USA > Washington > Spokane County > An illustrated history of Spokane county, state of Washington > Part 30
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Heyburn, president ; Cyrus Bradley, vice-presi- dent: J. C. Barline, recording secretary ; and W. Goodspeed, treasurer, with the following directors : George S. Brooks, W. H. Shields. James A. Williams, H. S. Martin. C. W. Weeks. W. S. McCrea, F. E. Elmendorf, J. Grier Long. Henry Hill. H. T. Coleman, and Fred Phair. S. H. Ward continuing to act as general secretary, with A. J. Carroll in charge of the physical department. The association in all its departments is in an excellent condition. with bright prospects for the future. Since the opening there have been raised and expended eight thousand dollars, and the membership has passed five hundred and is constantly in- creasing.
There are already indications that the near future will necessitate larger quarters. The as- sociation is duly incorporated and the board of directors have control of all the business con- nected with it.
The Work of the Association .- Bible school, historical Bible studies. devotional Bible studies, workers' training class. boys' biographical study, international S. S. les- SO11. Young Men's Meetings: Held Sun-
day afternoon at 4:00. Social events : Receptions, concerts, socials, class nights. Night College : Algebra, arithmetic (elementary) arithmetic (advanced). architectural draw- ing. bookkeeping. Englislı, grammar. me- chanical drawing. penmanship. physiology (hygiene ). spelling, stenography, typewriting. vocal music (elementary), vocal music (ad- vanced ). Reading Rooms, supplied with one hundred and twenty-five publications. Batlıs. tub and shower. Gymnasium: New appara- tus, physical and medical examination, anthrop- ometric chart. exhibitions, contests, indoor games, prescriptive exercises. Lockers, fitted with one hundred new anti-dial combination locks. Special Features : Checkers and chess. information bureau, boarding house register. employment department. Membership: Any man of good moral character may become a
W. A. LEWIS SPOKANE
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member by paying the fee. Full membership, ten dollars a year ; junior membership, five dol- lars a year ; dues payable two dollars and fifty cents a month, until paid.
SPOKANE BIBLE SOCIETY.
When Rev. P. C. Hetzler, the representa- tive of the American Bible Society, came to Spokane Falls in November, 1878, there was not a church in a finished condition in the place. The Bible Society was organized at that time in an upper room of a building on corner of Howard street and Front avenue. The first officers were Rev. S. G. Havermale, president ; Rev. W. T. Conley, secretary, and Deacon G. R. Andrus, treasurer. There has been a Bible auxiliary in the city ever since, and at differ- ent times Bible distributers have been engaged for short seasons.
GOOD TEMPLARS.
The Independent Order of Good Templars can be counted among the early organizations of Spokane. The first lodge, "Northern Light," came into existence in 1884, the prime movers being Mr. and Mrs. Robert Abernethy, M. H. Whitehouse, Reever brothers and others. Meetings were held at first in the Methodist Episcopal church, corner of Sprague avenue and Washington street. It soon became a flourishing society and among its members were a considerable number of bright young men and women, some of them today promi- nent citizens of this and other cities. The second place of meeting was the old Peel build- ing, now Major block, corner of Sprague and Post. The place of meeting in 1886 was the Brown block, where the Palace store is now. During this year the membership increased rapidly. Prof. E. E. Martin says, "In a year or so it (the hall) had become small for our numbers and we felt rich enough to hire the best hall in town, 'Odd Fellows,' in the third story of the Keats block, where the Traders now stands. With this removal candidates came by the score. H. P. Reeves was in the
chair at the time. Next followed Bro. M. D. Bobsoin's reign of two or more quarters, un- der whose gavel we reached our flood tide. Another important stimulus to growth was the prize gavel offered by the grand lodge for the largest number of initiations, which we. of course won, initiating fifty-one members in the thirteen meetings." The membership was largely decreased after this and the lodge moved from place to place. "Shortly after came the great fire which reduced all our furniture, even our complete records, our all. to a smould- ering heap of ashes, and for a time prevented meetings, but in the fall a number of the 'True Blue' got together and we went to the Central Christian church, on Third avenue, where many came to us, and several pleasant and profitable 'opens' were held. In my rambles over the state, I have hardly found or met with a lodge where some of our members in the past are not working like beavers. Several new 'Homes' have been the result of a single member planted on new soil. We have rea- son abundant reason, to be proud of our rec- ord of a tenth of a century. We have been to some extent a moulding force in our city, and could have done, and let us hope will do, much more in the days to come, for humanity's uplift and betterment." Spokane No. 115 was at one time a flourishing lodge. A district lodge was organized, through which efficient work was done through Though Good Templary was not in a flourishing condition in the city and county for some years, neverthe- less the efforts of early years were not in vain. There has been a revival of interest lately. A new lodge has been organized under favorable conditions with promise of wholesome growth and extensive influence.
