River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-07-21
INDiANA'S NEUTRAL GROUND
Which All Nations Are Bound
to Respect.

In beautiful and romantic location
four miles south of the city of Bedford,
Ind, there is a tract of 1872 acres that is
the only piece of neutral ground on the
American continent, or, more properly,
the western hemisphere. 1t is protected
by international treaty against the tread
of hostile feet. 1t is perpetual sane
tuary against the invading armies of
AZ nations under the sacred treaty OF
Geneva, says the New York Herald.
DR.. Joseph Gardner, of Bedford, Ind,
donated the tract of land to Clara Barton
for the Red Cross The gift was accepted
by Miss Barton in the name of the Red
Cross Society of the World, and imme-
date steps were taken to secure the pas
sage of proper laws by congress to for
ever secure the magnificent gift to the
uses and purposes desired by the donor
and Miss Barton.
Forty-one nations besides the United
States Joined in ratifying the terms of
the treaty at Geneva, which forever es-
tablishes the tract as exempt from war
and secures the institutions to be found
ed there from any form of invasion what
ever. In return for this international
action the Red Cross, true to it's purpose,
will prepare the place for such possible
emergencies as may arise in the future
of nations. Primarily the place will
never be set over exclusively for the es-
Enlistment of hospitals to care for
wounded soldiers but will also embody
large plan to secure to Red Cross work.
ers from every quarter of the world
permanent home to which they may re-
tire to be cared for during the remainder
of their lives, out of the funds of the Red
Cross Society of the World.
In donating the tract to the Red Cross
DR.. Gardner suggested that it would
make an admirable location for the Amer
lean store houses, invalid homes, hos
pitfalls and nurse school supply depot of
the Red Cross in this country. This sug-
gestion has been approved by the Red
Cross officials.
1t is abundantly supplied with the
purest water, and numerous streams rip
pie among the hills. It's perfect drain
age, high location and sufficient trans
portation facilities make it an ideal place
for extensive public institutions. Hos
pitfalls and homes for infirm and unfortun-
ate nurses will be established by the Red
Cross, and the officials of the society who
have viewed the place declare that no
better site could be obtained anywhere
for such purposes
The tract will contain many buildings
when the plans are fully carried out, for,
besides the hospitals, cottage homes for
nurses and storehouses. there will be a
fireproof building, in which will be
stored all the trophies, keepsakes and
souvenirs presented to the Red Cross in
all parts of the world.
DR.. Gardner presented the tract of
land to the Red Cross as ''thank offer
ing to humanity"
At present the tract is under the charge
and superintendency of DR.. Gardner,
who has been selected by the Red Cross
for that station There are a village,
schoolhouse, post office and railroad sta
ton on the farm, and DR.. Gardner en-
ploys a large force Of men in beautifying
and improving the place. The large resi-
dence, which is situated on the highest
hill, from which a magnificent view is
spread, is made to express its acquired
character of Red Cross Home. 1t bears
upon many of it's angles red crosses, en-
bellished with a silver and gold back
ground.
DR.. and Mrs. Gardner have earned a
reputation in Red Cross work, both be-
mo officers in tha American society
Gen. Shafter witnesses that Mrs. Gard
ner was the only woman, except Clara
Barton, who was on the firing line be-
fore Santiago, and she is remembered
by every soldier of that battle as the
woman who furnished him with food
and many comforts while Miss Barton
was journeying back to the coast for
supplies. Mrs. Gardner nursed Gen.
Harry L. Egbert on the firing line at
Santiago. He was later killed in the
Philippines.