On April 6, 1938, O.C. Cash cordially invited a small group of gentlemen to enjoy what would later be recognized as the signature event that helped kickstart the Society. See an original scan below of the very first invitation, and read the full text below that.

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O. C. Cash
     TAX COMMISSIONER

Mr. Roscoe Adams First National Bank Tulsa, Oklahoma Mr. Al Wells The Carter Oil Company Tulsa, Oklahoma Mr. W. A. Palmer Rounds & Porter Lumber Co. 313 West Archer Tulsa, Oklahoma Dr. Ira T. Parker McBirney Building Tulsa, Oklahoma Mr. Jack Carroll McBirney Building Tulsa, Oklahoma Mr. C. A. O’Donovan 1755 S. Victor Tulsa, Oklahoma Mr. Bud Neal Alhambra Hardware Co. 15th & Peoria Tulsa, Oklahoma

Mr. Pete Hurley First National Bank Tulsa, Oklahoma Mr. Dixie Gilmer County Court House Tulsa, Oklahoma Mr. Charles R. Pendleton Gates Hardware Company 317 E. Brady Tulsa, Oklahoma Mr. R. A. Hittson Thompson Building Tulsa, Oklahoma Mr. Marvin Asbaugh 311 East 6th Street Tulsa, Oklahoma Mr. Glen Thompson Tidewater Oil Company Tulsa, Oklahoma Mr. Paul Fenton 609 S. Detroit Tulsa, Oklahoma

Gentlemen

In this age of Dictators and Government control of everything, about the only privilege guaranteed by the Bill of Rights not in some way supervised and directed, is the art of Barber Shop Quartet singing. Without doubt we still have the right of "peaceable assembly" which I am advised by competent legal authority includes quartet singing. The writers of this letter have for a long time thought that something should be done to encourage the enjoyment of this last remaining vestige of human liberty. Therefore, we have decided to hold a songfest on the Roof Garden of the Tulsa Club on Monday, April 11, at six-thirty p.m. A Dutch lunch will be served.

After several months of research, and investigation, we are convinced that your record warrants our tendering you the honor of joining this group. We sincerely trust you will not fail us.

As evidence of the work that your Committee has done in this connection, we inclose a compilation of most of the good old fashioned Barber Shop Quartet songs which we trust you will look over and familiarize yourself with. Bring this list with you. It is our purpose to start right in at the first, sing every song, in numerical order, plow right down the middle, and let the chips fall where they will. What could be sweeter than ten or twelve perfectly synchronized male voices singing "Dear Old Girl!" Just thinking about it brought back to your Committee fond memories of a moonlight night, a hay ride and the soft young blonde summer visitor from Kansas City we dated on that occasion years ago.

Do not forget the date, and make every effort to be present, telephone us if convenient. We will have a private room and so will not be embarrassed by the curiosity of the vulgar public. You may bring a fellow singer if you desire.

Harmoniously yours, Rupert Hall, Royal Keeper of the            Minor Keys Braniff Investment Company Phone 2-9121 O. C. Cash, Third Assistant Temporary            Vice Chairman Stanolind Companies Phone 2-3211 THE SOCIETY FOR THE PRESERVATION AND PROPAGATION OF BARBER SHOP QUARTET SINGING IN THE UNITED STATES

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