The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1900-09-13

nual session in Chicago Wednesday, Aug
%, closing with installation of officers
Friday evening at G:3O. 1t was the
largest Convention in the history of the
Order. there being SOC accredited delegates
and Past Department and National Off
GERS. who, under the rules, have vote
in National Conventions.
Central Music Hall, where the Conven-
ton was held, was light and commodious
and brightly decorated with red-white-
and-blue bunting and flags, and, as the
Commander-in-C Chief remarked, After all,
the sunshine never kissed, the winds of
heaven never embraced anything more
beautiful than the flag"
Music Hall holds about 5000 people,
and it was packed TO the dome at the
first session, which was an open one and
largely attended by the veterans. On the
platform at the left of the President $
chair was Il jar of American Beauty roses
nearly as tall as the President herself,
presented to her the evening before 10y the
Department of Connecticut, q. \. X, and
about her desk We're various other bou-
quets. each fragrant with sweet thoughts;
and freghted with the love of those who
mad been associated with her in the ardu-
Gus duties of the year.
The army of "biuccoatS and better
halves began To arrive in Chicago Sunday
morning. and from that hour on to the
close Friday night the women of the va
riouS loyal Orders were royalty treated.
The Department of Illinois. Woman's Re
lief Corps, Mrs. Florence o. McCielland-
President, had its headquarters in the Ma
sonic Temple, Chicago, and to this De
partment of splendid women is due the
generous entertainment and hospitality
enjoyed while in Chicago. The Chairman
of the Woman's Executive Committee was
Past National President Emma X.
Wallace. Associated with her upon the
Past National President, as Secretary;
Mrs. Armilla Cheney, Past National
Treasurer, as Treasurer of the committee,
and Mrs. \. D. Cadwalladcr, Mrs. II. Il.
Milchrist, Mrs. {. c. Jones. Mrs. John X.
Tanner, Mrs. John c. Black, Mrs. George
Moulton, Mrs. W. II. Jewell, Mrs. c. Por-
ter johnson, Mrs. Julia Remann, Mrs.
Clara Hall, Mrs. Fitz Simons, Mrs. II. z.
Thompson, and Mrs. Ida NJ. Briggs, all of
Illinois. Mrs. Wallace is Counselor of
the Department of Illinois. and the De-
partmcnt President, Mrs. McClclland, and
her secretary, Mrs. Ida Palmer, brought
all their energies and forces to bear to
aid Mrs. Wallace and her committee. The
General Committee of men refused to aid
as has always been the custom, and it
was necessary to raise funds for the lunch
con that is always served TO the delegates,
and thousands of other little courtesies.
The Department of Illinois, which is COM
prised of go Corps, responded generously,
some giving $50 toward the expenses, and
one little Corps struggling for its life sent
80 cents, the last penny in its general
fund, and beautiful note Of regret that
1t was not more.
In the city of Chicago there are %
Corps, and the members Of these Corps
devoted all their energies during the week
toward receiving the guests at the depOts
and hotels. All the National Headquarters
were in the Palmer House, and many of
the Departments were also located there.
The Department of Illinois, w. Il. c., had
beautifully decorated apartments Oh one
of the main corridors and entertained all
callers there.
W. r. C. RECEPTION N HONOR OF COM
HANDKERCHIEF SHAW.
There were many receptions at the va
rious Department Headquarters, but the
center Of attraction was at the Palmer
House, where on Tuesday evening. Aug.
%, the National President, Mrs. Harriet
j. Dodge, gave reception in honor of
Commander-in-Chief Shaw, assisted by her
staff and Past National Presidents. Those
]. BODICE, National President, w. X. c.;
Commander-in-Chief Shaw, Mrs. John G.
Black, Gen. John G. Black, Miss
Clara Barton, Past Commander-in-
Chief Paul Van der Wort. Mrs.
Libbie Baer, National Senior Vice
President; Mrs. Charlotte +. Wright
National Secretary; Mrs. May Evans, Ma
tional Junior Vice President; Mrs. Mary
e. Brown, National Chaplain; Mrs. Eliza
beth Turner, National Counselor; Mrs.
Abbie A. Adams, National Instructing and
Installing Officer; Mrs. Isabella r. Bagley,
National Treasurer; Mrs. Kate Brownlee
Sherwood, Mrs. Agnes HIT Mrs. Emma
Stark Hampton. Mrs. Margaret Ray
Wickins, Mrs. Elizabeth Turner, Mrs.
darcy Kline, Mrs. Charity Rusk Craig
and Mrs. Emma r. Wallace, all Past Ma
ticnal Presidents, as well as Past Depart
ment Presidents, their evening gowns
fairly ablaze with the magnificent jewcled
badges of past hOnors. Others in the re-
ceiving line, which extended from one end
to the other of the long red parlor, We're:
Mrs. ]. Ellen Foster, of Washington;
Mrs. Ellen Spencer Mussey, Washington,
d. c.; Mrs. Florence o. McCicIland, De
partInent President of Illinois; Mrs. Ida T..
Palmer, Department Secretary of Illinois;
Mrs. Charlotte Cummings, Of Pennsylva-
MIA, one of the founders of the w. Il. c.;
Mrs. Sarah ID. Winans, Toledo o. mem
Der National Home Board; Mrs. Martha
K. Baxter, Senior Vice-President Depart
ment of Illinois. The crush a; the recep-
ton was something unprecedented in the
history OF receptions, and hundreds failed
to reach the reviewing line, although fully
10000 people packed themselves in the
great parlors and corridors during the
evening. The decorations were nothing
but Gags, simple flags" caught up in
graceful festoons by golden eagles. a ia
bic in the reception parior was piled deep
with burden OF roses; except these, Old
Glory had no rivals.
ILLINOIS RECEPTION.
On Wednesday evening the Department
OF Illinois gave reception in the same
parlors to the same crush Of guests. The
Duke and Duchess d'Arcos were the
guests of honor. Mrs. Florence o. Nc
Clelland, Department President, was as
sisted by Mrs. Ida Palmer, Department,
Secretary: Mrs. Emma r. Wallace, De
partment Counselor; COnmander-in-Ch Chief
Shaw and the other officers of the Depart
ment Of Illinois, w. II. G.
Receiving with them were Gen. and Mrs
John G. Black, Senior Vice Commander
+. n. Boyer, Gen. c. c. Jones, Adj't- Gen
Q. A. Partridge and Mr.. Hobart Chat
aeld-Taylor.
sAIL on LAKE MICHIGAN.
On Friday sail up beautiful LAX,
Michigan to Milwaukee was given til,
Grand Army guests and their friends
Lunch was served on the steamer, and OF
given a trolley ride 10 Schlitz Park, wher,
y,,v,a