Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1899-06-17

Waukegan, III, Correspondence Phil
adelphia Times: There is in this city,
which is a thriving port situated on
the west side OF Lake Michigan. thirty
Eve miles north OF Chicago, one OF the
most singular clubs that have come
to the notice of the reading public Tor
some time. II is the Waukegan Bach
elors' Club.reeently brought into prom
tnence by the singular experience OF IT'S
first president. Dr.. w. ". Pearce. now
mayor of the city. Some years ago
DR.. Pearce offered prize Of $50 to the
member OF the club who should nrst
become the father OF twins. The prize
was won by Dr. Pearce himself and this
queer instance of man winning MS
own prize, together with the novel
nature of the competition. has called
general attention TO an organization
that is one Of the most unique in exist
ence.
The waukegan Bachelors Club was
Incorporated under the laws of Illinois
Aug. is, 1891. The incorporators OF
the club were: Dr. ". w. Pearee. ]. A.
Carman, A. Lloyd Logan and ]. S.
Shute. II is an organization Of men
banded together for social fellowship
and enjoyment. Contrary to the in
ference derived from the name. all
members Of the club are not bachelors.
Originally they we're, however, for
baehelorhood is a first requisite for
membership. The right to marry is
given to the members by special cleo
ton. one being chosen every year
whether it may be his own desire TO
enter the realms OF matrimonial bliss
or not. There were seventeen char
ter members and none but those elect
ed to do so has ever broken the sol
emn and fraternal vow OF single
blessedness. The club is composed of
the best professional and business
young men of the city. the limitation
of membership to twenty-five being
the only disagreeable feature in the
minds Of the young men who longing
~ desire TO become bachelors. To
have provided By the constitution that
members should never marry would
have been TO attempt the impossible
So. in order that the salt in the club
life might not lose its SAVIOR, with each
succeeding year il was deereed that
one member should be elected to make
some woman happy or miserable as
the outcome might be. Cupidian vows
do not destroy the love each one has
for his alma mater, and at the club
he is as much Of bachelor as his I'M
married brethren.
The annual meeting of the club is
Its red-letter day. Great anxiety over
the election Is manifested in the city
as well as in the club, for on that day
the fate of some bachelor must be set
tied. During the supreme meeting the
balloting is always a solemn affair.
Occasionally sharp politics are brought
into play and votes are punched for
particular man, but oftener the vote
is scattering, and after the ballots are
counted some unsuspecting man dis
covers himself suddenly thrust into a
sphere of matrimonial necessity. With
him 1t is case of tie-up or lose the
claim to bachelorhood-a paradoxical
situation. The end OF an election is
always the time for an elaborate cele-
bration. The victim-for many of them
take the mandate in the spirit of one
vietimized-is banqueted and made the
hero of the hour. Thus far all who
have been elected to renounce a life =,
single-blessedness have succeeded he
fore their year ran out in Convincing
local or distant bellies that tbev are
among the handsomest and hest of
men. Members who have been elect
ed to matrimony are ]. P Hull. w. F.
Warden, t. Fl. burst, DIR. G.. Fl sIv-
field, C. E. Shultis. Dr. Percival Pearce
DR.. W. w. Pearee, w. l. Lyon and F.
P. Bidinger. Several years ago Dr
w. w. Pearce was the choice OF the
club. Soon after election day he made
trip to Boston and brought home the
intellectual bride who recently pre-
sented him with twins. The occur
renee was doubly interesting. inasmucl
as the mayor won his own medal, which
he says he will always be proud to
wear. The mayors brother, DR.. Per-
cival Pearce, was elected to be mar
ried in 1895. The summer had scarce
1y passed when he led to the altar
Miss Jessie Cooke, daughter of Homer
Cooke, one of Chicago's leading attor-
neys. He met the young lady while
rusticating at the clubs summer re-
treat at Third Lake, In his own conn
ty. Last year R. P. Bidinger, leading
shoe dealer OF the city and township
assessor, was the chosen one of the
club, and he married before the end
OF the year. Another election in re-
cent years was William /. Lyon, who
found lovely bride in Poughkeepsie,