Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-21
AIDING IN GOOD WORKS.
A Useful Society Auxiliary to the Sons Of
Veterans.

The Ladies' Society of the Sons Of Veterans,
though practically but ave years old. embraces
2ls societies and is organized in fourteen states
In permanent divisions and with provisional
societies in thirteen others Its total member
ship il now 5,O97.
Although the national society dates its real
organization with the first national encamp-
ment held at Akron. Ohio, September and 9,
II really existed since the week following the
fall OF Fort Sumter. when Ladies' Aid Society,
with all Its avowed objects, was organized in
Philadelphia by Mrs. Harris 1t was COM
posed OF upward of 200 noble ladies of that
city. Their work for the soldiers is well known.
Phliadelphia is also credited with having or
ganized an order OF the L. A. s. some time
previous to 1888. which grew to some extent
Miss Laura Martin was the official head at the
time 1t was merged into the present organiza-
ton, in 1888. Miss Martin was the provisional
president until the Akron encampment Of 1887.
Al that encampment Mrs. W. ID. A. O'Brien of
Sidney, Ohio, was elected national president
The following year at Wheeling, West Virginia,
she was reelected.
The third national encampment was held IN
Paterson, New Jersey, in August. 1889, when
Mrs. Ella L. Jones of Altoona was elected ma
tional president and served two years. The
fourth encampmen: was held a. St Joseph,
Michigan i'll August, 1890. In Minneapolis, at
the fifth national encampment, in August. 1891,
Mrs. j. S. Mason of Medina. Ohio. was elected
the third national president. The sixth en-
campment was held in August last at Helena,
Montana, ut the close of which Miss Belle Gray
of Washington, Iowa, was elected president,
DIR. Catherine Holden of Helena vice-president
and the national council as follows:
Miss Josie Munholand, Bloomington. Ill;
Mrs. May Mason, Medina. o.; Mrs. Ada l..
shannon, Philadelphia, Pa; Miss Parker. South
Dakota, and Miss Taffe. Kansas City, Kan. Mrs.
Burton, Butte, was chosen chief of staff and
Miss McElwain, ST. Louis. mastering officer.
President Gray appointed Mrs. A. z. Davis
of Pittsburg. Pa, national chaplain.
since 1887 the order has had a steady ard
substantial growth. Ohio stands at the head
of the column with the largest membership
Pennsylvania. Kansas and Illinois follow very
closely, however The order has been repeat
eddy Endorsed by the national encampinents of
the Sons of Veterans as their only recognized
auxiliary, and has also received the hearty APP
prevail of many of the leading members OF the
Grand Army of the Republic. inclu ding many
past and present department commanders.
Commander-In-Chic Palmer of the q. A. r.
says OF II: "Ail efforts made by the Sons OF
Veterans and their ladies' aid societies TO pre-
serve the work OF the G. A. L. and insiill a
spirit of patriotism and love OF the flag of our
country meet with my hearty approval"
The objects of the Ladies' Aid Society az set
forth IN their constitution are briefly as follows:
"To aid the Sons of Veterans in all their OBJ
jects, both financial and otherwise; to aid the
members of the Grand Army of the Republic
in caring for their helpless and disabled COM
rades; to perpetuate the memory OF their heroic
dead and the proper observance of Memorial
day; TO inculcate true patriotism and love of
country, not only among our members but all
the people of the land, and to spread and sus-
tain the doctrine of equal rights, universal
liberty and justice TO all
Its societies may receive as members
mothers, wives. sisters and daughters of veteran
soldiers, also wives and daughters of Soas of
Veterans
The call Of the national president to attend
the G. a. II. encampment in this city
announces that the society will hold a mass
convention at the Street Baptist Church a I
80 p. N. September 81. to be continued as
circumstances require and that national head
quarters will be located at 9l5 L street.
The objects Of this meeting are to confer
together upon topics of good to the order. to
devise plans of greater usefulness and TO ex-
tend the social features of the organization