Omaha daily bee., 1909-04-04
EvERAL years ha'

~ EvERAL years have elapsed since, talking one day with Rev.
H. C. Herring, Mrs. Emma Byers asked, "why can't we
~ ciues?"
you can have a building" replied the then pastor of
the First Congregational church, "If the matter is gone about seri-
ousy and in the right way"
This is not a verbatim report of that conversation, which was
but one of many that had occurred from time to time between per-
sons interested In the Young Womens Christian association but 1t
is typical of the first impulse that was felt toward the great need for
a young womens Christian association home that should be devoted
exclusively to the work comprehended In the title.
Casual conversations led to serious conferences, the conferences
to plans, first hazy, then tentative, finally definite; and today the
devoted women who have struggled and won behold with overflow
ing satisfaction a splendid dream grandly realized. Through oceans
of hard work they have come to stand on the deck of success, cap
tains of victory. And the feeling that thrills their hearts the whole
day long is one of exaltauon shot through with thankfulness to
Providence and to the whole citizenship of Omaha. There were mo-
ments. half of pleasure. half of pain, when the ambitious project
was temporarily hestating, but a supreme faith sustained It's pro-
moters. Again it was stopped. when San Francisco lay grooming
under visitation most dire; and ten months, that seemed like ten
years to the pent-up enthusiasm of many sweet souls, went by before
the campaign for funds was again effectively under way. But, once
started anew, there was n o serious pause until the hill of endeavor
was topped and surcease from doubt came like a balm to anxious
hearts. -h-, u.s.
ut is said woman is made up Of wants. and has the happy fac
uy of acquiring many of them. We shall not cease to want when
in our own building yet that is our great desire now. The success
of the past inspires u 8 with the hope that with a wider knowledge of
the work and returning prosperity to our city Ohe faint gimmer of
which we catch in the distance now. by a strong pull, and a pull all
together W e shall in the near future possess our own young women's
building"
So wrote Mamie Clayton, recording secretary, in making her e.
port to the board Of directors o. the Young Women's Christian asso-
ciattoni of Omaha for the year ending May IL, 1896. The aspiration
embodied in the exhortation for a strong pull and a pull all together
was the same as expressed daily and hourly by all the leaders and
all the members. That aspiration has been achieved in most graft
flying measure in the new building which has been formally and for
ever thrown open to the world the last week. 1t is pronounced by
those who have been in about all the similar institutions o this
continent unsurpassed between the coasts for its purpose; unsur-
passed, too. in its homehke atmosphere and wide-openness for en-
tertainment, rest, instruction and upHft.
1t is quite safe to say that no persons in the wide universe are
happier, with the happiness that grows out of holy accomplishment,
than Mrs. W. p. Hartford, the president; Mrs. George Tilden, chair
man of the finance and building committee, and Mrs. Emma F.
Byers, the efficient general secretary. Mrs. Tilden was the first
president, serving for six years, and Mrs Hartford succeeded, holding
to the present time. Mrs. Byers has been general secretary for
about six years. She has been the active mother of the young
women connected with the many lines of activity of the association
during her service; but no one will quarrel with the assertion that
Mrs. Tilden is the mother of all the mothers when we begin to build
this tree of a happy and extensive family.
Mrs. Tilden wal found one day recently in the deserted rooms of
the association in the Paxton block. "redding things up" Like a
good and faithful captain, she was the last to move out. The rooms
were deserted and permeated with that Understandable air that rooms
have when folks who have given them life and color for many years
have gone away. A feeling of restful satisfaction in the new home
was hers. Of course; but one fanced that, sitting there among the
wreck of things that were part of life through years of care and
watchfulness and hope, her heart was harboring a sentiment of ten
der regret.
When we opened to serve lunch, years ago." she said, I'VE had
one girl rs guest the first day. That was when we were in two
rooms in the McCague building, and had an outside store room for
after starting. We FIRST had what is now the office of the editorin-