The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-01
HaLENA's PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Tho Unusual Success OF q Literary Move.
mont In That City.

iue Onubuui ouCCtss oi ASlboIt-Iy MONc-
mont In That City.
Special Dispatch 10 The Appeal.
HELENA, Ark, April 80 year ago
the ladies OF Helena decided to establish
public library. A charter was obtained
and the society became organized, and
temporary quarters were procured. The
collection OF books was then commenced
and prosecuted with vigor and intelligence
Eight hundred books wero soon obtained
by purchase aud voluntary contributions
from citizens.
Tho present quarters in the second story
oi the opera house, were very soon discov.
cred TO be entirely too small and inacccss-
ible to the public. This caused the society
TO turn Its attention 10 the construction oi
an cdiiicc that would be suitable 10 It's
purposes. after considerable debate the
society concluded, 10y means of aid afford
cd 10y generously disposed citizens, 20 erect
building that would accommodate their
purpose aud be credit and honor 10 the
city.
4 lot suitable to the purpose has been
given the association, as well as $1,000 Of
the paid up stock Of the Helena Mutual
Building aud Loan Association. worth par
These donations the ladies are now sup
ploncnling by monthly entertainments,
the proceeds from which are TO bs set aside
Tor building fund. The entertainment.
which took place last night at Armory
Hall, was the social affair Of the season.
The association termed this entertain.
mcnt on authors Carnival" Among
the special features of the occasion were
the exhibition OF the autographs OF
our most eminent authors aud Historical
pcrsouagsS who have generously responded
| 10 requests ior their signatures Amoni
| the autographs secured are hose @
John Grecnloai Whittier, Oliver Wen
dell Holmes. James Russell Lowell
Harriet B,cchor Stove. George william
Curtis, Thomas Bailey Aldrich. Annie
r. Fields, Frances lIodgson Burnett.
Gen. W. 4. sherman, George W. Gable,
Gen. Joseph T. Johnston, Marx Twain,
Frank stockton, Rev. Robt Collycr,
James Parton. Lawrence Barrett. Edward
Everett bale, l,cv. Philip Brooks, llaw-
ihIm., Charles Dudley Warner. George
konnan, Bli Nye, W. d. llowclls
Many ui tltr-o eminent persons have
sent words Of commrnlaIion aud cnconr-
agcmcnt TO the success Of the enterprise.
MIs NANlN llNffN w tue ulHlfhhillNu hl
the ladies' part OF the manuscript ot
"rhc Crcolcs Of louisiana" aud Mr.
slock'oi impaired 10 the Committee
an important secret respecting the ycXcd
question Of Tho Lady aud the Tiger.
Among the kindly messages of cheer aud
encouragement there Is one which comes
from Harriet Bcccher Stowe. Another
from Annie Field, who Gays can sue.
cess 10 the Woman's Library Association.
May you not only have a building To hold
your books, but may YOU succeed Ia culti.
waiting a love aud habit Of reading good
books"
For n month past books and warjrobcs
have been uyerhauled for characters and
appropriate costumes, and the whole city
has brcn In fever ol excitement over this
great event.
II is the intention II the " alton 10
make the autographs and maii pts the
nucleus for a collection Ot LTD AIRY br.c.a.
brac, which, from their character ~ indi-
Gated above, must bscome Of great literary
aud historical value.