Women of Murphysburg

Edna Catherine Jackson Houk | Mrs. William Houk
218 South Sergeant Avenue | Joplin Missouri | Circa 1903 | Extant
Edna was an active worker in the cause of prohibition, a supporter of everything tending to uplift and better the community, and one of America’s early leaders in the cause for women’s rights.

Edna was born, August 15, 1852 in Eckford, Calhoun County, Michigan.

She married William Houk in 1891.

William was born in Dayton, Ohio on January 20, 1859 and died February 26, 1927 in Joplin.

William and Edna had one daughter, Helen Adelaide Houk, born on September 17, 1895 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The family moved to Joplin in the late 1900’s.

Helen died August 25, 1912  at the age of 16 in Joplin of typhoid fever.

Edna died June 1, 1911 in Joplin of cancer. 

Edna had been associate editor of the Cincinnati Post and was considered one of the most accomplished journalists in the area.  She was also a writer and special correspondent for a number of large newspapers and for many years was a highly valued assistant of the Scripps-McRae news service.  She wrote many poems and short stories which were published in newspapers and magazines throughout the East.

She was an active worker in the cause of prohibition, a supporter of everything tending to uplift and better the community, and one of America’s early leaders in the cause for women’s rights.

“…every girl should learn a trade or a profession…for it is a safer provision for the future, than money in the bank.”   

Edna wrote a book in 1893 titled Women Wealth Winners; or How Women Can Earn Money. Printed reproductions of the book are available through Amazon.  Edna lists several jobs that a woman could take on before the turn of the century.  One such example was that of a mature woman who gave in-home lessons in the science of housekeeping to the mistress of the house, her daughters, and the hired help.  Another example is that of a semi-invalid 15-year-old girl who boarded pets for society ladies.  Edna stated in her book that “…every girl should learn a trade or a profession…for it is a safer provision for the future, than money in the bank.” 

William Houk (1859-1927) consolidated several mining operations into the Conqueror Zinc. Co. serving as its President and Edna as Vice President.  In 1905 he co-founded the Conqueror Trust Company and was elected President. 

NOTE:  Mr. Houk subsequently married Frances R. Hengelsberg of St. Louis after Edna’s death.  To this union two daughters were born, Emily in 1913 and Edna in 1914.  

Edna wrote to her daughter Helen and husband William poignant letters of farewell on April 17, 1911 that survived in the family archives.  Mama writes to her daughter words of encouragement days before traveling to St. Louis for her second examination. Edna wrote, “Always think of me as happy and at rest, and having lived nearly the allotted life of mankind”.  Edna died 48 days later.

Edna and family are interred at Mount Hope Cemetery, Webb City, Missouri.

Historic Murphysburg has not been able to find a photo of Edna. Pictured is Henrietta Cosgrove, Edna’s sister.

Bill Caldwell wrote about Henrietta in his Globe column in 2016 on Women’s History Month, ”Cosgrove was a writer, philanthropist and a political worker at the turn of the century.”

“Henrietta Cosgrove, of Joplin, was one of the city’s first proponents of social reform, fighting to secure better treatments for families left behind when workers were killed in mines.”

Historic Murphysburg Preservation, Inc is proud to remind our readers about two sisters committed to the betterment of the inhabitants of Joplin before women even had the right to vote!

Learn more about the Women of Missouri from National Trust for Historic Preservation at Women’s Heritage Month. 

HMP’s mission is to implement charitable and educational activities that promote and stimulate historic awareness throughout the neighborhood.  We strive to educate people about the Murphysburg Historic District and the value of historic preservation to our economy, local quality of life, as well as state and national value.

Joplin Society Leader, Prominent Vocalist in Joplin and Beyond

Born in September 1884 in Ohio, Frances and her siblings grew up with their parents James and Dollie Geddes in Joplin, and at one point, lived at 301 S Sergeant in what is now the Murphysburg Historic District.  

