The National tribune., 1896-03-19
AN APPEAL FOR HELP.
Texas Comrades Present a Sad Case

Texas Comrades Present a Sad Case.
HEADQUARTERS A. NJ BARNEY PosT, 81, |
BROWNSVILLE, TEX, Dee. 81, 1895.
Gen. W. w. BosTwICK, Department Com
mander, Denison, Tex.
DEAR SIR AND CoMRADE: / have the
honor TO transmit herewith copy of resolu-
tions of this Post, adopted Nov 80, 1895, IN
the case of our sadly-afflicted comrade, VIM.
j. Odell, charter member of this Post, and
his helpless family. have held back these
papers, waiting to hear the result of appli-
cation we made in his behalf for his admis-
sion to one of the branches of the National
Home for disabled volunteer soldiers. The
letter of Gov. Andrew j. Smith, which you
will find with the papers, cuts US off from
that hope. "The Government" Col. Smith
says, "makes no provision for the care of its
insane at any of the branches" l think
this is not generally known, for if known it
would surely be remedied.
The present situation as to Odell is this :
| He is being cared for ut the home of his
| friend and comrade, r. A. Marsh, at Delfina,
| Hidaljo County, about 80 miles northwest
| from this place. His oldest boy, 13 years of
| age, is with him. The second boy we have
secured home for with Comrade Ratliff, of
| Boyd, in Wise County, and the child is now
on his way, properly provided for, to his new
home. The youngest boy is temporarily
with friend in Hidaljo, and the two girls,
| both under IL years, are provided for until
Jan. l, 1896, alta orphauage in San Antonio
by Hope Lodge, No. All, A. f. and A. NJ.
(Rio Grande City, Starr County,, of which
their father is member
/ can add nothing to the resolutions Of
our Post. They set out sad facts without
establishment. They need none.
Those unfortunate and worse than orphan
| ed children need and deserve our care. They
are bright and intelligent, and have been
| fairly educated (the girls at Friends Mis-
| sionary school, in 4latamoras, Mexico, and
the boys at the public schools of the County
in which their father has resided for the past
16 years. They all speak English and
Spanish equally well. Can we find proper
homes for them?
Very respectfully, yours in F., G. and L.
WILLIAM KELLY, Post Commander.
At q special meeting of A. NJ Barney Post,
81, held this day TO consider the case of Com
rade VIM. j. Odell and his worse than orphan
children, the following proceedings were
had:
Resoired. That the deplareble condition of Com
Iduc /" III. % Oucii, OHB CnHrter fnemDeTs oil
this Post, faithful soldier md loyal citizen who
gave the best of fs life to the of
country, appeals 10 ihF sympathy and charity OF
every member of our Order.
Bereaved hve years ago OF the assistance OF hiJ
estimable wife, the loving and tender mother OF
his five young children, by an ncurable disease,
worse than death. that wholly deprived her Of her
reason and forced her removal 20 the State I.unatic
Asylum Mt San Antonio, Tex, Comrade Odeil
struggled TO support his otherwise he pess family
and succeeded until about six months ago, when a
terrible and ong-,hreatened disease laid its heavy
hand on him also and reduced him to Il condition
OF complete hclplessness with imbecity rcuuir-
ing CONSTANT care and watclfulncss TO save him
from doing injury TO himself.
His unfortunate children appeal TO the generosity
OF the comrades of the GAR There are five of
them-one boy, aged I3 years, now able to support
himself. Two younger boys. aged respectively 12
and 10 years need education, clothing maintain
anoe and opportunity to become such members of
society RS BELTS soldiers sons. Two girls aged
nine and seven years. need everything.
Homeless and friendless but for the charity and |
great heart of u comrade of their than dead
father nor related TO them by blood, K A. Marsh |
of this Post.
Rcsoired, That this Post shali do everything |
within its power to succor and relieve Cnmrade |
Odeil and his children until larger and wider /
charity Of The Order be invoked ord become |
available, aud TO that end that so per cent OF the
RyHiiab resources of this Post be and s here now
appropriated for that purpose;
Resotrcd. That the Department Commander be |
and is by this Post respectfully requested TO take
(Signed) WILLIAM KELLY Commander
lScal.l JOHN JAY SMITH, Adjutant