The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, September 9, 1903, Page 20

THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, WEDNESDAY us oA MARSHAT *c LEWLS ¥ SY NG TON, PasT SRANS CRESIDE M the great 2. that Empire of e West recelves the good kiss of the setting sun, the of Septe by the 1850 ssion faith- was tha e where d for the good d for the labor and 1ding of the in the glorious unity In the days that 4 are now enrolled in the e dark locks and t s, the weight of years, thelr ardor in regard ed their activity. med in the middle sev- enties that young organization, the N e Sons of the Golden West, when it t would willingly relieve f the patriotic duty of sary of the birth of he men the We have done our share of this glorious land t you will take up it down, that you eans to keep te free from Il do all that within es to keep rnia one of tars in the galaxy of u, as an organization, to observe the ann h you were dream when a of having an or- atives of the Golden State ove of country that the order unded w develop into the to which it has grown se to grow until there shall ne public hall in every city, and hamlet w the daries of the State a banner bearing letters N. 8. G. W. From General A.M. Winn Springs Conception of the Order. S grand organization, which day day 1is extending 1im- usefulness as well nce r good, had its ori- a meeting beld in the San Fran- ce rt room, called by Gen- the hearty approval of late General John McComb at the time he was grar hal of the Fourth ' t General Winn mber of years sought to car “hobby,” as it was called by g a society of natives of for at that time his oughts went ond the limits of ‘the te, thinking that California was not out his many e Pacific Coas be of forn ge enough to establish that which he had in mind. But his efforts did not meet with much encouragement until he broached the subject to General McComb, who was then editor of the Alta Califor- nia. McComb told him, “Go ahead, get up ty of native Californians and we'll The a soci turn them out 1n the procession.” Alta and the other papers boomed the project and asked California boys to meet on June 29, 1§75, in the place already named. Notwithstanding the fact that there were thousands of youths In the city at that time who could have attended that meeting, there was only a very small pro- portion present. General Winn, who pre- sided, explained that for ever so many years his mind had been running in the channel of devising something that would be & lasting monument to ‘perpetuate the discovery of gold in California, also to keep alive the memories of the early set- tlers of the Golden State. He sald that he did not know of anything that could better carry out the object than the for- mation of an order composed nativ sons of the Pacific Coast. That, he claimed, would be sustained by pride of parentage and place of nativity, which be an imperishable memento—an institution that would last until time shall be no more. In his kindly, fatherly way, he ex- plained the object more fully to his au- dience, composed mainly of boys under eighteen years, and urged them tc organ- ize at once so as to make thelr first ap- pearance In the Fourth of July parade. An organization was effected that night and the following named signad the roll They are charter members of the Native Sons of the Golden West: John A. Stelnbach, James McDermott, Abe Meyer, John Wilson, Walter Loveiand, arles Owens, Myles O'Donnell, L. D. trick, F. G. W. Fenn, Louis Harris, Raphael Prager, Robert Aikin, James less, E. F. McKenna, E. Bloch, Brod- k Temple and George Winslow. This little band selected John A. Steinbach, who was at that time a jeweler's ap- prentice, as president and arrangements were made for the parade. The first set of officers of the organi- zation were John A. Stelnbach, president; Jasper Fishbourne, F. G. W, Fenn, 8. P, Harmon, vice president: H. Smith, re- cording secretary; W. L. Jones, financial secretary; H. C. Stevenson, treasurer, and F. Streeper, marshal. This election was on the 1ith of July, and from that time what is now known as California Parlor No. 1 claims its existence, although the name parlor, which was suggested by John E, McDougald, at present City and County Treasurer of San Francisco, was not adopted until some time later. At that time, this organization, which con- stituted the entire order of N. 8. G. W., was authorized by the constitution to is- sue charters to any body of natives of the State who might desire to form par- lors and it was named Charter Parlor No. 1. which changed its name to Cali- fornia in 1578. The next parlor formed was Oakland No. 2, December 17, 1877, and then Sacramento No. 3, March 22, 1878, and ever since then the order has been growing. First Grand Parlor Has Its Inception Under Good Auspices. UI'ON the call of Charter Parlor No, L, these three parlors, by represen- tation of five