Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-02-03
Fort Armstrong Chapter, Daughters
of American Revolution; Its History

The purpose OF the organization of !
the Daughters Of the American Revo-
luton as set forth in the books of |
that society is:
ITO perpetuate the memory and the /
spirit OF the men and women. who
have achieved American Independence,
by the acquisition and protection Of
historical spots and the erection Of
monuments; by the encouragement of
historical research In relation to the
revolution and the publication of its
results; by the preservation OF docu-
ments and relics Of the records Of the
individual services Of revolutionary
soldiers and patriots, and by the pro-
motion and celebration of all patri-
otc anniversaries
ITO carry out the Injunction OF
Washington in his farewell address TO
the American people, To promote as
an object Of primary Importance in
stitutions for the general diffusion OF
knowledge thus developing an en-
lightened public opinion and affording
10 young and old such advantages as
shall develop in them the largest c.
pacity for performing their duties as
American citizens
ITO cherish. maintain and extend
the institutions Of American freedom,
10 foster true patriotism and love of
country, and 10 aid in securing for
mankind all the blessings of liberty"
Fort Armstrong chapter, Rock Is
lands branch of the national associa-
ton. was organized in January, 1896.
In December, 1895. Mrs. J. r. Kimball
called a meeting of ladies whom she
knew 10 be interested in patriotic So
cieties, 20 discuss ways and means for
organization. The following month the
organization was effected and 1t was
learned that II certificates had been
received from the national society.
Mrs. J. r. Kimball was named the
first regent by Mrs. Annie Kerfoot,
state regent of Illinois. This office
she held for three years, declining re-
election Other officers who served
the first year are: Vice regent, Mrs.
Il. W. Hurst; secretary, Mrs. Frank
Mixter; treasurer, hrs. Charles c.
Carter. and registrar, Mrs. Thomas ].
Buford. The charter members of the
chapter we're: Mesdames A NJ.
Blakesley. James NJ. Buford. Thomas
J Buford. c. c. Carter, Henry Curtis
Edwin G. Frazer. Annette Guyer, e
w. Hurst, s J Keator. J. r. Kimball,
Frank MiXter. Adair Peasants, ID. Ty.
Ter Robinson. c. a. Rose, c. L. Walker
and the Misses Hope Curtis and Clara
Whitman.
The name. Fort Armstrong chapter
was adopted at the suggestion of Mrs
Samuel 5. Guyer taking the title from
the fort erected I'm 1916 at the west
end OF Rock island with the society
we'll organized in conformity with the
national body. plans were put into ef
feet for programs and entertainments
Of an educational. historical and social
nature. The first entertainment was
given FEB. %. 1896. at the residence
of Mrs. s. S. Guye~ and Mrs. j. Il
Kimball, and took the form OF a Revo
lutionary tea The next noteworthy
entertainment was given May 10, 1897
in commemoration Of the annlyersarl
OF the battle Of Fort Ticonderoga
Mrs. II. b. Sudlow acted as the host
ess and as guests Of the Daughter
the Davenport and Moline chapters at
tended A program suitable 10 tn
anniversary date was given. At tn
March meeting, 1898. a memoria
shield. properly inscribed. was pre-
scented 20 Mrs. Kimball as a token o
appreciation OF her services in organ
izing the chapter. In the spring 0
this year the members were the guest
Of the Davenport chapter az colonia
tea. Il was also during this sprin
that varied and bountiful supplies wer
sent 10 Company A OF the Sixth III
nois regiment, during the Spanish
American war.
During the first years OF its organ
zation prizes amounting to $40 wer
given annually TO pupils Of the eight
grade in the public schools for tn
three best essays on American histor
cal subjects. This practice was di
continued in later years.
During the fall and spring of 1Ss