The National tribune., 1888-05-31
RELIEF CORPS NEWS.
GleaningS from National Headquar-
terS--~NOteS from the Departments.
HEADQ'Rs WoMAN's RELIEF CORPS,
AUXILIARY TO THE GAR,
DETROIT, MICH, May 20, 1888
A RELIEF CORPS HEROINE.

It Is announced that Aunt Becky Young, the
mother of the Ninth Corps Hospital, of which she
was matron and now President of Kinsman Corps,
Des Mones Iowa, will remove to California to
spend the remainder of her days Aunt Becky IS
central figure of every Grand Army and Rellet
Corps gathering in Iowa, and at National Encamp-
ments aud W.R.C. Conventions the keen little
woman always carries off large share of the hon
ors. Aunt Becky has been made the subject OF an
Iowa letter, which, with her portrait, Is going the
rounds of the press. Of her name the writer says:
" Her name is not Becky at all. The army boys
got in way of calling her mother at first, prob
ably from homesick longing TO have Il mothers
minstrations To this she objected as many of
them were older than herself. Finally happy
compromise was made on Aunt Becky as a con
venient ana fitting sobriquet, and that name has
chung to her ever since. Letters now often come TO
that name alone, and there IS no trouble IN getting
them TO their proper destination, When the war
was ended and she left the East to make her home
IN Iowa she thought TO drop the title from certain
timid dislike of being in any way conspicuous. But
on her arrival at her new home the first one who
accosted her called her Aunt Becky, and she knew
twas of no use SO Aunt Becky she has remained.
OF late years Aunt Becky has given her time and
strength to charities and neighborly indnesses to
those IN sickness or trouble. She has pension OF
$50 month"; secured for her by special request 10
Congress from the Iowa General Assembly"
DO NOT FORGET THE LIVING.
DEAR TRIBUNE: Another Memorial Day Is at
hand. 1t is doubtless beautiful custom to cast
flowers once year on the graves OF our dead sol
diers, but think it would be much more beaau-
full custom, and deed That would be honored the
world over for the Nation to give aid to the living
Much has been done, aud yet all over the land, in
lowly places, there are those who, in the time OF
the Nations peril, willingly at her call, and
bore the misery of the camp and the danger of the
field at least willing to give their lives. Many OF
them now are struggling in the hard places OF hie
or they are gone and their wives and children are
bearing il alone in these hard times, pinched for
the necessities of life. 1t is ofttold tale
money, no work, not enough to wear, not
enough TO eat-and yet an independence OF spirit
that makes suffering and death easier than to ask
charity. Ii Members Of Congress could once
come face to face with the lives of those who are
would help their heads out Of all difficulties
small amount assured each month to these needy
families would be such lifting of burdens, such
Frightening of tired, worried despairing lives, that
God would surely bless the Nation for it.
And just another word for another class-the
| female nurses Over 20 years ago small army OF
women, mature III judgment and full of unsefsh
sympathy, left good homes, and perhaps good
positions, and went INTO the held and hospital, and
spent months, perhaps years caring faithfully and
tenderly for the sick and wounded. II IS needless
to say much Of their work Every man knows
what a good warm hearted woman Is in times of
sickness aud danger. Their work done, they came
back quietly they went. No drum and fife
and flying cOors marked their going; no ova-
! ton marked their coming. Seldom is the deed
remembered or mentioned; they have not thought
! il worth speaking of themselves. Some are widows
with children, and poor; single, with inn
paired health, perhaps dependent IN n trying way.
Some have slipped out of life quietly they went
to the hospital flowers even mark their graves
Perhaps even the they cared for have forgotten
| their names What shall be done?-
| Abilene, Kan.
KEEPING MEMORIAL DAY,
| In describing Memorial Day observances of Post
and Corps al Sabineville Pa, Elsie NJ Wilcox,
Corps Secretary and Assistant Instituting and Iu-
Sailing Officer, writes We meet with Serg't III.
