The National tribune., 1895-07-04
ices were held; Gen. A. P. Martin, Of Boston
delivering the annuaIa address.

Though Kansas was drenched with rain Me-
! mortal Day the program planned by Depart
| ment President was very generally carried out
| indoors, and four m onuments were uDvailed.
Department Secretary Rachel c. Alrich says
the un vailing OF a monument by John Anderson
Corps, Wilder. erected OH W.R.C. lot, at cost OF
| $3.50. is the first one of its kind record. 1t
| has inscriptions on four sides Of the base, de-
| claring the objects and principles it commemo-
| rates.
TENTH OHIO DISTRICT.
Past Department President Mary A. Lyon
| reports the Tenth Ohio District Convention,
| held at Xenia, a success; both National Presi-
| dent Wallace and National Secretary Bross in
attendance Capt McQuiston, of the 8. of w.,
| and comrades of the q. "A. K. joined In the din
ner and speeches.
| Lovely souvenir badges Of the tri-colors, with
"Xenis etched on the white, were presented
| by Mesdames Thrall and Collins, of Corps 20.
The report Of Committee on Patriotic In
| stTucton was good seed sown.
National President Wallace was q guest over
| night of the Home, and spoke in the chapel to
| over 900 orphans.
BIG BLUE MONUMENT.
Department President Emma B. Alrich ap-
| preciates the advantage Of bringing the young
girls into active work in the w.R.C., and has
remembered them in her appointments Of
Press Correspondents. They arc doing good
work for the grand old cause.
One of these, Clyde Hornaday, makes an
excellent report of Corps 4, Topeka, which has
just elected Sarah j. Herrick President, to sue
coed s. NJ. Forester, resigned.
Prior to Memorial Day, Corps passed rcso-
lutions pledging themselves to do all in their
power to preserve the day sacred to those who
offered their lives in defense of their country"
and to desist from decorating the graves of
deceased members of the W.R.C on that day,
thereby setting the example which should in
f1rence all civic societies to assist in decorating
the graves of the Nations heroes.
1t was resolved that another day than the
Memorial Day Of the Grand Army of the Re-
public be chosen on which to do honor to our
departed co-workers in the cause of Fraternity,
Charity, aud Loyalty.
From May 80, 1894, to May 80, 1895, 30 graves
were added to the number in Topeka; total
number $50.
Topeka Corps, 4, Fort Pillow Corps and Lin
coin Circle united in arranging the flowers for
decorating soldiers graves, and in serving
bountiful dinner to the GAR and S. Of Y.
when Memorial observances were over.
In the afternoon, thousands Of people gath
cred at the cemetery to witness the unvaiing
of the monument presented to all ex-Union
soldiers. in memory of those who fell in the
battle of the Big Blue, six miles south of what
is now Kansas City.
This monument was presented by g. G. Gage,
of Topeka. one Of the participants in that noted
battle. and a personal friend of all who were
killed; he has long anticipated this step, but
has quietly gone at work to consnmmate it, not
wishing any notorety, yet feeling that those
brave men should be remembered who gave
their lives that our State might be protected
from the invasion of q hostile army.
Tho monument is Of Vermont granite, and
cost upward of $4,000. Gen. J. G Caldwell de-
livered eloquent address at the cemetery,
and the exercises closed with the firing Of 81
shots by Battery b.
SOUTH DAKOTA CONVENTIONS.
DEAR TRIBUNE: The 10Th annual Conven-
ton. Department of South Dakota, W.RC.,
was held at Pierre, the capital city. 1t was
presided over by Department President Emma
F. Robinson, and was highly creditable
throughout, about 100 representatives in at
tendance. it#o
Pleasing entertainments were given at the
Soldiers Home each evening to immense audi
ences. sfrTf
The attendance at Convention of National
President Emma X. Wallace was greatly appre-
ciated, as were her words of counsel and en-
couragement. fI
Great regret was expressed that in the even
ing the crowd great as TO neeessitate
open air meeting, making it impossible for her
TO be heard, save by few. She gracefully
cused herself, saying that was zone of the
places Wnerc n woman cOuiu hot t8ik-
An informal morning reception was given by
Convention TO Commander in Chief r. B. Law
Ter and National President Wallace, the former
in attendance at Encanipmcnt.
In the afternoon the Commander in Chief
visited Convention with delegation Of COM
rades, when he paid our Department many
graceful compliments.
Eppie McMillen. who has served the Depart
ment efficiently for the past two years. was
unanimously elected Department President
and we predict prosperous year under her
leadership.
There was a joint installation of officers
GAR and W.R.C., at the closing session of
Encampment week.
The testimonials to retiring officers were
handsome silver tea service to the Department
President. gold recognition pin to the Junior
Vice, and gold pen and holder to Clara A.
Lukens. Department Secretary.
The city of Pierre was beautifully decorated,
and never were the GAR. and WR.C more
royalty entertained.
The combined sentiment, GAR, WR.C.,
and S. OF ", is: Long live and thrive Pierre,
the beautiful capital city by the river, whose
most gracious hospitality has been ours to enjoy
three memorable days.
Sarah +. Holmes. Department Press Core
spondent, Plankinton, S. ID.
NEW YORK AND NATIONAL TREASURER.
DEAR tribune: Sarah E. Phillips, Past
National Secretary, W.R.C., was unanimously
Endorsed by the 18th annual Con vention, De-
partment of New York, as their candidate for
National Treasurer.
Sarah E. Phillips has been identified with
the Woman's Relief Corps since April, 1884,
when she was elected Guard of Root Corps,
Syracuse, n. Y. She filed that position with
as much devotion and dignity as though the
success of the Corps depended upon her alone.
She has much the same record in faithful per.
Torrance of duty as Corps Secretary, Sen Tor
ice-President and President of her Corps As
Chairman of the Department Executive Board
she won the admiration of her co-laborers and
the Treasurer. because of her thorough knowl-
edge of book keeping and conscientious atten-
tion to the details of this important Depart
ment work.
Saga