The History of Renton Rotary
 |
The Turning of the Wheel
By Morda C. Slauson |
For a complete copy of this PDF click here
This book records over six decades of accomplishments by Rotary members in Renton. The good times and fellowship of the boat cruises, golf matches, firesides, the steak fries, the humor at the meetings, and the everlasting friendships made. To these happy memories, this book is hereby dedicated to: Ned Stokes
The Story of the Renton Rotary Club
Renton, Washington
Club Number 5620 of Rotary International
Chartered June 7, 1943
This is the story of the formation of a small service club and tells how a handful of businessmen saw an idea transform into a vital, active part of their community. This story describes the type of community, of the men who pioneered the idea, and relates briefly some of the highlights of the years since the founding.
The Cogged Wheel, symbol of Rotary International, has been one of the catalysts in the transformation of a pioneer coal-producing town into a modern jet aircraft manufacturing center, known around the world wherever Boeing airplanes fly.
Our thanks to the Renton Historical Society and in particular, Mrs. Morda C. Slauson, author. The research, interviews and writing were done entirely by her and to her we owe sincere and grateful thanks.
Historical Committee of Renton Rotary - Ned Stokes, Chairman - W. Stewart Pope - Charles Ruud - Alex Cugini - Hugh White - Alden See - John Swanson - George Dobson
Morda C. Slauson, (Mr. Howard L.) became interested in Washington history while living in Walla Walla where she wrote the history of the Pioneer Pageant. She has written for the Seattle Historical Society, Museum of History and Industry, and the Renton Historical Society. She now concentrates on Southeast King County History and is the author of "One Hundred Years on the Cedar," now on local bookshelves.
The Turning of the Wheel - Part 1
Written in June, 1972
Introduction
For more than half a century Renton was a coal mining village, its streets lined with small houses, each on its narrow strip of land. These streets ran north and south, east and west, until stopped by Lake Washington and the surrounding hills. In the few central blocks were Si Tonkin's general store, Priebe's blacksmith shop, Custer Hardware, Raymond's Emporium, Harold Evans livery stable, McPherson's Hardware, Renton Ice & Cold Storage and a few other stores.
Coal trains puffed through the town at all hours of the day and night. At the corner of 3rd and Mill streets the long steel cars of Seattle & Rainier Valley Railroad backed slowly around to start their return journey to the city.
At the foot of Earlington Hill the cows from Smithers and Hardie dairies grazed on lush pasture at either side of Black River. The Cedar River, bordered by giant cottonwood, cedar and maple trees meandered unchecked across the flat where Renton stood to join the Black. In times of high water it washed out streets and bridges and occasionally sent the lowland residents hurrying up Renton Hill to spend a few days with friends until the floods subsided.
About where Renton High School stands today the Moses family lived in a small cottage. They were the last of the original Indians of the valley. Henry Moses and three brothers grew up here, fished, swam and went to school with the other young folks of Renton. Henry attended old Central school, later Henry Ford and now Renton School District headquarters.
He was a fine basketball and baseball player. Later at various times he was a member of the Renton, Hobart and Taylor baseball teams. Since 1916 Renton High School has called its teams the "Indians" in honor of Henry who was one of the players on the champion high school basketball team of that year. His death in January 1969 marked the end of a long line of Duwamish tribal chieftains.
His grandfather, Chief William Moses, had been an eye witness to the battle of Seattle in 1855. Henry lived to see giant Boeing bombers take off from his family's former lands, now Renton Airport.
In those earlier years black-faced miners with lunch buckets and "tea kettle" caps thronged the streets late every afternoon. They came from the two dozen or more coal mines being worked within a radius of 25 miles of the town. Since the first deposit was found in the early 1860's near present Cedar River Park, coal had been the "black gold" which meant prosperity for southeast King county. Great seams of the black rock were found in almost every hill and ridge, enough to last for many years, according to glowing reports made by mining experts of the time.
Then oil tankers began to appear from the south. Householders replaced coal burning stoves with oil furnaces and electric ranges. The many ships on Seattle's waterfront were no longer "coaled." Would Renton follow the coal-producing areas of the east into poverty and oblivion? The grandsons of the miners who had come from all the countries of Europe to find a better life in America said "no." Rather than sit and wait for the mines to reopen they learned other trades, acquired more education, opened other businesses.
