USA > Washington > Spokane County > An illustrated history of Spokane county, state of Washington > Part 31
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HISTORY OF SPOKANE COUNTY.
Range and Mrs. Switzer, served on petit juries in the district court and a Mrs. Scott acted as bailiff.
ANTI-SALOON LEAGUE.
The first anti-saloon league was organized in Ohio about five years ago. Since that time it has become national. The state league was organized early this year with headquarters at
Seattle, and ex-governor Knapp was president and O. R. Whitmore, state superintendent. The Spokane league was organized in March of this year with one hundred and fifty members. Ex-councilman W. H. Acuff is president; Rev. WV. A. Spaulding, vice-president ; J. J. Pugh, secretary; M. H. Whitehouse, treasurer. The purpose of the league is opposition to the saloon by agitation, legislation and education.
CHAPTER XXIV.
WOMEN'S ORGANIZATIONS.
The variety of clubs and societies organized and sustained by the women of Spokane, and their purposes as expressed in constitutions, and what has already been accomplished by and through them, are evidences of their intelli- gence, public spirit and philanthropy. The his- tories have been prepared in a large measure by representatives of the organizations, to whom grateful acknowledgments are hereby made, and especially to Mrs. E. A. Jobes, one of Spokane's noblest women, for her part in gathering material.
THE LADIES' MATINEE MUSICALE.
To the Ladies' Matinee Musicale belongs the honor of being the first woman's club or- ganized in Spokane, and the added distinction of being the second organization of that nature in the state of Washington. It was in the spring of 1889 that a little group of women, who were musicians and music lovers, met at the home of Mrs. J. P. M. Richards, to consider the forming of a woman's musical club in Spo- kane. The meeting resulted in the organizing of the Matinee Musicale, with Mrs. Charles S. Voorhees as president.
For a time the meetings were held in the
homes of the different members, but as the membership and interest increased it was found necessary to rent a small hall for the recitals. In 1893 Miss Jennie M. Patterson was elected president and under her administration the club increased still more in influence and popularity. The true club spirit took root in its members, and more and more the desire grew to become helpful, inspiring musical influence in the city. Ever since its organization the Musicale has maintained its position as one of the leading clubs of the city, and has ever sought to uphold and encourage the better class of music.
The present president, Mrs. Arthur J. Shaw, was elected in the year 1897. During her administration great interest has been aroused in the club, by the formation of a prom- ising chorus class, which has greatly enlarged the usefulness and scope of the club's work.
The recitals are held the third Saturday of each month in the Vincent Methodist Episcopal church, and are open to the public upon the pay- ment of a small admission fee. Under the club's auspices such distinguished artists as Madame Bloomfield-Zeisler. Rivarde, Madame Genevra Johnston-Bishop, and Emil Sauer
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HISTORY OF SPOKANE COUNTY. .
have been brought to Spokane, thereby elevat- ing the musical standard of the city. The purpose of the Matinee Musicale is to encour- age talent where it is known to exist, stimulate it where it is latent, and to become a power for good.
Following is the executive committee : President, Mrs. Arthur J. Shaw; vice-presi- dent, Mrs. Robert Glen ; secretary, Mrs. W. D. Vincent ; corresponding secretary, Miss Annie C. Turner; treasurer, Mrs. L. F. Williams ; Mrs. John L. Wilson and Mrs. J. A. Schiller. At present the club has something over one hundred members, which are classified as act- ive, associate and student.
DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
A chapter of the Daughters of the Revo- lution was organized in Spokane, in February, 1899, which was reorganized as a state society, on April 3d of the same year, with Mrs. S. K. Green as regent ; Mrs. T. W. Whitehouse, vice- regent ; Mrs. L. F. Boothe, recording secre- tary; Mrs. J. D. Chickering, corresponding secretary, and Mrs. Charles Dixon, treasurer. Atthis time a handsome, hand-illuminated state charter, authorizing the organization of local chapters within the state, was presented to the society by the board of managers of the general society.
Monthly meetings are held at the homes of the members, which are made very attractive and interesting, both intellectually and socially. At present, the society is pursuing a course of study in American history, commencing with the early discoveries, and noting especially, the events which led up to the Revolution. In No- vember, 1899, it became a charter member of the George Washington Memorial Association.
