The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1898-01-07
CLARA BARTON NOT ILL.
With Letters and Tel
egrams Expressive of sympathy.

A short time ago 1t was reported that
/ Miss Clara Barton, president of the
Red Cross Association, was danger
/ ously ILL., The news spread not only
/ throughout the United States. but
/ reached foreign countries, causing the
/ greatest anxiety to the many friends
J of Miss Barton. The result was that
Miss Barton was deluged with letters
! from all parts of the United States and
/ Europe; also cable messages and tele-
! grams expressive of sympathy and Of
/ fers from many sources to take the
I supposed Invalid to their homes San
ltariums and watering places threw
open their doors, all declaring they felt
sure. if Miss Barton would only accept
the extended offer of hospitality, she
would soon recover.
These letters found Miss Barton in
the best of health and spirits, working
sixteen hours a day at the headquar-
tiers of the Red Cross at Glen Echo.
getting out her report of the last in
ternational convention held in Vienna
In SEPTEMBER, supervising large
force of workmen, who are remodeling
the house at Glen Echo: besides at
tending TO all the other duties incum-
bent upon her as president of the So
cfety. while papers far and wide wrote
articles that were little short of obit-
uary notices, which. from one source
or another, were forwarded to her,
much TO her surprise and amusement
When seen Miss Barton said:
Il cannot imagine how such a report
originated. / never had better health
and spirits in my life. l sleep well,
never miss meal, have nothing to do
with nerves, work sixteen hours a day.
and am as full of interest and energy
as l ever was in my life. / had been
quietly working out here, seeing as few
people as possible. hoping before the
New Year to dispose of a vast amount
of mail which had accumulated during
my trip abroad. i had a slight cold
after my return, but have never had to
give up one hour on account of it, and
IL soon passed away. 1t is not every
ones privilege to read her own obit-
uary notices, and / might smile at il
We're 1t not for the anxiety it has caus-
ed hundreds of anxious friends 1t
mas greatly increased my labors TO an
swer all letters received on this ac-
count. This II have endeavored to do
as quickly as possible. To some who
were at distance away, and seemed
particularly anxious. / have telegraph
ed and cabled, In spite of all this.
letters still keep pouring in. i have
nothing more to say but that while /
appreciate all the kindness shown by
the many friends in their expressions
or sympathy and offers of tender care
and pleasant home. l regret the need
less anxiety to which they have been
subjected, and have no idea how the
report originated"
Miss Barton rises at o'clock in the
morning, breakfasts at Z, and by
o clock is ready for the duties of the
day. Her office is bright and sun
shiny; she works systematically and
with businesslike dispatch, ever ready
at a moments notice to go forth to
the call of duty at the scene of war.
fire or Hood. at home or abroad She
is ever gracious, endeavoring to see all
who CALL and acknowledging all let |
ters addressed to her. Her mail |
to several hundred letters a |
week. She seldom retires much before |
midnight and, seemingly without eff |
fort. accomplishes a vast amount of |
work daily.