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S. ELIZABETH BIGELOW, Secretary of the WINTERGREEN CLUB : 1898 - 1911 ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT JOURNAL DETAILING MEETING MINUTES, EVENTS AND DISCUSSIONS OF THE WINTERGREEN CLUB, A PROMINENT ORGANIZATION ADVOCATING FOR THE RIGHT OF WOMEN TO VOTE IN THE UNITED STATES

4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall. On offer is a fascinating handwritten journal from a prominent Suffragette organization based in Salem, Massachusetts, the Wintergreen Club. The Wintergreen Club was a Women's Suffrage club that met to discuss issues relating to women's suffrage and issues relating to politics. The journal details conversations and meeting minutes of the club, with discussions of turn of the 20th century politics and how it related to a woman’s right to vote. These minutes were kept by the secretary of the club, a S.E. Bigelow. Though the Wintergreen Club was first organized on May 1, 1891, the entries in this journal begin on December 16th, 1898. The first two pages of the book, however, provide a list of all members of the club, as of 1899. The organization counts 25 women in its ranks, as well as a President (Julia K. Dyer), Vice President (Mrs. E. N. L. Nolton), Treasurer (Mrs. J. Reed) and Secretary (the author of the entries, Mrs. S. E. Bigelow). Many of the meetings have multi page entries in the book, detailing the members who were present, news brought up by various members, reports from the president, vice president, treasurer, etc., as well as relevant talk about their suffragette activities and its relationship to the politics of the time. There are also discussions of more general nature, such as the usefulness of immigration to the American identity, the equality between the races and other ideas fairly liberal for the time. There are also mentions of Czar Nicholas and events in Russia, and many pages of similar debates and discussions. In total there are 200 pages of handwritten text dating from 1898-1911. This is a fascinating window on the events of the time from a woman's perspective and from the perspective of the suffragettes in particular. The book is in good condition. The front and back cover show some noticeable wear, especially on the leathered corners. The spine is held together by duct tape. The book is still in very good structural shape though. The pages within are mostly free of age-toning or major wear and tear. The handwriting throughout is clear, in black ink and without noticeable fading or smudging. Text: “December 16, 1898. 14 members met with Mrs. Reed, Mrs. Dyer, Mrs. Pratt, Mrs. Daper.....The reports of secretary and treasurer were accepted and a discussion upon the State Federation followed. Mrs. Reed’s niece played and sang most pleasantly and the Christmas dinner was served at two o’clock. S.E. Bigelow, Secretary.”; “March 21, 1902. The day was fine. The company punctual and all in good spirits...Reports from secretary was read. Mrs. Reed read a letter from Clara Barton containing good wishes for the club - a letter from Mrs. Spalding, an appeal from a Texas club and one from Mrs. Bray in behalf of the Glenester Hospital for which Mrs. Hone called for a 25-cent subscription. The sum of $3 was raised. The club adjourned for luncheon and we enjoyed the two feasts which are in evidence when the Wintergreen meet...The Club then settled to service work, the discussion was upon President Roosevelt second up this time. Mrs. Ruth pronounced it A1 - she had met the President and had pleasant anecdotes to tell of his kindness. Mrs Livermore approved his views upon women's suffrage-requested his dropping Sec. Long admired his section in regards to Booker Washington. This statement led to a discussion and the talk turned upon social equality of white and colored races. Mrs. Dupes in some way carried the discussion in the Lampoon Pekly controversy, while approving the President's course...”; “November 15, 1905. The Wintergreen Club met with Mrs. Dyer in the afternoon. It was a meeting which will stand apart from all others. It was ‘In Memoriam’ and sacred...Mrs. Hone gave the note of loving tenderness which throbbed through every spoken word. She spoke of Mrs. Livermore as full of life but overworked - with a curious completeness in her death which we did not feel when she was with us. She spoke of her wonderful gifts and the noble use to which she put her prowess of her clean mind and wonderful memory, her beautiful voice which did not suffer in comparison. All these were like scattered flowers gathered now into a cluster. Her life was like good deed no praise could be too high and nothing too good could be said.” OVERALL: VG.. Manuscript. Book Condition: Very Good

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