A Quashed Elopement 

Several biographical books (and Joplin folklore) claim that Howard Robards Hughes (the father of the infamous Howard Hughes, Jr.) lived in Joplin while working in the mines but did not strike it rich.  He did however come away with knowledge of drilling techniques which he later put to use as the foundation of the Hughes family fortune.  It is reported that Hughes (age 31) attempted to elope with Frances (age 16) but her father intervened!  Three months later Hughes left for the Texas oil fields.

Frances Marries Arthur Bendelari

On December 21, 1903, Frances married Arthur Bendelari, who built The Olivia Apartments at 320 S. Moffet.  He was president of Eagle Picher Company.  The couple lived in apartment 104 at the Olivia, which was described as the “handsomest apartment house in the West.”  

Professor Leib was a Kansas City composer, soloist, teacher, and choral director often referred to as the “dean of Kansas City’s music world.”  He resided in Kansas City from 1881 until 1915.  Upon returning to Joplin, he gave music lessons at 106 ½ West 7th Street.  He passed away on March 4, 1923 and is buried at Joplin’s Fairview Cemetery.

Singing Career

At 34-years old, she was the first to publicly sing the song “In Flanders Field” on July 16, 1918.  The song was adapted from a poem written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrea of Montreal.  The poem was written as a memorial to “The Great War” (1914 to 1918) which later came to be known as World War I.  The music was composed and published by William H. Leib, who most likely gave Frances the honor because she was his student.

According to various newspaper accounts, Frances was described as a society leader in Joplin, a prominent vocalist, a well-known Joplin musician, and a soloist.  She studied music in New York and Joplin.  Frances performed with the Music League of the People’s Institute in New York and with the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra when they staged a concert in Joplin in 1944.

On January 18, 1923, Arthur was granted a divorce from Frances.  He then married Grace Fall on November 17, 1923.

Frances eventually moved to California (possibly to pursue her singing career or Mr. Hughes?) and was living in Hollywood in 1947 when her mother, Dollie Geddes, died at Frances’s home.  Frances died on February 19, 1977, in Los Angeles, California at 92 years old.  At some point, she took back her maiden name.  It is believed that Frances had no children.

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders Fields, the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

—Written by Lieutenant Colonel Dr. John McCrea of Montreal

Inventor, Designer, Entrepreneur, Mentor, Lobbyist, Socialite, Manufacturer

Mary also patented an elastic-edge tablecloth and a rigid bed sheet. 

Mary was born in Ohio in 1902, but soon came to live with her parents, Annie and Fred Bendelari, and siblings at the Olivia Apartments, 320 S. Moffet in Joplin.  Her uncle, Arthur Bendelari built the Olivia and also lived there with his wife Frances.  Her father and uncle were associated with the Consolidated Mining Company and Eagle Picher Lead Company, respectively.  Both families made a very comfortable living in Joplin which enabled Mary, her sisters Helen and Olivia, and brother George, to travel and study in the United States, Canada, and abroad.  Through the years, she lived in Cleveland, Washington D.C., New York, Paris, Los Angeles, and of course Joplin.  At times her sisters would take up residency with Mary.

According to newspaper interviews, Mary said at age 16 she stopped attending school when she “couldn’t stand it any longer.”  The unnamed school was most likely the Crescent College in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.  Her 1918 yearbook photograph accompanies this story.  And yes, it is associated with the (haunted?) Crescent Hotel.  The college operated at the hotel between Labor Day and Memorial Day (during the slack hotel season) from 1908 to 1934.  Crescent College was a girl’s prep school and junior college.  However, we do know that she continued her studies at other schools. 

While ice skating, she injured her back which caused daily pain.  Before her father sent her to London for back surgery, she was in Paris and noticed Balkan peasants wearing unusual, comfortableshoes made of leather and woven cord.  After her successful back operation, she kept thinking about those “smart shoes.”  Mary found an Irish girl that spoke French, hired a shoemaker to teach them the trade of hand-made shoes, and set up production in a Paris workshop with dirt floors to make “SandalariSlippers.”  The business grew, but alas her partner proved to be a traitor, pocketed the proceeds, and then departed unceremoniously! 

