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HomeMy WebLinkAboutENFIELD CENTER WCTU UNIT 1999 Sue Thompson NL ArticleENFIELD CENTER WCTU UNIT February 2nd, 1915 The Enfield W.C.T.U. held their meeting in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Emmet Tucker, a membership of 18 was present at this meeting. Meetings were held monthly at members homes or at the church buildings of the Christian and Methodist Churches of Enfield Center. An approximate 15-20 people were usually in attendance at each of these meetings. Meetings opened with singing temperance and church songs, a reading from the Christian Bible Scriptures and prayer and closed with singing temperance and church songs. Some of the temperance songs noted were - "Stand Up For Prohibition", "Temperance Light House", All Round The World The Ribbon White is Turned", "Long Way to Prohibition", "It shall be Ratified", "White Ribbon Rally Song", "The Rally Song", "The World is going Dry", "Work for Enforcement Where You Are", "Some Glad Day", "Win a Million Members", "The Women's Crusade", "Crusade Glory Song", Bootleg Wealth", Let Us Remember When Election Comes", and a reading of the Crusade Psalm. Each member of the W.C.T.U. filled out a Pledge Card which read, "I hereby solemnly promise, god helping me, to abstain from all distilled, fermented and malt liquors, including wine, beer and cider, and to employ all proper means to secure the enforcement of the Eighteenth Amendment to the Federal Constitution." All members of the W.C.T.U. wore a white ribbon to each meeting. Membership meetings were held to recruit new members. This meeting was usually a dinner meeting. New members received white ribbons to wear and old members joined in song welcoming the new members. During the February 2nd, 1915, meeting a Mrs. Crawford presented to the Enfield W.C.T.U. a new "Rally Cry" - "Hear we are, do you hear? Out goes Whiskey, Rum, and Beer. Liquor men we're after you. Enfield W.C.T.U." March 14th, 1919 Mrs. Beatrice Truax presented a new "Rally Cry" for the group - "Prohibition has come to stay. No more "Booze" for U.S.A. Thanks to Wilson and the women too. Enfield W.C.T.U." A Mother's Meeting was held during some of the monthly meetings. Grand Gold Medal Contest, Silver Medal Contest, Children's Speaking Contest, and Children's Medal Contests were held during the year at the churches. First prize was awarded along one honorable mention. Funds were raised during the contest to go to the groups treasury. The W.C.T.U. recorded many community projects such as, sewing for a needy family, taking "sun shine boxes" to the sick and shut-ins. Yarn was purchased and members knit booties for baby's. Post Card Showers were sent to members at various times. Prayer bags were sent home with members on some months. One cent a day to be placed in the bag given with a murmured prayer. The group sent money to the "Francis Williard Memorial". They also sewed quilts to be presented to different members of the Enfield Community. One of the Enfield W.C.T.U. quilts was presented to the Reverend and Mrs. Holland on August 15th, 1916. December 27, 1921 it was decided that the Enfield W.C.T.U. send a baby layette made by the union to Ellis Island. Members of the group presented talks at various times. One talk given by a Mrs. Caswell on the life of Francis Willard. The Enfield W.C.T.U. observed the national celebrations of the National organization. These celebrations were always held in one of the Enfield Churches or on the lawn of the School at Enfield Center. Jubilee Drive ; December 2nd, Day of Prayer for Constitutional National Prohibition; March - Lilian Stevens Ruth Day. June - Flower Mission and Relief Day, it was suggested