The National tribune., 1886-12-30
Department Gleanings.
DEPARTMENT OF IOWA.

DEAR TRIBUNE: II is n long time since you have
heard directly from Iowa Headquarters. But our
silence - no indication OF Incidence. The W re.
work is prosperin. finely. There now % Relief
Corps and several applications pending. Twenty
six Corps have been organized since our last De-
partment Convention, and we hope to number $50
before the close of the present administration Too
much praise and credit cannot be given Depart
mcnt President. Clara r. Nichols, for her untiring
labor and ability in prosecuting the work. The
Corps are in an unusually harmonious condition,
and although our work may not make as brilliant
"A showing as that of some other Departments yet
are building n strong, broad foundation for the
Order in our state.
Since the organization of this Department there
has been but one Corps which has surrendered its
charter, and that was in small place, where nearly
all were Germans, and the ladies not familiar
enough with English to keep up an interest in the
work. Just here, my dear Mrs Sherwood. should
like to mention that we have felt a real need of
Rules and Regulations printed in German, as so
many of our Corps contain large per cent. of that
nationality. Our Department per capita has been
but eight cents from the time of our organization
and that has kept our finances low; yet we thought
II the better plan to not increase it. rs the cost OF
organizing il usually considered large. But we
have been Obliged to practice the strCtest economy
| / have been, as You know, closely connected with
the work since IL begun in the State hav-
ing been chosen Secretary of the first Corps organ
lied and also acting in that capacity for the De-
partment ever since its organization. and IL II with
deepest interest that have watched its growth and
noted ranks filling up with the truest purest,
most intelligent of our Iowa women.
Aside from the recognized objects of our Order, i
| think our organization is doing n grand work in
educating our ladies in business forms and transac-
| tons, and developing n higher and truer social
standard. We have some most noble and energetic
/ workers in our Department and a vast amount of
| good il being done in the way OF finding employ
ment for those who can work, homes for the or
phans, and looking after the general welfare OF the
| sick and needy. Indeed think we have a Depart
ment of the W.R.C. which does honor to the proud
/ State of Iowa and her noble Grand Army OF over
/ II 600 strong. OF course you have learned of our
prospects for State Soldiers Home. TO be located
in Marshaltown. and our plans for erecting Grand
| clude one wing for W.R.C. and another for the
:. ofVs, where all three may establish their Head
quarters during the State Fair. For the past two
/ years we have had Headquarters in tents on the
grounds during State Fairs, and it has proven q
| very agreeable and pleasant arrangement.
| Any one wishing to find President. Secretary or
| Treasurer of Iowa Department, will go direct 10
| Office of State Superintendent, Capitol Building,
| Here they will find the Department President, OF
get full instructions as to where those officers may
| be found.-Maggie Monroe, Department Secretary
| Des Moiens. Iowa.
| THE MOTHER DEPARTMENT..
The Dep rtment President of Massachusetts Sfrs
s Agnes Parker, was one of the contributors to the
testimonial presented Past Commander in Chie
Van DervooTt By the New England California ex
| cursionists who occupied the National Headquar-
| tiers WR.C. car. In n letter addressed To heI
by Gen. Van Dervoort under date of Nov. IS
| he writes as follows: II return through you my
warmest thanks from all my household To all the
members of your Department, who so loyingl
united In making me such n splendid gift Ii viii
ever be cherished in home. In the album
nild the names oil many members Oh your depart
ment and can only say To you that thank then
each and all, and wish that could get chance tC
do good. kindly act IN return for such deed.
may not be able To- meet you all again for the pas
two years but 1 shall ever remember how many
courtesies have received from ali of you, and mex
to my own home l am more mt home in Massa
| chusctts than anywhere else in the world.
The members of VIM A. Strceter Corps. of Attic
bOro. constantly devising some plan to benef
the Post to which il Is auxiliary. The beautiful
Post hall contains an appropriately designed altar
the latest gift of the ladies.
| William Logan Rodman Corps, of New Bedford
has presented Post No. I, of that city. a handsome
set Of guidons made of dars-blue silk, broidere,
with fringe and let,ered in gold. After the pre-
, | sentation three cheers for the WOmans Relic
| Corps were given by the comrades of the Post.
| w. w. Rockwell Corps, No. 81, Pittsheld, gave
costume party in November, which was a success
socially and financially. The Corps added Sll2l
to its treasury and the sick and poor Of Post ant
Corps were generously remembered in the distribu
| ton Of refreshments.
Mrs. Hattie A. Ralph, the efficient Department
Bell Corps, N Boston the only eolO:ed Corps j
the State. Through Mrs. Raph's frequent visit
and kindly advice the members encouraged I
, continue the good work. They cheeTfully pay
| the Corps treasury dues amounting to 3 per yea
= in order to Sustain the financial reputation of til
Corps.
Mrs l.. A. Turner. National Treasurer. Is the II
| cipent of a letter from Horace Binney Sargent. j
(son of Gen. Horace Bnuey Sargent expressive
. gratitude for her efforts in procuring fine po-tra