ATCHISON PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Major W. W. Downs was the promoter of the association. He was at Kansas in the spring of 1879 and opened its doors to the public November 17 of that year.
He was at that time superintendent of the Central Branch railroad and realized the need of reading and amusement rooms for the young men in this city. He succeeded in interesting a number of influential Atchison women in the work and promised a generous personal donation and the coöperation of the various railroads centering here.
It was unfortunate that before the doors of the library swung open the Central Branch changed officials. In spite of this discouragement the Atchison ladies continued to work, and since its organization it has always been managed by a board of fifteen women.
Funds are raised by the sale of membership and donations and a small monthly stipend from the city. J. P. Pomeroy subsequently made a splendid donation, amounting to $10,000, and later on, A. J. Harwi contributed a like amount for the support of this institution. It now has almost 11,000 books on its shelves besides hundreds of magazines and pamphlets.
Mrs. Leontine Scofield was appointed librarian in January, 1883, and has held that position from that time until 1916 uninterruptedly. She has endeared herself to the thousands of patrons who have visited this institution, and her familiarity with the place and her fidelity to the work especially fits her for this important place.
The following Atchison ladies are the officers of the association in 1916: Mrs. W. W. Guthrie, president; Mrs. F. E. Harwi, vice-president; Mrs. W. S. Beitzel, recording secretary; Miss Effie E. Symns, corresponding secretary; Mrs. Fannie W. Linley, treasurer. In addition to these ladies the following are directresses: Miss Nellie Allen, Mrs. R. F. Clark, Mrs. L. R. Seaton, Mrs. G. W. Glick, Mrs. E. S. Wills, Mrs. W. H. Schulze, Mrs. J. M. Challiss, Mrs. D. C. Newcomb, and Miss Mary Lukens. Mrs. J. J. Ingalls is an honorary directress of the association.