Some of the Members of Canoe Study Club congregate at Farrar's Store in downtown Canoe around 1925
In an earlier time people used some of their leisure time to learn and grow intellectually for no other reason than to expand their minds. This held true for our local area as well. On many an otherwise cold fall or winter night, the only thing brighter than the flame from their fireplace or their gas heaters was the flame of curiosity that ignited learning in numerous study clubs around the area.
The Brewton Methodist Church had a study club in the area at least as early as December of 1920. The Brewton Standard noted on December 2, 1920, Mrs. O.F. Luttrell entertained the Methodist Study Club in her home. Flomaton, not to be undone by Brewton, had a study club of their own as well. The Escambia County News of April 5, 1935 noted; "Mrs. Marie Bankhead Owens of the Alabama Department of Archives and History has been announced to be the speaker for the Flomaton Lions Club and the Flomaton Ladies Study Club on May 23, 1935.
McCullough, Alabama had a vibrant study club as well. The Atmore Record recorded on June 2, 1921 that the "Friday Study Club met with Mrs. Miller presiding, is set to put forth an effort to do something help get McCullough on the go. They served ice cream Saturday afternoon and lemonade is planned for the next week at the baseball diamond. Miss Day will entertain on this date."
One of the most prolific local study clubs could be found at Canoe, Alabama. Ms. Sylvia Hart, a member of the Canoe Study Club and a tireless advocate for her community wrote a book entitled History of the Canoe Study Club 1921-1949 shortly before her death this year. It noted in fine detail, how the men and women of Canoe worked to keep learning alive early in the last century.
Ms. Hart noted in her book, "Mrs. J.P. Stallworth preserved the history of the Canoe Study Club from its beginning in 1921." Mrs. Stallworth, whose name was Ida, was one of 14 founding members and was the club's first treasurer. The first president was Mrs. A.A. (Lucille Hall), whose daughter was Carolyn Hall Conn. Ms. Hart was a member of the club from 2006 to 2012. Ms. Hart's mother, Olvena Bell Smith was first listed as a member in 1956.
The club was organized in September 1921 and had the following members: Mrs. B.J. Watson, Mrs. D.C. Hall, Mrs Ferd McNeil, Mrs WD Farrar, Mrs. Robt. McNeil, Mrs Hattie Hall, Miss Marie Watson, Mrs Mary Stillings, Mrs. Henry Watson, Mrs. Foote Watson, Mrs. AA Hall, Mrs. Clark Hill, Mrs. Robt. Lowery and Mrs. J.P. Stallworth.
The club drew up plans to make a Constitution and By-laws. Membership dues were $1.00. The club met once a month and the club year ran from September 1921-May 1922.
The club attempted to educate members on various topics of interest. Miss Thomas, the County Demonstration Agent spoke to the club during the 1922-23 year. The club became a Federated Club during this year. Mrs. A.A. Hall attended the Reciprocity Meeting at Brewton and received the Certificate of Federation thus indicating it was likely that most study clubs in our area were part of a larger group much like Rotary and Lions Clubs are today.
The club had various topics in the 1923-24 time span. Among them was "A Study of National Parties," presented by Mrs. Clark Hill. Another topic was "American Ideals" presented by Mrs. J.P. Stallworth. Other speakers in this year touched on "The Beginning of Ideals As Shown in the Mayflower Compact."
The group also did a series on "Russian History and Communism," just to name a few. Mrs. George Baggett was final hostess of the year in the 1925-26 season and the program was on "Better Homes." The club also occasionally waxed in a literary way with topics such as Life and Struggle of O'Henry and Edna Ferber's novel, So Big.
The group existed into the 21st century and it was without a doubt due to the diligent efforts of those in Canoe who wanted the fire-light of learning, fellowship and citizenship to pass on. This writer was fortunate to be invited to be a speaker around 2007.
Perhaps the by-laws of the group also helped to encourage attendance. The original By-laws provided that anyone late to a meeting would be fined ten cents, anyone failing to provide a substitute speaker would be fined fifty cents and a third absence, save for illness or absence from town would result in a forfeited membership. Tough by laws aside, it was more likely that the members of the club cared about one another and their community.
In a day and age when Google searches and internet surfing can bring knowledge in a matter of seconds, it is good to know that in an earlier age people actually congregated to exchange ideas and knowledge and to help one another grow in the process.
Yet perhaps the most that could be said about the Canoe Study Club or any study group could be garnered by these words as noted by the Canoe Study Club's 'Club Collect' of the early 1920s: "Teach us Father, to use this world wisely and faithfully and well. Teach us to toil for those who are supposed to be a burden in the world and to seek to save them from ignorance and death eternal. In times when men fail before Thee, in times when men of high degree are a lie and those of low degree vanity, teach us to be true to thee." Words of eternal meaning, even 100 years down the road.
Special thanks to all who helped out and attended at the Canoe Homecoming in beautiful downtown Canoe, Alabama last Saturday. The event was a success.
Shadows and Dust Volume III: Legacies is available for purchase in the amount of $30.00+$5.00 shipping and handling to PO Box 579 Atmore, AL 36502 or visit Lulu Publishing.com; Amazon.com, Barnes and Nobles.com OR at the Monroe County Heritage Museum in Monroeville, Alabama or by calling 251 294 0293.
