The National tribune., 1893-06-01
w.R.C. AT THE WORLDS FAIR.
A Notable Gathering and Those Who Par
ficiuated ia .fbe Meetings.

remembered. The morning session was in
| formal, but some ringing words of welcome and
response were INDUCED in; National President
Wilkins presiding.
The afternoon was given up to social inter-
course aud in the evening fine program was
carried out, with delightful vocal numbers
interspersed, by Past Department President
Belle c. Harris. soprano soloist, whose singing
was much enjoyed.
Department President Emma r. Wallace, of
Chicago, gave royal welcome on behalf of
Illinois and Chicago and dwelt upon Illinois's
glorious history in the war. She referred to
her martial heroes Grant and Logan, and the
martyred President Lincoln. Coming 80 near
Memorial Day she said this meeting took on a
| new and tender meaning, but with the sadness
was mingled joy, and she closed with saying:
welcome thrice welcome to Chicago"
National President Wilkins said: " In behalf
of the $4,000 women it gives me pleasure to
accept the cordial greeting Not only are we
here at this Congress- but we have established
National Headquarters in Chicago for the
Summer. We were glad to accept the invita-
ton to participate in the Congress of women
and to present our work as the only auxiliary
of the Grand Army of the Republic, bound
together by the grand principles of Fraternity,
Charity, and Loyalty; fraternity stronger
in this Order than any other. because OF priva-
tions endured a charity that does not come as
public aims. givng, but privilege to extend
needful aid to the comrade aud his family;
loyalty to incucate patriotism in the COM
munities in which we live With our children
at our knees we teach them loyalty to our
laws"
Every seat in the hall was fille1, and many
could not find standing room. Hundreds of
veterans were present, who gave q soldiers
greeting to every speaker of the evening Adj.
mirable papers were presented by National In
spector Flo Jamison Miller and National 1nsti-
tutng and Installing Officer Ida W. Moore the
former giving an exhaustive account of What
Women Have Done" and the latter paying
fine tribute to "The Women Of the War;"
Addresses were made by Past National Presi-
dents Kate b. Sherwood and Mary Sears Nc
Henry and Past Department President Sara T..
Rothrock, of Kansas. Elizabeth Mansfield
Irving, of Toledo. o., gave a magnificent reci-
tation Of Memories of the War;" by Mrs. Sher-
wood, and, upon receiving q storm of applause,
pronounced splendid eulogy on Isabella of
CASTLE and the work of the grand women of
the Republic as represented by the Relief
Corps.
Among other participants in the several
meetings were Past Department Presidents
Runnels, of New Hampshire, and Bradford and
Vine, of Illinois, the latter present Counselor of
the Department. A paper by Past National
President Wittenmyer was read.
Nearly all these officers, past and present, and
many other W.R.C. women, were in attendance
upon the meetings of the Congress. The Ma
tional officers were entertained at lunch by De-
partment President Wallace, of Illinois.
The reception and tea rendered by Mrs.
Potter Palmer, President Of the Congress, to
members and invited guests, was attended by
National President Wittenmyer, Past National
Presidents Sherwood aud McHenry. Mesdames
Flo Miller aud Ida w. Moore, Department
n n ~ n
dent Sine, of Illinois, and many others. Tea
WAS served by Ceylon walters in costume.
The WR.C. representation, chiefly by BAN
neTs, records, and so on, at the Woman's Build
ing, is worthy of note.u ~
Headquarters, Department of Illinois, are
established at Room 412, No. 20 State street,
and Department President Wallace extends a
cordial invitation to all friends Of the GAR.
and WR.C visiting the Worlds Fair to call.
OLDEST CORPS MEMBER SOUTH.
DEAR TRIBUNE: George II. Thomas Corps,
2, Dallas, Tex, undoubtedly has the oldest
member of any Corps in the South in the per.
son of Marinda Z. Rust. now past So years of
age. She was the eldest daughter of Ethan
Allen, and was born In Aurelius, N. Y, April
8. 1903. Her grandfathers on both sides were
soldiers in the Revolutionary war.
On her 84th birthday Thomas Corps adjourned
in body and paid her visit at her residence
panied by three of the Department officers
Ann Z. knight. President; Nellie Rust Jones
(grand daughter of Mrs. Rust), Secretary, and
Florence Myers, Treasurer.
Mrs. Rust shared largely of the woes and
SORROWS of the dark and bloody days of 1861, 49,
in common with all whose loved ones took up
arms in defense Of their country in the great
struggle for the Union. She was left desolate
early in 1861 by the death of her husband
Her eldest son, john L. Rust, enlisted under
the first call for soldiers. serving four years i'll
the Goth Ind one of the famous 45 regiments
that lost over 200 each in killed in battle dur
ing the war. He was in many hard fought
battles and was terribly wounded at the battle
of Cold Harbor in 1864.
Another son, Elbridge G. Rust, then residing
in New York City, enlisted as Sergeant in the
2lst N. j., and was in the great battles of
Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancellors-
vile, and was dangerously wounded at Salem
Church while leading the remnant of his COM
pany in the memorable charge of May 4. 1863.
He was promoted the battlefield after the
charge of Marye's Nights, for gallant conduct.
His home has been for many years in Dallas,
Tex, but he now resides in Waco.
Her youngest son. and main support, Don b.
Rust, enlisted in Co. F, 2lst Mich. Being
young and in delicate health. he succumbed to
the hardships of camp life and died at the siege
of Vicksburg. and was buried at Miliiken's
Bend, La, June %, 1863
Grandma Rust" as she is fondly known in
Dallas, is passing the evening of her days in
the Sunny South surrounded by her children,
grandchildren and great randchildren, who all
love her, and make her declining days happy.
Having seen great deal of early pioneer
life in Michigan, with its hardships and
long, cold Winters, she enjoys the balmy
South and the society of its hospitable people.
where her home has been for the last Is years.
She is q devoted Christian. as well becomes
one of her noble character. The Corps honors
her as a veteran mother and noble woman
Nellie r. Jones' Corps Secretary.
ALL ALONG THE LINE
Lengthy resolutions passed by the Depart
ment Convention of Illinois, to lay before Ma
tional Convention, will appear later.
Col. Carl Bancroft, Chairman of Columbus
(O) Memorial Day Floral Committee, has re.
ceived total of 1921 IA from the school chill
dren's penny collection, TO buy Towering plants
with which TO decoratesthe soldiers graves
Sarah y. Martin, Shell Rock, Iowa, writes
that Dixon Corps, Department of Illinois, is
quoted as having charter membership of So,
the largest in the State. She'll Rock Corps beats
that by ~ having a CHARTER embership of 65
Sarah b. Martin is Past President of Corps 80,
Department of Illinois, and Past President,
Corps 235. Department of Iowa.
The 18th annual Reunion of ex-pupiIs and
ex mployes of the Ohio Soldiers and Sailors
Orphans Home will be held at the Home, near
Xenia on the 4th, 5th, and 9th of July. 1893
Gov. Mckinley, Auditor of State Poe, Secre.
tary of State Taylor. and State School Com