 1915 a group of young women formed an organization known as the Campaign Club, with Miss May Gellstrom as chairman. Another group of young ladies was formed, called the City Committee, Miss Marion Patterson, chairman, and, working in harmony, both these groups accomplished a great deal for the suffrage cause during the campaign of 1915 and on through until the victorious finish in 1917.
The annual convention of Chautauqua suffragists for 1916 was held in Jamestown, May 15, 1916, the county being well represented. Mrs. Sherwin declining re- election, Mrs. Hermes L. Ames was elected leader of the First District; first vice-leader, Miss Marion Pat- terson ; second vice-leader, Mrs. George L. McClelland ; secretary, Mrs. Alfred G. Haynes; treasurer, Mrs. Marietta Rhodes, this making Mrs. Rhodes' fourteenth year in the treasurer's office. For the Second District, Mrs. Joseph Reiger was elected leader; Mrs. Fairchild of Silver Creek, first vice-leader; Nella Londquist, sec- ond vice-leader ; Mrs. E. F. Caflisch, secretary ; Mrs. E. Jones, treasurer.
It was the policy of the leaders to keep suffrage con- tinually before the people in some form, this being State as well as local policy. One of the things ac- complished between the convention of 1916 and the end of the successful campaign of 1917 was the enrollment of nearly 12,000 women favorable to suffrage; monthly conferences of all leaders were held; a debate was held at Ashville between Lucy Price, an anti, and Dorothy Thompson, a suffrage organizer ; a local organizer was engaged on salary for one year ; many telegrams sent to assemblymen asking their vote for resubmission of the amendment; a suffrage school was held in James- town; every conceivable form of legitimate entertain- ment was resorted to to raise funds and spread suffrage propaganda; voters were circularized and new clubs formed. Mrs. Gertrude C. Wilcox, the organizer, spoke in every township. Mrs. G. A. Haynes, press superin- tendent for the county, made the most of her opportuni- ties for publicity, and polling lists were copied for future use, and everything done to further the cause. The military census was taken by the suffrage organiza- tion, and they also bore their full share of Red Cross work and other war activities. The newspapers of the county rendered valuable services, every paper in the Second District being favorable to woman suffrage.
In May, 1917, Miss Marion Patterson was made First District leader, with Mrs. Ames as vice-leader. The work in the country was largely under Mrs. Ames'
direction, the city and general rush work being under the supervision of Miss Patterson. Mrs. Joseph Rieger, of Dunkirk, was chosen leader in the Second District, with able assistants as vice-leaders, secretaries and treasurers. The petition signed by 1,200 names was sent on to New York and appeared in the big parade where the million signatures of New York women were car- ried through the streets. Helen Todd, of California, Helen H. Greeley, of New York, Congressman Helen Ring Robinson, of Colorado, Adella Potter, Miss L. Rogers, Rose Livingston, of New York, Mrs. Forbes Robertson Hale, Carrie Chapman Catt, and many others, spoke in the county. Twice during the amendment campaign, Rev. Anna Howard Shaw spoke at Lily Dale on Woman's Day, and did much with her splendid powers of oratory to aid in the final victory; and the women of the county, those who had been identified with the cause when it was unpopular, and the new comers, all labored valiantly, and to mention all those worthy of having their names enrolled in the Suffrage Hall of Fame would be almost like calling the roll of the women of the county. And the public men of the county, suffrage husbands and suffrage friends, all responded, and at the November polls, 1917, the cause of political equality was won, New York State adopting the amendment to her own constitution, Chautauqua county out of 9,238 votes cast, giving a majority for the amendment of 3,583.
Now that the battle is won and political equality the constitutional law of the land, it is but fair to acknowl- edge the great help the cause received from the teach- ing of the Patrons of Husbandry. The New York State Grange as long ago as 1881 adopted a resolution in behalf of equal civic rights for men and women, and that action was followed every year by similar resolutions in State, county and local granges.
The following letter was received by Mrs. Martha Fuller Prather in January, 1919, from Mrs. Kate Cheney, first president of the Political Equality Club of Ellery, formed June 8, 1889, with seventeen charter members. At the time of writing the letter, Mrs. Cheney was ninety-two years of age:
Dear Mrs. Prather,
For nine years I was president of the Ellery Club. Our meetings through these years attended strictly to suffrage work. At the Sinclairville meeting when the rural clubs voted to join state, I was appointed dele- gate to Auburn State convention; went all alone. I want to tell you I went to Bemus election day, voted the whole Republican ticket. It was no trick at all to cast a ballot.
With much love to you I remain as ever, Your friend,
MRS. KATE CHENEY.
