The National tribune., 1899-03-16
THE RELIEF CORPS.
News and Gossip of the Great Auxil
iary.
MINNESOTA CONyENTIo.

The Convention of the Department OF
Minnesota was he Id Feb. % and "a in ST.
Paul. The following are the officers
elected: Pres, Ella +. Gearhart, Duluth; !;
IS. V. P, Louise F. Pendergast, Grey
Eagle; j. Y. p, Amy Russell Walsh, Long
Lake; Treas, Marie A. SOule, Litchfield;
Chap, Mrs. Morrison, st. Paul; Delegate
at-Large To National Convention, Lettie
Miller, Kasson. The appointed officers
are: Sec, Anna Hugo, Duluth; ms, Mary
E. Plymatt, Mankato; Counselor, Lon
dusky j. Tay lor, LeSueur; Inshtuting and
Installing Officer, Sophia Fisher, st. Paul;
Press Correspondent, Cora F.. Wright,
sists of Matte Allen, st. Paul; Alice Cox,
LeSueur; Bertha Theviot, Brainard; /;
Josephine Plank, PipestOne; Ida X. Mar
tin, Minneapolis.
Next of Importance to the Order was the
settlement with bOndsmen of Mary A. Har-
rigan, the defaulting Treasurer of Mime
sofa The matter is now before the
courts, which have decided that the
WRC. bonds are good, and bondsmen
liable. To keep case pending until time
of Convention, the bOndsmen carried case
to Supreme Court, hoping the Delegates to
Convention would vote to release bonds
men on the ground that one of the bonds
mems. j. Baldwin-iS veteran.
Mrs. Agnes Savage, Of OsseO, introduced
resolution demanding full payment of
the bond. A clause, which showed that
woman could temper justice with mercy,
was added, stipulating that when pay
ment was made the W.R.C. would refund
| $500 to bOndsmen. This seemingly round
about method was taken to avoid estab-
| fishing a precedent of releasing bonds
men from their obligations. Any time the
WR.C. had been willing to settle for So
cents on the dollar, but bondsmen would
not agree. BOndsmen are bondsmen, SO
the Convention decided, but after the
| amount has been paid in full the Depart
ment will refund $500. This action was
taken because Mr.. Baldwin, though
amply able to stand his one-third of in
debtedneSS, is veteran.
Mrs. Cora F. Wright, Department Secre-
tary, reported during the official year just
closed the different Corps had initiated
507 members; the net gain in member,
ship being 203; also, that 81 ,229 cash had
been turned over to Posts; I,012 cash
given for special relief work, and So, AS
relief other than money given. Assist
ance had been rendered to volunteers Of
Spanish war to the amount Of 81 1928
Two beautiful testimonials were ten
dered to the retiring President, Mrs. Mary
A. Silloway, of Minneapolis, who took
upon her hands the care Of the Depart
ment with an empty treasury and nearly
$500 of debts. Her untirng energy and
great executive ability enabled her officers
to axe the foregoing report of relief rem
dered, while there remains in the treasury
about $50. IL was as token Of appreci-
alton Of such almost unparalleled labOrs
that the Convention presented Mrs. SillO-
way with an elegant roll top desk and
leather upholstered revolving chair, while
the Aids presented her with "a silver water
service.
One pretty idea of the ladies was the
honoring of Department Commander Morti
| hu ha,inu his pnrtratt inScrihaI
Convention badges.
MONTANA AFFAIRS
Mary +. Simonton, Department Pres.
Correspondent, Helena, Mont, writes
"The Woman's Relief Corps of Montana
under the guidance Of Mrs. Ella Herbold
Department President, is in a prosperous
condition. A new Corps Garfield, lOl was
recently organized. We have plenty o.
work for all, and each Corps stands ready
and willing to do its best for the advance
mcnt of the cause we love so well. When
the call for an emergency fund came last
Summer, all the Corps responded literally
| and promptly.
1--WE have our Soldiers Home, that we
are so proud of, and our Corps is always
thinking OF some way to add a little more
| to the comfort for it's inmates. A few
words about our Home will not be out OF
place. The Montana Soldiers Home is
the Flathead River, about two miles from
the village of Columbia Falls. There are
147 acres of excellent land, part of which
is beautiful grove. The Home was
opened the 21st Of June, 1897, with four
| inmates. Since then the number has in
creased, and at the present time there are
81. The Home is in great need Of a hos
pital away from the main building. 1t is
probable that this want will soon be sup
piled, as bill is before the present Legis-
lature and has been favOrably reported.
! The Home has a good library, donated
by the W.R.C. and GAR. Many of the
newspapers Of the State are sent regularly
so the old soldiers have plenty to read
They also have a fine piano, the gift of
Lincoln Corps, of Butte. BY way Of
amusement in Summer, they can fish
and boat on the river, and in the Winter
| they can hunt without going any great
distance from the Home.
"We are thankful we have such home
where SO many of our worthy veterans can
find in their declining years a veritable
haven of rest"