Book Club unique in Louisiana

The Tallulah Book Club is the only Federated Women's Club in Louisiana owning it's own building.
From August 14, 1975 Centennial Edition Madison Journal

Rosalie Rountree

This summer marks the seventy-third anniversary of the founding of the Tallulah Book Club. It all began with a group of ladies in Madison Parish who loved reading a variety of subjects —history (especially of their beloved Southland), fiction, news media and mystery stories. They gradually grew into a large group and decided to form a lending library.

The library was established in the home of Mrs. J.S. Agee on North Mulberry St.

The ladies became enthusiastic about the library and the idea of a Book Club emerged. Thus, the Tallulah Book Club was formed.

I had the pleasure of knowing most of the living charter members upon my arrival in Tallulah the spring of 1918. The club met then, on the first Thursday of each month, just as it does today 73 years later.

In a recent issue of the Journal in the "Fifty Years Ago This Week", the following was mentioned: "The meeting of the Tallulah Book Club will be held at the residence of Mrs. O. S. Nicols. Mrs. Nicols was a member of the Sevier clan -‑ Ophelia Sevier Nicols, mother of Mrs. Robert Ammons of Tallulah. Also in this column it states: "The Madison Infantry Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy will give a card party at Wayside Plantation, Nov. 24 at 2 p.m. for the benefit of the Monument Fund." Wayside is the home of Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Adams at present.

The Monument stands on the Tallulah Court House lawn today. On it are the signatures of Miss Amy Holmes, president; daughter of the builder of Wayside, Col. Holmes and Kate Stone Holmes. Miss Amy Holmes was one of the charter members of the Tallulah Book Club.

Monthly meetings continued in the homes of club members on many plantations in the parish. It was a social event of the parish as well as a project for all the ladies interested in cultural and civic improvements in Tallulah and Madison Parish.

During the late 20's after World War I, the club obtained a membership of 100 and only a few homes could seat them. Then the club house idea was born with such notable persons as Mrs. Neal Holt (who then lived at Wayside Plantation), Mrs. Charlie Coltharp, Mrs. George Yerger, Sr., Mrs. W.J. Ward, Miss Annette Beers, Mrs. A.J. Sevier, Mrs. D.H. Allen, Mrs. R.K. Boney and Mrs. S.B. Bettis.

Also, Mrs. W. A. Gilpin, Mrs. A.L. Sevier, Mrs. Rountree, Mrs. E. Otis Edgerton. Mrs. R.S. Gayle, Mrs. R. L. Starrett and others. These members were very loyal and worked toward the realization of this building which became in 1930, the place for everything meeting in Tallulah.

The first President's Ball (Charity—March of Dimes) was held here with an orchestra from Memphis and the place was jammed with 200 dancers.

A program was given on the stage under the sponsorship of the music department of the Book Club with Mrs. R.O. Gaines in charge.

The North Louisiana Press Association met in Tallulah with W.L. Rountree, publisher of the Journal serving as host. The Banquet was held in the Book Club with a patriotic theme.

Dances were held here regularly, and card games and Rotary meetings for years. The club has sponsored annual art shows. The Music Department gave an annual luncheon and style show of local merchants (the first ever given by any club).

The Book Club Civic Committee had the first trash disposals placed downtown and this same committee persuaded the Police Jury that the time had come to stop allowing people to stake their cattle in the courthouse yard to keep the grass low.

It also planted the first oak trees and shrubbery, as I remember; Mrs. George Yerger was the one in charge. We all remember Sheriff Hester's rose garden now a parking (lot.)

The Club members established a fund to loan to ambitious young women who needed help in acquiring an education.

Young talent was presented each spring in a program and their families were invited to attend. Young Jerry Rankin delighted his audience with the violin. Geneva Rountree (then in grammar school also delighted everyone with her accordion playing. Geneva is now Mrs. Ed. W. Williams and Jerry is a practicing physician at Mercy Hospital in Vicksburg.

These are just a few of the people and accomplishments of the Tallulah Book Club.

Now, I want to tell about some outstanding women who have belonged to the club. One is now president, Judge Alwine Smith.

Mrs. R.K. Boney, mother of Mrs. W.P. Sevier, Jr., with her abilities and personal charm, became president of Louisiana Federated Womens Clubs and made quite a name for herself.

Mrs. Boney also organized the American Legion Auxiliary which met in the Book Club.

Mrs. C.E. Hester, one of the very prominent club women of the area and state, held many state and national offices in National Federation Women's Clubs.

Mrs. J. E. Neill, a loyal member of many years, is a prominent civic worker.

Mrs. Don Ater, recent president of the Book Club, but now living in Ferriday, has became a prominent member in the State Federation.

The January 1965 Edition of General Federation "Club Women", magazine of the world's largest organization of women published nationally in the United States, carried a full-page story "Down to old New Orleans about the June G.F.W.C.'s glamorous convention to be held in New Orleans. The byline of the story is by Rosalie Rountree.

I have belonged continuously to the Tallulah Book Club since 1918 and hold the record as the member with longest membership. I am proud of this distinction.

Mrs. W.M. Murphy, a native Tallulahian, who spent much of her life in New York City, later came back to Tallulah and became a member until her death. She was an outstanding president.

Also, the Book Club being unique in having the only club house in the State Of Louisiana has another very notable achievement. It has had, and now has as members: a lady legislator, the late Mrs. Andrew L. Sevier who was state senator; Dr. Attie Leeves, Tallulah physician; Judge Alwine Mulhearn Smith, who is now president.

The club was and is made up of young women, mothers and grandmothers, but what identifies them is their love for their community which they want to improve. And as one can see-they do!

Past presidents from 1902-1973 are listed as follows: Mrs. A.S. Coltharp, Mrs. Charles Coltharp, Mrs. W.M. Murphy, Mrs. J.S. Agee, Miss Annette Beers, Mrs. A.J. Sevier , Mrs. D.H. Allen, Mrs. W.J. Ward, Mrs. S.B. Bettis, Mrs. R.K. Boney, Mrs. W.V. King, Mrs. Neal T. Holt, Mrs. W.A. Gilpin, Mrs. A.L. Sevier, Mrs. E. Otis Edgerton, Mrs. R.T. Starrett, Mrs. R.S. Gayle, Mrs. J. R. Wallace, Mrs. G.R. Whetstone, Mrs. Neal T. Holt, Mrs. Albert V. Sevier, Mrs. C.S. Pierce, Mrs. Claude W. Grimes Mrs. R.T. Alexander, Mrs. W.F. Patton Mrs. John W. Carpenter, Mrs. C. E. Speed Mrs. A.L. Sevier, Mrs. Frances A. Robinson, Mrs. Clifton E. Hester Mrs. J.E. Neill, Sr., Mrs. Donald Ater, Mrs. R.E. Brown, Mrs. E.B. Schicker, Mrs. Edward Williams, Mrs. J.L. Adams, Mrs. Herman Rhodes, Judge Alwine M. Smith.