Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-08-31
wOMAN's RELIEF CORPS ENTERTAIN.
DIoGESES.

The Woman's Relief Corps held the first
one Of series of socials last night at Mrs.
DIPS residence on South Emporia avenue
4 program was arranged to suit the occa-
sion. Miss Lilly Foster sang 80 the
Story Goes" in manner that elected
hearty applause. Mrs. Sandefur recited
1.-THE New Church Organ" as no one else
could, and Miss Mabel Sandefur recited
her favorite "Lasca" to the delight of the
entire audience. Mrs. Mary Buckner then
gave a brief history Of the organization as
follows:
The organization of our relief corps in
1884 brought back to our minds the many
almost forgotten scenes OF the war; which
so suddenly called away many of our
dearest friends, to meet the trials Of camp
life and battle field. To both the volun-
teer and his family it was a new and I'M
tried experience In his eagerness to enlist
and quickly make an end of the rebellion
which had so suddenly sprung up, almost
his only care was the loved ones he left be-
hind. Almost no money could be col
IecJed. as ali business was paralyZed and
many men left home and friends trusting
both to the kind care Of neighbors, and
the promise of the eleven dollars a month.
which sometime in the future he was to
receive for his services. The time Of en-
listment heightened out-thirty days
three months-one year-three years.
Who could tell when and how the end
would come. The 18th Indiana
took with them to the field
Of action two companies fully
equipped by the women of the town from
which they went. Knapsacks, haversacks
and tents being the works of willing
hands who literally worked day and night
that they might not go without shelter.
In the streets Of indianapolis there were
breaking hearts that saw them march
away TO the sound of fife and drum. a
few months ago one of the braveSt
of the brave Thirteenth Indiana
laid down his life at Fort Reno, where he
WAS enlisted with the Seventh Regulars.
Five years of volunteer service, and
twenty-five of regular service, and yet |
am told that a man in this town who
makes his living off of this community,
said during the campaign last fall, that
the trouble about the pensions was there
were too many old veterans. and 1T would
be a good thing if half of them were dead.
How much it is to be hoped that our coun-
try and our soldiers families VIII never be
left to the care of such as hel
The men who instituted Re-
lief Corps No. 40 are men
who know what camp life and
and privations mean. Their interest in
the soldier extends to his wife and chill
dren. To them are we thankful for the
care and pains they took for our order. On
June q, 1884, our corps was organized by
J. NJ. Balderson-assisted by N. l., Ro-
chelle The following officers were elected:
President-Mary c. Todd.
Senior Vice Observation-Disclosures Doran
Junior Vice President-Louise Hender-
son.
Secretary-Sarah Mitchell.
Treasurer-Agnes SOmmer,
Observation-Disclosures Gray,
Conductor-kittieF airchild.
acknowledgement Rochelle.
Relief Corps No. 80 is a corps of which
we may we'll be proud. For good solid
work and careful looking after our SOL
der families we can not be eXcelled.
In the department our standing ranks
with the best. Should cause for
another war aisle (Which may heaven
Forbid we can ask nothing better for our
men than that their wants should be look
ed after by just such women as those of
Garfield Corps.
The charter members are as follows:
Mesdames Anna NJ. Taylor, Ida b. Mat
thews, Anna J. Ford, Cynthia a. Bayiess,
Sarah +. Ford, Mary l.. Dutton, Melissa
Bovce. Cornelia u. Smith, May 4. McNil-
len. Emma r. Stewart. NIillie VI. Wood
cock, Lizzie J. G. Reed, Kate E Downing,
Angie J. King, Mary F. Hessirman; May
Croddock, Nancy a, Russell, Matilda II.
Baldwin and Emma a. Scott"
The meeting last evening was one OF the
most enjoyable and all round successful
that was ever held by the corps. All
seemed quite well pleased and hope for a
repetition complete ut the future meetings.