The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-06-03
''OUR HISTORY CLUB
Closes It's Season at the Residence of
President Underhill-A Pleas
ant Surprise.

The adjournment for the summer of
"Our History Glass" last Tuesday even
ing brought to a close q season of study
not only enjoyable, but to the highest
benefit to the members and the COM
munity in general. Early in October
several young men conceived the idea of a
class for the study of American history,
and called upon Mr.. William ]. Under
hill, of Clifton Place to net as their
leader. A more fortunate choice could
not have been made, as Mr.. Under
hill has long been identified
with every movement for intellectual
advancement, and brought to the work
original thought. A temporary organ
ization was effected, with MIR. Underhill
as Chairman aud Mr.. D. G. Bodman
Secretary. The difficult task of selecting
a class which should be at once enthu-
s%iasJIc, energetic and congenial was &C
equal number Of gentlemen composed the
first membership roll us follows:-Mrs.
d. &. Aunt. Mrs. d. G. Bodman, Misses
Helen /. Underhill. Edith G~reaves. Ida
Greaves, Ethel G. Bodman, Nellie, Anna
and Susie Irine Cofin, Agnes Sweeney,
Ella Richardson, Messrs. w. J.. Uuder-
hill, D.. G. Bodmun. Joseph Greaves.
Elmer, William P. and Adna H. Under
hill, James A. Gordon. NJ. B. Coughlin,
Samuel Richardson, Robert Rodger,
Albert DraYton and Augustus .. Riley.
The temporary officers were retained,
with the addition of Mr.. Joseph Greaves
IA Treasurer. At the first meeting. which
was of an informal nature, the President
spoke Of the coming of the Norseman.
and the regular work of the class began
the following week with the: his
tory of Columbus Since then meet
ings nave been held every Tuesday
evening at the residences OF members,
II Il period of history covered which ex-
tend from 1882 to the surrender of Lee at
Appomattox. -Four essays were read at
each meeting, n not the least interest
ing feature was the debate which invari-
ably followed the essays and brought out
the bright minds of the club. From the
number oil interesting essays may be Sc
lected the following as fairly indicative of
the work OF the club;-"The North Amer
icau Indian" Elmer Underhill,' 1.-THE
Effect Of the Discovery of America"
on Europe" Mr.. Joseph Greaves; ''Puri-
tan and Pilgrim: their Settlements and
Points Of Difference" Miss Nellie Coffin;
Cotton Ma,her on the Salem Witch.
Benjamin Franklin" Albert Drayton;
Treatment of American Prisoners of
War of the British" Mr.. M. Il. Cough
lin; 1.-The Articles of Confederation:
Wherein They Were Deficient and How
They Led to the Constitution" Mr.. Jas.
A. Gordon; alexander Hamilton and
the Finances" Elmer Underhill; 1.-The
Question of the Western Extension
OF Slavery" A. d. Riley, which
called out a brisk discussion;
1.-The First American Locomotive and
Railroad, !" Mrs. Bodman; a set of verses
on the discovery of Cold" by w. p.
Underhill; 1.-THE Struggle for Kansas" Il
bright bit of verse by Miss Eleanor r.
Woodward; ''The Draft Riots In New
York" Mr.. Joseph Greaves; and a vivid
account Of "Sherman's March to the
Sea-" by A. II. Underhill.
Study is supposed to end pt 10. 80 and
the remainder of the evening Is spent in
conversation and music. Light refresh
ments are served, and a bylaw provides
that these be limited to Zone eata BILE and
Que diiukable. This rule was broken,
however, at the fnnl meeting last Tues
day at the residence of Mr.. Underhill,
when u supper was served. The Presi-
he rose to declare the society ad-
journed for the summer. MIR. Bod
man came forward and in n short
speech presented Mr.. Underhill
with Prescott's Ferdinand aud Isabella"
Conquest of Mexico" Conquest of
Peru'f and ''Philip the Second" The
President was completely taken by sur
prise, and returned thank in Il speech
noted equally for breviry and sincerity.
The society will reassembie In the fall,
and as usual the President will draw up
the course of study, announcing the work
two weeks in advance.