Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-06-11
RELIEF OF SOLDIER BOYS
An Organization Formed to Aid the District
Volunteers.
Meeting Called by Chaplain Couden-
Objects of tho AssociatfOn-Ad-
dresses by Volunteer Speakers.

now at the front met last night In Grand
Army Hall and formed a corps, as yet un-
named, for the purpose of providing their
young defenders with such necessaries of
life as are not supplied by Uncle Sam.
The new organization was baptized by a
few tears shed by the women present,
whose husbands. fathers and sweethearts
have gone to war. and there were frequent
outbursts of patriotic applause, all drawn
by the simple but eloquent words of the
few volunteer speakers who told of the
needs Of the soldier boys in their distant
camps. Rev. Henry N Couden, the blind
chaplain of the House of Representatives,
Is the originator of the plan of relief, and
he is confident that it will go far toward
making the District volunteers healthful
and happy in their tents at the front.
There were not more than 30 persons in
the hall when DR.. Couden, led by his wife,
seated himself on the platform, but from
the applause they made and the interest
Shown by the speakers one would have
judged the hall filled to it's utmost limit.
DR.. Coudens call for a minister to come
forward failing to reveal one among the
audience, he delivered an earnest prayer
for help and guidance.
The Objects in View.
Dr. Couden then went on to speak briefly
of the object he had in mind when he is
sued the address to the public about the
meeting. He said he served as a soldier in
the civil war, and was among those who
answered the third call for troops in 1861
Therefore, he knows of the hardships and
trials to be undergone by the boys who are
now on the way TO war, and is especially
We'll posted as to the needs of the soldiers
nrSt entering upon active service. He de-
clared he has no fault to find with the gov
eminent, which is doing splendidly in pro-
viding for its recruits, who are, he believes,
far better off than were the men of 81.
Nevertheless 1t had occurred to him that
there is room for the work of an organiZa-
ton whose purpose is to supply articles
not on the army list 1t is not his idea, he
said, to antaSoniZe any existing OrganiZa-
ton or committees, but rather to create a
special corps, not allied to any others, but
accepting aid and giving assistance when
ever advisable.
Dr. Couden told of his experiences in the
war, and of his sickness in hospital haSti-
~ located in abandoned church, the
hard pews being used for cots. He pathet-
ically recounted his longings for the deli
cacieS so necessary to stimulate the appe-
title of the sick, and caused laughter when
he said that as soon as he got well he had
himself detailed as second cook. although
he was inexperienced in the culinary art.
He said the corps should send the boys sta
tionery, postage stamps, handkerchefs,
clothing of all kinds, and that an organiza-
ton, as such, could make better freight
rates with the railroads than could individ-
ualS.
den, ''and the bullets of the enemy may
end the lives of some of our loved ones.
And if any of them fall in battle it would
be some consolation if their bodies could
be brought home to US. This is the work
We, as body. can do, and l want all those
who have sons and husbands at the front
to join me in giving them some of the COM
forts of home
Temporary Officers Chosen.
A temporary organization was effected
by the selection of DR.. Couden as chair
man. and Mrs. Mary NJ. North, secretary.
1t was then resolved that committee of
ten should select the permanent officers,
and should choose them from among
prominent men and women in. the COM
munity whose names would lend weight
and influence to the relief work, and who
would eXpend it's activity all over the CITY,
AS finally appointed the committee is
composed of Rev DR.. Couden, chairman;
J. Whit. Herron, Newton Ferree. A. S.
Iarham, DR.. j. Lee Adams, B. F. Chase,
Capt ]. E. Bell, Mrs. c. B. Brown, Mrs.
Anna A. Peck and Mrs. NJ. NJ. North.
Short but stirring speeches were made by
Capt. Bell, Mr.. Ferree, Col. Pierce, Mr..
Parham, DR.. Sonnenschmidt, Max Cohen
Mrs. Brown Mrs. Smith and others.
The committee on organization then re-
tired and later reported resolutions, re-
relief purposes and would help not only
the First Regiment Volunteers, but also
all others who claim the District as their
home. They will meet tonight at No. 1913
street coutheast, to select permanent
officers and perfect their plans.
Persons Present.
Among those present, not already named,
were Geo. c. Lewis, Thos. E. Landon, Rich
ard 1. Hagan. Mrs. E. H. Patterson, Mrs
Roy Bagley Hayes, Mr.. and Mrs. Chas. H.
Dickson, John E. Hodgson. N. A. Lucas,
Geo. W. Salter, D. NJ. Kellogg, Mrs. Carrie
Kellogg. Mr.. and Mrs. C. L. Saers, Owen
Owen. Mrs. E. M. Gillespie. Mrs. E. D.
Moore, G. Augerstein, Geo. Reeves, Mrs.
Pollock, Mrs. Sims, Mrs. VIM. Prender,
Mrs. Agnes Kieny, Mrs. 8. E. Martin, Mrs.
c. H. Dickinson. N. Brewer, H. Presnell,
j. ]. Sullivan, Mrs. Addie Feathers ]. f.
Wlnans, Mrs. Annie Barton, Capt John C.
Gather, d. B. Todd, Mrs Chism. Mrs. NJ.
A. Watson, Mrs. F. C. Ohm, VIM. Stark,
l.. F. Burner, Herman Barshauscn, Mrs.
D. V. Chisholm, Edward Townley Alvin
Barbour, Mrs. Mary A. Nero, Mrs. A. F.
Gooding, Mrs. Ada Rouse and Abram
Myers.