The National tribune., 1885-06-18
RELIEF CORPS NEWS,
Gleanings from National Headquar-
terS--Notes fromptheo Departments.
HEADQUARTERS WoMAN's RELIEF Corps,
TOLEDO o.


HEADQUARTERS WoMAN's RELIEF Corps,
TOLEDO, o.
KATE B. SHERWOOD, National President.
EMMA ID. SIBLEY. National Secretary.
TOLEDO. O., June 8, 1885.
To the casual observer Headquarters, always
a busy place, presents no unusual appearance
this morning. But let this same person make
few inquiries into the period of time and ex-
tent of territory which our organization covers,
and then put on his thinking cap" and l
doubt if he would not conjecture on the p0ssi-
bility of making up the total of this years
work without much added care and response
bility for some one, and perhaps, go away with
suspicion that the officers in charge had some
thing to do with it. Still, indications are that
little, if anything, properly the work of this
administration will be left undone, nor errors
exist which cannot be easily corrected; for un-
der the keen eye of our National President it
must be little flaw, indeed in this great
structure of years patient, skillful building,
that can escape detection.
So the few remaining days prior to the Ma
tional Convention will be filled to overfowing
with many and varied duties, and if the con-
tributiOn to Relief Corps news this week is
comparatively meager, it is only because we are
so soon to be furnished with that which will be
far more interesting and instructive, and GER
tainly more entertaining, than my simple sto-
ries SO oft told in vain endeavOr to picture the
good that comes OF all association of pure
souled, true-hearted, charitable women de-
voted to as noble a cause as ever united hearts
to hearts and hands to hands.
shall not bid you good-by, dear readers; for
so long as the management of this medium OF
communication keep open house." shall re-
serve the right to rap for admttance whenever
l am possessed of information concerning the
welfare of our Order, and, claiming my old place
in your confidence, rejoice with you in our sue
cesses, and say my little say" But at the
same time | realize that as Headquarters must
seek new locality, so new reporter, and
yielding to the inevitable, here's sigh for my
shortcomings and a boundless gratitude for the
lmperisable memories of an unbrOken season of
true happiness MAUMEE.
DEPARTMENT OF MAINE.
DEAR TRIBUNE: Mrs. Inzetta A. Small, Depart
ment Secretary, WR.C., for the State of Maine, for
merly of Pittseid, has located in Lewiston, Me.
All communications should be addressed to her at
that place.
Mrs. Emily ". Littlefield President of the De-
partment of Maine, has tine sympathy of the entire
Department in the dangerous illness of her hus-
band and speedy recovery is the wish of them all
AT special meeting of Corps No. 6, Pittsiield,
May l3, Mrs. Grace f. Howe resigned her position
as President OF the Corps. The Corps exceedingly
regret that they are obliged to part with such an
able officer as Mrs Howe has proved herself to be
during the time she has served them. She will To-
cate in Lewiston soon, but still remains member
OF the Corps, and will for some time to come, as
does Mrs InZetta A. Small, Department Secretary,
who now resides in Lewiston. Both of the ladies
will be very much missed from our Corps, but
hope by the united efforts of those of US who
main it will be sustained, and that We shall be
prospered in the future as in the past.
Mrs Frances X. Gould, Senior Vice. has been
elected President. The officers follows:
President Mrs. Frances X. Gould; 5. V.-P., Mrs.
Abby ABB Powers; j. x:.p Mrs @ Jennie Morrill, Sec
ter; Chap, Mrs. Jennie Chase; c. Mrs. Martha
Libby; e., Mrs Phebe Eliot.-A PINE TREE
CORPS, Pittsfield, Me. u
PROVISIONAL DEPARTMENT OF RHODE ISLAND.
DEAR TRIBUNE: Tower Relief Corps, whose hon
ored President. Mrs. Emily L. Sibley, has been
honored with the appointment of Provisional De-
partment President from the National President,
did not forget their duty on Memorial Day. An
abundance of flowers were provided and appropri-
ately woven into mute emblems of enduring love.
