Mamie Shields Pyle correspondence, 1918-06-17 - 1918-06-18

her official resignation as Chairman of Brown County. Isn't that fine, at this late hour? I must confess, however, that the work will be just as well off without her. She says in her letter that she is not "peeved, just tired". What a dreadful thing, to be tired.

Do you have any chautauquas in your locality? If so, will you please look after them and try to get the speakers to speak for our campaign?

In conversation, last night, with Mrs. Lewis, Chairman of the Mitchell Committee, she told me that they have sold over two hundred tickets to the war dinner, which is to be held to-night and that they have all of the notable people in some way in touch with the program. I noticed by the paper this morning that the mayor is to make the address of welcome and that one of the speakers is our friend Mr.. Dowdell, who is limited to five minutes. (I insert this, because I am sure you will appreciate the impossibility of it, thoroughly). Mrs. Lewis is certainly very jubilant over the plans for Mitchell and I think we will enjoy equally with her, the bright out-look.

Sincerely,

P. S. Since writing this letter, a matter has come to my mind, which I feel I ought to report to you.

I fully intended to write to Senator Stoner, myself, but on second thought, not knowing the man or his principles, I feel perhaps it would be wiser not to put myself in writing, but I would like to have you talk with him, if you feel so disposed.

Mrs. Feige, one of our recent suffragists here at Huron, has just returned from the Eastern Star Convention at Aberdeen and she was telling me that Senator Stoner was there and that the conversation turned on the question of suffrage and the situation at the present time and that

[1918, June 17]

when some one brought up the idea that the men were responsible for this question in its present status, Senator Stoner contradicted this in a rather forceful manner and said that we were responsible for the whole deal and that he had talked to Mrs. Pyle before hand.

Now what I want him to know is that this plan was all worked out before we knew any thing about it and that the first we did know of what was in the air, was when we heard Governor Norbeck recommend it in his message. He carried the idea to this group of women with whom he was talking, and by the way, it was rather damaging for him to have expressed himself in that way, that he was not sure, it was going to carry this year, because of this combination and unprincipled way in which the women had brought it about. Of course, we remember how he expressed himself to you, after the amendment went through the House and Senate and what the effect was going to be in Lawrence County I think what he needs to know is that we have stood now just all we are going to stand from him along that line and that he can not go on talking in this manner. However, in your conversation with him, do not for one moment apologize for the fact that the two are lined up this way. I think rather, after making him know he is not telling the truth, you should tell him that we are not ashamed of the combination and that we are glad to be the instruments with which this change in the political situation in our state is to come about. He might just as well be called down for letting his mouth get away with him. Also remind him that it was a unanimous vote in the Senate and that if he did not vote for it, he must have been absent.

June 17th, 1918.

My dear Miss Sasse:--

A parcel post package came to you in this morning's mall and the box is rather demolished, but to re-wrap it and send it on to Aberdeen, on to-night's train, thinking you will get it tomorrow or the morning of the 19th. I would hold it here for you, excepting that I think it will be some peace of mind to you to know taht he has arrived. I trust you will get it in time.

I had a letter from Mrs. Herreid, containing her resignation. I am very curious to see you and get the report of the situation and what you have been able to accomplish in these few days.

Sincerely yours,

June 17th, 1918.

Mrs. R. S. Westaby, Madison, So. Dak.

My dear Mrs. Westaby:--

Miss Alice Loraine Daly has been here the last two days and from her, I learn that you are the one to go on with the suffrage work for Lake County, during her absence. She has gone to Clear Lake, to-day, to do Institute work for the Normal and will be occupied for a month or six weeks with this, after which time she expects to take up work with us. In fact, it was a great disappointment when we found there was this work to be done, for the Normal, as it had been understood that Miss Daly would devote her time for the summer to our work in the state.

I wrote you a few days ago, in regard to the chautauquas. It was a general letter which was sent out to all our Chairmen. I have since learned through the papers that the Assembly, at Lake Madison, will be an interesting gathering this year and the special dates which I have are from the 29th to 31st, either of June or July. I am wondering whether this gathering is usually largely attended and whether it will not be worth while for us to undertake some thing on a little larger scale than we usually do at this time. I would be very glad to hear from you soon, especially as to the exact dates and your opinion of what would be the wize thing to do.

Very sincerely yours,

The Patton Hotel THE PATTON HOTEL CO., Proprietors H. E. SWANDER, Manager Steam Heated and Modern Improvements European Plan

Rapid City, S.D. June 17 19188

Dear Mrs. Pyle

Life has been so strenous the past week that this the first hour I have had in which to write and reports.

In Hot Springs we had an afternoon school and an evening Mass Meeting on the Evans Veranda Saturday. Very successful.

Mayor Hargens presided at the evening meeting and a short program of music was given by the City Band before the speaking.

Mr Juskett Chm of Council of Defense sat on the platform and had previously given cooperation in getting up the meeting.

Mrs. McRoberts Chairman of the Womans Committee was my special good Angel.

The temperature was excessive and