bachelor.html

The Klickitat County Agriculturist, Goldendale, WA., February 20, 1909, page 5
"Local"

At least fifteen bachelors reside at Trout Lake and they have a Bachelor's club at the Guler hotel. They are all men of good habits and are worth any girl trying to secure for husbands. J.M. Filloon city recorder and justice of the peace of The Dalles, was in that country recently and made a proposition to them that if they would come to him in a body before July 1, at which time his term of office as city recorder expires that he would perform the marriage ceremony for the "bunch" at a greatly reduced fee. The young men are now casting about trying to secure the life partnership of some girl, who will fill the requirements of housekeeper, nurse, companion and general all around ranchwoman.

The Klickitat County Agriculturist, Goldendale, WA., March 6, 1909, page 1
"Klickitat Intelligence"

A couple of weeks ago the Agri. stated that the bachelors of Trout Lake had formed a matrimonial club, or perhaps that John M. Filloon of The Dalles had organized them! Anyhow, the Chronicle has this: Suddenly and without warning City Clerk Filloon finds himself launched in the matrimonial bureau business. What follows explains the situation. The story was the means used by one lonely woman living near Spokane seeking her affinity among the members of the Bachelor's Club at Trout Lake. The lonely one, who, from her writing, seems to be a woman of refinement and education, sent a letter and the clipping to City Recorder J.M. Filloon. From her chirography it is judged that she is of Scottish Canadian nativity, and if so, may be a woman of worth and would make a good wife. That letter reads: "Feb. 27, 1909. Mr. J.M. Filloon: the Sunday Morning Journal, contained the enclosed clipping. Thinking perhaps the fifteen bachelors might have some difficulty in securing affinities, I thought I might venture my name. If there are any gentleman over 40, just hand him the enclosed envelope. - Fearing I am imposing on your valuable time I will close. Sincerely, Irene Greennoe." A sealed letter, containing all the necessary information accompanied the note to Mr. Filloon and will be sent to the Bachelor's Club at Trout Lake at once.

The Klickitat County Agriculturist, Goldendale, WA., March 13, 1909, page 9
"Klickitat Intelligence"

And still the letters come to Recorder Filloon until he wishes he had not mentioned a thing to the Trout Lake bachelors about getting married, in a joke or otherwise. Affairs are getting serious for the girls are begging him to please, oh, please find each of them a husband. The girls are in dead earnest and it's a pity if they shall not succeed in finding a mate for life. Some of them will have to be disappointed for there are only fifteen lone bachelors at Trout Lake. The bachelors at Trout Lake, although willing and anxious to secure affinities to darn their socks and cook their meals, are also swamped with letters forwarded by Mr. Filloon, besides, they are in receipt of hundreds of missives sent direct to the Club. They now threaten Mr. Filloon with dire things if he ever appears in that section, so it is easily to be seen that the city recorder and police judge is in an unenviable position right now without any more of it, especially since he has purchased a ranch at Trout Lake and intends removing there. A letter from Mr. Guler, proprietor of the Guler hotel, which is the headquarters for the Bachelor's Club, says: "You had better come at night to your place when you are right here and entrench yourself there for the B. Club is getting distracted over the enormity of the mail it gets carrying sentiment, and applications by the hundreds. The members are getting fierce, thin and gray over the matter."

The Klickitat County Agriculturist, Goldendale, WA., March 27, 1909, page 11
"Klickitat Intelligence"

The Trout Lake Bachelor's club is doing a flourishing business since the outside world knew of its existence through the press. The club of 15 members is talking earnestly of engaging a secretary to look after the correspondence that arrives daily from the gentler sex throughout the Pacific coast states. One letter received from Portland gives the names of 30 fair maidens in that city who are anxious to wed if the members of the club mean business. A few of the applicants claim that they have money to throw at the birds, one in particular stating that if she could secure a prize husband he would become the owner of one of the richest gold mines in the west. Photographs are exchanged, and one woman made the trip from Seattle to Trout Lake to exhibit herself as a candidate among the bachelors. One member of the club says they have a matrimonial bureau beat to a frazzle.