The foregoing pages show that Chautauqua women held their county organization intact from 1887 until final victory in 1917, holding thirty annual conven- tions, and each year showing some good work performed for the suffrage cause. Some clubs faltered and passed away, but there were enough clubs that remained in the field to keep the county organization in line with the State leaders whose every movement was supported by these loyal women of Chautauqua who sent duly elected delegates to every State convention of the movement. Jamestown points with pride to the two women elected members of the Board of Education in 1889 and to the fact that ever since women have sat as members of that board. Jamestown women also secured the presenta- tion of the women's suffrage question from the Chau- tauqua platform in 1890; the appointment of a police matron by Mayor James L. Weeks in 1906 and of a police woman in 1914. But all worked and endured and the victory was won.
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YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
THE YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.
YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION, JAMESTOWN -Since the day when machine-made garments began to replace those made by hand, girls have left their homes to live in cities and larger towns, there to engage in the manufacture of commodities. The question of proper housing and recreation then became a serious one in the minds of people concerned with the safety and welfare of young women away from home. It was out of such social conditions that the great movement known as the Young Women's Christian Association grew, until today it is the agency looked-up to through- out our country as at once the safeguard and the friend of girlhood and young womanhood.
A history of the Young Women's Christian Associa- tion of Jamestown would be most incomplete without grateful tribute at the beginning to its natural parent, the Women's Christian Association, now known as the W. C. A. Hospital. In the early days the Y. W. C. A. was but a sub-committee of the older organization, operating under a president appointed by the W. C. A. In October, 1888, it became apparent to the older women of the city that something definite must be done to provide a center where her many girls in industry might find recreation in their leisure hours. At this time the Young Women's Committee was appointed, and the Chapel of the Hospital became the Center. The first activities were classes in Bible, dressmaking, mil- linery, cooking and embroidery-also common school branches were taught those who had been obliged to leave school early in order to go to work; purely social nights were conducted once a month, and re- ligious services were held on Sunday afternoons.
Three times during its history, the increased activities of the Association have demanded that larger and more suitable quarters be secured. On November 3, 1890, new rooms were opened on East Third street, in the Fenton Block. The work continued as the Young Women's Branch of the W. C. A. The increasing re- sporsibilities were carried entirely by committees of volunteer workers until 1894. It then became apparent that much more could be accomplished if a secretary could be in constant attendance at the rooms. Miss Minnie Fowler, the first general secretary, took up her duties in September of that year. Again, in January, 1897, the growing work crowded the Association out into larger accommodations,-this time in the Pren- dergast building on Main street.
The activities of the Young Women's Branch con- tinued to increase and the responsibilities of the board of managers for the Hospital became heavier with the growth of that institution. At the suggestion of the Hospital Board, in September of 1905, the Young Wo- men's Branch withdrew from that organization which had so faithfully watched over its development. The younger Association became a charter member of the Young Women's Christian Association of the United States of America in March, 1906; the articles of in- corporation of the Young Women's Christian Associa- tion of Jamestown, New York, were filed in March, 1907, and its constitution adopted.
The cornerstone of the Association's present delight- ful home was laid September 26, 1908, by Mrs. W. C. J. Hall, donor of the initial gift of $10,000, which was the incentive to build. The splendidly up-to-date build- ing which stands at the corner of Main and Fourth streets is a monument to the perseverance, consecrated service and vision of those brave women who courage- ously undertook its erection. It is the outward sign of the spirit of friendly helpfulness which it houses. It
bears constant tribute to the good judgment and taste of the building committee who so thoroughly set about making this last new home for the Association. With keen foresight they provided for the future in a dur- able, usable and sufficiently large building to accommo- date those phases of the work then being carried on and allow for its extension.
Thoughtfully planned, the attractive lobby with its surrounding social rooms and beautiful stairway breathes the homelike atmosphere which invites the most timid girl to enter and be at home. On the upper floors are pleasant club rooms where the self-governing clubs for employed girls meet. Here girls from office, factory and store carry on their varied programs. There are also meeting places for the younger girls still in school; the experience given them in the management of their own clubs is valuable training for similar responsibilities which they will meet later. The educational work of the Association has its center on these upper floors, where classes in Bible, practical arts, cooking and other subjects are taught. The cafeteria is truly a community asset, providing noon meals at a moderate price to hundreds of busy employed people. The gymnasium and bowling alleys provide physical education, exercise and recreation. The commodious auditorium with its beau- tiful stage is the scene of many gatherings which con- tribute both pleasure and mental profit to Jamestown's citizens. Here, too, the girls' dramatic ability frequently finds expression in plays and pageants for which special training is given them as part of the program. At the time of its erection, the building was fourth of its kind in the entire State. So wisely was it planned that after eleven years of use, save for the absence of a swimming pool, it suffers not at all by comparison with buildings now being constructed. Hundreds of strangers from all parts of the country visit the city each summer, dur- ing their stay at Chautauqua. The Association is used a great deal by them as a place to rest between trains and for other purposes ; their comments of appreciation of the service rendered by it and the beauty of the building itself, heartily confirm the statements just made in this connection.
