One detects the odor of lavender and sees in spiritual vision the old lace with which these pages of History have been carefully placed in the archives of the Unity Club, the Pioneer Club of Wichita Falls, Texas.
It is with a feeling of sacred tenderness that we unfold these yellowed leaves of our record books and try to transcribe for future generations the simple history of the first Study Club of this City.
This Pioneer Club had it's first existence in a
Chautauqua Circle, of which some of the Unity Club members were
earlier identified; with the rapid growth of the town, however,
a more specific program was found necessary and again the same
nucleus of membership joined by others desirous of literary
study, organized a Shakespearian Class, which under the
leadership of Mrs. Anna P. Douglas, wife of the Episcopal rector
enjoyed a successful years study of Shakespeare.
In 1896 Mrs. Carrie Joline, to whose efforts the Shakespearian Class was indebted for it's organization, undertook the organization of the Study Club; She with the aid of Mrs. J. A. Kemp, sought assistance from Miss Katherine Joline, a guest in the home at that time.
Mrs. L. T. Miller, the first hostess of the club had an excellent library and with the books and outlines furnished the club by Miss Joline, who as assistant librarian at Princeton University had access to that splendid library, so the Unity Club, the first literary club of Wichita Falls, began to function.
Quite fitting it was, too, that one who gave so much of her time to it's organization should become the first president, with the following list as charter members;
Mrs. Carrie Joline, President, Mrs. J. A. Kemp, Mrs. L. T. Miller, Mrs. S. D. Gorsline, Mrs. J. J. Haigh, Mrs. M. M. B. Darnell, Mrs. C. H. Nicholson, Mrs. Frank T. Daughtry, Mrs. A. Zundelowitz and Mrs. A. H. Carrigan, meetings held every Friday afternoon from three to five o'clock, in the home of Mrs. L. T. Miller, which was then at 908 Burnett street. Mrs. Miller was regular hostess until her death in 1904.
Membership was limited to 21, the object as stated in the
constitution was, "For the mutual improvement of the members in
literature, art, science, and the vital questions of the day.
The Club motto declared the club principals to be, " In
essentials, unity, in nonessentials, liberty, in all things,
charity. The Club flowers and colors evidenced in the pink
carnation. Each meeting was followed by a social half hour, when
a cup of tea was served to the members.
In 1897 Mrs. J. T. Montgomery and Mrs. J. C. Hunt were added to the roll of membership and in 1898 Miss Lulu Hyatt, now Mrs. P. P. Langford and Mrs. W. L. Robertson and Mrs. H. C. Young became members. Mrs. Young our eldest member, is now nearing her 91st birthday and has always been an active member, taking her place on each regular program, as her name appears. We know of no other Study Club in Texas that can boast of a member so perennially Young, who can bring as much joy with such enthusiasm and so great inspiration, as does this our honored member of so many years standing.
In 1906 Mrs. H. B. Patterson and Mrs. C. D. Anderson followed by Mrs.Newton Maer and Mrs. Claude Wood, and Mrs. W. J. Daugherty, joined the Unity Club as active members.
In 1920 Mrs. O. E. Maer, Mrs. Eugene Sherrod, Mrs.Walter M. Priddy, and Mrs. Marvin Smith proved valued additions to the membership.
Other members who at times are active and who continue to be our substantial associate members are; Mrs. J. C. Berney, Mrs. T. B. Greenwood, Mrs. W. S. Langford, Mrs. S. D. Lynch, Mrs. Carter McGregor.
1901 when the New Century Club, the second club of the
city was organized two members of the Unity Club assisted in
it's organization, thereby beginning the extension work which
has characterized this Pioneer Club, through it's many years of
literary activity.
In 1902, the Unity Club, joined the Federation, and two years later, in 1904, the Unity Club joined forces with the New Century Club, and formed a city Federation of Women's Clubs for civic purposes; the officials of the Federation being selected from both clubs. Mrs. A. H. Carrigan was elected president with Mrs. J. T. A. Flemming, vice president, who was later elected treasurer.
One of the important civic improvements at that time was the building of a band stand on the Court-house lawn.
Funds for this enterprise, came through the efforts of the members of the Federation serving food and cold drinks at a picnic across the river. One hundred dollars were made and the desired band-stand served some years as a community center, where concerts were held and the ever present politician found ample space for the culture of his latent vocal chords.
The two clubs later realizing the great need of larger civic
activities than a limited membership could supply, organized a
civic league, which has been one of the most active and
progressive organizations of the city; again from the ranks of
the Unity Club was selected one of its efficient members to take
the leadership and Mrs. J. A. Kemp was selected the first
president; during all of the years that have followed she has
been a most faithful member.
In the fall of 1913, the Unity Club having enjoyed many successful years of study and activity, wished to have other clubs to experience a like privilege; accordingly two of it's members were selected as a committee of Club extension.
In this, much credit came to the Unity Club
through the excellent work of Mrs. H. B. Patterson and Mrs. J.
C. Berney, Mrs. J. A. Kemp and Mrs. S. B. Goreline. Through tho
wisdom and guidance of these women programs were made, courses
of study planned and leadership given to the following study
clubs;
The Delphian Club was organized at the home of Mrs. J. D.
Avis, 1913. In 1914 they had their first year book; with
membership of 18...
They began the Delphian course with one of the two Unity Members attending each meeting ill close of. year. Later this was changed to the Wednesday Study Club.
The Travel Club organized 1913, at the home of Mrs.
Berney.
The Standard Club organized 1913 at the home of Mrs. H.
