The Stag Parties Social Mores and Niceties of a Past Age

In discussing his tenure of office (1936-37), Phil Martyn with a twinkle in his eye said, "Miss Ellisor, don't forget to mention the stag parties in the History." The first of three stag parties was a dinner given February II, 1937, in the Grill Room of the Houston Club honoring the past officers of the Society. Olin G. Bell was chairman of the steering committee. "Some" party was planned. John Suman was to be the speaker of the evening, and a good time was assured for all. Cards were sent to all members of the Society urging them to attend.
 Early in the afternoon, the day of the dinner, Phil Martyn, looking over the list of past officers, discovered there were two feminine past vice-presidents: Alva Ellisor in 1924-25 and 1930-31, and Elisabeth Stfles in 1925-27. Concerned for fear they would come, he immediately called Olin Bell for advice. Olin Bell told him that he, as president, would have to handle that situation. Quite embarrassed, Phil called these two ladies who, of course, had no intention of attending the party-and said he was very sorry they had been overlooked as past officers, but he felt sure they would not care for the party. A peace offer- ing-a lovely basket of flowers-was sent as a surprise to each of them. With the flowers was a card inscribed- "While the stag members of the Houston Geological Society are enjoying their stag dinner, we hope you will enjoy this expression of the appreciation of the Society for the non-stag members."-Signed, Phil Martyn. Phil has never forgotten his dilemma-and now, never will.
 The second stag party was a dinner given at the River Oaks Country Club February 23, 1940, during Wallace Thompson's presidency George Buchanan, Sam Dunham, E. I. Thompson, and Bill Clark constituted the committee responsible for the success of this party.
 For entertainment Frank Carothers gave one of his long orations. There was a report - "Lockjaw's Oil Retort"-a parody on C. D. Lockwood's Oil Report. Just as the celebrities were to be introduced the police came barging in on the trail of Wayne Bowman for some misdemeanor, but he was finally rescued by his friends. "They" say Wayne was quite embarrassed. "They" also say that George Sawtelle was very proud of his "fur-lined trophy." Wallace Thompson reports this party really "went over big." Again flowers were sent to the non-stag members of the society. Doris Malkin, then a member, took a picture of her basket of flowers for her memory book.
 In 1944, W. B. Moore, secretary of the society, mailed the following notice to all members: "Stag party-Free beer and lunch, Rice Hotel, January 28, 1944, Friday night, 7 p.m. Make the proper home arrangements."
In discussing this third stag party, a member who does not want to be quoted said: "It was a flop. All were disappointed because the beer gave out, all were disappointed because the sandwiches gave out, all were disappointed because of the home-made entertainment, and all were disappointed because they had to go home before nine o'clock. Some disappointments!" Thus ends the tale of the stag parties.