For a number of years a summer program has been carried on somewhere on Lake Chautauqua, wherever a suitable house could be rented. Owing to the gen- erosity of the Misses Anna and Mary Crissey, the Asso- ciation now has its own summer place. A delightful spot right on the Lake front, with two cottages where thirty girls may be housed, was presented by these ladies, to be used as a permanent summer home. It is sufficient- ly near to town that girls employed by day can spend their leisure hours by the Lake side, enjoying the gorgeous beauties of nature and find refreshment in the invigorating breezes of the Lake. The acquisition of this fine property supplies the feature necessary to make the equipment of the Jamestown Y. W. C. A. quite ideal.
During its history the Association has had seven presi- dents : Miss Lydia J. Kay, Mrs. A. T. Usher, Mrs. Wm. H. Proudfit, Mrs. Mary Yates Johnston, Miss Anna L. Crissey, Mrs. E. W. Spring, Mrs. R. R. Rogers.
The nature of this organization is such that a great portion of its work can never be set down in any ac- count of its accomplishments prepared for public read- ing. It deals with that wonderful thing, the woman- hood of tomorrow, which is being made by the girlhood of today. The foundations of this particular Associa- tion were laid on the firm belief in the power of Jesus Christ to lead girlhood into the finest type of woman- hood. It has sought always to help her to find Him,
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and, knowing Him, to come into fuller understanding and more intimate knowledge of that "abundant life" which He proclaimed as His purpose in coming into the world. JANE C. BANKS, General Secretary.
WESTFIELD YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION -In 1919 this Association reached its twenty-fifth birth- day, having passed a very useful, successful quarter of a century of work along the usual Association lines. Since 1908 the Association has owned the old Mrs. Har- riet Wells residence on South Portage street, that building having been the home of the Patterson Library for about eleven years, 1897-1908. After the removal to the present beautiful Library building, the Association bought the former Wells residence, remodeled it to its purpose, and have since greatly enlarged and improved it. The Association has always been an active force for good in village life, and prior to the great World War had reached a membership of 300. During the war period, 1917-18, the Association surrendered its building to the uses of the Red Cross and its peculiar lines of war activity, and for two years practically did no strictly Association work. This was a splendid gift to the Red Cross but the Association suffered a severe loss in membership. The Association home is the center of all forms of Blue Triangle work among young women, and a strong organization of the Girl Reserves is maintained. Rooms for transient guests are a feature of the work, and Westfield being a railroad center, this branch of the work is very important. In connection with the Chautauqua County Y. W. C. A. the Westfield Association maintains a summer camp on the shores of Lake Chautauqua. A Business Girls' Club is another successful feature of the Association work.
FREDONIA YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION- This Association was organized in June, 1911, as a branch of the County Y. W. C. A., and has had a career of great usefulness. Until the present (1920) Fredonia has shared the services of a general secretary with Westfield, but that arrangement has ceased.
The first home of the Association was in the old stone house at the bridge, but in 1916 the old Fuller home was leased and fitted up as headquarters for As- sociation work and a general community center. A house mother is in charge and hospitality abounds. A room for transients is always available and many clubs and organizations for girls and young women have headquarters there. Business Girls' Clubs ; the Yo No Se Club, a younger girls' club; Young Married Wo- men's Club, Girl Scouts, are among these clubs. The present officers of the Association (1920) are: Mrs. Frank Pier, president; Mrs. W. A. Jackson, treasurer; Mrs. W. A. Stock, secretary of the board.
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION-This Association had its beginning in June, I911, when a few devoted women came from their homes in the villages of the Chautauqua "grape belt," and in meeting at Fredonia formed the Associa- tion, elected a board of managers, and pledged them- selves to raise the first year's budget. With the funds secured, the dream became a reality, and the work was begun. The officers elected at that first meeting were: Mrs. S. Fred Nixon (now Mrs. A. B. Ottoway), of Westfield, president; Mrs. Bruce Wright, Fredonia, Mrs. I. A. Wilcox, Portland, vice-presidents ; Miss Sarah Leworthy, Westfield, treasurer; Mrs. F. N. Jewett, Fre- donia, secretary. Miss Eloise Phillips was the first traveling secretary secured by the Association, and at stated intervals she visited all branches of the Asso- ciation or organized clubs in the county.
County headquarters are now established in Westfield, Miss Harriet Fuller, general secretary. She has an automobile which may be seen in all parts of the county, for she keeps in close touch with the Associa- tion's large and growing membership and of the many girls' clubs which have been formed all over the county. Westfield and Fredonia both have flourishing Young Women's Christian Associations which are branches of the county organization.
