The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-08-27
RELIEF CORPS NEWS.
Gleanings from National Headquar-
ters--Notes from the Departments.

Gleanings from National Headquar-
ters--Notes from the Departments.
HEADQUARTERS WoMAN's RELIEF CORPS
Boston, MASS
| SARAH E FULLER. National President.
| ELEANOR b. WHEELER. National Secretary.
! AUG. 90, 1885.
| Looking about for something new and inter-
estlng for The NATIONAL TRIBUNE readers
regarding Relief Corps work, we find in a
memoranda kept at Headquarters, of items
| culled from the regular correspondence, there
seems little beside reports of memorial services
commemorative of the life and services of Gen.
| Grant. While all were very interesting, it
seems almost impossible to describe any, but it
is hoped that every Corps Chaplain will see to
| 1T that the Department Chaplains shall be in
possession of all these various details, as from
| them they may, in connection with the Memo
rial Day exercises, be able to present to their
| several Department Conventions valuable and
| interesting reports.
Says one of the oldest members of our Order
How much sadness there is in connection
with this Relief Corps work" Yes, this is true,
| ii we are faithful TO its principles, and these
scenes of sadness will multiply fast in the years
to come. Consequent upon the faithful serv-
ices of the veteran soldier and sailor in defense
of the land they loved best from 1861 to 1861
there is suffering, poverty, and death ali over
the land, and because of this the Relief Corps
was called into being. But it's
NOT ALL CLOUDS
and storms. Ever and anon the rainbow of
! promise is set above us aud we take fresh cOur
age. Who of us that have had the privilege of
sitting around a genuine Campfire of the
boys or when they have honOred us with
their presence at our union gatherings, or, as
our Past National President, Mrs. Barker,
would call them, "Campfres without smoke"
but has felt amply repaid for any service rem
| dered III such a cause? Who wants discharge
| from our Order after the record we offered of a
years work at Portland?
Now for something bright and happy. This
| week there came to us such kind, warmheart-
ed letter from soldiers daughter, who has
good home in the far West with horses, sheep,
and cattle, and she wants to share this home
with some soldiers boy, from 10 to IA years
old. She says among other pleasant things,
he shall have a good pony and saddle, and ride
about, caring for the horses. What boy but
would like that especially one who has no
home and to whom life looks dark. Well, we
hope to tell you soon Just what little boy Sc
| cures this good home.
| GOOD NEWS FROM KANSAS.
! Our faithful National Aid, Mrs. Lizzie An
| dersOn, of Topeka, Kan. writes us of the sue
| cessful organization of Shaw Relief Corps, No.
sS, at Leavenworth, Kan, Aug. 6. Mrs. An
| derSOn says: There were more than so ladies
| (coored) present, and that they were very san
| guine of success, and as a promise for future
work the bill for supplies and institution ex-
penses were promptly paid, and badges ordered
| for the entire Corps. The service of instala-
tion of officers was public. Mrs. NJ. r. Wickens,
| Department President of Kansas assisting as
| Conductor, and Mrs. S. j. Seaverns, of Pueblo,
| Colo, as Guard. Among those present was a
| Past Post Commander, who, being clergyman,
was invited to offer prayer for the family of
| the late Gen. Grant, which he did in most
| impressive manner.
In the quiet of the vacation season the Ma
| tional President is planning for an earnest and
vigorous Fall campaign. When the mothers
| come back from the mountains and seashOre,
and the farmers wives are little less busy,
| the harvesting all done, and the golden grain
all gathered, then for a better attendance upon
| the Corps meetings, and careful attention to
all the details of our work. In fact the In
spector will soon begin her work, so then look
well to your laurels. ECHO.
Department Gieanings.
1T SHALL BE TOLD FOR A MEMORIAL OF HIM.
Wheelers Opera House, Toledo, presented q
touching scene at the Grant memorial services
as the veterans from Forsyth and Ford Posts
came silently filing i'll, the tattered battlehags,
| furled and draped with mourning, at their head,
| and filling the entire parquet, which had been
reserved for them. The band played solemn
dirge and the meeting was opened by Com
| mander Corlett, presided over by TOedo's soldier
Mayor, DR.. Forbes, and addressed by Mai. -Gen.
John w. Fuller Capt. ]. Kent Hamilton; the
soldier priest and orator, Rev. Father o Brien,
of the Church of the Immaculate Conception
| Qate Private Patrick O'Brien, OF the 10th Ohio,
| and others. Past Commander in Chief KOuntz
and Staff occupied seats on the platform. The
whole interior was shrouded in deepest black,
and the busy hands of Forsyth Relief Corps
had arranged upon the stage numerous en-
blems of unity and love that told the Nations
story of sorrow palmer than words could ex-
press. The fO0tlights were banked with flowers
of every hue, the boxes shrOuded in black,
showing glimpses of the half-furled coOrs, and
masses OF living plants Were grouped on either
side while above the stage hung suspended a
portrait of Gen. Grant draped in somber black.
The speakers table was covered with black,
caught up at the sides by sprays of elegant
lilies, and on the table was q standard bearing
"a white star, with the letters, in purple flowers,
"Our Hero" To the left of this was the sig
nifcant vacant chair" draped with black and
a flag, crossed By sword and hung with a
laurel wreath. There were, BESIDES the mono
gram ct" on standard, and from the black
back ground of the box on the left of the
speaker an elegant floral shield, crossed by a
sword of red geraniums, and on the box to the
right cross of flowers. The entire effect was
very beautiful.
Mrs E. A. butcher, Corresponding Secretary,
Corps No. IA, Kirksville, Mo-, writes us that
the Corps held memorial service at which
papers were read on Grant Statesman"
and Grant as a Soldier" She adds that an
invitation was extended to any of the members
who wished to speak, when several responded
i'll very pathetic and appropriate manner.
Forsyth Relief Corps, Toledo, is preparing
fine program for Grant Memorial Hour, to be
observed at the first regu ar meeting i'll Septem-
Der, following the Summer adjournment.
LOSure Relief Corps, Wauseon, Joined the
Post in the observance of Grant Memorial Day
in Court House Square The Corps had draped
the speakers stand very beautifully.
GEN. GRANTS LAST REQUEST.
DEAR TRIBUNE: Ma-Gen. Hiram G. Berry Post,
No. 40, and Relief Corps No. +, assisted by the
Mayor and City Government, held memorial service
Saturday Aug. s. at the Methodist Church. for Gen.
Grant. The church was draped i'll black and white,
the altar covered with the silk flag of old Co. h, the
first company to enlist from Maiden. Over this was
hung the heavy black drapery, relieved by bunch
of white flowers, tied with white satin ribbon.
On the right of the altar picture of Gen. Grant
rested on an easel, draped with black and white
cashmere, over which hung miniature regulation
silk flag Underneath the picture was n sword, hat
and belt, the sword knotted with GRAPE the same
a member of this Post used on his sword when the
Army of the Potomac were in mourning for Pres-
dent Lincoln. and again. as cOmrade of the q. Ar,
when President Garfield died. On the right hand