from each, met in the hall of the one that issued the call Novem- ber 30,1878, and organized the first grand parior. The organizers were Jasper Fishbourne, Frank J. Higgins, Ben J. Worswick, John H. Grady and Henry Lunstedt, of No. 1; W. G. Hawkett, W. A. Nash, Rod W, Church, Homer J. Evans and J. W. Bankhead, of No. 2, and H. Clay Chipman, H. W. Taylor, J. W. Nix- on, George C. Kohler and Ben O'Netll, of No. 3. The result of the election at that meeting was a great surprise to Charter Parlor's representative, for it appears that they had submitted a list of officers with Jasper Fishbourne for grand presi- dent, but the representatives from the other parlors formed a combination and elected W, G. Hawkett of Oakland Parlor, who had been selected for grand secre- tary, instead. This drew forth a digni- fied protest from Grady and Worswick of Charter Parlor, who thought that in view of all that Charter Parlor had done in building up the order it should have been conceded the first grand president, and they announced that Charter Parlor declined any office. The matter wi however, amicably arranged, and every- thing has been doing well since. Aside from the beneficial feature of the order, which has been carrled on to aid those in distress, the parlors throughout the State have been a factor In many so- cfal functions and have also been promi- nent in public affairs that redound to the credit of the State. It was the order of the Native Sons of the Golden West that caused that historical landmark, Sutter's Fort, to be restored; they built a magnifi- nt to the memory of James cent mor W. Marshall, the discoverer of gold in this State; they erected a granife monument in last resting place of the founder of the order. The parlors contributed money to purchase a for the widow of General John C. Fremont, the Pathfinder; they have pre- Colton Hall, in which the first ion of the State was signed, and m-house at Monterey. They g an active interest in the pre- servation of many of the historic land- marks of the State. Steps are now being a monument in Nevada e Donner party suffered a memorial window has Mare Island to commem- orate the valorous deeds of Commodore Sloat, who raised the American flag at Monterey and took possession of Califor- nia in name of the United States. They have in contemplation many other things which will prove it one of the most progressive organizations in the fraternal circles on the Pacific Coast—an organiza- tion that, while it primarily exists for the benefit of its members, is keeping faith with the ploneers of California by helping to develop the industries of the State and advancing its interests whenever and wherever possible. The reception by the Native Sons of the Golden West of the gallant California regiment on its return from the Philippines, ‘he celebration of the anniversary of the discovery of gold and the semli-centennial celebration of the State’s birth are events that are written in bold letters on the pages of California history and they redound to the credit of the order. Sacramento to mark the home serv constity the old ( are taken to erect where th star fon in 184 been placed at County the Renowned Men Repre: sent the Exalted Ideals of Brotherhood. HE order has been a school I from which have sprung many of the bright men in the State —men who have filled and are filling posi- tions of honor and trust in the halls at the national Capitol, in the State Cap- itol and in State and city government. The majority of these owe their prestige as orators and successful speakers and their ability as parliamentarians to the education received in the parlors in whicn they hold their membership. In a period of twenty-eight years the order has sprung from a membership of one parlor with eighteen members, to one of 167 parlors with an aggregate membership of 13,000 and over, distributed in every county in the State. As the or- der has grown in age and wisdom much has been done to add to the dignity there- of, and among rules introduced to keep up the reputation are those which pro- hibit the members from giving any Sun- day picnics in the name of the order, the use of the name for political or business purposes and the use of any intoxicating liquor at any function given in the name of the orde: CHARLES E.M< PAST VICE PRESIDENT. 