Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1888-03-28
NINETEENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE
LADIES' FLORAL CLUB

ANNIVERSARY OF THE
LADIES' FLORAL CLUB.
Friday. March 16, the Austin Floral
Club entertained its membership and
their families in q very sociable and
most agreeable manner at the home OfAlrs.
w. F. Sutherland. The occasion was the
10Th birthday Of the association, and was
made of special interest by the reading
of number of letters from absent mem
6ers. and also very interesting report
from the President, Mrs. E. NJ. Morse,
and most admirable paper read by Rev.
G. D. Belden, County Superintendent,
on Books and Reading" The invita-
tion was extended to the ladies of the
club to be present at p. M. as the let.
ters from absent members would be read
in the afternoon. The gentlemen were
invited to six o'clock tea.
According to program, the club was
called to order by the President. First,
music by Gene Crane. A
letter from Mrs. c. G. Crane, of Anoka,
was read, giving short retrospect of the
early years of the organization, and re-
ferring to the encouragements and dis
of its infancy. In the clos
ing of her letter she says: 1T will not
be long ere we shall be called to lay life's
burden down; when we can no longer 20
up and down sowing the precious seed
of good works, nor be employed planting
or plucking the flowers by the way; then
may we together join those who have
passed over on the other side, and rest
forever in the Garden of the Lord"
Mrs. E. B. Crane read letter from
Mrs. H: A: Mayhem, of Sacramento,
Cal. Mrs. MAYHEM was our first Vice.
President. In her letter we find this ref
erence: Nearly two years ago. when 1
made short visit to your town, l felt
that could not go away without a
and saw your books, and the excellent
manner in which everythinewas conduct.
ed. together with your pleasant place of
meeting, could but think of the short
time spent, and how wonderful the re.
suits. When all the sheaves' are gathered
IN, and the harvest time is passed, surely
to the few untiring. earnest workers, the
Master will say, Well done'."
A letter from Mrs. Fl. W. Page, ex-
pressing hearty congratulations upon the
growth and attainments of ''Our Floral
Daughter" was read by Mrs. Morse.
Mrs. o. w. Gibson next read letter
from Mrs. E. P. VanValkenburgh, expires.
sing her Indebtedness to the Floral Club
as being much more than she could rea
iize, while laboring with US.
A letter from Mrs. Ira Jones, of Port
land, Oregon, carried US back in memory
to the surroundings of our first floral
show, and also gave an interesting de-
scription of her Portland home.
Mrs. ]. F. Cook read letter from Mrs.
n. P. Austin. of Santa Barbara, CAL,
with words of encouragement. She adds
that among my pleasantest recollections
of Auld Lang Syne are those connected
with this club She was glad indeed to
know that its days OF prosperity con-
tinued,
Mrs. C.H. Davidson read letter from
Mrs. F. A. Brownson. of Minneapolis,
sending heartfelt congratulation, that
the perils and dangers of infancy and
childhood are safely passed, that we are
fairly launched upon the sea of blooming
womanhood, and thinks 1t IS not strange
that the Floral Club has not only q
name to live, but does live in the good
it Is doing in the community. and in the
kindly affection the members bear each
other. She is proud of US; proud that
she bore humble part in the formation
and early history of the organization
She says: Its influence will live Oh and
on, long after we, who have been 80
greatly benefited, have passed beyond
these realms to where the flowers are
eternal on the banks of the river of life. i"
Mrs. Gibson then read letter from
Mrs. J. N. King, of Pasadena, Cal. She
rejoices to greet US upon this 10Th ami
versary of our most successful enterprise,
remembering 80 we'll our small begin
nings. She calls up the faces of those
who in the dim and distant past. labored
so faithfully in this enterprise, and who
still continue to labor, and says: Yes,
from these far off Pacific sands. where
the sea roars, where the floods lift up
their arms and clap their white hands in
wild exultant joy; from orange groves
and palm trees. even to the great 'unsalt.
IN friendship, not for time alone, but in
where there is no more going out forever;
where grow the trees whose leaves are
for the healing of the nations"
The guests were then entertained by in
strumental music, Nellie Sutherland
playing q piano solo. and Mrs. ]. F.
Cook and daughter duet.
Prayer was then offered by Rev. Alfred
Morse, who made the first prayer at the
library opening.
As the hour of six had arriYed, and the
gentlemen guests with it, an elegant
lunch was served to about one hundred
and thirty, who partook of the delicacies
prepared, with hearty relish. Social
converse and friendly greeting being so
we'll sandwiched in that the hour allot-
ted, passed by far too soon.
Upon the call of the President, the ev-
ening exercises were opened by instru-
mental music. duet by Mrs. j. F. Cook
and Mrs. D. b. Johnson.
The Presidents report, full of interest.
and very comprehensive. was then lis
tened to:
The Austin Floral Club and Library
Association, was organized March 16.
1859, at Mrs. DR.. Aliens. In the pream-
BILE to the Constitution its purpose is set
forth as follows:
I'VE propose to ourselves two objects
First, to cultivate taste and skill IN Flori
culture; second, to collect what may
prove at least the germ of circulating
library" ....
The first of these objects awakened so
much enthusiasm that the original IL
members soon increased to so. Seeds,
bulbs and plants were sent for, semi
monthly meetings were held for reading
and discussion on methods of cultivation,
and the practical results b]oomed SO