The National tribune., 1897-07-08
THE RELIEF CORPS
News and Gossip Of the Great
Auxiliary.

To Celebrate Annie wittenmyer's Birth
day-Loyal Women Meet in Department.
Conventions-Busy Times Throughout the
Order.
movement Is on foot to celebrate the 10th
birthday of Past National President Annie
Wittenmyer, Aug. &c. by presenting to her
substantial testimonial in cash. Mrs. Witten-
myer has for the last 36 years been continue
ously engaged in patriotic and benevolent work.
She gave her time and strength and talents un-
selfshly, in the dark days of war. to alleviate
the suffering of sick and wounded Union SOL
diers. winning the personal commendation OF
President Lincoln and Secretary Stanton. NO
obstacles were too great for her to encounter,
aud she knew no such words as fear or fail.
Wherever the need was greatest, there she was
found-along the front lines, under shot and
shell, in the field hospital or upon the battle
filed, wherever life might be saved.
Gen. and Mrs. Grant were among her friends,
and Mrs. Grant has written: 81 used to look
upon this brave, heroic woman with profound
respect and admiration, which, If it were pos
| sible, have grown greater in the 80 years that
have passed since then"
A committee on the Wittenmyer testimonial
have issued q printed circular, bearing the IN.
dorsement of National President Agnes HIT
and Commander-in-Chief T. s. Clarkson, set
ting forth the services of Mrs. Wittenmyer
during and since the war, and concluding as
follows:
ut often happens that in serving others so
entirely self is forgotten, snd remembered only
when dire necessity confronts the generous
one. We have learned that there is mortgage
of So 600 upon the home of Mrs. Wittenmyer,
and that there are notes to the amount OF $500
now due that she is unable to meet as she had
expected, on account of financial losses. In
order to save the property. the mortgage must
| be lifted very soon, and if this appeal be re-
| sponded to as generously as we hope for, TINS
unselfsb, devoted woman will not be left with
out q home.
eff her generous heart was still and her
brave. helpful hands forever folded. there
would be tender sympathetic words spoken,
| flowers would be sent to cover her casket, ana
by their sweet fragrance tell of the love OF the
people. Shall we not do better than thisf Let
| us send her the kindly words of appreciation
while she is still with to realize the feelings
that prompted them; let US redeem her home,
that she who has been the means of providing
shelter for so many may not be left without
one herself"
| The committee embraces Department Presi-
don't Fannie A. Boyden, Susquehanna. Pa.
Department Secretary Abb!e Lynch, Allegheny,
| Pa; Past Department President Charlotte }.
| Cummings, Tideout Pa; Secretary National
| Relief Corps Home Puma L. Cowles. Geneva,
| o.; Past National President Charity Rusk
Craig, Viroqua, Wis; Past Department Presi-
dent Helen R. Griffith, Mt Pleasant, Iowa.
! Contributions in money may be sent tho
Treasurer of the Committee, Mrs. Charlotte j.
Cummings. The names of donors, whether
they give much or little, will be engrossed in
| testimonial book Letters Of congratulaton
| will be received by Mrs. Abbie Lynch, who
will arrange them in a souvenir volume.
FROM LITTLE IDAHO.
The third annual Convention, Department Of
- D-sr- Ts1., I'D
| There were six Corps out of nine represented,
| one having disbanded during the year. Phil
| Sheridan Post and Corps entertained the En-
campment. Tents were erected vacant
lot adjoining the GAR. Hall, and tables were
spread under the trees. The Sons of Veterans,
under Cspt. Souther. were on guard day and
| night
| Each evening q musical, literary, and dra-
| matte entertainment was given in the hall,
and for the large number of friends who were
unable to get into the building pleasing pro-
gram consisting OF scenes Of camp life, speeches.
and music was rendered outside on the grounds.
On the evening of the 18th a reception was
given the Encampment; a fine program was
furnished, and social time generally was in
dulged in. This was given by the ladies Of
Phil Sheridan Corps, assisted by the Ladies'
Aid to the Sons Of Veterans.
Among the important items of business was
| the firm stand the Department took in oppOsi-
ton to proposed change in the National Me-
| mortal Day; also to the admission of members
of the GAR. to the meetings of the Corps, be-
lieving it to be contrary to the best interests
of our Order.
Mrs. Nellie G. Spoford was the unanimous
choice for Department President Mrs. Clara
| L. Campbell, an experienced worker in w. c.,
was chosen Secretary. Mrs. Nellie Lieuellen,
of Moscow, was elected Treasurer. The other
officers were as wisely selected, and with such
standsrd-bearers We must progress in manner
| which will soon place little isolated Idaho
among the front ranks.
Col. Coates, the Governor of the State; the
Mayor of the city, and the Warden of the
penitentiary invited the guests to visit the
several buildings of interest in the city and
vicinity. Welcome" was spoken and written
on every hand.
fitting close to the pleasures of the En-.
| campment was the graceful courtesy extended
by Capt and Mrs. Bancroft-Commander and
President of the local Post and Corps-to the
guests of trip to the Idaho Soldiers Home
Moscow will be the next meeting place.
Emma &. Ewing Convention Reporter.
JERSEY BLUES.
The Department of New Jersey, WR.C., goe.
on in tho even tenure of its way, and the 18th
annual Convention, held in Atlantic City, wal
conceded by all to have been one of the most
| profitable and pleasant in the history of the
| Department The royal hospitality extended
i.by Joe Hooker Post and Corps bad much to dc
with this. The regular meeting of the Corps
taking place on the opening night of Conven-
ton, the Department President and staff and
numerous delegates enjoyed the privilege OIL
being present and of congratulating President
Susie n. Parsons upon her efficiency as a pre-
siding officer, and the Corps upon their work
and the charming hospitality extended.
The opening session of Convention was mem.
orable from the visit of Copmander-in- Chief
T. S. Clarkson, Department Commander E. c.
Stahl, and several Past Department Com.
manders and other veterans of influence
Gen. ]. N. Atwood, Assistant National In.
spector. Department Commander Stahl, aud
J. J. Kents of the National Council of AID.
minstration, assisted at the reception ten.
dered Col. Clarkson. The greetings so cor.
daily extended by the Grand Army were re-
turned by q committee of which Past Depart
ment President Jennie B. Atwood was Chair
man and Past Department President Emma J
Southwick member. The committee were
royalty received. It was the first time that 8
committee of women had been admitted to the
Encampment though Commander Stahl gal.
lantly said the fault was with the Relief Corps
aud not the comrades of the GAR.
Upon retiring from office Department Presi