W-1896-ILPclub.DOC

To the Members of the Philosophian Club of Oberlin, Kansas.

This is to relate in story form the history, of the origin and organization of the Philosophian Club. In the spring of 1952 the three Charter members met together several times and enjoyed reminiscing over the early years of the Club, and decided then that some sort of history of our Club should be written. We have tried to relate what we consider some of outstanding events and happenings, and to understand the humor, in some instances where humor is intended. We readily admit that perhaps we are a bit personal at time, and have recorded things which have stood out in our minds, whereas, if someone else were doing the recording more important things would come to mind.

We hope that in the future this may be found interesting and perhaps useful.: Mrs. Mike (Violet) Roach; Mrs. Henry (Bess) Beardsley; Mrs. Rell (Ila) Landau (author of this article)

Any organization, regardless of size or purpose, must have a beginning. It was following the close of World War I that the Philosophian Club came into being. If women's small study groups are a means of enlivening the spiritual and cultural growth of the individual members, and the families within their homes, then perhaps the Philosophian Club of Oberlin has played some small part in the advancement of this community. Mrs. Mary Reeves, wife of Dr. Eber Reeves, had a keen interest in anything pertaining to the educational advancement of women or anything that would prove good for her community. Mrs. Reeves noticed the growing number of young married women, many of whom had married veterans upon their service.

There were already three women's study clubs in Oberlin: Monday Evening Club, organized in 1896; Keep Pace Club of which Mrs. Reeves was a member, in 1897; and the J.C.C.Club in 1903. Mrs. Reeves suggested to Mrs. Mike Roach one day that it would be nice for these young women to have a club of their own, and offered her assistance, should they desire in it’s organization. Mrs. Roach mentioned this to a few others, and so it came about that on February 18, 1920, four or five young women met at the home of Mrs. Roach and with the help of Mrs. Reeves, wrote the constitution and bylaws for the new club.

The women present that day were Mrs. Morrison Maddox, Mrs. Wayne Curry, Mrs. Hugh Douglas, perhaps one other, and the hostess. This small group made a list of the names of an even dozen young women, whom they invited to meeting with them the first Tuesday in March. Running alphabetically, Mrs. Henry Beardsley's name came first on the list. The first meeting of the Philosophian Club was held March 2nd 1920 at the home of Mrs. Beardsley, which was at that time 222 South Buffalo. (Presently the Aldaverd Metcalf home.) About five month's later Mr. and Mrs. Rell Landau bought this place from the Beardsley's so for the next ten years many more club meetings were held at this first meeting place.

The list of Charter Members included.-

Mrs. Henry Beardsley

Mrs. Rell Landau

Mrs. Ray Bobbitt

Mrs. Morrison Maddox

Mrs. Wayne Curry

Mrs. Niel Morton

Mrs. Hugh Douglas

Mrs. Burl Muns

Mrs. Wm. Handwerk

Mrs. Harley Riley

Mrs. Chris Jorn

Mrs. Mike Roach

Officers for the Club were elected as follows;

Mrs. Mike Roach, President

Mrs. Morrison Maddox, Vice President

Mrs. Wayne Curry, Secretary-Treasurer

The First Year Book committee consisted of:

Mrs. Henry Beardsley, chairman

Mrs. Rell Landau (who was a bride of two weeks) and

Mrs. Niel Morton

The Purpose: For the development of it's members socially and intellectuall

Motto: "Faithfulness and Sincerity First of All"

Colors: Pink and White

Flower. Pink Carnation

Dues were to be one dollar per year with a plate offering of ten cents at each meeting. Club was to meet alternate Tuesdays at 3 p.m.

The name for the new club was not selected until the second meetings at which time each member presented a name. Burl Muns presented the name Philasophian, meaning seekers, or lovers of wisdom, which was the choice of the group.

The yearbook committee chose "Home Culture" as the theme for the first year's study, and made out a full years program, including the summer months. The books were printed at the Oberlin Herald Office and distributed immediately. Topics chosen were typical of the things nearest and dearest in the minds of the young and very inexperienced homemakers, and included lessons on cooking, cleaning, how to make a bed, how to set the table, table etiquette, etc. Other topics of vital importance were "How to be Beautiful", "Evil-speaking and Controlling the Temper", "Some of the Causes of Desertion of Families by the Husband”, "How can we Best Retain the Affection of the Husband", “The Problem of Children Showing off", “Truth telling and the Problem of Children's Lies", and "Rules for Building a Fire", (we were proud if we owned a shiny coal range or a good looking parlor furnace.)

