New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-14
SOLDIERS COMFORT COMMITTEE.
THE MEMBERS FEED THE HUNGRY AT
RAILROAD STATION.

From an early hour Friday morning. mothers
brothers and sisters began 70 congregate at the
Pennsvlya nia Railroad station. to await the coming
OF the 2ols' Regiment which broke camp at Hemp
stead on tho day before 10 leave for Camp Meade
After several hours Of waiting and vain inquiry OF
the heads Of departments and station officials It
was learned that the regiment would arrive the
Jersey Central station, whereupon there gen
oral stampede for that point II was not till late
In the afternoon that friends learned that the SOL
ders would not arrive until after O'clock
The railroad employees declared that they only
learned those things AZ the last minute II was
the Intention Of the Soldiers Comfort Committee
OF New-York. which Is under the auspices OF the
Board OF Trade and Transportation Company OF
which Darwin r James IL president. 20 furnish a
luncheon Of sandwiches. milk. coffee. cheese
crackers etc. tho mon on their arrival But II
was not until after o'clock that the women In
charge knew just where the soldiers would be
landed and whore the tables would be placed and
the food ordered Telephones were then used and
by O'Clock a wagon load OF bread eighteen 10
quart cans OF sterllized milk. hot coffee tub OF
butter and huge cheese arrived at the large room
improvised at the station. Then hands were busy
cutting hundreds OF oaves Of bread and fifteen
boiled hams into slices.
II was nearly o'clock when the men arrived
tired and hungry. They had eaten nothing since
o'clock in the morning, and were told that the
women would have a good supper for them. Ex-
pectancy was apparent every face they fled
past the depot windows Many OF them az they
halted. thrust their hands and heads into the win
dows begging FOR Gus, sandwich"
The women near the window handed out a goodly
number. which only seemed 10 whet tho appetite
OF the men.
Two companies marched into the eating
time. and OF the boys not only
ate all they could in the time allowed. but slowed
sandwiches away in their pockets and hats for sub
In he fty Of
their souls. rather enjoyed this not thinking that
the supply, unlike the widows cruise OF oil. might
not hold Some OF the hungry men filed their
quart cups fun OF milk disposed OF H. and then
REALIZED them with either milk or coffee the like
OF which they had for many weeks. they
said This continued until the last three
companies came in to be served when II was dis
covered that the bread. butter and ham had
lshed
Messengers were dispatched 10 the restaurant
nearby. and some bread and additional coffee Were
secured. but not enough 10 satisfy the needs OF
the poor fellows many Of whom had to leave on
the train without having had anything TO eat or
drink The officers Of the regiment succeeded in
getting large OF coffee which was taken
the train FOR those who were hungry
The boys were in high spirits and the friends
and relatives waited and chatted with them Hi
orders were given FOR the train TO move. The only
thing 10 mar the occasion was the lack OF sufficient
food. The women stood I'm helpless despair. but
the aeness Of the hour and the brief time before
the departure Of the troops rendered It impossible
r. *. Sumcrwen. who suggested to the BOARD OF
Trade the benefit OF establishing these committees
az the various railroad depots. present. and
rendered great assistance.
Those In charge Mrs ". II. Jones and Mrs.
James n. Noe and they were assisted by others.
including Mrs Nirginia Chandler Titcomb. pres-
dent Of the Patriotic League OF the Revolution.
They declare that when the next regiment comes
they VIII know how many sandwiches 10 furnish
Thirty boiled hams. three cheeses and thirty 20
quart cans Of milk and coffee would be none too
much for regiment OF hungry
The two regiments to follow the 2Olst TO Camp
Meade the 202d and 2o5d. one will arrive
the Jersey Central station to-day and the other on
Tuesday morning of this week and II is 10 be
hoped that there will be enough and TO spare. that
the boys may MI their pockets hats and haver-
sacks II they wish.
The Soldiers Comfort Committee have established
posts at the stations OF the Grand Central. the
Pennsylvania. the Jersey Central. and Long Island
City. and to have another at the Erie depot