Home Interest Society Minutes

246 MEETING LEAWOOD MILL 5-29-'93

On May 29th 1893 some members of the Home Interest braved a cold wind and rain as well as their fears of a possible flood and met at Leawood Mill. A number of invited friends were also present.

The heart of the hostess was made glad by beautiful flowers presented by many hands: roses lovely and choice. perenials of new and old acquaintance brightening the room on every side, while a vase of poppies glowing in Oriental splendor seemed to try to vanish any results of gloomy weather, but with poor success.

Many successive days of almost sultry weather had persuaded the authorities in the house that :

"Summer's firstborn child is here" in fact not in [name?] and so they had dispensed with the means of making a fire - shut up the chimney to keep the swallows from falling into the room.

So [shawls?] were good [humoredly?] [illegible] and business opened by the reading of the minutes of the only meeting previously

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(LUCKNOUGH.6-19-93)

time to trim fuchsias, and March to plant Currants. The owner of a sparsely settled 2 year old asparagus bed was advised to dig it up and make another next fall with 2 year old roots, then topdress in March. Someone asking after the electric road, we were encouraged to believe that it "is not dead but sleepeth." It is best to plant lilies-of-the-valley in a shady place, after they have done blooming. The Home Interest was much divided in opinion as to the proper proportion of cherries for the person who picks them on shares estimates ranging from 1/5 to 1/2 depending on size and abundance of fruit. Quick lime, dry copperas, and a 1/2 in pipe from the cellar were suggested to cure a musty smell in a closet that has o window. Owing to failure in the coffee crops, "corners" in the market and other causes the price of Java coffee is so high that few, if any, buy it by the sack The 1st August is considered by poultry raisers the best time to set hens for late chickens. One lady wanted to know "what makes young ducks stand on end, stretch out

Worlds far on Sunday, the company was polled with the following result; in favor of Sunday opening 23, opposed 8, indifferent 2, The farmers present vained in their ideas of fair wages for a competent man to ride ------- -------- ----- bravest from $1.25 and board to $2.00 per day. They seemed however, after years of

quoted as remembering fall as the sea son.

The visitor who asked in a tone of mingled hesitation and anguish if any one ever had big black ants in her sugar and she was advised to oil the floor around her barrel with kerosene.

Beulah L. Thomas was not prepared to read, but told us of a cheese at the World's Fair so large that she remembered that to help her out with her statistics about it - it weighs 22,000 lbs! She also stated that there had been 1600 and odd deaths in the grounds; and we were much inter ested to hear of a blind deaf mute who "saw" the Fair as well as any one else. She also advised us to see the electric fountain at Lincoln Park. Benjamin [?] Miller read us an interesting chapter from his Western experience.

Readers for next time Kate D. Thomas Dr. Brooke

But when we adjourned to meet at Sunnyside 9-25-93 contrary to the usual order, the most momentous question of the evening arose - how were

29

March 19^th 1900

meeting. We always have more respect for a society conducted in a business like manner.

Our long lost membes E.P and M.B. Thomas were cordially invited to join our ranks again not to fill others places but their own. When we voted on their names a year or so back, we all wanted them, still there was a year lest our number grow too large but since P.T. Stabler, Anna and Arthur so seldom attend we felt that the time was at hand to receive these most valuable members.

The supper was beautiful, everything being arranged in a most attractive manner. As we sat at the table we could only count fifteen guests, the smallest number we ever remember having seen at this most hospitable home. The flowers were exceedingly pretty, some seemed to have bloomed especially for this occasion.

The servant question was discussed from its many stand points. We gleaned that most pay 75¢ to women when they stay late or do extra work. Some feel it best to pay Carroll by the hour. The lateness of the hour at which most day labor is allowed to arrive seemed a difficult matter to change. One cook is reported to come every morning in a buggy and a driver, and at a very late hour. If this is the custom at the close of the 19^th, what changes will the next century bring. We can imagine that the only help worth having, will demand not only high wages but to be conveyed to and from her house in a coach with livery at the hardest sum of a dollar instead of 18¢ per hour. Yes, the question of labor is

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serious, and grows worse and worse. The men who drive our wagons seem to drink more and more. The fact of any one, keeping in their employ, a man who drinks seems inexcusable to most of us. Why cant our voters take a more active part in this most weighty temperance question? Dr. Brooke seemed to think the present condition of this matter largely our fault. E.P. Thomas said there were two things he would not have on his place a drinking man, and a false horse. A.G.Thomas reported having seen 6 K of whisky and 19 kegs of beer at Laurel, in [his] place. This was distressing. But what hurt us most was to learn of the increasing amount of liquor sold in our very neighborhood. And is far we are powerless to prevent the growing evil. M.B. Thomas told of an anonymous letter she had rec'd from Balto. lady evidently catholic, expressing her sympathy with equal suffrage.