Island Lodge No. 238 of the Independent Order of Good Templars has moved into its new lodge rooms at No. 809 Second avenue. The templars have rented rooms of the North- western business college and will make this their permanent meeting place.
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HISTORY OF SPOKANE COUNTY.
Island lodge, although only a month old. has now a membership of seventy-five and new members are coming in at a very rapid rate.
It is expected that there will be a member- ship of one hundred and fifty by the time of the next visit of the grand chief templar on the Ist of May next.
NORTHWESTERN HOME FINDING ASSOCIATION.
The Northwestern Home Finding Associ- ation was organized at Spokane, Washington, August 23, 1899, to provide carefully selected family homes for homeless children and adults. Children under the care of the association are placed on ninety days' trial, or a sufficient length of time to secure satisfaction, at the end of which time they can either be adopted or taken on a contract whereby they are given Christian training and educational privileges. The association also provides home life for a mother with her children who is without home and in need of such care ; employment and home protection for graduates of industrial reform schools, paroled and released prisoners. J. W. Williams, general superintendent of the asso- ciation, has previously been associated with the Children's Home Society, which is doing a similar work except that it provides for chil- dren only, and when the broader work was or- ganized he was chosen and accepted the posi- tion of general superintendent. The associa- tion places children and other homeless ones only with such persons as it shall deem of good moral character; they must not be op- posed to Christianity nor use intoxicating drinks. Adult persons or graduates of indus- trial schools must be able to give satisfactory recommendations of their character to the man- agement of the association. The association is incorporated under the laws of the state of Washington, and will confine its work to Wash- ington, Oregon and Idaho. It co-operates with all churches, religious bodies, societies of institutions working in harmony with its objects, and depends upon the public for its
support. Officers of the association are Rev. P. A. Cool, D. D., pastor First Methodist Epis- copal church of Spokane, president; Rev. O. WV. Van Osdel, D. D., pastor First Baptist church of Spokane, vice president : Rev. B. E. Utz, pastor Central Christian church, Spo- kane, secretary; Prof. H. C. Blair, principal Biair Business College, Spokane. treasurer; J. 11: Cool, counselor, and Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Williams, general superintendents : additional members, Rev. W. A. Spaulding. D. D., pas- tor United Presbyterian church of Spokane, executive officer ; Rev. Geo. D. Needy, pastor United Brethren church of Spokane, Thos. H. Brewer, treasurer, Washington State Charities Endeavor Society, and J. W. Syler, of Spo- kane. The association publishes a monthly paper. the "Home Finder." which assists in opening homes and keeping the public informed as to the progress of its work.
SUNDAY SCHOOL WORK IN THE COUNTY.
While the Sunday school work has not kept a pace commensurate with the growth of the county, there has never been a time since its inception but what were found loyal devoted workers, who have given time, strength, mon- ey and zeal in training the young people of our county in a thorough, systematic study of the Holy Scriptures. Washington said, "The sta bility of our government and the prosperity of our nation depend upon the moral and religious instruction of our youth."
The first regularly organized Sunday school of the county was held in what is now the city of Spokane on the southeast corner of Howard and Main streets in the year 1875. The Rev. S. G. Havermale was superintendent. Among the early pioneer workers we find the names of Il. W. Stratton, A. E. Ellis, H. T. Cowley and G. R. Andrus.
The first meeting of the Spokane County Sunday School Association was held at Cheney nine years later, October 21 and 22 , 1884. The Rev. George Campbell. Baptist, of Spangle.
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was the first president, and Rev. J. B. Renshaw, of Spokane, the secretary. Nine schools report- ed at this time. At the second annual meeting. twenty-three schools reported, the majority be- ing union schools. The association of the year 1889 was made memorable by the visit of Dr. A. E. Dunning, of Boston, a member of the In- ternational Sunday school committee. The sev- enth annual meeting, held in 1890, was the last one held for several years.
