NEGenWeb Project
Resource Center
Church

     Humphrey Council has a total membership of 131 of which eighty-eight are in the insurance class and forty-three in the associate class. During the year, there have been no suspensions in the insurance or associate classes. There has been one withdrawal in the insurance class and none in the associate class. No members have died in either class. Cash on hand, $429.69.
     The total membership in the district is 1,217, of which 293 are in the insurance class and 924 in the associate class.
     This report shows all councils in the district in a flourishing condition, most of them having invested in paraphernalia necessary for the work of initiation and also investing in property, looking forward to the building of permanent homes.

To the Worthy State Deputy and Delegates to the Nebraska State Council of the Knights of Columbus for the year 1916:
     As District Deputy for the district embracing the Lincoln, Falls City, Wymore and Beatrice Councils, I beg to submit the following report for the year just ending:
     By the end of the term of the Deputy, I shall have visited all of the councils of the district, three of them frequently and I have thus been in a position to become acquainted with their affairs. Each of the councils is in a flourishing condition and the interest that is alive among the members speaks well for the year to come. All the councils have competent officers and this is particularly true in the position of Financial Secretary which I deem the most important in any council. The financial secretaries of the various councils are men who have been giving their attention generously to the duties of their position, and too liberal praise cannot be bestowed upon them.
     The work of the Order has been exemplified in all of the councils of the district except Falls City during the year, and that council has a splendid class to receive into our ranks within the coming week. Fitzgerald council of Lincoln has had two initiations within the past three months. Thus there is seen to be a constant and steady addition of new men to our membership.
     There is one unfortunate matter to note, however, and that is that in our largest council there has been an unusually great number of suspensions. Fitzgerald council shows a loss of fifty-four men in this manner, about one-seventh of the total membership. This is an evident defect, some effective remedy for which must be found by the order, if it is to maintain its present enviable position. The question is not so much how many members we initiate as how many we retain. The other councils are more fortunate in this particular, Falls City showing nine suspensions; Wymore, three, and Beatrice, two.
     The permanent home movement is receiving an impetus in Lincoln where the council is housed In its own home and is planning a campaign for the erection of a new club house. Falls City already possesses such a home. Wymore and Beatrice councils are occupying rented quarters, which in each instance are adequately equipped.

     The material side of the Councils is receiving careful attention, as is shown by the fact that the financial reports are thoroughly satisfactory.
     As District Deputy, I desire to express my sincere thanks to the officers of each Council in the district for the spirit of co-operation they have always displayed and the good work on their part to which the success of their councils is largely, if not entirely, attributable.

To the State Deputy and Members of the State Council, Knights of
     Columbus--Gentlemen:
     All of the Councils of the Fourth District, composing Hastings Council No. 1123, McCook Council No. 1126, St. Mary's Council No. 1159, Grand Island, and St. James Council No. 1728, Kearney, are in a healthy condition.
     Hastings Council has increased its membership since the last annual report by initiating a large class in November and now has a membership of 300, fifty-five of whom are insurance members and 245 associate members. This Council owns real estate in the City of Hastings and has cash on hand in the sum of $402.54.
     Hastings Council has lost thirteen members by suspension, two by death and one by withdrawal.
     McCook Council has a present memberships of 180, all in good standing. This council has lost four members during the year. by suspension, none by death and none by withdrawal.. The council has $355.35 in its treasury. On the occasion of my visit to, McCook Council I was very favorably impressed with the ability and energy of its officers and the enthusiasm of its members, generally.
     St. Mary's Council, Grand Island, has a present membership of 291. Of this number, fifty-three are insurance members and 238 are associate members, Five associate members were suspended and one withdrew. One insurance member died.
     This council is in good financial condition having on hand $6,322.91. There is a movement on foot for the erection of a new home.
     Hastings, McCook and Grand Island Councils are supplied with all necessary robes and paraphernalia.
     St. James Council, Kearney, Nebraska, is young but vigorous and husky and has a present membership of 140, after the loss of eight members by suspension, one by withdrawal and one by death. This council has done commendable work in the distribution of good literature and by liberal contribution toward the erection of the splendid new parochial school In Kearney.
     St. James Council has in its treasury at this time, $427.59 in cash and securities. The members and officers of this council are quite enthusiastic over the success achieved and over the propects (sic).

