The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-08-03
A FAMILY CLUB
Edward Wilder Proposes to
Erect One Soon.
Organization Is Now Being Per-
fected.
N THE WEST SIDE.
To Be Built at Tenth Avenue
and Buchanan Street.
Women May Enjoy Pleasures Of
Club Life.


Edward Wilder proposes to build
handsome clubhouse at the corner of
Tenth avenue and Buchanan street. It
is to be used for a family club, pat
termed after the successful Kenwood
club of Chicago.
The subject has been broached to
about 200 people in Topeka by the fol-
lowing circular letter:
Topeka, Kan. Aug. 1, 1899.
Dear Sir: The undersigned have as
sOciated themselves together for the
purpose of organizing a, family. club,
for the promotion of social intercourse
among the members and their families.
If a sufficient membership can be Sc
cured. a handsome clubhouse, consist
ing of a large hall, parlor, dining room,
kitchen, dancing hall bowling alleys,
etc. with spacious VerandaS, will be
erected in a desirable location in the
western part of the city, by a person
who has signifled his Willingness to do
so, and leased to the club at a reason
able rental
1t is thought that a. membership fee
of SIS, if not less than 100 charter mem
bers can be secured, would give a suf-
ficient working capital. and that month
ly dues of $3.50 would pay current ex-
penses, the club to be limited to $50
mem bers, not including. of course. the
members families 1t is the inten-
ton to place a competent caterer in
charge of the clubhouse and serve
meals at moderate prices to members
and their families. An informal dance,
card party, musicale and literary even
ing from time to time, or social even
ing at the clubhouse with ones friends
will serve to give a mint OF the posi-
bilities of such an organization. This
is, of course, merely an outline of the
plan, the details to be arranged when
an organization is completed
You are considered one who would
look with favor upon such a club and
we should be very glad to have you
become a member. Kindly notify MI
w. H. Whitton, with the Mills Dry
Goods company. at an early day
whether you desire to join the pro-
posed club, as we wish to complete the
organization soon as possible If
sufficient favorable replies are received
from the persons to whom similar let
ters have been addressed, an organiza-
be duly notified should you signify your
intention of becoming q, member.
L. @. Wasson, c. L. Holman,
Alfred A. Scott, c. B. Reed,
w. B. Robey, w. H. Whitton,
E. Wilder, Geo. Crawford,
@. S. Downing, VIM. Macferran,
l. W. Doolittle, Harold 7. Chase.
Mr. A. A. Scott said: This is the
outgrowth of neighborhood gatherings
but is meant to include families all
over the city This is not meant to be
in opposition to the proposed country
club There is room for both but as I
has been abandoned, this will in a
measure take the place but will be
somewhat different. The family club
will be open the year round and will
be for the entire families of the mem
bers. One of the features will be that
meals will be served
DR.. L. @. WaSson said: Mr.. Edward
Wilder proposes to build a club house
for the family club, on the corner of
Tenth and Buchanan streets This idea
started in that neighbOrhood but is in
tended to take in young married cou-
pies, as well as a few older ones. in all
parts of the city,
Mr. w H. Whitton said: THE club
house will be planned expressly for the
uses of a family club. The basement
will be devoted to bowling alleys The
first floors TO card rooms and pleasant
rooms with large fire places where
members may meet informally The
second story will be devoted to a dane
ing hall The idea is for a club open
winter and summer. OF course the
dance hall will be used principally in
the winter time but the location is cool
and the club house can be made very
comfortable in summer One of the
features viii probably be O'Clock
dinner.
1.-The idea was suggested by Ned VIII
der, who is a member of such a club in
New York and who has watched the
growth and success of the kenWood
club in Chicago. This club viii differ
from the Topeka club and such clubs in
the fact that the members wives and |
their children will be given the rights
of the club.
Everything will be informal The
members can gather there at any time |
during the day or evening and find
friends there ready for a chat or pas
time of some sort. There is plenty of |
room for tennis courts. Many persons
have already signified their intention of
joining and say that such a club is just |
where they wish to spend their even |
ings1'
Mr.. Edward Wilder has agreed to |
build the club house and rent it to the |
club if the organization is perfected |
and sufficient assurance OF the success /
of the enterprise is shown. It is the |
hope of the promoters that work on the |
building can commence within so days
and the building be completed by the |
first of the year.