June 21, 2007

Nevada's Online State News Journal

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[From The History of Nevada, edited by Sam P. Davis, vol. I (1913), pp. 771-775]

Nevada History:

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CHAPTER XLI.

FEDERATED WOMEN'S CLUBS.

In the fall of 1908, the Twentieth Century Club of Reno issued a call for a convention of all the women's clubs of the State for the purpose of forming a State Federation. Four clubs responded, and the organization was perfected with Mrs. Sam Davis, a pioneer club-woman, as president. Under Mrs. Davis' regime the federation joined the General Federation of Womens' Clubs. The growth of the Nevada Federation was slow, as the clubs were few, and each fighting a brave local fight had little time or money for outside work.

In October, 1911, the federation met in Reno and it seemed that the organization must be abandoned, but the delegates from the Woman's Book Club begged that it be continued, and presented the name of Mrs. George West for president, promising that though young, she would be able to pull the organization through and make it worthy of this great State. Mrs. West has proven all that they promised and more. During her term of office the past two years, the Nevada Federation has become recognized as a live organization. It has increased from five to nine clubs, has active departments on education, civics, art, library extension, legislation and conservation.

At the last session of the Legislature the women secured the passage of a bill giving equal rights to the mother as well as the father in the care and custody of the child, and another bill establishing a home for delinquent children at Elko, thus saving many useful citizens to the State. The federation raised $100 toward the General Federation Endowment, and expect to raise $1,000 for a loan-fund to assist girls with their education. One girl has been graduated and there is still a large surplus to the credit of the fund.

The officers for 1913 are: Mrs. George F. West, president, Yerington; Mrs. F. B. Patrick, first vice-president, Reno; Miss Bird M. Wilson, second vice-president, Goldfield; Mrs. C. A. Bovett, recording secretary, Mason; Mrs. D. D. Crowinshield, corresponding secretary, Yerington;

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Mrs. Omer Maris, treasurer, Manhattan; Mrs. Chas. P. Squires, auditor, Las Vegas.

Leisure Hour Club, Carson City.—The Leisure Hour Club is unique, as it is composed of both men and women. Its members comprise the progressive citizens of Carson, and though their work has mainly been along lines of personal development, in the last two years they have taken an interest in civic improvements and town and school affairs. The club is one of the oldest in the State, having been organized in 1897. At present they are erecting a modern club-house and are to be the hostess of the annual meeting of the State Federation in the fall of 1913.

Parents-Teachers Association, Elko.—This, the newest club in the State Federation, is composed of mothers banded together for the interest of education. They study the problems of the school and help solve them. At the same time they are becoming better mothers through their study.

Goldfield Woman's Club, Goldfield.—The Woman's Club was organized by Mrs. Chas. P. Sprague, a woman of considerable force of character, for literary advancement and philanthropy. The club has done much good as a dispenser of clothes and food, and has held interesting meetings. They own one of the prettiest club-houses in the State, and have it nicely furnished. Last fall they were hostess to the State Federation, entertaining the delegates most royally.

Toiyabe Club, Manhattan.—Sixty miles from a railroad, in a little mining settlement, is one of the liveliest clubs in the State. This club started with the purpose of social pleasure and literary study, but has long since outgrown its swaddling clothes, and is in reality a woman's club, doing excellent civic work. They have a charming club-house, a good circulating library, have equipped a playground at the new schoolhouse, and still have time and energy for the social and study side of their natures. Mrs. Omer Maris was the first president.

Woman's Club, Mason.—The town of Mason is only a few years old and among its first efforts was the organization of the women of the new town for the purpose of civic improvement. The club has conducted clean-up days, assisted in the building of an amusement hall, a church, a school, furnished a playground, etc. It has joined the State Federation.

Wadsworth Club, Sparks.—One of the most interesting clubs in the State Federation is the Wadsworth Club of Sparks. This club was organized in 1909 by the wives of the railroad men of Sparks, who had

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formerly lived at Wadsworth. As the object of its organization was to renew "auld acquaintance," is was mainly a social club, but as its members were experienced women, they grew tired of mere social pleasures and began to study and read the poets of the United States. Mrs. J. H. Whited has been president since its organization, but has resigned to go to California. She has been succeeded by Mrs. Chas. George.

The Woman's Book Club, Yerington.—The Woman's Book Club was organized by Mrs. Della Willis Hoppin in the fall of 1907 for the purpose of study and self-culture. Mrs. Hoppin was president for two years and saw the club well launched. It has remained largely a cultural organization, having done much for the development of its members, but is not devoted to civic or philanthropic work. The membership has reached fifty, and the club is pleasantly housed in the old Grammar School building, which the school board kindly gives them for their use. This is the only club in the State individually federated in the General Federation of Women's Clubs.