The town was fortunate in having Renton Clay Works which had started in 1901 on the bank of Cedar River. First finished products were turned out in April 1902. Operating continuously ever since, it was absorbed by Denny-Renton Clay & Coal Company in 1905; bought by Gladding McBean in 1927 and merged in 1962 with International Pipe & Ceramics.
Two other firms which helped to give the town a slow but steady growth were Pacific Car & Foundry, begun in 1905 to build railroad cars and large castings for industrial purposes and the present Puget Power Company which evolved from Stone & Webster, Seattle Electric and in 1912, Puget Sound Traction & Power Company, predecessor to Puget Sound Power & Light. These three firms kept Renton solvent until the big change came.
The Change Came
Almost overnight, or so it seemed, increasing numbers of men in business suits with brief cases replaced the miners and their lunch buckets. The good swimming beach at the mouth of the Cedar, Barbee sawmill, a small shingle mill, the house boat, labeled "Capt. Burrows - Summer and Winter Pleasure Resort," Ted White's boat launch - all these disappeared or relocated away from the south end of Lake Washington.
Lowlands and swamp were filled rapidly. The old channel of former Black River disappeared as the new Renton Airport was filled and graded. Farther east on former Lake Washington beaches, which had been donated by the late Dr. Dixon, huge buildings of concrete, brick, steel and glass rose higher day by day.
Thousands of workers poured in from all over the United States and many foreign countries to bend over blueprints, miles of wiring, pipes, steel, aluminum and all the intricate mechanism which constitutes a modern airplane. Hundreds of cars were parked twenty-four hours a day and seven days a week on what had been a tangle of willows and swamp grass.
Renton Rotary Arrives
It seems most appropriate that, in this spring of 1943, when the Renton Boeing plant had just been completed and the building of Boeing B-29 bombers was transforming Renton from a small town of 4200 people to a modern industrial center, found Renton business men should begin to meet once a week for lunch. They discussed problems, both of their own businesses and of the rapidly growing city in which they lived and worked.
After a few such meetings George Dobson, Elmo Wright, Harley Drake and J. H. MacDowell decided to enlarge their small group to make it of more service to the community and greater benefit to themselves. They discussed their ideas at length and thought they would be more effective as part of a larger organization. Others became interested and eventually Seattle Rotary offered to sponsor a new club.
From this came Renton Rotary Club which now in 1972, the 29th year of its existence, has grown from four men to a membership of 101, representing all phases of business life. The coal mining village has expanded into a truly cosmopolitan city.
Four members of Seattle Rotary met with the Renton group a number of times. They were Frank Barrett, known as the "father" of Renton Rotary, Bill Driver, Nat Rogers and Gordon Scott. Fred K. Jones, Governor of District 101, gave much help. It was decided the territorial limits of the new club should coincide with the boundaries of Renton School District 403.
Charter Members of Rotary
The new club was organized with 26 charter members who were: Eugene K. Arnold, William Delbert Ball, Dr. Ansley G. Bates, Edwin E. Burrows, James C. Carlson, George R. Dobson, Harley B. Drake, Robert W. Eddy, Thor O. Henrikson, H. Raymond Johnson, John H. McDowell, Earl Maxwell, C.H. McDonald, Robert H. Osborne, James W. Palmer, Conrad Pearson, A.F. Plant, Harold E. Ridalls, Dr. Robert N. Rutherford, A. Alden See, John H. Shaw, Ernest E. Swanson, John H. Swanson, W.M. VanHoy, Edward D. White and Elmo L. Wright.
Of these John Swanson, first president, George Dobson and A. Alden See (at time of this writing) are still members. Other first year officers were: Dr. Bates, vice president; Johnson, secretary and Arnold, treasurer.
On the evening of June 17, 1943, at one of the largest social affairs held in Renton up to that time, Renton Rotary No. 5620 received its charter with 260 persons present in the new Renton Highlands clubhouse. Nat S. Rogers, president of Seattle Rotary, gave the address of welcome; the Seattle Rotary Glee Club sang; Ernest L. Skeel talked on "Rotary's Part in World Affairs" and the charter was presented by Mr. Jones.
This night, while Renton was giving birth to a Rotary Club, the Allies and the Japanese were fiercely battling for supremacy on Guadalcanal, a campaign that was to increase greatly in intensity and extent.
The Seattle police chief announced a new policy "tightening the lid" on gambling.
Arthur B. Langlie was governor and Victor A. Myers lieutenant-governor.
Popular brands of cigarettes were advertised at $1.55 per carton; coffee $.21 per pound and oranges $.33 a dozen.
