Page:History of Woman Suffrage Volume 6.djvu/357

MISSOURI 343 brought matters to a crisis and a few bold spirits decided to reorganize the scattered suffrage forces. In March, 1910, Mrs. Florence Wyman Richardson, Miss Marie R. Garesche and Miss Florence Richardson (later Mrs. Roland R. Usher) barely out of her teens, renounced society and invited twenty or twenty-five women, whom they thought might be interested, to meet in Miss Garesche's home. Only five responded, Miss Bertha Rombauer, Miss Jennie M. A. Jones, Mrs. Robert Atkinson, Miss Lillian Heltzell and Mrs. Dan Knefler. Not at all daunted it was decided as a first step to engage a prominent lecturer. Miss Ethel Arnold, the well- known Englishwoman, a suffragist but not a "militant," was then touring this country and before the meeting adjourned a telegram was sent to her and the eight women present guaranteed the sum to cover her charge and the rent of a hall. As her itinerary would bring her to St. Louis about the middle of April it was thought best to organize immediately, so that the publicity which would undoubtedly be given to Miss Arnold would be shared by the infant society. A circular letter outlining the project was sent broadcast and April 8 about fifty women gathered at the residence of Mrs. Richardson and effected an organization. Thus came into being the St. Louis Equal Suffrage League, which was destined to play the principal part in winning the vote for the women of the State. The following officers were elected : President, Mrs. Richardson; first vice-president, Miss Garesche; second, Mrs. Atkinson; corresponding secretary, Miss Rom- bauer ; recording secretary, Miss Heltzell ; treasurer, Mrs. Knefler ; auditor, Mrs. Leslie Thompson. Miss Arnold's lecture took place April 11 and her charm, ire and cogent reasoning won many friends to the cause and med many of its opponents. Branch organizations were formed in the northern and southern parts of the city with Mrs. Atlanta Hecker and Miss Cecilia Ka/.nvsky as presidents. Meetings were held in the Cabanne Branch Library and before nd of the year the members had increased to 275. 1 During 1 Thirteen men were enrolled this year, Eugene Angert, George Blackman, R V. RoTMelier, Dr. W. W. Boyd, Mr. Cha M. Grossman, Charles Haanel, Stephen > Van Dyke Hill, Dr. John C. Morfit, II. J. Peifer, Judge R. E. Roml-.iucr and Percy Werner.