The Klickitat County Agriculturist, Goldendale, WA., March 27, 1909, page 1
"Klickitat Intelligence"

Our friend City Recorder Filloon, of The Dalles, thought if he kept quiet that the "marriage bureau business," would die out and become extinct but there were others, who having read the story of his offer to the Trout Lake bachelors in a Portland paper, are still besieging the local "bureau" with applications for membership in the Trout Lake Bachelor's Club. Applications are continuing to arrive, according to the Chronicle, asking for a place on the list of "would-be-weds." Mr. Filloon does not attempt any stunts in the match-making schemes. He, of course, would like to see everybody happily mated, but has never in all his life, been in league with cupid in any way for anyone outside of his own affairs. He, therefore, has been very quiet of late, regarding the affinity "business" until a representative of this paper found that he is still simply buried in missives from maids and bachelors all over the coast, who seemed to have failed in finding a desirable mate in their respective localities. A letter was received from one of the Bachelor's Club at Trout Lake that says "The members are certainly in high clover on account of unlooked for results, exceeding all expectations ever since they organized. Otto Voight the secretary, is glad to answer all applications in person and will be glad also to reply to all letters, and advise all callers. I would advise that to further a more speedy acquaintance of applicants of whatever nature should send their photos as there are no roses without thorns. There are a few of the faint hearted members, who were actually worried in the face of such lightning speed proceedings, having been actually buried in applications from every direction.

The Klickitat County Agriculturist, Goldendale, WA., June 5, 1909, page 4
"Klickitat Intelligence"

A corresponding secretary, printed stationery, and by-laws are the requisite that are making prominent the Pioneer Bachelors' Club of Klickitat county, with headquarters at Trout Lake. This, without doubt, is the only organization of its kind in the Northwest, if not in the United States. With a membership of twenty-five, the club is now developing a matrimonial business unparalleled in the history of cupid transactions. C.H. Pearson, the corresponding secretary, has his hands full in looking over the letters that come in daily from the fair sex from all parts of the Northwest. After reading the contents of the letters, he passes them are around to the members who would be interested in the particular make-up and welfare of their future affinities. John M. saloon, formerly of The Dalles, the promulgator of the club, while up at Trout Lake last fall, got a few of the bachelor boys together and told of the advantages to be derived from an organized body of wife hunters where, if business system was carried out, beneficial results would follow. At the same time he made the statement that he would marry any couple free of charge where the groom was a member of the club. Mr. Filloon had recently moved to Trout Lake from The Dalles, and is now coaching the bashful bachelors in the right way. Out of the twenty-five members, no less than one-fourth have become engaged, and it is only a short time when Mr. Filloon will be called upon to make good his promise. The boys are well supplied with photographs of marriageable women. One correspondent from one of the large Coast cities has sent her picture along with a dainty epistle, stating that she would head a delegation of ten ladies to the Trout Lake summer resort this summer, and estimated that the boys would have to be on dress parade during their stay if they expected to capture the fair maidens. One of the laws carried out in a strict manner is that should a member fail to grasp the opportunity to propose marriage, he would pay a fine of $5. To become a member of the club a fee of $3 is required.
Aside from capturing a sturdy bachelor rancher with a bank account for a husband, the future bride will experience the pleasure of living in a locality exquisite with grandeur and healthful mountain breezes; where the dreams of poets and the fancies of epic bards are unsurpassed by a vision of loveliness; where the artist despairs in comprehending the elusive colors at twilight that emanate from every mountain top.

The Klickitat County Agriculturist, Goldendale, WA., July 24, 1909, page 3
"Guler"

The Bachelor's Club is a reality and has about 35 real live members, who are working hard to improve homes in that section; they vie with each other in making their homes and surrounding as neat and attractive as possible and are doing much to upbuild the country. To date there has been but one marriage among the bachelors within the existence of the club, but that one means the culmination of a romance begun last February, soon after the organization of the club. It happened July 7 when Felix Mansfield and Miss Celeste Green were married at that place. This is only the beginning of weddings among the bachelors, for several engagements have been announced and correspondence is pouring in from all directions to the secretary of the society. The strange part of the procedure is that the women are "fairly well educated, refined, good housekeepers and excellent cooks." The question is whether their several localities are suffering from a dearth of marriageable males or whether the women are anxious for a change of scene. Anyway, they are writing to the members of the club and coming here to see for themselves what sort of men compose the society. Many interesting things are expected in the Bachelor's Club before another 12 months rolls around.

The Portland Telegram, Portland, OR., October 1, 1909, page 4
Includes a portrait of the Society's president, H. Martin Thode

Above is a membership application which appeared as part of The Telegram's article.

