The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-07-23
Members of the Soldiers Aid
Have Many Grievances.
COL. KESSLER Is BLAMED
His Treatment of the Red Cross De-
plored-The Method OF Extending
Aid to Soldiers Families in
Butte L. Denounced.

ciety are hopping mau uhu w
treatment the people Of Butte have
accorded the Montana soldiers. mad at
the manner in which the wives ana
families of soldiers who went away 10
the war and left their dependent ones
unprovided for have been treated, mad
at Colonel Kessler for his treatment OF
his troops, mad at the county COM
m%issioners for their way of extending
aid to the needy ones among the SOL
dlers' families. making them appear
like ordinary paupers; mad because the
Associated Charities was selected by
the commissioners as the medium
through which to relieve the distress
and mad because the Short Line park
people are making a target, as they
term 1t, of the mi%sfortunes OF these
families for their W selfish gain by
giving a picnic, a part of the proceeds
of which are to be given as a beneht to
the ones in need.
A little Indignation meeting OF a re"
of the head workers of the society was
held yesterday afternoon at the q. a.
r.. rooms in the Mantle Il B~leienpers
block. and all these matters came In for
a mart of the discussion. Ut Is a wonder
II Colonel Kessler's left ear, away ou.
on the sea, did not tingie ana purh
with all the uncomplimentary Things
said about him for his refusal TO allow
the Red Cross aides of San francisco
to show the Montana boys the same
fayors when they were leaving san
Francisco that were extended to all the
other soldiers on leaving their native
land. 1t is likewise a wonder II the left
ears of the people behind the Snort
Line park picnic, the county commas
sioners and the Butte public IN general
did not feel the same burning. for they
all came in for a share OF the wrath
of the ladies.
1T is a shame the way the people of
Butte have treated our soldiers said
Mrs. r.. A.. burton, the president or the
association, and Ii is a shame the way
the wives and families or dependents
of the soldiers are being treated. l
don't believe there is a city in the
country whose people have show SO
little regard for the welfare of the sol
diers they sent to the front or the fam
lilies they left behind. When the SOL
diers went away a few of us who had
heen wives of soldiers in the rebellion
knew there would be distress among
some of the families left behind. ana
showing we would not liked to nave
been treated as paupers II we nal
needed assistance, we organized the
Soldiers Aid society for the purpose OF
relieving any distress there might De
in such a way tina those helped would
not feel as though they were receiving
aims. We have worked hard, giving
entertainments and soliciting, and have
religiously devoted all the funds re-
ceived to the benefit either OF the sol
diers or their families. yet we are treat
n N ono am
were rying to make something out Oh
it. When the call came from the Red
Cross for abdomina bandages :
raised the none and made $50 OF them
One lady donated so ready made and
these we sent on. Then, when the ap-
peal came from Mr.. Paxson for money
to buy necessaries for the sick. we sem
$50 out of our treasury and 5000 whict
was given by a public spirited citizen
but not another cent could We realize
When the Fourth of July COMMITTEES
had a surplus to send they sent Al
through another agency, and now tn'
county commissioners have decided Il
take the relief of the soldiers FAMILIES
entirely out of our hands and propos'
to take care of them through anotnel
organization by requiring them TO max
application for assistance like any 9th
err pauper. 1 tell you if l were one o
them / would starve before i wouli
accept help that way. On top OF III
this comes a proposition from a raIl
road to parade the misfor
tunes of these people by giving a pie
mic alleged to be for their benefit
when il is only a scheme to max
money. They ak about giving 20 pc
cent of the receipts. IL they want I
give a benefit why o they give
all? L certainly think it shameful e.
around the way our soldiers and thei
families have been treated by the PEG
pie of Butte.
There is another thing I want I
speak about. / think the most shame
full thing that has occurred in conneo
ton with our soldiers is the c
Colonel Kessler toward the San Fran
cisco Red Cross ladies when the boy
were leaving for Manila. A man WI
could show himself such a boor towar
the ones who nave afforded his men IN
only comforts they have had is not I
to be in command of a regiment OF SO
diers. You can't make me believe sue
a man is a good soldier. and II there
any fighting done, you mark my word
he will be found as far In the rear
he can get"
Every lady present endorsed ever
word their president uttered. The ladi
decided they la been so much ignore
that they would drop the work OF lool
ing after the soldiers families unle
some particular case, where needy d
pendents of soldiers who are not will
TO accept aims from the county, can
to their attention. They will, howevt
go ahead with their entertainments al
send the money to the soldiers at q
front. !,
At the conclusion of the meeting 4
aides prepared a statement to the pu
lie. After stating the society has rails
1881 {, sSs1.is of which has been d
bursed. leaving a balance of s1lIl
which viii be sent to Captain Stive
cavalry troop as soon as II is dett
mined what officer should handle
money, the statement proceeds:
The Soldiers Aid society was orga
lied in May. We have sent $3.50 TO I
1st Montana infantry and expended s
A.. 800 clathing rent and cash dor