(Perhaps this should be omitted. However, as a matter of history, and not something we are happy to record, it must be stated that in spite of the above study on family relations, six of the twelve charter members were divorced from their husbands in later years. This probably was due in part to the trend of the times, which usually follow a war. The years following World War I were known as "The Roaring Twenties")

As a diversion from serious study, many afternoons were given over to stunts contests, or perhaps a-spelling bee. At which times our motto was "in whatever you excel, come prepared to do it well; be it music or what not, everyone be on the spot”. ( Each member was expected to perform in whatever was assigned, to her. It might be to sing, whether she could sing or not, or to play the piano. If she could not sing or play, she was asked to give a reading or a story, Then there was always the Columbia or Sonora “Talking Machine”.

The minutes recorded of the first meetings were very brief, and not very specific as to just what did take place. During that first two years particularly, one never knew whether or not the meeting or the program would take place as scheduled .The chances were that there would be at least one substitution for the program, and many times the minutes record nothing more than "a general discussion was held". But there was reason aplenty for the disruptions. At the end of the first year twelve members boasted of nine babies, only one of whom was born before the organization of the club.

As evidence that we gave little thought to parliamentary rules, we note that it was in April of the second year before a motion was recorded in the minutes, For one program "community" singing was printed in the books, when of course group singing was intended.

In the early years debates were a very popular type of program. The first topic tip for debate was "Resolved That Movies were a Benefit to the Public”. Mrs. Beardsley, whose husband was, and still is proprietor of the local Theatre, upheld the negative of the argument. Her speech was so convincing that the judges (club member-s of course) decided in favor of the negative side. Other debate topics were "Resolved, That it is Cheaper to Rent than to Build" and "Resolved That an Untidy, Good natured Mother is Better than a Tidy Ill-natured One". These debates brought forth some lively discussions.

The first party to which the husbands were invited was held at the Morrison Maddox home in June of 1929. Entertainment consisted of old fashioned games and contests. One contest was to see which of the men could hang a given number of clothes upon a clothesline, stretched across the living room, in the shortest length of time.

The club members decided they should have club pins, so an old-fashioned box supper was planned to raise the money to pay for them. This was held at the Beardsley home. The husbands were indeed cooperative. Enough money was raised for them, at $3.50 each, and to buy a few extra ones. This amount seemed an exorbitant amount to pay at the I was hard enough to balance the budget for family expenses. Of course in a short time the club pins went the way of most jewelry – in the old jewel box in the bottom of the dresser drawer.

When the Club was two and one-half years old, (September 22-24, 1922), we had a new and exciting experience that of helping to entertain the Sixth District Federation. Each club member in Oberlin was assessed five dollars to defray expenses. Later, two dollars and sixty two cents of this was refunded. The streets of Oberlin were torn up and cluttered at the time undergoing construction for our first paved streets.

I was one of the babies in top center – and searched for photos of events in Mom’s story. There is an excellent photo somewhere of when they were dressed as bum’s for one of their events. They had a good time, tried to learn and things of worth and in the process developed lifetime bonds. Rell, Mike & Earl lower right were WW I veterans.

The first party for the children was held in December of 1922. Special occasions for the children were planned quite often at Christmas many times children from needy families were remembered with treats and gifts.

The first anniversary party to be held was a dinner given at the Hotel Odell on March 16, 1923. Nine couples were present to celebrate this third anniversary. The following year the anniversary was celebrate with a Valentine Party, and on March 17 the same year the husbands gave the Club a banquet at the hotel.

Not every birthday has been recognized, but Valentine Day, St. Patrick’s Day and April Fool's day have been occasions close to the anniversary date for many parties.

In the first years of the organization special programs were planned for our mothers and mothers-in-law as guests. These were happy occasions as nearly every member could bring her own mother, and perhaps her husband's mother also.

