The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1898-03-24

H.,
seemed to look down with pity on the
suffering worn cherubs below; the fra
GRANGE of flowers f1oated in through the
windows, the hallowed benediction of the
moon rested upon all. Never in its palm
lest days did the old casa of the Spanish
aristocrat SO richly merit the blessings of
Heaven. The new Orphanage is under
the direct supervision of the well known
DR.. A. Monae Lesser and his wife of
New York City. DR.. Lesser, as every
body knows, is the Surgeon in Chief of
the Red Cross hospital at New York-the
only one in America, | believe-which
was founded about four years ago by his
wife, then Miss Bettina Hofker. When a
young girl this lovely lady began to nurse
the poor in their homes. She found that
love for the profession was not the only
requirement of the proper nurse, and in
1891 she entered the Mount Sinai Train
ing School for Nurses. In two years she
was graduated, receiving the prize medal
former work. Mainly through her efforts,
within one month little fund was start
ed for the establishment of a hospital,
which quickly developed into that most
beneficent institution, The New York Red
Cross Hospital and Training School for
Nurses. Doctor Lesser leaves a large
ut no al
of our metropolis, and of course his I'M
paid labor of love in Cuba is financially
great loss to him; but he is heart and soul
in the work and will. remain here until the
orphanage is well under way. Every after
noon he receives the poor for gratuitous
treatment Although the institution is
not yet week old, they come by scores,
with all their woes and infirmities, to
await their turn in the consulting room.
The physicians in Havana have been cor
daily invited to cooperate, and many lend
their aid and counsel.
DR.. Hubell, Miss Barton's long time
right hand man, is of course one of the
Egan, a well known young physician of
Boston, who has accompanied Miss Bar
ton on several previous expeditions; and
two or three other trusted assistants, all
giving their time and service gratituously.
Where does the money come from? Is
there danger that the supplies will give
out? are questions often asked. To the
latter l can confidently reply that the
bounty will not fail--if I know my ooun-
trymen-as long as pressing need con-
tinues. AS to the large sum of money re-
quired-a great deal has been contributed
from various sources, subscriptions start
ed by newspapers, funds raised i'll church
es, private donations, etc. The Christian
Herald of New York, acting for the Chris
tian Endeavor, has promised to furnish
SO, 600 a month for six months. Miss
Barton herself has a considerable fortune,
Red Cross work. Whenever a new ca
lamity requires her aid, she telegraphs
the Associated Press that she is going,
and starts OFF at once; and fund, never fail
to flow in when she is at the fore. In
many cases the primary needs of man
have had to be supplied; tools and mate
rias bought for putting up cabins, also
CLOTHES, beds, bedding, cooking utensils
in short, everything. Soon as arrived
on the field, she quickly sets to work
organizing the men and women on the
ground into working committees. Her
aids know just what should be done, first,
second, third; and by their thorough sys-
ing are provided for in the shortest pos
sible time. This accomplished the Red
Cross committee stays on, weeks and
months when necessary, expanding it's
money freely but judiciously, eounseing,
sustaining; helping the stricken and i'm
poverished to begin life over again.
No better illustration of the methods
and magnificent bounty of the Red Cross
has been afforded than in the Johnstown
flood. After that unparalleled horror, the
first train from the East brought Miss
Barton and fifty aids, with everything i'm
aginable which human beings, strip
ped of their all, could require. Establishing
themselves in tents, they began to give
out food; house to house inspection be-
ing set up, that all might be provided.
SO perfect and universal was public con-
fidence in the society, that money and
supplies came in such quantiti es that de-
pots had to be erected to receive them,
The women of Johnstown were brought
together, bowed to the earth with sorrow
and bereavement, and the most responsi-
bic were formed into committees charged
with definite duties toward the homeless
and distraught. Through them the wants
of more than 20, 600 persons were made
known in writing to the Red Cross, and
by it supplied; the white wagons with
the blessed red symbol fetching and car
rying for the stricken people. Barracks
were erected in which large numbers
were housed and fed. Then came the
erection of two and four roomed dwell
lings for the people, in which families at
once began to live, furniture being sup
piled by the society. Miss Barton and
her corps remained five months in the de-
vastated city. Among the most melting
words ever written are those in the Johns