Alphabet File page 207
Ladies' Minerva Mutual and Aid Association - Charter of Incorporation
Article I. This Association shall be known as THE LADIES' MINERVA MUTUAL AND AID ASSOCIATION, its domicile is hereby fixed in Bay St. Louis, Miss. and it shall continue and exist for the full term and space of fifty years from the date hereof, except as hereinafter mentioned.
Article II. The objects and purposes of this Association are hereby declared to be purely benevolent, to assist and give aid to its members in case of sickness, and to bury the dead.
Article III. The affairs and business of this Association shall be transacted by a quorum of the members in case of sickness or special meeting assembled.
The executive officers of this association shall be and consist of a president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer, and such other officers and committees as may under their By-Laws choose to elect; all of which said officers shall be elected annually by ballot from among the members of this Association at a general meeting thereof called by the president for that purpose, to be held on the 16th day of January of each year, and the officers thus elected shall continue in office for the term of one year from the date of this election, or until their successors are elected and enter in office. The first executive officers of this Association are hereby declared to be: President, Mrs. C. Gardebled; Vice-President, Mrs. H. J. Moreau; Secretary, Mrs. Geo. Muller; Treasurer, Mrs. A. Gragnon, all of whom shall serve until their successors are elected and enter into office, unless sooner removed for just cause, by a vote of the majority of the members of this Association at a general or special meeting.
Note: Articles IV, V, VI, VII further define the charter.
Founders: President, Celine O. Gardebled; VicePresident, Elizabeth Moreau; Treasurer, Amelie U. Gragnon; Secretary, Honorene Muller. Members: Miss Melanie Gregnon, Miss Florence Gardebled, Miss Manny McCorry, Mrs. Annie Avery, Mrs. A. Telhiard, Mrs. C. Caldwell.
There is nothing in the above which is contrary to the Constitution or laws of the State, Frank Johnson, Atty. General. Feb. 7, 1893. (SCE 02/25/1893)
Ladies' Minerva Mutual and Aid association Ball - The event of the Season. Easter Monday night was one that will be remembered by the people of our city, both young and old, as an evening spent very pleasantly mid the strains of melodious music that was wafted in the air by the excellent Promote Brass Band. Pretty costumes well filled for the event and beautiful flowers adorned the lovely forms and sweet faces of all the participants. The graceful dancing, for which our young folks are noted was, as ever, excellent, the bautiful time of the waltz was so intoxicating as to even make the matrons feel a certain sense of happiness and a desire to participate in the whirling rounds.
Refreshments were plentiful and delicious; the lemonade table was waited on with cheerful alacrity by Miss Fannie McCorry, Miss Melanie Gragnon and Miss Florence Gardebled, who promptly attended the warm and thirsty couples that desired the cooling beverage, while the delightful ice cream and delicate cake was served by Mrs. A. Basford, who did the honors with charming gracefulness.
The ball was attended largely by both old and young, and all seem to thoroughly enjoy themselves as throuygh the hall they floating went, and through their soul, a feeling sent akin to joy.
Flowers were in profusion and the hall was beautifully decorated, and very tastefully were refreshment stands and band platform arranged with cedar and small flags of the "Uncle Sam" order which, to the Americans eye, are always beautiful.
A good many people repaired to their respective homes at mid-night, while others remained later and in the light of the beautiful rising moon, that looked golden over the stilly waters, wended their way home. The grand affair closed at 2:30 A.M.; One of the most interesting features of the ball was the dancing of a settled couple who essayed to enjoy themselves as much as the young'uns - that goes to show that our old folks are full of life as well as the belles and beaux.
The costumes worn on this occasion were decidedly rich and fashionable, and for The Echo to say who was the belle of the ball is impossible, for everyone is aware that the Bay is a garden of belles. The amount realized was $72 net, which shows a decided success as the fruits of the first effort of that noble and prosperous organization - the Ladies' Minerva Mutual and Aid Association, of Bay St. Louis. (SCE 04/08/1893)
Ladies' Minerva Mutual and Aid Assoc. gave a garden party, entertainment and open air ball Saturday night at the Gardebled residence, which was in every particular a perfect success. Many affairs have been given at the Bay but none to exceed this.
No less than 500 persons attended and enjoyed themselves. Charming ladies with much grace and dignity presided over the different tables. The grounds were brilliantly illuminated and the decorations the result of fair fingers and taste. The entertainment opened with recitation by Miss Vicky Breath, who, in a manner of becoming charms and in all the sweetness of her voice, captivated the vast audience. Prof. Pate's musical performance was well received, and especially his performance of the bells. The affair realized the handsome sum of $93 net, considering the various expenses this is a splendid showing. An elegant silver medal, appropriately inscribed, was awarded Mrs. A. Basford, for the highest sale, and a medal also to Mrs. O. Fayard for disposing the largest number of admission tickets. The G.A. Levy base ball club were awarded a bat and silver medal. Good and plenty of music was furnished and dancing enjoyed till 2:30 the next morning. (SCE 6/24/1893)
LADIES' MINERVA MUTUAL AND AID ASSOCIATION held its regular monthly meeting Thursday evening. The Association is in a flourishing condition and has $254.70 in the treasury free from debt.
The young ladies soliciting donations for the Ladies' Minerva Mutual and Aid Association are requested to meet Monday evening at 6:30 o'clock at the residence of Mme. Gardebled, to make final report. The public is respectfully invited. (SCE 7/22/1893)
The regular monthly meeting of the Ladies' Minerva Mutual and Aid Association was held on Thursday evening at the home of Mrs. C. Gardebled. There was a good attendance; the condition of the Association proved to be in a flourishing condition, having several hundred dollars clear of debt on hand. (SCE 09/23/1893)
The regular monthly meeting of the Ladies' Minerva Mutual and Aid Association was held Thursday evening at the residence of Mme. C. Gardebled. The attendance was good, and the regular routing work transacted, with the Association booming. By unanimous consent of those present $15.00 was appropriated to the relief of needy victims of the late coast storm. The money was forwarded Thursday night to the New Orleans Picayune. The donation, considering that the Association is yet in its infancy, is a liberal one and shows the disposition of these noble ladies united to do good. We applaud their action. (SCE 10/21/1893)
Ladies Minerva Association - LADIES' MIINERVA ASSOCIATION DISBANDS
In the list of realty transfers for the week, appearing in the last issue of The Echo, was the following:
Ladies Minerva Mutual and Aid Association to Joseph F. Cazeneuve and F. C. Bordages, Sr. lot 800, 1st Ward, city of Bay St. Louis, having a front on north side of Main Street of 155 feet, and running back 120 feet, more or less, to land of L. J. Piernas, $900. Deed dated March 21, 1912; not yet recorded.