Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1901-01-12
HISTORY OF ATLAS CLUB.

The Atlas club is in point of age next
to the Homer club and is constantly in
creasing in membership and influence
they meet now in the same room the
Homer club uses, the Business Mems
association, which the members kindly
gave them the use Of. The Atlas club is,
like the Homer, conservative, study
club more than anything else. While
the members are in sympathy with all
reforms. benefiting mankind, they have
ever held aloof from mixing in municipal
or public affairs of any kind.
The first meeting was held in October,
1894. few congenial friends met at the
home of Mrs. Ella Butler, West Galena
street, to read and discuss different coun-
tries. Mrs. Alfred Merz, now a resident
of Helena, was the originator of the idea.
The charter members We're Mrs. Ella
Butler Mrs. Alfred Merz. Mrs. NJ Slater,
Mrs. j. D. Ritter, Mrs. J. H. Wathey and
Mrs. j. H. Hall. The club was to be linn
tied to ten members. Mrs. Butler was
elected president and Mrs. Hall secre-
tary. Mrs. M. Slater, critic. The name
Atlas was chosen as being appropriate for
the line of reading mapped out. 1t being
intended to merely study the people of
the different countries, and their man.
ners. customs and religions. Soon the
limit of membership was raised to Is,
and then to Is.
For the first year the meetings were
held at the homes of the different men,
bers. In November. 1895, permission was
granted the club to use the art room of
the public library, which was their home
until the current year.
1t was not until 1897 that Year Books
were issued. Previous to that time, the
programmes were type written. The club
joined the General Federation in the
same year. 1897. The club colors are yell
low and green. The motto is:
Attempt the end and never stand to
doubt.
Nothing's so hard but search will find it
out.
The Atlas is the only club with club
flower, the Golden Rod. Although the
Golden Rod is really classed as weed,
it was chosen for it's beauty, and also
for the profusion of its growth in Mon
tana. And last but not least, for its
meaning-encouragem
Social days are one of the features of
the club and they are always unique in
programme, some one of the members ar
ranging programme of intellectual con-
tests, something new in guessing con-
tests. Whatever the latest form of en-
tertainment the Atlas club can be de-
pended upon to be the first to introduce
it in Butte. On social days refreshments
are served and a general afternoon of
enjoyment without serious study is the
object sought and always obtained. The
club always gives each member per-
mission to bring one guest on social days
Also the grand annual picnic which is a
feature of the recreation programme
of the Atlas club. 1t is a social event
also and one greatly enjoyed.
Current events We're added to the pro-
.gramme the second year and the third
year the club began studying history.
pure and simple. They kept it up until
two years ago when they adopted mis-
cellaneous programme and this succeed
ed so we'll it has been retained.
They had no constitution or bylaws UNI
| til March, 1896. when both We're drawn
| up and adopted. Since the club was first
organized they have thoroughly studied
! Japan, China, Corea, Ceylon, India.
Russia American history and literature,
Alaska. English history. Roman history,
the islands of the world, besides the two
years miscellaneous programmes. A
| good record for a study club to make.
The first year book was all white with
black lettering. Mrs. A. B. knight being
president, Mrs. G. w. Beckwith vice
president. Mrs. NJ. Slater secretary
treasurer. Mrs. E. c. Glenn was chair
man of the programme committee. Mrs.
]. D, Slemons and Miss A. NJ. Reznor be-
| ing the other members Of the committee
oil Of ho