Worthy State Deputy and Delegates to the Twelfth Annual State Convention of the Knights of Columbus of Nebraska:
     As District Deputy of the fifth district I beg to submit the following report:
     Bishop O'Connor Council 1312, Greeley, Neb., a year ago reported a membership of 232. At present its membership is 228 of whom eighty-one are insurance members and 147 are in the associate class. During the year, two of the former withdrew and two of the latter died. There were no suspensions. This Council reports cash on hand, $1,174.64, and will initiate a large class on May 21, this year.
     St. Michael's Council 1739, Albion, Neb., reported a year ago a membership of fifty-nine. Its present membership is 119 of whom forty-nine are insurance members and seventy-three in the associate class. This Council had a large class initiation last May and is about ready to hold another initiation. It had no suspensions, three withdrawals and one death during the year. At the present time there is cash on hand, $188.02, and furniture and paraphernalia costing $635.00. It has equipped a splendid club room and council chamber besides furnishing a set of the Catholic Encyclopedia to the Public Library.
     Sacred Heart Council 1793, Norfolk, Neb., had no report a year ago. Its present membership is 108, of whom forty carry insurance in our Order and 689 are in the associate class. It reports no suspension, no withdrawals and no deaths during the year. A fine class was initiated for this Council on December 5, 1915. At the present time it has on hand, cash, $328.83. Meetings are well attended and the Council is very much alive.
     Madison Council 1788, Madison, Neb., likewise had no report a year ago. It now has seventy-five members of whom forty-three carry insurance and thirty-two are in the associate class. It reports two suspensions, no withdrawals and no deaths during the year. Madison Council exemplified the three degrees very successfully on December 12, 1915. It has supplied itself with a splendid set of robes and paraphernalia and reports cash on hand, $72.38. This Council must be congratulated on its push and energy more especially as its territory is small.
     Summary--Reported membership a year ago was 291; present membership, 530, a gain of ninety-seven insurance members and 142 in the associate class. During the year the district reported two suspensions, five withdrawals and three deaths. Cash on hand, $1,765.87.
     As District Deputy I visited the Councils and installed the officers at Norfolk, Madison and Albion. Each Council in the district can and does exemplify the work in. the first and second degrees of the Order. Early last fall I organized a third degree team and since that time we have exemplified the work of that degree at Norfolk, Madison, Lincoln and Columbus.
     Everything bespeaks a year of action and prosperity in this district.

Worthy State Deputy and Brothers of the State Council:
     I have the honor to submit the following report of the condition of District No. 6 for the current year:
     This district comprises the following Councils: Count Creighton Council No. 1238 of Creighton, Emerson Council No. 1309 of Emerson, Hartington Council No. 1233 of Hartington and Charles Carroll of Carrollton Council No. 701 of O'Neill.

     Count Creighton Council of Creighton has a total membership of 276, of which ninety-nine are insurance and 177 are associate members. Suspensions were ten insurance and sixteen associate. New members initiated during the years was forty-two. No deaths.
     Emerson Council has a total of 199 members, forty-three being insurance and 156 associates. Insurance suspensions, three, associate, twenty-four. One insurance and two associate members died during the year. New members who joined during the year, 32.
     Hartington Council reports 238 members of whom fifty-five are insured and 183 associates. Suspensions since last report--insurance, none; associates, twelve; deaths, none.
     The Charles Carroll of Carrollton Council of O'Neill has a present membership of 340, 115 insurance and 225 associate members. During the year, six insured members and thirty-three associate members were suspended. The deaths were one insurance and two associate members.

     Count Creighton Council of Creighton has cash on hand, $3,324.51; fixtures and paraphernalia, $325.00; total, $3,549.51.
     Emerson Council of Emerson has cash on hand, $1,070.55; fixtures and paraphernalia, $300.00; total, $1,370.55.
     Hartington Council of Hartington has cash on hand, $93.90; stock in K. of C. home, $3,100.00; furniture and fixtures of club rooms including billiard room and paraphernalia of Counicl (sic), $1,500:00; total $4,693.90.
     Charles Carroll of Carrollton Council of O'Neill has cash on hand, $1,599.97; fixtures and paraphernalia, $300.00: money invested in K. of C. hall, $8,000.00; furniture and equipment of K. of C. club rooms, $600.00; total cash and property of the O'Neill Council, $10,499.97.
     Total cash and value of property in all the Councils in the O'Neill district, $20,213.93.

     Count Creighton Council initiated a class of forty-two members on November 14. I have just been informed that they have twenty applications on file towards the formation of a new class. During the winter months they put on several very interesting lectures as well as a musical entertainment and the younger members arrange a monthly dance besides an. annual card party and ball. The business and social features of this Council are in a very good condition.

