The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-06-05
We almost despair of keeping warm with twisted

stick of wood,
And keep the fires a-burning. while our women
Coal is brought by the railroads almost to very
door,
But clothing and food we all must have, and the
people, you know, are poor.
Repining won't help us any, so we live as best we
And keep our fires a-burning with twisted prairie
hay.
In summer easily manage to get up sufficient
heat
To wash and iron and bake and cook whatever we
But our memories wander backward DER the lapse
OF many day,
As sit by the stacks in the sunshine a-twistin
the prairie hay.
We think of times by the camp-fres, listening to
soldiers tales,
When we kept the fires a-burning with confscated
rails;
So many comrades, surely who live in the West
to-day,
Are keeping the home-fres burning with twisted
prairie hay.
BEREsFoRD, DAK. MRS J. T. NIIIL1KEs.
GOOD WORDS FROM THE IRISH BRIGADE.
To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
could not and would not be without THE TRIB-
UEE for, whenever read it, it brings vividly to
memory those scenes of terrible strife which l
often Witnessed. For nearly five years was in
the field with my husband, in the famous Irish
Brigade, in daily contact with those whose heroic
deeds, whose obedience to dutys call, whose un-
dying devotion to the flag of our country richly
entitle them 10 place among the immortal. Nearly
twenty years have elapsed since i parted with
those brave men, and to-day / long to hear of
them-of their in life, of their prosperity,
of their adversely; and when they are summoned
to that Bourne from which no traveller returns"
], too, would shed the tear of sorrow. Where else
could obtain tidings of them and would | ever
hear of them If not for the ever-welcome TRIB-
UNE? But, beyond and above this consideration,
the firm stand you have taken for soldiers rights;
the untiring zeal displayed by you in the cause of
the crippled and disabled veterans, and OF those
who pined and languished in rebel prison-pens,
and your noble services in behalf of the widows
and orphans of those whom the God of Battles did
not permit to return to their loved ones, entltle
you TO the cheerful support and hearty co-opera-
ton of all who have heart to feel for those who
dared death that the Nation might live"
a word about our banner Post-Mansfeld, No.
S5-of the Auxiliary Society of which (Reef Corps,
No. D had the honor to be the first president.
The Post now numbers nearly 500 comrades, with
several OF whom became acquainted In the held.
lis commander Martin Short has mustered in up
wards of 300 recruits, and has succeeded in increas
ing It's funds until it is now well up into the thou
sands. No Post in the Grand Army is in a more
fourishng condition, has better prospects for the
future, or does more geauine, solid G. A. r. work
IN the assistance and relief of suffering comrades
than this. Yours, in r., c., and l..
BROOKLYN, N Y MARGARET A. DAVIS.
BROTHER AND HUSBAND.
To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
Reading of the death of Michael Eayanaugh
company L 22d Illinois, in The TRIBUNE of april
g. leads me to request that If any comrade of that
company and regiment knew my dear brother
William Pearson. he VIII write to me to the address
below. William Pearson's home near Rector
vile. H. Onr father, Solomon Pearson, who died
IN June, 1883 a Southern Unionist who went
through fiery trials during the and was pro-
tected by General Biiiroy while stationed at Tula-
homa, Tenn. My brother volunteered IN the spring
of 1861, in response 10 President Lincoln's first call
FOR IS 600 men. He captured at Holly Springs,
Miss, under General Van Dorm and was taken to
Benton Barracks. ST. Louis where he died of inter-
mittent fever. Aly husband, who was Union
scout, belongs to Pea Ridge Post but is crippled
up with rheumatism he cannot often attend. If
the Commissioner of Pensions could know what he
endures he would not longer withheld ms pension.
CEEroPA, KAS. SALLIE Wiley.
BLIND FOE TWENTY YEARS.
| To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
How many of the old soldiers of the Union are
/ suffering from want and neglect Ny husband
| lost his eyes in the and has been blind since
'63 We did think Congress would deal justly by
! the disabled veterans this winter. But no; some
get nothing others unequal to their deserts.
| IL they will only give back my poor husbands
4 he should die tomorrow. |, his wife, would not
] get cent for my twenty years care of him. He
! Is veteran OF Greenman Post No. %.
/ Downs KAS. Mrs ROBERT NIxos
INDEPENDENT AUxILIARIEs.
The Woman's Soldiers Aid Society, auxiliary
TO Mccoy Pest. Columbus, O., has closed a sue
cessful year of work for the old soldiers and
their widows and orphans. The enrolment oi
| the society for the year closes up with l94, and
disbursements in soldier charities reached an
aggregate of 1920. Twenty-one families
| were cared for during the year, much of the
work done having 10 equivalent IN cash. Mrs
c. L. Clarke wife of the Past Department Com
Inander, in her excellent report as secretary
makes good point for woman's work IN ths
g. 4. r., as fellows:
One fact has been demonstrated TO every candid
mind that has investigated our work, that we ar,
moi simply 'encToachers already occupied
ground" but that special mission carries
| benevoence into families where charity couiC
never enter; and if those who denounce US as al
unnecessary organization VIII examine our records
they viii, by their unprejudced interest in the un
fortunate, allow US to live and grow to maturity.
SOLDIERS RELIEF CIRCLE.
The seventeenth annual Reunion of the Off
GERS and committees of the Union Soldiers Re
lief Circle Portsmouth, o.. was an interesting
occasion, Colonel E. Il. Ewing and other com
rades of Bailey Post being among the inyitei
guests. hrs Colonel Graham was the hostes
OF the evening and presided at the pleasan
little supper, at the conclusion of which Mrs
Pursell presented Bailey Post with a flag to b
used expressly TO wave over the soldiers grave
ON Decoration Day. Comrade Ewing, in
beautiful response, noted the fact that sine
1867 the ladies OF this society have deeorate'
the soldiers graves, several times going ou
alone in the discharge of this sacred duty. III
concluded with poem OF his own composition
OF which the following are the closing stanzas
When man has lived Alright his day,
And served his generation.
What caI he DO but p.ss away,
And leave to other hats the sway
That once he bore ia LIES array
Of griefs and exaltaGon?
" Life's work well done, LIES crown well won,
The goal of our ambition!
And when the sleep Of death shall come,
May awake beneath the dome
That over-spans our heavenly home
When hope becomes fruition.
Sweet Sixteen Circle.
CHEEKY CHAT BY THE BOYS AND GTELs.
The soldiers daughters of this vicinity, twenty
eight IN number have formed local organization
with Miss Allie snider, president; Hettie Cowdr.
secretary; Clara Ellis, treasurer, and have raise
money sufficient to purchase tie material for a
| elegant banner, which will make with oEy
Y bands and present 10 the g. A. Il. of this pac
? My father was soldier in the 43d Illinois and is
c member of Post 307 of this State. We are hayin
> public soldiers entertainment of some kind he