-
Minutes 17 March 1905
[Page 1] March 17 -
Our hostess on March 17th was Mrs. Dupuy. Seven a’s were put down opposite the roll, an unusual number but four visitors kept our ranks from looking thin. Mrs. Currie made mention of a recently published & complete collection of Swinburne’s poems. Our ignorance of Jas. F. Rhodes was uncovered by a mention of his history of the U.S. on which he is working. He is called our greatest living historian. The king of Siam’s custom of mating off each year the old maid of his realm with the inmates of the prisons who thus exchange one servitude for another – let us hope not worse - has influenced our Missionary member to postpone her departure until she has decided which suitor may accompany her. A Pittsburg millionaire has given one million dollars to New York City - its interest
-
Minutes 3 March 1905
[Page 1] March 3, 1905.
The Club was called to order in Mrs. Currie’s parlor on Friday afternoon Mar. 3. The festivities of Junior speaking were in full blast but had no power to diminish our usual good attendance. The charm of our club there is none to dispute & the by-law which declares that “any member absent for three consecutive meetings without good excuse shall be dropped from the roll,” is merely an ornamental appendage. The mention of a A “Rose O’ the River” by Kate Douglas Wiggins awakened pleasant anticipations. Her girls are always wholesome, charming, genuine. Rose will doubtless be worthy of a place by Penelope and Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm. We are eager to know more of “The Marriage of William Ashe,” newly published. Carnegie’s generous offers of $500,000.00 to the Univ. of Va. is a cause of rejoicing to not to Va. alone but to the
-
Minutes 17 February 1905
[Page 1] The Book Club met with Mrs. Black on Friday aft. Feb. 17th. Ten members were present in spite of the swelling snow & ice which made walking so disagreeable. In the absence of our regular Sec., Mrs. Smith, the minutes of the last meeting were read by Miss Dupuy. Nearly all of the members present responded to Roll-call with items of interest. We were told that Napoleon Bonaparte’s old home at St. Helena is now used as a barn. An electric R.R. has been completed to the top of Mt. Vesuvius. After having recently spent an eve. in the study of the short story it was interesting to learn that Collier’s Weekly has offered some time ago prizes for three best short stories. 12,000 stories were sent in & the judges had a great deal of trouble deciding to whom the prizes rightfully belonged. The 1st prize of $5000 was awarded to Roland Thomas; the second, $2000 to Margaret Deland, & the third, $1000 to Raymond Alden. The current events were given by Mrs. Price. Among other things we learned that the Cuban Government
-
Minutes 4 February 1905
[Page 1] February 4th found many of the ladies of our Club who are never behind in matters of hospitality entertaining members of the Grippe family and while it is an unwritten law that visiting friends are always cordially welcomed at our meetings, for some reason not one of this well known connection was present. Miss Thompson’s meeting is always a popular one so when a windy snow storm on Friday gave promise of continuing thro the night, a movement was promptly put on foot among the ladies to have the pleasure postponed until Sat. afternoon. But matters under foot did not improve as much as we hoped, so only a lucky seven gathered at the appointed hour - the young eleventh who were not daunted by anything so harmless as snow. Mrs. Sloan, Mrs. Price, Miss Holt, Miss Neel, Miss Dupuy & our hostess, with
-
Minutes 6 January 1905
[Page 1] January sixth, 1905
The first meeting of the New Year fell on a stormy afternoon, fortunately afternoon, but the attendance bespeaks the interest & enthusiasm of the Club. For even under such unfavorable conditions & with two members out of town & two more in error as to the time of meeting, there were eight who answered to roll call, and one ever welcome guest, Miss. Addie Herron, formerly one of our charter members. We were gratified that our newly elected member, Miss Lois Neel should have braved the wind & weather to attend her first meeting; & we all felt, if we did not express, the pleasure of having Miss Thompson back in her accustomed place. From the “items” we learned that Chas. Wagner has gone home to France with an American D.D. The author of “The Simple Life” is more impressive we think, without this so often empty
-
Minutes 9 December 1904
[Page 1] On Friday, Dec. 9th we gathered for the first time this year on the date designated in our Club Calendar. The threatening skies & occasional raindrops caused us some apprehension as we sped on thro the darkness, but the bright fire & hospitable welcome awaiting us in Mrs. Grey’s parlor speedily put to flight all thought of a possible wetting later. The roll call elicited more general responses than usual with items instructive & amusing. We regret that several of them are lost to the minutes record because the secretary’s too meager notes did not prove to be the “open sesame” she expected when the time came to interpret them. Mrs. Harrison called our attention to an ancient & very valuable volume in the college library, presented to it years ago by Mrs. McPhail, and
-
Minutes 29 November 1904
[Page 1] November 29.
