The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-02-02
WOMEN'S WORK
IN MONTICELLO
EARNEST WORK DONE IN PRovTD.
ING MEANS OF EDUCATION.
New England Pioneer Early Founded
Fine Schools Which Have Produced
Strong Teachers-Out Of Boys
Reading Room Has Grown a Flour
ishing Village Library.

In paper on "The' Women of Mon
tlcello,' read recently at a meeting of
The Monticello Political Equality club.
Miss Mary j. Hager gathered together
briefly a record Of the achievements of
some OF the women Of that town. The
pioneers were nearly all New Eng
landers, who brought with them thrift,
Their attempts to carve home surround
1ngs on the. New England model out of
the western wilderness received a Sc
we're blow in the early grasshopper
scourges that tried their hearts, but
united all in neighborly kindness and
charity. ~ 80 - :
During the Indian outbreak their hos
again called forth largely but for those
outside their own community. Every
house was taxed to it's utmost in pro-
Vlding. for refugees that focked into
the village. -
| The pioneer women put much energy
and enthusiasm into the founding Of
schools and churches, in order that their
children might enjoy such advantages
as, they had enjoyed in the east. The
schools Of the town have always ranked
among the best in the state, and many
OF their graduates stand high in the
profession Of teaching. Among these
successful teachers are Mrs. Dow, who
taught for many years in the school fol
the blind In Farlbault, and Mrs. Camp.
bell, who first went as missionary to
Africa, and is now associated with her
husband in a school for negro girls in
Georgia. .-.- -, -.
Business careers have claimed Miss
Worthing, Miss Wetzel, Miss Jennie
Phillips and Miss Lucia Tennison, and
one. woman is preparing to become 9
trained nurse, Miss Stella Tennison.
School and Library Labors.
For many years the women were rep
resented on the school board, Mrs
Stacy being the first to serve, followed
by Mrs. Pike and Mrs. Nickerson, al
Of whom performed valuable services
The library privileges of the town are
due almost wholly to the work of thu
women. This began thru the efforts OF
Mines. French, Gee and Brown. Tht
beginnings were more in the nature OIL
a reading and amusement room than {
boys, and books, magazines and papers
were provided by the citizens. An as
ISOLATION. Of twenty:three members con
trolled the. enterprise. The women a.
length decided to lend the books, anc
a state travelling library of fifty book
was secured to supplement the loca
collection. Mrs. Willis was appointed
41U1 d 1du ucI 0uOICS D. Door
shower and chicken pie supper resulted
in the accession of 118 books and SOM
money. Mrs. Thomas Lowry Of Mime
apolis, who makes her summer home il
Monticello, gave $50 to be divided be
tween the library and the reading room
and Horace Lowry donated seventy
eight books.
Library Tax Secured.
The first effort made by the women t
secure a town tax for the support o
the library failed, but last year
passed. The mayor appointed tn
, library board from the old association
the members being Mrs. Fuller, pres
dent; Mrs. Willis, vice president; Mr.
: Boyd, secretary, and Mrs. Camafort
treasurer; Mines. French, Parker, Brac
ford and Miss Wedgewood, executiv
committee. This year Mrs. Willis
president; Mrs. Parker, vice presiden
| and Mrs. Bradford, treasurer. Th
library now contains 669 volumes.
Monticello has more than the usus
number of women's organizations an
societies. One of the strongest of thes
is the Woman's Relief corps, of whic
Mrs. Brenchley is president; Mrs. Wi
lis, treasurer, and Mrs. Stacy, secretary
. Tho W. G. r. U. also does much valuabl
. work. Its officers are: President, Mr.
Brookins; secretary, Mrs. Nickcrson
treasurer, Mrs. Gee, and correspondent
secretary, Mrs. Gibbs.