Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1895-11-21

EXN&f" evening of Novem
/ tS&S&sNo Der 19, 1894, for
,N9A purpose of forming
! aeaESASM an organization to
~ w aid the needy dur
| ing the winter, and. as far as possible
to furnish work for the unemployed on
public improvements. The meeting
was well attended and much interest
was shown. An executive committee
of four was chosen. G. n. Moses was
made president, G. M. Moss secretary
| and Louis Zutavern treasurer
1t was agreed to raise the funds to
carry on the work mainly by public en-
teTtainments, rather than by subscrip
tion, and looking to this end the execu
tive committee appointed committee
of three on program, whose duty it was
to decide on the nature of the enter
tainment and make all necessary ar
rangements. They in turn selected
two committees of five members each,
one on concerts and the other on
dramatic work. Two other special
committees were appointed during the
winter-charity ball and turkey shoot.
A relief committee was appointed from
each ward, composed of chairman
and from two to three other members.
according to the size of the ward
With the exception of the chairman
these committees were composed of
ladies, and it was the duty of said COM
mittees to look up and aid the poor,
prevent suffering and to see that the
funds were not squandered, and only
those actually needy were furnished
aid. Iu most cases a personal visit
was made and the members ascertained
what was required
The club worked under a business
system, and although some thought it
rather complicated, still a certain
amount of precaution had to be taken
to insure safety. All money was de-
posted with the treasurer and was
drawn out only on checks issued by the
secretary, accompanied by the original
order. These orders were issued by
the members of The relief committee.
signed by the chairman of the ward
and the president or vice president of
club, not transferable and good only
for articles named. When accompanied
by check they were good anywhere in
the city and were filled upon presenta-
tion. The firm to whom they were
taken was required to sign them, to
show that the order had been filed
completes; or the chairman of the ward
could have the order filled. the goods
sent to the PERSONS house and the
check afterward issued by the secretary.
Applications for work on public i'm
provements were issued by the chair
man of the ward, signed by the presi-
dent and vice president and filed with
the Improvement committee of the
city council. When these orders were
worked out they were countersigned
by him and given to the applicant,
who brought them to the secretary, re
| ceiving check for the amount, which
was also pinned to thh original order.
These orders were good for merchan
disc only, not transferable, and could
be taken to any place in the city, al
| the option of the holder, the merchant
being required TO sign them as before
The club started out with.S19 75 in
the treasury, turned over by Mr.. Kelly
treasurer of last years relief club, as
the balance from the old fund.
The first regular entertainment wa:
given by the concert committee or
December 5, and netted $40 80. Thi.
committee also gave Specially" en-
tertainment February l, clearing
S37.55. The dramatic committee gavt
their play. MRS. Walthrop's Bachel-
ors," March %. increasing the funt
S4S.45. Moneyd was also raise from
various other sources, viz: Entertain
ment given by Methodist church .s33 so
collected at union services on Thanks
| giving day, So 81; subscribed by scho 0
children, 81 so; two turkey shoots
S27; two charity balls. $40 25. making
a grand total of all money raised for th'
year, S216.22, or by adding the amour
turned in by Mr.. Kelly, we hav,
S23e- II.
uTbe first relief order was issued o.