Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1905-06-27
JUNE IS AND IL, 1905
Report of Twenty-second Annual
Convention of W. R. E.

Report of Twenty-second Annual
Convention Of W. r. c.
On reaching La Crosse at 5:55
Monday evening, we were met by a
committee who escorted US to the
Stoddard hotel. where We registered,
handed ia eur credentials, and
received our baggages. We then
found our boarding place and ate
hearty supper.
Tuesday morning at 9:15 the con-
vention was called to order in the
Congregational church. by the de-
partment president, Mrs. Ella
Weatherby. About four hundred
delegates and visitors were present
at the opening session, while others
came in later. j sos t#s
The church is beautiful structure
and had been beautifully decorated
with flowers, flags and bunting.
The convention was opened by oil
repeating the Lords prayer, followed
by song, "America," after which the
flag salute was repeated in concert.
The first business of the convention
was the roll call Of the department
officers; all were present and as their
names were called each came forward
and took her place, on the rostrum.
Then Mrs. Weatherby introduced
each of her staff in turn to the dele
gates, commencing with senior vice
president.and going down the line.
Mrs Fannie Miner, national presi-
dent of the W. r. G.. was announced
and was escorted to the platform by
the chief conductor and color bearers,
and introduced. Following this, teD
past depar tment presidents were also
escorted to the platform, and each In
turn introduced by name, with the
exception of one, who for some reason
would not give her name, The
secretary then read number Of re.
grets and best wishes from the past
department presidents who were I'm.
able to. attend the convention,
Next Mrs. Weatherby read an ad'
dress of welcome extending a fraternal
greeting tC all mem bers present, also
her annual report as department
president wasIread. Her report out.
lined the lgrowth and conditions OF
the Woman's Relief Corps Of the state
and showed that six corps, comprising
a membership of ninty-nine. had been
disbanded during the past year. Mrs
Wea therby's report also gave beauti
full description of the veterans home
Embracing it's surroundings, members
library, chapel, etc. Within the past
year MRS. Weatherby has Travelled
$500 miles with little expense to the
corps.
Next, two past commanders, G. G.
James of Kichland Center, and G. 81
Russell OF Berlin, were escorted to the
platform and introduced. G.. James
gave few words of address, and
then presented to the department
president gavel of which the handle
was made from part Of federal flag
staff, and the hammer made from the
wood Of an old stump dug from the
grounds Of the Andersonville prison
forty years after the war. The gave
was accepted with short speech
by Mrs. Weatherby. G. II. Rus
sell then made a few remarks ir
regard to the Andersonville prison
property and the dedication OF the
monument.
2 We next listened to the senior vice
presidents report.
The department secretary, Mrs
Luella Simpson next read her report
Her report showed that the state OF
Wisconsin had 14S corps In good stand
Ing at the present time with q
membership Of $500. There were 63l
members initiated within the past
year. Sixty-three transfers and 80.
re-instated, The corps lost 1O7 mem.
bers by death, and 161 members by
honorable discharge. s2976.97 hat
been expended by the department fol
relief work during the past year
There are eleven corps in the state
that have a membership Of 100 OF
more.
Next was the chaplain's report.
The department chaplin being absent
Mrs, Lathrop presented the report In
the absence of that Official.
Next was the treasurer's report.
II I am not mistaken her report
showed balance in the general fund
Of S1159.48 and a balance in the relief
fund of s924.S3. There were sixty one
corps that did not respond to the
one cent per member additional fund.
These being mostly the larger corps
of the state.
The reports of the counselor,
patriotic instructor, and press cores
pOndent were all read.
Then the committee on greetings
from the Sons Of Veterans was an
nounced and they, three in number
were escorted to the platform, where
each made a short address. These
remarks were responded to by Mrs.
Weatherby, who directed the COM
mittees to return the greetings OF the
members of the W. r. G. to the camp