Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1919-12-04
RED CROSS HISTORY


Nurses called for help, upon Mrs. R.
S. Leak, an experienced graduate
nurse of great ability, and volunteer
First Aid Nurse, as we'll. She visited
daily the families where there was in
fluenza, in these two villages and in
Gown, colored as well as white, as long
as there was need, taking tempera-
ture. respiration and pulse, investi-
eating the general conditions and see
ing. that all necessities were supplied.
In every instance our mill owners re-
sponded gladly, with whatever help
was needed, to every call made upon
them. During this time the Chairman
Of Nurses, Mrs. w. N. Everett, was
called out Of town, and her place was
filled by Mrs. w. P. Webb, whose
services in every way during the
whole epidemic, were invaluable. Ten
Red Cross Nurses 1.-TWO of them col
ored) and five volunteer nurses, were
procured by the Chairman of Nurses
who, in several instances, rode miles
to bring back nurse to some sorely
stricken family more quickly than she
could have come on the train. Volun-
teer First Aid Nurses working
through Red Cross without pay:
Mrs. R. S. Leak.
Mrs. ]. T. Bennett.
Mrs. r. B. Waddell.
Miss Mary Cliff Bennett.
Miss Hattie Marks.
In January and February, 1918, an
other wave of Influenza broke over
US. Pee Dee Mill No. 2 suffered most
at this time, and, as before, the Red
Cross stood ready to help in any way.
In the absence of the Chairman of
Nurses, Mrs. R. S. Leak was APP
pointed to take charge. Until she
herself, was stricken down with In
fluenza, she visited daily every family
where there was illness, taking tenn
perature, respiration, and pulse, in
vestigating material and financial
conditions, rendering first aid services
where necessary, procuring first aid
nurses, and physicians, and reporting
conditions to mill officials and Red
Cross Chapter. Upon request, At
lanta sent three Red Cross nurses,
and all expenses were borne by the
Mill Company. l.
Our department of Surgical Dress
ings was not allowed to work, be-
cause we could not meet the govern
ment requirements.
No Junior Chapter was organized |
for the reason that when advised to |
do so, our young people and children
were already members of the Red
Cross Chapter, and in all the school
communities throughout our territory,
the w. S. S. societies had been form
ed, and it was feared one would in
terfere with the other, to the disad
vantage of both. They have, how
ever, been greatly interested in all
branches of the war work, and haye
done all they could to help the Red
Cross by acting in several plays, sell
ing tickets and canvassing for any
thing. Under Mrs. John T. Bennett
one Refugee Layette of thirty pieces,
valued at $500 was made by the
Sixth Grade w. S. S. Society, and
given to the Red Cross. All over our
territory they responded splendidly
to the requests for tin foil, peach
kernels, and nut shells.
Methods of Work-It has been seen
how the Nominating, Executive and
Membership Committees were organ
lied and began to work. Early in
May, 1917, big patriotic rally was
held in Rockingham, at which Gov
ernor Beckett was the principal
speaker. The Membership Committee
took4advantage of this occasion to So
licit members, by distributing young
women dressed as Red Cross nurses,
throughout the enormous crowd of
men, women and children, assembled
from all over the county, authorizing
them to enroll names and to take fees.
At once, Mrs. Lucy P. Russell of
the Publicity Department, began to