It is remarkable to me that Caddo has had an active woman’s club of some sort since before its incorporation as a town. In the earliest papers it is mentioned as simply The Woman’s Club, and the president was Mrs. Ed Walters. One of the first major undertakings of the group was the care and keeping of the cemetery and it was from this project that the group evolved into the Mutual Civic and Cemetery Association. Around 1903 there was another name change when Mrs. McCoy became president and the Civic and Cemetery Club has been active in community affairs ever since.
Several things stand out about this group. First of all their concern and involvement included, and still includes, everything you can imagine. In addition to maintaining and beautifying the cemetery, they helped with school projects, beautification, fund raising, and community events. Second, their fund raising ideas were often creative and amusing. They held a “Tom Thumb Wedding” in 1905 with adorable children playing the parts. They had contests and suppers and readings and plays. Today’s item mentions a trained pig program. Oh, I desperately want to know what trained pigs did in 1911!!
Another thing to note about the group is that they were always interested in learning more about anything and everything that might be useful. Their meetings always included readings and topics of discussion and demonstration that educated and informed their group.
I think someday the Civic and Cemetery Club must be recognized by the state in some way. And I definitely think a book must be written about these ladies.
The Caddo Herald
August 11, 1911
Civic Club
The Civic Club met with Mrs. Bilbo Wednesday with a splendid attendance, two visitors, Mrs. Fielder and Miss McCoy of Ardmore. Roll call “first aid to the injured” was very profitable. Committees appointed to assist the picnic committees were:
Domestic Science chairman- Mesdames Brewer, Driver, Hill, Manning on fancy work embroideries, etc. The picnic will keep guards at the grounds at night, a woman has been employed to stay with the exhibits during the day, if possible everything will be shown under glass, and locked in trunks during the night.
Mrs. Hogan, chairman, Mesdames Crutchfield, McPherren, and Heath- all leaving nice fruit to exhibit please report to this committee.
Committee for the Baby Show-Mrs. McCoy, chairman, Miss McCoy, Mrs. Ray, Mrs. Morris.
Committee on Decorations- Ms. Nail, chairman, Mrs. Bass, Mrs. Crossett, Mrs. C. c. Bilbo, they will assist you in every way possible. Mr. Styron has all shades of paper furnished free to those wishing to decorate buggies. The Civic Club picnic committee will have an exhibition of trained pigs at the opera house Tuesday evening the 22nd, the proceeds to be used by the picnic committee.
Mrs. Crossett had a splendid paper on dieting. The strengthener of children-Mrs. Heath; this was an excellent paper. ____and Gold mines-Mrs. McCoy, were each very instructive. Mrs. C. C. Bilbo gave an excellent reading, The Missionary Society.
The hostess served a delicious ice course.
I printed out this picture a few weeks ago and have it framed on my mantel. Love it!
Posted by: Mary Arteaga | August 19, 2010 at 11:19 PM