Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1898-07-08

duOpllOn Oh a new COnStltutlan n
bylaws, and the joining of the
Black Hills organization to the
National Federation. Steps will
shortly be taken by the Black Hills
Federation to effect a state organ
ization of woman's clubs and clubs
in the eastern portion of the state
will be invited to join.
THE SHAKESPEARE CLUB OF HOT
SPRINGS.
The history of the Shakespeare
club has been a success
sion of intellectual and social tri-
umphs from the organization to
the present day. Only those who
have been fortunate enough to be-
long to this club can appreciate
the delights of a six years continu-
Gus association with the great
bard, the pleasures of a jaunt
through the scenes of his dramas,
the inspiration afforded by the
study of the history, art and litera-
ture of the countries in which the
scenes are laid, and the wierd fas-
cination of a revel in his Greek and
Roman mythology.
The celebration by the club of
the birth of Shakespeare has be-
come one of the chief festivals an
nually enjoyed in Hot Springs by
the members and their families.
1t was on one of these festive occa-
sions that Mrs. A. B. Conner gave
the following interesting history of
the club:
"On the 74th day. of the last
month of the last year of the rule
Benjamin Harrison, there assem-
bled by invitation at the home of
Mrs. A. B. Connor the following
named ladies: Mesdames Kellar,
Eaton, Eastman, Stewart, Sawyer
and R. F. Conner. Their purpose
was to organize a reading club.
With a due regard for parliament
terry usages they selected a presi-
dent to preside over the meetings
of the club. What more could the
club desire or who more appropri-
pirate than the name of the God
dess of Wisdom? So Minerva I.
Eaton was selected the first presi-
dent of this society. The treas
urer, without bonds. Mrs. C. E.
Sawyer; secretary, Mrs. r. F. Con-
nor.
CATER some discussion a course
of reading was mapped out, prin-
cipally Shakesperian. The secre-
tary was directed to prepare a con:
stitution and bylaws for the gov
eminent of the club which was to
be acted upon at the next meeting.
The work begun has never lost in
terest to this day, The first few
months of the clubs existence was
somewhat uncertain, and it was
said to have been kept alive by the
"raithful four"-the world fair
claiming the presence of so many
of the members that only a limited
number could be found at home at
any one time. A few new men,
bers were added to the club during
the first six months and on the
25th of August, occurred the first
semi-annual election. The same
officers were reelected with the
addition of Mrs. James Bradley as
vice president. Late in the fall of
SO, the worlds fair being over and
people home again, the club be-
gan to increase in numbers. Dur
ing the winter following it was
found to be necessary to limit the
membership, lest the club become
too large to be accommodated in
the rooms of the members. 1t was
decided that a larger number than
twenty-four could not be made
comfortable. The limit was soon
reached and most excellent work
was done by the club during the
year.
lie v SSllll- dlluudl clcC.
ton came on the second day of the
first month of the second year of
the second term of the great ruler,
Grover the first.
"The meeting was held at the
home of Mrs. Boomer. Mindful
that the initial letter "M" had
been a successful leader and appre-
ciating the excellent work she had.
done through the previous year,
rhe club was wise enough to choose
for their second president another
whose name began with the magic
letter; Marguerite, a lieutenant-col-
onel in the house of Kellar, and
she proved a "pearl" indeed of
great price to the club. In addi-
ton the following officers were
elected: Vice-president, Mrs. /.
H. Boomer; secretary, Mrs. ]. A.
Stanley; treasurer, Mrs. H.
T. Catlin; critic, Miss Matte
Il A10-- - f.