CHAPTER XIX.

LITERARY DEVELOPMENT.

LITERARY AND DEBATING SOCIETIES.

One of the extremely interesting institutions established in Shelby county in the pioneer times was the literary society, sometimes called by the pioneers the "lyceum," or simply the "literary." The pioneers and their families very generally attended these literary societies, which usually met in the school houses. A fine social life centered about these societies. These organizations were established in practically every early settlement in the county. They did much to develop ready and capable extemporaneous speakers, who were able to give good account of themselves in county political conventions, at church gatherings and on all public occasions. Indeed, this author is inclined to believe that the first generation in Shelby county contained more ready and effective public speakers than the present generation with much better opportunities, or at least education. Of course, the secret societies, and the "Grange," the "Fanners' Alliance," the "Good Templars" and other organizations helped to develop ready and effective thinkers and public speakers, although the literary societies antedated most of the other organizations except, possibly, the very early churches.

One of the first of these societies was the Young Folks' Literary Society of Harlan, which appears to have beer, established about 1874.

In January, 1873, also, the students of the upper grades of the Harlan schools had formed themselves into a literary society.

Through the courtesy of George D. Ross, of Harlan, the writer has been able to see the constitution of "The Young Folks Literary Society of Harlan" of which he was a leading member. This constitution was undoubtedly typical of all. There were thirteen articles in this constitution. In these provisions were made for officers of the society consisting of president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, editor, and doorkeeper, and their duties defined, all of which officers were elective on the last Saturday evening of each month and installed on the first Saturday evening of the next month. Aside from the usual duties of a president of any organization, the president of this society was required to procure the services of some one to build fires, light up the room and keep it in order, and he was further obliged upon taking his seat as such president to deliver an opening address and, at the expiration of his term of office, to deliver a closing address. The duties of the editor were to prepare a paper for each meeting and read the same, and also to act as critic during his term.

Article seven of this constitution was somewhat unique. It provided that it should be the duty of the doorkeeper to tend the door at each meeting "and collect ten cents from every man not accompanying a lady, and to pass in free all ladies and all gentlemen accompanying ladies and at the close of each meeting to hand the receipts over to the treasurer."

"Any suitable person, gentleman or lady," might become a member of the society by a majority vote of the membership, a lady being required only to sign the constitution and by-laws, but a gentleman being required in addition to pay an initiation fee of fifty cents. Appearance on the program was enforced by a fine of ten cents for each failure and if these fines were not paid at the end of four weeks the secretary was required to strike the name of the delinquent member from the roll of the society. A program committee consisting of five members was appointed by the president at the inception of his term. The duty of this committee was to prepare and present to the society each evening a program for the next evening, provided, however, that at the option of the society any two members might choose a member in turn until all of the members were chosen, one side then to furnish an entertainment for one evening, and the other side for the next evening, and so on through one term of office, the first choice of members to be determined by lot. The order of the exercises was as follows: Call to order; reading of minutes of previous meeting; admission of members; evening's program; miscellaneous business, embracing election of officers, reports of officers and committees; adjournment.

It appears that dialogues were very popular at the time of this literary society, for every program had one or more presented. On November 7, 1874, the following caste for a dialogue appeared: Barkeeper, George D. Ross; Policeman, Joseph Babcock; Drunkard, William Bergstresser; Jailer, E. J. Fenton; Faith, Miss H. M. Allen; Hope, Miss Ella Swain; Charity, Mrs. Ida Reynolds.

The debates were also deservedly popular, including such questions as these: "Resolved, that intemperance has caused more misery and suffering than war"; "Resolved, that slander causes more suffering to the human family than intemperance"; "Resolved, that capital punishment should be abolished in the United States, except lor the crime of treason"; "Resolved, that one should never advocate or defend that which he knows to be false." By the way, this question was affirmed by Thomas Way and Professor Girton, county superintendent of schools, and the negative by W. A. Bergstresser and Cyrus Beard (now a member of the state supreme court of Wyoming). A selection was also read by A. G. Wolfenbarger, now a very prominent attorney of Lincoln, Nebraska.