At that point, Mary’s father, Fred Bendelari, arrived in Paris from Joplin and proposed she tour Italy with him.  Instead, she asked for the $3,000 he would have spent on her and used that money to re–enter the shoe business.  This time, she opened a more imposing office, formed a corporation, and devised a trademark.  Orders came pouring in and soon she had three factories and 100 employees plus retail shops in various countries including the United States.  Her shoes, also called the Deauville sandals, were even sold at Breck’s Walk-Over Shop in downtown Joplin.  The shoes were described as bewitchingly handsome, their daintiness enthralls you, and restful to the feet. 

Mary spent a good deal of her time encouraging other women.  She participated in “Success Clinics” held in the U.S., one in particular during a 1928 Women’s Exposition of Arts and Industries Show in New York.  125 Women were speakers including (her supporter) Mrs. (Eleanor) Franklin D. Roosevelt and Margaret Sanger!  Mary Bendelari was one of the most successful businesswomen in Paris—at 23 years old! 

But then the design pirates came along and eventually pirated her out of business and into a couple of nervous breakdowns.  Looking at the bigger picture, and in an effort to help all designers and inventors, she tackled the National Recovery Administration and got provisions against design piracy written into 72 codes and then lobbied congress to enact copyright bills.  In 1935, a syndicated Washington correspondent, Rodney Butcher wrote, “Conspicuous about Mary Bendelari, aside from her nut-brown hair, brown eyes, statuesque beauty, and the alacrity (brisk and cheerful readiness) with which she repels senators who make passes at her, is her direct method of approach.”  At one point, Rodney (his hair, eyes, and beauty unknown!) dubbed Mary the “Prettiest Lobbyist.” 

During the U.S. presidential inaugural events in 1937, Mary was one of the luncheon guests of Eleanor Roosevelt at the “Executive Mansion.”  

Mary returned to Joplin routinely and was a coveted speaker at social club meetings.  In 1963, she lived in New York, but continued visiting and speaking in Joplin.  On one occasion, she lectured at the Spiva Art Center regarding authentication of a work of art. 

There are countless, nationwide articles about members of the Joplin Bendelari Family—especially about Mary—on archival newspaper websites, but very little about Mary’s brief marriage to Mr. Loper Baird Laidlaw on January 3, 1926.  He was a banker from a wealthy family, a former Yale football player—and evidentially a womanizer.  On July 9, 1930 a New York newspaper announced that Mary, a socially prominent bride, asked for a divorce. She charged Loper with infidelity and said he took too great an interest in another woman a week after they were married!  Ouch—who needs Facebook status when you have The Standard Union newspaper in Brooklyn, New York?  Including Mary, Mr. Laidlaw was married at least four times—that we know of.

Mary died on March 15, 1982 in Los Angeles, California at 80 years old.  There were no known children. 

Helen was born on January 15, 1906, in Ohio, but soon came to live with her parents, Annie and Fred Bendelari, and siblings at The Olivia Apartments.  Her uncle, Arthur Bendelari built the Olivia and lived there with his wife Frances.  Her father and uncle were associated with the Consolidated Mining Company and Eagle Picher Lead Company, respectively.  Both families made a very comfortable living in Joplin which enabled Helen and sisters Olivia and Mary, and brother George, to travel and study in the United States, Canada, and abroad.  Therefore, it is no surprise that Helen’s first marriage in London on September 19, 1927, was to a British subject, Mr. Egerton Boughton-Leigh.

Competitive Snow Skiing

Helen began her skiing career in 1928 and competed as a British Subject (by marriage) as a member of the British International Ski Federation  teams of 1932, 1933, and 1934.  Helen was the first American woman to race on the European continent in international competition, skiing for the Ski Club of Great Britain.  She chose to be a member of the British team because U.S. women’s skiing had not yet reached international status.

