LADIES' LITERARY CLUB FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY

Miss Mary Francis Hendrick, Normal School faculty member: Rhetoric, Reading, Elocution and English Literature..

Cortland Evening Standard, Thursday, March 14, 1895.

FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY.

LADIES' LITERARY CLUB CELEBRATES THE OCCASION.

Delightful Evening at Mrs. Hendrick's—Amateur Dramatics—Interesting History of the Club.

   The Ladies' Literary club and invited guests met last evening at the home of Mrs. Welland Hendrick, 32 Lincoln-ave. The occasion was a noteworthy one, being the fifteenth anniversary of the founding of the club. Special preparations had been made that the event should be fittingly celebrated and a dainty program in the hand of each lady served as a forecast of the delightful entertainment which occupied the larger part of the evening.

   Miss Sara A. Saunders, president of the club, acted as mistress of ceremonies. Telegrams and notes of congratulation and of regret from absent members were received and mentioned.

   Miss Mary Frances Hendrick, a charter member and one of the original officers of the club, had been most appropriately selected to lend her graceful pen and rich store of personal recollections to the history of the club.

   Mrs. Lydia H. Cheney, the present secretary, gave in an attractive way, a bright vision of the future of the club when it shall have a home and library of its own.

   The chief feature of the program was in the line of dramatics. The "Chronothanatoletron" sounds formidable, but proved to be a most amusing invention of the nineteenth century girl, whereby time and death are annihilated and characters from the past are summoned into the present. With Genius as her aid, the Inventress turned the crank of her machine and there appeared Sarah, wife of Abraham, Cleopatra, Queen Elizabeth and many other noted women who held conversation relating to the times in which they lived.  The costumes were marvelous in creation and the parts were exceedingly well sustained.

   The cast of characters was as follows:

   The Inventress, Miss Marguerite Force.

   Genius of the Ninteenth Century, Mrs. Kate P. Sornberger.

   Sarah, Wife of Abraham, Miss Editha Stephens.

   Cornelia, the Roman Matron, Mrs. Lilian C. Jayne.

   Cleopatra, Miss Clara E. Booth.

   Queen Elizabeth. Miss S. Minerva Adams.

   Mother Bickerdick, Mrs. M. M. Watrous.

   Saint Cecilia, Miss Carrie D. Halbert.

   Agnesi of Bologna, Miss A. Cornelia Adams.

   Hypatia, Miss Clara J. Robinson.

   Pocahontas, Mrs. Grace Walrad.

   Joan of Arc, Miss Sarah A. Saunders.

   Martha Washington, Mrs. Mary F. Henry.

   Priscilla, Mrs. Clara H. Banta.

   The history of the club, written by Miss Hendrick, is so interesting and is so much a matter of record of one of the well known organizations of Cortland that we publish it entire:

   Again it is my privilege and pleasure to place in panoramic review the doings of this club. To tell of the growth and prosperity of its short life, to call attention to causes with their attendant effects, and show good reasons for its right to be; to prove from its records that it is progressive, and that it is worthy of all the loyalty given it by its members, and that they are better fitted for life's daily duties by its semi-monthly meetings in having an opportunity to drop out of mind for a time its perplexing cares.

   For the benefit of our more recent members and our guests, I will give a brief history of its evolution, calling attention to only the salient features, as otherwise we might infringe upon the time and good nature of those who are waiting "in learned sock" to make their appearance on ''the well trod stage anon."

   The Ladies' Literary club of Cortland was an outgrowth of a Book club organized two years previously. A half dozen ladies especially interested in the study of literature called a preliminary meeting of all the Book club members who wished to study literature and authors in a systematic and regular manner. Ten ladies responded and the first meeting was held at the home of Mrs. Wm. P. Randall, March 24, 1880, for the purpose of organizing a club. Mrs. Jennie Crandall was made chairman, and the following permanent officers were elected:

   President—Mary F. Hendrick.

   Vice-Presidents—Mrs. Jennie Crandall, Mrs. Mary B. Stowell.

   Secretary—Miss Editha Stephens.

   Treasurer—Mrs. L. K. Shankland.

