President Arnold Oliver rang the bell and started the meeting at 12:01 pm. David Hartman led the invocation with another exceptional prayer. Cara Sauceda led the pledge and song “America the Beautiful”, followed by our usual “Rotary” greeting.
We had three guests. John Mayfield introduced his son, Joseph. David Hartman introduced Sue Harrington and Norris Martin introduced his wife Dee Ann. There were two birthdays for the week: Norris Martin and Jackie Lebow, Jr. Both have been members of the club for about 25 years.
Nothing to report on the Sunshine Report. Lance Spruiell did mention that he had obtained the blue badges of Dr. Phil Stephenson as well as Dr. Stephenson’s Father who were both long time members of the club before their passing.
Then Norris Martin auctioned off three cakes for the club that he and Dee Ann had made. The first Southern Comfort cake went for $60.00 to Cara Sauceda, the second Chocolate Vodka Cake went to Sheldon Wang for $60.00 and the third Southern Comfort Cake went for $105.00 to Joseph Mayfield, our guest. Thanks to Norris and Dee Ann for their efforts in raising money for the Club.
For the Brag Bucket, Noel Filer bragged on the Cath Lab at United Regional Hospital for the work they performed last week concerning her father. They determined very quickly that he needed stints in his heart arteries. He had two put in and went home the same day. Lance Spruiell mentioned that his daughter in Seattle made 30 large bowls which were auctioned off for charity at around $900 each. Her group raised $200,000 for the event. Jim Hughes bragged that he now has a new Daughter-In-Law.
On announcements, President Oliver mentioned that the Rotary District Conference will be held May 19-20 in Mineral Wells. Registration is now open for those who wish to attend.
David Hartman introduced the program “The Valentines Day Murder” which occurred in Wichita Falls on February 14, 1925. Dr. Pam Morgan Davis, Academic Outreach & Distance Education at Midwestern State University, brought an exceptional historical program about a tragic love story concerning a young couple in Wichita Falls. Mary Frances Collier was the daughter of a prominent family in Wichita Falls in the early 1900’s. She was born in 1906. Her father Frank Collier had been mayor of Wichita Falls and her mother Dorothy Collier was from a prominent local family as well. Mary fell in love with Elzie Buster Robertson who was a good athlete but dropped out of high school to seek his fortune. Buster was from a lower-class family and was raised by his mother Mattie Mae Robinson who did what she could to make ends meet. Mary’s parents disapproved of the relationship, but the two eloped and were married in Walters Oklahoma on June 15, 1924. They kept the marriage a secret for about seven months until finally the facts came out. Dorothy found the two together and shots were fired, although Buster was not hit. Frank Collier then filed to have the marriage annulled. On the night of February 14, 1925, Mary and her parents were at their friends’ home, The Duke Family. Mary left the party to meet up with Buster and his mother. When Frank and Dorothy found out, they immediately went to find their daughter and met up with Buster and his mother. Frank shot Buster 4 or 5 times in the chest and was arrested and charged with murder. Afterwards, Frank reached out to his friends, Joseph Kemp and Frank Kell for help. The case went to trial and the defense was led by W.F. Weeks (a prominent Wichita Falls attorney) and the prosecution was led by James Allread (the future 33rd Governor of the State). Frank was convicted and sentenced to 3 years. His wife Dorothy was also later sentenced for the crime and sentenced to 10 years. Both were soon pardoned by Governor Miriam A. “Ma” Ferguson after only serving a few months. Mary went off to college after tragic event and later married Robert Schultz. Mary became a known artist and painter. She and Robert had one daughter who they named Dorothy after her mother. Later daughter Dorothy graduated from Wichita Falls High School and was an artist as well.
The speaker’s gift to Dr. Pam Morgan Davis was a book donated to Christ Academy. President Arnold the adjourned the meeting at 12:58 pm with the 4 Way Test and ringing of the bell.