     Emerson Council initiated a class of thirty-two members on last Sunday. The class was composed of splendid material and the initiation was extremely edifying and there is a very encouraging revival of interest apparent in this Council.
     Hartington Council is preparing a large class for initiation which will be ready for a week from Sunday, the 21st inst. This Council has provided itself with a home and club rooms which are splendidly equipped and a small but rapidly increasing library containing the Catholic Encyclopedia and other standard works of reference and a reading room is supplied with several of the leading Catholic magazines. A noteworthy feature of this Council is the Sunday evening lectures given to the public which are both popular and edifying to the community.
     Charles Carroll of Carrollton Council of O'Neill initiated a class of fifty-six members on March 26. With the exception of the charter class initiation more than thirteen years ago, this was the largest class ever incorporated into the O'Neill Council and those who witnessed the initiation say that the quality was in every respect equal to the quantity. This Council controls its $20,000.00 hall in which the Council and its members own a 75 per cent interest, the Board of Directors of the Hall Company are members of the Council. The club rooms are fairly well equipped and there is a nucleus of a library. This Council holds a weekly card tournament except during the summer months and the members are leading factors in the social and educational activities of the community. On account of the great interest developed in connection with the initiation of the large class in March this Council is already looking forward to the formation of a new class in the early fall. This Council also has well equipped degrees teams competent to exemplify the First, Second and Third Degrees. All Councils in the district are provided with proper robes and paraphernalia.
     During the past year this district has yielded up some valuable territory on account of the welcome fact that new Councils were instituted at Madison and Norfolk in April and May, respectively, 1915. This territory now belongs to the Albion district of which Dr. McRae has given a most encouraging account. This and the further fact that no new classes were initiatted (sic) in this district for more than eighteen months prior to November, reasonably accounts for the large proportion of suspensions reported by the financial secretaries during the past year. It is a fact which by this time ought to be understood by all observing members that where Councils are unable to initiate at least one class in each year, you will find a lack of interest among the members and a large number of suspensions especially among the associate members.
     But as will be seen from the facts above given, in spite of the fact that there have been a large number of suspensions, there is nevertheless a great manifestation in K. of C. circles everywhere throughout this district. This is manifested by the organization of classes in each Council after an interval of about two years of apparent apathy.
     And they are going to keep it up. The O'Neill class was a revela- (sic) to many. The fifty-six candidates, with only two exceptions were young men, about one-third of them were the sons or baby brothers of old members of our Council. Of course they went in as insurance

members, which was so much better for them. When our Council was chartered in 1903, some of these "kids" were in petticoats, and now they are hailing us "brothers." But we feel that our future is assured. The rising generation will fill the gaps. The birth rate among our people is so far in excess of the death rate that we can count on quite a respectable class of candidates each year without going outside of our own families.
     Individual members of the Order in all parts of the district are going forward in business, social and public life. Our Order, by its elevating effects upon their life and character, has helped them and they have in turn done credit to the Order.
     With our large membership, our sure prospect of recruiting the ranks, our large accumulation of property and money, there is no fear but that we are--firmly established upon a solid foundation, and we turn or faces to the future with cheerfulness, courage and the confidence of enduring success.

Worthy State Deputy and State Council:
     I beg to submit the following report for the year ending March 31, 1916, on the membership and financial condition of the Seventh Nebraska District:
     There are three Councils located in the Seventh District:
     Alliance Council No. 975, at Alliance.
     Chadron Council No. 1128, at Chadron.
     St. Patrick's Council No. 1211, at North Platte.
     Alliance Council reports 125 members, fifty-seven insurance and sixty-eight associate members, and will initiate a class in the three degrees on May 28.
     Since the last report to the State Council, one associate member has died and twenty associate members have been suspended.
     In regard to the suspending of members for the non-payment of dues, the report shows that the officers of this Council observe the laws of the Order and instructions from the Supreme Office. The report shows:

     The Council has also a full set of paraphernalia.
     Chadron Council has the smallest membership of any Council in the district. This is on account of the Council being in the extreme northwestern part of the state, where the country is not very thickly settled, yet the Council is in good financial condition, and the officers and members take great pride in the Council. The report shows seventy-nine members, thirty-one insurance and forty-eight associate members. Since the last report to the State Council, four associate members were suspended and three associate members withdrew. Arrangements are being made to Initiate a class In the near future. They report as follows:

     They also have a full set of paraphernalia.
     St. Patrick's Council has 238 members, seventy-four insurance and 164 associate members. During the last year three associate members have died, eleven associate members were suspended and three insurance members were suspended. The report shows:

