The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1892-02-12
When the land agitations began to

disturb the country it was discovered
that an immense number of ladies had
been rendered penniless because of in
ability to collect their rents In this
emergency Mrs. Power-Lalor was APP
pealed to as the one person who could
undertake the task of relieving these
unfortunate women. In response to
letters that poured in on her from every
part of the country she accepted the
trust and went bravely to work Her.
self a woman of splendid organizing
ability, she soon inaugurated scheme,
in which she was aided by Miss Blanche
Tottenham, and carried out very sue
cessfully, receiving most generous
contributions from England Be.
ing of opinion that those who
could work should, if possible,
support themselves, work of va
rious kinds was provided. for which the
workers received adequate pay; grants
of money, clothes and necessary COM
forts were made to the aged, and many
were rescued from the most appalling
misery. After the first year this sys-
tenn of relief was more firmly estab-
lished by the formation of large COM
mittee in London, under her majesty's
patronage, and a working committee in
Dublin. that attended to the work de-
partment and general minuti@ of the
society. This work having brought
Mrs. Power-Lalor in touch with so
many sad cases of distress among
ladies of advanced years, she conceived
the idea of establishing home where
Irish gentlewomen of all denominations
could be received, provided their penury
arose from non-payment of rents
Lady O'Hagan's generosity in provid-
ing a suitable house in Rutland square,
Dublin, made subsequent arrangement
easy, and for the past five years the
home has proved haven of rest and
comfort to a number of aged ladies,
several of whom have passed away,
tended in their last hours by kind
and loving hands
Another field in which this lady has
done valuable service is that relating
to Irish industries. So important were
her communications to the South Ken.
sington authorities on the subject of
the Irish lace industries that in 1887.
during the marquis of Londonderry
vice-royalty, she was requested to &C.
cept the position of lace inspectress
for Ireland, which she subsequently
did, though the post added immeasura-
bly, to her already overwhelming du-
ties. Her efforts in this new undertake
ing were fraught with such success that
within a twelvemonth the Irish laces
were attracting the attention of home
and foreign buyers, and rapidly recov-
ering their former, though almost for
gotten, prestige. Though constant
inspection of all the new lace was
necessary, Mrs Power Lalor did not
let her visits suffice, but supplemented
them by correspondence, giving detail
ed advice and instruction, besides sup.
plying new ideas and forms for lace,
invaluable aid for the workers, who,
living in converts, were utterly out of
ken of fashions and fancies. and were
consequently unable to keep pace with
the constantly changing ideas of the
day
Mrs. Power Lalor is actively engaged
in making arrangements for the dis
play of Irishwomen's work at the com.
ing Worlds fair. The lace and en-
broidery sections will be completely
under her supervision, and will doubt
less add to the many successes which
appear to be the inseparable results of
all her schemes Her marvellous ca
pacity for organization is further en-
HANGED by fluent oratory, which en-
ables her to express her views with
singular clearness and decision in the
many meetings at which she is called
to preside. The power of her pen is
also well known; seldom has an appeal
for help in any of her benevolent tasks
UNDECIDED; and those who are
fortunate enough to call her an &C.
quaintance, or, better still friend,
speak enthusiastically of the noble, !
true-hearted Irishwoman who, setting
aside all distinctions of creed and class, |
has brought hope, happiness and pros
perity to many thousands of her coun-
try-women and laid the foundation of |
an industrial future for Irishwomen,
and, indeed, for Ireland. Chicago |
Post.