Approx. 160 pp. 17.2x10.3 cm (6¾x4") black leather titled in gilt.
Original handwritten book from a Ladies' Bowling League in Corpus Christi, Texas, first organized on April 3, 1919.. The record book commences on December 29, 1930, and continues until December 15, 1937. Handwritten book contains the names of the members as well as dates of their meetings, their rules and regulations, dues, fines, winnings, prizes, and the minutes from meetings during those years. Overall a very complete look at ladies' bowling in Depression-era Texas.
In order to join you had to be a member of St. Elizabeth Society, Young Ladies Sodality, or a daughter of the mothers belonging to the club. They were all members of St. Joseph's Women's Bowling League, and kept their accumulated dues and donations under lock and key at the Frost Bank of Corpus Christi. Their rules were adhered to or you were asked to resign. This group of early Texas bowling women were almost militant in their implementation of their rules and regulations. Pay up, follow the rules, or resign.
Handwritten entries include; "Any of the pin boys entering high school must quit setting pins and give the younger boys a chance. Preference, of course should be given to boys whose mothers belong to the club. Anyone carrying tales from our meetings should be brought before the club, and faced with the matter, and if found guilty, be asked to send in her resignation. Anyone stepping on the foul line shall not have a chance at a booby prize but shall be entitled to have a chance at the other prizes. If a member should stay away from bowling for 6 months on account of sickness, but would be able to bowl a few times then she should bowl the same as a guest does. She can not bowl for a prize unless she donates a prize. Each member is to pay 10 cent for our weekly prize bowl and 10 cents at the four month prize bowl. (The committee meets every four months for their Society meeting.) When a member is notified to bring a weekly prize, they must send it whether attending or not. If a member should stay away four or more weeks on account of sickness, working or leaving the city, they will not have to pay any fines. If a member stays away from the club for one year and comes back then she must pay 25 cents a month for her monthly back dues for th e entire year. A motion was duly made, second and passed that we buy a large (14 lb.) ball. Mrs. Fuessel attended to this for us, and we are now the owners of a ball that is a pleasure to those using that size ball. The total cost was $15.50."
"Motion was made by our President Mrs. Ring, that the club rent a lock box at Frost Bank to keep the club funds and papers in. We feel like it is too much responsibility to put on our Treasurer to keep our funds at her home. Mrs. Hirt is willing to pay half of the cost which is $3.00 for the right to keep her private papers in the box. The motion was voted on and passed." Because these years were during the Great Depression, on "August 26, 1932, We had a short meeting with the minutes being read. Mrs. Hirt made a suggestion that since times are so hard at the present, that we should cut the prices on our weekly prizes, The first one to speak on this suggestion was Mrs. Thopla Mayer. She said don't make any change in p rices but just go by one's purse, anyway so it was said. So it was understood not to make any change in the prices but to go by one's own purse, or let your conscience be your guide. Mrs. Streich wanted to know why we didn't invite our husbands more to bowl with us? But sorry to say we found out it is cheaper to our club to leave husbands at home. Mrs. Miller called a short meeting and told us that the bowling alley had been reduced to $2.00. We also noted that we should spend 5 cents a week for ice to make ice water for all of our members, this well be taken out of the treasury." etc., etc.