Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-11-26


fund, and on September 2 at a
meeting of the members 81, 900
was subscribed and a building COM
mittee appointed. The committee
made very thorough study of
localities, and in August. 1855 the
lot on which the building now
stands was purchased at a cost of
1000. f. :. Hammatt. of Dav-
export, was engaged as architect,
and soon. presented plans which
ranks tho Rock Island association
building is one of the most bcauti-
full and desirable in the country:
In June, 1883. the first contract
was let to Collins Bros. Work
was begun Us soon as possible. and
on June 26, 1890, the cornerstone
was laid with appropriate exer-
clses. BY March l, 1891. the
building was enclosed and three
rooms ON the west side were fin
ished, enabling the association to
take possession of its new quar-
tiers. On September l Mr.. Lang,
who had served as secretary for
five years with marked faithfulness
and great ability. resigned to &C
cept Il position in Sioux City, Iowa.
The association owes much of its
present success to his faith. cour-
age and tirel,ss activity. George
{. Blakslee was secured 4Or the
work here and entered immediately
into the Office.
The Ladies' Auxiliary.
In December of this same year
the Ladies' Auxiliary was organ
lied. proving ever since valuable
assistant. The anniversary meet
ing in May, 1892 should be counted
as red letter day in the associa-
ton. Good speakers were secured
who occupied the pulpits of the
city, both morning and evening.
and the interest awakened was such
that in 30 days SIS, 259 was secured
and by September 1 the subscrip-
lions amounted to SIS. 200. The
contracts for finishing were let in
December, 1892, work resumed in
january, 1898, and the building.
with the exception of the gymna-
SUM, completed in December of
the same year. The association re-
ceived aid in furnishing as follows:
Reading room. First NJ. f. church:
correspondence room. Ladies' Aid
society, South Heights: directors
room. Kings Daughters: chapel.
, w. {. L. L. and Ladies' Auxiliary:
reception room, Office and kitchen.
Ladies' Auxiliary.
The building was formally dedi-
Gated and fully occupied on Janu-
airy l, 1894. Junior work was or
ganized the same month, and on
: Thanksgiving day the gymnasium
, was opened for use with w. l.
Lavender rs physical director.
i The entire cost of the lot and
, building, including paving. side
!. walk. hall seats and gymnasium
apparatus, was $40. 324. 80. The
number of subscribers to the build
ing fund was 525.
The Presidents.
The presidents who have served
f since the organization are
Frank Nader, one year: DIR. j. w.
, Stewart, one year; +. Il. Nc
: kown, two years A. ID.
l Sperry, four years q. NJ.
| Loosely, three years c. f.
: Adams, one year.
, That the work of the association
Is prospering, is shown by few
. items from the annual report to the
last state convention. The mem
bership in 1895 has increased as
follows: January 1, 1893; April /.
f 900. October l, 800; November /,
. 342. The average attendance at the
| Sunday meeting has been IS.
r Thirty-eight different names were
, enrolled in the educational classes:
1879 gymnasium classes were held
: with an average attendance of IL:
: 10 receptions were given during
r the year.
From the recent prospectus SC
a attractively illustrated by Mrs.
e George &. Blakslee. we quote as
4 follows: The association extends
: a cordial greeting to all to visit the
building and inspect the advan-
: tages offered"
The Advantages.
. For $500 annual dues any man
: of good moral character may be-
come member and he entitled to
: all the privileges of the building.
1 The reading room, pleasantly To-
2 Gated and thoroughly lighted. is
: well supplied with the current
4 literature of the day: over forty
I publications being on file. The
c reference library has grown from