The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-01-08
RELIEF CORPS NEWS.
Gleanings from National Headqaar-
terS--NOteS from the Departments.


HEADQUARTERS woMAN's RELIEF CORPS,
TOLEDO, o.
KATE B. SHERWOOD, National President.
EMMA u. SIBLEY National Secretary.
TOLEDO. O., Dec 80, 1884
The past week was comparatively quiet
one at Headquarters. the holiday festivities
naturally engaging the attention of our busy
workers to the exclusion, somewhat, of direct
official communication or business transaction.
And still in the ring of the Christmas bells we
catch a whisper of our progress and from
among the holly and the mstletoe gather this
little evergreen offering, in grateful remem-
brance Of the final blessings of the old year,
and as glad welcome to the new.
AMONG THE SHOWS OF VERMONT.
First, there is happy report of the inspec-
ton of Vermont Corps Mrs. Sarah E. Fuller,
National Senior Vice President, acting as In
speeding Officer, and also taking occasion to
visit the new Corps where inspections were
not properly in order, and give all needful in
structiOns in the various forms of work. The
journey covered a distance of nearly 500 miles
through the New England snows-a long. cold
ride; but notwithstanding the hindrances to
travel liable to occur at such times, our per-
severing officer met all engagements promptly,
with one exception. Leaving Boston on the
morning of Monday, 18th inst, Mrs. Fuller
reached st. Johnsbury, VT, at 1870 p. M. was
cordially welcomed by the President, Mrs.
III. Ide, and delightfully."- entertained at her
home. The ladies of the Corps were most en-
thusiastic, and received instructions with q
keen appreciation of the work before them.
Chamberln Post will have good cause to be
proud of its auxiliary.
At West Concord, where Corps No. 5 has just
been organized, the same free hospitality was
extended. As it was regular meeting night of
the Post the ladies first assembled at a private
house to listen to the suggestions and explana-
tions of the visiting officer, when at 8 o'clock
Comrade Woodbury. acted as
ESCORT FOR THE LADIES
to the Post hall. Here a brief union meeting
was held, thoroughly enjoyed by all present.
This Corps will give an entertainment soon for
the benefit of the general fund.
Fully intending to visit Weston, where Corps
No. is located, on the following day (Wednes-
day., Mrs. Fuller made an carly start, but a
driving snow storm seriously interfered with
her plans OBTAINING her at station about half
way, and g. for the first time in six years of Off
cial work." says the writer, IL failed to meet
my appointment"
At Brattleboro', the next place visited, Col.
and Mrs Hooker entertained the guest at
their charming home. The Corps here is re-
ported in excellent condition; books well kept,
a good round sum in the treasury, including a
relief fund, and rapidly increasing member
ship of earnest, intelligent, loyal women. Not
having much relief work to do, the Corps de-
termined on starting fund for a
SOLDIERS MONUMENT,
and to this end have appropriated $25, the sum
deposited in the bank, with Mrs. Hooker,
President of the Corps, as trustee. That such
action is Endorsed and appreciated by the cti-
zens as well as the Grand Army, was made
manifest in pretty compliment extended by a
prominent dry goods firm of the town. One of
the Christmas window decorations was a monu-
ment over six feet high, of red, white and blue
silk, with a tablet of flowers, on which was in
scribed 1.-THE Proposed Soldiers Monument"
The last day of the inspecting tour was spent
at Bennington, and an equally favorable report
is given of our Corps there. Mrs. Gibson, the
President of the Corps, is peculiarly fitted for
the position she occupies; and, considering the
fact that none but written instructions had
been given them, the clear comprehension
evinced on the part of the members spoke vol
umes for the earnest, intelligent prosecution Of
the study of the work on their part, and the
ability and devotion at the head. And so the
Corps of Vermont are declared fully instructed,
and are therefore ready for a Department Or
ganization.
In reply to inquiries addressed to Depart
uSUt SOulHlduQST y. y. III Is Iestrlleu
that the Department Encampment, JAR, will
be held at Rutland on the 28th and Goth of
the coming month-January. Col. Kinsman is
HEARTILY IN SYMPATHY
with the aims and objects of the Relief Corps,
and not only pledges the support OF the Order
in the Department, but will do all in his power
to make the convention success, as well as to
insure the ladies pleasant time.
FIRST KENTUCKY CORPS
kentucky is fairly captured, and Relief
Corps auxiliary to Augustus Beyland Post,
Beattyville, KY, will be most tangible evil
dence in the near future. The application for
charter was returned to Headquarters through
Mrs. Russell, National Corresponding Secretary,
of GAINESVILLE Ohio, to whom great credit is due
for the awakening interest among the misty
blue hills of that beautiful State.
MRS. BICKERDYKE REMEMBERS HER BOYS.
Mrs. Lizzie D'A. Kline. Provisional Presi-
dent of the Department of California, and an
indefaiigable worker for the Order at large
was the bearer Of late contributions to Mrs.
Bickerdyke, whom she found to be most in
teresting old lady of more than the allotted
years-three-score and ten. Although main
tanning an independence such as might be ex
pccted in one who has braved SO many dam
gers and hardships, the dear old nurse who
has brought SO many grateful smiles to the
haggard faces of her soldier boys received the
little gift with heart full of thanks that she
had been thus remembered. Let us hope that
many more such gifts may help to smooth the
rough and thorny places in the pathway of her
declining years. Mrs. Bckerdyke is now n,
but still divides her last dollar with some
needier army nurse, or gives her gratuitous
services to nursing the sick and friendless SOL
der Past Commander-in-Ch Chief Van Dervoort,
tried to secure Ter place in the San Francisco
Mint when in California during his admins
tratiOn, but the promise made him was not full
filled. In q recent letter to the Chairman Of
the Relief Committee Mrs. Bicl1erdyke re-
quests
LETTERS FROM HER DEAR BOYS.
The following is a portion Of her letter:
am deeply grateful for the testimonials every
ans Relief Corps iii my behalf yet it is in another
sense painful for me to receive contributions from
the dear boys who loyalty went out i'll the service
of their Country-a cause alike dear and sacred to
me. III would give me great pleasure to secure
copies of such portions of letters refer personally
20 my services as may come into your hands. They
would be of infinite value and service to me, all
my letters and papers were destroyed i'll the Chi
caSo fire. Though there were many thousands of
soldiers within my circuit, know they falling
off like forest leaves, yet feel like keeping their
whereabouts as nearly as possible. Many of them
are, like myself, well advanced in years and with
me a pension, together with other women of
the war, l feel it would be but justice to the de-
serving and loyal.
My health is surprisingly good for one of my
years and rough experiences; suffer some with
rheumatism, but keep around most of the time,
and am able to do considerable mt nursing Best
wishes for the good work of the Relief Corps and
for nay PARKWAY boys everywhere.-MARY A.