San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-03-25
Says San Antonio Circle
Attracts Much Attention;
Object Of Organization to
Brighten Days Of Those
Who Fought in Civil War.

l " -
Bringing message of good will
and cheer. Mrs. Martha NanDuzor, of
Chicago, Ill.,, national president of the
Ladies of the Grand Army of the Re
public, will address the members of the
Gen. ID. $. Stanley Circle No. 3,
Ladies of the G. A. r.. at $50
Tuesday afternoon. when the progress
of the order will be revealed. and the
future work of the local circle dis
cuss,d. Mrs. .VanDuzor is figure of
national prominence. and her short
visit in this city has evoked much in
tcrest in club circles.
although the veterans of the Civil
War are fast answering the final roll
call, and are dying at the rate of
four or five thousand each year. we
will prepetuate through the Ladies
Of the Grand Army of the Republic
the patriotism and standards typical
of the fine old men who will soon be
gone" Mrs. VanDuzor stated Tues.
day. at is for the purpose of max
ing the courage and sentiment of the
veteran live eternally In the hearts of
America that the Ladies of the G.
A. r. will work. and it is because |
want TO encourage them in this great
work that i am in San Antonio"
No Charity Here.
Mrs. VanDuzor\ is making an Off
cial tour of inspection through the
United States, and is visiting every
circle of Importance in the chief cities.
She is especially Interested in the San
Antonio circle, as this is the only
chapter Of the Ladies of the G.. A. r.
in Texas. The splendid work of the
General Stanley Circle has been
brought to national attention. accord
ing to Mrs. VanDuzor, and has merited
almost 100 per cent valuation in COM
parison with the work accomplished
by other G. A. X. orders.
Membership in the Ladies Of the
g. A. r. has increased remarkably
during the last few years, according
to Mrs. VanDuzor, who stated that
100000 descendants Of Union soldiers
are now enrolled in the circles of the
order. Only lineal descendants of the
veterans are entitled to membership.
Something of the G. A. X. work in
the North and East was told by Mrs
VanDuzor, who stated that eighteen
homes have been founded for the care
and protection of aged veterans and
their wives. In Texas. there are few.
if any, veterans or their widows on
charity, and no homes are needed in
this state because of the unusual con-
dition. In San Antonio. Mrs. Van
Duzor stated that not one veteran is
dependent on charity for his living.
I'VE do not give charity alone, !
however, MrssVanDuzor stated. I'VE |
have appointed ourselves guardians of |
the old men and their widows When |
they are lonely and disheartened. or
stay-at-homes. we try to take them
the cheer from the outside world
which otherwise would be denied them
We take flowers and books and all
the other little thoughtful things that
will give them pleasure. and we stay
with them awhile and chat. listening
to their stories of by-gone times"
An Independent Order.
There are more veterans alive today
than there are widows of the Union
soldiers. according to Mrs. VanDuzor.
Reports appearing at different times
have stated that the wives Of the old
men have survived in largest numbers.
but Mrs. VanDuzor said that this is
not the case. There are a greater ma
jority of ex-Union service men in
homes and in the order than WIDOWS.
The Ladies of the G.. A. Il. estab-
lished in 1856, is not an auxiliary of
the Grand Army OF the Republic. ac-
cording to Mrs. VanDuzor. but the or
der is the next of kin TO the G.. A. II.
1t functions as an independent body.
with no connection with the G.. A. II.
except. its object and its blood rela-
tionship.
Il bring unusual tidings O. eooa
cheer to the General Stanley Circle,
Mrs. NanDuzor said. There is har-
mOny in the entire order, the work
during the last year has been progress
sive and splendid from every stand
point. and interest is increasing in the
order at a. remarkably fast rdte. |
think that my report to the San An
tonic order, which will be given at
> 80 in the Knights of Pythias Hall.
will be gra tifying to the women of San
Antonio who have established their
circle as one of the best in the entire
United States"
Mrs. Sarah f. Fox will represent
the national president at the conven-
ton, which will be held in San An
tonic during April. At the national
convention. which meets in Boston on
April 10. Mrs. Guy LeStourgeon. Mrs.
Sarah K. Fox and Miss Katie Scho-
fenburg will represent San Ar.onio.
Patriotism will be the topic of
Mrs. NanDuzorTs address to the Cen
eral Stanley Circle Tuesday afternoon.
Following the closed business meeting.
a reception will be held at 4 o'clock,.
in the Knights of Pythias Hall. for
Mrs. VanDuzor. The women of San
Antonio are invited to meet the nation
al president during the reception. Mrs.
aVnDuzor will leave at s rs on Tues
tlay night for Florida, where she will
continue her tour of inspection.
>D
At AHHn MON uRrrrN