Remembering Tuolumne…

By Joseph Celentano

TCMM Historical Research Committee

 

www.TuolumneMuseum.org/rt0703.htm

 

 

This months article comes from the archives of the former Tuolumne Women's Improvement Club and is printed exactly as it is typewritten.  The author and date are unknown. 

            "The Tuolumne Women's Improvement Club was organized on July 1, 1911 with 25 members, and on the second meeting, there were 16 more joined.  Mrs W.R. Thorson was the organizer.  The first officers were Mrs Ludivine Handy, president; Mrs C.K. Goodwin, vice-president; Mrs B.J. Robertson, secretary; Mrs Will Gurney, treasurer.  The first meetings were held in the Firemen's Hall.

            "The improvement of the town was the main object of the Club--to clean up the tin cans and all other rubbish, and to try to make the town look like somebody lived there. 

"In 1912, it was suggested that now was the time to plant flowers and shrubs in the cemetery, so a great many flowers and trees were planted at this time.  The Native Daughters gave $12.50 to be used in this work. 

            "In Jan 1913, we bought 25 trees from Cullers Ranch for $5.00, and these were planted, and some of them are still in the cemetery.  Also, we got the Government to give monuments to the old soldiers' graves, and the Club had them erected.  We had the road graveled for $70.00, and the cemetery looked very nice.  There was a committee to look after same. 

            "The Club took up the playground around the Grammar School and had a slide built at a cost of $22.60 and had several other little things done.  Mrs Thorson had 150 trees sent here, and they were planted in the park, and also 22 families were given trees to plant around their homes.  She also sent shrubs and roses to plant in the park.  In June there was a fly crusade.  There were so many old-fashioned toilets, barns, and stock running loose.  Mrs Thorson gave the prize money:  1st, $10.00; 2d, $5; and 3d, $1.  Three quarts and three pints were burned; there were about 9 1/2 quarts, about 12,600 flies.  1st prizewinner, Harold Boquist; 2d, Earl Sittle and Ted Bates; 3d Bernice Gurney.  The club also got lights put in dark places. 

            "In Jan 1913, we decided to get a reading room.  The Hossli building was rented for $10 a month.  This was cleaned out for $3.50.  Mr Prince donated the wood and lights.  Mr Smyth, a stove; Mr Ruich, chairs.  Twenty-five cents was paid for moving the stove.  Magazines were solicited and everything gotten into shape, and the reading room was opened on Wed night, Feb 26.  About 20 attended.  The club served light refreshments, and on Feb 28, the club held the first meeting in their reading room.  Other donations, signs and books; Dick Jenkins put in a load of books free of charge, and $7.00 in each was given on the opening night.  The Club was to pay $1 a month to Bob Hinch, night watchman, to lock doors and turn out lights. 

            "At this time Richard Stokes' case was brought before the Club.  The Fireman and the Club gave a benefit dance for the operation.  On the committee, Frank Valverde was for the Firemen, Mrs Handy and Mrs Eugene Reid for the Club.  $161 was raised.  Mrs Thorson gave $25, Mrs Dermit, $2.  Then Richard was sent to the hospital. 

            "The reading room was rented to the Guild for $3 a month.  Mrs Thorson gave 12 armchairs.  We also gave dances after the Saturday show.  The first building owned by the Club was bought in 1913, called the Petty Building, for $500.  We paid $250 and got $250 from the bank.  This place was cleaned out, the reading room was moved and ready by Oct. 21, 1913.  By calling the reading room a free library, it would be exempt from tax, and Mr Ryan gave them a book for a starter.  There was a small building in the rear of the Railroad, and this was sold for $65 to Mr Copeland.

            "On July 10, 1914, the new officers took charge.  By this time the reading room was shaping up very nicely.  There were 26 books donated on book day, and later in the week, a donation of 11 books was made by Mrs W.H. Griffith of Confidence.  In Sept, the club asked about joining the Federation of Women's Clubs.  It was decided that we join, but no action was taken as yet.  Eleven more books came from Mrs Burke.  The club gave a supper for the Firemen's Dance and cleared $137.30 on Oct 31, 1914.  Nov 27 we paid off the debt on the reading room. 

            "In Jan 1915, Mrs Thorson gave the Club $50 as a Christmas gift.  The Club was now a member of the Federation of Women's Clubs.  The first six months there was not much activity--a few card parties and socials, took in 11 new members, 3 removed, 1 resigned, total 41 altogether.  Mrs Paul Morris offered the Turn Back Inn porch for parties.  The Club gave several there. 

            "On Oct 31, 1915, the Club gave a supper for the Firemen and made $97.90.  Christmas 1915 the Club gave a public tree, moving pictures, and 400 boxes of candy and oranges, which everyone enjoyed.  Mrs Thorson gave the Club $10 on Jan 16.  There was no meeting for 3 months.  The Firemen's hall burned in Feb., and the reading room was used until the hall was built March 6. 

            "Our first president, Mrs George Handy, passed away after serving 2 years.  On account of having no hall, we could not hold a card party or other entertainment, so not much money was made.  The new hall was finished Aug 1916.  Mrs Thorson gave $25; nothing much was done for 6 months.

            "In January 1918, the reading room burned down, and the Club got $400 insurance; we sold the lot for $150.  All meetings were held at the home of Mrs Lois Reid.  It was decided to build a new room as soon as possible.  The WSL Co. donated 2 lots, and Mr Johnson 1/2 a lot on Carter Street.  These lots were graded by WSL Co.  In 1919 the Club planted trees in the lot to commemorate the memory of two soldier boys who had passed on. 

            "In Sept 1919, the Firemen donated their hall for a dance to raise money to build a new Club House, $182.80 was cleared.  By July 1920 the Club had $792 in the treasury; from dance and dues, etc.  $1,067.10. 

            "In 1921 we gave a supper for the Moose dance and cleared $175.45; gave another supper for $80.22.  Mr and Mrs Thorson gave $500.  On Mar 4, 1921 the treasurer's report showed $1,867.39.  The building was started late in April and finished in June at a cost of $3,100.  The Club also bought a piano for $475.  The first meeting held in the new clubroom was June 1921.  Mr Harry Mathewson gave the library 4 volumes of encyclopedias and dictionaries.  The Club continued to work and pay off the mortgage on lumber and piano, which was due in 1926. 

            "In May 1926, the Club got Jennie Uliana into Shriners Hospital for treatment.  The baby clinic was started in 1929.  The Club from time to time helped the PTA.  In Oct 1929 the Degiobbi boy was placed in the hospital. 

            "In March 1930, two trees were donated by Mr Hanlon, and they were planted, and on Mar 12 they were dedicated to Mr and Mrs Thorson, organizer of the Club, and one to Ludivine Handy, first president of the Club.  We bought milk for 5 school children as long as possible.  We gave a carnival, netting $104.14, and a play, $85.73. 

            "In Oct 1936, the county gave $100 a year, which was a great help at this time (depression).  Welfare in 1937-38 paid out $39.20.  In 1940, first prize at Fair, $150.96; barn dance, $98.80; valentine ball, $38.89; float, $87; $75 dental clinic card party.  Paid $3 a month for dental clinic."

…..and thus, another page turns in the history of Tuolumne.