For good & sufficient reasons, needless to enumerate, the meeting due on Nov. 25th, was omitted for the present. On the Tuesday following, Mrs. Harrison & Miss May Williams having the same book in their respected clubs, joined forces & gave to the united clubs a delightful meeting. Very few members of either were absent, several guests added pleasure to the occasion & the ladies filled cozily Mrs. Harrison’s bright parlor. The double roll call was long, as were the dual minutes, and the items of interest too numerous to mention, save one – a belated autograph letter from Chas. Wagner which Miss Holt had received, expressing appreciation of the club’s interest in him & his book. The meeting then passed into the hands of our hostess. The book claiming our attention was
-
Minutes 10 November 1904
[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
-
Minutes 26 October 1904
[Page 1] Minutes of Book Club
1904-5
The task of selecting our books seemed more than usually difficult this year. Three business meetings were held, & at last weary of the search for attractive books, the ladies turned the thankless job over to a committee who finally completed the list. In electing new officers the club wisely & promptly chose Miss Holt for Pres. And Miss Withers for V. Pres. It was decided best not to repeat last year’s experiment in the secretaryship, but to elect a permanent officer. This decision, quickly made was not so speedily executed. No one was willing to assume these duties. The office was shuttlecocked back & forth, twice refused outright, which unconstitutional proceeding was only allowed o new members, & finally rested on Mrs. Smith’s unhappy shoulders. It is evidently high time some special priv
-
Minutes 28 March 1904
[Page 1] Just across the street from the home in which we were meeting March 28th, a ball game was to be played; and if anyone, not a member of our Club, could have heard and not seen us they might have though ours s club of college girls, from the interest shown in the hour that the game was to be called. We were meeting an hour earlier than usual on that account. The day, too, was not Friday but Monday. Mrs. Sloan thought by taking a trip to N.Y., just at the time for her meeting, that hers would be omitted; but we wouldn’t let her off; we would have it and have it we did, much against her wishes! We understood when the meeting was over that all Mrs. Sloan had said, about lack of preparation, was said that she might surprise us with the good things she had in store. Of the items given at roll call we were especially interested in what Mrs. Graham told us of two paintings
-
Minutes 29 February 1904
[Page 1] Our last meeting in February was called to order in Mrs. Martin’s hospitable parlor on Monday, the extra day of this leap year, the preceding Friday; our regular day, having been so inclement as to make a postponement advisable. Only eight members were present, tho our depleted ranks were most pleas antly filled by four guests, we still felt the loss of the absentees. The greatest gap was made by the absence of the secretar &; consequent lack of any minutes of the preceding meeting. Notwithstanding this loss & the Unavoidable omission of several other numbers on the program, our hostess proceeded as usual in making her meeting a delightful one. The unaccustomed secretary was
-
Minutes 12 February 1904
[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
-
Minutes 29 January 1904
[Page 1] Treading along on the beautiful snow members of the “Ladies Book Club” wended their way on Jan 29th, 1904 to the pleasant home of Mrs. Dupuy. The “minute member” being absent our hostess was called upon to read the minutes which added much to the pleasure of the occasion. The items of interest though not many for lack of members were none the less important and instructive. An item of great interest of us all was given by Mrs. Dupuy in which she spoke of “Dr. C. Alphonso Smith-of the English department of the University having added another service to the Commonwealth by his masterly defense of the expression “You all,” he says King Alfred used to say “You all” to people as far back as 901, and that Shakespeare and Col. Carter of Cartersville had the same idea in mind when they used the expression which is perfectly good English accord-
-
Minutes 15 January 1904
[Page 1] Only six regular members responded to the roll on Friday the 15th Jan. at the house of Miss Hattie Thompson. Sickness in the various families caused the absence of so many members. Mrs. Dupuy and Mrs. Grey were most pleasantly represented by Miss Lavalette Dupuy and Miss Wharey. We can scarcely say we numbered six for Mrs. Harrison gave us only a few minutes of her enlivening presence and there hastened home to apply mutton suet, administer cold tablets and such remedies to the youngest member of the family. However, she tarried long enough to read us the most entertaining and altogether charming minutes that it has been the good fortune of the Club to hear since she was its Secretary. The items furnished interest from many points of view
-
Minutes 1 January 1904
[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
-
Minutes 18 December 1903
[Page 1] hostess Dec. 18th. Christmas preparations cut our number down to nine members. It was indeed, a pleasure to have Mrs. Lingle as our guest. The items in response to the roll-call were interesting and varied. The appointment of Dr. Edward Everett Hale as Chaplain of the Senate came near precipitating a theological discussion. New books by F. Hopkinson Smith and Myrtle Reed were noted. Mrs. Strohecker gave us an example of how fleeting worldly power and position is; as shown, by an incident, in the life of the Empress Eugenie. The death of Herbert Spencer, at the age of eighty-three, was mentioned. It was Mrs. Black’s duty to gather “current events,” and to
-
Minutes 4 December 1903
[Page 1] December 4th 1903 -
On Friday afternoon Dec. 4th the club met with a warm recaption in Mrs. Black’s spacious parlor. There were only eight members present but we had the pleasure of having one visitor. At a quarter to four, the President called the meeting to order by asking Mrs. Dupuy, the Secretary for the aft., to call the roll. As the ladies responded with their items it was noted that Winston Churchill’s new book “The Crossing” is attracting a good deal of attention, also a book gotten out of by Julian Hawthorne entitled “Hawthorne and his Friends.” It has been suggested that there is a place in the newspaper world for a reliable Daily to the published in New York, giving the news in a condensed form for the benefit of busy men
-
Minutes 20 November 1903
[Page 1] November 20th 1903
The big fire was a welcome sight as the ladies drew up in Mrs. Grey’s parlor that cold November twentieth. Three visitors kindly swelled our number to eleven, for there were five absentees. So many books not brought in raised a question of enforcing the fine for that neglect, and the president was waxing warm on the subject; but milder counsels prevailed and a warning was uttered that the next delinquent should pay for the new blank book. There were ten or fifteen minute of chatter before the members all gathered, and the hour of the meeting, quarter to four, was emphasized. Fortunately Mrs. Currie had her glasses and was able to read her minutes carefully and thoughtfully prepared. The death of several authors was noted; Gilmore and Merriman among the number. Some of the ladies felt a little spiteful recalling the low and vicious type of female character portrayed in “The Sowers” and others of Merriman’s books.