that this day be observed by securing one new member in the membership drive for W.C.T.U. February 1st, Frances Willard Day. Frances Elizabeth Caroline Willard was an American educator and reformer, President of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union and Women's suffrage leader. She born at Churchville, NY September 28, 1839 and died, New York City, February 18, 1898. May 18th, 1915 Vice Presidents were elected to the group from the each of the community churches: Methodist Church - Mrs. William Barber, Mrs. Nelia Bullard; Baptist Church - Mrs. Lettie Rolfe; Christian Church - Mrs. Ella Johnson, Mrs. N.B. Brown. Tompkins County Conventions for all the groups were held in Ithaca, New York at the W.C.T.U. building. Delegates were appointed from the group to represent Enfield at the County Conventions during the year. Topics discussed at the Conventions were: How can the young people be interested in Temperance Work? Why I believe in total abstinence? A State W.C.T.U. Convention was held September 30th to October 4th, 1915. October 6, 1921 delegates reported going to Rochester, New York to the State W.C.T.U. Convention. It was noted that the delegates from Tompkins County sounded out their Rally Cry - "This is now our proclamation, Prohibition we have now it, By our prayers and volis we've done it, now the laws that have been made. We'll see that they're obeyed, We're the women that will do it; Watch and see us buckle to it; Set things slide well I guess not Tompkins County on the spot, Tompkins, Tompkins, Tompkins. Tompkins says hurrah! hurrah! Down with every politician who won't work for Prohibition. We won't vote for men of Straw, who won't help enforce the law. The law The law enforce the law. Tompkins says hurrah! hurrah! Tompkins, Tompkins, Tompkins." September 1915 Enfield paid for 43 members to the National W.C.T.U. October 2nd, 1917 meeting the group voted to purchase 10 yards of unbleached muslin for bandages to made at the next meeting. Two comfort bags were sent out and additional comfort bags were worked on. November 20th, 1917 note was made that a letter was received from H. L. Bailey, one of "our" Solider Boys". He thanked the Union for the Comfort Kit sent him. Ella Johnson, Secretary also made a personal note in the minutes, "It is our earnest prayer that Peace be declared soon and our boys not be called to France". March 22, 1918 the Enfield W.C.T.U. sent money to help provide for at least one French Orphan through the County and State National W.C.T.U.. This money will provide for one orphan for a year. May 21st, 1918 the National W.C.T.U. sent word that enough money was sent to provide for 5 French orphan children. 1919 The Eighteenth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States was adopted for prohibiting the liquor traffic in the United States. January 2, 1924, The National W.T.C.U. urged the independent unions to observe Victory Day, January 16. The Enfield W.T.C.U. to have a public meeting Victory Day in the Methodist Church. May 19, 1921 the Enfield W.T.C.U. voted to decide if they would disband or not. The vote was favorable to keep their union together. May 31, 1921 the Enfield W.T.C.U. sent a card of appreciation to Mr. Schaber for not allowing ball playing in his field Sundays! January 16, 1923, "The Efficiency Plan" was read before the Union which had been sent by Mrs. Huson county Union Secretary. Motion was made and carried to adopt this plan. In accordance with this plan two captains- Red Team and Blue Team - were appointed Mrs. Ross and Mrs. Rothermich they will serve for 4 months. May 22, 1923 it was reported that the Red Team won the first four months of the Efficiency Plan Contest. Mrs. Laughlin and