FINE OF $5 CHARGED IF ELIGIBLES ARE NOT TAKEN
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WELL-TO-DO MEN IN THE CLUB, WHICH MEETS EACH MONTH
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(Special Correspondent)
GULER, Wash., Sept. 29 -- The Pioneer Bachelor Club of Klickitat County with headquarters at Trout Lake, Wash., is growing rapidly. Not only do bachelors of this vicinity apply for membership, but letters had been received by the secretary from Seattle, points in Oregon, California and even British Columbia, asking for admission.
The Bachelor Club was originally thought of as a joke, when a few of the bachelors at the Guler Hotel mentioned they would form it. J. M. Filloon, then recorder of The Dalles, was visiting at this place, and told the bachelors that if each one of them would appear before him at his home city before July 1, 1909, he would perform the marriage ceremony free of charge. His term of office would expire after that time.
Evidently the local men took the proposition seriously, for immediately the club was formed, stationery and application blanks for membership were printed, a constitution and by-laws were adopted, and the club was formally organized with H. Martin Thode as its president, and Claus Pearson as its secretary.
From the first the club has flourished as regards membership, but no marriages outside of one last July have followed. When the inquiry was made recently in regards to the lack of weddings the president replied that it was because the members are rather particular to whom they offer their hands and hearts, but that if the right affinity would appear, a heavy fine would be imposed if a proposition of marriage were not made.
The fine for not proposing marriage if a good opportunity offers itself is $5, and the members are hoping that their soulmates will soon appear. There is a lack of eligible femininity in Trout Lake Valley, while men of marriageable ages are on the increase.
Every unmarried woman, young and old, in this vicinity has been "spoken for", and this accounts for the condition in which the Bachelor Club finds itself.
Only a few days ago the club received a letter from a young man in Seattle, asking if he could become a member of the club, as he was seeking a wife. Upon the payment of $3 he was accepted, after which the membership was assured that he was in good standing in the community in which he lived.
The club meets one Sunday in every month in Thode's Hall, near Guler, and discusses affairs of importance in connection with of the society.
Each member has a homestead claim or other real estate in this valley, and all are able financially to make a good home for the right girl. No woman would be compelled to help support the house if she became the better half of any of the bachelors of this community.
The president is a German, has served in the German army, and is now a naturalized citizen of Uncle Sam. The secretary is a Scandinavian, also a citizen of the United States by adoption.
The membership includes those who have served in the Philippines and those who have fought in Cuba. There are those who have studied law and those who have been ministers of the Gospel. In fact, the membership is composed of men from the various walks of in life, all respectable. The club is made up of young man under 36, all trying to get a start in life in this valley, and all doing well.

The Klickitat County Agriculturist, Goldendale, WA., October 30, 1909, page 2
"Klickitat Intelligence"

The Pioneer Bachelor Club of Klickitat County, located at Trout Lake, receives queer letters sometimes from the fair sex. Sometimes the epistles assume the form of a downright proposal of marriage, while others begin by saying the writers are young, fair and handsome and write only to kill time. Others say that they are lonely and want to get acquainted with some member of the club, hoping the acquaintance so formed will later ripen into closer acquaintanceship, perhaps marriage. H. Martin Thode of Trout Lake is president, and C.H. Pearson, secretary. A fair sample of some of the many letters received from the women by the Bachelor Club is sent in by the secretary: "Dear Mr. Thode: I read in a Portland paper that you have a bachelor club in your city. This, I think, is a very good way of improving yourselves and may, I hope, be the means of finding each member of the club a happy homemaker in the future. I am sure it will, at least, furnish you with some pleasant correspondence. It is sometimes the lot of human beings to find themselves alone in the world, and it is often by correspondence that lifelong friendships are formed. I was left alone when young, my near relatives being drowned at sea. I have had my own way to make and am at this time an employee in a large department store. This work is not to my liking, as I have always dreamed of making my own little home, a devoted husband and happiness. Have not cared for riches, but have thought a modest home with affection far better than a home of wealth without happiness. I have passed through hardships and know the rough side of life. I assisted with housework long enough to obtain a common education and then came to where I am an employee at present. I am not discontented with life, for I made up my mind that a good fairy rules my destiny, and like Cinderella, my Prince will appear in his own good time.
If he has a membership in the Pioneer Bachelor Club of Trout Lake, he will apprise me of the fact." During the summer women strangers have appeared at the Guler resort, near the lake, ostensibly to buy land, but after a week's sojourn it was apparent they were looking up other affairs. Chris Guler, the landlord, alert to help out a bachelor friend, and John Filloon, officials of the club, who performs marriage ceremonies, expounded the worth of the bachelor in the market for a wife, and through their tactics three maidens have been mated.