B. Patterson, selected Shakespearian course.
First Year Book: 1914 Membership: 20
Officers: Pres. Mrs. M. M. Walker
Vice Pres: Mrs. Harrington, Rec. Sec'ty: Miss Laura Bell, Cor
Sec: Eddie Lee Fitzhugh, Treas. Miss Jessie Hickman, Parlia:
Miss Etta Alder, Critic: Miss Irene Rainey, Director: Mrs. H. B.
Patterson
Charter Members:
Miss Alder, Miss Bell, Mrs. Newton Brown, Brawley, Fitzhugh,
Forsythe, Harrington, Heasley, Larkin, Mytenger, Mathis, Stone,
Straus, Walker and Misses Willis, Fos, Hickman, Rainey,
Robertson, Shelton.
The Unity Junior Club Organized: 1921,
in April, at the First Presbyterian Church. U.S.A. corner of
Tenth and Bluff.
Organization completed at Kemp Library, with regular meetings in
fallof 1921.
Officers:
President: Mrs. Alfred Booth, Vice President: Miss Marian Maer.
Rec. Sec: Miss Lelia Bell Anderson, Cor. Sec.: Louise Frieze,
Treas.: Mattie Ruth Corlett
Critic: Mrs. C. I. Francis
Charter Members:
Miss Louise Montgomery, Lelia Bell Anderson, Elizabeth
Patterson, Edith Berney, Marian Maer, Bertha Mae Kemp Booth,
Louise Frieze, Mattie Ruth Corlett, Sibyl Kell, Laura Hall,
Florence Sammons, Agnes Ried, Annette Walsh, Lucille Tancred,
Bernoice Jackson, Thelma Kahn, Mrs. Leslie Stringer, Chas.
Francis, Burton Syayton, J. F. Elbert.
Five daughters of mothers of Unity Club formed a
nucleus for the Unity Junior Club. Lelia Bell Anderson, Louise
Montgomery, Marian Maer, Bertha Mae Kemp Booth, Elizabeth
Patterson.
Today this Club bids air to out rank the Mother Club in many
ways.
The Coterie Club Organized Jan. 1923 by Mrs.
J, A. Kemp, and Mrs. E. B. Gorsline.
Membership: 15 (charter)
Officers: President, Mrs. A. R. Bleakley, Vice President, Mrs.
S. M. Gose, Rec. Sec. Mrs. W. W. Anderson, Cor Sec. Mrs. J. W.
Stone, Treas. Mrs. E. B. Bailey, Parlia. Mrs. Hubert Harrison.
Charter Members:
Mrs. W. W. Anderson, E. B. Bailey, A. P. Bleakley, T. B. Couch,
W. P. Ferguson, J. E. Friley, S. M. Gose,
Hubert Harrison, W. B. Jarrell, A. F. Kemmel, J. W. Stone, R. E.
Strange, J. H. Martin, C. D. Shamberger,
J. L. Waggoner.
In the Language of Mrs. J. C. Verney, "We are
glad our progeny has been filled and increased by some fair
granddaughters."
The Travel Junior 1922 Club a protege of tne Standard
Club.
The Peria, organized under the Wednesday
Study Club, and sponsored by our mutual member Mrs. Berney.
A Club in Home Economics was formed, using extension
course from the University of Texas. This Club was later
abandoned but the other clubs have flourished and have likewise,
formed protege clubs.
This extension work the Unity claims as one of it's greatest
achievements.
In 1925, the Unity Club joing forces with all other clubs of the
city, assisted in the organization of the Woman's Fourm of
Wichita Falls, and again we find the Unity members serving
as officials and members of various committees, and programs of
the Forum.
The beautiful Club House was finished and the
year book of the Form for 1927-28 tells of this great
accomplishment in the final completion of the building.
Five members of the various committees,
Mrs. P. P. Langford, Club House Chairman; Mrs. Carrie Joline,
chairman of finance and insurance; Mrs. J. A. Kemp, chairman of
the courtesy committee; Mrs. H. B. Patterson, and Mrs. Claude
Wood, Members of the program committee. To Mrs. Wood belongs the
credit of completing the organization of the Junior Forum,
having taken over Mrs. Wilgus' work when Mrs. Wilgus moved away
from Wichita Falls. Through Mrs. Wood's efforts, valuable
service has been rendered the young people of the City,
Mrs. G. D. Anderson as director and chairman of affiliated clubs
has been both active and efficient.
In summing up other outstanding work accomplished during the
last 37 years, we find two of the Unity Club Members have been
quite active in the Stats Federation of Women's Clubs. Mrs. P.
P. Langford State Chairman of Club Homes during Mrs. J. U.
Fields' administration, and Mrs. G. D. Anderson, State Chairman
of the Department of Welfare.
Mrs. E. B. Gorsline has .given much of her time to the young
Women's Christian Association, and Mrs. J. A. Kemp to the Day
Nursery. Mrs. A. H. Carrigan helped to organise the American
Legion Auxiliary, and was it's first President.
One of the finest contributions which the city has recievod was
the Kemp Library. This splendid institution was the generous
gift of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Kemp. Since it's presentation to the
city, Mrs. Kemp and Mrs. J. T. Montgomery through loyalty and
patience have acted with, the Public Library Committee until
Wichita Falls has a Library not excelled in the State.
In 1929 and 1930, two Unity Club daughters having been on the
associate member list became active members again. Mrs. Alma
Young Ferguson and Mrs. Anne Carrigan McGregor. In the same year
Luther Hoffman, and Mrs. C. Y. Tully were added to the
membership and the Unity Club is enjoying the enthusiam and
artistic ability of these two capable women.