The Washington State Grange, in convention in Yakima, resolved to ask government authorities to keep Japanese-Americans in relocation centers for the duration of the war.
Barbee Marine Yards and Seattle-Renton Mill Company began a move across Lake Washington from Bryn Mawr to Kennydale. Included in this move was a 140-foot high water tower which was barged across the lake intact, as was much of the other major equipment.
Gifts came from seven other Rotary clubs in the area; 22 letters from clubs in other states, England, Canada and Alaska, together with 15 telegrams of congratulation.
All members were quickly given jobs on a variety of committees. Under the heading of community service were grouped inter-club activities and cultural and recreational improvement of the community. Vocational service included employer-employee and competitor relations as well as occupational information. Club service covered a great variety of activities, ranging from welcome to new members to special conferences and from public relations to social aspects of the club.
The First Year
"We had a lot to learn," says Mr. Swanson, looking back on those early days when he was starting to pilot the new club through the shoals of proper membership and accomplishment. "Fully 95 percent of the 26 charter members had never belonged to any sort of service club. Most of them had really heard little about Rotary.
"Here in Renton we knew more about Kiwanis. The Renton Kiwanis Club at that time had 85 members and the Lions, 65. With so few members and no money in the treasury, we charter members of Rotary had a really insecure feeling.
"We spent a lot of time, studying the manual, deciding on committees and finding projects. We began weekly programs and organized a membership committee to interest new men and then needed an attendance committee to keep them coming. And of course we needed money. We added 50 cents to the price of lunch tickets, started fines for non-attendance and later had suit and rummage sales.
"Starting with 26 charter members, we added 13 new ones that first year but lost six of them and dreamed of a day when we might have 50 or 60. Since Renton was full of Boeing workers, we were obliged to move our weekly luncheons to four different restaurants. Thursday noons found us first at Tonkin's Café, then the Renton City Club in the old Smithers home, Pacific Car & Foundry lunch room and the basement of St. Luke's Episcopal Church.
"We introduced the club to all city officials, bringing each one in as part of a program. We also introduced our wives to Rotary by having a special party for them in February 1944 at White River Lodge. The Chicago office sent me letters of advice, giving ideas on my duties as president. All of this combined with the long list of committees sounded quite formidable. We felt at first that we were tied to a stiff, unyielding program. However, we discovered that this did not need to be true. We started to work on the fellowship aspect of Rotary and this has continued up to the present."
"We all need to remember the fellowship and social aspects of Rotary," comments Charles Ruud, one of the present active members. "Rotary started originally to promote friendship among business men and is still doing that. It has been very effective here in Renton."
International Rotary - 1905
International Rotary, oldest of all service clubs, began in June 1905. Paul Harris, a Chicago business man, had the idea that men in different vocations, rather than competing with each other, should get together and exchange ideas, maybe even promote each other's business.
He and six friends started to meet in offices. Each was active in a different business. The meetings were moved from one office to another. As the group grew in size, this type of meeting became impossible. However, from it evolved the idea of "Rotary." Soon it was decided to eliminate promotion of themselves and expand to service in the community.
The main purpose of the new group became "service above self." The cogged wheel became the symbol of Rotary International and still is.
The four way creed by which Rotarians operate is spelled out on plaques which hang in members' offices around the globe: "We use the FOUR WAY TEST of the things WE think, say or do - Is it the TRUTH? Is it FAIR to all concerned? Will it build GOOD WILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?"
On March 23, 1972 there were 15,161 Rotary clubs and an estimated 710,000 Rotarians in 149 countries and geographical regions. Western District 502 to which Renton Rotary belongs has 56 clubs with 4278 members. It includes 13 clubs in British Columbia and 43 in western Washington from Longview to the Canadian border.
Dr. Gene Campbell, Seattle, is the current District-Governor and serves as the direct contact to Rotary International.
Rotary International is administered by a board of directors composed of 14 Rotarians elected at the annual international convention. The organization maintains its headquarters at 1600 Ridge Avenue in Evanston, Illinois.
When Renton Rotary started work in 1943, many prominent citizens were members. These included the mayor, superintendent of utilities, two members of the school board, three out of five men on the local war-time housing authority, five out of 12 on the Renton planning commission and the president of the chamber of commerce. Since it was war time all members were active in various war and defense activities, including air raid wardens, defense police, U.S.O. programs, Red Cross, ration boards and listening posts.
