The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1911-04-11
With the Sailor Boys.
w. C, T. U.


A breeze from the North Dakota
prairies brought very urgent mes
sage, please present the comfort
bags to all on the North Dakota.
On bright, cool day | boarded that
ship in Brooklyn Navy Yards after
all preliminary arrangements nad
been made with Commanding Officer
Plunkett. This good man is firm
friend of the w. C. T. U. and was on
the Georgia" when the white rib
boners of the state of that name pre-
serted comfort bags Containing pins,
needles, thread, shears, buttons,
etc. to the officers and crew. A
very warm welcome aWaitet me and
a fine sight it was to see the seamen,
one after another, in their clean
white suits and caps-the base ball
players in their suits, the stokers
black with SCOT and dust, the ma
chinists grimy with oil and dirt, all
on board. even to the officers, gladly
and gratefully accepting the gift OF
the North Dakota white ribboners.
In speaking of our work and workers
| told of the heart wish of our dear
Mrs. Chamberlin, state superlnten-
dent of the department of Soldiers
and Sailors, who so enthusiastically
gathered these bags, whose whole
heart and soul were bent on getting
them off before the ship sailed across
the ocean, whose prayer was that all
on the ship might be strong enough
to resist temptation and make noble
citizens, loving and serving the bles-
sed Jesus; of how she was to be there
and personally present the bags, but
after all was done, her tired hands
laid down the work and | was COM
missioned to do it. Although she
was not there in body, | knew she
was with us in spirit. as were all OF
North Dakota's white ribboners.
The eyes Of the boys were filled with
tears and when they said thank
you," many lips were tremulous
and the words scarcely could be
heard. The officers thanked the
good women of the North Dakota
w. C. T. U. and the white ribboners
generally for the deep interest taken
in their men.
A beautiful picture Of the ship
was given me, but as | could not
carry it and it was not sent me. it is
not in my possession, but one is to
be sent the North Dakota white rib
boners when the ship returns to an
American port. Would that all who
so willingly helped in this blessed
work couldhaye seen these boys
as sitting on the lower deck floor
| (they have no other place to sit ex.
cept at meals when the benches, as
we'll as the tables are drawn down
from the ceiling) bagswere emptied
the letters were first opened, then
the contents were eagerly scanned
heard more than one boy say, "Oh
| am so glad to get this Testament
and psalms bound together (The
American Bible Society does this fol
me) and The Temperance Songster
Oh, just see. Nearer My God tt
Thee" is here and Rock of Ages
and "Suwannee RIVER" and "Olc
Kentucky Home" Hip. hip, hur.
rah for the good W. c. T. U. They
are the boss women. - Letters are
constantly received and pledge care
stubs telling of the pledges signed
and many laddie received the frs
promptings to a newer, better life
Inasmuch as We have done it unto
the least of one Of these
my brethren We have done it unto
me-" May other states that have
not already done so. follow the ex
ample of North Dakota.
1 Thus ended the beautiful day jus
as the sun dropped behind the hor
lion and its beautiful tints made on.
think of the blessed white ribboners
Mrs. Ella Hoover Thacher.