P. E. O. Club of Monroe City

First Literary Club Chapter H. P. E. 0., in Monroe City was the outgrowth of a demand for a literary study club, reading circles of a very informal nature being the only similar clubs then existing. The club was organized on May 3, 1894 at the residence of Mrs. J. W. Cassidy with eight charter members, these including Mrs. Dora Hallock Mrs. S. M. ‘Brown Mrs. J. A. Bixler Mrs. J. L. Owen Mrs. E. H. George Mrs. Lou Evans McGee Mrs. Dell Ashbrook Evans   Mrs. J. W. Cassidy For a number of months the meetings were held at the home of Mrs. Cassidy and were only business and literary in character. Gradually the social feature was introduced and many special social meetings such as musicals, guest days, P. E. 0. anniversary celebration, Educational Day, Mother’s Day and Christmas have been observed. In addition to its literary and social life, P. E. 0. has also taken an interest in civic enterprises. In May, 1899, on the occasion of the chapter’s fifth anniversary, a book social was held and the books contributed formed the nucleus for a library that was controlled by the chapter for nineteen years, or until 1918, when this library, then consisting of 900 volumes, was presented to the city library. The chapter was one of the sponsors for winter lyceum courses, gave financial support to chautauqua, aided in providing playground equipment for the public school and contributed to the purchase of chairs for the high school auditorium. One of its fine activities is the assis­tance it renders young women in secur­ing money at a low rate of interest to pursue educational careers. Six young women here have taken advantage of the benefit of this fund. Chapter H further aids in promoting education for girls by making annual contributions to Cottey College at Nevada, Mo., which is the property of the National P. E. 0. Sisterhood. Latest project is a P. E. 0. home in St. Joseph which will be opened this fall. The sisterhood also sponsors an interna­tional college student program. Since P. E. 0. happened to be the first organized literary club of Monroe City, it is the ardent desire of each member that it may continue for years to hold a high place in the literary, social, civic and educational interests of the community. Officers for the 1957-58 year include: Mrs. Lucille Mitchell, president; Mrs. Dwight Henderson, vice president; Mrs. Charles Hicks, recording secretary; Mrs. Robert Bates, corresponding secretary; Mrs. William F. Griffith, treasurer; Mrs. C. J. Collins, chaplain, and Mrs. B. 0. Baker, guard. Miss Rice Maupin is pianist, Mrs. J. H. Kibbe, historian and Mrs. J. N. Southern, journalist. Past presidents from 1894 to the present include: Linnette M. Bixler Dora L. Hallock Susan McFarland Ada C. Eakle Martha B. Scott Duck Owen Delle P. Rutledge Martha B. Scott Nelle B. Wade Eva Hickman (moved away) Annie L. Henderson Mary Melson Kate Davenport Anna May Wood Mildred S. Conway Bertha Jaeger Emma Walker Eleanor Dawson Jess Meriwether Edna Boulware Edna Vaughn Margaret Thiehoff Lillian Proctor Edna Fitzgerald Anna May Wood Katherine Forsythe Fern Mangum Adeline King Gladys Yowell Abbie Kibbe Nadine Henderson Marian Knight Katherine Rouse Danella Hampton Leona Noland Margaret Painter Danella Hampton Margaret Swearengen Maxine Dawson Helen Collins Frances Crawford Fannie Jayne Ann Luyster