The afternoon was given over to the final exercises of the woman's department of the centennial commission, the most important feature of which was the packing of an aluminum box with the records of woman's work in Cleveland, especially during the city's first centennial. The box is to be deposited with the Western Reserve Historical society to be opened at Cleveland's second centennial.

The extremely interesting program opened at 2:30 o'clock with a beautiful prayer by Rev. Marion Murdoch, senior pastor of Unity church. Mrs. W. A. Ingham, president of the woman's department, in her opening remarks said: "July, 1895 marked the beginning of our labors. The end of 1896 is an appropriate period for us to put away the tokens of a well spent year and a half." Miss Sara Cohen of the Temple quartet then sang "Thou Lovest Me Not" in her usual effective style, after which Mrs. Elroy M. Avery, president of the executive board, read the engraved inscription on the lid of the box, which was about two feet square. It was as follows:

"1896 to 1996, greetings! This casket contains for you the records of the woman's department of the Cleveland centennial commission. To be opened by a lineal daughter of a member of the executive board in 1996. Mrs. W. A. Ingham, Mrs. Mary S. Bradford, Mrs. S. P. Churchill, Mrs. T. K. Dissette, Mrs. H. A. Griffin, Mrs. O. J. Hodge, Mrs. L. A. Russell, Mrs. M. D. Schwab, Mrs. W. G. Rose, Mrs. Elroy M. Avery, Mrs. Ella S. Webb, Miss Elizabeth Blair, Mrs. William B. Neff, Mrs. Gertrude V. R. Wickham, Mrs. Charles W. Chase, Mrs. A. J. Williams, Mrs. Sarah E. Bierce,

"Rise, too, ye shapes and shadows of the past;

Rise from your long forgotten graves,

At last let us behold your faces,

Let us hear the words you uttered." Manufactured and engraved by the Webb C. Ball Company, Cleveland.

A lining of asbestos paper was first put into the box, and each package that went in was wrapped in tissue paper, tied with red, white and blue ribbons. Mrs. T. K. Dissette, chairman of the membership committee, in an eloquent little speech, presented the membership book to Mr. H. C. Ranney, president of the historical society. He in turn handed it to Mrs. Avery, who packed the articles one by one. The membership book was bound in handsome russia leather. Mrs. Ella Sturtevant Webb, the efficient recording secretary of the department, next presented her book. She said: "So far as written words can tell, this book contains the record of how Cleveland women in 1896 spent their time, energy and money, for the centennial."

Mrs. L. A. Russell presented a package of Cleveland newspapers including the Plain Dealer of July 28 and 29, the centennial edition of the Leader, Leader of July 29, and Recorder, Press, World, Voice and Clevelander, True Republic, Journal and Bulletin and International Messenger. Mrs. Russell said she hoped that when the women of 1996 opened this package of Cleveland newspapers those same powerful allies of civilization would still be in existence. Mr. Wilson M. Day, president of the centennial commission, next presented a copy of the official program. He said; "The forming and executing of this centennial program was no easy task. It could never have been conceived and carried out without the enthusiastic support of the various department committees, especially the women's department."

Mrs. T.K. Disette contributed the membership roll. This was of heavy parchment paper and on it were embossed in inedible ink the names and addresses of the 2,250 women of the Western Reserve who each paid $1 to become members of the department. "Will the women of 1996, as they draw nigh to this long list of names catch the touch of a vanished hand, the sound of a voice that is still?" asked Mrs. Dissette, with deep feeling.

Mrs. Gertrude V. R. Wickham next contributed her valuable "History of the Pioneer Women of the Western Reserve," Mrs. S. C. Smith, Mrs Wickham's assistant, stood beside her on the platform. Each held a volume of the pioneer history, the complete set of which will comprise four. It is a very comprehensive account of women's work in the 216 townships of the Western Reserve, and took unlimited time and research to complete.

Mrs. Wickham said: "It is said that confession is good for the soul, and so at this stage of procedure I am ready to own that the inception of this memorial was the audacity of inexperience."

Mrs. Mary S. Bradford, the oldest member of the executive board, contributed the constitution of the woman's department to the box, saying: " I am not ashamed of this consitution. Although its formation caused us considerable trouble, it has guided us in much good work."

Miss Elizabeth Blair, the treasurer of the department, owing to illness, was unable to contribute her report in person, and it was consigned to its place by Mrs. Avery. The women of 1996 will find that the women of 1896 were good financiers, or they had a neat balance remaining after all debts are paid.

Mrs. H.A. Griffin, chairman of the printing committee, contributed the numerous programs, tickets and invitations, saying: "I hope these will be legible in 1996. Although the art of printing may then be greatly improved, I do not think they will find more willing workers that have contributed to those records of 1896."