The objects and requirements for mem- bership can best be stated by quoting from the constitution of the general society: "The ob- jects of this society shall be to perpetuate the patriotic spirit of the men and women who achieved American independence; to collect,
publish and preserve the rolls, records. and his- toric documents relating to that period ; to en- courage the study of the country's history; to promote sentiments of friendship and common interest among the members of the society, and to provide a home for and furnish assist- ance to such Daughters of the Revolution as may be impoverished, when it is in its power to do so." * *
"Any woman shall be eligible to member- ship in the Daughters of the Revolution who is abovetheage of eighteen years, of good charac- ter and a lineal descendant of an ancestor who
"( 1) Was a signer of the Declaration of In- dependence, member of the continental Con- gress, or a member of the Congress, Legisla- ture. or General Court of any of the Colonies O1 states: or
"(2) Rendered civil, military, or naval ser- vice under the authority of any of the thirteen colonies or of the Continental Congress ; or
"(3) By service rendered during the war of the Revolution became liable to the penalty of treason against the government of Great Brit- ain ; provided that such ancestor always re- mained loyal to the cause of American inde- pendence."
Applications should be accompanied by a certificate from the state archives. or federal pension bureau, showing good proof of ances- tor's service.
It will be seen by the requirements men- tioned that to be a Daughter, one must have had a grandfather in some degree in Revolu- tionary service, and that when she becomes a Daughter of the Revolution, there can never be any question about her status as a lineal de- scendant of the same.
The pervading spirit of the Daughters of the Revolution is purely democratic. This is shown most conclusively in the matter of in- signia. There is but one badge for all, recog- nizable as such throughout our country. No jewels and no bars are permitted to show differ- ence in wealth or lineage.
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HISTORY OF SPOKANE COUNTY.
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON LITERARY CLUB.
This club was organized November 1. 1899. Object : Intellectual and social edification of its members. The following members were elected officers : Mrs. E. P. Galbraith, presi- dent ; Mrs. S. D. Ware, vice president : Mrs. WV. A. Porter, recording secretary : Mrs. W. P. Russell, treasurer; Mrs. Geo. Belt, correspond- ing secretary. The motto of the club is Per aspera ad astra (through rough ways to the stars). Since organizing. the club has devoted a few meetings to the study of Alaska and is at present taking up the study of France. It is the intention to have the year's work laid out in advance in a short time.
ROSS PARK TWENTIETH CENTURY CLUB.
On the 15th of January, 1898, a few ladies met at the home of Mrs. A. J. Ross to discuss plans for organizing a literary club for the ladies of Ross Park ; and on the 20th of the same month, at the same place, the organization of the Ross Park Twentieth Century Club was completed. The membership is limited by the constitution to the number of twenty-five, and the district north of the river and east of Divi- sion street. The meetings are held at the homes of the members every Thursday morn- ing, excepting once a month, when a social evening meeting is held, and the husbands of the ladies are invited to share the pleasures of the club. The first officers of the club were Mrs. Ross, president ; Mrs. Z. A. Pfile, vice president ; Mrs. Jennie F. White secretary : Mrs. C. J. Moore, treasurer, and Mrs. J. S. Thomas, Mrs. R. E. Porterfield and Mrs. Stockton as an executive committee. The present officers of the club are president, Mrs. L. F. Williams; vice president, Mrs. C. F. Davis; recording secretary, Mrs. L. S. Roberts; corresponding secretary, Mrs. Jos. S. Thomas ; treasurer, Mrs. W. De F. Hyde, and executive committee, Mrs. L. H. Prather, Mrs. J. H. Hudgin, and Mrs. L. J. Birdseye. The first 13
year and a half of its existence the club made a study of France, with an occasional "author's day" interspersed. The year of 1900 is being devoted to a study of India, and it has proved a most instructive and fascinating top.c. The ladies think, as expressed by Mark Twain, "There is only one India ! It is the only country that has a monopoly of grand and imposing specialties." At present the club membership is full, and the attendance and interest in club meetings is all that could be desired.
CORA B. ROBERTS, Secretary.
THE NATIONAL SOCIETY OF THE DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
This society was incorporated under the laws of Congress applicable to the District of Columbia, June 8, 1891, and by such incor- poration the headquarters, or chief office, was fixed in the city of Washington. Its national charter was granted by the Congress of the United States, February 20, 1896.
The objects of this society are: I. To perpetuate the memory of the spirit of the men and women who achieved American independ- ence, by the acquisition and protection of his- torical spots, and the erection of monuments ; by the encouragement of historical research in relation to the Revolution and the publication of its results ; by the preservation of documents and relics, and of the records of the individual services of Revolutionary soldiers and patriots, and by the promotion of celebrations of all pa- triotic anniversaries.
