The National tribune., 1899-03-16
LllicS of the q. Ar.

Mrs. Nellie Underwood, Corresponding
Secretary; of Chicago, FL, writes: For
the encouragement of the Ladies OF the
G.A.E. of the wilcle United States and of
Illinois in particular, | wish to report the
progress and great growth OF our Order in
Chicago. Our iustal llation of officers in
ti?e various Circles have been occasions ..
great interest and pleasure. Our Ma
tional President, Mrs. Agnes j. WInSiow,
being a resident of our city, we have the
benefit of her advice and presence. She
is woman of dignified presence and
sound Judgment, and has been the In
sta ling Officer for most of our Circles,
and has received much praise.
''The officers Of Lady Washington Circle
were the last 10 be inst He'd. This Circle
is the largest in membership, has the
most money in its treasury, and has eX-
pended the largest amount Tor relief. Col.
Ellsworth Circle had very impressive
installation and served splendid lunch
10 its many visiting sisters and comrades
Ulysses Grant Circle took the lead, as the
place OF meeting is centra and they had
open doors, thereby admitting many dis
tinguished people not members of our
Order .
The Ladies of the GAR of Chicago
hel Il rousing Campfire at Handel Hall
on the evening of Feb. 25, to ce Celebrate the
10th anniversary of the organization of
the Order All the leading officers of the
attendance OF the comrades. The occa-
sion was one of great encouragement to
US, and we were congratulated by the
comrades for the efficient work we nave
ACCOMPLISHED. We have worked against
great difficulties and met encouragement
on every hand: but We are now on firm
basis and will never surrender. The
Order has grown from mere handful oi
earnest and patriotic women TO over 25,-
900 in 13 years.
''The amount of relief work done by us
in the United States for one year is simply
astonishing when one stops to consider
that our ranks are formed wholly from the
families of the comrades of the G.A.R.,
thousands of whom are found in the more
modest walks of life. Every year our
work will be more arduouS as the COM
rades grow elder; but every day our hearts
are growing more tender and our hands
more willing to carry out the loving OBJ
legations we have taken as Ladies Of the
q II.
"a unique wedding was solemnized
Feb. % at Memorial Hall, Englewood
(ChicagOl, the contracting parties being
Harry Berry, of Englewood. The cere-
mony was performed by the Chaplain,
Gilbert Frederick, of Meade Post, 444,
GAR. The bridal party marched to the
altar between an open file OF comrades OF
the Post and the members of EnglewoOd
Circle, %, of which Circle both the bride
and the BRIDES mother are active mem
bers The Hall was beautifully decorated
with hundreds of flags and the National
colors in bunting.
"As Corresponding Secretary of the De-
partment Of Illinois would ask the sisters
of the various Circles throughout the
State TO send me communications and
keep me thoroughly informed as to the
doings of the Circles, and thereby help me
to fulfill the duties assigned me-"
Corresponding Secretary Annie Boudi
not, Lowell Mass, reports large and
interesting meeting OF Iadd and Whitney
Circle, s, on March A, when Mrs. Jennie
Ferguson, a prominent member, pre-
sented the society with a beautiful silk
aanr ~.,1I Ie,S..