The Portland daily press., 1898-10-17
FOR THE SOLDIERS.
what the Volunteer Aid Society Has
Done.

Tho Volunteer Aid Association, the or
ranization Of Portland women which has
done so much to tighten the hardships
and sufYerinqs of the soldiers in camp and
hospital, is about concluding its labors
for the volunteers, as the date IS nearly
here when they will be mustered out OF
the service OF the Uni ted States. Inc re-
ports summarizing the work accom-
plished have been made, and are sub
joined. They tell their own story OF pa
tient and unselfish endeavor to aid tne
Maine boys in the ranks. While WI tn
this week the work Of the volunteers
comes to a close, the ladies take unoer
consideration whatever may be necessary
to be done for needy cases among the men
after they have been mustered out. The
reports are as follows:
SECRETARY'S REPORT.
On June 18th, 1898, was organized the
Portland Volunteer Aid Association. It's
work has been quietly carried on. with
no loud or continuous calls for money,
but by much friendly and gratuitous
suits. And now that its work is NEARLY
fnishe 1t renders to the public an ac-
count of its proceedings. At the very
outset 1t unanimously voted to confine It's
labors to the soldiers of the First Maine
Regiment. sick in hospital or camp. Not
wishing, however, to neglect the 'stran-
ger within Its gates, = 1t made one depar-
ture from the rule in sending to Camp
Burde tt, at South Portland, comforters,
blankets and bed ticks. All other sup
plies made by or contributed to the asso-
citation were devoted to the purpose first
intended. The report of the chairman Of
the work committee will tell OF two large
boxes. nearly one ton in weight, sent to
Camp Thomas, containing hospital sup
plies, cereals and delicacies; will also tell
of large numbers of sheets, pillow slips,
night shirts, han dkerohiefs and old linen
sent to the hospi tails for use of the sick
Maine soldiers The treasurer's report
will show three hundred and ninety dol
lars sent to Chiokamauga, which sup
piled blankets. medicines and disinfect-
ants, barrels for containing water and
teams for hauling it, rs well as apparatus
for boiling it; and the assurance has
come to the association that it's kindly
help saved many soldiers life The Wis
iitng committee report calls upon seventy
five casos of sick soldiers, supplying deli
caoies, warm Undertaking, stockings,
slippers, and medicines when necessary.
The association Is mindful of the sup
chants, not only In supplying articles at
first cost, but also in donating the deliy-
cry of the goods and adding oontribu-
lions; notably the comp anies of Bolster
& Snow, Owen & Moore, Milliken, Cous-
ems g. Short the Thurston Print, George
g. Shaw, Ira E. Clark and Nelson Shoe
Co., to the Chenery Co., and to Edward
L. Eoss, to all of whom the assoc iation
extends its sincere thanks; also to Mr..
kruiz, of the Cape electric road, who
was instrumental in procuring the Mo.
Cullum theatre benefits, and to the j. B.
Brown heirs. who contributed the use of
our pleasant work rooms. does the asso-
citation acknowledge debt of gratitude.
To the donors of sums of money, large or
small, to various organizations in our
own city, to the Volunteer Aid Associa-
lions Of Yarmouth, Fairfield. Augusta
and Gardiner, to the Daughters of Liber.
ty of YarmoUthville; to the guests at
Hotel Rock ledge, the ladies at Isle au
Haut, and at Turner, Me. to the King S
Daughters of East Deering, the Kings
Builders of Gorham and to the three
little willing helpers, and finally to each
and every one who has given SO freely OF
time and money, the thankful apprecia-
ton of the association goes forth, and
with them shares thesdivine happiness OF
doing good.
The association cannot forbear to con-
gratulate itself upon having placed in its
Presidents chair woman endowed with
a clear head and keen, calm judgment, to
whose advice, encouragement and con-
slant presence, Is in large measure due
the associations need of success.
CAROLINE A. FALLON,
Secretary Volunteer Aid Association OF
Portland, Maine.