The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1902-07-04
Photo by Opie.

municatiOn are not all that is necessary
to insure the objects of these societies.
Money is not only needed to carry
on war. but for the relief of the mis-
cries caused by war. To obtain SUCH
resources is an important work. The
Russian society set a good example
in this direction. From it's origin in
1867 it collected funds from over the
whole empire.
Boxes were put in churches armories.
railroad depots. steamboats, and many
other public buildings. People all over
the world became interested in this
society and donated large sums of
money. Besides gathering up funds, it
was agreed upon that it would be nee
essary to gather up material for ser
vice. AT Geneva in 1868. in five depots
was collected over 1000 shirts and ar
ticles such as hosiery, bandages and
lint for over LOCO wounded soldiers.
In times of peace training schools
are established from which many men
ard women have graduated and are
ready to go on the battle field or in the
hospitals. These well trained nurses
find no difficulty in securing employ
ment in times of peace. They are eager
ly sought for by the community to take
positions at the bedsides of the sick,
with the proviso that they are to be al
lowed to obey the pledge of the society
at the first notice Of war.
There are schools for this purpose
Austria and many other European
countries. The Red Cross assistance is
the first on the scene of any disaster
such as the JohnstoWn flood.
Amid these scenes Of destruction
they spent five weary months some
times in tents and sometimes out of
doors. They were in rain and mud and
lacked the most common of comforts
until they could build houses to shell
ter themselves and those about them.
- l. 60 Y, n dc
box for a desk they conducted financial
affairs in money and material to the
amount of nearly one half million dol
lars.
Similar things have been done in the
Texas famine, Russian famine and
many other disasters.
By the international treaty the Red
Cross society is given peculiar privl-
ligeS in times of war. The officers are
permitted to carry on their work With
out hindrance on either side. But they
are prohibited to have anything to DO
with military or naval operations
They deal entirely with the means pro-
vided to aid the wounded, relieve the
suffering and care for the sick. The
Red Cross nurses know neither friend
nor foe.
In case of a battle, ambulances. sur
geons and nurses go upon the field as
soon as it is possible to carry on their
work. The Red Cross has done grand
work on many battlefields in every
port of the globe, but never has it rem
humanity than it did on the southern
shores of the island of Cuba On the
battlefield, Drawing the bullets of the
foe, in the hospitals minstering to the
wants of the wounded and dying,
among the wretched, non-combatants,
giving the starving and nursing the
fever stricken refugees, these noble
men and women were ever ready to
answer to the cry of the needy and
helpless. Almost the first work done
by the Red Cross society in our war
with Spain was the feeding of the rep
resentatives of nation who had forced
US into war mainly because if its
policy of starvation to the people of
Cuba.
When the war was over banquets
were held, great feasts spread. honored
Il could not sleep until 1 had restored
and the heroes of the army and navy.
while a million voices shouted loud
hurrahs that told of a nations tribute
of gratitude to all those who had con-
tributed to the great victory. But
among them Were not seen the Red
Cross nurses not that they were for
gotten but because they. went about
their duty of self sacrifice without
even thought or expectation that any
lived to come bach from the death
laden fever swamps or not Their part
in the victory, had been for the time
being, overlooked. Those who could
best tell of their noble deeds were cold
and still. wrapped in the sleep that
needs no bugle call.
They carried balm and healing not
only to broken and bleeding bodies but
to broken and bleeding hearts as well.
They stood through long pestilential
nights like ministering angels of heav--
en- beside the weary pillow of pain. And
when all that human hands could do,
murmured last words to mother, wife
or sweetheart, these ears caught the
last faint whisper. their fingers penned
the last words home and their voice
that read from the thumb worn page: