Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1863-01-28
Aid for C~ontrabands.
WARREN. o. Jan. 90.

AhkEN. u Jan. ~.
Pursuant to notice a public meeting
was held at Webb's Hall to devise means
for the help ofthe contrabands at Fortress
Monroe and other military posts.
On motion of A. D. Webb Esq, Judge
Spear was called on to preside. Rev. E.
7. Brown led in prayer. Mr.. Coan, the
Agent of the COntraband Relief Associi-
ton made a short, unstudied address tell
ing of the needs of the contrabands, their
great destftution, especially of clothing,
their great desire for learning, the fervent
nature of their piety, and presenting a
most hopeful view of their capacity for
improvement and consequent increased
usefulness. He addressed the children
especially, urging the benefits of giving
their old school books and clothing for
the supply of the thousands as young as
themselves thrown by the fortunes of war
upon the charities of community. He
enlisted their earnest attention, and no
doubt his remarks will stimulate a liberal
donation from his young listeners.
Mr.. Walker, a contraband from For
tress Monroe, the fourth man liberated
by the celebrated order of Gen. Butler
concerning contrabands, followed, giving
a simple. unaffected recital of his expert
ence of forty-nine wears as a slave. Rebel
Boosting and valor as exhibited at the
burning of Hampton was presented in a
most ludicrous light. The windy fallacy
so generally and foolishly entertained
that freeing the slaves would food the
North with black laborers to the detri-
ment of white labor was most effectually
punotured. Though without education
he spoke with a force and a~cuteness that
many who decry his race might envy, re-
ceiving an applause seldom accorded a
public speaker.
Mr.. Bryan, a con:raband direct from
the 18th Battery, jackson. Tennessee
spoke briefly of the condition Of the con-
trabands at Cairo, representing them as
greatly lacking comfortable clothing and
shelter. As Mr.. Bryan expects to reside
here it is proper to state that he is a
Blacksmith, and has been in the employ
of Government the past five months. He
is a good workman and a most faithful
reliable man. A long personal scquaint-
ence enables me tc bear a willing testimo-
ny to his industry and sobriety.
As the suggestion of j. NJ. Stull a com
mittee of ten ladies was formed to give
shape and practical direction to the be-
nevolence of the community and espe-
cially solicit old clothing for the contra
bands. 1t was felt that this labor of char
like all others, was best promoted
confded to the care of the ladies. The
following ladies volunteered to serve on
the committee:
Mrs. G. n. Hapgood, Mrs. n. Bliss,
Mrs. NJ. a. King, Mrs. J. F. Dunlap, Mrs.
E. E. Hoyt, Miss N. Forman, Mrs. B.
Mrs. L. Nichols, Mrs. W. Iddings,
Mrs. s. J. TAFT. Nj. J. L. Weeks offered
the use of rooms for the committee to
meet and transact their business.
A collection was taken up amounting
% 50 30. OF this amount IS 90 was given /,
@ Mr.. Coan and 50 90 were forced upon
he acceptance of Mr.. Webb for the use .
If his Hall, considering that it would be !.
better appreciated by a discerning public :
f paid for. =
May we not hope that the good work =
hus begun in Warren will be emulated
y all the townships of the county? The :
Committee would solicit contributions of
Id clothing, especially from the towns I
.djoining Warren. Let none who have +
to give withhold it from a fear that it c
5 too old or ragged, as it will be superior !
o the rags in which these poor souls 4
merge from slavery. Let none stop to f
epair or mend, as there are thousands {
f colored women among the contrabands,
bic and willing for all that kind of work. T
Contributions may be left at the store of
lrs. NJ. A. King, over the store of An
rews and Weeks. Let all who can. lend e
willing and helping hand and let it be f
one quickly. a
EDWARD SPEAR, Il
Chairman. .
w. B. KING, Secretary. :
After a thorough convass of the town II
in a most liberal donation, the
ommittee met on Saturday last to pack a,
p the goods given, which consisted Of q,
ne following articles: tc
l23 Coats, Isl Vests, l29 Pairs of Pants, h,
1S Dresses, 126 Pairs of Socks, p Roun- at
IL Shirts, 5 Pairs Of Drawers, 20
acks, 81 Hats, of which half a dozen
ere of the plug ugly pattern, Al Caps, :
| Skirts, 60 Hoods, 4 Bonnets, Sc Pairs
Boots. 65 Pairs of Shoes, 6 Shawls, S
l Cloak, with three barrels of =
Miscellaneous articles, chiefly of the in y
umerabls and nsmeless articles Of chill
raa p,aIspD fuapfv fo,r borrals