MY PERSONAL MEMORIES
OF
THE LINCOLN COUNTRY CLUB – LINCOLN, ILLINOIS
WITH APOLOGIES FORERRORS.
Back in the year 1915, two young fellows met on the street in Lincoln, Illinois. One of them was
Henry Holmes, a member of the firm of Spellman, Spitty and Company, Lumber and Grain Dealers of
Lincoln, Illinois, and a non-resident member of the Springfield, Illinois Country Club. The other chap –
Bill Maxwell, traveling State Agent, in charge of the business affairs in Illinois of the Hanover Fire
Insurance Company of New York. He was a non-resident member of the Bloomington, Illinois, Country
Club.
These two Country Clubs were members of the “Central Illinois Association of Golf and Country
Clubs”, comprising the following cities: Peoria, Bloomington, Decatur, Galesburg, Quincy, Jacksonville,
Springfield and possibly one or two more. All of these Cities had beautiful Country Clubs, including
excellent golf courses. As non-resident members of these Clubs, Springfield and Bloomington, Henry and
I or other non-resident members of any of the various mentioned Clubs, had the full courtesies of the
Club Houses and golf courses extended to us – not only from the Clubs where we belonged, but all the
other Clubs in the Association. We both took advantage of this an opportunity presented.
Henry said – “Bill, how are you doing – learning to play golf?” Said Bill-“Not very well – don’t
have an opportunity to play very often – and Sundays coaches too busy to give you any lessons.” Henry
said – “That’s my trouble also, Bill”. “And, you know, I’ve been flirting with a ‘Pipe Dream’ about the
possibility of our having a golf course and Country Club in Lincoln. What do you think, am I nuts?”
“Well, Henry, it’s funny,” said Bill, “I have been giving a great deal of thought to the idea also. Lincoln
might be too small to interest the people in supporting a Country Club, but, Henry, lets you and I find
out be getting together soon and ask a few regular fellows to join us, selecting a list of men and their
families that would be eligible and possibly interested.”
The list was prepared and invitations sent to such parties to attend a meeting on a specific date
to discuss and give full thought and consideration to the possibility of such a project. The proposition
was presented by several fellows. The reaction was spontaneous in favor of establishing such Club. It
was wonderful. The meeting organized and the “Go Sign” was voted. A Committee of men from those
present were to make a full and general investigation of the matter. Thus – at the time and meeting
“THE LINCOLN GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB” idea was born.
Committees were appointed to investigate the purchase of suitable ground in proper location to
provide a good golf course. Another Committee was appointed to solicit members from the select list
approved. Henry Holmes was made Chairman and was ably assisted by several others appointed to that
Committee. It was explained to the prospective members as follows:
“The Lincoln Country Club and Golf Course is being organized to establish, maintain and develop
‘Social Life’ for members and their families, through a Country Club Building for entertainment and a
Golf Course for outdoor pleasure and exercise.”
A membership called for the purchase of one share of stock – costing $100.00 – 100 shares of
stock equal a total of $10,000 and 100 members, children of members included up to an age around
eighteen – subsequent thereto a junior membership was available. Additional funds through morttage
on the land and improvements would purchase sufficient acres of land for a nine hole golf course and a
suitable club house building. There was very little trouble to complete the membership from the
approved list. The following is a list of names of the original members of the Lincoln Country Club as
shown by the records. Each member was told he was buying an interest in real estate and in case he
later desired to sell his membership and stock, the Club would dispose of it, charge a fee for handling
the sale and return such member the net amount. This was a very serious mistake as proved later. Wer
were so anxious to promote the Lincoln Country Club we did not first discuss this with other Clubs. We
later found by checking methods in other Clubs, a membership provided only for the privilege and use of
the Club by such member – but it expired when the member retired and the membership reverted back
to the Club. – thus benefiting the club via new sale and also protecting the Club in case of sale to
undesirable party. In our case a member could sell to another party acceptable to the officers of the
Club. Perhaps that privilege in a way helped sell the stock originally and we sure did want the Country
Club. One member gave $1,000, perhaps with the thought of the Club never starting and so gain some
publicity, but, we fooled him and finally collected it – period. Possible, there may have been some
compromise on this plan in later years, but I doubt it.