During 1944, first full year of club activities, there were a few members and a small treasury. The campaign to recognize and aid young folks in the Renton area began with a $10 donation to help the Washington State Patrol entertain patrol boys at Playland. In the spring another $10 was given to help with improvements at the city ball park and at the suggestion of Hamilton Church, then director of recreation for Renton School District, three baseball uniforms were purchased for boys who played in the county league.
Under James Morrison, president during the second year, the club headed the Red Cross drive, sponsored Air Scout Troop #483 and cooperated in the community campaign which resulted later in an outdoor swimming pool. Since the world was still at war, members collected 26,119 pounds of clothing and 2,996 pairs of shoes to send overseas. Fourteen new members were added, making a total of 45 Rotarians.
Iron Lung is Purchased
In 1945-46 under the presidency of Alan Lane the first large gift, an iron lung, was presented to Renton Hospital and $500 to the cancer drive, honoring the memory of E.K. Arnold, a charter member. The "iron lung" used at that time was officially known as the Drinker-Shaw resuscitator. This large chamber was used to aid polio victims and was badly needed in hospitals of that era. Since the inception of the Salk Vaccine, and the reduction in the incidence of polio, these chambers are no longer used, but at that time, this was a major contribution to the health of the community. The practice of sending weekly bulletins to members was started, the membership having increased to 53. This year also saw the average attendance record built to 90.33 percent.
With Frank Mathewson as president in 1946-47, the club started a campaign for bicycle safety, putting Scotch Lite tape on youngsters' bicycles. More than 2,000 were handled in one day alone. Rotary also had a paper drive for the benefit of Renton Hospital; gave a trophy to the community league basketball champions and cooperated in a variety show to aid the cancer fund. The champion football team of Renton High School was honored with a banquet and service club signs installed at several places in Renton. The club grew to 57 members.
From then on Rotary each year increased its assistance to community endeavors. Under Robert Osborne in 1947-48 when the high school stadium was built, the club started the purchase of the large score board, still used at all games and again held a banquet for the football team. Members also helped support various Little League football teams.
The next year with Thomas Dobson, president, the club completed payment for the score board; sent two Renton girls to Girl Scout summer camp and joined the Renton Kiwanis and Lions in helping the high school band go to Portland for a concert.
Youth of the Month Started
Probably one of the most important activities, connected with young people and one which after 23 years, is still being carried out, is the Youth of the Month program. Feeling that good students, as well as fine athletes, should be honored, this idea was begun in 1949-50 during the reign of A.M. Roberts.
Each month an outstanding boy or girl was picked from high school and honored with a pin, designed by Jerry Rutherford. The student and parents are guests at a regular Rotary luncheon and all introduced to the members. These young folks came first from Renton High and beginning in 1969 from Hazen High. Soon they will be picked from new Lindbergh High School. A scholarship fund was started with awards of $100 and $150 to high school students.
It was about this time that the club moved its weekly luncheons to the former Chamber of Commerce building on Wells Street. Here in the rooms used by the U.S.O. during the war, Nellie O'Brien served delicious, home-cooked meal to the men of Rotary, Lions and the Chamber of Commerce. She also catered for the Business & Professional Women's Club. She was assisted by four other Renton women: Flora Monaghan, Christina Carey, Regina Katzer and Ann Hood. When this arrangement was finally concluded, a farewell luncheon was given at the Towne House, honoring Mrs. O'Brien and her crew.
To raise money for Rotary activities two programs were held in the high school auditorium in 1950-51 while Randall Rockhill was president. The University of Washington band was brought in January and the All-University student show in March. The first Valentine party for Rotary wives was held in February 1951; also, a box lunch and dance, following the installation of officers.
Hayden Williams took over as president in 1951-52 and during his term attended International Rotary in Mexico City. The Rotary Club of Victoria, B.C. visited Renton; later the visit was returned. In addition to carrying on the usual programs, the club gave $50 to buy color films for the Renton Boy Scouts who attended the World Jamboree. Mr. Williams started the idea of recognizing members on their birthdays. Each contributed $1.00 or more to the club treasury and was given a small token. It was felt this added an atmosphere of fellowship and good will to the regular meetings.
Needy Neighbors Remembered
Lost somewhere in the records but probably in this year the Rotary Christmas program began. About December 15 each year a collection is taken. Renton school nurses are asked to pick five to seven families in the district who, because of illness or bad luck, are in especially needy circumstances.
From $100 to $150 is spent for food and children's clothing for each family. This is distributed by the members about December 20, far enough in advance of Christmas so the adults know their children will not be forgotten.