At Minerva Spring Cemetery, in the center of the
burial lot, was the tribute of Tower Woman's Re-
lief Corps TO the unknown dead, in accordance
with the recommendation of the National Presi-
dent, a custom this year instituted all over the
the Grand Army of the Republic has burial lot.
This tribute consists OF Maltese (the shape
OF the badge of the Relief Corps) 10 feet across,
set in growing plants in the earth-a lasting and
ever beautiful memorial. This was the work of Mr..
Frank o REILLY, and was done with and taste,
and with due regard for the appearance of the
cross as the plants shall grow The center is of
dark red colors. The arms are sprinkled with the
Gen. Grant geranium in bloom, its bright red
the center, and with The different shades of green
all about. The center of each is set with
Mountain of Snow gcranium, while one cross-arm
is bordered with golden feverfew of yellowsh
green and the other with varegated-leaf plant,
both arms being relieved at the corners with varie-
gated sweet ay,sum. Over the cross is an arch
bearing the legend, in immorteles ITO the Un-
known Dead - while at each corner is large vase
filed with plants and flowers, and similar vase
stands by the entrance.
Here tile exercises consisted of a diroe by the
band. prayer by the Rev. w. L. Tucker. of Trinity
Church, and singing, Silently. Tenderly, Mourn
fully, Home" by quartelte. Then Past Depart
ment Chaplain Rev j. j. Woolley made a brief ad
dress. principally in dedication of the tribute of
the Woman's Relief Corps to the unknown dead
speaking substantially as follows:
THANK God, there is no more war. The Spring
time is upon US in all the glory of foliage and flow
the songs of birds. On every side of peace pre-
sides and presents to our view her offerings of
promise and plenty. For 20 years we have enjoyed
the sovereignty OF peace. But memory Is busy to- |
day with the events of over 20 years ago The at |
mospherc around is filed with invisible hosts The
shades of departed comrades are with u.s. awakng
tender thoughts and feelings within, mingling in |
our ranks, touching our elbows and marching on |
with us TO the final Encampment. Their forms |
the mists OF death hide them from our |
eyes; yet they live, and we hear, in memory, the |
tramp of their feet. Among them those who |
died in the swamps, in lonely places and in the |
heat of battle, when shot shell disfgured them
so that they were never recognized. They had |
friends and loved ones, but their names were not |
found, and they have gone into unmark ed graves.
At Arlington is a monument erected over the re- |
mains of 1000 soldiers. on which is the inscription,
To the Unknown .Dead." They were soldiers
patriots heroes; and when living they answered to
the roll-cal, and to the long roll. But when they
died they left trace of identity behind them,
save that they We're soldiers of the Union. The
green grass grows on their graves and binds us in
sweet memory to them. 1t Is in token of their
ices that these ceremonies are held this ground
to-day. We are met to plant, in memory of them,
growing trees and shrubs, the flowers of which
shall be their perpetual memorial. Tower, Paw
tucket X. /.
At Newport. r. l., the recommendation of |
the National President that some tribute should |
be prepared by the Corps for the unknown dead
was duly observed. A mound prepared by the
was dedicated. with the playing of a
dirge by the band, prayer by Rev. Mr.. Cooper,
followed by short, but eloquent. address by
Past National President Mrs. Z. +. Barker then
each member of the Corps laid a tribute on the
mound bearing the name of some son of New
port sleeping in an unknown grave on Southern
prison pen, or meath the ocean wave.
DEPARTMENT OF IOWA.
DEAR TRIBUNE: Davenport Iowa has now n fine
Woman s ReiefCorps DR.. Morgan, assisted by Capt.
Spencer installed the officers as follows: Pres Mrs
Maj. Marks; S V.-P Miss Phebe Sudlow; JV-P,
Mrs Fowler; Chap, Mrs. M. L.Willston; Sec Mrs.
Judge Benson Con, Mrs NJ r. Fowler; G.. Mrs |
b. Behrens. After congratulating the ladies'
half of August Wentz Post, the comrades withdrew |
md the ladies proceeded to arrange for Memorial |
Day. Later q number of comrades of the Grand |
Army Post were announced in the ante ROOM and
having been admitted filed in, formed in line in |
front of the President saluted and took their places