The Women's Clubs number considerably over one hundred, and there are also many which are composed of both men and women. The State Press Association had both as charter members. The Union of Literary Clubs, a strong organization of 104 branches, includes many of these and also those composed of women alone and of men alone.
The Woman's Club of Indianapolis, founded in 1875, is the oldest in the city. Under its auspices and through the inspiration of Mrs. May Wright Sewall, the Propylæum, a handsome club house, was built at a cost of over $30,000. It was dedicated in 1891 with imposing ceremonies, in which the Governor, the Mayor and many distinguished guests assisted the board of directors. All of the stock is held by women and the construction was entirely superintended by women. It is one of the important institutions of the city, and is used by a number of men's and of women's clubs and for many public and private functions.
In numerous forms of organized work, sanitary inspection, free kindergartens, flower missions, training schools for nurses, collegiate alumnæ, art associations, musical clubs, industrial unions, patriotic societies, church missionary boards, lodge auxiliaries and countless others—women render conspicuous and inestimable service. The State Monograph for the World's Fair, previously referred to, gives detailed information of the associated work of Indiana women in nearly fifty distinct departments.
FOOTNOTES:
[248] The History is indebted to Mrs. Alice Judah Clarke of Vincennes for much of the information contained in this chapter.
[249] The other names which appear most frequently during these years as officers and workers are the Rev. A. Marine, Doctors Isabel Stafford and Anna B. Campbell, Miss Mary D. Naylor and Mesdames Laura C. Schofield, Georgia Wright, Sarah E. Franklin, Laura Sandefur, Laura C. Arnold, C. A. P. Smith, S. S. McCain, H. R. Ridpath, Mary B. Williams, Laura Kregelo, H. R. Vickery, Emma E. Dixon, Pauline T. Merritt, Eliza J. Hamilton, L. May Wheeler and Florence M. Adkinson.
[250] State officers: President, Mrs. Bertha G. Wade; vice-president, Mrs. Mary S. Armstrong; corresponding secretary, Mrs. Alice Wheeler Peirce; recording secretary, Mrs. Hester Moore Hart; treasurer, Mrs. Alice E. Waugh; auditors, Mrs. Grace Julian Clarke and Mrs. Albertina A. Forrest.
Among the strong members of the Tipton club are Judge and Mrs. Dan Waugh, State Senator and Mrs. G. W. Gifford, Representative and Mrs. W. R. Ogleboy, Postmaster and Mrs. M. W. Pershing, Dr. and Mrs. M. V. B. Newcomer and W. H. Barnhart, editor of the Advocate.
[251] In 1901 the suffrage societies had a similar bill before the Legislature, supported by a large petition. It was passed by the House on March 5 by 52 ayes, 35 noes. Enough votes to carry it had been pledged in the Senate, but the night following its success in the House hurried consultations were held and the element which fights woman suffrage to the death issued its edict. The next morning the vote was reconsidered and the measure defeated. It was therefore unnecessary to bring it before the Senate.