Prairie Blume Literary Society Revived After 164 Years
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Pictured are (back, from left) James Kearney, Weldon Koenig, Neale Rabensburg, Rodney Koenig, Judy Pate, Rox Ann Johnson, Larry Jackson, Dudley Dobie, Norman Reynolds, (front) Leonard Schulze, Wendy McCredie, Mary Koenig, Carolyn Heinsohn, Virginia Leech, Marie Watts, Sally Reynolds, Bill Bishop, (seated) Annette Citzler, Arnold Romberg. Not pictured: Babette Fraser Hale.
Twenty Fayette County residents met in La Grange on Feb. 18 and resolved to revive a local literary society which has been dormant since 1859.
The Prairie Blume Society was initiated in 1857 by Johannes C. N. Romberg, who was called the German poet laureate of Texas. It met monthly for three years, to hear and critique poems and stories written by mostly young Fayette County German-speaking residents. The Society published hand-written journals, of which four issues are preserved in the archives of the University of Texas. Many descendants of the original group still live in this area.
The revival of the Society was proposed by Rodney Koenig, whose ancestors were neighbors of the Romberg family at Black Jack Springs. Rod recently invited numerous local residents to meet to consider a possible revival of the Society. At the meeting Rodney, Arnold Romberg, Dudley Dobie, and Marie Watts spoke about their ancestors and addressed questions to the house. The tradition of reading literary works was continued by Mary Koenig who read for the enjoyment of all her captivating short story, entitled “Hustle Up the Hancock.”
All of the attendees participated in the ensuing discussions, which began with consideration of whether there is sufficient interest to give new life to a literary discussion organization. After this question received a resounding affirmative, further consideration was given to the objectives of such an organization, how often to meet, possible venues for meetings, and what might be discussed and presented at meetings. After numerous ideas were voiced, there was a general consensus as follows.
• The objective of the group is simply to share literary experiences for the personal enjoyment of all.
• Meetings will be held every other month, on Sunday afternoons.
• Meetings at public locations, such as the public library, will not incur any rental costs. Meetings will be open to the public. Meeting places may vary.
• Each program should involve presentation by several attendees of short excerpts of prose and poetry, including both new writing efforts and translations of historic documents (arranged in advance), followed by discussion of each, as was done at the historical meetings of the Society.
• Meetings will be conducted in English.
• Use email to keep in touch.
• Every attendee will be encouraged to participate vocally.
The next meeting of the newly revived Prairie Blume Society will be on Sunday, April 30, at the Fayette Public Library meeting room, from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. It would be helpful if you could let us know if you plan to attend.
More information is available from: Rodney Koenig at Rodney.Koenig@Norton RoseFullbright.com or (832) 628-7777 or Arnold Romberg at faromberg@gmail.com or (512) 422-0149.