Eleven men wearing Masonic aprons stand together. One is holding a sign saying "Davidson Lodge No. 511." James Howard is on the far left and Ken Norton is the center of the back row.
Street view of the Mecklenburg Hotel
Postcard sent to Miss Cornelia Shaw in Davidson, November 22, 1919, from Robert H. Bennett (Class of 1916). Cornelia Shaw was Davidson College's first full-time librarian (she also served as the college's registrar).
Text of postcard: "Dear Miss Shaw: Some of the young people here have asked me to help them on the "University High School Debate", the subject Destructive Immigration. Could you let me have some material on the affirmative side for a few days. They debate next Wednesday so if you can let me have it will you send it out to me by to-night's mail. If this request is possible I will so appreciate it. With best wishes, R.H. Bennett"
[Page 1] 1902
Eleven members of the Book Club met with Mrs. Black April first. The house-keepers were interested in a report from the president of a model electrical bakery run by Niagara power, with tables arranged to go & return for service, bearing orders from the guests. Every one wished for one of their own. John Richard Green the English historian described in conversation as “vivid as lightning.” Henceforth the Cubans will join with the Mecklenburgians in a in celebrating twentieth of May Declaration of Independence. [Henceforth] The children of Marion Crawford petition to bear their fathers double name as Tom Marion Crawford, Dick Marion Crawford, etc.- as a tribute to his celebrity-xxx. In spite of vigorous efforts our host had been able to obtain little more than an autograph from the authors personally. We were interested to hear that she was a native of Hampton Falls, New Hampshire
[Page 1] Mrs. Harrison’s Minutes
The regular meeting of the Book Club was held January first, 1904, at the home of Mrs. Harrison, ten members being present. The room presented the aspect of a first class China-shop, [unavoidably however] owing to its having been the scene so recently of an unavoidable marriage. The day was a sunshiny winter’s day, the kind North Carolina is so justly proud of. A harbinger let us hope, of the New Year that had just been born! The President being absent, owing to the illness of her small boy, the Vice-President, Mrs. Currie opened the meeting: but at the eleventh hour Mrs. Smith appeared, announcing that she was only able to come since her husband had consented to sit by the little invalid and administer the medicine at short intervals. The Club was much pleased, as it likes to see men in their proper place. The literary items were rather short, the members pleading Christmas engagements as excuse for their delinquencies. Mrs. Currie gave us Current news but we regretted that she took it for granted that we had all read the carefully culled note that lay
[Page 1] March 1st
After being postponed twice, first on account of Junior Speaking and second because of the weather, the club met with Mrs. Dupuy on the first day of March. The weather cer- tainly had mot improved for it was cold with a heavy mist still falling and the streets were almost impassable, but in spite of this seven members were present. We were so glad to get out again that all who were not sick with grippe were there. After being three absent a long time long absences, we were glad to have Mrs. Dupuy and Mrs. Graham with us again also to have Mrs. Haliburton, Miss Graham and Mrs. Lingle. After roll call Mrs. Smith gave four very interesting current events. Some one remarked that as they decreased in quantity they increased in quality. It was true this time at any rate. Her account description of the breaking away of the Colora-
[Page 1] Nov. 10
Friday evening, No. 11th, was appropriated for a concert which many of the ladies were unwilling to miss. So our hostess, not to be thwarted in the enjoyment of our new privilege-a night meeting, moved our date forward a day, & we gathered on Thurs. evening for our first meeting in Miss Holt’s ample parlor. It was none too large by the time we were seated, sixteen strong, with our new members & the two guests, Mrs. Baskerville and Miss Bacon, whom we were pleased to have with us. From the roll-call we learned that Miss Sherwood, so pleasantly known to the Club thro Henry Worthington & Daphne, is ready with a new novel: that Mrs. Alice Hegan Rice, familiarly know as Mrs. Wiggs, is also at work on a new book: that Mark Twain has a short story ready for the holiday sales, & dignified by the title of “A Dog’s Tale”: and that Dr. Jas.P
[Page 1] At the regular meeting of the book club Friday afternoon Feb. 12, 1904 more than the usual members were present. Either the younger members of the families didn’t require mustard plaster or soothing syrup or everyone knew there was plenty of room in Miss Holt’s parlor; or for some other reason eleven members responded to the roll with very interesting items. All were glad to welcome Mrs. Graham back after a long absence from our meetings and also to entertain one guest-Miss Jennings. Current events were omitted for the simple reason no one was appointed to give them; for although all kept up with the Russo-Japanese war; take a peep at Congress occasionally, and know about Panama’s first present
On the evening of April 13th we were invited, by the ladies of the Thursday Book Club, to meet them & a number of other guests, from the town & two colleges, at the home of Mrs. Withers. Quite an elaborate prog musical program had been prepared & was much enjoyed. Following this Miss Craner delighted her listeners with two humorous recitations. Certainly the best was not saved for the last, but the toothsome refreshments served in the tastefully decorated dinning room were in keeping with the preceding gracious hospitality. We would express to the Thursday Club our appreciation of their courtesy & enjoyment of the occasion.
[Page 1] List of Books 1933-34
Mrs. Shewmake-----Presenting Lilly Mars
Mrs. Watts--------The Young Mrs. Meigs
Mrs. Vowles-------Mr. Pete and Co.
Mrs. Cumming------Green Mansions
Miss Douglas------The Irish Beauties
Mrs. Black--------The House of Exile
Mrs. Douglas------Edwin Markham
Mrs. Withers------The Fault of Angels
Miss Thompson-----Miss Bishop
Mrs. Grey---------The Soft Spot
Mrs. Harding------Little Man, What Now
Miss Shaw---------A Goodly Heritage
Mrs. Johnston-----The Pageant
Mrs. Vinson-------The Bright Land
Miss Young--------Broome Stages
Mrs. T. W. Lingle-Dame Care
Mrs. Hamilton-----The Store
Mrs. Richards-----No Second Spring
Mrs. W. L. Lingle-Marie Antoinette
Mrs. Hood---------Old Gimlet Eye
Mrs. Arbuckle-----As the Earth Turns
[Page 1] Feb. 13th
By special arrangement the meeting was with Mrs. Currie instead of Mrs. Harrison as our list shows, As the Secretary had prepared a boastful paragraph in the minutes regarding the regular and full attendance on all the meetings of this series - this meeting was opened with five members absent. After hope had left the few assembled, Mrs. Black and Mrs. Graham arrived, and as a pleasant aftermath Mrs. Smith was announced. So after all, the year’s record is unbroken yet, and we had only two members absent Mrs. Grey and Mrs. Sloan. It was Mrs. Currie’s lot to enlighten us on the subject of Mrs. Edith Wharton and her book the Valley of Decision. Mrs. Wharton is a thorough going New Yorker of Revolutionary Stock and