The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-19
woMAN,s RELIEF CORPS.
Mrs. Mary j. Hadley Elected Rresi-
dent-Reports of Ofiicers.

Mrs. Mary j. Had1ey Elected Presi~
dent-Reports of Ohicers.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
COLUMBUS. Ind. May 1S-The fifteenth
annual convention of the Woman's Relief
Corps, Department of Indiana was formal
ly opened at 1918 a m. Mary d. Travis,
department president, presiding. After tbs
appointment Of the various committees the
president read her annual address, from
which the following is taken:
There has been a noticeable increase OF
interest in the order by the Grand Army or
the Republic as we'll as by our own MEM
bership during the past year. There We're
9sae SS corps IN the aes MaTcd
in good standing March 81, 1897, against
s. no March 81, 1898, showing an increase OF
800. To this add the membership of the
corps organized since the close OF the last
quarter, with twenty-five charter members
and we have total gain of 347 curing my
term OF office. In addition to this there are
now eight applications for charters in the
hands of Grand Army post commanders
l am delighted to report that the corps oil-
GERS have been more prompt than ever pc
fore in sending in their reports At the close
of the last quarter every corps in the de-
partment had reported except two.
"A patriotic instructor for this departmene
was appointed the forms and instructions
relative to this new Office arriving from
national headquarters late in my term, but
prompt action was taken, and with what
success the report of the department pa
triotic instructor will show. We hail with
delight the action of the fifteenth national
convention in systematizing our work in this
glorious cause SO that every corps may
be devoted to it. While the Montgomery
common schools against the protest of the
Grand Army of the Republic the Woman,S
Relief Corps is engaged in an organized eff
fort to counteract the baleful influence OF
these Objectionable histories, by teaching
patriotism both in and out of the schools.
las the years roll on, our veterans are Pc
ino npa-
The infrmities of age are growing upon
them; and, as the death rate among them
is rapidly increasing, the number or their
widows and children who need our aid is In
creasing. We are proud of our good work
in charity's name and we want to increase
1t year by year. This can only be done Dy
increasing our membership.
ut has been my privilege to make two
visits to the State Soldiers and sailors
Orphans Home at Knightstown.i One OK
these was to attend the commencement ex-
ercises in June and the other. was In con-
nection with the selection OF the Christmas
presents for the children, for the purchase
of which the corps made liberal donations.
We are proud of all the institutions OF our
State, but there is not one that is producc,t CIV
the State Soldiers and Sailors Orphans
Home. Hundreds of the. children OF our
left to grow up homeless and in gnorances
and alas, too many OF them in abandon
ment and crime, but for this home.
Immediately upon the passage or the
resolution by Congress which virtually de-
clared war against Spain, our national
president wrote the President or the qniJe9
States pledgfng him the Woman's RELIEF
CORPS in any way it could be of service.
In circular No. l, received by me just prior
to be sent to the corps) our national presi-
dent calls upon every corps to proceed 10
raise funds by donations, giving entertain
mentS or in any other manner that may
suggest itself to the thousands OF bright
energetic workers Of our order to accumu-
late an emergency fund that may be drawn
kxyV oil mr. 0~
tions or by corps, for the support of nurses
sent to the front. If necessary, or for the
relief of dependent members of the families
OF volunteers and for the purpose of secur-
ing hospital necessaries and delicacies. My
successor will present this matter to the
The report of the department secretary
shows that during the year corps have been
organized at Grantsburg. Wakarusa, Roa-
noke, South Bend, Burr Oak, Dublin, Hope,
st. Paul and Vincennes. Six corps dis
banded during the year. showing a total
gain of three corps and total gain OF ~
members in good standing Amount OF cash
expended in relief during the year, $27U2.66:
estimated relief other than money, 80, LILO;
turned over to posts, $l,Z2O; NUMBER OF SOL
in soldiers families assisted. 1,S05; number
of members assisted 237; number of mem
bers families, 376; total number OF persons
assisted, 1895.
The treasurer's report shows the follow
ing: Total receipts. $4,13S.Sl; total expenol-
lures, $3,954.O5; received since March I.
$471.55; expended, 1882; total amount in
treasury, $513.S9.
The report of patriotic instructor shows
an increasing interest in this important
branch of the W. r. c. work. In moving
the adoption Of this report Mrs. Agnes Hit
paid a beautiful tribute to this officer, Mrs.
Samantha West Miller, OF Indianapolis. Mrs.
Hit said In substance: THE officer has
stood at the head of the patriotic work in
Indiana for two years and has given her
time and strength to the work. She had
no father nor brothers to send to the civil
war, but the day before yesterday, when
Col. Harry Smiths regiment marched
south Mrs. Miller gave her son nobly ana
without tear She said I have taught
you all your life to be loyal to your coun-
try and flag, and I promise to let you go
without shedding tear. believing that you
are doing your duty in going and in giving
you to your country.
The afternoon session convened immedi-
ately after the parade. The committee on
credentials reported 295 voting members
present and the convention proceeded to the
election of officers. Mrs. Mary ]. Hadley,
of Jesse s. Ogden Corps Danville, was NOM
mated by Mrs. Josephine Thomas, of Dam
VILE Mrs. linn, of Indianapolis, was NOM
mated, but declined, and the unanimous
vote of the convention was cast for Mrs.
Hadley Mrs. Hadley was presented from
the platform and was enthusiastically re-
ceived. Irene b. Hawley, of Columbus. was
elected senior vice president, Nettie Wink.
of Knightstown, junior vice president and
Alice S. Pike, Danville, treasurer.