The following is a list of the original members as shown from the Club records:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
C. Everett Smith
Paul Coffman
William Fogarty
William E. Trapp
Federick Trapp
W.W. Houser
Samuel Sparks
Henry Holmes
John W. Spellman
Hugh Hunter
J.E. Hobit
Arthur Clark
A.M. Sargent
W.E. Bouillion
Max Kahn
W.H. Dowling
O.E. Wolcott
John E. Haller
Leslie Dowling
E.C. Dogford
J.M. Collins
W.A. Covey
Thomas Loenard
Howard Vaughn
Peter Murphy
Franklin Orten
George D. Corwin
Robert Sheets
William E. Hodnett
Frederick W. Becker
John A. Lutz, Jr.
John A. Lutz, Sr.
Clyde Purcell
Wlmar N. Sanford
W.P Kuhl
J.A. Tabke
Fred Longan
Fred Alexander
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58.
59.
60.
61.
62.
63.
64.
65.
66.
67.
68.
69.
70.
71.
72.
73.
74.
75.
76.
Paul Guttner
F.D. Houser
Arthur A. Pickrell
Thomas Blackburn
Joseph Hodnett
Charles Corwin
John Woelfel
Father Mulgrew
Edward C. Lutz
W.K. Maxwell
Dr. T.A. Donald
Charles Gehlbach
Frank Atlass
H. Leslie Atlass
H.B. Brown
W.H. Conley
V.H. Rimmerman
Philip Blazer
J.W. Burke
W.F. Burke
C.B. Taylor (Dr.)
P.L. McGrath
J.A. Bucke
E.F. Lawrance
Lynn R. Parker
Frank J. Pfau
J.H. Boyd
Charles Lipp
Julius Landauer
N.E. Landauer
C.E. Coddington
Henry Traub
T.E. McGrath
Robert Goebel
Harold Trapp
Dr. F.M. Hagans
J.W. Irish
Samuel Hangas
77.
78.
79.
80.
81.
82.
83.
84.
85.
86.
87.
88.
D.J. Mitchell
James W. McGrath
A.A. Foley
F.M. Ewing
F.L. Hamil
H.H. Randolph
E.M. Bates
Dr. Charles Remby
Fisk Layman
T.N. Harris
W.H. Evans
B.P. Bradburn
89. Harry Eberle
90. H.J. Meyer
91. W.L. Gordon
92. Fred Reinhardt
93. N. Greisheim
94. A.L. Anderson
95. F.G. Koehale
96. W.L. Wasson
97. Homer Alvey
98. John T. Boyden
99. Fred I. Edgell
100. John Smith
As soon as the membership was completed, another meeting was called to elect officers and a
Board of Directors and rules and regulations for the operations of the Club.
The first officers of the Lincoln Country Club were as follows: William W. Houser, President; W.
K. Maxwell, first Vice-President; Frank Atlass, second Vice-President; Edward C. Lutz, Secretary and
Treasurer. The Board of Directors were J.E. Hoblit, William Trapp, William W. Houser, Frank Atlass, W.H.
Holmes, William Bourke, Fred Longan, W.K. Maxwell and Edward Lutz.
The original club papers were filed with the State of Illinois, December 22nd, 1915. In
corporation papers were approved the 22nd day of February, 1916, duly signed by Louis R. Stevenson,
then Secretary of State in Illinois. Duration of the Corporation was ninety nine years. The Committee
appointed to handle this matter was C. Everett Smith, W.W. Houser, Hugh Hunter, W.H. Holmes and
Frank Atlass.
A Grounds Committee was appointed including W.K.Maxwell, Chairman, William Trapp, Dr.
Frank H. Hagans, Henry Holmes, Will W. Houser, to investigate the purchase of land, sufficient in size
and desirable location to provide for a nine hole golf course.
Also a Committee was appointed with Edward C. Lutz as Chairman, Dr. Edwin Lawrance, H.E.
Landover, Will W. Houser and one or two others, to investigate and recommend plans for a club house
building with suitable furnishings, good dance floor, dining service room, and kitchen suitably equipped
for serving meals, locker room and showers in basement, including a preliminary estimate to accompany
report as to possible cost of such building and equipment.
entertainment was very much interested in the successful establishment and operation of the Lincoln
Country Club. The Association was very cooperative and offered the Club some of its excess ground at
very reasonable price. The Lincoln Country Club purchased 35.65 acres of land, largely to the rear of the
Chautauqua buildings, down the hill and being what might be considered as bottom land, excellent for a
sporty golf course, except or one reason, which will become apparent later on. This land was purchased
May 1st, 1916, for $5265.00. The Grounds Committee also purchased ten acres of high ground, cost
$2000.00; total land cost $7265.00. Most of this land had beautiful trees similar to those still seen today
on the now unused Chautauqua grounds.
