Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1888-03-28

formally opened Nov. 9. 1869, in the old
Court room. The occasion was signal
lied by prayer. singing and speeches, in
which Bev. H. I. Parker. Rev. E. M.
Williams and Rey. A. Morse partlci-
pated.
For several years the young institution
led migratory sort of life, being, in
those pioneer days, very much at the
mercy of circumstances. Mrs. King,
Mrs. J. L. Davidson and Mrs J. n.
Wheat. by turns afforded it shelter and
care, Its growth, though slow, was
steady, each year depositing new VOL
sistent energy developed in those up. hill
ways was not Tess gain to the workers
than to the work. There is something
curiously stimulating In our old volumes
of records; almost every page bristles
with long lists of committees. appointed
to carry out some fresh project. by which
to raise money tor the library. Concerts
by old folks, and by young folks, straw
berry festivals. oyster suppers, railroad
excursions, refreshment stands on public
days. pancake suppers, valentines, May
day gatherings, sales of fancy articles,
spelling schools, lawn parties, tableaux,
charades, dramas. dime sociables. pic.
MICS, and lectures in variety; all these fol-
low .ch other in rapid succession on the
shifting panorama of our history For
fourteen years the enterprise thus held
on its way, asking nothing of the public
for which it did not render an equivalent,
and enjoying each new book with the
consciousness thet it had been fairly
earned
In 1883, when we were preparing to
enter our present cOmmodiOus room, Z
nlroNJ0tnd
gave US, exclusive of tickets sold, about
$50.
The whole number of names on our
list of working members is It's. Seventy
three of these are now scattered from
Maine to Oregon. 1t has been pleasant,
from time to time. to learn that the
methods and plans of the Floral Club
prove helpful to some of these in their
new homes. OF those who have shared
our work and our interests, thirteen ''are
not" for God has taken them. We re-
call their names with loving remembrance
of their words and works: Mrs. B. J.
VanValkenburgh. Mrs. Ben Mason, Mis-.
R. n Paden. Mrs. D. A. Spafford. Mrs.
E. NJ Fairbanks, Miss Sophy Anderson,
Mrs. Mulford. Mrs. Brewster, Mrs. Chase,
Mrs. 0. Somers, Mrs. A. P. Kirkland,
Mrs. Luther Wheeler. Mrs. c. 81. Will
bour.
ForRotten7 No! Bach we'll known face
Comes up before US now;
Wearing it's own peculiar grace,
OF eye, or cheek, or brow.
We mind their old familiar ways;
We breath their spirit yet;
Forgotten? Nay. they were beloved,
And love cannot forget.
Nineteen years of joint labor in com
mon cause must needs create strong
bond of union between fellow workers.
Our early literary soclables were also
useful in promoting general social fellow
ship among the ladies of different church
es. In the business meetings which have
always been kept up. some lessons have
been learned; lessons Of kindly tolerance
for opposing views. and of quiet submis-
sion to the will of the majority. Differ
ences of opinion are by no means rare
among US. nor is there any lack of ability
to present these differences in q strong
light, but, though dicussion sometimes
wakes warm, it has never in q single in
stance become acrimonious.
The library now contains 1,415 vols.
While not all that we could wish in point
of quality, it does afford good proper
ton of valuable reading. The yearly sale
of tickets covers the expenditurefor Libra
rian. fuel and lights, with perhaps little
surplus.
We may add that if suitable arrange
ments can be made, we propose to intro
duce new feature in our work, viz:
collection of the natural productions of
this county,-its woods. minerals. plants.
birds, etc. Such collection, suitably
arranged and cared for, we think would
be interesting and valuable. not only to
ourselves, but to the county at large.
ANY suggestions or aid in this new en-
terprise will be greatfully received.
The following in q statement read by
the Treasurer, Mrs. o. w. Gibson:
For the last two years we have resort
ed to new method for the increase of
the library fund; this to take the place
of sociables and entertainments. Many
of our frienps have pledged themselves
to pay to US monthly, the sum OF ten
cents, this amount being gift and not
emitting them to the use of books. For
the first year ending August, 1887, we re.
ceived $11750. For the second year
ending September. 1883. we have pledges
to the amount of $86. received in this
way.
by Mrs. G. II. Davidson and Mrs. D. B.
Johnson.
Rev. G. D. Belden then read valua-
BILE paper entitled Books and Reading"
This was listened to with marked inter
est by all present. Following is synop'
sis:
This is dlstinctlya reading age, Books
abound everywhere. Formerly, men
read but little and books were few and
very costly. Few could read and the
masses depended upon tradition and con-
versation for their Information. The art
of printing has made revolution, and
books are within the reach of all. These
have produced marvellous change IN
the character and state of society. On
the whole, our books have been great
blessing to the race. bringing them into
intercourse with superior minds and Civ
ing US their most precious thoughts. The
whole race is being lifted up from the
plane of ignorance and superstition, and
men are becoming more thorough and
independent in their judgment and infor-
nation. There is one phase of the mul-
tiplication of books that is not so encour-
aging. There is class of literature cor
rupting and evil. 1t is serious problem
to know how to save our youth from this
corrupting food. In furnishing to the
masses that which is high and pure and
profitable, and suppresslng that which is
unworthy, the Floral Club has borne an