Hon. Thomas H. Smith, later state senator from the Shelby-Cass district, was on the affirmative of this subject: "Resolved, that moral suasion has done more to suppress intemperance than legal coercion."

On June 20, 1874, the following was the program of the Young Folks' Literary Society of Harlan:

Oration, George D. Ross, J. V. Brazie, J. E. Bennett.

Declamation, D. E. Lang, J. Babcock, T. Burr.

Select Reading, Misses Fannie Worts, H. Brazie, D. Swain.

Essays, Misses Ella Swain, Ida Reynolds, William Bergstrcsser.

Committee on Music, S. A. Burke, Miss Reynolds. Miss Worts.

Question for Debate: "Resolved, That it is better to build our new court house by direct tax than by bonds." Affirmative: E. G. Fenton, E. Gittings, O. Reynolds. Negative: S. A. Burke. E. Williams, O. Wyland.

One of the questions discussed bv the Young Folks' Literary Society of Harlan, September 26, 1874, was, "Resolved, thai foreign immigration to the United States should be encouraged." Another question discussed ou October 24, 1874, was, "Resolved, thai slander causes more suffering to the human family than intemperance."

In 1874, the Harlan Literary Society gave what was called "a necktie sociable." proceeds to be donated to the Methodist church for the purpose of helping the church to purchase an organ. Neckties were brought to the place of meeting for sale.

In 1876 the Douglas Township Literary Society debated, among others, the following questions: "Resolved, that the herd law would Ik* a benefit to this country"; and, "Resolved, that a liar would be more damage to the country than a thief," and "Resolved, that the attendance of pupils of our public schools should be enforced by legislation." (This last question indicates that there were thinkers in those days anticipating what has come to be real legislation in our own time.) In January, 1877, Windv Knoll, in the eastern part of Harlan township, had a debating society in a flourishing condition. In January, 1870, Hacktown had a debating societv. One of the questions discussed was, "Resolved, that women should have the to vote and hold offices." In this literary society it appears that a number of ladies appeared on the program. In Fairview township in 1876, at one of the debating societies, this question was discussed, "Resolved, that novel reading is wrong."

It appears that the elders came in occasionally and addressed the society at Harlan, for it is recorded that J. W. Chatburn was present at one of the meetings and talked to the young people, his topic being "The Road Between Here and the Mill." It also appears that Dr. F. M. Hill, of Manteno, was invited to lecture before the society at Harlan.

On December 28, 1875, there was a literary society meeting regularly in the Waterbury school house in Fairview township, and also one in the Michael school house in Douglas township.

In January, 1876, there was a literary society at the Flaugher school house in Union township.

In 1877 a literary society was organized at the John Fritz school house in Jackson township.

In 1877 a literary society at the Pioneer school house in Cass township, was discussing the question of "Woman's Rights." There was about this time, a literary society at Leland's Grove, in the same township. One of the questions debated was "Should women have the right to vote?" In November, 1876, at the court house in Harlan the advisability of extending the ballot to the women of the United States was affirmed by J. B. Swain and denied by L. H. Thompson and J. V. Brazie.

In January, 1877, the Hacktown Literary Society, of Fairview township, was in a flourishing condition.

In Douglas township in January, 1877, there was a literary society calling itself "The Middle Botna Association," which met at the Mitchell school house every Saturday evening. A local correspondent says that at this school house "questions that have for years puzzled our nation are discussed and decided without difficulty."

On January 26, 1878. the citizens of the Glendale district, which was in subdistrict No. 5, Shelby township, met for the purpose of organizing a debating society. A. J. Taber was chosen president; J. B. Linn, vice-president; M. V. Best, secretary, and L. D. Dickenson, treasurer. The first question debated by the society was: "Resolved, that the works of nature afford more pleasure to the eye than the works of art." The principal disputants were George Battey and M. V. Best.

Another joint discussion, which occurred in February, 1879, was between (28) the Hacktown Literary Society, below the present village of Corley-on the east side of the river, and the Fairview Society, which was in the same township. The question was, "Resolved, that the Indian has more cause for complaint for maltreatment than the negro." Fairview affirmed and Hacktown denied. The question was decided in favor of the negative.

