Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1914-07-11


no public records of them even
their quarters that had been the shelter of the
needy. the stage of the Conway cabal chat was
one of the remarkable and dramatic incidents Of
the war;, the cradle of the first aid to the in
jured. and the setting for love affair of OF
the first presidents of the United States, was
not included In the state reservation and taken
under its protection but falling into decay
to the shame and dishonor of the guardians who
are negecting of the two houses at Valley
Forge that historically noteworthy. and for q
puerile unworthy of great
wealth.
This little farmers house was the headquarters
of Major General Lord Stirling, of the most
gallant and loyal American soldiers. Born and
bred in New York, he had inherited title from
his Scotch ancestors just at the breaking out of
the Revolution. He had served as major and aide
de-camp to General Shirley the time of Gen
eral Braddocks defeat He had been in every
battle fought against the British in New York
and New Jersey, and General Washington 8
most trusted general as is proved by the numer-
Gus letters still preserved in the New York His
torical society. The headquarters of this gentle
shared by his~brave wife and daughter.
who abandoned their beautiful home at Basking-
ridge the hills of New Jersey, and with the
commended with the discomforts and trials
of the celebrated winter spen> the wind-swept
valley the outskirts civilization bravely
any soldier, officer II general.
To these heroines of Valley Forge no history
points, no cenotaphs are raised, even their deeds
only traditional and crystalzed in the
ries of few lovers of bravery. ser-sacrihce and
feminine devotion.
camp Philadelphia. and the army under
General Washington collected at Valley
Forge, when Lord Stirling to his wife
treating her to join him there, his duties de-
tanned him with his men, but he had been prom
fsed comfortable quarters, and he had no idea of
the smallness of the house and its numerous dis
comforts For it great demand to make
OF the delicately nurtured women who had been
reared at the luxurious Livingston manor house,
the Hudson river. or In Mr. Livingston's com
Portable house in New York. But Lady Stirling
wisely determined that her place by her
husbands side. so with full staff of servants
(for she foresaw the demands that would be
made on her hospitality she and her daughter
Catherine. started in the great family coach,
drawn by four gray horses, for the long drive
the Jersey hills to Pennsylvania.
When they reached their destination they found
small farmers cottage had been assigned to
Lord Stirling for his quarters 1t was the
farthest house from General Washfngton's head
quarters, under hillside and creek. 1t
damp and lonely spot, and quite inadequate
for the accommodation of family and servants.
But with unfailing good humor and the capability
o splendid housewives the ladies COPIED with
the situation and made the house ready for win
ter They filled long flannel bags with earth and
placed them against the door siffs and the loose
ly fitting sashes to keep out the wind, the
house could be more readily kept warm. They
pasted muslin on the walls and hung curtains
before the windows for the purpose. Then
they sent to Baskingridge for many loads of
hickory wood before the roads became choked
with snow. for fuel scarce, and the soldiers
requsitioned all that there to be found in
the neighborhood.
General Washington welcomed them gladly and
at requested that they would assist him to
entertain the various people who daily visited
the camp, either for political purposes business
curiosity.
Lady Strings household composed of her
husband and his aide, DR.. Enoch Edwards whose
win be recognized by many of his descend
in Philadelphia today. Then there
Lady Kitty and her friend. Miss Nanny Browne.
the orphaned granddaughter of Governor Brock
hoist, and these danes may we'll be called the
heroines OF Valley Forge, although their minister
ings and sufferings found recognition in the
man-written chronicles of that fearsome winter
Christmas passed sadly with little merrymaking
clad. badly-housed soldiers forced the
medical men became and more distressing.
Edrses or even necessary clothing. bandages and
lint for the poor fellows. Lady Stirling and her
daughter strangers to the sick room:
both capable nurses and had learned from
old Indian woman many salves and remedies
made from herbs simples, not the least OF
which the celebrated Seneca oil, st. Johns
wort lotion and rattlesnake grease. all of which
they had provided themselves with before leaving
home. Without hesitation these brave women
arranged division of work among them, for it
fell entirely their individual efforts. since the
whole country overburdened and there
relief to be obtained from organized sani-
taIy commission red cross association. Quiet
1y and unostentatiously the three ladies divided
the work among them to do what was possible
alleviate the increasing horrors about them.
To Lady Kitty assigned daily visit to the
camp. while the delicate Miss Nanny sewed or