The installation of a golf course properly required the service and supervision of a golf course
engineer. Plans to be drawn to proper scale and limited to nine holes.
In previous years, a young man had been born and grew up in our City – Lincoln, Illinois. His
name was Clarence Lincoln. His Father and Mother had a sizable family of both girls and boyus. In due
course, Clarence Lincoln, after a successful business career became Vice President and General Manager
of The A.O. Spaulding Sporting Goods Store and its various operation, which position he held at this
time. Members of the Grounds Committee contacted Mr. Lincoln, who said if we would come to
Chicago, he would be glad to see us and personally discuss the whole matter with us. Some of the
Grounds Committee went to Chicago in line with his suggestion and invitation.
The following is a “real example” of how cordial and generous a successful business man can be
when memories bring back the environment of his boyhood days. You may well understand our surprise
and great pleasure in our talk and discussion with Clarence Lincoln, when he said and I quote:
“Gentlemen, when you told me of your plans to establish a golf course and country club in Lincoln,
Illinois, and asked for my suggestions and guidance in laying out and constructing a golf course there, I
was most happy to assist you. The thought immediately came to me – Clarence, you have always
wanted to do something for the ‘little City’, whose name you bear and where you were reared. Well,
here is your opportunity – So, Gentlemen – if it should meet with your approval and ideas, I will be most
happy to arrange for our golf engineer – Mr. Douglas Tweedy, to come to Lincoln, look over your
ground, when you are ready – determine the most desirable layout of fairways, greens and construction
of your nine hole course. His recommendations will all be set up in detailed plans drawn to proper scale,
to secure the longest and best yardage possible. The inspection, supervision and personal service of Mr.
Tweedy, I offer you free of charge with my personal compliments and those of Spaulding and Company.”
I can recall, even at this moment, the thrill of pleasure in the faces of the Grounds Committee
members present. They quickly and unanimously accepted with much gratitude Mr. Lincoln’s splendid
offer. We returned home and reported the “good news” to the Directors of the Club. All were likewise
highly pleased.
In a short time (in either February or March) Mr. Tweedy came to Lincoln, surveyed the ground
very carefully and determined how the course was to be layed out. He took the measurements and all
other needed data, to Chicago where the plans were drawn up and in a short time he returned to
Lincoln to start the actual work. Hooray! The Lincoln Country Club was on its way to reality. The
Grounds Committee members, Bill Maxwell, Bill Trapp, Henry Holmes, “Doc” Frank Hagans, put on high
boots and started to work in the snow, blazing the trees both on top and bottom land, necessary to
remove to provide the open fairways needed for the golf course. You could see Bill Houser, the Club
President, shudder as the workmen cut down the beautiful trees and removed the stumps, however,
there were many beautiful trees left all over the golf course, so in a short time we did not miss those
disposed of. There were also lovely trees all around the spot selected for the club house buildings. It
was some time before all nine holes were installed and used, but we finally accomplished it.
Our first professional golf teacher and grounds keeper was recommended to us by Douglas
Tweedy. His name was Walter Kennett, who had won his “spurs” in golf contests in and around Chicago
and who was well trained as a grounds keeper, who knew about maintaining the course in excellent
condition and he did just that and was popular with the golfers. Walter had four other brothers who
were all “professional golfers and teachers”. Walter helped install our course, personally assisted in the
planting of proper seeds for the “greens” and fairways. The greens were surrounded in part by “Sand
traps” and other hazards making a sporty course. He also gave lessons and trained many of the
members into good golfers.
The original golf course was about evenly divided between the top and bottom land. It
comprised about 3200 to 3300 yards – actual yardage not available to me at this writing. Much trouble
was waiting the “slicer” on several holes with fields of corn to hide your balls. Also quite a hazard right
and left of the fairways from the trees – all of which made it necessary for you to keep in the fairway if
you hoped for a respectable score for the nine holes. In tournaments requiring heighten holes, the
course was played the second time. It was real fun also to play the course backward using the nearest
green available – it worked too.