-
Minutes 9 November 1903
[Page 1] Nov. 9, 1903
The first regular meeting of the club was called to order at 4 pm at the home of Mrs. Smith the president. It was Mrs. Black’s prerogative to call the roll being Sec. pro tem. Nine ladies responded to the roll call with items of interest. The absence of four members was noted with regret. By way of refreshing the memory of the club Mrs. Martin was requested to read the constitution and by-laws. Mrs. Smith told of the gifted author Mrs. Humphrey Ward, who had achieved the crowning success of her career in Lady Roses’ Daughter one of the most popular books of the day, and the subject of discussion for the afternoon. Mrs. Ward is the grand-daughter of the famous Dr. Arnold of Rugby; and a niece of Mathew Arnold. She was reared in an atmosphere of
-
Minutes 2 October 1903
[Page 1] 1903-1904
The Woman’s Book Club of Davidson was called together the first Friday in Oct. by the retiring Pres., Miss Thompson, for the purpose of selecting books and electing officers for the coming year. By unanimous vote Mrs. Smith was chosen President, Mrs. Currie Vice Pres., and the office of Sec. heretofore having been looked upon so such a burden for one member to bear alone, it was proposed by Mrs. Martin that the honor and burden of the office be shared by the members alike each taking her turn, The proposition met with the hearty approval of the Club-so it falls to the lot of the one so unfortunate as to be the first on the roll, alphabetically, to start the venture, The list of books to select from was not so voluminous as that of the previous year. Authors
-
Minutes 27 March 1903
[Page 1] March 27th
Every member responded to the roll call 27th of March at the house of Mrs. Sloan. This meeting had been anticipated with much interest and pleasure as its subject was Jacob A Riis and his book the Making of an American. Mrs. Sloan having just returned from N.Y. where she visited and investigated the scenes of Mr. Riis early struggles and subsequent improvement, (reforms), could speak with refreshing interest of the work he has done around the region of Mulberry Bend. Jacob Augustus Riis was born in Ribe, Denmark a delightfully quaint old Dutch town. From his earliest youth he seemed possessed with a zeal for reform. His first
-
Minutes 13 March 1903
[Page 1] March 13th
The meeting was called to order with only 9 members present the smallest meeting of the year. Mrs. Martin as hostess had the responsibility of introducing Myrtle Reed author of the Spinster Book, one of the most popular books of the series. A delightfully personal and witty letter from Miss Reed was her introduction to the Club. She says she was born and raised in Chicago and lives with her parents, writing as the material demands expression and as Putnam Bros (publisher) demand a new book. She confesses to 28 years of age, and an interesting engagement to be married. An absorbing interest in table linen and cook books, and altogether we conceive her to be a very womanly woman, who is not spoiled by the popularity &
-
Minutes 28 February 1903
[Page 1] Feb 28th
For the second time in this series, a deluging and persistent rain prevented the assembly of the club members in the date appointed. The disappointment on Friday made keener the pleasure of meeting with Miss Julia Holt on Saturday the 28th. – For the first time this year, all the members were present. After hearing a pleasant round of items the President put the meeting in the hands of Miss Holt, who announced Frank Norris and his hook the Octopus, as the subject of the evening. Mrs. Graham first gave an outline if Frank Norris’s brief career. Born in Chicago, at an early age he moved to San
-
Minutes 13 February 1903
[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
-
Minutes 30 January 1903
[Page 1] January 30 -
At no meeting in this series have all the members been present-the roll shows one absent each time and not more than two absent from any meeting. Mrs. Black was the absentee Jan. 30th when we met with Mrs. Grey. As the items were called for it because evident that the death of Julian Ralph of the N.Y. Sun was considered the most important event of the day. He is worthily notable for his brilliant reports of the African war. It is thought that his death is a result of exposure and fatigue necessary of the service he rendered. Another interesting fact was the proposed use of peat as fuel in the U.S. Large quantities are found in Indiana and can be