Chairs may be reseated at a cost of 50¢ at Spencerville Hurlerays can graft trees and understands how to garden Very few had young chickens. A poor outlook for fried chickens any time soon for the H.I supper. Mrs Haviland wanted to know if we were glad to be a Quaker and if we considered it a privilege, referred to next meeting. For early and table use most plant early rose potatoes. What are the most re liable varieties of cherries? [Hentials] Curiosity and Early [Richmonds]

Adjourned to meet at Mr. Olney Martha T. Farquhar. Sec.

57 Nov 5^th 1900

the purpose. It sounded very well as many things do in theory, but we dont see how it would pan out. Arthur Stabler said dont have a cabbage trust, I think we could trust the H.I. not to get a corner on cabbage. The Chrysanthemums can be taken up for the house now & then put in the cellar for next years blooming. Albina Stabler told us of her visit to the Oriental Rug Co, 1120 Cathedral st. Balto. she says the rugs are very handsome they are old carpets, clean & cut & find the fringe for $1.00 per square yd. Mary B Thomas told of eating tomatoes while in town the size of berries. A new departure she thought but some one said they had seen them growing at Rockville a year ago. Mary told us of an Locomobile worth $700 being contributed for the benefit of the suffrage bazar also a car load of cargo from [?] It seems only 3 members of this important body raised celery this year - leaves were said to be the best covering for both celery & ice Ellen Farquhar was asked to tell how she planted cold frame lettuce, she makes the rows 4 by 6, & uses the Boston Market & Ice burg varieties. Some one told of having seen lettuce put in a protected place, & fodder put over it, & in this way one could have it very early in the spring, notwithstanding the very mild fall, few people are getting eggs. Neli Stabler from 18 to 20 & Lou Brooke an average of 12 were the largest number quoted. Questions came in slowly so the one uppermost in every ones mind seemed to be in connection with the next days weighty matter the Presidential election. So to fill up the time

58 329 Meeting Belmont

we held an election for officers for the ensuing year which resulted in making Walter Brooke Pres & C. H.Y. secy Then adj. to Willow Heights Martha T. Farquhar secy.

On the evening of Dec 19^th H.I. met for the first time in the hospitable home of its new members Edward P. & Mary Thomas. Even the open fire had an inviting look & seemed to say "come and enjoy me". We did not take our walk, unless one would call walking down the beautiful new stair way one, & the view was certainly a pleasing one to say the least.

The meeting was called to order by the Chairman Walter H. Brooke. Minutes of last meeting read & approved. As there were no former minutes of this home, this being its beginning so to speak the secy supplimented an amusing story. "By Jocks". And then came the change of the [?] of secy's. The chairman having filled his position so well the society felt it could not do better than keep him in his proper place for on more year.

The chips were read by Mary B. Thomas

It was very interesting to hear of the Brandy wine stone wall in Mass. which is supposed

73 Clifton

fairly tales in place of minutes for next mtg. When the hostess came to the rescue & invited us to a most delicious tea. Like the old lady Ts it had a most soothing, & awakening effect for when the mtg reopened questions came galore. Kate Thomas wanted to know what color to paint the fence posts? 9 said green, 7 red, 1 white & 1 advised having the natural color of the wood. How shall the owner get rid of that sweet vine Honeysuckle use [? ? ?] salt & grubbing were also thought good. W^m Moore has it on the banks of his ice pond, & considers it valuable there he keeps it from spreading by digging up the roots. A.B. Leavis was the nurseryman of whom most of the members might. Pattie Farquhar was told to use compost on her Crimson Rambler & if it did not improve remove to richer soil. Rubarb can be gotten from A.B. Leavis at 10¢ per root, Frank Downey also has it. M.B. Thomas told us of an interesting ride she had taken in Washington in a turists car, starting at 15^th & G. round trip 50¢. the car passed the houses where Holly Madison, Daniel Webster & George Washington had lived. The guide telling her that Washington was considered abroad the Paris of America, & vice versa. She also spoke of the House of the Ancients, it is

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343 Meeting Willow Heights Feb 17^th 1902

advised getting new plants, & set out a new bed. There was much said pro & con on the Jim Crow Law. It is not thought time for the use of ones name with out the prefix between the two [?] always speak first & set a good example. A Com of 3 were appointed to look into the matter of Frank Lea work annoying the colored people. Hallie Bently & Merit Haviland to help Lou Brooke. It was not thought an economical move for the old school room at Rockland to go to Sherwood as a gymnasium. M.B. Thomas good article of the Womans Suffrage Convention to be held in Washington, B.H. Miller spoke of having found a snake at Mt Airy 2ft 10½ in long the other day. It was a very wise company that then adj to Willow Heights Feb 17th.

C.H. Farquhar Secy.

The 342^rd Mtg of the H.I. was held at Willow Heights Feb 17^th owing to the Womans Sufferage Convention in Washington & a marriage in the family in N.Y. we missed some of our members. The guests present were Mr & Mrs M. Fussel Miss Pancrast of V^a & Miss Huff of Balto. The name of Asa Stabler was added to the Com. on charge of the Frank Lea mission (for truly it is such). The Com. reported having gotten a room at Sandy Spring & Lyceum Mtgs, it asked for any old chairs, benches, or boards that could be used as such. Some money has been raised & all who