An Outstanding and memorable event which caused much merriment was smock wedding which was "solemnized” with such “solemnity" June 26, 1923 at the home of Mrs. Violet Roach. (Participants and ceremony may be found in the file for that date.)

For five years the membership of the club remained the even dozen, even though the by-laws permitted fifteen, and we rather liked to refer to ourselves as "the faithful twelve". In 1925 the maximum number was raised to twenty and several new members were added at this time.

Partly because it was more economical to bring our own food, and partly because young people love fun and a variety of entertainment, the annual parties for the husbands were hold in the basement dining room of the hotel for several years. There was plenty of hilarity, and gaiety at these affairs, always plenty of food served in unique manners. There were Halloween costume parties tacky or hobo parties and kid parties. The entertainment would usually consist of old favorite games and contest dancing, sometimes square dancing and cards.

Other places where the annual club parties were held were: the second floor of the Theatre building, second floor of the old Lorig building (now Claar’s and Duckwalls), and in more recent years at the shelter- house at the Sappa State Lake, the basement of the Odd Follow building and the new Legion Hall. Two parties, one a Valentine party and the other a chili supper were held in the basement at the home of the Rell Landaus, and a "backwards" party was enjoyed at the Ben Miller home. This was an April Fool's party at which the food was served in reverse order to guests who came with their cloths were worn backward.

In 1925 we adopted the use of a new Collect a very beautiful one although the author was unknown. The sentiment centered around the home, so that R was very appealing to us. We used this Collect for ten years, after which we again using the Collect by Mary Stuart, which had been adopted by the General Federation.

In 1927 the Club tried being "on it's own" and dropped out of Federation. After two years "per capita" dues were paid again and the Club has been a member of the State Federation since that time.

The City Federation of Women's Clubs was first organized in April 1929.

Toward the close of the 1920's the "years of the depression" began. The women's clubs were called upon to cooperate in many community projects. The Philosophian Club always did its part in these activities besides projects undertaken by single club, and as individuals. Many members will remember making huge kettles of soup or cocoa for the grade school lunch room. At Thanksgiving baskets full of food were taken to needy families, and at Christmas food and toys were bought to make some less fortunate children and their parents happy. The clubs all participated in purchasing a radio for a shut-in couples. The Community Chest was set up in the Courthouse in November of 1929, whereby the women's clubs could work with the Welfare worker in collecting and distributing clothing for the needy. Our Club members also assisted at several Children Clinics.

The Philosophian Club sent magazines and books to the Indian students on the Sioux Reservation in North Dakota and boxes of clothing to Indians in other places. We also made some comforters for the Community Chest. Disabled veterans were sent boxes containing gifts and homemade candy at Christmas time. Sometimes gifts were sent to individuals whose names we had obtained from a Veterans Hospital. This was before World War 11. Little did we know how many disabled veterans were to be streaming into the Hospitals.

It was the first of April, 1930, that each member was asked to submit original wording to be sung to a familiar tune of her own choice. April 29 at a regular meeting at the home of Mrs. Rell Landau these new versions were tried out. After the fun of singing all of them, the one submitted by Mrs. Dewey Jackson, a version almost as appealing, we thought, as the original of “A Perfect Day" selected from the number and adopted as our Club Song. A farewell song submitted by Mrs. Rell Landau sung to the melody, Auld Lang Syne, was also chosen to be used as a Club song.

It might be mentioned here that the 1929-1930 year-books were printed for $6.00. In comparison, the 1952 books cost $25.00.

During these years the expenses for a car and two delegates were always paid to assure representation at the District Federation meetings.

An Oberlin girl, Miss Edith Wommack, sponsored in a vocal recital by the City Federation in 1930. Miss Wommack later studied in Germany.

In 1931 the Club found it necessary to raise the annual dues to $2.00.

For the last meeting of the year in May, 1932, the members journeyed to Norton to visit the State Tuberculosis Sanitarium. This turned out to be quite a treat for all as we were also entertained in the home of one of our Charter members. Mrs. Wayne Curry, who was living In Norton at the time. This last-of-the-year program was repeated eighteen years later in 1950. A great expansion had taken place at the Sanitarium in those eighteen years. This time we were entertained again by two former members, Mrs. Elva Maddox and Mrs. Roy Wingfield, at the latter’s home. Mrs. Maddox, a Charter member, had moved to Norton in 1938.

