| Show Library was built The first thirty-nine books placed in the Library were donated by members of the Literary Club Their interests were numerous and varied In addition to studying good literature they discussed such subjects as The Federal Reserve System the Problems of National Finance and the Promulgation of the Monroe Doctrine They were also interested in sports to the extent that they organized their own baseball team Uniforms Of course black bloomers what else The results of their athletic achievements were never divulged but we members of later years havenseen any dusty trophies hidden in the Clubroom closet Perhaps to appease the displeasure of some of the husbands they made an extensive study of Better Homemaking They learned how to makebetter fire in the parlor stove or kitchen range They learned how to destroy flies without causing them to sufferslow death how good soap should be made how beds should be made and aired in order to improve onehealth and induce sound sleep how to makegood room deodorizer by burninglittle ground coffee with gum camphor They learned how to dress attractively but also comfortably and they stressed rules of etiquette and the correct bringing up of children As early as 1898 they joined the State and General Federation of WomenClubs andfew years later were instrumental in organizingDistrict Federation along with Clubs throughout Sanmpete and Sevier Counties In 1919 the District Convention was held in Manti with the State President Mrs Leatherwood coming by train from Salt Lake as the honored guest and speaker On this occasion the piece de resistance for the dimmer was the proverbial creamed chicken in patty shells In order that none of the ladies would miss any of the meetings they prepared the food in the morning and placed in on the radiator of the Church where the Convention was being held where it would be kept nice and warm until they were ready to eat Before the evening session was over the bacteria in the chicken started to take action and every woman present except two one the State President suffered ptomaine poisoning Luckily all recovered but it could have been the end of the Literary Club had each one eaten more thandainty portion In 1907 committee was appointed to meet with the City Council and suggest that one dayyear be set apart as Civic Improvement Day at which time every citizen would be expected to not only clean and improve the appearance of his own yard or property but of the streets as well This project was carried out for many years and was most successful It was one of the highlights for the children because after the work was all dome the citizens on each street would get together for dinner and very oftencelebration of some sort After the completion of the Manti High School became very much interested in the education of the the organization young people and so they startedscholarship fund for students who needed 23 |