     The Council has organized a Company and incorporated under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with the object in view of constructing a Knights of Columbus Building.
     The total membership of the Seventh District is 442, with a total money and property value of $13,838.64.
     I desire to call your attention to the fact that of the forty-four members suspended in the Seventh District during the last year, but three were insurance members. This proves that the insurance feature of our Order has a great influence with the members who carry our insurance, and I would urge the officers from my district, when securing applications for membership to secure as many insurance applications as possible, for class initiations.
     I wish to say a word concerning the conditions which exist in western Nebraska, and which is hardly appreciated by many living in the more thickly settled sections. The membership of the various Councils is scattered through a large territory of country, many of them living a great distance from their Councils, making it almost impossible to attend meetings. It is easy to realize why, under such conditions, some lose interest in their Council and become subject to suspension. While the laws concerning delinquent members may seen to be severe to some, I am satisfied the Councils in my district observe this law to the letter.
     Soon after the election of Council officers last fall, I visited eaih (sic) Council in my district, and installed their officers. I had a good attendance at each meeting and found both officers and members very agreeable, earnest and active for the good and welfare of the Order. Council records are well kept and a spirit of harmony and fraternal good will prevails among the members.

     Meeting called to order by Chairman Laughlin, with the Secretaries from the following Councils answering roll call: Creighton, Friend, Albion, Chadron, Alliance, York, Columbus, Fremont, North

Platte, Kearney, Lincoln, Grand Island, O'Neill, Falls City, Beatrice, Wymore, Madison Hartington and Wahoo.

     Minutes of the 1915 meeting were read and approved.

     Brother Luke Mundy was unanimously elected chairman for the coming year.

     Brother H. J. Hammond was unanimously elected secretary for the coming year.

     Vote of thanks was tendered to the retiring officers.

     Brothers Laughlin and Shields were appointed as a committee on resolutions.

     The following resolutions were read and adopted, and presented to the State Convention for their action:
     1. Resolution moved by Brother Laughlin and seconded by Shields to State Convention, requiring all members in State of Nebraska to furnish Easter Communion Cards, certifying their having performed their Easter Duty.
     Be It Further Resolved, That the State Convention instruct the National Delegates to favor this resolution and the National Convention provide the penalty for non-compliance therewith.
     2. Moved by Shields, seconded by Burk, That the Secretary of this Financial Secretary Association correspond more frequently with the different local Councils to furnish ways and means for concise report of conditions particularly affecting the welfare of this association for proper action at the Annual Convention.
     3. Resolved, That all towns or villages in the State of Nebraska, with a membership in the parent council of not less than ten, may hold meetings subject to the call of the brother elected by the above mentioned brothers, who may have local powers for social purposes and good of the order, not affecting insurance matters but subject to the parent council, who will pro rate the sub-council share of dues or expense of conducting their meetings. Passed by unanimous vote.
     4. Resolved, That the Secretaries of all Councils report to this association to be read at our annual meetings--exact conditions in his Council, viz: number of members in Council, suspensions, reinstatements, and ways and means adopted for reinstatements. A copy of report to State Secretary shall he presented this association at their annual meting. Passed by unanimous vote.
     Upon motion the chair appointed Brothers Burke, Tanney and Berbig, a committee to prepare resolutions for the next meeting.
     After some time being spent in discussing the good of the order the meeting adjourned to meet in Alliance, Nebraska, May, 1917.

H. J. HAMMOND,
Secretary.

     Subject to the approval of the National Board of Directors, the State of Nebraska is divided into districts as follows:
     District 1.--Dr. F. H. Morrow, Columbus, Nebr., Council No. 938. Councils in district: Omaha 652, Columbus 938, Phil Sheridan (Fremont) 1497, Ave Maria (Humphrey) 1794.

     District 2.--L. G. Brian, 129 South Eleventh Street, Lincoln, Nebr., No. 833. Councils in district: Fitzgerald (Lincoln) 833, Wymore 1295, Falls City 1336, Beatrice 1723.
     District 3.--E. A. Coufal, David City, Nebr., No. 1717. Councils in district: Immaculate Conception (Sutton) 1666, Leo XIII (York) 1798, Tihen (David City) 1717, Father Crowe (Friend) 1737, Wahoo 1833.
     District 4.--J. H. Mullin, Grand Island, Nebr., No. 1159. Councils in district: Hastings 1123, McCook 1126, St. Mary's (Grand Island) 1159, St. James (Kearney) 1728.
     District 5.--Dr. F. J. McRae, Albion, Nebr., No. 1739. Councils in district: Bishop O'Connor (Greeley) 1312, St. Michael's (Albion) 1729, Madison 1788, Sacred Heart (Norfolk) 1793.
     District 6.--E. H. Whelan, O'Neill, Nebr., No. 701. Councils in district: Charles Carroll of Carrollton (O'Neill) 701, Count Creighton
     (Creighton) 1238, Emerson 1309.
     District 7.--F. J. Doran, North Platte, Nebr., No. 1211. Councils in district: Alliance 975, Chadron 1128, St. Patrick's (North Platte) 1211.

Dated at York, Nebr., June 1, 1917.

---