The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-11-24
THE OHIO COTTAGE.
Dedicatory Exercises at the National RELIEF
Corps Home.

Corps Home.
The dedication and transfer of the Ohio Cottage,
presented by the Stale of Ohio to the National re
lief Corps Home, Madison, o, took place Nov H.
with appropriate ceremonies. After sumptuous
dinner, served in the dining room to the partci-
pants and distinguished guests. tho dedicatory ex-
ercises began, with singing by the Geneva Quartet,
and prayer by Rev. l.. NJ. Protzman. OF the Baptist
Church. The articles OF transfer, read by Asa 8.
Stratton, Of Madison, set forth facts ms follows;
Total sum of appropriations, $4,000; $4,000 ex-
pended for heating. lights, and gas plant; $1,000
for steel ceilings Of first and second oors $500 for
closets; $500 for plumbing $1,000 for well, wind
mill, oistern, and grading; $4,000 architect and
builder; and other items that made the complete
amount.
Hon. e. j. Clapp. author OF tho bill providing for
the erection of the Ohio Cottage, and President OF
the Board of Construction, made the presentation,
in which he reviewed the results of the great VIC
tories of Is6I-'s5, broadening and Frightening the
views of the grateful people, and alludes to Ohios
care for tho Union veterans and their dependent
ones as follows:
We found the Government was SO impressed
with Ohio's loyalty during the great contest. see
ing that she laid upon her country's altar more
than 100 COO of her bravest men, together Win
ST. 800 OF her money that in the selection OIL states
for National Homes it was decided TO lay upon
Ohios soil the great central Soldiers Home at
four put together. Again our grand state not
content with the facilities furnished by the General
Government at beautiful Dayton Home,
but they have expended more than half a mil
lion OF dollars at Sandusky, this State. in erecting
beautiful cottages, where more than l,OGo oil oii0s
honored soldiers find pence and quiet rest: while
at Xenia LOO soldiers orphans are tenderly fed,
clothed and educated at the States expense. One
hundred and fifty thousand dollars is annually ap-
propriated to MAINTAIN the Orphans Home; $780,
600 is annually given for the support of the san
dusky Home; and besides this there Is an average
900 raised in each fihe SO Counties OF the State
soldiers relief fund TO help those soldiers WHO
have families and do not care to go to these homes.
making n total of $4,000 annually distributed
among the INDECENT soldiers and their families ont
side ofihese homes. The patriotic Order OF the
W.R.C of the Department OF Ohio. gave reneI
during the past year 10 the amount OF $4,000. max
grand total of $40 coo that the State OF Ohio an
nualiy contributes to the soldier and his family.
SO, in view of all this, are not surprised that
when the National Committee created by your pa
triotic Order sent out TO look over the states
with view Of locating This beautiful National
Home, they too should have selected Ohio's soil
After Margaret Ray Wilkins. National Presi-
dent, had in a few earnest and eloquent remarks
made formal acceptance of the Ohio Cottage in the
namo OF the Woman's Relief Corps, she was fol-
low ed by Past National President Annie Witten-
myer President of the Board of Trustees. in ring
ing words of patriotism and pathos. She said as
the loyal citizens of Lake and Ashtabula Counties
had more than fulfilled their pledges when secnr-
ing the Home, so would the W.RC. meet every
promise in their efforts to smooth the pathway OF
its noble inmates through the dark valley leading
to the mansions Of the blest.
Home Sweet Home" was beautifully sung by
Viola McKins,ry, prayer offered by Rev. l.. An
dress and the benediction pronounced by Rev.
Domer, Of the Methodist Church. and the formal
exercises were over. Among tho speakers who
Joined briefly In the rejocings wero National
Treasurer Arma A. Cheney, Of Detroit; Past
Matt Pros Mary Ceara MrHeury of Iowa :
Department President Ellen M Putnam, Of New
York; Past Depart ment President Emma B. Lowd
of Massachusetts,. and Department President Car
ROLL Of Ohio.
EVENING CAMPFIRE.