The Glendale Literary Society of the north part of Shelby township in the seventies, among other questions, debated these: "Resolved, that the works of nature are of more pleasure to the eye than the works of art;" "Resolved, that we as a nation set a good example for other nations to follow."

At the Frum school house in Shelby township at an early day these questions were debated: "Resolved, that women should be allowed to vote;" "Resolved, that Hawaii should be annexed to the United States."

On December 14, 1879, the literary society of Douglas township discussed the subject: "Resolved, that the sale of intoxicating liquors should lie prohibited in the United States."

Two questions discussed by one of the country literary societies in December, 1879, were: "Resolved, that the protective tariff is injurious to the producing class." and "Resolved, that education is more beneficial than wealth."

These literary societies from different townships sometimes had joint debates. For example, in February, 1879, the Jackson Township Literary Society and the Windy Knoll Literary Society of Harlan township (now Center), held a joint debate at the Poling school house in Center township. The question discussed was, "Resolved, that war is a greater evil than the disregard of one's own conscience," the Jackson Township Society having the affirmative, and Windy Knoll the negative. The judges were H. Gray, C. E. Graves, William Scroggins, E. Meyers and J. Goodwell. A county paper of the time records the fact that this debate was "exceedingly combative and resulted in favor of the negative," further adding, "there was a crowded house and everything pleasant except a little disturbance by a lad filled with whiskey."

The Douglas Township Literary Society, in February, 1879, discussed the question, "Resolved, that Lincoln deserves more honor for defending the United States than Washington did for founding it."

There was a literary society at the Slates' school house in December, 1879. In May, 1879, there was in Harlan a Ladies' Literary Society. Mrs. D. M. Wyland was one of the members. There was a debating society at the Bunnell school house at Cuppy's Grove in January, 1887.

In 1883, Harlan had a Chautauqua Literary Society with the following membership: D. O. Stuart, J. Stiles, J. E. Weaver, Katie Goodyear, S. A. Burke, Thomas H. Smith, W. W. Girton, N. W. Macy, Mrs. P. Wicks, F. B. Eshelman, R. M. LeGore, Mrs. Fannie Tinsley, Miss Marian Wicks, Annie C. Walker, G. W. Cullison, Ella Smith, Mrs. J. E. Weaver, Mrs. O. P. Wyland, Mrs. J. E. Stiles, Miss Helen M. Perkins, Miss Ina Fritz, Mrs. D. M. Wyland, Mrs. A. R. Stuart, Mrs. Hattie C. Miller, Mrs. Reppa L. Bowlin, Mrs. A. N. Stamm, Miss Flora True, W. M. Bomberger, N. Booth, Robert P. Foss, F. M. Reynolds, Mrs. Frank French, Miss Maggie Coenen.

Early in October, 1884, the Harlan Methodist Episcopal church held a literary contest, which is described in a Harlan paper as follows:

"The literary contest in the Methodist Episcopal church last Friday night brought out a good audience in spite of the threatening appearance of the weather. The contestants were thoroughly prepared on recitations and readings. The first prize was carried off by Miss Rose Ewing, who recited one of Will Carleton's poems entitled 'Out of the Old House, Nancy.' Myrtle Ryan (now Mrs. Charles Escher, Jr.), of Greeley township, took the second premium on her recitation, 'Darius Green and his Flying Machine.' Rose Ewing also took the special premium offered by the Republican for the best speller on a list of twenty-five words." The prize was taken by spelling eighteen of them correctly. The poorest speller among the contestants spelled only twelve of them correctly. The list was: Easily, peaceable, separate, belief, supercede, accede, alpaca, managing, changeable, necessity, sieve, grieve, Cincinnati, croquet, civilize, neutral, manufactory, skillful, feasible, serene, scissors, villain, victuals, seizing.

The literary society save and except in the high schools of the county, has virtually disappeared. It is not apparent that any institution of anything like character or of equal value has come to do for men and women the splendid work which it did during the seventies, eighties, and to some extent during the nineties in Shelby county.

Transcribed by Cheryl Siebrass, October, 2023 from the Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, by Edward S. White, P.A., LL. B.,Volume 1, Indianapolis: B. F. Bowen & Co., 1915, pp. 430-435.

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