War in Europe, a letter from Roosevelt, & a convention in Cuba
Officers:
William Guenther - President
Edward Michel - Vice President
Harold Niedorp - Secretary
Ransom N. Ridge - Treasurer
John Rix - Sergeant at Arms
Harold J. Bowman - Assistant Sergeant at Arms
Directors:
Frank Crum
Bob Jornayvaz
Bob Hillyard
Harry Conrad
Ted Haines
June 5, 1937: William Guenther and Mr. and Mrs. E.W. Tedlock attended the International Convention in Nice, France. Eight thousand Rotarians from every corner of the world met for the convention. A Rotary "Flotilla" of 14 ships brought visitors into the harbor. These delegates represented a world-wide club with 200,000 members in 4,200 clubs of 65 nations. Largest contingent was from North America with 3,500 members. Britain and Ireland combined had 1,000, Italy 500 and Germany 300.
April 26-27, 1937: District Convention was held in St. Joseph. The principal speaker was Major General Smedley Butler. One thousand guests were entertained. There were 34 clubs in this District at this time - doubled in one year's time. According to work received from W.E. Tedlock from International Headquarters, in Chicago, this was the most rapid growth in any district in the History of Rotary.
October 23, 1937: The Rotary Club financed a banquet for Student Council convention at Central High School. A letter from Miss Calla Varner, Principal of Central High School, to William Guenther, assured him that it heightened the morale of the students an appreciable degree to have the leading civic club of St. Joseph show them such courtesy.
August 23, 1937: From Munich, Germany came the announcement that all Nazi party members who are Rotarians must terminate their Rotary membership by December 31, or become liable to penalties. The official explanation was that many Jews and Free Masons had joined Rotary Clubs where they could propagate ideas which Naziism refused to tolerate.
During this Rotary year, the South Side Rotary Club was organized. There were 25 charter members and G.E. Brumbaugh was the first President. Their charter was officially presented November 27, 1937, at the King Hill Masonic Temple, by E.W. Tedlock, District Governor. Delegations from several clubs in the District attended.
December 19, 1937: Custodians of all public schools in St. Joseph were honored guests at the Rotary Club "Christmas Luncheon" today.
May 17 1938: Dr. C.M. Chilton completed his 40th year as Minister of the First Christian Church.
March 29, 1938: W. E. Spratt, Past President of the Rotary Club died.
April 19, 1938: Orestes Mitchell, Jr., Past President of the Rotary Club died. Club membership this year was 112 members.
At the annual convention in San Francisco, in June 1938, a proposal was made by one of the Georgia clubs that Rotarians be retired at the age of 70 to make way for younger men. The proposal was withdrawn.
Mr. Guenther reports that since the year 1930, the St. Joseph Rotary Club has become very much interested in rehabilitation work for crippled children. During his term as president, a fund of $500.00 was put in the budget for this work and various types of work were done for fourteen different children. Several orthopedic operations were performed by St. Joseph physicians. An artificial leg was purchased for one boy, several braces were purchased and shoe corrections made. Some astounding results were accomplished in this project.
The old Post Office was being torn down and the Post Office was temporarily moved into the old Tootle Theatre Building.
1938 - 1939
Officers:
Edward A. Michel - President
Harry S. Conrad - Vice President
Clem M. White - 2nd Vice President
Harold Niedorp - Treasurer
Harold Bowman - Sergeant at Arms
Wm. V. Murchie - Assistant Sergeant at Arms
Directors:
William Guenther
John Engle
William Kennedy
Red Leavitt
Orestes Mitchell, Jr.
Our club financed a series of lectures by Roy E. Dickerson, of Kansas City. His subjects were on "Mental Hygiene". Dr. Dickerson made thirty appearances before high schools and religious organizations within five days. Complimentary letters were received from school authorities and church organizations, thanking us for making this possible. At our regular weekday luncheon meeting in June 1938, Father Flanagan of Boys' Town in Omaha, Nebraska was our speaker. At this meeting, we had as invited guests, outstanding civic leaders, priests and clergy of the city.
This year our club engaged in formation of "Fireside Groups" which have held regular meetings. These meetings have proved to be very popular with our club members.
H. Roe Bartle was elected Governor of the 134th District of Rotary International. Mr. Bartle was a member of the St. Joseph Rotary Club 1927 - 1929.
August 15, 1938: St. Joseph held a celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Platte Purchase. An historical pageant was held in Krug Bowl Park. Thirty thousand persons attended. Fred Karr received a letter from Franklin D. Roosevelt in reference to the "Platte Purchase Celebration".
Copy of the Letter
August 15, 1938
"Felicitations from the President"
Mr. Fred Karr
General Chairman
Platte Purchase Centennial Celebration
St. Joseph, Missouri
Dear Mr. Karr:
Please accept and extend to the people of Missouri, my sincere congratulations upon the hundredth anniversary of the Platte Purchase, a significant even in the history of the State.
Adding six counties to the Northwestern boundary of Missouri in 1837, by amicable treaty and negotiations with the Sac and Fox Indians, the Platte Purchase brought to its final consummation under proclamation issued by President Van Buren, and played an important part in the development of the State.
Very sincerely yours,
Franklin D. Roosevelt
October 3, 1938: A delegation representing the 6th Annual Good Will Tour from St. Petersburg, Florida, were present at our Rotary Luncheon today. William A. Kenmuia, who is chairman of the tour, is a former St. Joseph resident.
