FEDERATED CLUBS — BEETHOVEN CLUB, EL DORADO — SHAKESPEARE CLUB — WOMAN'S MUTUAL BENEFIT CLUB — THE AVON CLUB, EL DORADO — DAUGHTERS OF AMERICAN REVOLUTION — OUTLOOK CLUB, AUGUSTA — TWENTIETH CENTURY CLUB, DOUGLASS — MUTUAL HELPERS, CASSODAY — E. M. B. CLUB, TOWANDA — EVERY WEDNESDAY HOME STUDY CLUB.

Verily of the making of clubs, there is no end, at least not yet. Many clubs for various purposes have flourished in Butler County. Clubs fill a large place in the life of the women of the world today. Music clubs, literature clubs, aid clubs, civic clubs, mothers' clubs, thimble clubs, embroidery clubs, luncheon clubs and card clubs.

The National Federation of Women's Clubs, the largest organization of women in the world, has done much for the enactment of better laws. Much to mold public sentiment and much for the general uplift of humanity. There are five clubs in Butler county which are federated: The Woman's Mutual Benefit Club, Home Economics, and Domestic Science of 1914 of El Dorado, the Outlook, Augusta, and Mutual Helpers of Cassoday. Four district federation presidents have been chosen from Butler county, three from the Woman's Mutual Benefit of El Dorado, Miss Sadie Stone, Mrs. R. S. Miller and Mrs. F. H. Cron and one from the Outlook Club, Augusta, Mrs. W. A. Penley.

BEETHOVEN CLUB, EL DORADO.

No story of the clubs of the county could be complete without mentioning the Beethovan Club, organized in 1870. However, this was no woman's club. Prof. Hulse was leader and S. F. Black, probate judge at the time, and C. M. James was clerk, and were promoters of this club. Queen Esther was presented at the old M. E. Church in 1881. Previously, the old court house was used for their entertainments. At one of these, the club was fortunate to secure Miss Fannie DeGrass of Milwaukee, who was visiting relatives in Winfield. The audience was delighted with her singing, and Judge Black was so impressed with the personality of the young prima donna that he speedily offered her his

heart and hand, so they were married and lived happily ever after, even unto this day. in the good little town of El Dorado. So much for the Beethoven Club.

A number of years later, Mrs. Black formed the Rubenstein Club, and established a conservatory of music, which, for many years, was the center of the musical life of the town.

SHAKESPEARE CLUB.

The oldest women's club in El Dorado is the Shakespeare Club. This club is the outgrowth of a reading circle organized at the home of Mrs. C. A. Leland in 1892. Among the original promoters were: Mesdames C. A. Leland, Lorenzo Leland, Edward C. Ellet, Henrietta Van Dorn, Lillie Parkhurse, Mrs. Charles Ewing and others. In 1898 the club took up the reading of Shakespeare. Mrs. Van Dorn was made first president, which position she held during her life. The present efficient president is Mrs. R. H. Hazlett. The members are: Mrs. R. H. Hazlett, Mrs. C. L. Harris, Mrs. C. A. Leland, Mrs. M. M. Vandenberg, Mrs. Alvah Shelden, Mrs. Charles Selig, Mrs. R. E. Frazier, Mrs. S. R. Clifford, Mrs. C. E. Thompson, Mrs. J. B. Adams. In recent years the club has been saddened by the death of two of its capable memebers,[sic] Mrs. N. F. Frazier and Mrs. V. P. Mooney. The social features of this club are particularly enjoyable.

WOMAN'S MUTUAL BENEFIT CLUB.

This club was organized in 1898 and federated in 1899. The club owes its origin to Mrs. Alvah Shelden and Mrs. M. W. Sinclair. The membership is limited to twenty-five. Its course of study is varied. While interested in music, literature and art, this club has always been active in work of a civic nature. For many years, the Woman's Mutual Benefit Club assisted in maintaining a public library, the nucleus of the present Carnegie library. The summer chautauqua was established by this club. Prizes have been given for best flowers grown by children; a "dandelion day" created much sentiment for beautiful lawns, and a clean up day was appointed by the mayor at the suggestion of this club. The state scholarship fund has received generous support. The following ladies have served as president: Mesdames Alvah Shelden, W. M. Sinclair. M. A. Koogler, C. A. Leland, G. M. Sandifer, Miss Sadie Stone, Mrs. F. J. B. King, Mrs. M. S. Munson, Mrs. R. S. Miller, Mrs. J. H. Austin, Mrs. W. H. Ellet, Mrs. C. E. Hunt, Mrs. S. P. Willis, Mrs. F. H. Cron, Mrs. M. E. Kilgore, Mrs. Ida Robinson. Mrs. J. A. Wiedeman and Mrs C. E. Boudreau. Many high class entertainments have been given by this club and many distinguished women have been its guests. They have twice entertained the district convention.

