The National tribune., 1901-08-22
WISCONSIN, W.R.C.
Review of II Years of Department Life in
the Badger State


EDITOR NATIONAL TRrnrxE: Our band of
brave women has been guided by the noblest
women of the State. We are proud to have
had as leaders Harriet Dunlap, Gertie Rog-
ers, Caroline Bell, Charity Rusk Craig. Helen
III. CharletOn, Helen y. Pufer Louise c.
Williams. Bell $. Hanover. Elizabeth Skule,
Lucinda c. Burchard. Lettie f. Wthcrs, Lib
bic {. Baer. Bell y. Bliss, Myra c. Grin
nell, and now Harriet l.. Welton. The vet
Grams still need our care. and under Harriet
l.. Welton bod loyal women are banded
together to assist them. The Wisconsin w.
X. {. has expended in relief since its or
GaniZati0n, June q, 1854. cash, SiS944: other
than money. 100000; for Wisconsin Veterans
Home, $15,949. All Past Department Presi-
dents are still interested in the work of this
order, and each has been hOnored by ap-
polntment TO one or more positions OF Ma
tional trust. brief review of the work
of each will show the growth of the Order
in this State.
Harriet Dunlap was elected first President
at Madison In the, Fall of 1884 Feb. 8,
1856, she presided ut the Convention held
in Milwaukee Mrs. Dunlaps work was
mainly organizing Corps and bringing the
Order to the notice of the G. 4. X. There
were II Corps, with about 1000 members, at
the close OF her term. There WAS expended
for charity 1896, and SOB was turned over
to the G. A. Il.
Gertic Rogers was elected Department
Corps were organized. Cash expended for
relief, S1,151; turned over to Posts, SAL
In 1887 Gertie Rogers was reelected Presi-
dent. Sixteen new Corps were organized.
Cash expended for relief, S2,4S4; turned over
to Posts. $613 This year the w. X. c.
assisted the G. A. X. to establish the Wis
consin Veterans Home, which was opened
Oct; !, 1857; The w. II: C. contributed $1,000
cash and $50 worth of useful articles.
Charity Rusk Craig was elected Depart
ment President in 1885, but in September
OF the same year was elected National Pres-
dent. Her work as Wisconsin President was
hS I'm Sh fnI
organized eight new ones, and urged the
building of cottages the Home. As Ma
tiOnal President much help was given to the
JOhnstOwn sufferers. During her term the
has served on the National Home Board
since 1890. She now resides in the South,
but still belongs to the Department of Wis
consin, considering this her abiding place
as Il w. r. G.. lady.
Caroline II. Bell was elected by the Coun-
Gil to I'LL the position of Department Presi-
dent made vacant by Mrs. Craig's resigna-
ton. During the remainder of the year IA
new Corps were organized. Cash expended
in relief for 1883, 3d. 173; other than money,
$l,6G1; to the Home, 81, 7I6 cash and S4S2
supplies. Mrs. Bell was unanimously elect
ed Department President 1889 During this
term she organized a Corps. Cash for re-
lief. S3,210; cash for JOhnStOwn sufferers
500, and several valuable boxes. The plan
for the chapel was made and second Depart
ment cottage, built at n cost of $500. She
has, been National Ait, Inspector. member
of Executive Board, and is now Chairman
OF National Council Of Women.
Helen Holmes Charlton was elected De
partment President in 1890. During her term
II new Corps were organized Cash expend-
ed for relief, 81, 76l; other than money, s., 94S
The chapel at the Home, completed ut cost
of $4,000; Sf,5I2 cash being given by w. r.
c., $40 private donations and the rest given
by charitably inclined merchants, in stained
glass windows, lumber etc.
Helen N. Puffer was elected Department
President in 1891. During her term IL Corps
were organized. Cash expended in relief,
$3,j32; other than money g, 1855, and S1,012
given to Posts; 1911 to chapel fund, S274
supplies to Home, with 70i yards of carpet.
July 10, 1892, Mrs. Puffer had the pleasure
of presenting the chapel to the Grand Army.
1t was dedicated with appropriate services.
Past Department President Helen Charlton
composed and read the dedication poem.
Louise G. Williams was elected Depart
ment President iii 1892. During her term
IA Corps were organized. Cash expended for
relief $2GJ6; other than money, 81. i02; given
to Posts, SS9I; cash given to the Home,
$1,sG5. from the w. Il. G. Louise Will
Jams was i'll nearly the whole of her year
as President, and was unable to leave her
bed at time of Convention.
Bell S. Hanover was elected Department
President in 1893, and again in 1884. Dur
ing her two years as President there were
ID Corps organized. Cash for relief, $3.50;
other than money, S10626; to the fire suf-
ferers, $296 cash, and S2,I05 other ttan
money.
Elizabeth Skeele was elected Department
President in 1895. During her term II Corps
were organized. Cash expended for relief,
$G,215; other than money, $2.9I1; given to
Posts. S!20; cash sent to Home, S1,141, with
large amount of bedding, carpets and
canned fruits.
Lucinda c. Burchard was elected Depart
ment President in 1896. During her term
there were five new Corps organized. Cash
for relief $3.50; other than money, So, I26;
given to Posts, S1,070; cash for Home, s621.
Lettie f. Withers was elected Department
President in 1897. During her term there
were II Corps organized. Cash expended .
in relief, S2,4is; other than money, $3,2S1;
given to Posts, SLIT; donations to the
Home S737. She offered the assistance of
the Corps to Gov. Scofield, and much was
done this year In getting Wisconsin soldiers
ready to go TO the front
Libbie G. Ball was elected Department
President in $685. During her term four
new Corps were organized. Cash expended
for relief, S2,935; other than money, s3,oSi;
Wisconsin Veterans Home, $3.50; given
Posts, $50.
The Spanish American war presented new
opportunities for patriotism and relief, max
ing this the banner year for Department
relief work. Amount contributed for WIS
cOnsin Veterans Home in supplies, 81, 1913;
for the soldiers of Spanish American war,
Sc, $50. There were Al boxes of miscellaneous
donations, valued at S2s063. These were re-
packed and medicine, matted milk and car
boiized gauZe added to each package and sent
to the troops at Charleston, Chickamauga,
Huntsville, Jacksonville. even to Porto Rico,
Cuba and Manila.
Bell w. Bliss was elected Department
President in 1899 During her term two
new Corps were organized. Cash expended
for relief, SO, 700; other than money, So, 10;
given Posts, $1,000; donation to Veteran
Home, s1,O52; supplies and cash for New
Richmond cyclone sufferers, 1927. She spent
a great deal of time at Veterans Home.
Myra c. Grinnell was elected Department
President In 1900. She closed her year with
145 Corps in the Department, with 5554
members Cash expended for relief, $3.50;
other than money, $1,000; given to Posts,
S1,O55; relief for Texas flood sufferers, Sos.
The National Treasurer, W. X. c., writes
that Wisconsin led in the amount sent and
also in being the first to respond She gave
II lecture on her trip abroad for the benefit
of several Corps in the State, and closed
her years work with every single Corps be
ing on the "Roll of Honor. "-HATT1E NJ.
RGDDY, Department Press Correspondent,
Black River Falls. Wis.
The 1st vt. Cav.
All survivors of the list VT. Cav, attending
the National Encampment are requested TO
meet In the U. S. Jury Room, Post Office
RuiIdin0 at 10 o'clock q. M, Thursday, Sept.