The National tribune., 1899-06-08

field; Counselor, Melissa Caylor, Mobiles
vile; Instituting and Installing Officer,
Lola Calvert, ScottSburg.
The officers were installed by Agnes
Hit, Past National President; Bertha
Strickler, National Aid, acting as Con-
ductor.
A beautiful gavel made of piece OF the
stockade of the Andersonville Prison was
| presented to the Convention by Mrs. Elisa
J. Crisler, of Greensburg. On each end OF
the gavel is a silver band; one bearing the
| inscription, From the stockade of Ander-
sonville Prison; on the other, Presented to
| the Department of Indiana, W.RC., May
"a, 1899" The Department President re-
| sponded feelingly, referring to loved ones
| who died within the walls of Andersonvllle
Prison.
The sham battle was one of the chief
| attractions of the week, rs it represented
battle in the Cuban war-El Caney. Ihe
evening of May "a, four CampfireS We're
held, those on the programs attending all.
The principal speakers We're Commander
in-Chief j. N. Walker, Gen.. Black, Gov.
Mount, Gen. Wilder, Senator Fairbanks,
Department Commander Ryan. Past Conf
mander Dodge, and National President Flo
Jamison Miller. ,-...~ 80
The next Convention will he held at
Indianapolis. --.---.-- %
ILLINOIS CONVENTION.
The Department Convention sof the 1lli-
nois Woman's Relief Corps, held at Dan
vile, May II and IS, was the largest and
one of the best ever held in the State, Ala
delegates and about $50 visitors being
present Mrs. Carrie r. Alexander read
her address, which was pronounced one of
the best ever delivered. Every recon-
mendation but one was adopted. She was
nominated for President for eHsuing year
by her Counselor, Miss Jennie Bross, and
received such an ovation as does not often
come to retiring officer. IA beautiful
badge with the National co'ors in ruby,
diamond, and sapphire was presented her.
1t is said to be the finest and most expensive
ever presented. Other tokens of love were
bestowed upon her. The Department
Secretary, Miss Lorey, was presented with
topaz r:.ig by Rose Clarke, 'of c 1icago.
Gen. John C. Black paid Mrs. AleXar-
der high tribute by quoting several para
graphs from her Memorial order, in which
she suggested Strewing the waters with
flowers Oh Memorial Day in memory OF the
victims of the Maine and other sailor dead.
The idea was carried out one year ago, at
Peoria, by Mrs. John C. Black, wife Of the
Commander. A committee from the La
dies of the GAR. brought greetings to
Conveiitiol, and in her response to them
Mrs. Alexander brought the tears to many
eyes, and through her tact and good man
agement a more friendly feeling exists be-
Mrs. Elizabeth Means, of Chicago, was
elected Department President; Mrs. Bessie
Jenkins, of Pontiac, Senior Vice-Presi-
dent, and Mrs. Adele Clarke, OF Peoria,
Junior Vice-President; Mrs. Rebecca Lew
is, of Aurora, reelected Treasurer, and
Mrs. Robbins, of Oregon, Chaplain.
Miss Maud Means was appointed Sec
retary, and Mrs. Alexander Counselor. =
There has been steady gain in men,
bership during the past year, the aggre-
gate being II, ,222. Seven new Corps have
been organized during the year, while 10
have disbanded.
In addition to the regular work, the
W.R.C. of Illinois has raised over 50 IA for
the boys of the Spanish-American war.
Mrs. Flo j. Miller, National President,
added much TO Convention by her presence.
Her daughter, Zola, was obligated at Con-
vention by the Department President.
A NEW SOCIETY.
At the recent Encampment of the De
partrnent of Illinois, held in Danville, the
representatives of America Corps, 81, Of
Chicago, with a few friends from other
Corps, organized a society called. the ."W.
G. IS" 1t is composed of 16 ladies', all Off
GERS, and has only affiliated mem bers. 1t
is expected that the future of this new
Order will be bright, brilliant, and far
reaching. The organizer is Emma r.
Wallace, Past National President. Ameri-
ca Corps counts among its members Susan
b. Anthony and Rev. Anna Shaw, both
sisters Of soldiers.