In January of the centennial year, a number of ladies, at the suggestion of the Mrs. Clara Shipley, uniting in the desire for mutual improvement, met at the residence of Mrs. McRae and decided upon the formation of an organization entitled "The Woman's Club." The significance of the name is apparent, since wherein lies frail woman's power and force, of which the club is an emblem, if not in cultivation of mind. And what fitter weapon for her to wield than her literary ability? This organization, whose watchword is progress, whose aim is self-help, looking to the good of others, and whose results are felt more sensibly as time advances, has proved itself a power in the community. Steadily increasing in interest and popularity, it already, in its sixth year, wields an influence broad and lasting.
The original plan was simply that of a reading club, with social advantages; but it has finally merged into a society of varied literary attainments. At first, rather a desultory course was pursued, then history attracted attention. A six months' course in Roman History, was followed by a longer one of English antecedents, down to colonial times, and the early days of our own government. Selections from the best authors are mingled with essays upon a variety of subjects, and music adds its charm to the enjoyment of the members. Meeting once a fortnight, roll-call is responded to in prose or poetry, grave or gay, as each thinks best.
During the summer of 1876, the society adjourned temporarily, and was called together to take action as to the loss, by death, of one of its members. "In this case, as in many others," says a member of the club, "the destroyer sought a shining mark. Young, gifted, lovely in person and graces of mind, with life brilliant in coloring, she answered the summons--'come up higher;' for she has distanced in all things that excel--the veil concealing the spirit-world alone can reveal!" With a tear to the memory of Mrs. Georgie Willard, and resolutions of respect, the club took up its course of meeting, which have never since been interrupted, summer or winter. No special anniversary was held the first year, but the second was indeed an era in the history of the club. The anniversary meeting was held at the residence of Mrs. William Brotherton, as was also the fourth. The third was held at the residence of Mrs. Dr. Winans, and the fifth at the residence of Mrs. John Jack.
By invitation, the Woman's Club met with the Literary and Scientific Association of Muncie, at their rooms in the public building, in January, 1880. They were courteously allowed to conduct the exercises on that occasion, and "Home Training of Our Youth" was selected as the subject for discussion, and was ably treated. A discussion of the subject of essays or selections has also been a noticeable feature of the exercises at various times; and, as the muse is courted by not a few of its member, poetry forms a part, while the more prosaic minds find ample room for the display of their powers.
The members feel themselves aided in many ways, and find no pleasanter manner of passing an evening, or more profitable way of spending time than at the Woman' Club.
A "Centennial" meeting was held in the centennial year, devoted to the interests of the club. Again, an evening was given to Dickens and his works, another to authors of equal note, and to our American poets, the last noticed being Whittier. Art, in its various forms, has also taken a place, one of the last papers read being on "Italian Art and Artists." commendable in its objects and elevating in its character and associations, the Woman's Club of Muncie has been, from its very inception, a power for good. the following list embraces the names of its charter members: Miss Nellie Smith, Miss Jennie Neely, Miss Minnie Young, Mrs. McCulloch, Mrs. Emma Mont. McRae, Mrs. Millie Ethell, Mrs. Elizabeth Willard, Miss Lizzie Willard, Mrs. J. A. Husted, Mrs. Mary Marsh, Mrs. C. E. Shipley, Mrs. S. A. Bacon, Mrs. Juliette Riley, Mrs. Sallie E. Maddy, Mrs. Mary Sample, Mrs. Orinda Bishop, Mrs. Mary C. Smith, Mrs. Mary F. P. Kirby, Mrs. Florence Brown, Mrs. Lida Ryan, Mrs. Hettie Hodge, Mrs. Hattie Paterson, Mrs. Augusta A. Truit, Mrs. Martha M. Little, Miss Mary E. Little, Miss Maggie E. Burt, Miss Hattie F. McCulloch, Miss Maggie Mellette, Mrs. Ella Mellette, Mrs. Mary A. Little, Mrs. Cornelin Little, Mrs. Ida Harper, Mrs. Ellen Smith, Mrs. Mary Young.
A constitution was adopted at the outstart, the signing of which constituted membership; but, in November, 1878, this constitution was revised and amended, and members are now chosen by ballot, assenting to the constitution and by-laws and paying 50 cents. The first call made was an assessment of 6 cents upon each member, to pay for the book used by the Secretary; the first banquest was also provided for by an assessment of 30 cents upon each member. The present financial basis, however, calls for nothing of this kind, since the treasury is kept well filled by the present membership of thirty-three. A committee on programme, consisting of three ladies elected every three months--arrange the exercises for each meeting. Those on duty, if not present, are notified of what is expected of them.
The first officers of the club were: Miss Nellie Smith, president; Miss Jennie Neely, Vice President; Miss Minnie Young, secretary; Mrs. Carrie McCulloch, Treasurer. the officers for the present year(1881), are: Mrs. Belle Winans, President; Mrs. J. A. Husted, Vice President; Miss Lola A. Truitt, Secretary; Mrs. Mary Marsh, treasurer.