THE AVON CLUB, EL DORADO.

This club was organized November 16, 1906. Its object is both literary and social. The membership is limited to sixteen. Each year many delightful programs and original parties have been given by the clever young women who compose the club. The following were charter members: Miss Flora Leland, Miss Cecil Leland, Miss Alice Murdock, Miss Ellina Murdock, Miss Corah Mooney, Miss Edith Chesney, Miss Laura Wiley, Miss Cornelia Ewing, Miss Olive Clifford, Miss Susan Pattison, Miss Grace Black, Miss Hazel Betts and Mrs. Clara Bright.

Each year the members of this club are given money by certain wealthy individuals. They use this money to bring Christmas cheer to every child in the town. They have an entertainment for the children, both rich and poor, and each child receives some present.

DAUGHTERS OF AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

The El Dorado chapter, Daughters of American Revolution, was organized July 8, 1910, by Mrs. C. E. Stanley, State regent, and named Susannah French Putney, revolutionary ancestor of Mrs. J. W. Kirkpatrick, first regent of the chapter.

The course of study has been American history, current events and the Daughters of American Revolution magazine. The work of the chapter his been in harmony with the general society. The members are: Mrs. J. W. Kirkpatrick, Mrs. Robert H. Hazlett, Mrs. I. V. Homer, Mrs. J. A. Wiedeman, Mrs. B. F. Meeks, Mrs. Dillon Hamilton, Mrs. J. C. Robinson, Mrs. R. E. Frazier, Mrs. N. F. Frazier, Mrs. C. E. Hunt, Mrs. F. H. Cron, Miss Ruth Avery and Miss Edith Chesney.

OUTLOOK CLUB, AUGUSTA.

This very delightful club was organized in 1907 with nine charter members: Mrs. R. W. Stephenson, Mrs. A. N. Taylor, Miss Winnifred Miller, Mrs. H. A. Hill, Mrs. Park Salter, Mrs. A. Holiday, Mrs. S. A. Simpson, Miss Leonard and Mrs. W. E. Brown. This club established a library with about 250 books. The library was opened June 1, 1912, with Miss Pansy Wiley, librarian. The library now contains 750 books. This club has entertained the district federation and supports most liberally the scholarship fund. The literary work of this club is especially high and the social features enjoyable.

TWENTIETH CENTURY CLUB, DOUGLASS.

Upon January 11, 1907, this club was organized with the following officers: President, Mrs. R. H. Snell; vice president, Mrs. J. A. Middlekauff; secretary, Miss Effie Johnston. There are now twenty-one active

members and seven associate members. In addition to the regular work of the club, a public library is maintained through the efforts of the Twentieth Century.

MUTUAL HELPERS, CASSODAY.

This club was organized in August, 1914, under the name of "Needle and Eye Club." Mrs. Fred Ray was its first president. Mrs. Albert Sunbarger, vice president and Miss Kitty Green, secretary. The club had a membership of thirty-six. Besides the literary work of the club, the members contribute to the scholarship fund. A spirit of true neighborliness has been growing, which is enjoyable to all.

E. M. B. CLUB, TOWANDA.

This club was originally an embroidery club to which the following ladies belonged. Mrs. Lockwood, Mrs. J. C. Robinson, Mrs. Dona Robison, Miss O. Porter. So enjoyable did these ladies find their little club that they resolved to share it with others. In January, 1909, the larger club was organized at the home of Mrs. L. W. Robinson. In January, 1912, the club adopted a constitution and by-laws and was for the first time called E. M. B.—Every member busy. The object is for mutual improvement in literature and general culture. The social side of this club has been found most pleasant.

In October, 1912, the club voted a library which was opened upon January 8, 1913. At this time the club contained eighty-five volumes, which number has been increased to 325.

EVERY WEDNESDAY HOME STUDY CLUB, EL DORADO.

This club was organized December 8, 1897. The study was a course published in the Chicago Record. This club did very good work for about two years and was then discontinued. Among those who were members were: Mrs. R. H. Hazlett, Mrs. C. A. Leland, Mrs. H. A. Miller, Mrs. Frances C. Armstrong, Mrs. E. C. Ellet, Mrs. Alvah Shelden, Mrs. V. P. Mooney. Mrs. M. M. Vandenberg, Mrs. C. L. Harris, Mrs. S. E. Black, Mrs. Charles Ewing, Mrs. S. R. Clifford, Miss Sadie Schmucker, Mrs. H. H. Gardiner, Mrs. N. F. Frazier and Mrs. W. W. Pattison.

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