The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-10-12
NATIONAL RELIEF CORPS HOME.

Report of Chairman of the Board of Di-
rectOrs TO Eleventh National Convention.
The report of Past National President Annie
Wittenmyer, Chairman of the Board of Direc-
tors, National Relief Corps Home Madison, O.,
as made to Eleventh National Convention,
W.R.C., will be read with interest by every
member of the GAR. and W.R.C 1t is as
follows:
SAEAToGA. PA. July 10, 1888
FLORA PRESTON HoGBrS, National Secretary,
DEAR MADAM: have the honor TO repor. that
the National Home is in prosperous aud healthy
condition.
The general management Of the Home. under
the able administration Of the Matron, Hannah X.
Plimpton. has been entirely satisfactory aud the
results very encouraging.
Although the family has doubled during the last
year, the expenses have not correspondingly in
creased This is accounted for the result OF the
careful and economical management of the Mairon
and The development OF our own resources. which
has given US pasture for cows, large garden and
truck patch, and plenty of berries and vegetables
etc. Our people have lived much better than here
tofore, al much less cost.
THE OHIO COTTAGE.
This beautiful structure was completed furnish
ed handsomely. ard turned officially to the
Woman's Relief Corps Oct. q, ls92 aud now con-
stitues part Of the valuable property AT Madison
o., owred 10y the National WomaDs Relief Corps
Everything was satisfactorily adjusted between the
Building Committee, known The Construction
Board, and the officers Of the Wongn's Relief
Corps and glad and joyful jubilee, in which the
people OF Madison aud Geneva took large part, was
held the occasion.
An attempt WIS made during the year to purchase
the land lying just la the Of the Home bai,d-
ings; but the price asked Was exhorhilant and we
decided not to purchase it, but 30 look elsewhere
for pasture land have in my hands S25 given by II
friend who is not willing to have me his name
which is to 90 to the land fund. The Departments
that have not contributed can aid US with their
~ mn az
We will need 70 make the purchases are plan
ming for.
THE HEALTH OF THE HOME.
1t will be seen by the report of the physician
that, Notwithstanding the age and nirmities of the
inmates as a class the health Of the Home has been
remarkably good during the last yepr.
There has been one death in the Home this year
Mrs. Christina Hylnnd She WAS buried ia our
beautiful lot ia the cemetery by, with the
same honor aud respect as we would snow 10 or
mothers. The Post aud Corps of Madison
and the people OF the vicinity attended the funeral
ARMY NURSES OUTSIDE OF THE HOME
Only two regular remittances have been sent this
year TO Army Nurses outside OF The Home, owing
to lack OF funds.
law. II was confidently expected that all who were
entitled TO pensions under the law would receive
ihem without delay and so no appropriation was
asked for from the general fund.
But there have been great delays and no end Of
trouble In dealing with their claims, and hundreds
are stiii waiting in suspense We have done all we
could 20 relieve their immediate wants and have
appealed 10 the Departments ia behalf Of their
nurses, aud many of the Departments have gladly
taken up The work. We find that The Department
Relief Committee is ia position TO Judge ac-
curateiy as to these cases. We have done the very
best we could for this class
The heavy task put upon me by the last Conve,-
ton OF aiding the Army Nurses in establishing,
their claims for pensions, have performed to the
best OF my ability. The difficulties have had 10
encounter have been many and almost ins urmount-
able. as have tried TO carry out your generous
purposes. The law, as interpreted by the high
officials OF the War Department, was imperative.
Tie work was blocked; not claim went
| through for the first five months. summoned my
/ courage for the conflict, and by statements OF
/ facts Arguments, hunting up old decisions and
/ personal appeals, secured the removal of these
hindrances one after the other
ii was not TIL the 24th Of June 1893 that the last
obstacle was removed, by orders from Hon john
NJ, Reynolds. Assistant Secretary OF the Interior.
| The pensions are now going through as rapidly
| rs we could well hope. and believe that ali en-
titled TO pensions under the law will receive them
| without unnecessary delay.
| nave already carried enough cases through 10
relieve our Board Of Directors of a burden Of nj
| least $1,000. have ia my hands several hundred
more cases whose evidence have secured, and
whose cases believe will 20 through.
IL has been heavy task TO instruct these claim
ants, and aid them TO obtain the necessary evidence
az most OF Them are old and feeble, to whom
| a grasshopper Is burden" rs the Scriptures
| express H. This work should be done by those
who can sympahiZe with them IN all their ;oubles
| which are many. / have done the best could
and in laying this burden OF care and work ut your
feet entreat you TO be tender and faithful to do
| your work as women aud for sweet charity's
sake not TO put into Tie hands Of men Let il he IN
| honor 10 the Homan's Relief Corps a t0ork Of
| tC0faeH for trcglen.
] The iast National Con renlion ordered the neces