The National tribune., 1905-11-23

IuiloI 4SdtioHdl 1IIUulc I1dSlhS IC-
ceived the high honor of being appoint
ed on the staff of our new National
President, Mrs. Ruth Foote. as a Press
Correspondent, / take great pleasure in
addressing The National Tribune, whose
editor in the past has been more than
gracious to me. and whose good Offices
ask for the coming year In advancing
the best interests of our Order.
Nov. IL was the occasion of one of
the SWEETEST social functions ever ten
dered by our Order in Chicago.
The Mary T. Hager National Staff
Association gave a banquet at the Pal
mer House to Sister Mary T. Hager,
Past National President and present Ma
tfonal Counselor. One hundred and
thirty ladies and comrades were seated
in the banquet hall, with our hOnored
National Counselor at the head, with
Gen. John c. Smith, Department Com
mander of Illinois. GAR, at her left;
on her right the Treasurer and Senior
Vice of the Association. The President
of the Association. Mrs. Charlotte M.
Wilson, acted as toastmistress. The
first toast was '"The GAR" responded
to by Gen. Smith in an able eulogy to
our veterans.
- The second was THE Ladies of the
G.A.R.; responded to by our honored
guest. Mrs. Hager. In all the years
have known her / never heard her speak
more eloquently or warm up to her
theme more enthusiastically. We all
regretted SO much that she had to be
limited as to time. One of our COM
rades later said her words were like
sweet memory to cherish forever in
their hearts, having known and loved
such beautiful and noble woman.
Past Department Commander Robert
Mann Woods responded to the toast
1.-The Organization of the Grand Army
Of ftr0 ID HI IL, - Il
ic report, ending with these words:
The organization of the GAR. cul-
minated in the organization Of the
Ladies of the GAR" He was glad to
be guest of so festive and successful
social function and add his need Of
praise to the grand administration that
Sister Hager had just finished at Dem
yer. and hoped to be remembered on
future occasions when the wives and
daughters Of his comrades met on such
joyous occasions.
Gen. Stibbs recited, and the Chicago
Ladies' Quartette sang. The toast Our
Flag" was responded to by Sister Ell
mira Springer. The theme SO worthy
was handled in a manner worthy Of
our distinguished sister. While speak
ing the Flag she SO dearly loves was
waving over her head Our dear Sister
Springer is ever active in all good
works, not the least being the advance
Jicilt o. our HODle OrQer.
Comrade John l.. Manning was given
the toast 'The Old Soldier" but the
hour was SO late 1T had to be deferred
Altogether everything was perfect in
its detail and execution. Our only re-
greet was that every member of the staff
was not present. They are scattered
from Maine to California. and can only
be present sin the spirit
Nov. IL the Mary T. Hager Staff As
ISOLATION held a meeting at the Palmer
House, and voted to perpetuate the or
ganiZation, and elected officers for the
ensuing year, resulting in the follow
ing: President, Alice Deibler; S. v. P,
Jennie Wallace; j. ". p, Adelia Ores
simin: Treasurer, Julia Ellis; Chaplain,
Mary Sargent.
The final reports of the year were
submitted, with all bills paid. The min
ute book, which was an elegantly bound
and engrossed affair, was presented to
Mrs. Hager. The yellow banner had
been presented to her at Denver, but
will be present at our meetings when
ever we desire. Our dues are to be 81
a year and to be used for social func-
tons only. Whenever a member who
may be visiting in Chicago desires to
visit us, she may find us at the Palmer
House on second Mondays OF every
month and will be welcome.-Nellie
Underwood, Press Correspondent, Chi
cago, Ill.