The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1884-04-17

The Red Cross.
ALTERNATING THE DISTRESS OF THE OHIO
RIVER SUFFERERS.

| RIVER SUFFERERS.
OF all the schemes for the relief of sufferers
along the course of the Lower Ohio, none have
been so thoughtfuly planned and so wisely eX-
ecuted, none have been so careful and pains
taking in its details and 50 beneficent in It's re-
suits as the relief expedition of the Red Gross
which left Evansville Saturday. March 5.
| The Red Cross, which has aevated in a
! hundred battletields particularly demonstrating
| its capabilities in the Franco PruSSan war,
which has rendered efficient aid during yellow
| fever epdemics in the South and made itself
| known and hOnOred of all nations bv its wisely
directed mnstrations wherever suffering hui
| manlty has offered field for its labors, once
more comes to the front, taking a most promi-
nent place in the list of charitable enterprises,
which for the past few weeks have challenged
| the admiration of the world.
| The story has already been told, and all are
familiar with the prompt and generous action
| of the general government, the res ponSeS which
come up from all over the land to the cry of
| distress from deluged communities, the free
will offerings from state legislatures and CITY
| councils. from churches. schools and lodges,
wealthy corporations and private individuals.
until the stream of supplies to relieve the dis
| tress of the unfortunates seemed hardly sur
passed by the mighty stream of uncontrolled
waters that had caused it.
Since the first few days of the flood there has
been little suffering from want of food among
| the victims of the deuge.
Public appropriations and private donations
have supplied abundant rations wherever IA
reief-boat could find its way. But little or
! nothing was done to furnish the destitute with
necessary clothing. Thousands had been driven
| from their humble homes with no chance to
save their slender wardrobe, and with no
money 10 replace it, however small an outlay
might be required for that purpose.
The first thought of those who came to the
| a Il
| daily food for those who had been driven out
| by the all-cOnQuerng flood.
As the waters recedcd and refugees began to
| return to their water-logged houses, the nece>-
| >ty for something more than food supply be
came apparent. Even if the house happened
to be left, what could be done by a pennile>S
| family whose clothing. bedding. fuel ana fur
niture had been swallowed up by the relentless
| tide!
The organization of the Red Cross through
| their efficient agents es>aved to answer the
problem. and have done much to simplify its
| solution.
The plan was conceived by Miss Clara Bar
! ton. president of the Nalionai association. to
load boat with bedding and clothing for dis
| tribulon. and to supply money to incli gent
families who lacked the means TO place them
| selves once more upon family footing. This
| Idea OF Miss BartonS soon frucilitd into /;
well matured plan, and With the assistance OF
DIR. j. B. llubbell. field agent Rev. L, J. Gal
| . IT,.
| hill. agent Of ST. Louis association; Miss IIamil-
ton of ST. Louis. and many warm-hcarted and
| Wlllng-handed ladies and gentlemen of Evans
vile. the plan was made an ctlectual fact.
The steamer Josh V. Throop was chartered
! Boxes. bales, barrels and bundles of clothing
came in the name of the Red Gross from al
over the Union. Piles of blankets and quilts
| stacks of boots and shoes: coats, vests anC
trousers, without end underwear and hosiery
hats. caps and bonnet>, aud every article OF
wearing apparel which poverty could suggest
| and generosity supply could be found in the
Throop'> cargo. Nothing seemed to be forgot
| ten Sheets, pillows and towels Were there
| and Il thousand things which would never have
entered into the mind of any man to place ii
such Il stock of supplies for Hood sufferers.
A mans mind would have stopped al hlan
ket> 4 woman runs Oh through sheets. pillow
cases and even pitoW>ham>.
Men might have thought of shirts, but omlN
| women would have put in the necessary com.
pement of collars and cuffs. Pins ana needles
buttons and thread were not forgotten BIT
| for fear of unforeseen emergencies. a Wcli-ll
ed strong box was taken along and an almost
| unlimited credit left behind, with orders tc
draw for any sum required. Indeed. Dr.. Gal
vim remarked at Cairo that he had placed money
wherever he felt that money would do good
and that he had not exhausted half the fund al
| his command.
Rumors of coal famine along the river
reached Evansville Just before the boat WA,
ready to start, which Wa sufficient warrant fol
the laying IN of supply Of coal 10 meet thl
immediate wants of the needy.
Thus thoroughly equipped the Throop start
ed on her phiIanthrop.c mission. llying the ma
tional coor~ over the banner Of the Red Gross
an emblem whose >ignitication will never bt
| forgotten on the Ohio.
A correspondent of the st. Louis Republican
after giving an interesting account Of the tril
concludes as follows: The Red Gross .\>>oria
| ton was organized for the relief of Suffering Il,