The National tribune., 1906-08-30
HospitahIe Women.


10th National Encampment of tn
Grand Army of the Republic was not
able Not only Is this true of the wo
men of the Department of Minnesota
but it is also true of those women wht
attended the Conventions of the vari
Gus organizations. While 1t IS perhaps
true that most of the delegates ar
short on parliamentary procedure ant
Jump to conclusions rather than reason
things out, they are long on patriotism
and loyalty, and are a tremendous
power in shaping the destiny of til.
country along all patriotic lines.
The hospitality of the Minnesota wo-
men far exceeded anything ever before
extended to a National Encampment
The arrangements were as complete fol
the entertainment of their guests. both
veterans and the members of the allied
auxiiiaries of the Grand Army of the
Republic, as 1t was possible for them to
be. They opened their homes, their
hands and their hearts and gave OF
their plenty to please their guests. II
Is difficult matter to single out those
who did most, and when a few are
named they modestly declare that but
for the excellent work of the members
OF their committees they could have
accomplished but little, which is prob
ably true, and yet without head even
a body of splendid women cannot do
effective work, for efforts must be uni
fed. not scattered. Even the Grand
Army of the Republic declares that but
for the work of the women the En-
campment would not have been nearly
as great success as it was. They are
responsible for the accommodations Of
quite $4,000 of the guests of the city,
having secured the quarters themselves.
Mrs. Bertha Alien. Chairman OF the
committee, worked indefatigably for re-
suits and obtained them. She had a
committee of $50 women organized into
districts. who went over their territory
thoroughly looking for and investIgat-
ing rooms TO be placed at the disposal of
the city's guests. A card catalogue vas
kept of all these rooms, and Mrs. Allen
ufEaS on hand at the room of the COM
ttee on Accommodations until
"wednesday morning of Encampment
week. assigning rooms. She was almost
omnipreSent. Much as she lunged to
attend receptions and the other festivi-
ties for which she had been so long
preparing. she felt that her duty was
to the guests of Minneapolis. and she
remained at her post Of duty till there
was no longer a possibility of anybody
wanting room. Such devotion to duty
ought to be well rewarded, and II
thankful men and women constitute a
reward Mrs. Allen certainly had a mon
uHeih OF thanks nigh as the heavens
above Minneapolis.
The President of the Department of
Minnesota. Mrs. Ida K. Martin, was
Chairman of all the women's commit
tees, and to her splendid executive abil-
fty much is due, but, then, she declares
that she had such splendid body of
women to work with that she had but
little lady who accomplished wonders
have said before. every splendid body
OF women needs head. and in Mrs.
Martin they found that head. Another
little lady who accomplished wonders
for her chief was Mrs. Lorena Devoll
Mrs. Devoll. like Mrs. Allen and Mrs.
Martin, attended to her office work un-
I'll the last thing was done for the COM
fort of their guests before leaving II to
enjoy many of the pleasant things for
which they had been months preparing
Mrs. Devoll was Chairman of the Com.
mittee on Badges and Souvenirs, and it
was her choice which gave the men,
bers Of the w. R. C. such a beautiful
badge, with MINES" face smiling out
upon all who wore 1t. Mrs. Mary Stark
weather, Chairman Of the Committee
on Decorations. was another whole
host" in assistance to Mrs Martin In
deed, It seems almost invidious to speak
Of one and not Of all those who put
their shoulders to the wheel and made
things go.
Too Much Entertainment.
There was too much entertainment
provided. There always is At least
the entertainment is always too lavish
Tor the time that the guests of an En-
campment city have to spend in being
entertained. There were free automo-
bile and street-car rides for everybody
connected with the National Encamp-
atat
wanted TO see the beautiful city ofl
which the fair Mime is the acknowl-
edged queen, and so the automobile |
rides were most popular. Then there |
were receptions OF all sorts and condi- |
tions-for delegations. for Departments. |
Tor National, for individuals. There |
were receptions from morning to mid |
night. and several Of these going on !,
most all Of the time. The women got |
eat. and as trunks were at the mercy of |
diiatory railroads, nobody had any
chance to dress. so that time was spent |
in getting acquainted with each other, |
and while 1t was a pleasing feature of |
the Eacampment, II was at the same |
time an all-engrossIng one. Minneapo-
us Is beautiful city, pleasing in every |
said 20.
The first duty that devolved on the
committees organized by Mrs Martin |
was to meet the guests. Hostesses were |
appointed for every Department of the |
WGman's Relief Corps. 35 in all, and |
these hostesses. when IL was possible to |
learn the time of arrival of the delega-
ton to which she was assigned, met 1t
AZ tne train, and escorted the ladies to |
handsomely decorated apartments.
Flower Committee.
BY the way, this was one of the de-
Hghtful hospitalities extended: A |
Flower Committee" of which Mrs
Lucinda Andrews was Chairman, had /
flowers ready to decorate every Depart
ment Headquarters. both of the @. |
A r. and the Womans Relief |
Corps. It was such a lovely courtesy. |
and when tired-out men and women |
arrived at their headquarters, even
Enough in strange city and among
strange people, they at once felt al
nome, because they were greeted with
the sweetest Of home flowers. which
spoke in fragrant language of loving
forethough and welcome All through
the week the various headquarters were
Kept decorated ith these flowers.
Grown especially for the purpose by
She women OF Mrs. Martins commit
tees. In case 1t was not possible to
meet the incoming guests the bostesses
decorated the apartments secured for
Them until they arrived, and then called |
upon them Immediately after their ar
rival to extend greeting and to ascer-
tain what could be done for their COM
fort. II any happened to be I'll, a physi-
clan was provided, free of cost. n II
was desired that friends shauId h.