Article II of the constitution of the club best explains its object: "The object of this association shall be to present practical methods for improving the mental, moral and physical condition of society, and to secure, as far as possible, united effort toward the higher civilization of humanity."
THE LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC ASSOCIATION OF MUNCIE.
During the spring of 1878, Dr. T. J. Bowles circulated the following call, which was numerously signed by the business and professional men of Muncie:
"We, the undersigned, hereby agree to enter into an association for mutual improvement in law, theology, medicine, history, literature and science."
In pursuance of this call, the first meeting was held april 23, at Blount & Templer's law office. There were present the following gentleman, who, we might say, constituted the charter membership of the then embryo association, that has since achieved the distinction of being on of the fixed institutions of learning in the city of Muncie: Prof. H. S. McRae, William Lynn, Sr., S. A. Haines, Frank Ellis, L. T. Wilson, George H. Koons, T. J. Blount, C. B. Templer, R. S. Gregory, O. J. Lotz, J. A. Keener, T. F. Rose, Dr. J. B. Summers, Dr. T. J. Bowles, Dr. G. D. Leech, Dr. H. M. Winans, Dr. E. Beckwith, Dr. S. O. Budd, Rev. George W. Blodgett, Charles Alf Williams, A. W. Clancey and L. A. Kirkwood, who entered into a temporary organization with Prof. H. S. McRae in the chair, and T. F. Rose, Secretary. Various plans of organization were discussed, all of which were refered to a committee appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws. That committee consisted of Dr. T. J. Bowles, R. S. Gregory, S. A. Haines, T. J. Blount and E. W. Brady. Prior to May 2, many preliminary meetings were held at various places, looking to a permanent organization, which was affected at the City Council Chamber on that evening, by the adoption of a constitution and by-laws, and by the election of officers. Judge Walter March was chosen President; S. A. Haines, Vice President; W. H. M. Cooper, Secretary; and A. W. Clancy, Treasurer.
Some of the controlling principles and practical workings that have resulted as an outgrowth of the usages and laws of the association, may be briefly summed up as follows:I. Objects: Scientific investigation and promotion of Literary culture.
II. Any person of good moral character, over the age of sixteen years, may, by the payment of $1 and by a majority vote, be admitted to membership.
III. There is an Executive Committee of four, whose duty, among others, is that of separating the membership into classes, A, B, C and D, each class, in the order mentioned, to furnish a programme of such exercises as are deemed best, after which a spontaneous and free discussion is indulged in by all.
IV. The order of business is, 1. Roll call. 2. Reading minutes of previous meeting. 3. Reports. 4. Business. 5. Amendments. 6. Appointment of critics. 7. Regular exercises. 8. Report of critics. 9. Discussion. 10. Adjournment.
V. The officers are elected by ballot and serve six months. The President elect, upon taking his chair of office, delivers an inaugural address. The retiring President, upon vacating his seat, delivers a farewell address or valedictory.On the evening of January 8, 1880, the Woman's Club of Muncie, met by invitation in joint convention with this society, and discussed some of the questions appertaining to social science, to the edification of all present.
This association, like others of a similar character, has failed to secure the good will and friendship of all professed promoters of progress. To some, it partakes too much of religion; to others, too largely of science; to some, not enough of either. Indeed, some, whose cherished opinions and belief have suffered by coming in contact with the relentless argument of others, have irreverently and uncharitably charged infidelity as the prevailing sentiment. Occasions of its adjournment have been seized upon to write and publish its obituary by those whose wish has been father to the thought; but while numerous examples of the instability of all human affairs are constantly passing our notice, the Literary and Scientific Association of Muncie, now upon the threshold of the fourth year of its existence, never gave better promise of continuing to edify all who will attend its meetings, and of wielding an influence for good in the community where it seems to have a permanent lodgment. Its officers for the present term are: William Lynn, Sr., President; L. t. Wilson, Vice President; Charles Alf Williams, Secretary; A. Rothschild, Treasurer.
