The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-12-31
WOMEN'S CLUBS.
There Are Several of Them In
MankatO.
A Short Sketch of Their Organization
and What They Are
Doing
BY MRS. B. ID. SMITH.


just as we'll be called the age of clubs,
for in nearly every city, town and ham,
let in the United States we find some
form of club life.
In many of the rural districts the
church society and the debating club
are the only associations known. All
honor to the country debating clubl
From it many young man has re-
ceived his first impulse toward original
mental work. AS we note towns of
greater population we find, as we ex-
pect to do, a greater number of clubs.
AS far as their work is concerned-it
ranges from the Highest and easiest of
literature to work where much original
thinking and writing must be done to
carry out the program of the year.
In 1892 The Tourist club was formed
in Mankato. Its membership was linn
tied to twelve women who were to meet
every Monday afternoon at the home of
some member of the club. The history,
literature, art and scenery of England,
Ireland and Scotland was studied the
first year. Since then the club has
studied France, Up the Rhine, Switzer-
land, Italy, Spain and Greece. This
year they are devoting themselves to
Jonathan and His Continent
Mrs. Geo. T. Barr is leader of The
Tourist club.
In 1894 The Clio club was organized.
This club is composed of twelve women
who meet every Thursday afternoon at
the home of some member of the club.
They have spent one and half years
on United States history, a year on
American literature, year with
Shakespeare This year they will study
English authors, from the time of
Shakespeare to the time of Scott.
Mrs. G. E. Wise is president Mrs. w.
w. Davis, Jr, is vice president, Mrs.
II. D. Williams is OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.
The Art History club was organized
in October, 1895, with membership
limited to fifteen women. The club
meets bi-weekly at the home of some
member of the club. From its begin
ming the program has been interesting
and instructive. Their first years pro-
gram followed closely the history Of
art from the early Christian and Byzan-
tine art to Correggio. This year they
will pay much attention to the History
of Architecture and Of Sculpture.
The off GERS are Mrs. L. P. Hunt, presi-
dent; Mrs. Fox, vice president; Mrs. j.
w. Andrews, secretary-treasurer.
The Fortnightly club was organized
in 1895. Its membership is limited to
forty and it is club for men and
women.
The Middle Ages was the subject of
the first years study. American Liter
allure followed
This year General History will COM
mand their attention.
Rev. l.. w. Beattie is president.
The Zetetic society was organized for
women in 1896.
Since It's beginning this club has been
studying Mertz Course in Literature.
Their work began with Literature Of
500 A. D., and no country has been ig-
nored up to the Seventeenth century.
This year the Literature of the Seven
teenth century will claim their atten-
ton.
Mrs. U. o. Cox is president of the
Zetetic society.
A club whose work should interest
every patron of the public schools is
the Monday evening Art club. 1t is
composed almost exclusively of teach
ers who meet bi-weekly at the Library
Hall in the High School, under the able
leadership of Miss Deem, supervisor of
music and drawing in the city schools
Last year the club studied the Old
| Masters. This year the subject is
Modert Art-French, German, En-
glish and American Art of the Nine
teenth century.
This work of the club is of great as
sistance to the teachers, who gain from
it inspiration to do more careful work
with their pupils in drawing in the
grades
Many a little artist has been discov-
cred among the pupils in the schools.
The teachers have reason to be proud
of much of the work done in drawing
and in water colors in the public
schools
Nearly all the clubs in town limit
their membership because of the fact
that meetings are held at the homes of
the member and therefore large mem
bership is an impossibility But in a
city where there are so many intelligent
men and women as there are in Man
kato, it is to be hoped, that, in the
near future, there may be many more
clubs organized for the study of sub
jects of interest and of profit.