Lewis Argano became president in 1952-53. Under his guidance the club decided to support Little League football teams and sponsored one Renton boy to the Boy Scout Jamboree in California. Financial help was given so that outstanding musicians of Renton High could attend the Northwest Washington Music Conference; the high school band was sent to play at a concert in Ellensburg. A trophy was purchased for the inter-club tourney.
Under the guidance of Stewart Pope in 1953-54 the club started a very large undertaking. Following requests from students Rotary sponsored an all-night graduation party for the seniors of Renton High School. Taken in buses to a large country club, they danced the night away, chaperoned by Rotarians, and were then returned to Renton where breakfast was served. Approximately 98 percent of the class took part in this affair. It was continued for two years after which the mothers of the senior class took it over.
During the spring of 1954, Rotary International held its world-wide conference in Seattle. Pope remembers that all the clubs in the district were asked to help. Renton members drove cars in car pools, acted as hosts and tour guides on various occasions.
William J. O'Neil, president during 1954-55, also remembers the big international meeting and said that practically all Renton Rotarians assisted in some way. Renton also had a large representation at the district conference in Victoria. Two anniversaries were celebrated with a banquet and much publicity; the 50th anniversary of Rotary International and the 12th of Renton Rotary.
During December 1954 while Rotary International was getting ready to celebrate its golden anniversary, Renton Rotarians decided as part of their program to give prominence to the Youth of the Month project. Questionnaires were sent out by a committee, headed by Randall Rockhill, to the Renton high school students who had been selected as Youth of the Month from 1949-1952.
It is interesting to note what these young folks had been doing since they graduated from Renton High School. Six had already received a college degree; two in history, one in drama; one, education; one, physical education and one, religious education. Seven had been married and 25 were attending college at that time.
One of the girls was modeling for Saks Fifth Avenue store in New York City; another was studying to be a stewardess. Two of the boys had seen army service, one with many months in Korea. Another had served in the naval aviation where he formed an acting group, composed entirely of military personnel, and after discharge was on the staff of the Houston, Texas, playhouse, a professional stock company.
After reading comments from these letters Renton Rotarians can feel that the Youth of the Month program is really worth while. "Serves as an inspiration to good citizenship" -- "rewarding feeling to know that your organization is still interested in us after high school" - "Youth of the Month program meant much to me and I hope it will always be carried on" - "being selected Youth of the Month made my last year a very happy one" - "since entering college the full significance of being selected Youth of the Month has become apparent. The achievement was not in being recognized but in proving myself worthy after being honored. Thank you again."
Beachcombers Started
Sports-minded members organized the Beachcombers' Club in 1955-56 when George Dobson was head of Rotary. The Beachcombers, still in existence, is the "fun" group within Rotary. It sponsors golf tournaments, crab feeds and other social events for the club. Special dues are paid by its members. However, all members are invited to take part in all Beachcomber activities.
The Beachcomber concept was the result of incoming President Dobson's trip to Chicago, Illinois, to attend the Rotary International convention in that city. This marked the first year that the club agreed to pay some of the cost toward such a trip for an incoming president. This practice was to be revived many years later. At this national convention the theme was for clubs throughout the world to initiate more "fun" into Rotary meetings and Rotary in general. Dobson formed the group within the group and it has been a popular concept ever since.
In addition to the other projects, designed for high school students, the club started to give $5.00 a month spending money to the first foreign exchange student to come to Renton High under the American Field Service program.
Three social events were held which included the wives: a Christmas party, Valentine party and small fireside meetings. All of these are now annual affairs.
Salute to Scholarship
"Salute to Scholarship" was inaugurated the following year, 1956-57, during the tenure of Hugo Toschi. This observance takes the form of a banquet and gifts for the top scholars in each graduating class. Rotarians felt that outstanding athletes and musicians were honored and praised while too often there was no recognition for the students who study hard and make the most of their scholastic opportunities. This program still continues with Renton and Hazen students being honored.
Each student is assigned a Rotary member who picks him or her up at home and acts as escort to a Seattle restaurant where dinner is served. A college dictionary engraved with his name is given to each student. This is still one of Rotary's top projects.
The club also added $54 a year for school lunches and $50 clothing allowance to the exchange students. Two other special gifts were $100 to Rotary clubs in Austria to help Hungarian refugees and a similar sum to buy prayer books for St. Luke's Episcopal Church in memory of Tom Dobson.
For a complete copy of this PDF click here<
Terry Higashiyama