Esther Chrisjohn were appointed captains for the remaining of the year. July 24, 1923 it was reported that the Blue Team gave the winners of the Red Team Banquet. Newsletter for the union was "Union Signal". January 23, 1923 the Union voted to sent a letter to their assemblyman on the Mullen Gage Law Bill to be voted on some time in February. A letter was written and passed around to get ten or more voters to sign it. March 6, 1923 the Union discussed the bills now before the legislature dealing with the repeal of prohibition laws. May 1, 1923, the Union voted to ask the children in the Sunday Schools to sign pledge cards and pay ten cent dues. October 2, 1923, A report was given to the Union regarding the County Convention of W.C.T.U. recently attended. Emphasis was placed on the need of women voters, voting for dry candidates. Mr. Buck was considered dry candidate for Sheriff. October 30, 1923, The National W.C.T.U. asked for unions to secure as many signers as possible to a Patriotic Roll showing how many favored prohibition. January 2, 1924 The Enfield W.C.T.U. voted to placed the picture of Mrs. Boole, that the Union received from the State Convention, be framed and put in the Center School. Mrs. Boole, was State President of the W.C.T.U. in 1924. August, 1924 the Enfield W.C.T.U. received a letter from the W.C.T.U. Headquarters, New York City offering for sale a Souvenir Jubilee Penny to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of 50 years of Progress of W.C.T.U. Each Souvenir penny cost 50 cents each. Young Crusaders groups were represented in local Enfield Schoolsin 1953: Hayts, Kennedy (2), VanDorn, Woodard, Enfield (2), Bostwick Road, Bostwick Corners, Millers. MEMBERS OF ENFIELD W.C.T.U. - September 1, 1915 - 1924 Carrie Allen Mrs. Jane (E.S.) Bagley (Honorary) E.S. Bagley Mrs. William Barber Bertha Beardsley Mrs. Wheeler Bell Mrs. Max Blum Mrs. Charles Boxard Mrs. Irene Brown Miss Myrtle Brown Mrs. N.B. Brown Mrs. Mildred Bullard Mrs. Nelie Bullard Mrs. Lena Burlew Esther Chrisjohn Mrs. Lettie Chrisjohn Mrs. Mary Clark Mrs. Gertrude Conrad Mrs. Lavina Cowan Mrs. Emma Crawford Mrs. Leroy Doty Mrs. Anna Ferguson Mrs. Ann Fish (Honorary) David Fisher (Honorary) David Fisher Mrs. Ida Fisher Mrs. Mertie Fitzgerald Mrs. Susan Foster Mrs. Agnes Fowler Mrs. Mildred Frear (Honorary) Peter Gar Mrs. Geise Mrs. Ida Griffin Mrs. Lettie Griffin Harriett Hagenman Mrs. Fred Herholdt Mrs. Marie Hermenson Mrs. Estella Hubbell Mrs. Jennie Jackson Mrs. Kate Jackson Mrs. Ella Johnson Mrs. Alice Jones Mrs. Anna Jones Mrs. Lina Jones Miss Mary Jones Mrs. John King Miss Margaret King Mrs. Olin King Mrs. Martha Koyle Mrs. Neva Laue Mrs. William Laughlin Mrs. Cora Leonard Mrs. Hannah Lindew Mrs. Edith Lindow Mrs. Johannah Lindow Mrs. Ester McFall Mrs. Ella Miller Mrs. Frank Miller Mrs. J.P. Nelson Mrs. Merite Fitch Patrick Mrs. Mystic Fitch Patrick Mrs. Adda Personius Mr. & Mrs. E.H. Peterson Mrs. Alphonsine Rolfe Miss Emma Rolfe Mrs. Lettie Rolfe Mrs. Hannah Ross Mrs. Nina Ross Mrs. Henry Rothermich Mrs. Mary Rothermich Mrs. Ada Rumsey Mrs. Mary Beardsley Rumsey Mrs. Lucy Rumsey Miss Mary Rumsey Mrs. Glennie Russell Mrs. Carrie Schaber Mrs. Mary Schilling Mrs. Seaman Mrs. Olive Smith Mrs. Mae Stamp (Honorary) Frank S. Stevenson) Mrs. Emma Stone Warena Stone Mrs. Isabelle Teeter Mrs. Florence Thall Mrs. Carrie Truax Mrs. Elizabeth Tubbs Mrs. Blanche Tucker Mrs. Myrtle Brown Vorhis Mrs. Alice Wallenbeck Miss Nancy Wallenbeck Miss Edith Welling Mrs. Harriet Whipple Mrs. Emma Whitaker Mrs. Belle Willis Miss Lucelia Willis Mrs. Nellie Wilson Mrs. Wilson Mrs. Anna Wright Mrs. Clarissa Wright Kennedy Corners W.C.T.U. Minutes book 1944-1953. 1953 is the latest book of minutes.