After a lapse of five years, the eighth annual meeting was called in the First Presbyterian church of Spokane. July, 1895, with George H. Whittle, president, and W. S. McCrea as sec- retary. Upon the program we find the old time workers, Rev. J. Edwards and Dr. J. M. Allen. In 1896 the ninth annual meeting took place, for which a very full statistical report was com- piled. At this time seventy-five schools of the county reported, showing a membership of five thousand pupils. There has been a growing in- terest taken in this most important work since the Washington State Sunday school Associa- tion has sustained a field secretary, the Rev. W. C. Merritt. of Tacoma. The Spokane County Sunday School Association gains much in its annual meeting by his cheery presence, deep interest and wise council. Under the ad- ministration of Rev. Edwards, who has been act- ively associated with the work since 1886, the twelfth annual meeting has just been conclud- ed, February, 1900. Normal training work, special primary work and especially the home department and house to house visitation were discussed and urgently pressed upon the Sun- day school workers of this county, would they keep abreast of the times. Mrs. W. H. Short has been secretary since 1895.
Statistics : Number of Sunday schools re- ported, 51 ; total members, 4 986; Probable number of schools not reported. 25; probable number of scholars not reported, 1,014; esti- mate enrollment in Protestant Sunday schools, 6,000.
Spokane County Sunday School Associa-
tion officers for 1900 are: President. R. A. Heritage; secretary, Mrs. W. H. Short ; treas- urer, John Anderson. Vice-presidents : Deer Park district, Miss Cora Chadbourne ; Hillyard district, Mrs. Libbie Marsdon : Medical Lake district, Mrs. Jennie L. Green : Cheney district. WV. L. Fulton; Rockford district. Mrs. Mol- lie Farnsworth: Spangle district. E. C. Scott: Latah district, John Melvin; Spokane, Wal- ter E. Leigh, Rev. George Needy. George McCrea, H. L. Weister, Executive com- mittee : Rev. William Davies. Congregation- al; Henry Hill, Methodist Episcopal ; George Dyer, Methodist Episcopal South: Dr. J. M. Allen, Christian ; Rev. G. Sieberger. Evangelical; Rev. Anderson, Swedish Luther- a11; Rev. Blakman, German Methodist Episco- pal; Rev. W. C. Gunn. R. L. Edmiston, Pres- byterian ; Smith Ely, Baptist.
SALVATION ARMY.
The Army started work in this city ten years ago. From the beginning it has been vigorous and effective in its methods and com- mended itself to the public. The officers have been abundant in good work and self denying in their efforts to lift up the fallen. They have had their barracks in various places, first on Riverside, near Lincoln: then on Howard street. A leased building is now occupied where rousing meetings are held every night. The "Haven," on Front avenue, has been and is a boon to the city. It is a labor bureau. and a shelter and connected with it is a wood yard. The Rescue Home is a most beneficent institu- tion. It is located on Fourth avenue and Mill street and words cannot express its value to society. The Army and its auxiliary institu- tions were never as flourishing as today in this city.
SPOKANE PREACHERS' ASSOCIATION.
There has always existed a feeling of har- mony and good fellowship among the preachers
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of Spokane. The first attempt at erecting a ministerial organization was as early as Sep- tember, 1886. The first meeting was held in a store building on the corner of Riverside ave- nue and Post street, occupied at the time as a place of worship by the First Presbyterian church. The meetings at first were informal and for some specific purpose. After a while a constitution and by-laws were adopted and the name of the organization was Ministerial Asso- ciation of Spokane Falls. Rev. T. G. Watson, Presbyterian, was the first president, Rev. J. Edwards, Congregational, secretary, and Rev. IV. C. Gray, Methodist, treasurer. The mem- bership included all the active Protestant min- isters residing in this city, who, in addition to the ones mentioned, were Revs. J. F. Baker, Baptist, deceased, and H. Shucknecht, Evan- gelical, who is now missionary superintendent of the Evangelical Association denominations in this district. In the fall of 1887 the meet- ings began to be held at the Y. M. C. A. rooms on Mill street, between Riverside and Sprague avenues. Under the auspices of the first min- isterial organization several union revival meetings were held, conducted by Rev. E. P. Hammond, Dwight L. Moody and others, and also weekly teachers' meetings were conducted for some time. The second organization was known as the Spokane Ministerial Union, which came into existence in 1891. Its object, as expressed in the constitution, was "to promote the cause of Christian fellowship among the Christian ministers and churches of the city, to advance the moral tone of the city by and through united effort of those of all profes- sions and creeds who believe in obedience to law, human as well as divine, and desire a high state of morality for the city and community. To mutually discuss all questions that any mem- ber may introduce except questions pertaining to the peculiar doctrinal tenets of any denomin- ation represented in the Union. Membershipopen to any minister in regular standing in any Chris- tian denomination that recognizes the trinity
of the Divine Godhead." On March 15, 1897, the constitution and by-laws were revised and the name changed to Spokane Ministerial Asso- ciation. In September, of the same year, this organization was disbanded and the present Spokane Preachers' Meeting was organized. Its purpose is expressed as follows :
"CONSTITUTION OF THE SPOKANE PREACH- ERS' MEETING: We, the undersigned pastors of evangelical churches in Spokane. Washing- ton, for the purpose of advancing Christian brotherliness among ourselves and our people, and promoting our intellectual and spiritual growth do hereby form ourselves into an asso- ciation and ordain and establish the following constitution :
"Article I, Name .- This Association shall be called the Spokane Preachers' Meeting.