Short plays and farces were quite popular for an afternoon program for a number of years. In fact they were considered appropriate for guest day. Of course those participating actually enjoyed and remembered then more than anyone else in particular was a Thanksgiving play, staged in the basement at the Landau home when Mrs. Mary Jackson mixed & baked a pumpkin pie in the coal range. A good many long remembered the play, "The Grapes Hang High". This one was real fun. At different times the Club members participated in acting as "Mystery Mothers" for the Girl Reserves at the High School, these proved to be very interesting experiences. This "Mystery Pal" or "Peanut Sister, plan has been carried out among the club members also, when we would send gifts or goodies for birthdays, Valentine day, Christmas, etc. We were quite surprised many times when the time cam to reveal the givers, that we had made wrong guesses.

The years of the depression were bad enough, but “when it rains, it pours” and for several years it seemed the clouds held nothing but dust. The middle '30s are known as "the dirty Thirties". Then it was that the clubwomen were called upon to put forth more effort in finding ways to help those in need. Raising money by means of benefit shows and were a regular thing, in building up a shoe fund or a milk fund to supply extra needs of school children, Then it was too that everyone was trying to keep her own morale. Many days the dust was so thick in the air that those returning home from work could not see their own driveways. The younger school children could not find their way home alone.

A farewell party had been planned for Mrs. Roy Wingfield, who was moving to Norton. That day turned out to be one of those days. The hostess, Mrs. Landau well remembers barely having time enough to clear space needed to serve the “potluck” supper. A party was needed occasionally to keep our spirits from nose-diving.

It was in 1934, that the Philosophian Club lost its first, and at this writing in 1952, it's only member by death, in the passing of Mrs. Lloyd Vernon, who was Goldie to us. Goldie's friend and old school chum, Mrs. Grace Blickenstaff Seigenthaler read a poem composed by Mrs. H.Q. Banta in her memory at a regular meeting of the Club.

A movement was started in 1934 to promote the construction of a band shell in the City Park. The Club pledge ten dollars. Later the band shell was built as a P. W. A. project. Previously the Federated clubs had helped to finance the purchase of new band uniforms for the H. S. band. These uniforms, purchased during the year 1932-33 were maroon gabardine with gray trim. The band director at this time was Bert Hostinsky of Manhattan. In January. 1935, it was voted to revise the Constitution By-laws, which had remained unchanged with the exception of a few minor clauses, since the organization in 1920. The president appointed the four remaining charter members, Mrs. Roach, Mrs. Beardsley, Mrs. Landau and Mrs. Maddox as a committee to revise them, The Constitution and by-laws were first printed in the yearbooks for 1935-36. At this time the committee filed the minutes for each year in separate envelopes for easier reference.

About this time Associate membership was voted upon and accepted, This was done to accommodate those who had taken employment, and wished to retain their membership in the Club.

For several years prior to this time attendance had been close to the 100 per cent mark. During this period of unrest, attendance began to lag, so attendance contests were started. At the last meeting of the year the losers would entertain the winners. These "wind-up" parties proved to be the most memorable probably, of all occasions. Each time the losers tried to think of something just a little more novel than the one before. One such occasion was a "gypsy" party when the winners were divided into groups and requested to trail all over town looking for “treasures". Notes were fastened on trees telling them where to go and what to do next. Those looking out of the windows watching the 'gypsies" had as such enjoyment from it as if they had been on the winning side. Another time, the winners of a contest each received in the mail a note instructing them to be at a given place, each one different, at a set time, and to wait there until they were picked up. It was a little embarrassing, or so some thoughts who felt they had too long a wait in a too conspicuous spot on main street. No one's reputation was marred to any great extent however.

back: Tom Thompson, Elden Jacobs, Ben Miller

Arch Hamilton, ____ Henry Beardsly, Wayne Landau, Morrison Madox, Loyd Vernon, Boyd Love, unk, Roy Winffield, Seigenthaler, unk, Rell Landau

Unk, Cloris Thompson, unk, Elva Madox, Bess Beardsly, Edith Love, Ila Landau, unk, unk, Wingfield

Corna Landau, Lola Hamilton, Miller, Goldi Vernon, Jacobs, unk

On the Sixteenth anniversary of the Club, the four charter members entertained the other sixteen members to a luncheon at the home of Mrs. Roach. Mrs. Reeves was also a guest, The guests were seated at the four tables in the order of the year each came into the Club, A short history and an account of some of the humorous happenings in the early years of the organization were given by Mrs. Landau. We recall that our husbands sent us flowers for the occasion. This surprising gesture pleased us very much. Our guests presented us with Sweet pea corsages.

