Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1907-08-15
(copyrieht BY ]. .. BOWlsG.J

Bob" Evans, and sister OF Admiral ray
or, took an important part In the work OF
,eieving the sufferings of sick and wound
ed soldiers and sailors during the Spanish
American war. She found able assistants
n her work in her two daughters. who
placed themselves under the tuition OF a
.rained nurse so that they might work
with skill and knowledge among the
stricken men,
A great man found the work of the
women of the United States in the
civil war worthy Of commemoration
in one of his great speeches, and al
though no one has as yet paid a like
tribute to the work Of our women dur
ing the Spanish war 1t is not less wor-
thy of some record.
The difference between the work OF
the four years from 1861 to 1855 and
that of the four months from April to
August, 1898, was difference OF
quantity, not Of kind. The spirit which
prompted and sustained 1t was OF the
same high quality. ~
The strain upon mind and heart and
soul was less during the Spanish war
by the absence Of the corroding terror
that danger to the nation caused dur
ing the war Of the rebellion. 1t was
perhaps more trying because Of the
question which must arise in the
strongest heart as to whether the dear
lives of our dearest were not too
heavy a price to pay for any good
thing.
But whatever the questioning the
action did not fail Women with heart
strings torn asunder by those part.
ings, such as wiring the life from our
hearts" went loyalty to work-real
work.
Whife all classes and ages gave
themselves devotedly to the cause,
those who we're members Of some or
Sanization worked to greater advan-
tage, though with no finer spirit and
the Colonial Danes and the Daughters
OF the Revolution were. like wisdom.
justified Of their children" Their
raison d'etre was forever established.
There was no further possible ques-
ton as to what their use was,
Those patriotic societies were ready
with all kinds Of aid and comfort for
the soldiers and sailors in their need.
The liberality Of the women was linn
tied only by their prudence and judg-
ment, which were very great.
! Hospital stores Of all kinds, food.
medicines, clothing were issued to
every point where they would be re-
ceived and any request for such aid
was granted AZ soon as made.
One instance will illustrate the In
variable method pursued by them.
1t, came to my knowledge that the
Manitoba, hospital ship, was to sail
from Newport News for q West Indi-
an port to bring home sick and wound
ed men. AT the same time ! was told
that the ship was nearly unfurnished
with medicines and hospital stores.
The brigade surgeon. Dr.. Birmingham,
at my request made out list Of the
most important things and this was
to the secretary Of the
Colonial Danes at Washington, D. G.
one morning at nine o'clock At three
O'Clock on the afternoon Of the same
day the stores and medicines were
shipped. They reached Newport News
the following morning and 4 day later
the Manitoba had sailed with 4 full
supply Of hospital necessaries,rs a.
the brigade surgeon telegraphed. The |
women did that important piece Of
work in six hours.
Those who win look into the mat
ter viii nnd the promptness and en-
cheney Of the civil war work very
worthily continued in the Spanish |
war.
Those who may think that the NO
men were undertaking 10 do work
that should have been left 70 the war
and the surgeon-generars
once ere urged to reject that on the
the women were only SUP
IN isolated cases and In q
small way the great and admirable
work accomplished By our secretary
q var and he gurgeon-general
d tie army-vork that should b re
srnired a. ne best and finest eYeT
Zone IN its especial nne
M women uho uors n1t members
u orFsnlznslo1s before the euiere,s