We here append the titles of some of the papers read during the three years' career of the association: By Dr. T. J. Bowles--"What is Mind;" "Physiology of Life and Death;" "Obvious reasons for Evolution;" "The Nervous System;" Man Before Birth;" "Georgraphical Distribution of Man." By A. Rothschild--"Law;" "Love;" "Science in Eating." By A. C. Silverburg--"Law;" "Spontaneity of American Eloquence." By Dr. William Glenn--"Turko-Russian War;" "Darwinian" (three papers). By A. L. Wilson--"Unseen Forces;" "Observation by the Way;" "Tolerance and Intolerance;" "Artificial Geography;" "The Liquor Traffic;" "Taxation." By O. J. Lots--"The Ottoman Turk;" "Mental Force;" "Right and Wrong;" "Evolution and Religion;" "Ultimate Destiny of the Earth;" "First Traces of Man on Earth;" "Rudiments of Government;" "The Ruling Passion;" "Nationality;" "Functions of Government;" "Moors in Spain." By G. D. Leech--"Poetry and Eloquence;" "Superstition in Therapeutics;" "Circulation of the Blood." By S. A. Haines--"What we Are, and What we Need;" "Monopolies and Taxation;" "The Follies of Modern Times" By G. W. Blodgett--"The Bible." By A. L. Kerwood--"Remembrance of a Presentiment;" "The True Ideal." By Charles Alf Williams--"Capital and Labor." By T. J. Blount--"Legal Effects of Marriage;" "Some People." By C. B. Templer--"Tact;" "Political Parties." By O. M. Tyler--"Patriotism vs. Dishonesty." By Dr. J. B. Summers--"Drowning and Treatment." By R. S. Gregory--"Language." By A. W. Clancy--"Most Useful Knowledge;" "What shall we Teach our Boys?" By Prof. H. S. McRae--"Relativity of Knowledge;" "Relation of Science to Morality;" "Simplification of English spelling." By T. F. Rose--"Mahommet and his Religion;" "Edgar A. Poe." By D. H. H. Shewmaker--"Hard Times;" "The Decline of Intolerance;" "Utility of the Christian Religion;" "The Religions of Asia;" "Prohibition in Maine a Fraud and a Failure." By J. A. Dobson--"The True Idea of Inspiration;" "The Unseen, the Permanent Side of Nature and Life;" "Heroes and Heroism;" "Advances and Aspects of our Social Life;" "The Christ of Humanity;" "Intellectual Culture." By A. G. Carpenter--"Work." By William Lynn, Sr.--"Freedom of Speech;" "Travel;" "Intolerance." By W. March--"Our Association." By L. T. Wilson--"Henry Clay;" "The Relation of the African Race to our Government;" "National School System." By M. Stansberry--"Graves and Graveyards." By Dr. Phinney--"Evoluton from a Geological Standpoint;" "The Earth and its Motions." By G. H. Koons--"Origin and Destiny of Man;" "True and False Relations." bjy E. Glenn--"Luck;" "Influence of Superstition." By A. F. Schemm--"Nationality." By J. W. Ryan--"Two Enemies of our Republic;" "Evils of our School System." By Frank Tyler--"Telegraph Monopoly."
MUNCIE SENATE. A well known social organization in Muncie is the Senate. How That particular name happened to be selected, is scarcely known. It is simply an association of long-time acquaintances and personal friends, for purposes of amusement and recreation. The members meet quite promptly every evening except Sunday, as darkness begins, and close, quite promptly, at 9 o'clock. The amusement is almost invariably a social game of cards, for which no name is given, in which the whole pack is used at every hand dealt out, the trump suit changes at the appearance of every Ace in dealing, every card being exhibited as dealt, and the winner of the game is the loser; that is, he who scores fifteen points first, loses. So wedded are they to this particular game that it has never been changed for another since it was first learned. Among the members, are J. H. Wysor, W. B. Kline, W. Brotherton, A. F. Patterson, G. W. Spilker, C. A. Willard, D. T. Haines, A. J. Claypool, John Long, Frank Ellis, M. C. Smith, John R. Mason, John V. H. Cassady, L. R. Baldwin, C. H. Russey, N. F. Ethell and C. E. Shipley. The meetings commenced in October, 1858, and have been regular since some time in 1865, always being held in the office of Mr. Shipley.
One feature of the association is an annual supper, furnished by each member to his associates on the anniversary of his birth, proving a highly enjoyable occasion for lookers-on as well as themselves.
The present ages of the members range from thirty-four to sixty-two, and the oldest manifests his enjoyment of the amusement of the nightly meetings, and his appreciation of the good things at the annual re-unions, as heartily as the youngest.
By tacit consent, without the adoption of any real regulation, the discussion of political and religious questions likely to excite differences and contention, has alway been avoided. Quarreling is never heard at their meetings. Never a death has occurred among the membership, and sickness sufficient to keep a member away from the "Senate" has seldom invaded their ranks. Wagering has never even been proposed, and nothing has ever been either lost or won at their meetings.
The building in which is their place of meeting, is popularly known as the Senate Block.
The gist and heartiness with which they engage in their evening recreation, the fun and the laugh at the discomfiture of a player, testify to the fact that men advanced in years can yet retain their boyish freshness.
One must meet with them to understand even this brief description. To hear them alluding to each other as the "gentlemen from Berks," or "Wythe," or "Fayette," or "the blue-grass region," or the "Hawks' Nest," in allusion to the county or the locality from which they came, or as the "Trustee," the "Senator," or the "President," will provoke the laughter of a stranger. Good feeling always prevails, and fun is uppermost. (Page 187)