The following is a brief description of the original nine hole golf course of the Lincoln Country
Club. Yardage is completely from memory – yardage was measured on each hole from the back of the
Tee and to the back of the green.
Number of Hole
#1
Approximate
#2
“
#3
“
#5
“
#6
“
#7
“
#8
“
#9
“
Total – 9
Par
4
5
4
4
3
5
3
5
37
Yards
305
500
425
325
135
625
135
450
3280
Number 1 Hole. The Tee was where the present Number 7 Green is now located and about 30
yards west of the drive to the Club House and about 70 yards from the north boundary line. Number
one Green was close to the northwest corner of the grounds, a half dog leg, with plenty of trouble for
players who sliced on the north side – tree and brush across the fence line north, rolling fairway a bit to
the left and a hollow spot – then a nice short to the green. The Green was rolling a rather bumpy – “The
Grass” – stained with CUSSWORDS.
#2 Tee – located in the northwest corner of grounds and fairway – parallel to the west line fence
about 50 yards east of line and running due south all the way to the Green, again a bit of “real cussing”
including a few golf clubs thrown in the corn field west by angry players. Some of these clubs were
never recovered, nor was the golf ball by the caddies. Several traps around the green gave additional
trouble for par shooters and especially difficult for “Beginners”.
#3. A beautiful and very unusual hole, known and a blind hole. Half the fairway on top of the
hill and the balance, including the “green” at the bottom of the hill. The original tee for this hole was
back near #2 green. The fairway on top was quite visable and a guide flag was planted in the middle of
fairway, near the crest of the hill. Tee later moved up to the top of the hill for visability, but at the same
time, ruining the sporting features of a blind hole. To play safe, the golfer could drive his ball to the top
of the hill, but real sportsmen got a big kick in driving a long ball – over 200 yards clearing the hill and
getting the additional roll at the bottom of the hill. Part of the caddies stood at the crest of the hill
holding the guide flag and the others watched at the bottom of the hill to watch where the balls went.
Trees both sides – many balls lost and extra strokes counted. This hole was “Hell” for both slicers and
hookers! However, to stand on the brow of this hill and look down on the fairway was a gorgeous
picture. Part of this hole remains in the present course, but again due to players who did not like to
loose golf balls and strokes, the tee was moved up to a point on the hilltop where the player could
personally watch the flight of his golf ball “Maybe”, and not have to pay for a caddy, thus saving “two
bits”, but loosing all the real sport.
#4. This hole was rather uninteresting, running east to west and parallel to the fairway of lower
part of #3. Hazards – trees and more trees on each side of fairway, also couple of sand traps, but just
another hole. Period.
#5. Was parallel part way to #4, but a corn field on the right (south) to annoy the slicer, on the
south line of our bottom grounds and included a barb wire fence to drawl under. The Green was located
a few yards from the top bank of the so-called Chautauqua Lake, a little canal full of mud, surrounding a
small island, supposedly for row boats and canoes, but motor boats soon ruined it. Haven’t seen this
spot in over 50 years. Plenty of trees on left of fairway and not an easy hole.
#6. A small hole following the contour of the lake – a sporty 135 yard shot with a #5 mashie.
Some of the croquet players rolled the ball along with a spoon shot to the north and not too easy on
account of brush and grass and trees in rear.
#7. This was the outstanding hole of the Lincoln Country Club Course – known and admired by
many golfers from various courses elsewhere. It was highly respected by all golf players. The Tee was
located in the extreme northeast corner of the clubs bottom land – a dog leg – The distance of this hole
was 625 yards with the beautiful green located on top of the hill. Direction, from east to west. Heavy
tree hazards on both sides of fairway up to a wide ditch and then trees on right only. For the average
player, it required two long shots to the bottom of the hill (more often it took three), then a mashie shot
from #5 to #7, according to the distance needed to reach the green on top of the hill. All this in case you
didn’t get into trouble enroute. Two puts and a par 5 – rarely made by the ordinary player. In rainey
weather, this fairway was always muddy and unplayable a few weeks in the early season. The water
ditch did not do its stuff and this condition together with other bottom hole mud and trash had a
definite influence on finally selling the bottom land and purchasing more high ground. This called for
some readjustment in the whole golf course, which was good judgment. However, those players who
occasionally made a Par 5 on this #7 hole never fort it nor the great personal pleasure it brought them.
Standing on the top of this hill and looking down over the bottom course was beautiful, expesially in the
fall before the leaves fell.
