The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1915-11-04

her 1899 ten ladies meeting for social afternoon.
Five years ago they voted to invite their husbands
tc become members, and now they have added pleas
ure in their six o'clock dinners together followed by
a social evening.
In October 1895 the Gradatim Club was organized
Is study club Mrs. C. F. Hendryx, president
Their motto was chosen from ]. G. Hollands poem
"Gradatim."
Heaven is not reached by a single bound
But we build the ladder by which we rise
From the lowly earth to the vauted skies,
And we mount to its summit round by round"
The Minnesota Federation of Womens Clubs had
lust been created and Gradatim Club became a
charter member of this organization which now has
a membership of 10000 women
Although the Gradatim Club was organized as a
elfculture club there arose. the natural result of
all self Improvement, desire to be helpful and
this club has been sponsor for much of the work for
town betterment, in which it has had the active as
sstance of the City officials, Commercial Club the
newspapers and business men, who have given ad-
vice. encouragement and financial aid. The hrst
work undertaken by the club for civic betterment
was along the lines of village Improvement 1t was
decided that the best way to get at this was through
the children whose love of the beautiful would be
carried to the home. With the assistance of Prof.
Stanton flower seeds were distributed in the school
and prizes offered for the best collection of flowers
raised from them. For several years flower show
was held in the school, when the prizes were given
The civic committee of the club gave way to SIM
liar committee of women auxiliary to the board of
trade" in the belief that the work would be
strengthened by the men and women working more
directly together but the board of trade and the
committee expired within year.
In 1898 the Gradatim Club with the assistance of
the citizens and City council opened reading room
In the City Hall where the Bryant Library was then
housed. The State Library Commission gave assist
arce to the club in securing old magazines to COM
plete back volumes-also many homes of our town
proved rich in magazines treasure and when IN l9O9
the club turned to the Library the OF the
Reading Room and it's periodicals, its magazine ref
erence library was the richest and largest outside
the large cities in the State The two library tables
ir the Reference room given by the Gradatim
Club.
In 1901 the club was instrumental in opening
Rest Room for the benefit Of the rural women and
children, with Mrs. l.. M. Clark, matron The next
year the City Council deeming the of great i'm
pcrtance to Sank Centre said to the Gradatim Club
that they would pay to them certain sum each
month for the support of the room if the club would
take entire charge and attend to the detail work.
which they have done. In 1911 the City purchased
the property and remodeled the building The tel
phone Company give free service, and the Electric
Light Company wired the building and give free
lights. That this is greatly appreciated is
shown in the increased attendance from 1000 the first
year to $500 last year. From information given Of
the value of this room many others have been
OPENED in Minnesota and other states.
The club has helped in cleaning and making at
tractive our town. This last several ladies
joined with the club in civic department and with the
aid of the Council and Commercial Club have carried
an active campaign against the fly with notable
results The boys caring for the traps reported
100 quarts of flies killed. This civic department met
every two weeks during the summer, and are plan
ming to have a suitable stone erected to mark the
Old Stockade.
During the 20 years of the clubs existence it has
given money to aid in the work of the Relief Corps
to the General and State Federation Endowment
funds and the Belgian Relief work. Of the charter
members of the club Mesdames Tobey, Norris Nc
Cullom, Lewis and Hilsdale retain their member
ship.
The Ladies Monday Musical Club organized
March 1900, and joined the M. F. w. c., in 1902
The first president was Mrs N. H. Miner. The club
MOTTO "To develop and cultivate the musical ability
of members and to seek to elevate the standard
Of musical art in Sank Centre
This musical club has studied the best composers
have given many concerts bringing fine soloists to
the town. They have also given free recitals. Mes
danes Simonton, R. Hansen and Henshaw of the
charter members yet the roll. Mrs. M. Hogan
president.
There have been other clubs not previously
toned who have met just for the social life. One of
OF these the "Social Thirty" who disbanded
after few years.
Three years ago ten women organized a club
meeting to sew for others. They still at work.
They have been helpful to others in the work done
but wonder if this has not been given through
great mutual anguish for they call themselves "The
Silent Sttchers."
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE CONGREGATION