In 1935, Helen was released from the British ski team so that she could return to her homeland to assist in organizing the first United States Women’s Ski Team. Helen was captain of the team and placed seventh in the International Ski Federation World Championships.

• First American Woman to Race on the European Continent in International Competition in 1932

• Elected to the U. S. National Ski Hall of Fame in 1968

• Helen assisted with the early period of development of American women skiers and was an important ingredient that made the U.S. Olympic Ski Team gel.

Helen and Egerton divorced in 1934—but not to worry—while competing in the Olympic games in Germany in 1936, she met Malcom McAlpin, a member of the U.S. Hockey Team.  She and Malcom eloped by dog team from Sun Valley and were married in Ketchum, Idaho!  Through the ensuing years, the couple lived in New York, New Jersey, and California.  Helen continued to be an enthusiastic skier and was co-founder of the Snow Chaser’s Ski Club in Morristown, New Jersey.  The McAlpin’s owned airplanes and in August of 1937, Helen piloted her first solo flight.  

Helen’s beloved husband died in 1985.  Helen died on December 28, 1999, in a Palm Springs, California hospital at the age of 93.  She lived in Convent Station, New Jersey and her memorial service was in Morristown, New Jersey.  Malcom and Helen had two children.

Olivia was born on December 11, 1910 in Ohio, but soon came to live with her parents, Annie and Fred Bendelari at the Olivia Apartments.  It must have been a constant source of pride and need for explanation for the young Olivia to live at the Olivia that was named for her grandmother, “Minnie” Mary Olivia.  Her uncle, Arthur Bendelari also lived at the Olivia and had it built in 1906.  Her father and uncle were associated with the Consolidated Mining Company and Eagle Picher Lead Company, respectively.

One of her many Civic Activities in Joplin included the Women’s Club.  In February 1935 she was one of seven models at “A Dressmaking Show” at Christman’s in Joplin.  The dresses were “… made by dressmakers who were on ‘relief,’ but who are endeavoring to secure dressmaking employment at a most reasonable figure.”

Formal Art Training: Florence, Italy; Paris, France; Vienna Academy, Austria; Lausanne, Switzerland; Art Students League in New York; and School of Boston Museum of Fine Arts.

Art Studio Locations: Greenwich Village in New York; Washington D.C.; Kansas City, Missouri; and Joplin.

While working in Kansas City, she was considered an “internationally known portrait painter” and executed life-size portrait sketches at the Sarachek Studio for $15.

Olivia Becomes Interested in Aviation both as a student pilot, and as an artist.  It helped that her sister, Helen and brother-in-law owned planes that Olivia used as models for her painting.  Helen was also a student pilot. 

Following are some of her paintings and installations:

• A commissioned mural entitled Civil Aviation for Rockefeller Center, New York City
• Pan-American ‘Douglas’ Over the Andes
• China Clipper Over Hawaii
• Beechcraft Over California
• German Dive Bombers
• S. Army Pursuits Coming Down Through a Hole in the Clouds
• A group of murals (titles unknown) in Kansas City
• Murals at the Children’s Hospital located inside the Children’s Home in Joplin
• A mural on three panels (title unknown) at the United States building at the New York World’s Fair

In 1939, Olivia’s exhibits were at the College Park Airport in Maryland and the Aircraft Building of the Smithsonian Institution.  Her 27 watercolors and a photo portrayed various types of army, navy, and commercial aircrafts in flight.  Planes in action included bombers, attack planes, pursuit planes, transports, etc.  At the time, she was believed to be the only female artist specializing in aviation themes.

Olivia Marries a Naval Aviator

In 1940, Olivia married Woodward Burke.  Tragically, she was widowed just five years later when Mr. Burke was killed in a plane crash while test flying a new plane at Lambert Field in St. Louis.  She later marries Mr. Alex Stein in 1957 and the couple made their home in Los Angeles.  It is believed that Olivia had no children.  She passed away in L.A. on February 22, 1996 at age 86.