The Cairo bulletin., 1912-04-14
Mr.. Editor:

Citizen, il was stated that the Won
ans Club had charge Of the ladies
relief committee. n large majority
al the ladies who assisted were NOT
club members ani some of them OBJ
ject TO the statement as ii makes il
appear as il no one bat club mem
bers did the work The plan OF
working originated from a CONVEX
sation on the subject between Mrs.
Laura Miller and myself, the Tues
day morning the places OF business
were ordered closed, We reali2al
the seriousness of conditions here
and that the men would be called
upon to fight hard to save our city.
Wa thought il well for the women 10
help in some way and the only thinS
We could do and the best, was to
| lend our aid in feeding the hum
dreds of men brought in to work.
called up Mayor Parsons Offering the
help of the ladies, and he said he
: would be glad TO nave our aid and
would | take charge OF the matter,
and referred me to Mr.. Candee,
chairman of the Commissary depart
ment Mr.. Candee said our help was
needed and would be appreciated,
suggested we have two stations one
up town and one down town as ii
would expedite deliveries. Mr. Can
dee secured Alexander Club and sug-
gested the Knights of Columbus
hall. | had only to ask FIR Downey
and the hall was at our disposal
Mrs. Miller consented to take charge
of X. C. hall and | the Alexander
Club. | called up enough ladies to
start the work, ordered the supplies
and the work was begun immediate
lly. With a very few exceptions all
the ladies of Cairo were anxious and
most willing to assist, and SO many
volunteered to help we could not
lind a place for all. The coffee was
being prepared at several different
places and this arrangement did not
prove satisfactory. At a meeting
Thursday night, some thought it
would be better to have the coffee
all prepared and delivered from one
point, and some one suggested that
be asked to take charge of it at the
club. Mr.. Candee called me up after
the meeting asking if | thought We
could supply such a quantity and
would | undertake the management
OF it. | told him ! would and that
we ladies could do anything they
asked of US Work was abandoned
at K. G. hall as they did not want
| us to make any more sandwiches
but direct our efforts to the coffee
making. Ladies plenty were willing
to work day and night if necessary
We made from three to four hundred
gallons of coffee a day, and had II
ready promptly for every delivery
With a few exceptions the women
of Cairo were as loyal to their city
as the men and as ready and willing
to work day or night no matter wha'
hardships or sacrifices it called for
and so you will always find them tC
| be at any time. We continued oul
work at the club until the sipe water
in the kitchen drove us out. Mr.
Candee came over and consulted
with me about moving into st. Pat
ricks hall as Father Downey hac
kindly offered the use of 1t to us
We found the arrangements there
most excellent. The gas stoves al
the club were offered us for our use
and by the prompt and hard work or
the part of Mr.. Candee that night
next morning found the stoves II
place, all the things moved over ant
everything ready for us to com
mence work and we stayed at oul
post until our help was no Longer
needed. Mr.. Candee called me vi
SAYING that the number of workmer
| had been so much reduced that there
would only be needed twenty OF
thirty gallons of coffee day and
that could be easily arranged and he
would relieve me of my task with
many thanks of the committee. Thai
they appreciated my splendid worp
land wished to assure me that ! hac
given perfect service and satisfac
ton My work of managing so large
an undertaking was made easier be-
cause of the help of Mr.. Candee and
Mr.. Chas. Schutter, who gave their
prompt and willing attention to any
matter | put before them. If
needed men to assist / had only tt
call and the men were promptly
sent. received most courteous
treatment from them even at theil
busiest, crowded hours of duty and
| truly appreciated 1t. The women
of Cairo can always be depended
upon to respond to any call the city
y,1av mako fnr assistance They