2. To carry out the injunction of Washing- ton in his farewell address to the American people. "to promote, as an object of primary importance, institutions for the general diff- usion of knowledge," thus developing an en- lightened public opinion, and affording to young and old such advantages as shall de- velop in them the largest capacity for per- forming the duties of American citizens.
3. To cherish, maintain, and extend the in- stitutions of American freedom, to foster true
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HISTORY OF SPOKANE COUNTY.
patriotism and love of country, and to aid in securing for mankind all the blessings of lib- erty.
Eligibility and admission : 1. Any woman may be eligible for membership who is of the age of eighteen years, and who is descended from a man or woman who, with unfailing loyalty, rendered material aid to the cause of independence; from a recognized patriot, a -soldier or sailor or civil officer, in one of the .several colonies or states, or of the united col- onies or states ; provided that the applicant be acceptable to the society.
2. Every applicant for membership must be endorsed by at least one member of the Na- tional Society, and her application shall then be submitted to the register general, who shall re- port on the question of eligibility to the gen- eral board of management, when the question of admission shall be voted on by the board by ballot, and if a majority of said board approves such application, the applicant, after payment of initiation fee, shall be enrolled as a member of the National Society.
All persons duly qualified are members of the National Society, but for matters of conve- nience they may be organized into local chap- ters. A state regent is in charge of the D. A. R. work in her state or territory, and chapter regents are appointed by her, subject to the approval of the National Society. The initia- ation fee to the National Society is one dol- lar, and the annual dues, two dollars, one dol- lar being retained by the chapter, the other dol- lar being forwarded through the chapter to the National Society. Each member is entitled to a certificate of membership, duly attested by national officers, the seal of the society affixed and a national number given. The in- signia of the society consists of a badge in the form of a spinning wheel and distaff. The motto, "Home and Country."
Twenty-five thousand women, representing every section of our country, are now enrolled as members. In Tacoma and Seattle are
active D. A. R. chapters. Mrs. Chauncy W. Griggs, of Tacoma, is state regent for Wash- ington. Mrs. Augusta Plummer Foster, of Spokane. has been appointed by the National Society as regent to form a D. A. R. chapter in that city.
SPOKANE SOROSIS.
"An aggregation" is the meaning of Soro- sis, and the club which bears this name in Spo- kane was organized in 1891, became a member of the General Federation in 1892, and the Washington State Federation in 1896. The strength and force of this unit of womanhood has been manifest not only in the culture and entertainment of its members, but in effort and gifts to advance public interests in its own city and to assist in the organization of clubs in neighboring towns. Some noteworthy books have been compiled by Sorosis, such as an Au- thor's Album, containing pictures and auto- graph letters from noted writers in Europe and America. This contains also early history of the club and papers which have been published. It was on exhibition at the Columbian Exposi- tion, also at Atlanta, Georgia. Some of its members have filled offices in other club or- ganizations. Mrs. Esther Allen Jobes has been a member of the board of directors in the Gener- al Federation, and Mrs. Lida M. Ashenfelter. second vice-president of the Washington State Federation of Women's Clubs. The feder- ated clubs, including Sorosis, Cultus, Ross Park, Twentieth Century Club, Floral Asso- ciation, Froebel Club. Ladies Matinee Musicale, entertained the State Federation in 1897. in Spokane. The work of this club has included lit- erature, science, art, music, parliamentary law and practice, education and current events. "Author Days" are specialized. as are music and art. Art day for May, 1900, is one of ed- ucational work for the public school children. Prizes of pictures to be hung in the schools have been offered by the committee in charge. of which Mrs. T. D. Gamble is chairman, for the best essays on art. These are to be selected
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HISTORY OF SPOKANE COUNTY.
from all the schools of the city, two from each, and read before the club.
The present membership of Sorosis is fifty active and three honorary members. The members of the board for 1900-1901, are : pres- ident, Mrs. Lida M. Ashenfelter; vice presi- dent, Mrs. Mary Franklin Hill ; recording sec- retary, Miss Elva Libby; corresponding sec- retary, Mrs. J. R. Schiller; treasurer, Mrs. Josephine Dunning. Directors: Mrs. L. F. Boothe, Mrs. Minnie Porter Babcock, Mrs. Mary A. Dow, Mrs. W. H. Wright.
THE CULTUS CLUB OF SPOKANE.
