The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-02-23
THE IOWA COTTAGES.
Formal Dedication by the Grand Army and
Relief Corps.

work and ready co. operation with the w re. and
then introduced Col. Merrill, Chairman. to the
audience. In his remarks he paid generous
tribute 10 the W.R. c.. and commended their aid in
the great undertaking.
The Commandment Of the Home. Col. Keatley,
was next introduced, with thanks for his ready
sympathy and assistance rendered the w. re. in
their furnishings. His reply replete with good
advice, aud full of commendation for the Iowa Re
lief Corps and their honored head. At tile con-
clnson of his remarks, Department President
Rothrock read the following spirited poem, from
her own pen, in honor of the occasion:
OUR COTTAGE HOMES.
With love for our flag, and the mobiles in blue,
We fought for its colors like patriots true;
We assemble to-day odd Glory" 10 greet,
And welcome the gift Of ten homes SO complete.
Home. home. sweet, sweet home,
We welcome the gift Of ten homes 30 complete.
Like buds in the caiyx before the fair flower;
These homes but prelude forty on the wing !;
We welcome the ten-ihe forty we'll bring.
Home, home, sweet, sweet home,
Hurrah for the forty more homes on the wing
Our comrades so Loyalty started the strain.
The Woman's Relief Corps have caught the re.
Well swell the glad song and make Iowa ring
With our plea for these homes, and the comforts
Home home sweet. sweet home.
We plead for these homes and the comforts they
bring.
Each John and his Sally, a groom and bride,
Started out LIES journey to march side by side
Must they part in old age, or be hidden to roam
As wanderers earth without any sweet home?
No, No! They shall not thus roam,
Well cali quick halt with forty good homes.
The reference to the 40 good homes" is In rec
ogniton ola movement upon the part Of the GA X.
aud W. X. c. of Iowa TO supplement the 10 cottages
provided by the Legislature with enough 10 meet
the present demand. IL having been already shown
TINT the number provided is wholly insufficient.
c. has, fg,av Anrn be- Paw II
Hoover, of Davenport, made strong and earnest
plea in the same line and concluded by pledging
$500 from August Wentz Post. No. j. of which he is
q member, for the erection OF n cottage This set
the bail in motion, and the Post Mt Muscatine
pledged n cottage, and Department President Roth
more more Cottages before laying down her raveI ].
Among tile speakers was the National President
of the Ladies' Aid Society, auxiliary to the Sons OF
Veterans. who pledged that Order to help along
the good work.
OBLIGATORY ADDRESS.
Following an orchestral selection Department
President Rothrock delivered the dedicatory ad.
dress in which she reviewed the cottage work from
its inception paid tribute to her predecessor,
Clara Il. Nichols, who labored successfully for
The enabling act for the erection of the cottage
homes, recommended petition for $50 900 ppro-
priation from the next Legislature for the erection
of general dormitory for the occupancy of veter-
and their wives who are unable TO wait upon
themselves. "a monument i'm brick and stone
erected for the comfort Of veterans and their wives
and widows, far more creditable to the State Of
Iowa than the talles shaft of Italian marble, bear
ing patriotic inscriptions TO honored soldiers,
while those very soldiers and their wives sepa-
rated in their old age, were wanderers earth,
without any sweet home,
In the course Of her eloquent and comprehensive
address, Department President Itothrock said ::
"The principles underlying this movement are
those Of justice and honor-justce TO the veterans
who defended our country in her hour of need, and
a sense of honorable obligation TO the patriotic
wife who by her Willingness to assume The double
possible for her husband to serve his country.
These 10 cottage homes are the first ex preston
from the State Of Iowa In recognition OF these
heroic women. Shall they be the last of such ex-
pressions? 1t remains for the people of Iowa TO
say. Over 200 applications have been made for
these 10 cottages. What provision shall be made
for those who have asked for a home? In addition
TO the large number of comrades and their wives
who are separated from each other In their old age,
or who are struggling along together, the comforts
and pleasures OF life having been blown away by
adverse winds-in addition 10 these there nre in
Iowa more than 300 widows of soldiers who are
dependent upon public or pri vate charities. re-
Gently heard that 60 soldiers widows were In the
County.houses Of Iowa. In less than 20 hours 80
letters on their way TO the Superintendent of
poor farms asking II, among the inmates. there
were any widows of soldiers; II so. how many and
what were their names? As yet only three have
been reported.
"These 300 or more widows appeal 10 us for SUD-
port and needful care in their old nge. They are
the mothers Of the noble sons who laid their lives
on the altar Of their countrys good. They the
the days OF ls6l-'G5."
TRIBUTE TO THE RELIEF CORPS.
Hon. J. ]. Russell. Secretary of the Building
Committee, followed with brief address In which
lie paid high tribute TO the Iowa Relief Corps and
its efficient officers In the course Of his remarks
he said
"The Legislature gave us IS. 600 with which to
build 10 cottages. We thought there was not
| enough money to furnish them. While trying to
solve This vexed question, tho Department Presi.
dnnf rad nm tltn Il
| said the W.R.C. would furnish them; and nfter
| talking TO us 10 minutes we satisfied we
| knew she could do anything. She and her nsso-
ciates have done the work; they have more than
met the demand-have done nobly.
The Department President Inns accomplished
wonders by her un,irng efforts and enthusiastic
| work to secure these 10 Homes for these women,
and is still pushing the work of the erection Of adj.
| ditionai cottages. AS Board we must look after
| the pracical-must provide for the coming neede
| of the people who occupy them. We so in
| sympathy with the President of the W.R.C. that
we shall do oil we can TO aid her in carrying out
the laudable plans she is formulating" Mr.. Russell
| then read resolution from the Board OF Commits.
| sioners expressive of their appreciation of the
prompt and efficient manner In which tile Woman
| Relief Corps hive done their work, and thanking
| them for the able manner In which they had con.
| Quoted the exercises.
| Captain Evans of 0ttumwa, and Christine Sny.
der. Department Instu,ing aud Installing Officer
of Preston. were among the speakers.
Letters were read from Sommandern-Chie
| Weissert, Gov. Boies, Department Commando
| Siesdmnn Past National Presidents Annie Witten
myer. Mary Sears McHcnry, and Kate b. Sher
wood: Armilla A. Cheney, National Treasurer
| Department Commander Ollie, $. Of ", ant
Puma l.. Cowes. Secretary National Relief Corps
Home.
The cottages presented q very inviting appear
ance, with their appropriate furniture costly
arranged and the wail-adornings and other brio-a
brac gave them home.ike air. In each bedroom
Is a pretty suite In hard wood. antique oak finish
a complete toile.-set in graniteware, cushions
combs brushes whiskbrooms, foOtstools, rugs
and in fact, everything needful for "a bedroom. I,
| each sit tnO.r four ho1h led ha lxpI
large rockers, one table, cuspidor, clock, stools
books, pictures, shades, and many pretty and use
full articles.
Enough furniture was provided not only for tn
| 10 cottages. but there is remaining enough TO
about 20 others. and $500 left In the coiiage-fun
| after paying all bills.