"Art. 2, Officers .- The officers of the Preachers' Meeting shall be a president, vice- president, secretary and treasurer, with duties customary to such offices.
"Art. 3, Committees .- The standing com- mittees shall be : I. The executive committee, consisting of the officers, to which shall be re- ferred all general matters pertaining to the society's management. 2. The program com- mittee, which shall be responsible for the pro- gram of each and every meeting. 3. The membership committee, whose duty it shall be to invite persons to membership when so authorized; and to introduce to the meeting such as accept; and to promote faithfulness among the members; and to purge the roll as necessity may require.
"Art. 4, Elections .- The officers and three members each for the program and member- ship committees shall be elected the first Mon- day in October, and shall serve for one year, or until their successors are elected. . \11 the officers and standing committees shall be chosen by ballot from and by the active members.
"Art. 5. Membership .- The members of the Spokane Preachers' Meeting shall be of two classes, active and honorary. The active mem-
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HISTORY OF SPOKANE COUNTY.
bers shall be selected only from the regular and acting pastors of the city of Spokane and community, who accept the divinity of Christ and the trinity of the divine Godhead. Other resident pastors of the Gospel may be received as honorary members and may enjoy all the privileges of the meeting except they will have no voice in its management and will not be eligible to office. No person can be admitted to either class except his name has been pre- sented for membership and voted upon by bal- lot, and whereupon two-thirds of all the votes cast by the active members present being favor- able, a written invitation shall be sent by the membership committee. And upon its accept- ance by the candidate he shall be declared a member and his name entered on the member- ship roll.
"Art. 6, Fees .- No initiation fee shall be charged, but monthly dues of ten cents a month shall be charged against each active member from the first of the month nearest the date of his admission to membership. Honorary mem- bers shall pay an annual admission fee of twen- ty-five cents.
"BY-LAWS .- I. All regular meetings shall be opened and closed with devotional exercises.
"2. After the opening exercises the presi- dent shall appoint a critic for the meeting from either the active or honorary members, who for that time shall have full liberty of courteous criticism.
"3. The regular program prepared by the committee shall always take precedence, unless otherwise ordered by unanimous vote of the meeting. Afterward miscellaneous business may be introduced.
"4. The regular meeting shall be held every Monday, except during the months of July and August, convening at 10:30 A. M. and adjourning by limitation at 12 M. The time may be extended only by two-thirds vote.
"5. The president shall strictly call to order any person who may introduce words cal- culated to give offense to any brother member.
"6. A public utterance made by any mem- ber of the Spokane Preachers' Meeting that is calculated to bring ridicule upon a sister de- nomination because of its distinctive principles, or that is derogatory to the ministerial standing of brother ministers shall be deemed sufficient cause for expulsion from the 'Meeting.'
"7. The constitution or by-laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present at any regular meeting, notice of such amendment, containing the exact text, having been given in writing at least one week pre- vious."
The meetings are devoted to the reading of papers on subjects of interest to ministers and others, followed by discussions. When neces- sary subjects of practical importance pertaining to municipal welfare are considered.
VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA.
