The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-08-08
FIRST CLUB Of KIND
ORGANIZED IN U. 5.
Local Soldiers, Sailors and Marines
Uub Has Been Making Excel
lent Record.

The local soldiers, Sailors and Ma
rines club, located at Fifth and Grace
streets. has just made public the fol-
| lowing report:
This was the first club organized
In the United States of America for
soldiers, sailors and marines. 1t is
undenominational, the uniform of the
u. S. government being the badge or
admittance.
During the past nine months q
committee has met the soldiers at the
depot in South Richmond and brought
thousands of them over in large
truck to the corner Of Fifth and Grace
streets to the club where they found
games Il all kinds. stationery. soft
mattresses and clean linen, barber,
baths, bootblack, etc, on premises.
During the winter apples were given
for tn free use OF all who are present
and In the summer icy cold melons
eve-y Saturday afternoon from $3.50
to 1880 o'clock Many hearts have
been made happy by delivering them
from being the victims of misfortune,
and the warm welcome given to all
has won for Richmond an enviable
name for genuine hospitality
All sick soldiers in the Memorial
hospital are visited each day by some
member of the brotherhood, and
fruits, magazines, etc, carried to them
as well as good cheer and sunshine.
Sunday mornings phone messages
have been sent to the club by our
loyal and hospitahle citizens inviting
two to four and occasionally six men
were invited. 400 invited and accept,
ed invitations to dine in private fami-
lies auto rides and sightseeing; l.S00
meals served gratis during Christmas
and $500 registered; at least 5000
have taken advantage of the club
rooms. Prayer books have been given
to those who desired to have them.
The club has been the regular meet
ing place for the clericus, also for
the Diocesan Educational and Mis-
sionary societies. The Junior mem
bers of the Brotherhood of st. Andrew
have free access to the pool room and
AN auto harp was presented to
Camp Lee for the sick soldiers by the
club.
LAS we are now entering the last
quarter of the fiscal year it is neces-
sary for you to say whether this club
is to be continued. We must provide
for the rent. fuel. lights, water rent,
printing, secretary, janitor, etc, etc.
We have a balance on hand to
meet current expenses until the end
OF the fiscal year. October 81. and we
have paid all outstanding obligations.
We own thirty-two double white iron
beds and fourteen single beds with
soft mattresses. clean linen and
blankets towels, face and bath, silver
ware and crockery. four dozen plates,
desk, six writing tables, chairs and
settees for these writing rooms, pic
lures, rugs. flags. clocks, pool and
billiard table.
We also have a library of over
four hundred books and leading mag
azines. If Ii is your pleasure to con-
tinue this good work we will be
pleased to hear from you. Four
ficient for the coming years expenses,
but we must know at an early date
what we can depend upon for an
income.
"A fire escape had to be erected for
the safety of those sleeping in the
club at "A cost of $500; also boarding
house license. etc, taken out. Smilage
books also presented to visitors. Visi-
tors sleep as late as thew wish to on
Sunday, Smoking allowed in all
rooms except bedrooms. Porcelain
bath tubs. hot and cold water on all
floors. A cordial welcome to all de-
nominations
Many soldiers, sailors and marines
have been helped out of trouble and
cared for by us when other organiza-
tons have turned them out on &C
count OF their condition. This is the
place to bring or send our men; they
are always welcome and cared for
regardless of their condition. 1t Is
with very great pleasure that We can
say no visitor has ever given US any
trouble or anxiety whatsoever This
club Is not for officers, but club for
privates.
The club is never closed to our
men in uniform.
Have had as many as 105 men
sleeping in the club at one time.
Men of all denominations welcome.
"On many occasions have men in
! uniform been substantially assisted
when their private funds have been
exhausted"