#8. Hole – still the same today as originally made in the old course. It is now #4, just a nice five,
six or seven mashie shot to the green – 135 yards – for a par 3.
#9. Practically the same as it has always been and still #9 in the present course. A very nice hole
– originally had bunkers in the fairway and deep ones around the green, but the croquet players raised
so much hell, these and others were removed. As ever shot to the green created a serious hazard as the
ball rolled all the way down hill on the back of the green.
The annual membership dues were originally $50.00 – later $65.00. Caddies were then paid 25
cents for round of nine holes and plenty of them to be had. Golf balls cost 35 cents to 50 cents. A fine
set of clubs made to order by the Professional Coach cost around $40.00 to $50.00. No drinks sold at
the Club house but soft ones. Golf lessons cost from $1.00 to $1.50, according to the number taken.
Many members had cottages on Chautauqua Grounds and lived there in the summer or on week ends.
Our cottage was immediately across the driveway east of Club House and was on top of a lovely
hill not over 200 yards from #1 Tee, with ravine and club house/driveway to the northwest.
Due to the continual trouble in the bottom land holes, from water, washed in trash, dirt and
leaves, the Directors finally decided to sell most of the bottom land and purchase more top ground.
They were successful in both deals and secured considerable top land adjoining the clubs west line. On
completion of the above sales and purchases, the new course was built in 1923 by the American Park
Builders. The contour and the direction of most holes was changed to its present basis. Total yardage a
little over 3200 yards. This change was a splendid one and it was completed after I moved to Chicago,
Illinois, gave my membership to the Club and retired as a member of the Lincoln Country Club. However
I was frequently in Lincoln on holidays and fully enjoyed the new course. As time went on there were
serveral golf coaches employed, among them, Cameron Trent, J.D. Henkey, Bob Peoples and others. The
membership was increased also dues raised to around $65.00 annually. The new golf course was as
follows:
Hole #
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Total Yards Total yards – 18 holes
Yards
334
311
255
132
407
349
544
436
450
3212
6424
Par
4
4
4
3
4
4
5
4
5
37
74
Name of Hole
Gate Way
Fade Way
Hill Crest
Valley
Happy Hollow
Hell’s Kitchen
Ocean Wave
Twin Oaks
Home
A beautiful 9 hole course, largely natural hazards of trees, hills and gulleys, not too easy. Nine
holes were played twice for the standard 18 contest. Par 74.
At the time the original Grounds Committee was appointed by the Club Directors to establisha
golf course, there was also a very important House Committee appointed to investigate the building of a
club house for general entertainment at the Lincoln Country Club. Keep in mind all the members did not
play golf but practically everyone enjoyed the club house and it was therefore just as important as the
golf course.
Ed Lutz gave a great deal of time, personal investigation and study to the possible construction
and type of club house, suitable for the Lincoln Country Club for the social entertainment of its members
and their families. He visited a number of country clubs elsewhere for inspection of both building and
furnishings. He, with the other members of the House Committee worked out plans for a building
suitable to grounds and in line with cost indicated. It is my recollection – Ed drew a sketch of such
building, pleasing to the members of his Committee and also the Board of Directors.
It was a beautiful type of “Swiss Chalet” in appearance and was so attractive in appearance and
suited to our needs that is received unanimous approval by the Directors. Ed received many
compliments and expressions of thanks for his personal efforts. The sketch was turned over to
architects Dean and Ginzel to prepare detailed plans under Lutz’s guidance.
The Club House, main building, approximately 60 x 56 feet, two story in height, large open porch
with concrete floor all along the west side, screened in porches on the north, possibly part of the south,
first – a large beautiful dancing floor, ladies and gentlemens dressing rooms – immense open fire place
and nicely furnished. The second floor – an open mezzanine and all sides of building for serving meals.
L. W. Walker was contractor who built the building. In rear, first – kitchen and – second – apartment for
the house manager and family. The building was stained dark brown, with white trim – a stunning
contrast. Basement used for gentlemens card room and locker room for members clothes and clubs,
proved unsatisfactory on account of moisture. Much effort and expense was used to overcome this, but
not successful even today. Inside club was natural wood finish. The club house furnished in excellent
taste. Again Ed Lutz and his Committee did a swell job. The members of Lincoln Country Club were very
proud of this lovely club house. Entertainment committees operated much as they do now in providing
dances, teas, card parties and various kinds of other social life.
