The National tribune., 1897-11-11

first volunteers of the war. and re-enlisted for
three ears in the 2lst Pa Cav. Their home was
on Cemetery Hill, and when the great battle OF
Gettysburg WAS waging her eldest son was but
six days old Her soldier husband was in front
of Richmond, and her mother and sister had
come out from the village to spend the day
with her. The first day stray shots came from
the enemy's limo. and Union troops filed by
going into battle. The next morning, July 3,
Jenny Wade was up bright and early baking
bread for the soldiers, who were around the
house. when the bullet OF q rebel shaTpsbooter
came with lis message of death and she was
instantly killed. After her death the mother
finished baking the bread and distributed it to
the soldiers. All that day the battle ragged,
and Mrs. Mcclellan, leaving her bed, sat in her
cellar. her baby in her arms and her sister cold
in death beside her. On the morning of July
4 they buried Jennie Wade in the dooryard.
1t was not Mrs. McClellan's privilege to min
lister to the wounded after that awful battle
field. but when her child was three weeks old
she left it in care of her mother and did service
in the hospital of Gettysburg. In 1865 the
McClelans moved to Crawfo County, Iowa,
For over 90 years Mrs. Mcclellan has been
member of TIE w. g. T. u. aud member OF
John A. Logan Relief Corps since 1886 serving
one term as Secretary, two terms as Treasurer
and four terms as President. She was Depart
ment Treasurer in l8o7-s3, and in 1889 served
as Department Inspector.
Inez Crawford, Department President OF
Kentucky, Is q patriotic represen tative Of the
women OF Louisville who are interested in the
soldier cause. She has been actively con nected
with Relief Corps work for the past three
years coming to the front in time to render
service in connection with the National Con-
vention held at Louisville. She is President of
George II. Thomas Corps, z, Louisville, and one
of the best known Relief Corps women in the
West.
Department President Maggie A. Rust of
Houston, Tex, is direct descendant of those
sturdy HoliaHders who settled New York and
New jersey in colonial times. The old family
residence at Red wool n. j. where also is the
birthplace aud buryiRg-ground of many OF her
maternal ancestors, the Pickles. is quains old
stone house with the date of erection, 1874, on
great stone cross-piece over the low doorway.
President Rust ia native of New York, but
was brought up IN Michigan. She had two
brothsrs IN the Unlon army, and was married
to Capt. +. q. Rust, the 2lst N. J. In 1875 hs
moved TO Dallas, Tex. When the Grand Army
was organized in Texas his wife became an en-
thnsiastis worker, and was elected President OF
George Ii. Thomas Corps, Dallas, but before
her tirne was ost removed to Waco. where she
organized good Corps, aud became President
In FEBRUARY, 1880. they removed to the coast
country, locating in Houston. where sho was
again Instrumental in organizing Corps, serv-
ing as President for two terms. She is regarded
as one OF the most practical. jealous, hard
working Corps women in Texas.
Kate q. Vaianiigham, Department Presi-
dent OF North Dakota, was born at West Point
Iowa, was ducated in the schools of that State
and ILLINOIS, and is a graduate OF business
college at Burlington. In 1890 she was mar
RED to u. Is. Valandigham, since which time
she has taken great interest in the welfare of
the veterans. In 1890 she became q member
of the w re, and was elected Guard of Weiser
Corps the same year. In 1892 she was ap-
pointed Department Secretary, and elected
treasurer OF the local Corps. In 1895 was
elected President Of local Corps and Senior
Vice President OF the Department This year
by her energy she increased the membership
OF Welser Corps by 40 members. In 1895 she
was elected President of the Department and
added SIX new Corps to the Department In
1897 was reelected Departments President by
unanimous vote.
Nellie Goodall Spoflord, Department Presi
dent OF Idaho comes of good old New England
stock, having first seen the light of day in
Orleans County. VT, Aug. 1S, 1913. In 1888
with her husband and family, she came TO |
Idaho, and located in Boise City. She has been
connected with Relief Corps work in the State
from lis incIpiency, having been Chairman of
committee OF three women chosen by Phil |
sheridan Post TO organize the first Corps in the
State. Thrice elected by the members of her |
own Corps 10 the Office of President. she had |
the experience and qualifications that placed |
her rs tue only candidate for Department |
President. before the Convention in June last. |
She was unanimously elected to the duties of |
that position, where her guiding hand is being |
felt Tor the best interests Of our Order through