Those in attendance were:

Mrs. Tom Thomsen, Mrs. Wayne Landau, Mrs. Homer Murlin, Mrs. Roy Kiefer, Mrs. Archie Hamilton, Mrs. Bill Fagenberg, Mrs, Lee Kump Mrs. Ward Claar, Mrs. Elden Jacobs, Mrs. Marion Gaumer, Mrs. John Seigonthaler, Mrs. Francis Barclay, Mrs. Boyd Love, Mrs. Jack Bown, Mrs. Ben Miller, Mm. Lester Moody, Mrs. Roach, Mrs. Beardsley, Mrs. Maddox, Mrs. Landau & Mrs. Mary Reeves

(At the time this is being written, another sixteen years have passed, which makes thirty-two years full of memories for us who have been here to enjoy them.)

Another enjoyable occasion was in f 1936 when we went in a group on a tour of the new Sappa State Park, with it’s bran new Shelterhouse, conducted by Mrs, Glenn Gierhart. Since that time good times have been had at the Lake. Including the time all of the members went to cook breakfast.

In the fall of 1937 it was again Oberlin's turn to entertain Sixth District convention. The preceding Fall the City Federation had been revived to make plans. At this time there were still four federated clubs in Oberlin. In the spring the clubs held a Silver Tea at the Presbyterian Church for the Benefit of the Music Talent Fund.

In 1938 twenty dollars was taken from the treasury and was deposited in the Reserve Building and Loan. After World War II, when a fund was being started for a Legion Memorial building, this amount together with the interest accumulated, and enough more to total fifty dollars was given to this fund. At the time it was hoped that this might be a municipal building would include a library. Some of the younger Legionaries did not favor the plan however so as yet the library is still a dream for the future.

The anniversary observance for 1938 was a luncheon served in the old High School building by the Home Economics class after which the group gathered at Mrs. Beardsley's home. A feature of the afternoon entertainment, was the reading of a number of letters of greetings from former members who were living in widely scattered places over the United States.

Another anniversary meeting of special interest was the time each one was asked to wear, as nearly as possible a dress in the fashion of the year in which she became a member. These varied styles proved to be quite contrasting, particularly in length and waistline. A three-tired birthday cake was enjoyed. An event, which we consider one of the more memorable social occasions, was in the evening of Valentinals Day. 1939, when we enjoyed an "old fashioned" supper in the basement of the home of Mrs. Archie Hamilton, We have always regretted that our husbands were not included. The long table was lighted by kerosene lamps; the plates turned upside down over the knives and forks with the spoons in the spoonholder in the center of the table. The food was served in the oldest style serving dishes to be found, and passed up and down the table family style. Home-made bread and home-churned butter along with an abundance of other good food was there to enjoy. For desert, there was a beautiful banana cake served from a lovely stemmed cake plate. The old water pitcher and large "wash bowel” together with the roller towel on the wall, were placed conveniently at, the side of the room. And in the comer just to catch the eye was an old "Chamber". On the afternoon of April 2nd, 1940, the Club sponsored the planting of a tree In the Oberlin City Park. The members went in a body to the Park where Mrs. Kiefer conducted an impressive ceremony suitable to the occasion.

The last meeting in the spring of 1940 was a picnic at the Shelterhouse, with the husbands as guests. The officers for the following year were installed in a very impressive ceremony, which was prepared and conducted by Mrs. Lee Kump. This was the first time an installation service had been hold for the new officers.

In the year 1941, the nominating committee method was begun for the selection and election of officers.

