Gloom Chasers Club

Thank you to Rae Bryant, member of Houston Suffragists Project for contributing this interesting article and all the research. See the newspaper clippings, photos, and more stories here.

How It Started…

In early 1921, an economic downturn pummeled Houston’s economy. Harding had just been elected president in November of 1920 signaling uncertain political change, jobs were scarce and cotton prices low. Oscar Holcombe had just won the Democratic primary for mayor so Houston was also in a political transition period with expectations he would win the upcoming general election.

Gussie A. Young, former Executive Secretary of the Harris County Equal Suffrage Association, transitioned to a newly-created marketing position at W. C. Munn Company department store in downtown Houston after the successful passage of the 19th Amendment. Her work for suffrage was complete. Munn’s as it was commonly known, supported Houston’s suffragists as Mr. Munn generously provided free office and meeting space for the Harris County Equal Suffrage Association in the years leading up to the women’s success.

Young’s latest mission was training Munn’s staff in the best methods of professional salesmanship. This was a completely new concept for shop clerks. According to Gussie A. Young’s great-granddaughter, Beth Phillips Engelhardt, Gussie was known for her funny sense of humor. We also know she was an incredible organizer because it was her systematic efforts canvasing Houston neighborhoods in both raising funds for World War I bonds, and to collect poll taxes that had such a powerful effect on Houston women. Now, she turned her talents to marketing efforts that improved spirits by creating a new club known as the “Gloom Chasers”. Of course, this campaign was another way to generate newspaper attention and attract customers into W.C. Munn Company.

Young created “Gloom Chasers” club cards. Just as she organized registration tables to collect poll taxes in 1919 and 1920, she set-up a table in W.C. Munn Company department store to sign-up “Gloom Chasers”. Price of joining was a smile. Additional cards were free for sharing. Very quickly, other businesses, including other department stores formed “Gloom Chasers” clubs.