/ G. Ackiey Posta G. A r. Hall; march with them to
the church, the Post in advance carrying bouquets
4 and banners. After the service we proceed in the
same order TO the cemetery, where the soldiers form
| hollow square, in the center OF which has been
erected q large white cross, bearing the inscription
| TO the Unknown Dead" The Corps marches in
| side the square and forms in two ranks on each
10 gff alpr1 flff lac nrTAE chT
have been detailed for that purpose take positions
in advance of the line the cross, each
| side. After the prayer by the Post Chaplain, one
/ Of them reads a tribute TO the Unknown Dead, y
and places bouquet of flowers on the cross then
/ the ladies IN the line opposite her march around
the cross and each deposits flowers on the base OF
the cross, and resumes her former position. The
other lady then reads eulogy the women of
/ the war, the army nurses, the wives, mothers,
daughters aud sisters, whose mission IL to
watch aud wait IN those trying times. Then
the other line Of ladies march around the cross,
| dePositing bouquets and resuming position. The
! Post then continue the service In their usual
/ form, aud all march back to the hall, where the
meeting is closed by the Commander. There is
nothing particularly original III this formula per-
haps but it seems 10 please every body, especially
the Post, and as that - our principal object are
| well satisfied with the result. We have several
times received invitations to assist other Posts
where there are no Corps, and have done so on one
occasion, hoping we might be instrumental Ia
starting Corps for them.
DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA.
Garfield Corps. San Francisco, held successful
neektlc and apron social. Music and grand march
began brilliant evening. During the march tho
articles were distributed, after which there was
matching Of neckties and aprons the mated coup
les leading of IN the dance. Refreshments and
vocal music There was a large delegation from
Lincoln Corps present.
Fair Oaks Post, Sacramento, treated Corps 10 to
q reception on a recent evening, when large dele.
cations were present from San Francisco, Auburn
and other GA. R-W re. head centers
The play Of Esmeraida A" was given by the Chi
co Dramatic Club. benefit IIaileck Corps, success
fully managed by u. b. Collins of the Chico Enter.
prise, netting SIS for relief.
Gen. o. III. Mitchell Corps arc assisting the Post
in improving their cemetery plat. for which they
have been giving several sociais. The result fol
Memorial Day was highly satisfactory
The liatdtImes party given by Lincoln Corps
lief fund. The grand march presented grotesque
scene, as there were costumes of all coIors and
kinds and from the number of patched dresses
coats and pantaoons one could imagine that some
busy fingers had been al work. Walter Ieman
| the popular veteran actor, personsted old blind
man, and the niclsles and dimes found in the bag
hung about his neck at the close Of The evenings
| performance We're added TO the fund.
Report Department of California for the quarter
ending March 30 shows 2 100 members in gooG
standing increase Of Al i'm the last three months
81, 4JT56 has been expended in charity and S4O77
turned over to Posts by their Auxiliary Corps. Al
tbe Corps III the Department III q healthy con
dItou and doing most excellent work.
Lyons Corps, Oakland, is still found in goot
works Seventy five dollars in aid Of an aged arm,
nurse must be set down 10 their credit
Apponaitox Post ana Corps celebrated the sur
render Of Lee at AppOmattoX, when a very fiat
, program was succeeded by refreshments.
Farragut Corps, Vallejo, has been the recipien
Of 10 pretty bunting Tags made and sent them from
Honolulu by COnrads John Thompson. of Tia
United States ship Adams, member Of Farragu
Post. Farragut Corps gave Il May 10Th entertain
ment benefit Home fund.
. grand reception rendered by Rawiin
Corps, No. % OF Stockton, to Lizzie D. Waterman
| formerly President of the Corps, now Department
, President, bail, composed of margolds wa
suspended the Presidents chair. Baskets
bouquets and anchor were among the fine flora
decorations. The first business OF the evening wa
the installation of Lydia Uenery as President of TIN
! Corps and Eliza Court as Senior Vice. President
: after which Airs. Waterman, In behalf of the Corps
presented TO Jennie H. Southworth the Depart
mcnt Secretary, a beautiful gold breastp pin Com
| rade ". y. LOOMS delivered address of con
| graduation TO Mrs Waterman, who made fttin
| response. Commander Keagle of Rawlins Posi-
: | called for three cheers for Mrs. Waterman whic
: | the boys gave heartily A musical and literar
. | program was we'll rendered, after which Mrs
! | SOutnworth gave brief review of the work of til
!, Corps since its organization, and invited all loya
I women TO join IN this good work. COLLATION. fol
| lowed
| Lizzie d. Waterman, Department President {
= | California, IN her Memorial Day Order, announce
i $40, voted by the Department Council forwarded
. Phil Kearny Post. Richmond Va. TO be used i
r decorating the Union graves in and around tht
: historic city.
i DEPARTMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Once again in response to the Memorial Day o.
o ders from National and Department HeadquarteI
obey the call to assist the q. a. II. in any wa
q may best serve them. This labor of love is M
~ alone a duty, but should be and L believe ia f.