Evening star., 1940-05-19


Presented by three remaining
Women, which formally disbanded
last week, the gift recalls an inter-
esting chapter In the history o1
women's clubs Of Washington.
Twenty-one years after the close
OF the Civil War group of women
organized to help the needy widows
and dependents of soldiers, sailors
and marines who had served in the
Union Army from 1861 to 1865. 1t
was known as Potomac Corps, Wom-
ems Relief Corps, Auxiliary to the
Grand Army of the Potomac of the
District OF Columbia. In 1892, how
ever, with a membership of more
than 400, 1t decided to expand its
activities and, severing its connec-
tions as an auxiliary, was organized
as the Legion of Loyal Women.
Under the direction of the Red
Cross the legion gave valuable as
sistance to discharged soldiers after
the Spanish-American War in 1898,
establishing soldiers temporary
home on Ninth street, where food,
lodging and other needs were pro-
vided until the emergency had
passed. Mrs. Elizabeth Calver, the
mother of DR.. George Calver, Capt.
tol physician, was legion president
at that time and personally super
vised and managed the work at the
home.
Legion Performed Service
During the World War.
Later, during the World War, the
legion contributed a unique service
to the American Expeditionary
Force. Knowing the need for feath-
er pillows for American patients in
European hospitals, it issued a call
for feather beds" and with gen.
erous responses from Pennsylvania,
Maryland and the Virginias, as well
as the District. old mattresses were
made into pillows and sent to
France by the War Department with
hospital supplies. Recent travellers
have reported that many of these
pillows are still giving service. Work
was done by legion members at the
nome OF Mrs. John A. Logan, wife
OF the Civil War general, whose
daughter, Mrs. Mary Logan Tucker
was legion president. Both Mrs
Logan and Clara Barton were ac-
tive members of the legion.
A fund for memorials to Miss Bar.
ton to be placed in Washington was
started by the legion May Is, 1915
and soon it had accumulated enough
70 organize an independent society
The Clara Barton Memorial Asso.
ciation.' In 1888 this association
purchased an oil painting of Miss
Barton which now hangs in Ameri.
can Red Cross headquarters. The
residue, more than $4,000, was giver
to the Lincoln Memorial Universit,
at Harrogate, Tenn, to found 8
Clara Barton Nurses Aid Fund fol
the benefit of student nurses ir
training.
Three Surviving Members
Witness Presentation.
The three surviving members O
the legion were satisfied witnesse
last week to the presentation a
the Red Gross on the 25Sh ami
versary OF the founding. of the Clar.
Barton Memorial Association.
On the day of the presentation
the three members also presented
to the District Federation of Won.
ems Club as memorial to Clara
Barton, check for $40, instead OF
the usual annual dues.
Besides Miss Barton, Mrs. Logan
and other nationally known women
Mrs. Ellen Spencer Mussey. pioneer
woman lawyer of the District, was
an early president of the legion.
The three surviving members are
Miss Cora C. Curry, Mrs. Hattie
Houghton Roach and Mrs. Belle
Houghton Calver. A fourth member
Mrs. Marie Mills OKeefe, died Nav
II, three days prior to the disband-
ing of the legion.