Whiting-Robertsdale Clubs and Organizations Part One

Gayle Faulkner Kosalko November 2019

Everyone has a need to belong to something, to be part of a group. Many of the earliest organizations that came to be in Whiting were organized specifically to bring particular ethnic groups together, especially the women, and to provide them a place where not only could they share their “from home” traditions, but their beloved language as well. Such ladies’ groups as the Jednota, the Rosary Society, the Ladies Hungarian Social Club gave its members a chance to get out of the home and socialize.

But many of the earliest clubs and organizations were founded before the Eastern Europeans came to Whiting.

The Independent Pleasure Club began in 1894 and was best known for all the lively dances they sponsored. It was composed of a number of prominent young men and by the looks of the officers’ names, all seemed to all have a bit o’ the Irish in them. Officers in 1894 were Frank Laverty, Dave Clements, Mike Cary, Harry Scott, William Hickey, James Downey, Thomas McFadden, N. Emerson. It really gave the young men and women in the area something to look forward to and be part of.

And often, the young men who came to work at the Refinery were unmarried and had no family ties in the region. While the saloons and rough living of “Oklahoma” were always available to them, many felt a need for more of a civilized kind of brotherhood.

In 1894 The Young Men's Reading Circle was a popular club. They came together to promote good taste in literature and having a good grasp of current events. There were always illustrated weeklies, magazines, daily newspapers and books on hand for the members to enjoy in their two Club Rooms that were rented on the third floor of the Take Building. The Club Rooms were also open 24 hours. The idea was that it be a general headquarters for the many young men who had no home advantages in Whiting. Later they even organized a band. In looking at their list of officers, you will see many early prominent names in Whiting’s history: Wm. Engham, J.M. Smith, and Hugh Atkin among them.

In the newspaper it was written that many citizens had already seen the advantages accruing to members from such a club and that they were giving encouragement by offering to loan books and periodicals to the Reading Club.

It continued with “Any young man of good moral standing will be received as a member upon payment of a small initiation fee and monthly dues.”

Two years later the Daughters of Liberty were formed in 1896. There were DofL councils already in Hammond and East Chicago. Their mission was “to promote social intercourse and mutual improvement; to visit the sick and distressed and to perpetuate American principles." The Whiting lodge began with a membership of 30 women. The Daughters held many socials such as an Entertainment and Necktie Social. Admission price was 15 cents. Ladies were requested to bring a luncheon for two and two neckties (perhaps with the hope of bringing “two” together for the evening) and the public was always cordially invited.

Two of the earliest clubs formed showed two separate purposes for uniting. One was for the introduction of a “new sport” for women and the other to promote healthy activity among citizens.

A number of young ladies in the town tried to organize the Bicycle Club of 1895 and shockingly enough one of their regulations would be the wearing of bloomers! A reporter wrote that unfortunately said club would make that impossible since Whiting’s sandy streets are somewhat against the project but wrote that someday with improved streets, they hope that a fully fledged club would appear.

The same year about 120 school children formed themselves into a society against smoking. The Anti-Cigarette Society’s motto was “Cigarettes Must go!” Their recording secretary was Sophia Schrage. The children (over 300 of them) had pledged not to use cigarettes before they turned 21.

Many early clubs were formed by people who shared the same kind of talent. For example there was the Mandolin Club founded in 1895. Actually it was a very small club and consisted of only three members, Messrs. Jackson, Graham and Crawford but their club did go out and entertain with their mandolins at various functions.

With no radio or television, an evening of entertainment was often the playing of cards and those who enjoyed it made it a formal occasion and started clubs to promote the activity.

Many of the more sophisticated men and women of the East brought their favorite card games west with them.

The first known card organization was the Whist Club that began in 1899. Hosted weekly by a member, cards were played, “palatable refreshments” were served, prizes were given and often some form of entertainment (instruments or a singer accompanied on the piano) would end the meeting.

Later in 1901 the Pedro Club (pronounced pee-dro) was renamed the Trilby Club.

The card game Pedro had begun around 1850 in Colorado based on and was an exciting game for four players of bidding and taking trump and by the 1900, Whist, Pedro (also known as “Cinch”) and Euchre were the top card games played in America.

Why exactly the Pedro Club changed its name to the Trilby Club is not evident. But their meetings were reported in the social section of the newspaper as to who won, who was there and the type of entertainment enjoyed. At one evening soiree, over 65 guests were present….and these were held in individual homes! Such names appearing as club members include some of Whiting’s most successful men and their wives, the Robert Atchisons, the Fred Eggers and the John Soltwedels.

Later in 1910 a Bridge Club in Whiting was formed.

These are just a few of Whiting’s interesting clubs and organizations. There will be more on them when WR Clubs and Organizations Part II comes online.