The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-10-17

Child as she was and blessed with the Ger
mans glorious gift of song, she was called upon
to sing at every flag raising and soldiers rally.
1t has been Justly said that 10 was the patri-
otto German element which held st. Louis and
the State of Missouri in the Union, and what
more fitting than that the patriotic singer of
Louisville should capture one of those valiant
defenders in the gallant Capt. Stiesmier. or
that when the Woman's Reief Corps was formed
in the West she should be among the first to
join its ranks.
The Department of Missouri, W.R.C.. was
organized in 1884, and Henrietta Stesmeier,
who had served special appointee of Ma
tional President Kate y. Sherwood, was elected
Department. President. Beginning with nine
charter Corps, she closed up an energetic year
with % Corps and the affairs of the Depart
ment in good working order.
Through all the IL years of Department work
she has held an office,in her own Corps and in
the Department. and has been faithful at
tendant upon all Department and National
Conventions. She is member of the Missouri
Relief Corps Home Association, and member
of the Board of Trustees
The National Junior Vice President is q
woman of distinguished presence. tall and
handsome, with keen, black eyes, and pleasant
smile for everyone. She is the best type OF
the fine German. American element in the
Grand Army and Relief Corps. She talks well
aud to the point, and deserves all the cOngratu-
ations that friends of long years of soldier work
are showering upon her. ~,
COMPOSER OF COLUMBIA POST oUIcKsTEP.
All who listened to the inspiring strains Of
the favorite quicksiep played by Colum bia
Post. Chicago, escorts of Commander-in-C Chief
Lawler at Louisville, willswant to see the face
Of the beautiful young composer.
r Miss Bessie Smith, Brock port, n. Y, is the
daughter of soldier who died some five or six
years ago, and whom she is said to resemble in
personal characteristics aud disposition. Her
mother is Elizabeth b. Smith, Department
Treasurer of New York, writer and speaker
on patriotic subjects OF singular force and
fervor.
Bessie was born Sept. 81. 1873 and is just
completing her 22d year. Always frail and
delicate in appearance the death OF her father
cast peculiar shadow over her life, the shadow
OF deep thoughtfulness, too deep for her age.
She developed marked musical traits in her
baby hood; at five began the study of music.
and at IL began composing. though the Co
lumbia Post Qnckstep is her first publication.
She is the possessor OF fine soprano voice, re.
markably pure, sweet and strong, and of that
rare sympathetic quality SO seldom heard.
Though excelling in music, other studies were
not neglected, and when graduated from the
State Normal School June last she was one of
Il on the honor list. Her Grafton upon pat
rotism was mastery and eloquent. Carrying
by storm the audience of 1000 people assembled
She is well-traincd elocutonist of superior
excellence and is imbued with intense dramatic
force and magnetic power. She is an accom-
plishsd linguist and her literary culture is of
a high order. Her superior attachments secured
for her the position she now holds, that of Pre-
ceptress of Union School and Academy at
Wilson, N. Y. to which she was chosen on the
first ballot over al applicants. She teaches
Latin, German, English Literature, and vocal
music,