cers came and took the little hand on stretchers to the ambulance train, which was waiting a quarter of a mile away. For fear of the mob, gendarmes walked beside the wounded, and they reached the train in safety.
"When the men were made comfortable. Madam asked for food. She declares that the great bowl of oatmeal porridge, thick with prunes, which she received, was the most delicious meal she has ever eaten. When they reached Berlin, the men were ])laced in a hospital, and, thanks to the untiring care of the little American, every one of them recovered." In recognition of these meritorious services Emperor William presented her with the Iron Cross, she and Clara Barton being the only American women to receive that decoration. It is a handsome Maltese cross, of iron with white enamel, the badge of a Prussian order founded in 1813 for military services, and reorganized in 1870. After her return to her native land the Emperor sent her the Medal of Merit, which is the highest honor conferred in Germany for bravery in war, and has been given to no other American, it is said. Unfortunately, the medal was lost in transmission, hut she received the autograph letter written by the Emperor when forwarding the precious gift. During Prince Henry's recent visit to Boston (March, 1902) Mrs. Von Olnhausen, wearing the Iron Cross, was greeted by him most cordially, he expressing his surprise and delight to see the decoration worn by an American woman. "It is a great honor in my country," said he. "Please tell me how you came to receive it." He promised her that upon his return he would see that the Medal of Merit was in her possession, in accordance with his grandfather's wishes. This promise she did not live to see fulfilled. It may be said to have been cancelled by her death, which soon followed, April 12, 1902.
The home of Mrs. Von Olnhausen in her later years was at the Grundmann Studios, Clarendon Street, Boston, where she enjoyed a quiet life with her embroidery work and designing. She was young in spirit, and her host of friends always found a cordial welcome.
They observed her birthdays with gifts and flowers. She was especially interested in Japanese art. She received numerous orders for her work after the interview with Prince Henry, an account of which was widely published. Loyal, patriotic, courageous, unselfish, a lover of art and literature, a friend of humanity, she will he missed by many who enjoyed her friendship and appreciated her worth. Her funeral was held at Mt. Auburn, and was attended by the Massachusetts Army Nurse Association, of which she was a loved member, and in whose meetings she often participated. The Iron Cross was bequeathed by Mrs. Von Olnhausen to the Lexington Historical Society. Her life, compiled from her letters and journals by her nephew, James Phinney Munroe, has recently been published, by Little. Brown & Co., under the title: "Adventures of an Army Nurse in Two Wars."
IDA SUMNER VOSE WOODBURY was born in Dennysville, Me., December 14, 1854. She is the daughter of Peter Ehenezer and Lydia (Kilby) Vose, and is the ninth in descent from Robert Vose, who came from England to Dorchester (now Milton), Mass., in 1635. Her ancestral lines, some of which, it is said, have been traced to the time of Edward III. of England, include representatives of the families of Thacher, Sumner, Oxenbritlge, Prince, Hinckley, Adams, Howard, Hayden, and others, a roll of which one may well he proud. Miss Vose was graduated from the high school at the age of sixteen, and for four years was engaged as a teacher in the schools of her native town, at the same time pursuing an advanced course of study with a private instructor. She was a brilliant scholar and a successful teacher.
In 1876 she was married to Clinton Aaron Woodbury, who was at that time editor of the Somerset Reporter. For some years she assisted her husband in editing the literary department of the paper, making valuable contributions to its columns and also to the columns of other journals. She frequently delights her friends by her poems, written for anniversaries and other occasions. A specimen of these may be found in the published volume, "The Poets of Maine." Later Mr. Woodbury en-
