Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1907-02-22

aunt, Miss Sarah Hill, WAS TfOieeSo'
of history. The moral atmosphere
of the school was splendid and the
two girls were looking forward TO
further study in Milwaukee, but. their
Methodist father desired more
strictly sectarian school for his child
rem and in the Spring Of 1858 the girls
entered the Northwestern College at
Evanston, III. Here, as at Mil
waukee. Frances was soon an &C
K. owledged leader in scholarship and
school activities After graduating
from here Frances determined to
teach. Few other paths we're then
open to women and even this course
was strongly de1recated by her father.
A little red school house, way out on
the prairie, 10 miles from Chicago
was found minus a teacher and here
this plucky young woman began her
teaching career. She next taught in
Kauk akee and in 1862 we find her
teaching in the public school in
Evanston. 1t was while teaching
here that her sister Mary died, that
gentle girl whose dying words were,
Tell everyone to be good. In
was with them heart and mind and
hand. She made a second speech and
a third, so successfully that soon she
was in demand at temperance gather
ings. Her interest soon carried her to
the East to study the temperance
movement and to confer with its
leaders.
"While visiting in Cambridge
Mass. two letters came to Miss
Willard on the same day. One. from
Rev. DR.. Van Norman, of New York
city, Offering her the position OF Lady
Principal Of his elegant school for
young women, with salary Of $24OO
and such duties as she might choose.
The other was from Mrs. Louise
Rounds, of Chicago, asking her to
take the presidency Of the Chicago
branch Of the Woman's Christian
Temperance Union, while she con
fessed its weakness Of organization
and lack of funds. Our temperance
Greatheart did not hesitate; the
offer of DIR. Van Norman was de-
clined; that Of Mrs. Rounds accepted.
This was her choice of a career.
From the beginning Of her
Chicago work it was apparent that a
wide sphere was awaiting her. Five
years later, in 1879, she was elected
resident Of the National Union,
and her every heartbeat Was from
that day given to the best interests OF
the organization which was far dearer
to her than life itself In this new
society she saw the first attempt TO
unite women into an organization
which should make the influence of
womanhood and Home protection and
appreciable power in the world.
Almost Immediately upon her cleo
tion to the National Presidency she
began that wonderful trip, which was
not to end until she had spoken in
every city and town of 10000 inhabi.
tauts in the United States, north ana
south alike, aud many of smaller size,
During dozon years she averaged
one meeting day. and only six weeks
for mother-love and home.
I'm the Summer Of 1892 Miss Will
ard lost her noble mother, her Saint
Courageous she so often called her.
Bowed with grief at the loss Of the
mother who had been the strong staff
OF her life, who had upheld her
throush her work, cheered her in
her discouragements, pointed her
onward in her days of weariness, she
sailed for England 10 be with Lady
Henry Somerset; and the last six
years of her life were equally di.
vided between the mother country
aud the home land.
Now came the trouble in Armenia.
the horrible torture Of the Armeninas
by the Turks-when men. women and
children, 5000 in one year persisted
helpless, weaponless Crops were
carried Off, homes burned, massacre
after massacre occurred Armeuia's
cry was not answered until, when, in
the summer of 1895. 800 victims
escaped from the Turks and reached
Marseilles, France, it came TO the
ears ot Miss Willard and Lady Som er.
set. Worn out and weary as they
were they determined to 20 at once
So Marseilles. They promptly opened
communications with General Booth,
of the Salvation Army aud with his
help began at once feeding and caring
for these tortured, starving Arue ZEN
iaus. Next came the problem Of Per.
manent help aud provision for these
poor victims Miss Willard appealed
TO America IN behalf OF Armenia, to
the country az large. to the women.
60 the W c. T. IT,, to everyone the
cry Went out aud nobly all responded.