   Mrs. Crandall, Mrs. Stowell, and Miss Ella Hubbard (now Mrs. Apgar) were appointed a committee to draft a constitution and bylaws.

   From that date to the present, March 13, 1895, the meetings have been held regularly with scarcely an exception. So well and so wisely was the original work done, that the constitution and the by-laws have remained essentially unchanged during the fifteen years of the club's existence.

   The number of members was very wisely limited to thirty, as few parlors can furnish pleasant and convenient accommodation for a larger number. Of the charter members only five remain, while ninety different names are enrolled upon its list. Among the whole number seven have passed to the better land. Our memories revert with pride and pleasure to the time when Mrs. Mary Collins was our president, adding by her bright intellect and sparkling wit, pleasure as well as great profit to our meetings. Many of us recall vividly Mrs. Arnold with her quiet but earnest manner, always ready even when in failing health to do her part in club work. Of both these ladies, we can say that by their interest in the work and the use of their gifts for its benefit, they have won the right to be missed.

   The first year was a test of the earnestness of its members. To appreciate the progress made we have only to contrast the present with the past. The first gatherings were characterized by embarrassed manner, faltering tongue, and trembling voice, as each did the part assigned by the committee. Very little original work was done for the first six months. Select readings, recitations, discussions occupied the time, and the range of authors was wide—from Holmes to Chaucer. Shakespeare suggested the classic haunts and we were audacious enough to summon from the shades Sophocles in the person of "Antigone."

   Miracle plays and the moralities made us familiar with the early history of the English drama. We touched with extremist flounce the whole range of literature, laying under tribute magazine and review, poem and drama. We corresponded with living authors and in this way kindled anew the fire of enthusiasm.  Although as we recall the beginning, we see that the work was, much of it, very superficial, yet we were storing up impulses that would later force us to fuller and more critical work.

   In the second year of the club, Prof. Hiram Corson of Cornell university gave us two courses of lectures and readings; and Prof. Locke Richardson eight Shakespearian recitals, all of which were delightful and instructive.

   Each quarter's work closes with an entertainment of some kind, of which this evening is a fair sample These have been varied, though nearly always associated with the work done and forming a climax to it. It might be a little obscure to the ordinary observer sometimes to trace this relation, but it can be done, if generously interpreted. The committees have exercised a commendable degree of skill and discrimination in finding in what particular line the talents of the individual members, and have lost no opportunity in developing latent power, whether it be in song, poem or novel, and no member has forgotten her solemn pledge to do whatever she may be called upon to do, irrespective of personal pride or want of talent.

   We hardly appreciate the amount and variety of gifts found in our little circle until we review the secretaries' reports for the past fifteen years. If there is any department of culture they have not attempted, I have failed to find it. Some of the members excel in original investigation; others have "the poet's eye in the frenzy rolling," while art is utilized in furnishing souvenir gifts to those who are apt in guessing riddles. Music, both vocal and instrumental, is the rare gift of several, while others by wise application of parliamentary usage guide us safely through many a rocky and tortuous channel. The present management, to use a commercial expression, excels in this feature. There are many fine critics in orthoepy, who look sharply after the "munts," "ture's," "grams" and "nesses." They are particularly distinguished for their adherence to duty and Webster, never failing to repeat nearly the same set of errors as many times as there are seasons in the year.

   But by far the most marked talent is the dramatic. It is a noticeable fact that the club are fond of "shows" of various kinds and seem to have the barbaric taste of the aborigines of their native land in their love of decoration—beads, gauds of various kinds and love of color are prominent features. The dramatic members show great skill in the power of adaptation as they can artfully portray anything from Shakespeare and Mrs. Stowe down to the unknown author. No personage, however remote in history or queenly in character, but it is at once materialized for the benefit of the entertained.

   As the years have passed, a large amount of work has been achieved. The special committees have been untiring in their efforts to arrange the subjects in such a manner as to combine the instructive with the agreeable, and the members have come to feel that it is a pleasure instead of a task to do the work assigned them.

