Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-06-14

Holds Tenth
II AnniOeyaru
Especial to The Herald.l

HARLINGEN June l3. = Ten
years ago. the Rural Club women
In both Cameron and Hidalgo
counties were thrilled with the in
auguration Of the Encampment, for
the Home Demonstration women.
ltawaS held in the old hotel at Santa
ATia in charge Of Mrs. Guppy
her sister. Both were untiring
mNtheir efforts TO make every one
comfortable.
Miss Myrtle Lovelace was the
Home Demonstration agent at that
time, and 1t was her idea and
through her efforts, that that pri-
mai meeting was such o success
and 1t has still continued TO be the
high light OF the year.
1t was no small task to transport
the necessary food and bedding
down to Santa Maria. There were
no well known roads, and lots OF
sand and several OF the visitors
lost their way, but ~persevered until
they arrived. They carried provi-
slons and food, also bedding and
pillows, plate, cup knife, fork and
spoon. They cooked their own meals
had programs, put on some Of the
~cleyerest stunts each night and
enjoyed every minute.
Miss Bonnie Campbell, OF the A.
81 M. Extension Service was pres
ent, and two other agents.
Pictures OF that group were taken
by Miss Lovelace and Miss Camp
bell and were exhibited by Miss
Campbell at the recent meeting.
The picture shows the guests array
ed in shirt waists and long skirts
and sailor effect hats. Miss Camp
bell and Mrs. /. C.. Webb-were the
only ones present in this encamp-
ment, that attended the pioneer
meeting.
Another meeting was held the
next year. at the same place. with
the same condition, except that
there were more in attendance. Both
OF the counties attending and new
rural clubs forming.
In the following years, meetings
were held at McAllen. &C Llano
Grande clubhouse. at Sharyland, at
Rio Hondo at Stuart Place, with
Miss Adele Hill. Mrs. Jewell and
Miss Dorothy Porter being present.
The latter has been successful in
raising the standard of the Home
Denomination work from its rapidly
increasing efficiency 10 a still
higher degree.
Miss Campbell said that two years
ago the 25th anniversary of the
extension service was celebrated in
Houston in a fitting manner.
In 1908, at Terrell, Texas, this
idea OF extension service started,
very strange to relate in the far VI
sionE mind Of q man, Simon
Kn5 pp. now 20 years old. The first
work started with girls in 1919.
after the passing OF the Smith bill
for adequate funds for carrying on
the work for the extension can
ming. The organization was launch
ed in 1912 when there were u Home
Demonstration clubs in Texas.
Miss Edna Trigg was an Instructor
In the first work, called the Horse
and Buggy Stage" as that was the
common mode Of going about the
country.
1lCLl Oh UIO-
ducts was i~naugurated, and next a
marketing system was started.
The work then spread 70 Home
Improvement and by 1915, the work
was spreading over the state. In
1918 there were As or so demon
stration agents. In 1921. there were
123 agents. $4,000 women members.
and 20 members in the STAFF or
promoters.
With the additional comforts
brought into the rural home life,
and the different outlook on life
that 1t has brought to these cap
able, ambitions farmers families it
has indeed <rou-ht a wonderful
change in their homes. This Splen-
did vision OF the future ~foreseen by
the keen mentality OF Simon Knapp
and his brother. Bradford Knapp.
Is being fulfilled to the extent OF
the greatest imagination.
In hundreds Of rural homes,
food is conserved. the latest i'm
provements in sewing, beautifica-
ton Of house and y.vd and a wide
ming Of acquaintance is to be seen.
also adding TO the family larder and
often sums to keep out the living
expenses. Most of all 1t seems the
women acquire poise and knowledge
Of the world around them.
ANA Is considering a law to make