Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1909-05-02
zed, Phoenix had 5000 inhabitants

lied, Phoenix had 5000 inhabitants
and 80 saloons.
During these early years, Miss Es-
Their Pugh, Mrs. Blair and Col. Wood
ford lectured for the union. Col.
Woodford came in 1887 and again in
1889 At this time, 1887, a movement
was started to secure subscription for
building. A lot on Washington st.
was purchased. 1t was thought by
many to be too small for carrying
out fully the pledges made to donors
of funds.
In 1883 the W. C. T. u. of Phoenix
was incorporated. The articles were
signed by Laura F. Murphy, Eliza A.
Ingalls,, Sarah Cotton, Emma c. Kays.
These articles were amended in jan
uary 1893, and signed by Matte M.
Quinn, president.
Your correspondent has not the rec
ords from 1889 to 1895. In the mean
time the property on the corner of
Monroe and Center streets had been
purchased. The dream of a beautiful
and commodious temple was not to
be realized, and the women contented
themselves with repairing the old
adobe, and again opening reading
room. A lunch room was tried for a
short time but was soon dropped.
In the fall of 1898 a free circulat-
ing library was started and for awhile
the books were well read. Lack of
funds with which to buy new books,
and the city library being made free,
caused the w. c. T. L. books TO
gradually sink into disuse. These
books are still owned by the union.
All these years the regular work
Of the w. c. T. U. under superin-
tendent of departments had been car
ried on. Meetings were regularly
held, the temperance subject studied,
literature distributed, dues sent to
territorial unions, and the do every
thing policy carried out. Parlor
meetings were held in homes and
public meetings in churches. The
jails were visited and the inmates
supplied with literature. An L. T. L.
was kept up for two years.
For some time, aid was regularly
given to the Crittenten Home, the de-
partment of Rescue work carried on
through the matron. The union furn-
ished a room in the Home, which is
known as the w c. T. U. room.
one of the departments of work is
flower mission and relief. Many calls
for aid were received at headquarters
In the fall Of 1904, Miss Gilchrist,
who then had charge Of the reading
room and headquarters, was appoint
ed to attend to charity calls in the
name of the union. little later
Miss Gilchrist brought before the
union plan for organized charity"
The union followed her suggestion
and the work was begun. Miss Gill
christ was appointed w. c. T. U.
agent to work with the churches and
other organizations. She was also
superintendent of the work, the w.
c. T U. room being headquarters
for the Charities.
out Of this small beginning, grew
the present. well organized work of
the Associated Charities.
About three years ago it was
thought best to abandon the old
building, and the reading room was
closed. This property was recently
sold, and a new lot, on the southside
of Monroe St, between Second and
Third avenues, has been secured. In
the near future the union will build
a suitable building for a meeting
place, headquarters, a reading room
and possibly for an enlargement of
the work
The union has now a membership
of sixty, and works through twelve
regular departments.
Headquarters are at the Associated
Charities room, l19 w. Adams ST
Business meetings are held there the
first Wednesday of each month. Par
Tor meetings are held in homes or in
church parlors on the third Wednes-
day Teach month.
The membership and conditions of
the w. c. T. U. of Phoenix have
many times changed in the twenty
five years of it's existence. but
through all the changes there has run
one line of endeavor, For God, and
Home and Native Land"
LUELLA f. THOMAS,
Supt. Press Department