   The years of 1891 and 1892 were spent in studying history, geography, manners and customs, art and literature of foreign countries, illustrated with an occasional stereopticon evening, or a professional lecture, while 1893 was given to preparation for the proper enjoyment and appreciation of the great gathering of the nations at the World's Fair.

   During 1894 and 1895 special study has been given to American authors—and they may be counted in among the most valuable of all the work done. Some eight of our number have been abroad since the inception of this club, and have returned ready to give to those of us left behind such scenes as they particularly enjoyed. I recall one charming afternoon, when one of our number just fresh from the Swiss mountains gave us a graphic picture of the Passion Play at Oberamergau.

   We do not exclude the social element. Once a year the president lays aside the gavel, forgets the dignity of her official position, and gives us an afternoon in which we do up the visiting for the year, or are amused and entertained as she sees fit. These are called "president's days," and in the words of the ever joyous Shakespeare, "It is very reverend sport truly; and done in the testimony of a good conscience."

   This club has some features that are interesting when placed in the form of statistics. Much time has been spent in collecting the few given here. We wish our historical report to be correct in all the data usually given in reports of clubs of various kinds that we may thus keep in touch with the times. Its working force and honorary members number thirty-four. They represent busy women. So far as they can recall, twenty-five are or have been some time associated with the teaching profession, (a fact of great moment.) The remaining nine are home-keepers, or ladies of leisure. Twelve are unmarried, which is proof conclusive of independence of character. The youngest member is not much past her majority.  The oldest—well, none we presume are over 40, though on this point we are not certain that our statistics are perfectly accurate. As to their political affiliations, six are thought to pin their political faith on the Democrats, while the rest are representative Republicans. So far as these ladies are to be considered, the state need not fear to give them the unrestricted ballot, as their patriotism and loyalty to the right is unquestioned. The average height is five feet, four inches; average weight [125] pounds. This varies from the traditional witch's weight to its double. Of the religious denominations represented six are Baptists, four Methodists, three Episcopalians, two Congregationalists, two Universalists, one Independent and fifteen Presbyterians.

   The popularity of this function is evidenced by the fact that the ranks are always full. Ten have withdrawn and returned and there is always a waiting list.

   If there are any present this evening as guests, we hope that this array of facts will stimulate them at once to take an inventory of their mental and physical abilities and if convinced that they can do honor to this august body, that they will make their desires known, and have their names added to the list of candidates.

   We have no citizens' ticket to offer, but shall go on in the same old conservative way, feeling at the end of our decade and a half that we have only begun our work. We have, like the youth who has reached his freshman year in college, a feeling of self-satisfaction. But when he meets the learned professors, he realizes that he is only at the beginning of all there is to be learned. So do we when we confront the great array of authors, but we will go on with our work, feeling that life is too short to do more than glance at this mighty accumulation of thought, but we will glorify the club, if though "The increasing prospect tires our straining eyes, hills peep o'er hills, and Alps on Alps arise."

Died in Florida.

   Word was this afternoon received in Cortland of the death yesterday from pneumonia at her home in Jacksonville, Fla., of Mrs. W. P. Sumner, daughter of Mrs. Angeline Woodward of Cortland. The remains are expected to arrive in Cortland Friday for burial.

DR. HIGGINS INTERVIEWED.

What the New Administration Proposes to Do.

   In answer to the question from a STANDARD reporter as to his plans, Village President F. W. Higgins said:

   The community have expressed very plainly what they wish done and, we expect, will support the president and trustees in carrying out their will. Even the liquor people themselves, many of them, recognize that the flagrant violation of all law cannot be allowed. We intend to look after violations of excise law in just the same manner as in caring for any other business of the village.

   "Will you make any changes in the police force?" asked the reporter.

   "We do not propose to make any changes," replied Dr. Higgins, "in appointments for the sake of change but only for bettering the public service if it should be found necessary. We don't propose to do anything rash, illegal or ill-advised. We propose to have less open saloons on Sunday, less selling to children and in private houses in open violation of the law. We propose to live within the law ourselves and expect those who have been in the saloon business will do the same, and we expect that now public sentiment has shown itself so strongly most of these places will shut up of their own accord."

His Bank Balance Attached.