"Pearl Harbor” marked the beginning of a new trend of thought for nearly every individual and group. We soon discontinued serving refreshments at club meetings and instead the hostess put one dollar into a fund to be set aside for war relief projects. Club women were asked to assist at the City Office in the allotment of stamp books for food rationing, which was the most common topic of conversation among the women during that time. Despite the fear that me might be caught dreadfully short we do not believe that anyone suffered to any great extent for the lack of necessary articles. One real concern at times was our dwindling supply of soap which could have presented a problem.

The Study clubs cooperated with the B. P. W, club in preparing and serving lunch for the boys of the county coming in the bus when going to the induction centers. A room was secured and kept open all night for their convenience.

At Club meetings The American Creed was recited In Unison as an added feature of our opening,

A Red Cross room was set up in the old high school building. Here all types of sewing for service men and hospitals were done, including the making and filling of embarkation kits. Several regular club days were given over to sewing at the Red Cross room. Mrs. Henry Beardsley and Mrs. Archie Hamilton, Philosophians, acted as chairman for a time, of the City Sewing room.

Many of our members took a genuine interest in the planting of "Victory gardens". At one meeting a bountiful display of canned vegetables and fruits from these gardens proved the satisfying results of their efforts.

Boxes of home-made cookies were sent to quite a number of boys in service from Decatur County. Letters of appreciation from these boys were always read at the meetings. A time of special interest was the evening when met at the home of Mrs. Tom Thomsen to pack cookies and “goodies" for our “own" sons who were overseas and in the States. Those receiving boxes were Noel Thomsen, Ward Sauvage, Darrell Landau, Lemoin and Vincent Landau, Forest Dale Gierhart, and on for Miss Enid McGee, who was in Nurses Cadet training at St. Luke's hospital in Denver.

A Teenage Kjdhaven was opened in Oberlin, at which the clubwomen and their husbands were asked to act as chaperones.

Individual members did knitting for servicemen, and others worked as nurses' aides at the hospital during the shortage of help. The Club contributed toward the purchase of a Hammond Organ for a Veteran's hospital. We collected from our own members five hundred pounds of good used clothing and shipped it for war relief.

A post-war need was filled in 1945-46, when the clubwomen were instrumental in re-establishing a kindergarten in the grade school. The school had been without a kindergarten for twelve years.

Higher prices for just about everything one bought or did, made it necessary to make an extra assessment in 1947. The annual dues were not charged, but a special assessment of $2.50 per member has been made each year up to this time.

In the spring of 1948, a "farce" was put on at the home of Mrs. Walter McGee. This was an imaginary yearbook “committee” meeting, which might have taken place twenty-five or more years ago, impersonating some of the members who belonged to the club at that time. The husbands of the members being impersonated kindly helped the fun along by secretly selecting a dress from their wife's closet, to be worn during the farce, much to the surprise of the owner. “Baby-sitters" were hardly heard of at that time, consequently much of the conversation at that imaginary meeting was directed to and about the children also at the meeting.

The Philosophian Club members entertained the senior girls In the spring of 1949, in the Little Theatre Room at the high school. This was a lot of fun and enjoyed by both groups.

Through the help of General Federation, names of persons in foreign countries were obtained, and letters written to them by the members of the Club. This was done in the interest of better International Relations. It is not known how many of these letters failed to reach their destination, but the letters received in return were very interesting, and the effort seemed worth while.

For many years the clubwomen of Oberlin have been united in an effort to build up a fund to be used for a City Library building. Each year some special project has been carried out, and the proceeds turned into the Library fund. In 1950 a Halloween masquerade and “box supper” was held in the legion hall. The decorated boxes were “auctioned” off in the usual manner and netted $70 for the fund. The men seemed to thoroughly enjoyed the fun as well as the food. A series of "galloping coffees" among our members was heaps of fun, and netted about $30, which was given to the Library fund.

At the present time, spring, 1952, Oberlin has eight federated clubs, which perhaps is a record among cities of the same size in the State. The Alpha Kappa was organized in 1941; the Cosmopolitan in 1946; Zeta Nu in 1948; Pi Alpha in 1950.

Nearly seven years have passed since the close of World War II, yet no semblance of peace has yet been achieved. When we compare the simple study topics of the first few years, with the world problems which we must strive to understand today we are glad for the opportunity of meeting and learning together, as a Club, and coming to realize that Our nation is our home and our neighbors live just across pond.

Written Mrs. Rell Landau - Spring, 1952.