The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1921-01-01
MRS, A. M. ARTHUR

born III MOuIOe CO"li'''
I1S59 A few years later the family NOV
cd to Clarksville. Iowa, Where SHE
snent her girlhood days. Never very
strong she received her education aI
home spending one year at Toleuo'
Ohio where she studied music Later
on account of poor health, she was sent
70 Colorado for a years stay. MIS- AT
thur had the distinction of being the
first woman to enter the Colorado
school Of mines. Always Interested
in nature, she thoroughly enjoyed the
study of mining, and was CONSIDERED
brilliant pupil.
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur were married III
1891 in GAINESVILLE, and six months la
fer they came to Jennings, where they
have stayed ever since.
AT that time Jennings was smali
village. Mrs. Arthur loved the soulh'
its people. and customs, and generous
" gave all her time and means to make
the town a better place to live IN
Interested in the pioneers fond OF
the Young people. always ready tor
merry time witty and OF brilliant
mind, she won the hearts of everybody
Her first effort for community bet
terment was the starting of a Library
writer of rare charm, and tond OF
the hest in Literature, she realized
that a Library was necessity to any
progressive community, so she ana
several other ladies formed a Library
Association of which Mrs. Arthur was
president for many years, They gave
entertainments aA worked untlrlngly
until they had end3gh money to buy a
lot for 100000 the site of the first
Jennings Library was purchased and
frame building erected. Many hours
were spent in the selection of BOOKS
and the gems of literature, standard
reference works. clean fiction, and ma
gaines started the good work. At the
time of her resignation, Mrs. Arthur
turned over to the Association $500,
large sum in those days.
Jennings has always been known
as the City of Clubs and promln-
ent New Orleans woman said that
Mrs. Arthur should be called the
Mother of Clubs
She was one of the four organizers
of the Woman's Literary Club, started
in 1894, and famed for it's unique
charter, which was written by Mrs.
Arthur. She organized the Embroidery
Club in 1895, which now is one of the
largest social clubs in the State. A
charter member of the Civic League,
and for several years one Of the board
of directors, she worked increasingly
for the welfare of her town.
A few years ago a number of the
young women of the town met at the
Arthur home and under her direction
started the X. C. Club Then the little
girls wanted a club of their own, and
Annie Arthur'S was the helping hand,
so the Busy Bees were added to the
| list.
A musician, an artist, writer and
scholar, her versatile accomplish,
ments added to the charm Of every
gathering and helped in every line of
culture.
One cannot think of Mrs. Arthur
without mentioning her flowers. The
Arthur gardens are the pride of the
town, and the great chrysanthemums,
choice roses, brilliant peoples, and the
plants of every variety are known as
tn loveliest in this section of the state.
Seldom did she leave her home without
bouquet for some friend. Many an
humble home was frightened, and the
ill were never forgottn. and as she
gave herself to every worthy cause,
SO did she bestOw her flowers.
So it was natural that her friends
should express their love in flowers.
Her casket was covered with lovely
blossoms. and the large room was
veritable rose garden.
Seriously i'll for several weeks, she
bravely faced the end. During the
last few days of her illness an almost
constant stream of friends and ad-
mirers called, and she was delighted
to see them all, having a pleasant
word for each. She selected friends
to decorate her house, and make her
dress, which she desired to be white
and soft. The home was beautiful
with holly wreaths, mistletoe and BAN
boo. Great bouquets of flowers graCed
stands and tables, and near large
window, straight and shining stood the
little Christmas tree, gay with tinsel
and bright ornaments.
Mrs. Arthur was a devout member
of the Episcopal church, and an untir-
ling worker in its behalf.