The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-10-07
THE RELIEF CORPS
News and Gossip of the Great
Auxiliary.

The Mother Bickerdyke Home-Notes from
Beadquarters-Two of the New General
Cfficers-Ncws of the Corps.
The troiect to build a Mother Bickerdyke
Home and Hospital at Ellsworth, Kan, TO &C.
eomplish which necessary Legislation was
secured last Winter through Department fresl
dent Julia A. Chase, has been accomplished
On Oct g il was formally dedicated and opened
This Institution is the tribute OF the Keller
Corps of Kansas to the worth and WORKS OF
Mrs. Mary A. Bickerdy lie, the beloved Army
Nurse and it is fitting continuation oil her
service on behalf of the Union soldier. IL
intended TO be a Home, in all the word I'm.
niles for the dependent feminine reisNFes VI
the boys in blue.
The National Military Home at Leavenworth
admits the soldiers. the State Soldiers home
Mt Fort Dodge the veteran aud his family, out
nowhere In the great soldier State oil Kansas
until now was there place Tor the lnelsehI
mother. wife, widow, or sister OF our union
soldiers or sailors, except as local charity pro-
vided.
AT present ad m ission will he limited to those
who have resided in Kansas for at least one
year and in the case of wives ana WlaoWs
preference will be given 10 those who were
married as early as 1851. There is Also pro-
vision for Army Nurses.
Tic Rickerdyke Home is fine brick build
ing with wide paIzas and has good water
supply. heating and sewerage. Pay patients,
who are not relatives of soldiers. Will be sd-
united to the hospital while there is room
Mother Bickerdyke whose home is at Bunker
Hill. % miles west of Ellsworth. was the guest
OF honor at the dedication. which was under
the auspices of the Board of Managers, Julia A.
Chase, Chairman.
Columbia Club of Russell County bsA assumed
the furnishing of the reception hall; Corps IRE
sending money and supplies; Mayor Hood, OF
Empora, has contributed 500. and other
friends are making donations. One thousand
dollars will constitute an endowment for cot
tage, and $500 will endow he'd III the hospital
NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS DoISGs.
National President Sarah J. Martin had
very cordial welcome home upon her return
from 18th National Convention, and consratu-
lstions were many upon the fact that Missouri
and Brook field carried off the bonors. A re-
eeption aud banquet under the auspices OF w.
L. Wood Corps, No. 5. was an occasion OF much
enthusiasm, the Executive Committee having
sent out about $50 invitations, and The re-
eponses were general
1t has been busy time at National Head
quarters getting everything in shape for the
reports of the third quarter The National
President has had many warm congratulations
not only upon her own election. but upon the
fact that another of the great States west OF the
button of offices. OF 16 National Presidents
but four have been chosen from States west OF
the Mississippi. These. besides the present
National President, are Elizabeth darcy
Einne California;; Mary Sears McHenry,
Iowa, and Margaret Ray Wickens, Kansas.
National General Orders, No. 3 are special
tribute to E. Florence Barker. first National
President and as an expression of iove and
mark of respect it is ordered that all Corps
charters be draped in mourning for 80 days
and that each Corps hold memorial service at
the first regular meeting after receipt OF the
Orders.
DEPARTMENT OF VERMONT.
Gen. and Mrs Mullin. Wabasha, Mimi, have
been the guests of Department President Flor
ence u. Gates at her pleasant home, Morris
vile. Gen. Mullin is Past Senior Vice Com
mander-in- Chief of the Grand Army, known
TO his comrades as Fighting Jack" and his
presence in Vermont was made the occasion OF
reception given by ]. NJ. Warner Post and
Corps and kindred organizations in Morris
vile.
sedgwick Corps, 8 Brattleboro is to be COM
nended for plan which is worthy of inita-
ton. This is TO hold open session after any
Department or National Convention or other
meeting of similar interest, and invite the
Grand Army, Sons of Veterans, and Ladies
Aid Society to listen to the report. Then fol-
lows a social hour, while refreshments are
pleasant affair OF this kind followed last Ma
tioRal Convention.
Needham Corps. Z. East Middlebury, besides
doing considerable work, has presented flags TO
three sch ools; also independence charts aud
primers 10 aid in patriotic teaching.
orvlle Bixley Post and Corps celebrated the
SD birthday of Mrs. Sarah NJ. Bruce. their
Oldest Corps member. the occasion being the
last of a series of basket picnics held with
members ia and around South Royaltown.
publicspirited and useful body is J.. II.
Bos,wick Corps, 49, Underhill. Combining
with other societies, they have not only ad-
vanced their own work, but assisted
variety Of village improvements. They have
large. well-equipped hall, and both Post and
Corps are foUTIshing.
Our correspondent, Lena B. r. Pierce, Yer
gennes, reports the Relief Corps of Vermont
generally preparing for an active and useful
Winter. The election of Past Department
President Calista Il. Jones a. National Junior
Fice-lresident gives general satisfaction.
MASSACHUSETTS DoINGs.
Our excellent Massachusetts, correspondent,
Sarah Z. Cain, has given up her newspaporal
duties to perform service a Department Aid
TO President Emily l.. Waterman. In this. as
IN all other duties she will signalizo capacity
for faithful and cheerful service
The church OF the Immaculate Conception,
Revere Mass, rtjcices ia beautiful American
hV, tttsthlcN 10 ths paEfsB pE patriotic frlebuE,
many Of whom children. Rev. Father
Fraucis Ice and Gen. Curtis Guild o. Gov
Noicotps staff. rendered the occasion me,nor.
able by arranging open air exercises which
took place platform in the rear Of the
church.
The flag was presented by Miss Saide Better,
anu tie reverend father in accepting il said
that il was TO him emblem OF chiid's love
for her dear mother. and would be constant
reminder that we all are the children Of the
tandesi aud most glorious country ever created
b. the hand OF God.
When the flag wss hoisted grand cheer
went forth, aud all united ia the "Star-
Spaugled Banner. The exercises closed with
sstlTring Grafton By Gen. Guild and the sing
ing Of America" The clergy, orator of tie
Gay, and all the children wore bows of red.
whine, and blue ribbon.
PLEASANT OREGON REuSIoS
Department Correspondent Sarah E. Miller
sercs pleasant account of a Grand Army Re-
rnion held at Mount Pleasant. some 20 miles
east of Portland. ii was an ideal camping.
ground, IN tic heart OF thick tim Der land oil
fr and vine and maple. Some /. 400 people were
in attendance. aud tie day being warm there
WAS great demand for the cooling arinks and
ices found in tho impfovised booths
Past Commander NJ. L. Pratt, of Sumncs
Post, YVES orator OF the day, and among tn,
speakers were Mrs. Addison. who told O
yoman's work during and since the war; and
Comrade Bryant, old soldier of California
who was present when the first Grand Army