Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1878-07-31
First Annual Report Of the W. c. T..
L., Of Alpena.
.lpena, July, 1878


In answer to a call from Dr.
Reynolds, for Ladies Temperance
meeting, Saturday afternoon, June
30, 1877, about fifty responded.
After earnest words from DR.. Rey-
nolds, on the necessity Of an organ
ration among the ladies, pledge
was presented, and thirty-eight sig
natures were given. A temporary
Chairman and Secretary were elect
ed, and the meeting adjourned un-
til the next Tuesday. At that time
permanent organization was cf-
fected. aud the following officers
elected:
President.-Mrs. G.. l.. Maltz.
Vice Presidents.-Mrs. Chisholm,
Mrs. Pollard and Mrs. Leonard.
Secretary.-Mrs. +. NJ. Wheeler.
Corresponding Secretary.-Miss
j. +. Farwell.
Treasurer.-Mrs. f. o. Avery.
With an executive committee
Of five members.
The society was TO be called the
"Wolnan's Christian Temperance
Union" auxiliary to the State I'm
ion of Michigan, and their consti-
tuition was adopted.
a reading room had been offered
for our use ia the Centennial Block,
which was accepted, and inmedi-
ately fitted up and occupied, the
ladies volunteering to take charge
of it. Before the end of one month
our Union numbered 1876 members,
aud we had a reading room in full
operation. The reading matter
was mostly donated 10y friends, aud
we have found it necessary to sub
scribe for hut two or three papers.
We soon found that large accom-
modations were needed rs the So
riety had voted to introduce games,
and by the first of August we rent
ed aud took possession of the build
ing we now occupy. Our funds
had been raised in various ways.
In September Miss Kinnicot came
and read for us. In October two
concerts were given for our benefit
Our dime entertainments have been
given frequently, and have proved
entertaining and profitable.
For some time we united with
the Reform Club in holding public
meetings, aud through all the year,
have so worked together, that it is
difficult to report our separate So
cietv. Mrs. Barnes Is the only
speaker that we have had from
abroad, Independent of the Reform
Club.
Some benevolent work was done
through the winter as it was need
ed, and several meetings were held
for sewing. Ia November, our
President who has labored so faith
fully for our welfare, sent in her
resignation, and it was finally ac-
cepted 10y the society with much
regret.
Mrs. Il. M. Wheeler was then
unanimously elected to fill the
Office, and has done so to the sat-
isfaction of all since that time.
Through the winter it was found
difficult to keep up the interest, but
our business meetings were held
each week, and we omitted but
three during the year, and then on
" on account of severe storms.
This spring the interest has reviv
ed. and we have held q number OF
public meetings, and received many
new members, and we feel that
much good has been accomplished.
We can feel, in reviewing the years
work, that we have not labored in
vain, and we enter upon the new
wear with renewed hope and faith,
knowing that there is much still to
I've done, but feeling that we can ac-
complish it, IL we are in deed and
in truth, "CLristian Temperance
Union"
Miss T.. G. Mason,