VOL. LIII.

SEPTEMBER, 1921.

THE WONOLANCET CLUB

CONCORD, N. H.

By George W. Parker

Community welfare as purposeful, united effort to promote the well-being of all members of a social group is a modern movement that is most significant. Cities and towns have existed ever since the gregarious instinct led men to congregate for protection and mutual interests, but the world has awaited liberty and fraternity to pave the way for such a manifestation of friendship as we today see in the great brotherhoods. It is but a broadening of the scope and horizon of the latter that we see in the numerous clubs, societies and organizations of various kinds and purpose which characterize our present day life.

Of the numerous organizations outside the fraternities, which have contributed to the worth and renown of the city of Concord, none enjoy higher esteen than the Wonolancet Club-named after the Indian chief who was friendly to the early settlers of the town. Ever since its organization twenty years ago-June 6, 1891-this club has been identified with the varied activities of the Capital City, for many years represented by a creditable baseball nine, besides participating in golf, tennis and other out-of-door sports; conducting nually a course of concerts and other entertainments; doing its share in national and municipal "drives"; and is today a sustaining member of the Chamber of Commerce.

No. 9

pacities or talents and minister to the happiness of its members, it is clear from the foregoing statement that the interest of the Wonolancet Club has not been selfish or confined but that its benefits have been shared by the community. The club that increases the efficiency and social value of its members makes a definite contribution to good citizenship and the commonwealth.

Probably no plan has yet been devised by which national ideals or social projects can be realized better than through the group or club plan. Ancient Sparta tried nationalizing home and social life but individual development and communal welfare was not so great, except for military purposes, as in Athens. In England the guilds and coffee houses were social centres; the former for craftsmen, the latter for the literary set. In modern times these have been succeeded by fraternal orders, labor unions and social clubs, all of which have made a definite contribution to civic institutions besides promoting the mutual welfare of their members.

The Wonolancet Club was first organized, June 6, 1891, when a group of representative men united for social and athletic purposes. an

While it is the prime purpose of any organization to develop the ca

Chase

Hall, now known as the American Legion Hall, was secured and fitted up with an extensive outfit of gymnastic apparatus. Here was the home of the organization until the present club house was occupied, July 1, 1901. The club was fortunate in its first

with marked

Gov. FRANK W. ROLLINS. First President. success for sixteen

years. These men were men of broad vision and insight, understanding well the possibilities and methods. best suited to realize desired ends. Otis G. Hammond, now librarian of the New Hampshire Historical Society, succeeded Mr. Chase as secretary, serving in that capacity four years, and was in turn succeeded by Frederick A. Colton, who rendered valuable service to the club as its secreary for fourteen years.

life

The athletic feature of club was stressed in the early 90's. In the

con

est of the days, though not
ducted strictly by the officers of the
organization, was baseball. The Won-
olancet nine will go down in the an-
nals of baseball as one of the best
teams the Capital City has known.

The most exciting series of baseball games ever played in Concord was that of 1893 for the city championship between the Wonolancet Club nine, managed by J. Clare Derby, and the Y. M. C. A., managed by W. J. Chadbourne.

The latter team was led by John P. Fifield, afterwards for several years a

GEN. FRANK S. STREETER, PRESIDENT, 1905-1920. 6 to 3. The Wonolancets took the next four and the championship by scores of 3 to 2 in 15 innings; of 7 to 3; of 5 to 4 in 11 innings; and 1 to 0.

Dinsmore and Abbott, a famous

playing on both Dartmouth and Harvard varsity teams, was another member of the nine, which also included Henry F. Hollis, afterwards United States Senator, Judge Harry J. Brown, of the Concord municipal