The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-11-10
THE TIMES RICHMOND, va WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER TO- 1877

our estimable friend. sfr. Meyer Heller,
one Of the founders Of the Mercantile
Club. and it's first president"
"The Oldest members OF the Jenersoh
Literary and Social Circle are Charies
Thalhimer and Charles Miilhiser, pe'ne
two OF its founders, and who have DSen
constantly with you from Its birtn up "
the present time, q period OF over thii'y
years.
1T would be unjust TO overlook MI
Gustavus MiIlhiser. Though not m'"-
Der al present. his services In the past
were such as cannot be forgotten
THE Oldest members OF the Mercan'ile
Club are Messrs. Myer Heller henls
Rosenbaum. Julius Straus' ana Herman
J. Myers. They have been coh'inuo"sS
connected with the club from i's 'ounua-
ton to the present time enlDrao9ns pc
Rod Of over twenty-five year.
MERCANTILE CLUB.
Saws Mr.. Mnlhiser:
"Tbe Mercantile Club was organized
February u. 1872. Its first officers were
Mver Heller. president; Isaac Hollandef'
vice-president. and Gustavus Thalhimer'
secretary and treasurer. IL had the nom
or 10 become a member I'm 1873 or ~
while an ASSOCIATION for social enjoyment
Of n different nature. the Mercantie 'lup
was always held I'm great esteem through
the high character and excelleh. uepor'-
ment Of its members. They also gave
many pleasant affairs. picnics' EXCURSIONS
and halls. Their phantom hop was one
OF the most enjoyable affairs ana the
first OF it's kind ever given in this CITY.
I'm 1892 the Jefferson Literary ana SO
cial Circle rented from the Mercan'iie
cub a part of the building 'or tneir IL
brary and meeting ROOM Win Csil"I'
other privileges. Quite NUMBER Oh seh-
tlemen being members OF botn associ ,,
lions this was the forerunner OF cohso,'-
dation. When IL was first proposeu ~
consolidate tho two societies. II was op-
nosed bv n strong minority. and the
movement failed. When later on the idea
OF consolidation was taken up again
those who opposed II before took no parS
IN further opposition. being sotished 10
Weld TO the wishes OF the majority tnis
being the will OF both bodies.
JEFFERSON CLUB.
ION October 20, 1895. the Jefferson Ciuo
was formed upon the foundation OF those
two societies. and there are no more loyai
members than those who had originally
opposed the consolidation. The JEFFERSON
cub Is a success. with its members IN
rerfect harmony and good fellowship. lts
first officers elected under the plan Oh
consolidation were p. Whitlock' president
1. If. Kaufman. vfce-president Eills BOT
tigneimer. secretary; Joseph l.. Levy IL
nancial secretary; sol. l.. blooihoeIs'
trcacJrer. and Moses s Block, librarian.
Sr,n December 10, 1896 IL WAS incorpo-
rated bv the General Assembly OF viz
ginia The following is an extract from
tho charter: Are hereby constituted
body corporate by the name OF the Jel-
ferson club, to be located In the city Oh
Richmond. for the promotion or litera-
ture and social enjoyment ana Tor tne
nurpose OF maintaining a library ana
reading room
Its constitution was adopted on jan
nary 26 1896 on July IL, 1891 the ma
iority of the members OF the Dixie so
cial Club made application and were ad-
mitted to membership in the Jenersoh
Club.
"One thing alike remarkable in the
jefferson and the Mercantile was that
a few members i'm each always perform
ed the work and held their society to-
gether and i'm the Mercantile particular
~. outside Of the regular monthly dues
a few supported the institution An
active minority has always been the rul-
ing spirit. This should not be So as
every one should feel the responsibilities
Of membership and take an active inter
est in all OF the affairs of the club.
This is too joyous an occasion to sad
den by recalling the names of our depart
ed friends. stu we hold an affectionate
remembrance for our former compan-
ions. We love 10 think of them.
propose that later in the evening we
rise and drink TO their memory.
THE IMPROVEMENT.
AT our last annual meeting, January
TO- 1897. wishing TO see old dreams real
lied the attention OF the club was called
10 certain matters. and a motion was
adopted that the Board OF Governors be
authorized to spend 5000 for a new hall
or improvements. At that time very
few members had any idea that anything
would be done as the club did not have
the means At it's command.
when the new Board Of Governors
met, a motion was adopted asking for a
committee TO carry out the resolution