The Hood River Glacier, Hood River, OR., December 2, 1909, page 4
"Husum"

To say that some of the letters received by members of the Pioneer Bachelor Club, of Klickitat county, of Trout Lake, are unique, is putting it mild. A membership of 35 is steadily but surely being diminished as the months roll by, and the outcome of the society will find but few left who have not taken advantage of the opportunity to secure a wife. Secretary C.H. Pearson says that several members have become engaged through correspondence throughout the northwest within the past two months. A noticeable fact mentioned by Mr. Pearson is that from the start the ladies seeking a husband comes out point blank without any frills and intimate that she is desirous of securing a husband, and her letter signifies nothing else.
The following postal card was received by Secretary Pearson a few days ago from a lady living in Portland, which is a fair sample of the method adopted by maidens in their get married quick plan:
"Friend Pearson: have heard about you looking for a wife, and I am looking for a husband and wish to correspond with you".
During the Fourth of July celebration at Trout Lake this year a number of marriageable ladies from the large cities in this state and Oregon accepted an invitation to be on hand and enjoy the festivities at the Guler resort. This match-making tete-a-tete resulted in the engagement of four of the club members, one bachelor, Mr. Felix Mansfield, being married a short time after to Miss Celeste Green of one of the coast cities. The secretary of the club has been notified that some half dozen maidens will be at Trout Lake during the holidays, ostensibly to obtain a more beautiful view of Mount Adams, but practically to become better acquainted with their favorite bachelor friend.

The Mt. Adams Sun, Bingen, WA., August 20, 1956, page 2

SHORTAGE OF TROUT LAKE WOMEN LED MEN TO FORM BACHELOR CLUB

APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP

To the members of the Pioneer Bachelor Club of Klickitat County, Trout Lake, Wash. -- I desire to become a member of your club. If elected I will in all respects conform to the requirements of the Constitution and by-laws of the club. My age, nearest birthday is _____ years. As evidence of good faith I herewith send $__. ___of the initiation fee.

(Signature )
(Address )
(Recommended by )

* * *

EDITOR'S NOTE

Before local bachelors start sending in their initiation fee, the SUN hastens to say that the above application appeared in the Portland TELEGRAM on Oct. 1, 1909.
Because it recalls an almost-forgotten episode of a bygone day, the story is republished word-for-word from a yellowed clipping loaned to us by Josephine Hendershott of Trout Lake.

* * *

Guler, Wash., -- The Pioneer Bachelor Club of Klickitat County with headquarters at Trout Lake, Wash., is growing rapidly. Not only do bachelors of this vicinity apply for membership, but letters had been received by the secretary from Seattle, points in Oregon, California and even British Columbia, asking for admission.
The Bachelor Club was originally thought of as a joke, when a few of the bachelors at the Guler Hotel mentioned they would form it. J. M. Filloon, then recorder of The Dalles, was visiting at this place, and told the bachelors that if each one of them would appear before him at his home city before July 1, 1909, he would perform the marriage ceremony free of charge. His term of office would expire after that time.
Evidently the local men took the proposition seriously, for immediately the club was formed, stationery and application blanks for membership were printed, a constitution and by-laws were adopted, and the club was formally organized with H. Martin Thode as its president, and Claus Pearson as its secretary.

LACK OF GIRLS

From the first the club has flourished as regards membership, but no marriages outside of one last July have followed. When the inquiry was made recently in regards to the lack of weddings the president replied that it was because the members are rather particular to whom they offer their hands and hearts, but that if the right affinity would appear, a heavy fine would be imposed if a proposition of marriage were not made.
The fine for not proposing marriage if a good opportunity offers itself is $5, and the members are hoping that their soulmates will soon appear. There is a lack of eligible femininity in Trout Lake Valley, while men of marriageable ages are on the increase.
Every unmarried woman, young and old, in this vicinity has been "spoken for", and this accounts for the condition in which the Bachelor Club finds itself.

WELL-TO-DO

Only a few days ago the club received a letter from a young man in Seattle, asking if he could become a member of the club, as he was seeking a wife. Upon the payment of $3 he was accepted, after which the membership was assured that he was in good standing in the community in which he lived.
The club meets one Sunday in every month in Thode's Hall, near Guler, and discusses affairs of importance in connection with of the society.
Each member has a homestead claim or other real estate in this valley, and all are able financially to make a good home for the right girl. No woman would be compelled to help support the house if she became the better half of any of the bachelors of this community.
The President is a German, has served in the German army, and is now a naturalized citizen of Uncle Sam. The secretary is a Scandinavian, also a citizen of the United States by adoption.
The membership includes those who have served in the Philippines and those who have fought in Cuba. There are those who have studied law and those who have been ministers of the Gospel.
In fact, the membership is composed of men from the various walks of in life, all respectable. The club is made up of young men under 36, all trying to get a start in life in this valley, and all doing well.