HISTORY OF THE WHEEL. 83 



of Tennessee. In July, 1886, the Wheel passed a resolu- 

 tion petitioning Congress to create the office. The peti- 

 tion was sent to quite a number of Congressmen, and to 

 Commissioner Coleman. A bill was introduced by Hon. 

 P. T. Glass, of Tennessee. It died in the committee 

 room, but Mr. Glass, being returned to Congress, called 

 the matter up and pressed its passage until it became a 

 law. This alone was quite a victory for the agricultural 

 classes. 



The next annual meeting of the Tennessee State 

 Wheel was held at Nashville, beginning on the 24th day 

 of July, 1889. At this meeting the Wheel and Alliance, 

 after ratifying the Constitution adopted at Meridian, were 

 consolidated. The election of officers resulted in select- 

 ing Hon. John P. Buchanan for President, and E. B. 

 Wade, Secretary. The Order in Tennessee has three 

 State Agencies, located respectively at Morristown, Nash- 

 ville and Memphis. The membership has increased very 

 rapidly in the last twelve months, and the organization 

 in this State ranks among the strongest of the organized 

 States. 



THE , WHEEL IN MISSOURI. 



The first subordinate Wheel in the State was organ- 

 ized in Mississippi county, on the 7th day of November, 

 1886, by J. J. Matheny, of Henry county, Tennessee. 

 The first County Wheel was organized in Texas county, 

 March I4th, 1887, by T. P. Bryan, of Howell county, 

 Missouri. The State Wheel was organized at Gaines- 

 ville., in Ozark county, February ad, 1887, by S. T. 

 Grinnett, of Howell county. W. G. Conner was elected 

 President; J. C. Caldwell, Vice-President; T. P. Bryan, 

 Lecturer, and W. R. McCallister, Secretary. S. T. Grin- 

 nett, T. P. Bryan, W. J. Hopkins, J. R. Vanzant and 

 James Nelson were appointed State organizers. The first 