This club was organized February 9, 1892, with seven charter members: Mrs. A. J. Ross, Mrs. J. J. Browne, Mrs. E. J. Fellowes, Mrs. E. P. Galbraith, Mrs. S. R. Flynn, Mrs. G. T. Penn and Mrs. Jennie F. White.
The purpose of the club, as stated in the constitution, is "social and intellectual improve- ment," and while the literary work is of course the main object the social feature is made much of. The club is a "parlor club." the member- ship being limited to thirty, and is delightfully entertained at the homes of the members, each hostess vying with the others to make her day an especially enjoyable time.
The regular literary meetings of the club are held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the months from September to May, in- clusive, but there are a number of special days on the calendar. The first Tuesday in Septem- ber is a social reunion after the summer vaca- tion. February 9 is celebrated as charter mem- ber day by a social meeting where the charter members are guests of honor. Once a year an entertainment is given for the friends of the club, which the past two years has taken the form of an art lecture with stereopticon views of famous pictures. One musicale is given each year. The line of study pursued has been mis- cellaneous. History, literature, biography, science, art and domestic economy have all been
dwelt upon. Current events and the books of the day have been freely discussed. For the present year a new plan was adopted-to spend the entire year on one topic, and the study of England was chosen, her history, literature, art. music and her famous men and women. The work has been so successful that it is probable the same plan will be followed in the future.
The name of the club is always a matter of interest to outsiders and explanations are fre- quently in demand. The word "cultus" in the Chinook language signifies worthless, or to no purpose. The appropriateness of the name to the members of the club, or to its work, is rather to be questioned, and the reason for its adoption is not wholly clear even to the mem- bers themselves. But to them all the name stands only for what is pleasantest in remem- brance and anticipation. The club as an organ- ization takes no part in outside affairs, but many of the members are active in other lines of work, such as the Art League, the Woman's Exchange and the Kindergartens, as well as in the many charitable and benevolent societies of the city.
The Cultus Club became a member of the General Federation of Women's Clubs in 1893 and was one of the first to take steps for the organization of a state federation in 1896. At the time of the organization of the club Mrs. A. J. Ross was chosen president. After being twice re-elected Mrs. Ross was made honorary president, an office with no duties and no emol - uments, created by the club to show its appre- ciation of the services of one who had been its leader so long. Other presidents have been : Mrs. J. J. Browne, Mrs. H. D. Crow and Mrs. J. B. Blalock. The officers for 1899-1900 are : President, Mrs. E. L. Powell ; vice-presidents. Mrs. C. E. Grove and Mrs. C. H. Weeks; re- cording secretary, Mrs. T. P. Lindsay; corres- ponding secretary, Mrs. W. H. Mariner ; treas- urer, Mrs. J. Hoover. Mrs. W. W. Tolman, Mrs. W. M. Byers and Dr. H. W. Andrews constitute the executive committee. The club
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HISTORY OF SPOKANE COUNTY.
flower is the wild rose and the colors pink and cream.
SPOKANE FLORAL ASSOCIATION.
To have flowers at the Fruit Fair was the original idea. The subject was mentioned to the manager of the Fruit Fair Association and he gave it his most hearty approval. Mrs. Brinkerhoff, with whom the idea originated, consulted a number of public-spirited ladies and several informal meetings were held. After due consideration it was thought advisable to form an organization, the sole object being to furnish a floral exhibit as an auxiliary of the Fruit Fair. This was effected in Oliver hall March 20, 1896. It was named The Spokane Floral Association, with Mrs. Josephine Brin- kerhoff as president. The following October itmadeits first exhibit, which was a pronounced success. During the summer the need of arous- ing more interest in floral culture became so apparent it was deemed advisable to make it an independent organization in order to widen its field of usefulness. The study of dendrol- ogy and flora culture was enthusiastically taken up by the members, and a correspondence with eminent specialists along these lines con- ducted, and much practical and helpful informa- tion gathered. The necessity for free distribu- tion of seeds and plants among those of limited means was found to be imperative. Donations were solicited, but the response was not very gratifying. Upon request the government fur- nished a few seeds, but notwithstanding all their efforts less than a hundred packages of seeds and about half the number of plants were collected. These were distributed according to the best judgment of the committee ap- pointed for the work. The marvelous results from this small beginning may be judged from the statement that two years later over three thousand packages of seeds and a correspond- ing proportion of trees and plants were dis- tributed. From this naturally developed the flower mission, and to the hospital and other
charitable institutions, the prisoner, the in- digent sick, the homeless worker, went these messengers of love, cheering the lonely heart, and brightening the humble home, not unfre- quently opening the way to more material aid. Not only flowers and shrubs, but strawberries and other small fruits, and even trees have been included in this gratuitous distribution. Cut flowers by the wagon load have been given wherever they might cheer or beautify, and so great has been the awakening that every inch of space around our fire stations and other public buildings is utilized for some growing beauty. A plat in one of the public parks was early given over to the care of the association and this has been made a thing of beauty with rare trees and blossoming plants. Other lines of work, such as parks, street improvements, . etc., have been given due consideration, but in accordance with its avowed object, its special work is among the lowly, and here it has been most effective. With beautiful surroundings the careworn toiler may rise above the sordid grind of daily toil, and in the cultivation of his strawberry bed may forget for a time the endless struggle, and so to the humble home the flowers go on their blessed mission. The association has made the aster its special flower, and its aster show is now an annual feature of its work, and those already given have been creditable.
