Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-02-04

creased from time to time, as did the enjoy
ment derived, and with the increased number
OF the parties participating grew a desire for
other pleasure trips, and visits were made in
due course of time to other enjoyable points.
While it was not particularly dificnlt to ascer-
tain just who composed the party at different
times it was particularly difficult to learn what
was done on the trips. 1t was very evident that
each trip resulted in royal good time to all
fortunate enough TO be invited on them, but
beyond that all was unfathomable secret,
an impenetrabe mystery. This deep mystery
as to what forms of amusement and recreation
we're enjoyed was the leading characteristic Of
the excursions. and those who composed the
excursion parties came to be regarded as the
most mysterious of beings.
HOW THE CLUB WAS ORGANIZED.
Despite the fact that nothing could be learned
OF what happened on these pleasure trips be-
yond the one most apparent and all
important fact that they were in every
sense of the term pleasure trip, the desire
to be one of the party enjoying them
grew SO steadily and SO rapidly that before
long the number far outgrew the modest few
who originally planned them, and regularly
organized body became absolute necessity.
After much thought upon the subject it was
decided that the proposed body should be in
the nature Of club. and, that much decided
upon, little time was consumed in arriving at
the conclusion that the most appropriate
name for the organization was The Mysterious
Club. Thus it was that the popular Mysterious
Club OF this city was organized and named
1t was on the 18th of September 1887 at
Bay Ridge, Nd. that the club was organized
with membership Of about twenty-five. The
first officers of the club were: President JAS
Gettinger of the firm of Langley Gettinger,
builders; vice president. Thomas n. Walsh:
secretary, VIM. H. Stearns, and treasurer, John
NJ. Young.
THE CLUB HOUSE.
The club secured rooms at 421 18th street
northwest and remained there until February
!, 1891. when the building erected by the Ma
tional University Law School at 1904 E street
northwest was leased, and there the club has
since remained. While not erected as a club
house, the building is admirably adapted to
such purpose. 1t is a substantial brick build
ing, two stories and basement, with a good
sized back yard. In warm weather the yard
proves a cool breathing spot. and in one corner
OF 1t Is placed a large rooster, whereon during
the RI months the delicious oyster is roasted
and served, to the great enjoyment Of the men,
bers Of the club. A well-equipped bowling al
ley is found in the basement. On the first
floor is an elegantly arranged reception room,
and back of it conveniently arranged billiard
room On the second floor is a large hall and
the card rooms The house is elegantly fur
nished throughout ana every convenience al
fording comfort has been secured.
While the object of the club is to promote
sociability among the business men CT the city,
the existence of the fair sex is by no means
forgotten, and two or three times year enter
tainments are given in the hall Of the club for
their benefit. These entertainments consist of
dancing parties, musical and literary gather
ings. and sometimes the ladies enjoy an oyster
roast at the club. 1t is, perhaps, needless to
say that invitations to these events are eagerly
sought by the wives, daughters and sweethearts
OF the members.
BUSINESS MEMS CLUB.
The Mysterious Club is strictly business
mems club, one of the first requisites for mem
bership being that the applicant must either be
personally engaged in business or the represent
alive here of some business firm. The initia-
ton fee is S25, and must accompany each appli-
cation; monthly dues, 81. The names of appli-
cants must be posted one month. and are re-
ferred to committee of three members for re-
port as to fitness before being acted on. Appli-
cants are elected or rejected by the members Of
the club. two black balls being sufficient to reject
an applicant. The present membership of the
club is less than200. but that number could quickly
be doubled should the club so desire. Residents
OF the city are admitted to the club on the in
PRODUCTION of members and non-residents on
the cards of members.
The club is in a splendid financial condition
good bank account and no indebtedness-and
it is the proud boast of members that it has
never suffered any jar among its members.
The affairs Of the club are managed by a house
committee of three members. The present
committee, Messrs. E. G.. Schafer, James D.
Mankin and Edward Caverly, have served for
two years, to the great benefit and satisfaction
of the club. One prominent feature of the
rules OF the Cuban unusual one in club life
is that there is no credit system permitted,
members paying on delivery. Lists of men,
bers in arrears are therefore unknown in the
club.