The Volunteers began work in this city in 1896. For a time the work was in charge of local officers and the meetings held in a building on the corner of Howard and Front streets. The first one to be sent here to take charge of the work was Captain Himmall, and his suc- cessors have been Captain Thompson, Colonel WV. Duncan, Adjutant Markell and Captain J. G. McClelland, who has been in charge since May, 1899. Under the present management two new movements have been inaugurated, which have proved signally successful. One is the opening of the meeting place for a reading room with accommodations for writing. The other is the opening of the Door of Hope in the new state building on Mallon avenue.
Captain McClelland opened the Door of Hope in December, 1889, and it has been kept open ever since. Every needy one finds a shelter for the asking and more than thirty- three hundred have found it a haven of rest. already. The expenses amount to one hundred and fifty dollars a month, which have been met by the voluntary offerings of re-established in- mates. The institution has proved a great
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blessing and has been heartily commended by the city officials.
WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION.
In early years vigorous temperance work was done in Spokane county. Some of the most eminent temperance orators lectured in Spokane Falls in the early 'eighties. Mr. Dow, a cousin to General Neal Dow, lectured in Spokane Falls as early as 1880 and pledged some people to a blue ribbon club. But under the auspices of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union the most aggressive work was done. As early as the winter of 1880-1 Mrs. Lucy A. Messer, now Mrs. Switzer, of Cheney, came to Spokane Falls by invitation of Miss H. Maria Peet, and Miss Nellie Muzzy, the teacher, for the purpose of giving instruction regarding the nature and effects of alcoholic liquors to the children. As a result a Band of Hope was organized, the first distinctively temperance society in the county. Mrs. H. T. Cowley was the superin- tendent. The first Woman's Christian Tem- perance Union in the county was organized at Cheney by Mrs. Lucy A. Switzer November 30, 1881. It started with fifteen members, and was officered as follows: Mrs. L. A. Switzer, president ; Mrs. Sallie G. Strong, corresponding secretary; Mrs. A. J. Abernethy, treasurer ; Mrs. Mary Meachen, vice-president.
The first Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Spokane Falls (Leavett Union) was organized by Mrs. Switzer, who was then vice- president of the National Woman's Christian Temperance Union for Washington Territory, on March 28, 1883, with thirty members. Mrs. L. A. Cowley was made president; Miss H. Maria Peet, corresponding secretary ; Mrs. Ad- die Belknap, recording secretary; Mrs. I. C. Libby, treasurer.
A union with fifteen members was organ- ized at Medical Lake in August, 1884, and one the same month at Spangle. At Rockford, in .April, 1885, one was instituted, all by Mrs. Switzer, who was devoting her time almost
wholly to the work. On September 17, 1886, a union was organized at Deep Creek by Mrs. J. A. C. Merriman. In October, 1887, a second union was organized in Spokane and given the name Crystal Union, in honor of Mrs. A. P. Crystal, who was its first president, and one of the most devoted christian women. Mrs. Emma J. Rue was the corresponding secretary ; Mrs. C. O. Kauffman, recording secretary, and Mrs. Charlotte Hamblen, treasurer. It grew to a membership of thirty-two.
These Spokane Unions did good work for years and vigorously opposed the progress of the rum power. The present one is of later date and is composed of women of like heroic spirit as the early workers.
Spokane County Woman's Christian Tem- perance Union was organized at Cheney on April 19, 1886. The following were elected as officers : Mrs. Julia C. Merriman, president ; Mrs. M. Abernethy, vice-president ; Mrs. Della L. Dean, corresponding secretary. Mrs. A. P. Crystal succeeded Mrs. Merriman as president, and the office was filled successively by Miss H. M. Peet, Mrs. C. B. Schorr and Mrs. Jennie White.
The first eastern Washington territorial convention was held at Cheney July 20-21, 1883. Miss Frances E. Willard and Miss Anna A. Gordon were present at this convention. There were people who drove long distances to hear Miss Willard at this time. On the 23d of July she spoke at Spokane Falls to a large audience. The first Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Spokane aided the Young Men's Christian Association and Inde- pendent Order of Good Templars in establish- ing the first reading room. Among the early workers with the ones already mentioned were Mrs. Stella W. Traver, Mrs. William Griffin, Mrs. E. A. Jobes and others. The members of the unions were stanch advocates of woman suffrage. Mrs. Traver, Mrs. Cowley and Miss Peet served on boards of election. In 1884-5 several women in Cheney, Mrs. Mount, Mrs.
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