Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1904-08-18
lNDIANA's NEUTRAL. GROUND

:"
Tract Of Land in the Hoosier Stat
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 i
the only piece Of neutral ground on tn
American continent, or, more properly
the western hemisphere. It is protected
by international treaty against the trea.
OF hostile feet. It is perpetual sane
tuary against the invading armies o
AZ nations under the sacred treaty O.
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 Rec
Cross Society OF the World, and imme.
date steps we've 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 thu terms OF
the treaty at Geneva, which h,rever es-
tablishes the tract as exempt from war
and secures the institutions to DO found
ed there from any form Of invasion what
ever. In return for this international
action the Red Cross, true to its 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-
tablishment. of hospitals To. care for
wounded soldiers, but will also embody
q large plantosecure to Rel Cross work
ers from every quarter Of the world q
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 tho
purest water, and numerous streams rip
pie among the hills. Its 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
presented to the Red Cross in
all parts of the world. lf~T
, DR.. Gardner presented the tract Of
land to the Red Cross as a thank Offer
ing to humanity" -...4.1 49,
Atpresent the tract is under the charge
and superintendency Of DR.. Gardner,
who. has been selected by the Red Cross
for that station. There are village.
schoolhouse, post Office and railroad sta
ton on the farm, and DR.. Gardner en-
ploys q large force of men In identifying
and improving the place. The large resi-
dence, which is situated on the highest
hill, from which magnificent view is
spread, is made to express its acquired
character of Red Cross Home. It bears
upon many Of it's angles red crosses, en-
bellished with silver and gold back
ground.
DR.. and Mrs. Gardner have earned .
reputation in Red Cross work, both be-
Ing officers in the American society.
Gen. Shafter witnesses that Mrs. Card
ner was the only woman, except Clara
Barton, who was on the firing. line be-
:ore Santiago, and she is remembered
by every soldier of that battle as the
who furnished him with food
and many comforts while Miss Barton
was journeying back to the coast for
Mrs. Gardner nursed Gen. !
Harry L. Egbert on the firing line at |;
Santiago. He was later killed in the !