At the evening Campfire, President Clamp pre-
siding the Madison male quartet rendered Tenny-
sons BLOW, bugles, blow" enthusiastic
opening number followed by THE Fisherman"
National President Wilkins. Past National Presi-
dents McHenry and Witienmyer and others were
among the speakers, together with that earnest
and untring little worker. Puma L. Cowles, Sec
rotary of the National Home Board. Hon. J. G.
Mccoy, of the Construction Board, introduced Past
National Secretary Hannah r. Plympton, Matron
of the Home, paying her n handsome compliment
richly deserved. The singing of =" America closed
q memorable evening, varied by song and story.
Laura Rosamond White. to whom we indebted
for full account, contributes the following inter-
esting notes:
HOME NOTES.
Past National President Annie Witenmyer Was
presented n beautiful bed-scarf of silk, satn and
velvet n token Of love and gratitude from Julia A.
Hibbard. an inmate of the Homo.
lifesize crayon portrait framed In gilt and dis.
played on handsome easel in one of the parlors
bore the inscription: Presented by Bowers Corps,
No. 14, Nov. 10, 1892, Geneva. o." Thus was the
worthy Secretary of the Board surprised by her de-
voted sisters in soldier work.
The guest chamber. furnished by Mrs. NJ. M.
Swan of Geneva at her own expense. has fine
white maple bed room set and full complement
of lace drapery. spreads. rugs, and toilet articles.
Mrs. Hannah Plympton Is a very faithful and
efficient Ma,ron. She is ably aided by the Assist
ant Matron, Miss Maynard.
The Directors were all present and remained In
session two r three days 10 make Winter prepare
lions for the Home and arrange plans Of work for
the year.
The Board will prepare a volume Of all names of
Army Nurses for the War Department as q book OF
reference.
A beautiful book for registration of visitors was
presented the Ohio Cottage by w. j. Ford, OF
Madison, o.; Mrs. Gertrude Ford Little. Akron, o.;
Mrs. Ford Dickinson, of Custer Corps, Connenut;
and also In the name of the late w. II. Ford, OF
Madison. The presentation remarks were made
by Hon. Il. j. CIapp.
The Bowers room, facing east has been hand
somely fitted up by Mrs. Warren Maltbe and
mother Geneva ladies, aud displays a bedquiit
made by the latter, aged mother in Israel, aged
A large delegation from Memorial Corps Cleve-
land, sweed the guests IN. attendance, accom-
panied by Past Department $. V. Louise M. Roland.
House March, 1891. The Construction Board first
met May 20, 1891. Yetin the comparatively brief
period that has elapsed the cottage Is complete
from basement to dome. The rooms are furnished
in white pine with oak staircases and floors There
are fine balconies in front of the building. The
first story has arched windows. and over the main
entrance. carved in stone. are the words "Ohio
Cottage" The building is lighted by gas, heated
by steam radiators, and has bathrooms and every
convenience
The first thought of the Western Reserve for a
site for a National Home for Army Nurses and the
caused by n circular, The Memorial of the Flow
ere" issued and sent to all Corps by Kate b. Sher-
wood Chairman National Pension and Relief
Committee This attracted the attention Of Puma
L. Cowles then President OF Bowers Corps, and
the thought of n Home in this locality was imme-
back ed by the Corps the seminary site investi-
gated option on land and buildings secured, and
offer of the same made ut next National Conyen-
ton.
The history of the National Committee work visit
of Annie Wittenmyer, decision, securing the various
ali lovers of National Corps benevoences, and
need not be repeated. All honor to the grand
hearts the loyal souls the wise intellects that have
made this Home possible and Ohio is proud that it
stands upon her soil.
Bowers Corps surprised Bowers Post on a recent
evening" taking with them ponniiiui supper, aud
fine large rug to be placed under the altar. After
social chat aud supper war-soDg program was
carried out. The Post passed vote of thanks to
the Corps.-Laura Rosamond White, W.R.C Re-
porter.
OHIO SOLDIERS HOME CAMPFIRE.
The Campfire arranged by Past Department
President Mary Il. Bancroft, Chairman of the Ohio
| Soldiers Home Committee, W.R.C., aud held at
| H.. uor,o sord,sky ON the evening of Nov II