Early McCook social clubs

George Norris (rear right) first joined the Beaver City Masonic Knights Templer Lodge in 1894 before coming to McCook.

In the early years of McCook's existence, from 1882-1900, almost everyone was an immigrant from someplace back East. Being so far removed from family, friends, and organizations, it was natural to join with others, to get acquainted, and to bring some flavor of their former lives into this new country. According to the 1893 Columbian Souvenir, from whence a good bit of the material for the following account was taken, McCook was well supplied with various clubs and lodges, so much that it seemed that almost every adult in the town of 2,346 must have belonged to at least one organization.

In 1893 the McCook Social Club had 60 members, who had fitted up a suite of rooms over the First National Bank. Those rooms were open "at all hours to members for social amusement." John Hatfield was president. Banker, George Hocknell, treasurer, Realtor, C. F. Babcock was secretary.

A number of the early McCook organizations served two purposes. Some brought people together socially, but also served to provide them with the saving of money or providing low cost insurance. The Cooperative Building and Savings Association was a solid institution of the city. "Loans have been made on $65,000 worth of property. Amount of mortgages now in force,$49,548.58. Capital stock paid up, $51,775. Number of shares issued, 3,008." Officers were Frank Harris, president, G. W. Kaine, secretary, and W.L. Lawson, treasurer. Monthly and semi-annual meetings were held, where members came for pot-luck dinners, reports and socializing.

Banker Geo. Hocknell, Treasurer of the McCook Social Club

The KOTM Society (Knights Of The Maccabees) was a social club that provided its members with low cost insurance. The organization was formed in 1876 in Lordes, Ontario, Canada.

The A.F. & F.M. (Ancient Free & Accepted Masons) was organized in 1884, with nine charter members, Gilbert. F. Laws, Master. In 1893 there were 58 chapter members; commandery, 48. Officers were T.G. Rees, Worthy Master, Joe D. Robb , secretary.

Over the years appendant bodies of the Masons were formed. The York Rite consisted of three bodies, Cyrus Chapter No. 35 Royal Arch Masons, Occonoxee Council No. 16 Royal and Select Masons, and Saint John Commandery Knights Templer No. 16. In 1981 the local Knights Templer's largest contribution was to the Knights Templer Eye Foundation, while the Occonoxee Council was primarily involved with the prevention of arteriosclerosis, and the Royal Arch group supported the program involved with the auditory perception problems in children.

Cigar maker Joe Reizenstein, vice chairman of the Knights of Pythius

The Eastern Star, a separate organization from the Masons was chartered in 1894, with 66 charter members. In 1981 it had grown to some 400 members. Its main work is in support of the

Masonic-Eastern Star Home for Children.

The Knights of Pythius were organized in 1885 (in McCook in 1887), pledged to the understanding among men of good will as the surest path to Universal Peace, with 15 charter members. In 1893, with cigar maker, Joseph Reizenstein, V.C., there were 35 Uniformed Rank members. The Knights of Pythius were distinctive with their own band, "composed of 20 well uniformed men, which will compare favorably with any band in the West. They are always available for concerts, parades, etc. H. P. Sutton is musical director."

The A.O.U.W. (Ancient Order of United Workers) was organized in 1886, with 18 charter members. In 1893 there were 285 members, who met every Monday evening.

The G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic) was organized in 1886. In 1893, with J.H. Yarger as commander, they had a membership of 40. Meetings were held the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month.

The W.R.C. (meaning of WRC unknown, but apparently a women's organization connected to the GAR) in 1893 had a membership of 40 and held meeting on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month.

In addition to the GAR, McCook also had a chapter of The Sons of Veterans, organized in 1891 and in 1893 had a membership of 26.

The I.O.O.F. (Independent Order of Odd Fellows) was organized in 1886 and in 1893 had 47 members, W. Smith, Noble Grand, C. H. Jacobs, Vice Grand, S.H Colvin, secretary. Meetings were held in the I.O.O.F. Lodge rooms every Tuesday.

The Railway employees had several organizations, among which were Oder Railway Conductors, Order Railway Firemen, Order Railway Engineers. All of these were very popular with the general public, "especially when they give their annual ball."

In 1886 the re-organized W.C.T.U. (Women's Christian Temperance Union) had Mrs. E.E. Fredricks as president and Miss W.E. Thomas as secretary.

The Reform Club, organized in 1885, had J.E. Berger as president, C.G. Boyle as secretary and W.M. Sanderson as treasurer.

In addition to the above named organizations, in 1893 two separate volunteer fire departments also held regular meetings and social events for the members and their families.

Each church in McCook had lay organizations for both men and women of the church. These were active organizations, supportive of the church both spiritually and financially.

After the turn of the century some of the early organizations died out, some flourished, and new organizations made their appearance.

Probably the most successful of all McCook organizations in terms of members would be the McCook Elks Lodge No. 1434, which was chartered in 1923. W.C. Bullard was the first Exalted Ruler. (Mr. Bullard was among the most colorful of McCook's citizens in the first third of the 20th Century. He was a lumberman. The motto for the lumberyard was "Bill Bullard's Boards Build Better Buildings.")

By 1981 the McCook Lodge had grown to some 2,785 members and its benevolent works were felt and appreciated by folks throughout our trade territory, especially in its youth programs and its work in its crippled children's programs and scholarships for any deserving youth.

The B.P.O. ( Elks) Does Drove No.3 was organized in 1923,with 48 charter members and Z.L. Kay as the first president. The Drove was the 3rd such organization in the nation to be organized. By 1981 it had grown to 148.

The McCook Eagles have been an important fraternal organization in our community since they were chartered in 1948. The group has an enviable record of service to the community with its programs, such as the Meals on Wheels, scholarships to area youths, and their donations to many many other causes. From a charter membership of 102 in 1948, the group had grown to a membership of 781 in 1981.

The Eagles Auxiliary, an important arm of the Eagles was also chartered in McCook in 1948, with a charter membership of 78. In 1981 there were 290 members.

The Knights of Columbus is a long standing McCook fraternal organization, celebrating 100 years in McCook in 2006. This Catholic organization is dedicated to community service, fellowship and religious conviction. The group contributes to a number of charitable organizations, many of which are associated with the church.

In the 1920s non fraternal, service organizations, such as the Rotary Club and Kiwanis Club began to appear in McCook. We'll take a look at those Clubs in a future column.

Source: 1893 Columbian Souvenir; The McCook Gazette Centennial Edition 1982