Special inducements in the way of prizes were offered the school children, and the evi- dences of their awakened interest were most gratifying. The association is in a flourishing condition, new members being taken in at near- ly every meeting. The ladies meet the second Tuesday of every month and after the business session an interesting paper is read by some member, after which a discussion follows, then dainty refreshments are served.
The program committee have been work- ing for some time on subjects for the year, also a year book, which will be published soon. At the last meeting nearly all the officers of last
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HISTORY OF SPOKANE COUNTY.
year were re-elected : Mrs. Ida Pfile, presi- dent; Mrs. R. A. Davis, vice-president ; Mrs. H. B. Madison, secretary; Mrs. A. G. Kellam, corresponding secretary ; Mrs. Dunlop, treas- urer ; Mrs. Mayie, S. Heath and Hoxis, di- rectors.
THE AMETHYST CLUB.
Although still in its infancy, the Amethyst Club is following a course of study which to its members is proving of great benefit and interest. Organized with a view to sociability as well as literary progress, the bi-monthly meetings are looked forward to with genuine pleasure. As the month of February was the month in which this club was organized, its members appropriately chose the stone of this month, the amethyst, as their symbol and name. The violet was selected as the club flower, whose meaning, modesty, coupled with that of the amethyst, sincerity, forms the club motto. The membership is limited to twenty-five ladies. The meetings are held and the ladies delight- fully entertained byeach of the members at their respective homes. The course or study em- braces a general study of England, with timely current topics. The officers of the Amethyst Club are : President, Mrs. C. K. Wintler; vice-president, Mrs. J. J. King ; treasurer, Mrs. Stony Buck; secretary, Mrs. Byrd; program committee, Mrs. Domer, Mrs. Dolson, Mrs. King.
SPOKANE KINDERGARTEN ASSOCIATION.
A meeting of ladies was called at Hotel Spokane on March 21, 1894, for the purpose of considering the feasability of establishing a sys- tem of free kindergartens in the city of Spo- kane. The call was responded to by less than a score of ladies, but resulted in the organiza- tion of the Spokane Kindergarten Association, whose object was "to establish and maintain a system of kindergartens for the benefit of chil- dren from three to six years of age."
The efforts of this organization were pros- pered beyond the expectations of the most san- guine and as the work progressed a broader field for labor opened up before the earnest workers. Many destitute children were pro- vided with food and clothing by this organiza- tion, in addition to being enabled to receive the instruction so much needed by them. There are to-day hundreds of children in the higher classes of the public schools who may well credit the Kindergarten Association for a "right start in life."
During the fourth year of its existence this organization, assisted by kindred societies of Seattle and Tacoma, succeeded in having a law passed by the state Legislature allowing the kindergarten system to become a portion of the public school education in cities of more than ten thousand population. Then came a long and earnest effort with the board of edu- cation before they could be made to see the benefits to be derived by making use of the new law. In the fall of 1898 they, however, con- sented "as an experiment" to open two kinder- gartens, which proved so successful that to- day we have a kindergarten department in all of our public schools. As this result was reached in a gradual manner the duties of the association were correspondingly lessened un- til the first workers in the cause were relieved. At the time the board of education adopted the system for our public schools the association liad eight kindergartens under its jurisdiction. These schools were supported by private sub- scriptions and donations from citizens and busi- ness men. To Spokane belongs the credit of opening the first free kindergarten in the state of Washington. And to the Spokane Kindergarten Association is largely due the credit of its system being made a portion of the public school education.
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