Summary Information
Tomahawk Investment Club Records
1955-1984
- Tomahawk Investment Club (La Crosse, Wis.)
La Crosse Mss BH
0.4 cubic feet (1 archives box)
UW-La Crosse Murphy Library / La Crosse Area Research Ctr. (Map)
Records of the Tomahawk Investment Club, a La Crosse, Wisconsin investment club and its successor, Tomahawk II (1955-1981, 1982-), documenting the financial and social aspects of club membership. Included are articles of agreement, correspondence, financial statements, membership and attendance records, minutes and investment committee recommendations, and evaluations of the club's financial standing by the National Association of Investment Clubs.
English
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-lx00bh ↑ Bookmark this ↑
Biography/History
The Tomahawk Investment Club was organized July 8, 1955 by eleven La Crosse business and professional men to invest in stocks, bonds, and securities. The charter members were: Philip Arneson, Edward Perry, John Freisinger, Lewis Fuller, Richard Hawkins, Robert McDonald, Louis Robinson, Herman Scott, Curtis Storck, George Thompson Jr., and William White.
The club elected four officers annually: the managing partner, who presided over meetings, appointed committees, and oversaw the group's activities; the administrative partner, who presided in the absence of the managing partner; the recording partner, who kept the minutes, and filed records and correspondence; and the financial partner, who kept the books. Two committees alternated monthly (later quarterly) in making recommendations at meetings for sales or purchases. The Tomahawk Club apparently fared at an average level, compared to other investment clubs nationally. The club's most successful year was 1973, when it finished eighth of 289 clubs.
The club's membership changed over the years, although several charter members remained until the club disbanded on June 19, 1981. Renewed enthusiasm on the part of some former members and new members led to formation of a new investment club, Tomahawk II, which was organized December 10, 1982. The partnership agreement for the new club extended until December 1985.
Scope and Content Note
The collection documents the history and activities of the two investment clubs from 1955 until 1984. Organizational records include several slightly amended versions of the articles of agreement, correspondence and drafts of articles of Tomahawk II, and annual membership in the attendance lists. There is also an undated photograph of the members. Very little correspondence is present in the collection. Most of the letters concern routine club business and recommendations for investments; of greatest interest are letters documenting the demise of the club and the formation of Tomahawk II. The monthly financial statements list the club's present holdings, their value for the previous and present months, dividends, cash on hand, securities values, and total value of club holdings. There are major gaps in the run of statements. Other financial information may be found in the National Association of Investment Clubs' annual evaluations of Tomahawk, showing growth rate, standard growth rate, true investment performance, and standings compared with other clubs. There are also major gaps in the run of minutes and reports of committees researching possible investments. Although the minutes describe the members' decision to sell or purchase investments, and routine business, they are written in a humorous vein and as such, are equally indicative of the social advantages of club membership. There is also one folder of miscellaneous investment guides, reviews, and clippings concerning individual investments under consideration.
Administrative/Restriction Information
Presented by George Gilkey, La Crosse, Wisconsin, 1984. Accession Number: M85-224
Processed by Robert Mullen, 1985, and Menzi Behrnd-Klodt, 1986.
Contents List
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La Crosse Mss BH
Box
1
Folder
1
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Articles of agreement, 1955, 1958, 1963, 1976, 1982
: Also includes other organization papers and photograph.
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Box
1
Folder
2
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Correspondence, 1957-1983
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Box
1
Folder
3-4
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Financial statements, 1955 December-1984 June
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Box
1
Folder
5
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Membership and attendance records, 1974-1981
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Box
1
Folder
6
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Minutes of meetings and committee reports, 1958-1983
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Box
1
Folder
7
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National Association of Investment Clubs evaluations, 1963-1965, 1967, 1969, 1971-1973, 1975
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Box
1
Folder
8
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Miscellaneous investment guides, reviews, and clippings
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