Mrs. Charles W. Chase next presented the reports of the philanthropic and charitable societies of Cleveland, including the Young Woman's Christian association, Woman's Relief corps, Woman's Christian Temperance union, Day Nursery and Fee Kindergarten association, kindergarten committee of public schools, Bethany home, Dorcas society, Circle of Mercy, Jewish Council of Women, secret benevolent societies, history of the charities of Cleveland.

She said; "The page of the future is blank. We can only judge what it will contain by looking over the record of the past. May these annals of Cleveland's first 100 years be an inspiration to the generations of 1996 for continuity of worthy efforts.

Mrs. W.B. Neff next presented the programs of Cleveland's literary clubs including the Sorosis, Conversational, Art an History, Novelists, Literary guild, Woman's Press club and Case Avenue Literary club. She said: "To the great memorial arch spanning the two centuries and whose further end we cannot see I bring this little stone, representing the intellectual life of Cleveland women, to aid in its building."

Mrs. M.B. Schwab, who was to have contributed a package of badges, was detained by illness, much to her own and the department's regret. Mrs. Avery deposited the badges and pins of the Woman's Press club, Sorosis, Woman’s Relief corps, Daughters of the American Revolution, W.C.T.U., woman's day meeting and banquet. Mrs. B. F. Taylor contributed Miss Clara A. Urann's "Centennial History of Cleveland," and Mrs. W.B. Ingham"s "History of the Women of Cleveland," also state and city handbooks, with the official certificate of the first women chosen to an executive office in Cleveland.

Mrs. Taylor eloquently remarked: "May it be said of us in the second centennial, 'Noble band!'

"They did their duty and their lives were true, They builded better than they knew."

Mrs. W. G. Rose, chairman of the woman's day banquet committee and compiler of the centennial album, contributed a copy of the beautiful book, giving a list of its contents and the names of all those who aided her in its compilation. Her written remarks were also put into the box.

Mrs. S. P. Churchill, corresponding secretary of the department, brought forward a package of interesting letters, tied with blue ribbon. They were acceptances, regrets or congratulations from many distinguished persons, including President- elect and Mrs. McKinley, Mrs. Lucretia Garfield, Mrs. Julia Grant, Mrs. Adlai Stevenson, Gov. and Mrs. Bushnell, Jennie June Crowly and others.

Mrs. Jane Ellict-Snow, who during the summer made extended investigations into the industries of Cleveland and women's work in this connection, gave an eloquent account of her explorations and bespoke the sympathy of all present for the working girls of Cleveland. She touched upon the sociological question and said: "Labor today is cheap and but little appreciated." Her statistics on labor and the account of women in the industries were put into the box.

The Temple quartet gave an inspiring rendition of the "Star Spangled Banner," accompanied on the piano by Prof. Gustav Schildesheim, after which an American flag from the Cleveland chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution was presented. Mrs. O. J. Hodge was to have given it in person, but was detained in Columbus by illness. She sent a message, saying:

"May 'Old Glory' be loved as dearly in 1996 as in 1896. God bless our native land."

A burst of applause greeted this sentiment, and the small silken emblem of the nation was consigned to its long resting place. Rev. Dr. Hiram Haydn, pastor of the pioneer Presbyterian church of this city, congratulated the ladies on their happy conception of the idea of a centennial box, and hoped the contributions would be appreciated by posterity. Mrs. Ella S. Webb, in a clever little speech, contributed a map of Greater Cleveland to the casket.

She said: "It takes a vivid imagination to conceive how Cleveland looked in 1796, when, as we are told, its area was one mile and one could jump across the mouth of the Cuyahoga river in dry weather. Now it is thirty-one miles in area, and has 2,000 streets and a great harbor.

"Is it too much to expect that a hundred years hence Cleveland will have great ocean steamers ships at her docks, a mayor who will have to look up lost streets, the soldiers and sailors' monument razed to the ground and the spot occupied by an aerial navigation company, the modest statue of Moses Cleaveland moved into some remote park and historic Euclid avenue extended eastway until Buffalo is one of our suburbs?"
(Great laughter.)

Mrs. S. E. Bierce, chairman of the woman's day program committee, in a few well chosen words, next contributed the manuscript of papers read on woman's day, including all the toasts at the banquet. Mrs. Bierce, expressed the hope that some of the papers enclosed might be so pure in style and noble in thought as to become classics for the women of 1996.

The women's edition of the Plain Dealer, published in February 1895, for the benefit of the Central Friendly Inn, was next presented by Mrs. W. J. Shepperd of the Inn board. The copy was on white silk and handsomely embroidered by Miss Lewis of the White Sewing Machine Co. It was a duplicate of the one sold for $1,000 and presented to the historical society by the purchaser. As this edition was so good a resume of the work of Cleveland women, it was considered very appropriate to have a copy enclosed in the memorial box.