5T to be oufdone by their brothers in a loyal exemplifica- tion of love and patriotism for the State which is their birth- land, the fair daughters of Call- fornia are cemented in a bond of fel- lowship which is calculated to inspire in them undying love for their order and the principles for which it stands. Alike with the Native Sons, the Native Daugh- ters, starting from an obscure and un- recognized begluning, have planted thelr banner in n ¢ every town of any con- sequence in the State and the end of their growth is not yet. They form an organizution of which California is justly proud The exclusively Californian organiza- tion known as the Native Daughters of the Golden West, which is in a great measure patterned upon the lines of the Native Sons, has not, like the former or- ganization, taken the same activity in the celebration of the anniversary of Califorria’s admission into the Union. Its fundamental principles are: soclal intercourse mental improvement and mutual benefit; the uniform administra- tion of the rights and privileges of the Order of the Native Daughters of the Golden We perpetuating the memory of the founders of the State of Califor- nia; the increase and diffusion of knowl- edge arong its members; the improve- ment of the condition of its membership soctally and materially by encourage- ment when in need, and by providing for and comforting the sick and distressed members of the order. Although the basic law of this order does not provide that the members shall hold special ser- vice in honor of the anniversary of the admission of the State of California, the members have during the past few years been asked annually by the Native Sons to assist in the lebrations wherever held and in many instances parlors of Daughters have cheerfully responded, adding much to the beauty of the cele- bration by elaborate display, beautiful uniforms and pretty faces. This order is composed exclusively of women, officered by women and legislated for exclusively by women, and like the Ladles of the Maccabees, it is an Adam- less Eden. It had its origin in Jackson, Amador County, the idea of forming such an order originating with Miss Lilly O. Relchling, one of the daughters of a well known resident of that place. On the af- ternoon of September 11, 188, Miss Relch- ling presided over a meeting of about twenty of her sex, in Ploneer Hall, and explained her purpose of organizing an independent order to be known as the Native Daughters of the Golden West. After many explanations, it was decided to start the organization and the name, object and membership were set forth in the constitution that was subsequently prepared, subject to approval. It declared that: “This organization shall be known as Ursula Parlor No. 1, N. D. G. W. Its objects are social inter- course, mental improvement and the gen- eral promotion of the interest of the mem- bers. Membership in this organization shall be limited to white females Who were born in the State of California since July 7, 184.” Those present, besides the founder of the order, signed the roll in the following order: Ellen Boarman, Maggle Stasal, Rose Stasal, Nellie Fon- tenrose, Emma Boarman, Mrs. Amy Ba- dere, Kittie Murray, Agnes Leonard, Celia Murray, Hettle Greenhalgh, Flora Dunning and Rose Genaro. Strange as it may seem, Miss Reichling, who had been working for many months to effect such an organization, was not the first but the tenth to sign the list. At the second meeting the list was added to by the signatures of the following named: Ella Caminetti, Tina L. Kane, Olga Reichling, Mollie Folger, Mattie L. Free- man and Lizzie L. Lindley. Before AUGHLL SEPTEMBER 9, 1903 J.EMMET HAYDEN, GRAND INS\DE SENTINEEL, N Y ProTo - thirty days had elapsed sixteen additional names were added to the list and the charter closed, and so it was that the or- der was launched on the fraternal sea to float or sink. Inspiration of Founder Bears Speedy Fruit Among Members. MONG the charter officers the fl founder was past president and Tina L. Kane the president, bt these were not installed with the other officers until the following March. Du ing the firet few months of its « istence Ursula Parlor had a great deal to do In arranging the detalls for carrying on the work of a secret society and the adoption of a satisfactory em- blem. At first a spotted deer was select- ed, but that did not meet with general approval, and Minerva, the oriflamme sheaves of wheat and mystic letters P. D. F. A. was adopted. This has since been supplanted by the present emblem, consisting of crossed American and bear flags supporting a wreath of laurel and oak, at the bottom of which is a ribbon on which appears the letters N.' D. G. W., the whole surmounted by a glittering star. After the institution of the first nine parlors, Ursula issued a plan for the for- mation of a Grand Parlor, and this being ratified, there was a call for delegates from the seventeen parlors to assemble in Pioneer Hall in San Francisco, July 25, 1887, when the first Grand Parlor was es- tablished. Since the organization of the first Gr Parlor the order has continued to grow in number of parlors and members until it has at this time increased from seven- teen parlors at that time and less than a thousand members to ninety-seven par- lors with more than 5000 members. The order has had several constitutions and the original plan has been expanded until now it is one of the first class ben- eficial and charitable societies