Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-06-25
THE RELIEF CORPS.
Annual Meeting OF the WOman's Relief
COrps-Addresses by Mrs. Sherwood
and Mrs. Logan.
PORTLAND. June "a,

PORTLAND. June "A.
There was lively hour at Mechanics
Block this morning as the women of the
Woman's National Relief Corps were col
lecting for the meeting this forenoon.
After some delay the delegates from the
various States, arranged themselves in the
seats assigned to their States, Colorado and
California on the front seats, with Connecti-
cut and Illinois right behind, and back of
the number of several hundred
The early meeting was to have been a
secret business session, but as the president,
(Mrs. Kate Sherwood) explained, many of
the delegates left their credentials at home
and it was necessary to spend the first hour
in informal speeches of greeting.
At precisely 10 80, the opening meeting
began with the presentation to the delegates
present of Past Commander-n-Chief' of the
Grand Army, Paul Van Der Wort. of Me-
braska, and Past National Chaplin Foster of
New York. After they had been greeted BY
the delegates, President Sherwood explained
that it was during Commander Van Der
voort's term of Office, at the head of the
Grand Army. and largely through his efforts
that the Womans' Relief Corps was organ
lied.
Past Commander Van Der Wort and Chap
lin Fosters speeches were heard with great
interest and both were loudly applauded.
The delegates then arose and sang "Amer-
ica."
The formal portion of the programme be-
gan at few minutes before IL o'clock, with
prayer by the National Chaplain, Mrs.
Wittemeyer The president displayed the
gavel, which was sent by Comrade Reynolds.
Mrs. Fuller of Massachusetts, made a
short speech, explanatory of letter which
she read from Rev. ]. F. Lowering of Massa-
chusetts, who presented with the letter, an
album which he gave as token of his re-
gard for the Corps. The president accepted
it for the order, and then informed the audi
ence that the wife of the famous soldier of
the old 18th Army Corps, Mrs. John A. Lo-
gan, was present. Mrs. Logan was escorted
to the platform by Mrs. E. Florence Barker.
Mrs. Logan, as she took her place amid
the applause of the audience which had risen,
appeared to be q lady to be admired. Ad-
vancing to the front of the platform she
smiled greeting to the audience and said :
Ladies. am grateful for the honor you
have shown me and sincerely thank you,"
and retired to seat on the stage where she
| remained.
Comrade Goodell of Massachusetts, was
presented and made a speech.
A telegram which the president read from
Illinois, and which stated that the legislature
of that State had appropriated 5000, 600 for a
Soldiers Home was received with loud ap-
plause for Illinois.
Col. Canteen of New York, spoke next.
The President then, with the aid of Mrs.
Logan, held up to the audience the picture
of Col. Stephenson, the founder of the Grand
Army order, and stated that the pictures were
to be on sale for the benefit of the family of
Col. Stephenson.
At a quarter to IL the yearly report of the
president was read by Mrs. Irving Of Toledo,
Ohio. 1t stated that by invitation of Com
mander-in-Chief Kountz, the Woman's Re-
lief Corps had had its headquarters with the
headquarters of the Grand Army. Wishing
a union of all ladies' relief corps in the
country. the president addressed the Ladies
Loyal League of New Jersey, the corps of
Massachusetts and those of Maine. The re-
port continued with an account of the relief
corps of Massachusetts, of the national work
of the various corps and of the bnal union
which was consummated at the formation of
the national corps at Denver.
At LAO p. NJ. the meeting adjourned un-
til 2 o'clock. Following the adjournment
Mrs Logan held a. reception, the audience
passing over the platform and being present.
ed by Senior Vice President Mrs. Fuller and
President Kate Sherwood. As they crowded
past Mrs. Logan shook hands heartily with
each, spoke few words of cordial welcome
and turned to the next with q different but
equally pleasant greeting. The reception
laste ed half al hour, and the wives of the
soldiers of New England, as well as those CT
West departed, content that they had shaken
hands with one of the most famous wives of
famous veterans.
Following the reception Mrs. Logan, Mrs.
E. Florence Barker of Maiden, Mass. the
first present of the National Relief Corpe
and Mrs. General Rice Of Toledo, Ohio, de.