Mayor Robert E. McKisson was next introduced and presented the gavel that closed the centennial celebration. He said: "If we had many trying obligations to plan this centennial, we must recall that Moses Cleaveland had more trouble in starting the town in 1796. On each occasion, after the ladies arrive upon the scene and took their places at the helm, there was not much further trouble. You today are making history for the women of the next century." Then some fun followed. The mayor put his hands into his overcoat pockets and drew from each a gavel. They looked exactly alike. He stared helplessly at them a moment, and then blushing scarlet all over his fair face, he asked Mrs. Avery:

"I-er-is this the one you want, or the other one. I had two at the office and I forgot" (Much laughter.)

One went in and his honor retired, smilingly putting the one rejected again into his pocket. Mrs. Avery then read the following greeting and placed it in the box:

"1896 sends greetings to 1996.

"We of today reach forth our hands across the gulf of a hundred years to clasp your hands. We make you heirs to all we have, and enjoin you to improve your heritage. We bequeath to you a city of a century; prosperous and beautiful and yet far from our ideal. Some of our streets are not well lighted; some are unpaved; many are unclean. Many of the people are poor and some are vainly seeking work at living wages. Often they, who have employment, are forced to filch hours for work from the hours that should be given to rest, recreation and study. Some of our children are robbed of their childhood. vice parades our streets and disease lurks in many places that men and women call their homes. It sometimes happens that wealth usurps the throne that worth alone should occupy. Sometimes some of the reins of government slip from the hands of the people and public honors ill fit some who wear them. We are obliged to confess that even now.

"Man's inhumanity to man makes countless thousands mourn.

How are these things with you?

"Yet the world- family is better and happier than it was a hundred years ago; this is especially true in this American republic, and has come by wisdom working through law. We love our country and seek its prosperity and perpetuity; we love our country's flag, and pray for its greater glory; in this country our men have marched to victory under its folds in three great wars; we are ready to defend it against all the world.

"Are you?

"This hundred years has given to the world the locomotive, the steamboat, the telegraph, telephone, photograph, electric light, electric motor, and many other wise and beneficent discoveries. Have you invented a flying machine or found the North Pole? What have you done?

"In this first centennial year of our city we have planned many important works for the 'Greater Cleveland' of tomorrow and have appropriated millions of money for the execution of the plans. Among these are the improvement of the harbor, the widening, straightening and cleansing of our narrow, crooked and befouled river; the sanitary disposal of garbage, a fitting home for the Public library, the extension and completion of the adequate park and boulevard system, the addition of kindergartens to our public schools.

"What are you doing for Cleveland?

"Standing by this casket soon to be sealed, we of today try to fix our vision on you, who, a century hence, shall stand by it as we now do. The vision can last but a moment, but before it ends and we fade into the past, we would send up our earnest prayer for our country, our state, our city and for you. Amen.

"On behalf of the woman's department of Cleveland's first centennial commission.

"Mrs. Elroy M. Avery, Chairman of the Executive Committee."

Another interesting consignment was the photographs of two centennial year babies, whose grandmothers, Mrs. T. K. Dissette and Mrs. S. E. Bierce, were on the executive board. They were Master George Kemp Dissette Inglehart and Master Harry Hamilton Stair. The last paper contributed was the official certification to the packing of the casket by Mayor McKisson. Then the ribbons were tied down and sealed with wax over all, there being space for an addition page. Mayor McKisson adjusted the top and firmly fastened the screws in place. Later it will have a steel band placed about it and be hermetically sealed. Mrs. Avery presented the casket to Mrs. Ingham, who gave it to President H. C. Ranney of the Western Reserve Historical society, with the following words:

"To lay away the remains of the woman's department of the first centennial of Cleveland in this beautiful casket, to lie until another hundred years have passed away, is an event of unusual importance, Not a citizen of Cleveland will be living then. Not in sadness do we thus fold and lay away our past in this little sepulcher of aluminum, but because we love humanity and are deeply interested in the work and progress of the women who follow us. It has been told us over and over again that Cleveland is proud of the spirit and achievements of its women; that no fairer, more cultured or diligent sisterhood graces any great center in the whole nation than this of our own Forest City.

"Accepting the popular verdict, we are proud to place in your hands for safe keeping these offerings, the culmination of labor, of research, and of patient continuance in well doing, in full assurance that you, sir, will see to it that a choice niche in the rooms of the historical society is reserved for our sacred casket, which I, as president of the woman's department of the Cleveland centennial commission, have the honor to present through you."

"I accept the trust imposed," said Mr. Ranney, "a long and continuing trust, and with all its conditions and suggestions this trust will be faithfully and religiously kept. A mystery deep as that which clings about the tombs of Egypt will enshroud it 100 years from now. I thank you for this compliment of the historical society and for the confidence the trust implies."

Alter a few closing words by Mrs. Ingham, the Temple quartet sang "America," and Miss Murdoch pronounced the benediction. It is stated that the members of the now disbanded department contemplate holding an anniversary one year hence.

This article was originally printed in The Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 19, 1996

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