Count Von Luckner

Here’s a story from the club archives written by Mrs. Charles N. Pierce, Club President in 1929-30 about her presidential year.   Her opening day speaker was Count Von Luckner “The Sea Devil,”  a famous German World War I hero. A biographical best seller about his life written by Lowell Thomas was published the year before in 1928.  According to President Pierce:

 “The contract for this lecture had been signed almost a year previous, and I knew little of any opposition to this famous German.

 However, the program chairman had suggested that we select carefully the person to introduce him…  Information was brought to me upon arrival at the Club, that an ardent elderly D.A.R. had been trying to incite members to make a demonstration when the speaker appeared on our platform.  This was most disconcerting, and required speedy planning on the part of the officers, to avoid any discourtesy.

 The final decision was, to inform the Count of the presence of the militant D.A.R. in his audience, on the theory that being fore-warned is being fore-armed.  The program chair made it her mission to find a seat in the auditorium next to the offender, and make soothing comments, and relate bits of information about the Count, whom she was entertaining in her home.

 And so, the big day for the Club was unmarred, and the anxiety of the president and officers was appeased.”