The colored American., 1901-10-19

ties. If there is no receptive and liY-
inc quality in them which can be
evoked for their elevation, then they
must die"-AleXander CrummelI.
The many friends of Mrs T. L. II.
WasS0m will be pleased to read the
following interesting letter written for
this department. Mrs. WaSsOm viii
he remembered as the custodian Of the
Department of Literature during the
session Of the National Association of
Colored Women in Nashville In 1897,
end delegate from the Emily Austin
Club. Of Knoxville, Tenn:
Having been called upon by the
honorable President OF the National
Association of COlOred Women, Mrs.
Josephine Sil0ne Yates, Of Kansas
city. Mo-, to write an article for your
worthy paper. l feel that l must write
short article, though, physically
speaking. | do not feel able for the
task, having been travelling for the
past week and being quite tired.
Our little family left Knoxville,
Tenn, October l, for Kansas City,
Mo. where we think of making our
future home. Having stopped in Gin
cnnati and Indianapolis on our way,
we did not reach our destination until
October 8, when we found quite
welcome. As yet l have not been
here long enough to say how | like
the city. so | will not attempt to write
anything concerning Missouri at pres
ent, but will write a short sketch Of
our women of Knoxville.
The women Of Knoxville are quite
z thrifty, enterprlsing class Of people.
The majority Of them belong TO some
lodge. club or society, all working for
some good. There are from five to
eight lodges under the Good Samarl-
tan Order; four or five Odd Fellows
lodges, each one having their female
branch; two or three Masonic lodges,
having their female branches.
The Daughters of Zion is q very
large society. consisting only or WON
en- and doing an abundance or good
Each Of the above lodges own tnelr
cemetery. but l must speak in par
ticular Of the Daughters Of Zion. AS
said, this society consists or only
women. They own the best cemetery
Of all the societies in the city. Ihey
look after their sick and bury thelI
dead. and have done great deal ol
good work since they have been OF
SdnlZeO, WHICH was ycdLo dSO'
They have also The Womens I'm
provement Club. This club is doing
much good work. They are not al
old as the Daughters Of Zion, but ar'
making a record. They have estaD
lshed an orphanage and an Old FOLKS
Home. which enable them 10 caiU To-
these poor creatures Of humanlCy
They have also sent an orphan glrl u
Knoxville College, thereby helping ne
to make something Of herself. Iher
was another club. the Emily AuStH
Reading Circle, which was a Hterar.
club. established to cultivate ana I'LL
prove the mind. Both Of these cluD
at one time belonged to the Natlona
Association of Colored Women, Du
the Emily Austin club did not llV
long The President and some OF III
members moved out Of the city, an
the club ceased to meet. BeSlue
these that I have mentioned, there al
quite a number more, belonging 10 III
different churches. Some are Ilteraf
societies, others are sewing clrCie'
How much [ would love TO see ines
female societies of Knoxville JON III
National Association of Colored won
en-. They could do 1t so easily.
annual dues are not so hlgh as Ihe
used to be-OnIy 10 cents per heau
and how much better the socleti'
would feel to know that they belons(,
TO such an honorable body. II Wou
not only help them, but also help u