The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-09-17
DEPARTMENT. GLEASISGs.
prPARTMrNT or Nrw YoRK.


DEAR TRIBUNE: Tho New York Department,
W.lGC-, have not been Idle during these summer
months. but have combined pleasure and work by
accepting invitations 90 Join the veterans at their
summer Reunions. Many Of the W.lt &. workers
in our State have come 10 regard these summer
Reunions Of the veterans as q kind II Mecca, to
which they can make annual piigTImagcs and OBJ
tain supplies az encouragement, enthusiasm, aud
inspiration with which 10 carry on the work ot the
Winters campaign.
At Chautauqua Lake, that venerable scat Of
learning on GAR. Day Department President
Ellen II. Putnam gave 20 a vast audience In the
amphlhCatcr a very able address. which was en-
Enthusiastically received. James Brown Corps, -,
gave a reception 90 President Putnam, with hearty
addresses of welcome from Commander ieck nam
aud Corps President NJ l.. EdiCk.
The jefferson County veterans held n Reunion at
Campbcll- Point, near Sacke't- HaTbor, The tir-t
week Ia September. They hOuoTcd the W.ltC. by
giving them Thursday al ornoou. and Past Depart
mcut President Sarah G. Mink presided in her
usual graceful and queenly manner. The Jeiier-
son County veterans are proud Of Mai. Charles
Mink, with hts war record beyond and above Any
monument Of honor; hut they claim ilat his VIE,
la her uuscliish devotion TO " re work. Is worthy
Of her gallant husband. Department President
Ellen VI. Putnam. Department. Corresponding sec
Rotary Kate l.. Jones and Amelia Felt, President
Of Joe SpTBit Corps, of WateTtowu. were present,
and each gave a short address. President Putnam :
remarks We're full 81 sound wisdom. and were well
received She hopes to add 90 the n Corps already
organized. since March, l.gI many more from
Jefferson and adjoining Counties. Buckle on your
atmor. my sisters, and be ready for the work
Kate T. Jones. Corresponding Secretary, Depart
meut Of New York.
ALL HAIL, WISCONSIN WOMEN!
You have been told 81 our chapel at Waupacn,
Wis, built 10y the W.lSC. for the inmates Of the
Wisconsin Veterans Home, 50 al course you VIII
want the chapel dedicated. Leaving Milwaukee,
our lovely metropolis 81 The lakes, July 10. our
party travelled, via the Wisconsin Central, through
the garden land Of Wisconsin To- oar destination.
COmradc Disbro. an inmate uf the Home, met us,
and soon seated ia carriages aud of for
the Home The beauties OF the scene grew upon
FIa a. rrrHfI r-r| Hf m
To become part of our life and We'd with each
other ia all lovely tones Of color, and light and
shadow chased each other all the tuTee-Wile-
drive. Then the lakelets pecpci through TIE trees
here and there and water lilies iu great abundance
huatcd on their shining surface. When we knew
that one more turn would bring tlc dear building
for which we had planned aud prayed into view
We wondered that others could talk aud laugh 80
carele-sly when We were soon TO come uPon such
a sight.
And a lovely view, indeed met our eyes rs we
made the last turn that had hidden al. There
stood our chapel gray brown aud tuTTut 81 green,
with stained indows, aud flowers ia front fur
nisie'l by the inmates from their little yards. The
superintendent was first To- greet "a, being at the
chapel attending To- last touches about the lawn,
We drove directly 90 the Headquarters, beautiful
residence on the brow Of the lake, with all the
modern convenience. All thc - cOttagers seemed
To have given thought and loving 20 the little
gardens around their homes for each cottage has u
yard aud all the ANNALS If the season were iu fall
bloom. 81 the diuiug-hall wild flowers aud ever
greens were being shaped into letters, wrcaths,
platform, la green. was "WiGC..' with ieSioou7
81 green suspended from tile motto. On the plat
form stood cross i've feet high, over which had
been placed wreath 81 pure white waicr-!iilc-.
These seemed to have bloOmei for ~. They were
ia our rooms, worn on breasts, and yet the
lakes seemed To miss none % them.
The morning Of the 18th dawncd beautiful and
bright, and when we first opened our windows,
from the diuiug-hali, with IL 200 feet font, was
suspended ia green with background Of red,
white and blue. these words. Welcome N.E.t.
aud GAR" and the clans bogan 90 gather carly.
By III there were more iu waiting Than could posi-
bly, get into the building. Al last the Department
Commander arrived, and soon the bell peaIed forth
it, call to prayer. beautiful anthem rem
dCred 10y volunteer choir from Nuupaca
aud prayer offered by ono 81 the local
ministers after which Department President
Pufier ia choice words turned the chapel over
to the hands Of the Department Commander.
Then came the poem that your humble servant
had ordered the d" Good Spirit Of Foosy" %
breathe into the heart al our Past Department
President, Helen Holmes Charlton, aud well had
he done bis work. No service that day rendered
came near 10 our ideal dedication as the poem.
This was followed 10y some eloquent eVtemuOre re-
marks 10y Department Commander Ipiam. and
then sermon. prayer. and song followed. All lis
tened breathle--ly throughout. although the sun
poured down upon u iu hI- own generous manner.
Past President Charlton again read her poem Ia
those who could not gain entrance. Speeches
were made 10y the comrades. and lastly, My
Country. It's Of Thee" was sent ringing through
tie trees and across tle waters aud one after an
other reluctantly bade g0gd-hy.
This chapel. buiit by women. is the last IL many
good things done by the N.E.C. If Wisconsin
Now they viii pay tHe expense 90 trained nurse 81
that The aud tired and sick wives. widow. and
mothers may bee cared Tor HrId coWfurfed ss chill
dren Of their country should be. Thus these tire
less workers go on doing the Will 81 their Father
once year going out 20 see aud stimulate tleIi
sisters from the other states, and ginning from
them new inspiration. Ia T., g. and caroline
( III BELL