The
First Meeting of
the Hansoms of John Clayton:
The Official Minutes,
Versions One and Two
From Robert C. Burr:
The first meeting of THE HANSOMS OF JOHN CLAYTON was on
held on the evening of November 17, 1977 at the home of Bob Burr. Those
present included Emily Sutton, George Scheetz, Alex Ciegler, and Philip
José Farmer. Three other prospective members were unable to attend.
The host’s house number became 221 B for the evening.
Phil Farmer brought along a collection of books relating to the Holmes
phenomenon in order to familiarize the newer converts with the world
of Sherlockiana.
Canonical toasts to Holmes, Watson, “the Lady,”
Mrs. Hudson, and Mycroft were made, followed by a responsive reading
of the Musgrave Ritual.
Following a brief discussion of some problems in the Canon
and some sample questions from Dale Copps’s quiz book, the group
heard the 1945 radio broadcast of SPEC with Rathbone and Bruce. George
Scheetz informed us that a film version of HOUN will be shown at Bradley
University on December 15.
It was suggested that future meetings be held every two
months. Our next meeting on January 19, 1978 will include a quiz on
FINA and EMPT.
A late evening repast was finally served featuring Meiringen
Swiss Cheese, Cornish Horror Corned Beef, Holdernesse Ham, and Radix
Pedis Diaboli Eggs from the cookbook by Wright and Farrell.
The meeting was closed with the reading of Vincent Starrett’s
221B.
From George H. Scheetz:
The Hansoms of John Clayton., the Sherlock Holmes Society
of Peoria
First Meeting, November 17, 1977, 8:00 -11:30 P.m. (approximately)
At the home of Robert C. Burr
*****
Present: Robert Burr, Alex Ciegler, Bette and Philip Farmer,
George Scheetz, Emily Sutton
Other interested parties: Dennis McInerny, Charles Roth,
Tom Simpson
*****
Reading of the Musgrave Ritual (led by Bob Burr).
Hansoms of John Clayton from Hound; — making us Wheels
(Big Wheels?), and Corresponding Members the Fifth Wheel.
Much browsing in Sherlockiana, with mention of two new
items: The Encyclopaedia Sherlockiana, Jack Tracy (Doubleday),
and The World of Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine. Also, for
fun, Bob Burr fired a number of quiz questions, showing us all that
we must learn to retain what we read. Phil Farmer was the hands down
winner of the contest.
Speaking of names, it was learned that Emily Sutton’s
father proposed the name Northmoor for the Peoria golf course. An interesting
tie to the Hound.
And speaking of the Hound, George Scheetz announced that
the 1939 version starring Rathbone and Bruce will be shown on December
15, at 7:30 P.m. in the Packard Room of the Bradley University Library.
Scheetz proposed that the Hansoms supply programmes for the event, both
to enlighten viewers about the film and about the existence of the Hansoms.
Proposal accepted.
A note of interest: Everyone came to Devon Lane looking
for Burr’s home at 4010, only to discover it was really 221-B Devon
Lane. Early on toasts were drunk to everyone and practically everything.
Bob Burr had a finely filled sideboard, featuring Cornish
Horror Corned Beef, Meiringen Swiss Cheese, Holdernesse Ham, and Radix
Pedis Diaboli Eggs (the latter straight from the pages of the Sherlock
Holmes Cook Book). While enjoying the repast, everyone listened
to a recording of the Mutual Broadcasting System’s Sherlock Holmes,
featuring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce in “The Adventure of the
Speck ed Band.” (11/12/45).
Scion organization was discussed, with Scheetz explaining
how the Double-Barrelled Tiger Cubs of Champaign-Urbana got their start.
The DBTC by-laws were passed around as an example of what could be done.
An annual or semi-annual publication was discussed as an idea for the
future. It was decided that meetings should be held every other month,
and that a story, stories, or a theme from the Canon should be chosen
in advance, so that everyone would have a chance to re-examine the stories
in question and prepare three quiz questions for the next meeting.
The next meeting of the Hansoms will be Thursday, January
19, 1978, at 8:00 P.m.; the stories will be “The Final Problem”
and “The Adventure of the Empty House.”
The meeting was concluded with a reading by Bob Burr of
“221B” by Vincent Starrett.
(Editor’s Note: Bette Farmer’s absence from
the Burr minutes are said to be due to her arrival later in the evening.)
