The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-03-07
Womans' Relief Society and Industrial


The women of Rock Island being
solicited by the central committee" to
consider the matter of how best to dispense
the funds acquired by the charity ball, re-
piled by organizing relief society. deciding
in the first place, if material could be
found, to open school for the purpose of
teaching class of girls who get little or
no instruction at home in any of the in
dustries whereby an independent and
honorable living can be obtained. Nothing
was to be attempted in the beginning be-
yond plain sewing, mending and darning
Secondly to minister to the wants of the
needy by appointing four visitors to each
ward in the city, not to relieve the super
visor of the poor in his work, but in some
measure to supplement ito work always
in concert with the city officials making it
"our special province to take iudicious care
of those for whom they are not bound
to provide, viz: that large number of
worthy people in temporary distress from
sickness or misfortune, who are entitled to
assistance from neighbors or friends. To
| request physicians, policemen or any one
to whom such knowledge may come to re-
port to US any case of want which will be
at once thoroughly investigated by the
visitor in whose ward it occurs, and relic!
given,-smallquantities for immediate need
the case then to be reported in all its
details to the society, information and in
struction given whether aid shall be con-
tinued, and how much, and whether the
subject belongs to US, If not, deliver to the
proper authorities. This plan of work
we have pursued. Could we supply
women with what they always ask for first
viz: work, all need of our assistance as o
society would be at an end, excepting fol-
the aged and infrm. But alas! Work i:
the one thing hardest to get. Many ask
for sewing, some have machines, and are
very competent seamstresses, and say if they
could get work for two or three days in q
week even they :could get along without
help. We appeal to every one having
sewing and work of any and every kind t
give out, to remember these women wht
are in such need. A great interest il
manifested by the citizens in the relic
society and school-the membership bein,
large and attendance good. The schoo
now numbers upwards of 60 pupils.
| Until further notice the meetings of tn
society will take place in Hulrs Block Of
Friday afternoons at o'clock. The hou
for the school being o'clock on the sam
afternoon.
Second hand clothing is solicited 70
women and children. Any contribution
can be sent to the rooms of the society o
the afternoons of the meeting.
Mrs. E. CARTER, Pres.
Report of the secretary of the Women
Relief and Industrial Society for the mont
of February:
/. No. of families helped 80; Irish an
Catholic 6; Swede /; unknown IA; JEWS
l; Germans 2; American and Methodist
Baptist 1; English /; No. Of children
industrial school 6S; No. of teachers Z; NJ
of yards of calico given l49; No. of yarC
yards of muslin 63; No. of yards of fam
3d. No. of yards of cotton flannel ID; n
Of pairs of shoes given Is; amount speI
for coal $3.50; amount spent for groceri(
$3.50; for cleansing rooms, turnishin
tables. chairs, scissors. thimbles, etc, fl
industrial school SIS so; whole amount e,
! pended for all purposes SSO,37.
SUSAN B. EDISON, Secretary.