Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-02-12

AA'A hNhooAohiBf uhh IL NhN Whbio " tAN
order an encouraging degree of interest and
zeal has been shown. Upon assuming the
command OF his department Feb. 9th, 1885,
there were 6 corps, namely: Sheridan, No
t. Weston G.. A. Custer, No. ,, Bennington
Sedgwick, No 3, Brattleboro Chamberlain
No 4, st. Johnsbury Woodbury., No. 3,
West Concord Jarvis, No. g. Springfield.
These were well Offered aud with an ear
nest faithful membership, the foundation for
this order in Vermont had been well laid
During my term the following superstructure
has been added, the first stone Of which was
laid by the women of East Wallingford,
where a prosperous corps was organized
March 4tb under the name of Kearney, No.
T. The G. A. X. in their vicinity are warm
in their praises of this corps, and are thank
full for the assistance rendered. the next
corps, e. H. StouRhton, No 8, was organized
March 2Gth at Bellows Falls. It's interest
aud enterprise was manifested at the outset
by the presentation of beautiful stand OF
colors to the Post from which they were
named. The influence of such an action
will be felt not only in their own town but
throughout the state
The 81 corps, Hooker, No. ., was formed
at Londonderry March 2S with an active
membership. The installation of officers WAS
public The hall was handsomely decorated
speeches which were greatly enjoyed and
which placed the order deep in the hearts of
the citizens as one which would be foremost
in works of charity and love.
The It'll, Col. Preston No. 10, was organized
May 4 At Wells River, and was named after
the gallant officer who fell in the front rank
fighting for his country. Its mission for
good will be felt by all who need sympathy,
charity and support.
The 9Th A. c. Howard, No. II, was organ.
lied at Ludlow, May %, with 81 charter
members. 1t is well oficered and doing ef-
fective work.
The 9th |. L. Clarke, No. -, organized at
Grafton, May -. 1t is q furnishing fine
working corps. 1t has the honor OF having for
a member the oldest woman in our order,
Mrs. Taylor lady 80 years of age, who
WAS present at the organic alton earnestly
hope that every woman IN Vermont younger
than Mrs. Taylor will follow her example.
The organization of WIN. c. Tracy, No.
l3 at Windsor, May IS, was providential
for soon after an old veteran, a wood chop
per, met with an accident which caused his
death, leaving family penniless. This corps
prompted by the spirit which is the corner
stone of our order, provided for the family
and gave the husband and father a Christian
burial.
AZ uuNTluRN hulAutl NuIDAf NJ. IT, hhS
organized Sept. &. The aim of this corps is
to do all the good possible and to assist the
q. A. X in caring for the poor.
Il. b. Orandall No. IL organized at Barre
Jan. l. The posi- are especially proud of
this corps and attended the public installation
OF officers, after which speeches and social
time were enjoyed.
Ezra Stetson No. 10, organized at Water
bury Centre Jan. 10. This corps has the
honor of having an army nurse for its pres-
dent. A pleasant incident in connection with
this event was the letter sent by Wells River
corps to headquarters the following night say
ing 1--WE are happy to know we have a lit
tie sister corps born on very stormy night,
and hope it may not be emblematlc of her
life"
MANCHESTER. Skinner No : organized at
Manchester Jan. 30, with ~ charter mem
bers We know by the membership that the
last work in the way of organization by the
present officers of the department will stand
as guarantee that they have faithfully per
formed their duties
APPLICATIONS. We have applications out
at tue following places; Waterbury, Wood
stock, Northh-ld, Underhil, Middlebury,
Hardwick, Chelsea, South Royalton, Town
shend Bradford Newport Centre, Chester,
Burlington, Essex Junction, Greensborough,
Hinesburgh. OF the original 6 corps all have
increased in membership, all have been ac-
tive and Jealous.
Weston has the honor of being No. the
first corps organized in Vermont 1t has AL
ways reflected great credit upon the order
and its influence for good has extended to ad
joining towns, where two corps have been
formed.
Bennington is the only one that was or
ganized under the old plan during the cen
tenual under the name Of Molly Stark. This
| corps is obliged to meet every week in order
to accomplish its work, and is continually
caring for the helpless and needy ones.
BRArTLEBoRo This corps has directed it
| best efforts towards the erection of a monu
ment to commemorate the valor of the noble
men who went from Brsttleboro, and to
stand as an educator of lofty patriotism and
true fidelity to present and future genera
tions. During the year our corps has beer
honored by visit from our senior vice pres
ident, Mrs. Lucy j. Gibson.
ST. JoHNsBUBY. The members OF Cham
berlain post G. A. Il. are loud in their pras-
es of their auxiliary, and the great success o
their fair last fall was due in large measur,
to the w. r. @.
WEST CoNcoRD. This is a very fine corp
and is doing wonderfully well. In small
towns they have a greater chance to exercise
their bene6cence than in large ones.
SPRINGFIELD This is one of our most en-
terprising and intelligent corps, and is eve
ready to extend helping hand to the needy
This department was represented at tn
national convention, held at Portland Jun,
oath, 1885, by its regular delegates, also tn,
department president, senior vice, junio
vice, secretary, treasurer, chaplain, presiden
and officers of corps aud large number 0
members of different corps.
To the department officers with whom
have been associated l would acknowledge
my deep obligations for their efficiency anC
faithfulness, and, more than this, for thei
uniform kindness toward me during my tern
of service. To the Grand Army, to whom
we owe our existence, words lily express GU
gratitude and feeling. Let us show the nobl
band of veterans by our action that We ar,
with them heart and soul in fraternity, char
ity and loyalty. The deep interest which
felt in the order at the outset has increased
as have seen the place which it fills in tn
community and the noble work it is doinl
for the Grand Army posts. May the futur
more than realize the glorious promise Of tn
present time. May unity, good will and
common devotion unite our members in in
dissoluble union May we fully accomplish
the work given US to do
The report OF the Department Secretary
Mrs. L. W. Howe of Brattleboro, embodie
the following statistics; Number of corp
existing in the state Feb. 4, 1885, charter
ed during the year, IL total number, II
members in good standing Feb. 4, 1885
25l present membership, $751; net gain
during the year, 437. There have bee
but two deaths during the year. Amount ex
pended in charity, $40 52i number of men
bers and families assisted, 25 number q
soldiers and their families assisted, 1903
amount of relief fund on hand, $3.50. SO
general fund on hand, 1929 80.
At the afternoon session officers were elect
ed for the ensuing year as follows
President, Mrs. Lucy j. Gibson Of Bennington
senior vice president, Mrs. Fanny W. Parkhurst
st. Johnsbury; junior vice president Mrs. Dem
Coney Of Windsor; secretary, Mrs. Laura Long
Bennington treasurer, Mrs Anna Day Of Benninl
ton; department council, Mrs. L. W. Howe Of Bra
teboro Mrs. Minna Hooker Of Brattleboro, Mrs. NJ.
Dudley Of Londonderry, Mrs, j. L. Clark of Grafton
Mrs. Clara Hastings Of Ludlow; delegates at larR
Mrs. @. A. II. Thompson, st. Johnsbury, Mrs. Add
Green, BrattleboTo, Mrs. Mary Gibson, Bennington
Mrs. l.. W. Chaplin Bellows Falls alternates, Mr.
Fraucena Powers Wells River Mrs. Julia Bisbe
Springfield, Mrs. Frances Bemis, BrattlebOrO, Mr.
Asenath johnson, West Concord.
The several committees to whom the of
GERS reports were referred submitted the