The National tribune., 1896-03-05
THE RELIEF CORPS.
Gleanings from National Headquar-
teES---NOteS from Departments.
MiDwINTER DoINGs.

DOtNSS
The National President in FIorida-Brave
Comrade and Relief Corps Friend Muster
ed Out-Lncoln and Washington Remem-
bered on Their birthday Anniversaries,
and the Iowa W-R-C- Give the Soldiers
Home a Observation-Disclosures History, and
Blue and Gray Friendships. Drus~mer-
Boy of Bennington.
RESTING IN FLORIDA.
National President Lizabeth A. Turner, ono
has been suffering from severe cough, has
gone to Florida for rest and recuperation. At
least she calls it that, although the program
she has laid out for herself would not in
iicate rest to the average sojourner in the
Land of Flowers.
1t is her intention to make round of visits
for inspection and encouragement to the Corps
of Key West, Tampa, st. Petersburg, and all
those on the western coast of Florida.
MUSTERED OUT.
The death of Judge r. 81. Cochran, Ohio's
member of the National Council of Admins
tration, GAR, and member of the Executive
Committee, took place on The evening of Wash
ingtons Birthday, Feb. %. 1886, at his home in
Toledo, o., following brief and painful ill
ness.
No citizen of Ohio had a more honorable or
conspicuous record as just jurist and sue
cessful proprietor of large business interests,
and no comrade of the Grand Army of the
Republic had nobler and more untarnished
record, within or without the soldier ranks.
Judge Cochran was a pure, honest, upright
man devoted husband, a fond father, pub
lic-spirited citizen, exalted patriot, faith
full friend, comrade above reproach.
The widow and the orphan found in him
sympathizing and helpful protector, and patri-
4 To;1. ID
death of such man is in the nature of pub
lie calamity. but the Grand Army and the Re-
lief Corps will miss his counsels most next
only to his wife and children.
Mrs. Cochran has long been q member of
Forsyth Corps, and the entire Order will SYM
pathize with her in her sudden grief.
IN THE LAND OF FLOWERS.
Past National Secretary Jennie Bross is So
iourning at Pasadena. Cal. taking side trips to
Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Santa Monica, and
other delightful southern California resorts.
She will return in time for the Illinois Conven-
ton in Nav returning via San Francisco.
Writing to a National officer, Mrs. BrOss says:
i can scarcely realize that last year / was at
work at Headquarters in Chicago, with the
thermometer at zero, or below, while here one
goes ont without wraps and with an umbrella
to protect one from the sun.
Flowers, orange trees bending with luscious
all is too grand TO describe, and must be seen to
be believed"
NATIONAL HOME CELEBRATION
Washingtons Birthday was commcmorated
at the National Relief Corps Home in a most
felicitous manner.
Members of the various patriotic societies
of Madison were the invited guests. and the
Ohio Cottage was thronged at early hour.
charming program was presented by Super
aiuh o,,d
costumes of Martha and George Washington,
including music, Rotations original poem
by Mrs. Burleigh, and beautiful flag drill &C
com papy ing the chorus "Song of Liberty"
There were addresses from comrades of the
GAR and friends, thrilling incidents of
camp life, and the experiences of Army Nurses
and spies. followed by a collation. aud hour
of social enjoyment.
AT LINCoLN's TOMB.
The tomb of Abraham Lincoln. Springfield,
H., was visited by hundreds on Lincoln's
Birthday, aud the monument and ssrcophagus
were laden with flowers.
Stephenson Relief Corps of Springfield, sent
sheaf of wheat and bunch of lilies tied with
white ribbon.
Durham Corps, of Decatur, sent delegation,
with flowers and conducted memorial services
at the monument, opened by Efie r. Kennedy.
President. Dora spaulding, who suggested
the visit, was Chairman of the Floral Commit
tee and Mrs. Adams, of Decatur, who attended
Lincon's funeral, was of the number. Address
ty Hattie Buskirk, of Durham Corps. At the
close OF her remarks she placed flag On the
sarcophagus.
The Decatur delegation staid over for the
memorial exercises in the evening by invita-
tion of Stephenson Post and Corps.
A floral casket cross was placed upon the
tomb by Mary Craig, of Springfield, sent by De-
partment President Flo Jameson Miller from
Department of Illinois, W.RC.
Springfield account of the visit of the
Decatur delegation says President Kennedy
"cosed with pathetic review of the death of
the martyr which moved her hearers to tears"
SOLDIERS HOME CELEBRATION.
Eleanor l.. Gibson writes that Lincon's
Birthday, 1896, will long be memorable to the
veterans of the Iowa Soldiers Home upon
which occasion grand piano was presen ted the
Home from the Department OF Iowa, W.R.C.,
by Helen II. Griffith, Department President.
President Griffith's eloquent address was
heartily applauded. after which President S. b.
Evans of the Board of Commissioners, voiced
the thanks OF ali for the valued gift, follow
ing up his remarks with admirably prepared
resolutions, copy of which he presented on
behalf of the Board.
After remarks by the Associate Commission.
ers, fine program was carried out and Nettie
Sanford Chaplin presented President Griffith
beautiful uoWerS, Win compliments OF the
Commissioners. To her is due the presentation
of the piano. the funds for which have been
contributed by Corps in the past six months.
The piano has been placed in the Home
Chapel. 1t is Hallett & Davis Concert Grand
and was selected by committee composed of
Mary S. McHenry, Past National President;
Helen r. Griffith, Department President, and
Helen Z. Longley Department Treasurer.
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORY.
The history of the Department of Massachu-
setts W.R.C., from 1879 to 1895, inclusive
comes out in handsome style from the press of
L. B. StillinEs & Co., Boston. The portrait of
Sarah L. Fuller, first Department President,
forms the frontispiece, and portraits of her suc-
cessors are distributed throughout the pages
accompanied by biographical sketches.
There are also portraits and sketches of
| James L. Mech, honorary member; Mary T.
Elliott. Department Secretary, and her prede-
| cessors in office. together with a comprehensive
outline of Massachusetts Relief Corps work, as
| the founder of a great National association
and in the special lines Of Memorial Day, Sol
diers' Home, relief, Army Nurse pensions, and
| so on.
| Massachusetts, has done well in compiling
! this important history. which will be invalu-
able for reference and in establishing the latter
| day work Of the loyal women of America on
behalf of the men who saved the Nation.
Great credit is given to the committee of the
W.RC. which compiled and issued the work.
embracing Mary L. Elliott, Sarah L. Fuller,
+. Florence Barker Mary q. Deane, and Emily
| l.. Clark