Mesquite Club, Las Vegas.—This was organized in 1911. The first call for a woman's club was made by Mrs. O. J. Enking, Mrs. David Farnsworth and Mrs. William Penn Bates. The call was general and the response was a large number of ladies meeting at the home of Mrs. O. J. Enking on February 11, 1911. Organization was affected at once, with a membership of twenty ladies as a beginning. The first election gave the following officers as the first executive members of the Mesquite Club: Mrs. James G. Givens, president; Mrs. William Penn Bates, vice-president; Mrs. W. U. Beckley, recording secretary; Mrs. O. D. Hicks, corresponding secretary; Mrs. O. J. Enking, treasurer. The Mesquite Club soon had a membership of forty. It now belongs to the federation. Its first work as a real helper in the community was the planting of the streets of Las Vegas with shade trees. More than two thousand trees were planted in one day through its action and help, its object "A Town Beautiful."

The Twentieth Century Club, was organized June 4, 1894, its object being the association of the women of Reno for purposes of broader cultivation and the promotion of public welfare.

The first officers were: President, Mrs. Walter Mc N. Miller; Vice-President, Mrs. J. N. Evans; Treasurer, Mrs. H. Elizabeth Webster; Secretary, Mrs. John Michael.

There were about forty charter members but the number of names of

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those now belonging to the club is 147. November 24, 1897, the Twentieth Century Club was admitted to the General Federation of Women's Clubs. During the eighteen years of its existence not only the number of members but of its activities have increased. Not only does the Reno Kindergarten, one of the finest on the Pacific Coast, owe its existence to club members, but the well equipped department of Domestic Science and Manual Training, of which the Reno Schools are so proud, owes its origin to the same organization which nine years ago began this work by paying for material and for an instructor. Within the last few years a handsome club-house has been bought, yet social and civil reform have not been neglected. Divided into many departments, that of Philanthropy has been responsible for providing for helpless waifs, educating needy students, and in many ways assisting the helpless and unfortunate.

DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

"MONTEZUMA CHAPTER."

The first chapter of the D. A. R. in Nevada, and so far, the only one, was organized and received its charter, February 12, 1910.

Mrs. Charles Silvey Sprague, who was a member of the Zebulon Pike Chapter of Colorado Springs, was the moving spirit. Mrs. Sprague is a direct descendant of John Alden and Miles Standish, her genealogy running back unbroken to these distinguished characters in Colonial History. Mrs. Sprague had been appointed State Regent of Nevada, by the National Board of the D. A. R. Wishing to spread the influence of this patriotic organization and bring her adopted State—Nevada—which had before been unrepresented, into the National organization, Mrs. Sprague began the forming of a chapter in Goldfield. It was no easy task, to be a member as it is necessary for one to have a complete and authentic genealogy reaching back to some revolutionary patriot of record, and very few ladies of Goldfield were found who have the authentic and verified records necessary. To form a chapter of the D. A. R. it requires not fewer than twelve members, and it took a little over three years of work and research to complete the records of enough persons to form a chapter. The name "Montezuma" was adopted by the chapter because of local historical significance. The following are the minutes of the first meeting, taken from the official records: A chapter of the Daughters of the

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American Revolution was organized at Goldfield, Nevada, February 12, 1910, at the home of the State Regent, Mrs. Charles S. Sprague. The meeting was called to order by the Chapter Regent, Mrs. R. G. Withers. The first business was to vote upon a name; and it was moved and carried unanimously, that the Chapter was to be called, "Montezuma," the Regent then appointed the officers for the ensuing year. Register, Mrs. Christine Dyer Watson; Treasurer, Mrs. Nancy Bingham Seaman; Secretary, Mrs. Mary Dunbar Sweet.

It was moved and carried that the next regular meeting be held on Monday, February 21st at two o'clock at the home of the Regent.

Mrs. Seaman and Mrs. Sprague were appointed a committee to draft By-Laws and a Constitution, submitting them at the next meeting.

Refreshments were served by the hostess, and as the day of our organization was also Lincoln's birthday and that of the oldest daughter of Mrs. Seaman, of the new Chapter "Montezuma,"

          List of the charter members: Mrs. Evelyn M. B. Chandler, Mrs. Elsie Louise Coote, Mrs. Laura B. Dorsey, Miss Mary Richards Gray, Mrs. Ethel Ione Finch, Mrs. Alice Boutille McNaughton, Mrs. Nancy Bingham Seaman, Mrs. Blanche Seaman Brown Sprague, Mrs. Christine Dyer Watson, Mrs. Mary Dunbar Sweet, Mrs. Gretta Hays Withers, Miss Clerimond Withers.

Later the following ladies joined the chapter: Mrs. Camilla N. Bates, Mrs. Louisa D. Hatton, Miss B. M. Wilson, Mrs. Mary E. Harper.

Officers for 1912-13: Miss B. M. Wilson, state regent; Mrs. Blanche Seaman Sprague, chapter regent; Mrs. Louisa D. Hatton, vice-regent; Mrs. Christine D. Watson, registrar and treasurer; Mrs. Camilla N. Bates, secretary.