1899: Area women talk about women’s suffrage

Oct. 27, 1899

HARTINGTON — The woman suffrage convention, under the management of Miss Helen Kimber of Kansas, met at the Cedar County Courthouse Oct. 18.

Mrs. R.A. Irvine led in prayer, after which, Miss Kimber gave an informal talk, which was followed by general discussion upon the points brought out by the speaker.

Miss Nellie Starks of Coleridge then read a well written paper on the subject, entitled “Does the professional and Business Woman Need the Ballot? in which she took the negative side of the question. The paper brought out a lively and interesting discussion.

The convention then adjourned until evening.

The audience was called to order a little after 8 o’clock by the local chairman, Mrs. Bordwell, and after prayer by Rev. McIntosh, Miss Kimber was introduced to the audience.

At the close of the talk a collection was taken to promote the work in Nebraska and papers circulated for names of those interested in forming a political equality club in this locality.

The Thursday afternoon session was opened by Mrs. Alice C. Johnson of St. James.

Miss Kimber gave a very interesting talk, which was followed by discussion upon the following topics: “Does the Wife and Mother Need the Ballot?” “Does the tax-paying Woman need it,” “Should Women Voters Hold Office,” “Does the State Need Women Suffrage.” Steps were then taken toward forming a local and county organization