October 16, 1938: Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt unveiled "The Pony Express Map", a mural painted by George Gray for Hotel Robidoux.
September 7, 1938: A recommendation that the Government dissolve Italian Rotary Clubs was made today by the Italian newspaper "Piccalo of Trieste". They stated that "Incompatibility between Rotary and Fascism was clear and concrete."
September 20, 1938: Many persons journeyed to Atchison, Kansas, today to attend the dedication of the new Free Bridge over the Missouri River there.
October 22, 1939: The St. Joseph Rotary Club was host to 125 guests from clubs outside the city. At a stag dinner at 6:30 p.m. at Hotel Robidoux, Walter W. Head of St. Louis was the speaker. His subject was "What Next?".
Club membership this year was 111.
1939: Jesse James' home was moved from 13th and Lafayette Streets to the Belt Highway as a tourist attraction.
March 31, 1939: Byrd Sanitarium burned. Two died. Loss estimated at $50,000.
A great feeling of world unrest in 1939. Germany declared war on Poland, September 1. Great Britain declared war on Germany September 3. France declared war on Germany, December 3.
1939 - 1940
Officers:
Harry S. Conrad - President
Clem M. White - Vice President
W. J. Kennedy - 2nd Vice President
Harold Niedorp - Secretary
Ransom N. Ridge - Treasurer
Harold J. Bowman - Sergeant at Arms
Chris Ellinger - Assistant Sergeant at Arms
Directors:
Carl P. Schuchardt
W. Van Murchie
H. B. Holihan
C. J. Feeney
E. A. Michel
March 7, 1939: Robert Wadlow and his parents of Alton, Illinois, were guests of the Rotary Club at their weekday luncheon today. Young Wadlow was eight feet, nine and one-half inches tall. Because of his gigantic size, he created much attention.
April 11, 1939: Representatives of all St. Joseph Civic Clubs and the alumni of Missouri University held an Alumni Luncheon at Hotel Robidoux commemorating the 100th anniversary of the founding of Missouri University. Rotary Club representatives were E.A. Michel and Harold Niedorp.
May 1, 1939: An "International Theme" was carried throughout our Rotary Luncheon today. Menu was made up of International dishes. One table was designated as "International Table". Members of our club who were born in different countries were seated at this special table. The following members made up our International Table:
Germany - Frank Schuske, S. O. Strucksberg, John Ingle, Max Adriano
United States - Dr. H. S. Conrad, Clem M. White
Russia - Dr. Jacob Kulowski
Canada - Allen Campbell, W. J. Kennedy
England - Henry J. Letts
May 14, 1939: Rotarians were addressed at the noon luncheon by J.C. Penney. His topic was "Opportunity of Today".
Dr. H.S. Conrad presented a bronze and wood plaque to the club. The plaque to be placed in the hotel lobby to announce the Tuesday luncheon. Some 2,000 clubs were now using this type of plaque.
In 1939, the St. Joseph club led the district in subscriptions to The Rotarian.
May 16, 1939: W.A. Bodenhausen, first president of the St. Joseph Rotary Club, spoke before members of the South Side Rotary Club. His topic was "Rotary, Yesterday and Today".
Swift & Company celebrated their 41st year in operation on May 7, 1939.
In 1940, Cuba issued two and one-half million "Two-Centavo Carmine" postage stamps to honor Rotary International. This was the first time a foreign government issued definite postage to honor Rotary International. It had as its design our symbol of the Rotary Wheel with "Convention 1940" above it.
The Rotary Club made a donation to Lafayette and Central High Schools to help purchase band uniforms.
Clem White attended the Rotary International Convention in Cuba in June 1940.
Club membership in 1940 was 106.
April 7, 1940: W.S. Belden received a copy of the weather report from the meteorological results of the Byrd Expeditions of 1928, 1930, 1933 and 1935. This report was compiled by George Grimminger, a former St. Joseph man. The lowest temperature recorded on the two expeditions was 78ยบ below zero on July 22, 1928.
April 3, 1940: Train-Auto Service was introduced in St. Joseph today. Grant Motor Company received franchise from Railroad Extension Service, Inc., for furnishing cars here. Under the plan, a rail traveler who needs a car while in the city will have one waiting for him at the Union Station when he arrives. This schedule is now in effect in 30 western and southwestern states. All cars furnished must be 1940 models, five-passenger sedans. Service available through Burlington, Rock Island, Union Pacific and Santa Fe Lines.
1940 - 1941
Officers
Clem M. White - President
W. J. Kennedy - Vice President
Russell Peck - 2nd Vice President
Harold Niedorp - Secretary
Ransom N. Ridge - Treasurer
Harold Bowman - Sergeant at Arms
Chris Ellinger - Assistant Sergeant at Arms
Directors:
Harry S. Conrad
Harry F. Barton
D. W. Dannen
John Newton
Walter Parker
"Rural Acquaintance" received particular attention this year. Several meetings were devoted exclusively to agriculture and the entertainment of rural visitors. "Youth Service" was particularly stressed this year and the club sent 75 worthy boys to summer camp.
In the April issue of The Rotarian, the St. Joseph club was given a nice write-up under the caption "Youth Guidance - a New Facet".
1940: Woolworth Ten Cent Store was entirely destroyed by fire which started in the Pennant Cafeteria.