of the Coast, and the wonder is that its mem- bership is not double what it now is. Each of the grand presidents, and there are on the list many who have proved themselves most intelligent and capable women, have done what in their juds- ment was an improvement on the work of her predecessor. Whatever was done along that line was for the purpose of drawing favorable attention to the work of the organization and to induce the membership to advance the interests of the State. ~ In following out the suggestions offer- ed by the different presidents, the mem- bers in many sections of the State have done much to beautify the public places and many a neglected public park has been made attractive under the super- wision of the Native Daughters. They have, in the south particularly, given much attention to the preservation of the missions which have fallen into de- cay; they are also taking an interest in the proposed restoration of the great highway which extended from San Diego to San Francisco in the days of the Padres. They have interested themselves to the extent of getting the people and officials of the counties through which the great highway passes to take a deep concern in the matter. In addition to this the Native Daugh- ters have devoted much attention in the work of preventing the total destruction of California wild flowers. Some say that this is only a matter of sentiment, and that the wild flowers will take care of themselves in the future as they have in the past, but it is a noticeable fact that much of the most beautiful flora of the Golden State Is becoming more scarce every year, and it'is only by planting and caltivating, as the Native Daughters have been doing in various sections of the MRS ELLA <caMNETT! R AND Yo & PRESIDENT Present Officers of the Grand Parlors State for-several years, that the blos- soms so pleasing to the sight will con- tirue to awaken the admiration of stran- gers for our land. Of late years the efforts of grand offi- cers have been directed along the edu- cational line, the education of the mem- bership generally in the history of the State. Several courses of study of California history have been distributed to all members. The increase of fraternal love, one for another; the sinking of self for the good of the entire order; the ven- eration of the pioneers and the glorifica- tion of the sacrifices of early days; love of country, love of home and a patristic reverence for the American flag—these ars their tenets. To those members of ths order who are school teachers (and there are many of them) appeals have been made to instill into the minds of those whom they teach the value of a knowl- edge of the State in which they live, and whenever possible to give them a lesson in such. Material Benefits Rise to Crown Diligent Work of Leader. LTHOUGH at first the Native Sons were not inclined to fraternize with their sister order, these bands of prejudice have becofne nearly diesolved On every hand the members of the two patriotic orders assemble in social inter- course, participate in debates and join in celebrations of national and State holi- days, The two associations have come ty discover that they may be mutually ben- eficial, the one to the other. In the great celebrations of recemt years the Native Daughters were the most attractive features in the parade organized by the Sons. Not only has their work been marked In parades, but when there was a call for Red Cross nurses, a very large number of the Native Daugh- ters formed an independent soclety and dally ministered to the needs of the sick soldiers at the Presid!o and at Camp Mer- ritt. There appears to be a charm about the order that not only draws many to It. because of benefits that are offered, but holds within the charmed circle those who are members, because of the opportunities that are offered for education, Improve- ment and social attainment. When a par- lor has an open meeting for those who are not members of the organization it does not take them long to discover that with the Native Daughters fraternity and so- clabllity go hand In hand and that every- for pleasure, one is ready The members of the parlors in Sacra- project afoot which in ind Sutter's Fort with those of the San Joa- sting themselves in ng the highways for the who have to travel un- The or- e that has done worthy sis- , and In cc that is the Native Daughters’ Home, which is a place where members of the order who so desire can secure the comforts which they are used to in their own homes, but which they cannot have in the ordinary hotels. Thus constituted and with such favor- able auspices the soclety is attaining unto a larger growth and broader pein- ciples with every year of its history. mento have & time will surr great shade trees: quin Valley are & planting trees comfort of tk der the rays of der has a relief h to rel se a scorching sun. mit ceds of on w