   The New York Tribune of Tuesday contained the following:

   Deputy Sheriff Butler yesterday received an attachment for $7,682, against Fitz Boynton of Cortland, N. Y., in favor of the Second National bank of Cortland on three notes made by him in February. The attachment was granted on the alleged ground that he had departed from the state to defraud his creditors. The sheriff served the attachment on the National bank of the Republic, where, it was said, Mr. Boynton has a balance to his credit. Mr. Boynton was until recently president of the Second National bank of Cortland.

   A STANDARD reporter made inquiry here in Cortland in regard to the above and learned that Mr. Boynton had borrowed $5,000 of the National bank of the Republic in New York City, putting up with that bank as collateral security certain stock in the Cortland Water Works Co. and certain stock of the Second National bank of Cortland. Since Mr. Boynton's departure this stock has been sold by the New York bank to realize the amount of the indebtedness and a surplus of $800 remained over the debt, which was placed to Mr. Boynton's credit. It was this surplus which was attached by the Second National bank.

BREVITIES.

   —The Cleopatra company passed through town this morning on their way from Ithaca to Syracuse.

   —The Alpha C. L. S. C. will meet with Mrs. G. H. Squires, 7 Homer-ave., Monday evening, March 18.

   —Mr. Clayton Howard of Cortland expects to open a bakery in part of the old K. of P. hall.—Dryden Herald.

   —Mr. J. K. Parker and son, Mr. L F. Parker, will open a barber shop within a few days at Burrows & Webster's old stand on Railroad-st.

   —A special meeting of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick will be held this evening in the C. M. B. A. rooms at 8 o'clock. All members are requested to make it a point to attend.

   —The following newly-elected officers had qualified to-day up to the time of our going to press: F. W. Higgins, B. L. Webb, J. J. Glann, Ira Hatfield, C. W. Collins, W. S. Hoxie, J. A. Jayne and F. D. Smith.

   — A two weeks' mission will open Sunday, March 24 in St. Mary's church. It will be conducted by the Vincentian fathers. The first week will be given to the spiritual care of women and the second week to men.

   —Regular meeting of the W. C. T. U. will be held at their headquarters on Saturday afternoon, March 16, at 2:30 o'clock. Consecration service will be conducted by Miss Libbie Robertson. The program for the hour will be in charge of the chairman of finance committee.

   —We now have on hand for sale at the STANDARD office quite a number of the woman's papers which have been returned to be sold again by parties who originally took more than they cared for and who returned them in response to the call sent out for them. If any one cares for more copies, they can now be obtained at this office.

   —The Elmira Advertiser is the next to issue a woman's edition. It will appear April 13 and will consist of twenty-four pages. The edition will consist of fifty thousand copies. The profits of the enterprise will be used to complete the auditorium of the new Y. M. C. A. building, which will be the gift of the women of Elmira to that worthy institution.

   —The Cortland Cart and Carriage Co. has established its office in the Second National bank building. The door of the office is not numbered, but it is the last room at the left of the hall on the second floor. While the matter is not yet definitely settled the present indications are that the company will be able to resume business at an early date, and the prospects for this look brighter with each day that passes.

   —The violet is the favorite and fashionable flower this season. The Elmira  Advertiser says, "To pass a fashionable woman on the street these days who does not display on her coat or in her hat a bunch of violets is an unheard of occurrence. Violets, the artificial, and violets the real, are not competitors in any sense of the word and serve but to show with additional emphasis the merits of each other. Yes, this is the season of violets and they hold sway with a complete mastery. On the streets and at the church, the theatre and at the numerous sub rosa Lenten entertainments, their faint and delicate odor is evidence of their presence.

   —The Cortland Forging Co. yesterday afternoon answered a telephone call in their office to receive an order for two carloads of goods to be shipped within ten days. The order came from a point thirteen hundred miles away, and the voice of the head of the company placing the order, who is personally well known to the officers of the Cortland company, was distinctly recognized and his words were said to be as plainly understood as though he was in the same room with the listener talking in an ordinary tone of voice. The conversation lasted about eight minutes and cost about a dollar a minute, but it was a very satisfactory way of doing business. Wonderful are the modern inventions.