Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1918-12-03
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE JET
FERSON COUNTY CHAPTER
OF THE RED CROSS.

IL WOulu De DSSt W JUN lHe Tstu OTOSS,
and Miss Lorraine Murphy was unan-
elected chairman. A room
was then secured, and regular meet
ings held for the making of surgical
dressings and hospital garments. A
campaign resulted in the
enrolment of several hundred mem
bers, and a campaign for subscriptions
to war work brought in considerable
sum of money. At that time we had
not been long enough in the war for
the county as whole to realize what
it meant to US, and the contributions
came from a comparatively small mum
Der of persons. As time went or, how
eyer, and the drafted men were called,
their families and friends began to
feel that they too wanted to help.
In November, 1917, the annual con-
vention of the Potomac Division of the
A. R. C. was held in Baltimore, and
was attended by some of the members
of the Jefferson County Auxiliary. 1t
was decided at that convention that it
would be best to have an organized
chapter in each county of the Division
which should be a center for the coun-
tvs work. The director of develop
ment, Mr.. David A. Brown, named
Charles Town as the headquarters for
jefferson County.
To the great regret of all the Red
Cross workers and members, Miss Lor-
raine Murphy resigned as Chairman
winter, and at a regular meeting of
the new Chapter the following officers
were elected.
Miss Katherine Riddle, Chairman;
Mrs. F. L. Jordan, Chairman;
Mr. w. o. Norris, Treasurer; and Mrs.
Beethoven, Secretary, and an execu-
tive committee consisting of MissSallie
Powell, Mrs. Frank Lynch, Mrs. Robt
Browse, Mrs. Geo. B. Shaull; Mrs. Jas
Tabb; Miss Annie Locke and Mr. Jas.
Grantham.
Shepherdstown, which had the first
organized Red Cross work in tn county
was made Branch of the Chapter, as
was also Harpers Ferry, and the fol-
lowing auXiliaries were established
Shenandoah Junction, Middleway, Rip
pom, Kabletown, Leetown, Summit Point
Kearneysville.
Also five colored auxiliaries at John
sontown, Kearneysville, Charles Town
Bolivar, Middleway.
The first work Of the new chapter
was the Christmas Campaign for mem
bers which added 1,727 to the member
ship. Under the new propaganda OF
the teams engaged in this work the
Red G rossbecame much better known
in the county, and in many homes the
red cross in the window showed to al
who passed that the inmates were part
of this great work.
| The demand for relief becoming
greater all the time, the horrible con
ldition of the refugees from the devas.
tated countries, the frightful number
of casualties and great loss of life
taxed our resources to the utmost anC
a call was sent out for more and better
trained workers. Surgical dressing
classes were formed and Miss Fannie
Brady, a trained instructress, kindly
taught them free of expense to the
Chapter. About fifty workers avail
ed themselves of this training, anC
three instructresses were graduated
Our Chapter has been on the Roll OF
Honor ever since.
The work of the Chapter in making
Hospital relief garments has been as
gratifying as in surgical dressings
AS surgical dressings cannot be made
except in an especially equipped room
the various auxiliaries have had to de-
vote themselves to the making of gar
ments as they can be taken into the
homes and there are few country com
munities where a surgical dressings
room can be supported. Since the first
of January, 1918, we have sent out
Hospital garments, consisting of pa
jamas, bed shirts, operating gowns
and clothing for destitute French and
Italian children .7,714
Garments for Belgian sufferers 3,000lb
Wooden garments, such as sweaters
socks, wristlets, and bed comforts
1900
Surgical dressings So, 463
Everyone Of our county boys, as far
as we know, has been furnished with
a sweater and comfort kit.
The Home Service Department has
tried to look after the families of the
soldiers and many have been visited
and helped.
In the spring of 1918, the drive for
the War Fund resulted in the collec-
ton of $11,757, more than four times
four allotment.
The hardest work we have had to do
has been in connection with the terri
BILE epidemic that has just visited us,
Beginning with the distribution of
milk and broth to those i'll and not able
to help themselves, it was soon found
that there were many who needed nur-
sing and the Vestry of the Episcopal
Church giving US the use of their Par
ish House, an Emergency Hospital was
opened under the direction of Mrs. AL
Ian Bodine and Miss Florence Murphy,
both of whom had had training as nur-
ses. The thanks of this community
as well as of the Red Coss are due to
these women, especially to Mrs. Bodine
astranger in our midst, who worked
day and night to alleviate the suffer
lngs OF the men, women and children
who were brought to the hospital.
There were many other volunteer
nurses and there were about % pa
tients treated in all, one of whom died
AS nearly all the patients had pneu-
monla or congestion of the lungs, we
think, without doubt, many lives were
saved. Besides the work in the hos
pital, between fifteen and twenty gal
Ions of broth were taken each day to
various families. Some days as MANY
as fifty familiel were visited and help
ed. About 80 dozen eggs were also
given. Mr.. Robert Browse, with the
assistance of other men and women
had charge Of this work, to which the
farmers contributed most literally.
Nearly $500 was given in money for
the various supplies NEEDED for the hos
pital, and not one single person was
asked for a contribution, it was all vol
untary. This work was done in our
county. All over the country the same
thing has been done in greater or less
degree, and without the training in
cooperation we have had in working
with the Red Cross, this relief work
could never have ben done in as eff
ficient way.