The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-11-21
WHITE CROSS LEAGUE.
An Organization that was Started In this
Ht-t g- gtute-Its Work tis ,fi---tt u =

An Organization that was Started In this
stnte-Its Work. ~ y
The White Cross League for boys, Is {
an organization, that had Its birth In
West Virginia. The local branch meets
every Thursday evening at 7:so o'clock
in tho Hess building. The last meeting
in each month is open to the public. At
last nights meeting the following inter-
estlng paper was read, which tells OF the
objects Of the league: 3
Less than nine years ago In Weston,
w. Va, the first White Cross League for
boys was organized. On the first night
five boys were present and each was
made an officer. That league in two
years numbered fifty members. sSs'f
Its members are now widely scattered.
being found In many states In the Union.
They are engaged in Various kinds OF
business and the majority are doing
well. Some are married and are instill-
ing into tho minds OF their children
truths learned In that league. a letter
was written to the Toledo Blade, telling
OF the organization, and letters were re-
ceived from Louisiana, Kansas and
other states, asking how to organize.
A league Of thirty members was or-i'
ganized in Uhricsville, o. It Is not
nkown how long 1t existed. A boy sin
Kansas, who lived on the prairie, far
from neighbors, Joined the league at
Weston. t3s - f,i.sS
AS far as known the Weston league
was the first of Its kind anywhere. There
were leagues formed, but none for boys.
November 10, 1892, seven boys met at Mr. y
Beck's, in this city. and a league was orr
ganlzed, and since that time there have
been seventy members. Some have
moved away, some are In business and
do not attend, several are away at
school, one is going to Africa, as q mis-
stonary,S a few have lost interest, and
many are still faithful. Very few have /
failed to live up to their obligations.
The members are among the most
manly, gentlemanly boys In this city, as
every boy who honors his own mothers
womanhood Is bound to be. The White
Cross League Of Wheeling has stand-t
ing, and people are constantly asking
about lt and expressing desire that
certain other boys would become imem-5
bers The pledge and d'inltlation are ALI
that could be desired. Obligations are
as follows: To treat all women. with res
spect, and endeavor to protect them
from wrong and degradation: to endea-i
vor to put down all indecent language
and coarse Jests; to maintain the law OF
purity as equally binding upon men ana
women: to endeavor to spread these
principles among companions, and help
younger brothers: to use all possible
means to- fulfill the, Command. Keep
Thyself Pure s ,sj3 80
The conduct Of the White Cross boys
Is being watched more closely tian they
have any idea. They. arc growing up to-
honorable manhood. and as'theiyears go
ion, many will feel that 1t has been very
great help and benefit to have been a {
member OF the league. Many boys who
came to this league In knee pants and
were afraid to hear the sound OF their
own voices, can now get up in a dlgni-G
fed manner and. speak well on any sub-5
fject under discussion. and their. debates
would be o credit to any organization