Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-08

TzHE Atlanta Woman's Pioneer So
cietv occupies a unique position
in the club world.
II 80 not a political body. II has
No az 70 grind. There Is no pulling
for office. and when It went into the
federation Of woman's Clubs It was
with the distinct understanding that
It would do no prescribed work. De
hound by no obligation, nor conform
10 anv rule or regulation.
II has a method OF its own. ana Is
the only club Of Its kind in existence
Now the object Of this unusual body
Of women is to be happy and 10 make
others happy. Their idea Of happi-
ness is not modern. but II has the
genuine cachet Of originality. and
whatever they do. you may be sure
It is the sweet, gracious thing.
The Pioneer Women, about one
hundred and fifteen, are the women
who had in many instances, their
grading in the old slab houses when
Atlanta was named Terminus, and
was begun in the wilderness, where
the red men still walked, and the
Wild deer. and bear. stili had their
haunts. along Peachtree Greek.
They are women. whose kindergar-
ten was the tungles Of the Peachtree
Road. and whose schooling was hao
on the battIehelds around Atlanta
whom Druid Hills ran red with the
blood OF the dead Of the Union and
Southern army.
They are women, who bravely faced
the reorganization period and who
have since sat back and watched At
lanta grow.
Many Of these women have become
rich. All have become. mellowed by
Time. and II is remarkable fact that
although many Of them have had the
most thrilling and narrowing tales TO
relate Of the past, tales where the
Great Shadow OF War has fallen upon
their lives. and where they have faced
the Enemy in thai great battle Of the
22d OF July. and later. met the hui
initiation Of invasion and defeat
there has never been recorded one
hitter word. nor single harsh
thought has been treasured by the
women OF this organization.
The Atlanta woman's Pioneer So
ciety was founded by Mrs. Joseph
H. Morgan. wife to a gallant confed-
crate major. with his own hands, and
unaided. prepared and marked 600
head-boards for the soldiers who were
taken out Of the trenches around At
lanta and buried in Oakland Gem
etery.
And here begins the interepting
story OF Mrs Morgan. who fs not
only the promoter OF the Pioneer So
ciety but was the founder OF the At
lanta Memorial Association.
In February. 1909, Mrs Morgan
called together the pioneer women Of
Atlanta. Her object was TO organize
a society where old friendships could
be renewed, historical facts OF the
city he preserved and social gather
ings be held. 50 that hslf-forgotten
memories could be revived, and pleas
ant intercourse be enjoyed
There was a ready response. and
over one hundred and twenty-five
members were enrolled. The annual
dues were 81. and nothing more has
ever been assessed the members. Out
OF this fund comes the simple ex-
penses Of the society. and the badge
fs but a small slip Of white satin g.
Illuminated with the name OF the So
ciety and an old woman sitting at
her spinning wheel, the printing being
done IN gold.
There is q visiting committee in
the order, whose duty IL Is TO see
the sick and there 10 a flower com
mittee which sees that the sick mem
bsrs have old-fashioned bouquets from
old fashioned flower gardens. When
member dies, noral Offering is sent.
tied with a memorial ribbon bearing
the name OF the society and Its sym
Dol, and once IN each spring, me
mortal service IS hello for those who
die during the year
The serious side OF ufe disposed
Of there comes a brighter season,
when the Pioneer Women go out into
the woods for a day, as they used
10 90 when Winnings Station. the old
Walton Spring. and Stone Mountain
were the fayorite picnic grounds for
r. the people OF Atlanta. And there are
monthly meetings when the children,
and grandchildren OF the members
are brought 20 the gathering and give
OF their young talents, and when the
older members sing such songs as
were popular before and during the
war with the States; such songs as.
Beautiful Dreamer Rest Darling
Rest" and
ssOh. give me the girl with the blue
dress on,
The white folks call Susannah.
She stole my heart and away she's
gone.
way down 20 Louisiana"
There is never any rag-tirne play
ed. never any questionable SONGS de
livered. for the nearest 10 hint ar
risauenss. in those pioneer days was,
II your foot Is pretty, show It.
No matter where or when
Let all lair maiGens know Il
Your foot. takes all the men
Now. for those days that was a
very naughty song.
Afrs Morgan. president Of the