These are some of the high aims of the Association and they strive earnestly to attain them, as practical results testify: To develop Christian character and leadership; to build up strong local and community consciousness; to aid in increasing the power of the church ; to supplement the school in more efficient prep- aration for home making and country living; to de- velop a wholesome recreative and social life; to keep the standard of American home life high and to help girls in the home.
Some of the outstanding activities and achievements of the Association are: A Summer Camp for girls on Chautauqua Lake ; a Rest Room at the County Fair ; Field Day for the grade schools of the county ; a per- manent Hospitality House at Chautauqua Assembly ; Vocational and Leaders' Conferences; Child Welfare and Health lectures; cooperation in the promotion of Public Playgrounds and Free Libraries and Sunday School Conferences, and in the work of County Agents for dependent children.
The 1920 officers are: President, Mrs. James Pringle, of Ashville; vice-presidents, Mrs. H. C. Drake and Mrs. J. C. Reynolds, of Fredonia; secretaries, Mrs. Maud Brady, of Clymer, and Mrs. E. E. Hamlet, of Sheridan ; treasurer, Miss Minnie Allen, of Fredonia.
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY CHAPTER, AMERICAN RED CROSS.
The history of the American Red Cross in Chau- tauqua county began with the year 1906. On the evening of April 21 of that year a group of citizens of James- town, interested in the formation of a branch of the National Red Cross, met at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Edward Gifford. The following were present at this first meeting: Mr. and Mrs. Frank Edward Gifford, Major William M. Bemus, M. D., Rev. J. T. Kerrin, Clare A. Pickard, Mayor James L. Weeks, Charles H. Gifford, Rev. Walter A. Taylor, Clayton E. Bailey, Dr. Morris N. Bemus, Brewer D. Phillips, and Miss Mae L. Weller. Mayor Weeks presided, with Miss Weller as secretary. Dr. William M. Bemus was one of the moving spirits, and set forth the aims of the Red Cross movement. At that meeting it was decided
to organize a county subdivision of the New York State branch of the American National Red Cross, and officers were elected: President, Dr. William M. Bemus; vice-president, F. E. Gifford; secretary, Miss Mae L. Weller ; treasurer, Brewer D. Phillips. The in- tention was to popularize the movement, for which pur- pose it was decided to procure and distribute Red Cross literature. The immediate cause of the meeting, how- ever, seems to have been in the California earthquake, and the local branch began its helpful work by undertak- ing to raise funds for the relief of the sufferers. The result was the raising of more than $300.
The names previously given constituted the first twelve Red Cross members in Chauatuqua county. The secretary's membership list, however, includes two addi-
:
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CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY CHAPTER, AMERICAN RED CROSS
tional names, those of Mrs. Elizabeth H. Bailey and Major Frederick W. Hyde.
Following Chautauqua county's entry into formal Red Cross work, the history of the organization is that of a very small group who kept the organization alive de- spite an almost total lack of interest upon the part of the general public, the continuation of the society's existence being due almost solely to the interest of the officials, who were continued in office from year to year. Thus a spark of the Red Cross spirit retained its vitality through the first decade of Chautauqua County Chap- ter's history. It must not, however, be thought that this original Red Cross group was inactive. During the years preceding the World War, the Chapter responded to calls for help in such great calamities as the Italian earthquake of 1900. when approximately $300 was raised, while during several years substantial sums were for- warded to the Chinese Famine Relief Fund.
The officers originally elected were reelected year after year. When the European War came on, Miss Weller, whose time was required by the Associated Charities and who felt that the Red Cross work should be more energetically prosecuted, endeavored to resign but did not succeed in doing so until January, 1917, when the position was filled by Harry J. Buchanan. Dr. Bemus, feeling that he could not carry on the active campaign our own entry into the war would make necessary, also resigned. and William S. Bailey was elected chairman of the County Chapter at a meeting of the Chapter held in the Armory April 5, 1917. J. A. Osmer was elected vice-chairman. Feeling that he would not be justified in accepting the office, Mr. Bailey declined the position and Col William F. Endress was elected chairman April 11, 1917. Mr. Buchanan, being unable to serve, was replaced April 21, 1917, by Mr. Bailey as acting secretary, who served until May 8, when G. R. Broadberry was elected secretary.
Even after the World War had been in progress some time, there was little general participation in Red Cross work in Chautauqua county. In January, 1916, however, a group of seventeen Jamestown women, under the leadership of Mrs. Clayton E. Bailey, began actively producing hospital and surgical supplies, which were sent to and accepted by the Red Cross. These workers, most of whom were not Red Cross members, had no organization, although, as recorded later, they worked constantly for more than two years and sent in large quantities of supplies. When it became apparent that America must soon he involved, this group of workers, who had become members of and constituted the work- ing body of Chautauqua County Chapter in Jamestown. determined that the activities of the Chapter must be broadened to include the city and county, and they must be given credit for beginning the present effective Red Cross organization in Jamestown and its vicinity.
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