Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-29
THE LADIES' BRANCH.
Peunsylvauia Leads In the Work Of the
Women for the Grand Army-A Very
Exclusive organizasien-The
prch, hla Nevv 0mrers

Women for the Grand Army-A Very
Exclusive Organizatien-The
Probable New Omcers.
fstECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DIsPATcH.i
MILWAUKEE,, WIS, August 28.-Th
ladies of the G. A. r. met in convention oil
Tuesday, with an unusually large numbe
of delegates present, nearly every Stat
being represented. This organization
originated in New Jersey four years ago
and is very exclusive, only wives, mothers
daughters and sisters of Union soldier
being eligible to membership. During thu
past year the order had a wonderful growth
in membership, and has expended large sums
of money in charity and for the relief of G.
per cent. followed by Pennsylvania, which
shows an increase of so per cent.
The entire day was taken up by the read
ing of reports of national and department
officers. Pennsylvania is the banner State
in this organization, and has about 60 cir
cles and a membership of over 1000. The
report of the State submitted to the conven-
tion shows an increase of so per cent, and
an expenditure for charity of So, 900, beside
about 81 $50 given as a relief fund TO differ
ent G. A. r. posts.
PENNSYLvANIA'S SHOWING.
The Department of Pennsylvania has
given the Johnstown sufferers 5000 in cash,
besides provisions, clothing and furniture
to the amount Of 81 900.
Among those present from Pennsylvania
who are delegates are Mrs. Laura A. B.
Sawyer, National President, of Colonel
Clark Circle No. II, of Allegheny City;
Mrs. Henrietta Gerwig, National Secretary,
of Lieutenant Lysle Circle No. 6, ALLIE
eheny; Mrs. Clari G. Bruner, Of Fred
Ward Circle, of Altoona; Mrs. Emma
Douglass, of A. j. Harper Cir
Gle No. 4; Mrs. Carrie Sheriff, Of
Circle No. IL; Mrs. Julia johnson,
Potts Circle No. s, Altoona, Mrs. Fanny
A. Scott, of Circle IL; Mrs. Elizabeth Ditt-
rich, of Pittsburg; Mrs. Amanda Mofit, of
George H. Thomas Circle, Pittsburg, and
Mrs. Houck, of Reading Circle.
The order is in a very prosperous condi-
tion in New Jersey. The delegates present
from that department are Mrs. Laura Nc
Neir, National Counselor, who was the first
National President of the order; Mrs. W.
E. Smith, Jersey City, State President, and
Mrs. Anna Grubb, of Camden.
There are several spoken of as the coming
National President. The possible promi-
nent candidates are Mrs Wood, OF Kansas,
and Mrs. Henrietta Gerwig, of Allegheny
City.
THE ANNUAL CONVENTION.
The Seventh Annual Convention of the
Women's Relief Corps met in Emmanuel
Church at 10 o'clock this morning. On the
stage were Mrs Charity Rush Craig, Ma
tional President, Mrs. Mary A. Logan;
Miss Clara Barton, President of the Red
Cross Society; Mrs. Plummer, Assistant
National Secretary; Mrs. Annie Wetten-
meyer. National Chaplain; Mrs.
Russell A. Alger and Mrs. Emma
Hampton who is the only past national
president here. Governor Heard, of Wis
consin; Mayor Brown, of Milwaukee, and
After the opening ode was sung Mrs.
Craig introduced Governor Heard who
made graceful and facetious speech. Rev.
Myron Reed, then made short address,
OF the order and touching
upon its noble works.
MISS CORA BARToN's TALK.
Mr.. Craig then introduced Clara Barton,
and the woman, who has won a home for
herself in the heart of every Pennsylvania
by her noble work at Johnstown, stepped
and with bowed head awaited the
dying away OF the applause which greeted
her. During her remarks she spoke
Of Johnstown, saying she had not left
her post there since she hurried off in
answer to the first call for assistance. She
said in referring to thewrong use OF funds:
II have not met a man, from the Governor
down, but was true to the trust in his heart,
and all are doing their best Put out of
your hearts all doubts and distrust. What
you give will be well done by
Mrs. Craig introduced Mrs. Logan, whose
appearance was greeted with long continued
applause, and who, after making q lev re-
marks, retired from the room. Three COM
rades from Iowa. Generals Consigney,
presented in the names OF the department of
The G. A. r. of Iowa gavel made from the
table at which General Grant worked when
in the tannery business in Illinois.
This was followed bv the report of the
which covered wide field. Spe-
,ial attention was called to the work of the
National Pension and Relief Committee,
which had expended for the relief of army
nurses alone s., 1923. and to the homes estab-
lished to help veterans and wives and
widows and army nurses.
WORK OF THE CORPS.
The secretary's report shows a member
ship in good standing of 73, ,055, a net gain
during the year of 9,S41. The amount ex-
pended In relief during the year was So, ,479,
and the amount turned over to posts ST.
437, making the total amount expended in
relief OF S84, no.
The Women's Relief Corps was organ
lied in Denver in 1883 with charter mem
bership Of 40. The order has adopted and
is introducing ''recos milton" badge, which
is a maltese cross Of bronze bearing the
legend ''F. c. L." on the center and "w.
R. C., 1888, respectively, on each point
Of the cross. There are number of candi-
dates for National President in the field.