The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1917-05-18
PLANS FOR RED CROSS
LABOR ARE ALL READY
Lively Meeting Of Mankato
Chapter Was Held
MAKING OF The SUPPLIES
Samples Displayed; Exactness
Required; Suggestions Made
At the Session
From Tuesdays Daily.

From Tuesdays Daily.
Mankato- Chapter of the American
Red Cross society held an enthusiasts
tic meeting at the public library au-
ditorium yesterday afternoon, and
outlined plans for the active work of
the local chapter. War and it's ter
rible results of mangled and bleeding
soldiers seemed very near indeed as
the ladies talked seriously of the
many different bandages and acces-
series for wounded
Mrs. H. A. Patterson, chairman of
the general supply committee, pre-
jsided, and in short talk impressed
upon those present the absolute ne
cessity of exactness in following the
| directions of the Red Cross society in
making all hospital supplies, and stat
ed that the local Red Cross should
profit by the experience of other
| chapters that had worked hurridly
and been disappointed with the re-
suits.
Samples of Red Cross Supplies.
| Mrs. w. d. Willard told of a re-
cent visit to headquarters in Mime
apolis, and displayed number of
samples of Red Cross supplies which
she had secured and brought home to
show the ladies. Each article was
passed around that all might view
| it closely. Mrs. Willard stated that
the patterns for Red Cross supplies
were expected to arrive within a
week or so, and when these patterns
arrived the work of making supplies
could be started on a large scale. The
patterns which she displayed were
secured from the Hennipin head
quarters in Minneapolis. She had
met many ladies from other towns
who had come to Minneapolis seek
| ing information about the work. The
larger garments, such as shirts and
! pajamas, may be cut at the local
| shirt factory.
| Detailed information was also
given as to the making of wash cloths,
pillows, etc, and the contents of a
soldiers comfort bag. Mrs. Willard
also displayed sample cap, such
as the women wear when working on
Red Cross supplies.
Mrs. F. M. Currier stated that the
base of supplies for the state was to
be at the state university and that
the Mankato chapter was to ship all
finished supplies there where they
would be taken care of and sent to
national headquarters.
Will Open Headquarters
Wednesday afternoon the Mankato
Red Cross will open headquarters in
the Morehart building, opposite the
Free Press building on Jackson street,
which was donated for this purpose
| by w. j. Morehart Mrs. Morehart,
who was present, stated that the build
ing was now being prepared for oc
cupancy, and would be ready by that
tine.
Mrs. G. J. Holman, chairman Of the
committee on instruction for women,
gave an instructive and interesting
talk on Red Cross classes. She eX-
nlained the two departments, one
being on the preparation of materials.
and the other instruction in first aid,
which is open to both men and women.
The classes of instruction to women
include elementary hygiene in the
home, preparation of surgical dress
ings, and numerous other necessary
details. The limitation of classes is
from ten to twenty members, the
lowest ages being sixteen years, and
from twenty-five to forty for active
workers. In order to join the classes
one must sign a registration card.
The instructors will be people form
|ally authorized by the Red Cross at
Washington. Those who attend the
classes regularly and pass the exami-
nations will be eligible or active serv-
ice.
Will Look After Soldier Boys.
Mrs. J. r. Brandrup stated that it
was planned to have committee to
look after the soldier boys in the
city or who pass through here, and
said that the committee would soon
be doing active work.
Mrs. Pattersn urged the members
present to proceed with their work
slowly and carefully, each group TAX
ing only two or three kinds of pat
terms and doing everything so per-
fectly that nothing would have to be
undone.
Miss Nell Wise read couple of
letters of general instruction, and also
a letter from the club women of the
twin cities asking for the names of
any Mankato bows who might be at
Fort Smelling. offering to show them
attention and courtesy while they
were there.
Mrs. ]. S. Holbrook announced that
she had supply Of Red Cross buttons
TO distribute to members, and the
meeting closed with general discus
sions.