The grounds and club house were partially paid for in cash, balance by loans. I am not quite
clear as to exact amounts of loans, so will not quote figures.
In 1923, I was called to Chicago in executive capacity for the Hanover Fire Insurance of New
York, with whom I spent my entire business life up to 1944, when I retired from active business life and
moved back to Lincoln, my birthplace, to be with my old friends.
Much club history passed over the dam while I lived in Chicago for 22 years. Undoubtedly there
will be a few errors mentioned here in my memories of the original Lincoln Country Club. Data for that
period quite limited in details. However, no real serious mistakes. Have had much pleasure in writing
this little history of the original Lincoln Country Club and hope it may be of interest to some.
The following pages will deal very briefly with the further activities of the Country Club and its
final purchase by the Elks Lodge of Lincoln, Illinois, and maintained continuously since for the pleasure
of its members. An undertaking well done and as a member of the Elks, I want to congratulate the Club
for its successful efforts.
The Lincoln Country Club continued functioning for quite some time longer, but, the Fall of
1930, a great disaster occurred. The beautiful club house building and all its contents burned to the
ground, bringing heartaches and much sadness to the members. The cause of the fire never definitely
determined, possibly an over heated hot water stove, short circuit in electric wires of some human
carelessness someplace. Golfers all over the course, came running back to try and salvage furniture and
clubs from the caddy house near by. No use – an open building of that type was completely in flames in
just a few minutes. Members looked at the ruins, a lump in their throats and perhaps a tear glazing an
eye, and said “Why this just can’t be – our lovely club house building smoldering in ruins”. The news
was telephoned to me and I just had to close my desk and go home. I was quite upset too. This tragedy
played an important part in the future of the Lincoln Country Club. There was considerable
indebtedness of the Club, including a first mortgage on the ground of some 66 acres and its
improvements.
The membership had changed quite a bit. Some dead – some dropped out – some moved away.
Many of the beautiful trees were badly scorched – near the club house.
Insufficient fire insurance carried would not cover the loss. Unprotected frame country club
buildings were prohibited by many fire companies and such type of business carried a very high rate.
AT that time William E. Hodnett was President of the Lincoln Country Club and assisted by a
good Board of Directors. Much thought and discussion was given to rebuilding the club house, but
apparently it did not seem financially feasible at the moment. Considerable of the insurance was
applied to the Club indebtedness. The Club continued along for awhile but things did not look too good
financially even though other avenues of private source was offered.
About this time Tom McGrath, a prominent member, excellent golfer, rolled up his sleeves and
went to work with the full determination of the Club should not be closed out and what a fight he put up
and successful in the end. As previously mentioned, early in this article, the basis of a membership
included an interest in the real estate and was a serious issue to clear up the title of the land. Country
Club membership should expire when the member was no longer active. This caused considerable
confusion in getting releases of the members or their families in legal form and Tom McGrath was very
active in accomplishing this; however, this did not clear up things 100%, so it was finally necessary to
foreclose to get title straightened out.
A deal was finally made with the Lincoln Elks Lodge, who assumed the remaining indebtedness
and agreed to continue the golf course. The Elks made some limited remodeling of the building and
later restored the interior, making social life and dancing and general entertainment for the members,
hired a good coach and greenskeeper to take charge of the golf course. The Elks increased the regular
dues of its members to maintain the club and added a further amount for those who wanted to play golf
and have successfully carried on the Club and all its functions ever since and up to the present moment.
The Elks have generously made the Country Club house and grounds available for all types of civic affairs
in the City of Lincoln and in the County organizations. They have also recently remodeled the club house
building, making a lovely place for all entertainment.
In conclusion, I want to offer my congratulations for the wonderful job done by the Elks Club of
Lincoln. It would be a grave catastrophy if the cost of its operation became too burdensome due to
present conditions and expenses – you may have to make further financial upward adjustments for the
members to meet, but don’t hesitate when the emergency calls. There may be a few gasps, but it will
be O.K. in the end.
I want to express my thanks to Albert Arnold for his courtesy in furnishing some of the data
regarding Lincoln Country Club.
Also,, would add, if this informal article may be of interest to the Elks Club, will be glad to give
them a copy.
With best wished for the continued success of Lincoln Elks Club 914, I am,
Cordially,
W.K. MAXWELL.