The Portland daily press., 1871-11-02
Ladies' Relief Annexation.


A meeting of the ladies of the several par
late fires in Chicago, Michigan and Wisconsin.
was held at the Common Council room Oct.
16 Il, 1871. 1t was then voted that this body
of ladies' form themselves into an association
to . called the Ladies' Relief Association"
which shall be contiguous, and may, in any
xigency be called together after this present
work shall have been accomplished. a
Officers were then elected, and committees
chosen; and it was voted that all contributions
not especially marked for Chicago should be
sent to Wisconsin and Michigan. 1t was vot
ed also, that the purchasing committee solicit
money and material for this work until Thurs
day, Oct. 19th then adjourned to that date.
Met in accordance vito the adjournment,
and although much work had been already pre-
prepared, the Hall was SO crowded with own
ers of warm hearts and ready fingers that the
ladies were unable to supply the demand for
that day. At a meeting called by the Pres
dent that evening it was voted to meet every
day. aud give out work while the demand ex-
listed. Money and material came in profusely,
and courage and strength equalled the emer-
gency.
On Friday Oct. Goth, Mr.. George W. Whit
tier commenced to give his aid by having
work sent to his place of business, and there
giving it out SO. that there were two depots
from which work was constantly given out
not supply Mr.. Whittier's calls for work with
their own, he found ladies outside of the Relief
Association who did nobly in this work of love
and aided very materially.
October Doth, it was voted to receive from
Mr.. Samuel E. Spring five hundred 5000 dol.
lars which he had collected for the sufferers,
TO be expended for material and clothing, as
tie ladies thought proper; ON Thursday 18th,
two hundred and seventeen (2l7) dollars more
were added for the came purpose. These large
sums enabled the ladies to purchase much
warm and valuable bedding as well as clothing,
SO that at the end OF ten days they had packed
c:e hteen (18) large boxes valued at five thou
IA nd 10000 dollars. In packing these boxes a
list vi all the articles was put into each box
and a valuation atterward made of each srti-
ce. One large, valuable box was sent to Rev,
Robert Colyer of Chicago to be disposed of by
h.n among the sufferers; box was also sent
to MIR: Edward Barbour and MIR, George Pay,
son, the being former residents of Portland and
sufferers by the fire. The remaining boxes
were divided between Michigan and Wiscon.
sin.
There were cut and made during this time
1875 garments, besides overlooking and repair
ing many, of the second hand garments sent in
to be packed. Thirteen large comforters were
also made at the Hall.
On Saturday, Oct. 18th, the ladies adjourned
60 meet at the Common Council rooms on
Mouday the 30th to close up their work for the
Western sufferers. They met in accordance
with the adjournment. and was called to order
l., The President, and the reports of the Secre-
tary and Treasurer were read and accepted.
The ladies' would return thanks to all those
who have in any way aided them in their
work, particularly to the dry goods merchants
who have sent in material SO libe orally, also to
the shoe and to the hat dealers, ard to Mr. j.
Il. Lewis who gave through this Association
QUE hundred aud one dollars worth Of mems
wearing apparel, and to Payson Tucker, Esq
agent OF the Boston and Maine railroad tor his
Kindness in forwarding free over that road, the
cases OF goods sent The ladies wish also to re
turn thanks to the newspapers which have in
serted all their notices gratis Many thanks
are also due to those who rendered so much
assistance with sewing machines, not only
sending their machines, but coming to worl
them themselves.
A vote was passed by the ladies that this
Association shall not be disorganized but will
ever be ready at the call of the Mayor for any
aid they can render. FER ORDER.