The San Francisco call., 1897-01-28
THE CLEANERS REUNIONS.
The Object Of a New Society to Fur
nish Entertainment for the Ex-
empts Facing the End.

niSh Entertainment for the Ex-
empts Facing the End.
The fag-raising commemorating the
fiftieth anniversary of the taking posses
sion of California by Commodore Sloat,
which took place on Portsmouth square
last July under the auspices of the Ex-
empt Fire Company of the San Francisco
Volunteer Fire Department, and the inter-
esting friendly reunion which followed
the event, were what inspired the forma-
ton of a society composed of women re-
lated to The brave, unselfish firemen who
IN the early days, sacrificed, money, health
and life to protect the interests OF the San
Francisco pioneers.
This organization, of which Mrs. George
J. Hobe, the wife OF one of the old-time
firemen, is president and Mrs. Andrew j.
JeSsup is vice president, has been in ex-
istence few months. 1.-The ladies" said
Mrs. President Hobe, first obtained from
the Exempts permission to hold reunions
in the meeting hall of the company.
Then they held preliminary meeting on
the 22d of August and on the 10th OF Sep
tember following the organization was
completed by the selection OF the present
president and vice president and the selec-
ton of Mrs. a. McCrossen, Mrs. McFar-
land and Mrs. Amelia Freeman as an ex-
ecutive committee. The society was
christened The Cleaners for all at the
meeting realized that they were entering
field on which the reapers had finished
their work. The memories of Aud Lang
Syne' inspired them all, even at this late
day, to gather something that would glad
den the hearts of the fire laddies who are
facing the sunset of life.
1.-THE Cleaners are banded together to
work for the Exempts and promote So
cial and intellectual intercourse among
the families of the members of the old
Volunteer Department. For years and
years the men met and were we'll ac-
quainted with one another, but there had
not been in all these many years meet
ings of the female relatives Of these old
fremen.
Joseph Figel, who was present at one
of the reunions, voiced the sentiments of
lady relatives of the Exempts would per-
petuate the memory of the gallant fire.
men-a body of men ranking second to
none in rhe annals of the City.
"Our object" continued Mrs. Hobe, sis
to promote a spirit of sociability among
the families of the Exempts. Our
reunions are informal, non-sectarian and
and no officer will be allowed to receive a
present. Women of good character, re-
lated to Volunteer fremsn who at the
time of the disbandment of the Volunteer
Department were entitled to exemption
certificates, are eligible to mem bership.
We hold our reunions on the third Wednes-
day of each month in the hall of the E1-
empJs. The president and vice-president
are elected annually and the executive
committee is appointed by the president
and committee on entertainment is ap-
pointed each month The onIV revenue is
the contribution to the mitebox by mem
bers and visitors, as there are no dues.
1--WE have already had two very pleas
ant reunions, the last on the third Mon
day of the current month. Vice-President
Mrs. Jessup had charge of the programme.
There was a piano solo by Miss Calvin |;
the president gave those present little
talk about the society, its aims and gov
erning principles, and gave some remin-
iscences; Joseph Figel on behalf of the
Exempts delivered an interesting speech,
which was full of instructive information; !;
Charles Plum, ex-president Of the Ex-
empts, delivered pleasing address; Mr..
Jones and Mr.. and Mrs. ]. Kennel gave ex-
cellent vocal music, and Professor Harris
gave some artistic music on the piano,
mandolin ana banjo"
Considerable interest has been awakened
by the Cleaners, and names are being
constantly added to the roll of mem ber-
ship. 1t will no doubt soon outnum ber
the Exempt who now have but ninety
nine on the roll.