DIVISION SEVEN — SOCIE'TARY. 517 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

 Aptitudes. — Literary, Charity, Nativity, and Sporting Organizations. 



LITERARY SOCIETIES. 



During the winter of 1875-76 the colony people organized a literary so- 

 ciety, which covered the whole ground of essays, debates, recitations, a pen- 

 and-ink local paper, dramatic performances, etc. For more particulars of 

 this first and richly historic society, see pages 137, 147, and 169. 



PoMOLOGiCAL SOCIETY. — The first fruit growers' organization in 

 Southern California was organized in Pasadena in 1875, and was in fact a 

 literary society, to report, read, compare experiences, and discuss on all 

 fruit-growing topics and interests. It met monthly in the colony school- 

 house ; but I did not find any further details. 



Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle of Pasadena. — This 

 was organized in October, 1884 ; and the Valley U7iion of October 11 said: 



In pursuance of a notice in the Union of October 4, a meeting was held 

 in the inner room of the Public Library building, Monday evening, for the 

 purpose of forming a C. L. S. C. in Pasadena. A large Circle was organ- 

 ized, of which Prof. E. T. Pierce was elected president, and Mrs. S. E. 

 Merritt, secretary. The following names were offered for membership : 

 Prof. E. T. Pierce, George E. Meharry, Moritz Rosenbaum, Mrs. E. T. W. Con- 

 ger, Mrs. H. W. Magee, Mrs. Caroline Ridgway, Mrs. N. M. Hisey, Mrs. 

 E. T. Pierce, Mrs. G. E. Meharry, Mrs. M, Rosenbaum, Mrs. M. E. Gall- 

 meyer, Mrs. C. C. Robinson, Mrs. S. E. Merritt, Miss Hannah Ball [now 

 Mrs. F. R. Harris], Miss E. H. Hisey, Miss Elma Ball [now Mrs. H. I. 

 Stuart], Miss Rhoda Dickey, Dr. John Cleaver, Prof. F. D. Bullard, Wm. B. 

 Mosher, H. Bert Ellis [now Dr. Ellis of Eos Angeles], Edward Mosher. " 



Others soon joined, but these were the only names enrolled at the first 

 meeting. They kept up their meetings and readings for about six months, 

 then gradually dropped out, and this first Circle died. 



Marengo Avenue Circle, C. E. S. C, was organized in November, 

 1886, at Switzer's camp, away up in the mountains via Arrovo Seco can- 

 yon. Those who formed it there were : Mrs. C. A. Boynton, Frank S. 

 Wallace, Miss Mary Wallace [now Mrs. F. S. Johnston], Mrs. H. E. Eucas, 

 Miss Annie P. Boynton [now Mrs. Dr. Bleecker], Miss S. E. Sherburne, 

 Mr. Lewis Carlisle. Mr. Wallace was chosen president, and Miss Boynton 

 secretary and treasurer. This organization still continues, and its officers in 

 1895 are: H. N. Van Nuys, president; J. W. Sedwick, vice president; 

 Miss Rosa AUin, secretary ; L. L- Test, treasurer. About twenty-five mem- 

 bers. 



EscHOLTSCHiA CiRCLE, C. L- S. C. — Limited to a membership of ladies 

 only, and not more than twelve at one time, and day meetings only. This 

 was organized September 27, 1890, with Miss Elma Ball, Mrs. T. C. Foster, 



