1917

In the Beginning

By 1917, business, trade, and professional groups of men had recognized the need for an organization which would cultivate understanding and cooperative action among them as they sought o build a better city. 

W. A. Askew and Guy Sanders were partners in the insurance business during these years and had begun to hear about men's civic organizations including a Rotary Club established in Dallas, Texas, in 1911.  Through these business activities W. A. and Guy developed an interest in Paul Harris' idea of fellowship. (Paul Harris founded Rotary in Chicago, Illinois in 1905.)

Early in 1916, W. A. Askew had written the District Governor of Rotary in Denver, Colorado, about the organization of a Rotary Club in Amarillo.   The District Governor in Denver wrote Mr. Askew and told him to write to District Governor Milam of Dallas, Texas, because Amarillo was now in the Dallas district. About this time W. A. and Guy had talked to special agents from insurance companies from Dallas and the special agents also suggested writing to Governor Milam.   Guy Saunders then wrote a letter to Governor Milam about establishing a Rotary Club in Amarillo.  Governor Milam replied he had appointed Charles A. Fisk of Amarillo as of October 3, 1916, to organize a Rotary Club for Amarillo. 

The United States declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917, and Guy Saunders being single, joined the U.S. Army and later went to France. Several months had elapsed and nothing had been done in the organization of a Rotary Club.   W. A. Askew again wrote to Governor Milam in Dallas; however, Governor Milam's   term had expired. Lige Coles of Houston, Texas, was elected Governor of the district which included Amarillo, and  Mr. Askew's letter was forwarded to Governor Coles. 

Allen Early was also interested in organizing Rotary in Amarillo and had written to Governor Coles.  Allen Early's letter arrived at the office of Governor Coles the same time W. A. Askew's arrived that had been forwarded from former Governor Milam to newly elected Governor Coles. 

At the time Allen Early's letter and W. A. Askew's letter arrived in Governor Coles' office, Earl Cobb of Amarillo was in the office of Governor Coles (they were in the coal business) and Governor Coles discussed with Earl Cobb the organization of a Rotary Club for Amarillo.  Governor Coles wrote to W. A. Askew and suggested that W. A. Askew, Allen Early, and Earl Cobb organize a Rotary Club for Amarillo. 

On August 20, 1917, Allen Early, Earl Cobb and W. A. Askew met in the office of Mr. Cobb and compiled a list of men who had expressed an interest in Rotary. Governor Coles submitted this list to the Secretary of Rotary who recommended the Rotary Club of Amarillo to be organized with twenty-five charter members. 

The twenty-five men listed as charter members are

It was this group with W. A. Askew as Chairman who organized and established Rotary, the first civic club in Amarillo, on the 28th day of September, 1917.  The Club was accepted as a member of the international organization on the 1st day of December, 1917.

The Officers and Directors of the first year were

John S. McKnight, President
W. A. Askew, Vice President
J. E. McGinnes, Secretary
C. M. McCullough, Treasurer
H. W. Galbraith, Director
H. C. Pipkin, Director
R. D. Kirk, Director

Records in the Amarillo office and opinions expressed indicate the Club has from the very first year been a vigorous one.  During this initial year, the members became aware of real benefits from the fellowship and saw members inspired to unity among the group. A retrospective view of the first year of Rotary lifts that period into a place of tradition in the hearts and minds of today's membership.