The 125 Year Celebration  November 1, 2014

Tony Weller presented the following:

History of Pickwick Club

Pickwick Club is one of the oldest women’s clubs in Lafayette and as this is our 125^th anniversary, we thought it would be appropriate to talk about the history of the club. And as I’m the Historian, I’m the one who gets to try and make it interesting.  Regardless, I promise not to make it too long.

Our club’s history traces back to 1889 when Mary Smart, the daughter of the then president of Purdue, James Smart, and her best friend Josephine Beebee decided it would be a grand idea to organize a Pickwick Club.

Mary’s mother had recently organized the Monday Club and that inspired the girls to organize a club of their own.  Also, both had read and loved Louisa May Alcott’s, “Little Women”, the very popular children’s book of the day.  Jo and Laurie had started a Pickwick Club so they wanted to start one too.   And just like in “Little Women”, they asked three others to join them.   Mary Smart, Josephine Beebee, Eleanor Brockenbrough, Edith Kulmer, and Lucile Beebee were the five original members.  Mary was the oldest, Lucile was the youngest, and their average age was 9.

The first meeting of the club took place in President Smarts home at 807 Columbia St.  The home is still standing on the south side of Columbia.   It is very modest as Presidential homes go, but in 1886 when Smart became president, there were only 100 students attending Purdue, and it was questionable whether the school would even survive.  Smart was a great promoter though and the struggling school thrived during his 14 years as president.  He was the president who gave the “one brick higher” speech after Heavilon Hall burned to the ground so it’s not surprising that his daughter was determined that Pickwick Club would continue and grow.

The second meeting of the club was held at the Beebee residence at 629 North Street.  This building is still standing as well, right across from Wells Library.

Here the officers were duly elected.  Mary Smart was president and Josephine Beebee was Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.  It was obvious these two were very intent on keeping all power under their control.

Just as in “Little Women”, each member was given the name of a character from “The Pickwick Papers” by Charles Dickens. Members were to address each other by their Pickwick names, but this led to great confusion as no one could remember who was who.  This practice was soon abolished and the character names were used only when calling the roll, just as we do today.

Fines seemed to be a prominent part of these early meetings.  There was a fine for a poor paper, too short a paper, too long a paper and even one for laughing out loud.  Present day Pickwickians would not have done well at these early gatherings as we pride ourselves in following Dickens observation that “There is nothing in this world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor.” Fortunately for Pickwick the fines were soon dropped as more members joined the club.

Pickwick has always been primarily a social club.  The format that was started in the early 1900’s is still followed today. We begin with a very short business meeting, proceed to a relatively short program given by a member, and end with a lengthy and leisurely lunch.  Pickwick members are famous for being excellent cooks and it’s not uncommon for members to ask for recipes following the meal.

Over the years though, the club has tried to help with many worthy causes.  During the war years, the club sponsored French orphans and held charity balls to benefit the Flower Mission for the needy.  During WWII, members sold almost $100,000 worth of War Bonds.   In recent years, we have made nice donations to It’s My Closet, Civic Theatre, Food Finders, Transitional Housing, LUM, Share and Care Soup Kitchen, Shelter for Women in Crisis, and Book Cycle.

There have been some real personalities who have been Pickwick members.  Eleanor Baird was David Ross’s daughter and long - time member of the club as Alfred Jingle.  She was very stern and a little scary.   Upon spying a new member, she would ask in a very loud voice, “Who on earth is that?”  “Did we vote her in?”

 Gertrude Holmes was in Pickwick for 46 years as Mr. Leo Hunter.  She lived next door to the Bairds on 7^th St.  When her boys were young they wanted to raise chickens in the back yard.  Of course the Bairds wanted none of that.  Gertrude didn’t want the chickens either but she wasn’t about to let Eleanor tell her what to do.  So all of 7^th St. got to listen to the rooster that of course came with the chickens.

Sara Jamison was Tracy Tupman for 68 years as a member of Pickwick Club.  She had a great laugh and great energy and was playing golf into her 90’s and still dancing at her 100^th birthday party.  She loved Halloween and regularly put a witches mask over the portrait of her German ancestor that hung in her living room. 

When Agnes Walters, a.k.a. Mr. Fogg, moved into Westminster when she was in her 80’s, she was asked why she didn’t wear the more relaxed sweat pants.  “Why would I want to wear pants, “she replied.  “My legs are my best feature.”

Well, I have just gone through 125 years of Pickwick Club history.  As you can tell the club has not done great things for the community or tried to solve any of the world’s problems.  We’re just a group of women who thoroughly enjoy each other’s company, look forward to members’ programs however trivial they might seem to others, still believe that everyday manners are important, and are thrilled when we hear ‘ You’re welcome’ instead of ‘No problem’. 

As Master Tommy Bardell said some time ago, “Going to Pickwick Club is the most gracious thing I do.”  I think that’s so true and I’m very proud and happy to be a member.

The 100 Year Celebration