The Overland Monthly/Volume 33/Red Cross Department
RED CROSS DEPARTMENT
EDITED BY THE COMMITTEE OF PUBLICATION OF THE RED CROSS
THE Executive Board of the Red Cross Society of San Francisco wishes to thank the editors of the Overland Monthly for their great courtesy in allowing the Society, from August, 1898, to January, 1899, inclusive, the space known as "The Red Cross Department." They recognize that the knowledge of the work done by the Society has been given to a large body of readers, and that in the pages of the Overland the record becomes a part of the permanent history of California.
Mrs. John F. Merrill, President.
HISTORY AND REPORT OF OREGON EMERGENCY CORPS AND RED CROSS SOCIETY
THE CALL to arms was still ringing through the land, when a band of patriotic women, responding to an appeal for assistance, assembled at the Armory in Portland, Oregon, on the morning of April 26th, to offer their services to the Military Board of the State in providing material aid and comfort for the Second Regiment, Oregon Volunteers.
Col. O. Summers was present, and briefly explained the object of the appeal. He suggested that as speedily as possible a society be formed to take up that branch of work which belongs alone to women in time of war, and consists in providing the requisites for a soldier's welfare not laid down in army regulations.
Temporary officers were chosen—Mrs. S. P. Sladen, Chairman, and Mrs. F. E. Lounsbury, Secretary. After some discussion the following ladies were appointed chairmen of twelve committees: Mrs. H. E. Jones, Mrs. O. Summers, Mrs. W. A. Buchanan, Mrs. G. T. Telfer, Mrs. R. S. Greenleaf, Mrs. W. F. Gardner, Mrs. Levi White, Mrs. B. E. Miller, Mrs. J. E. Wright, Mrs. E. C. Protzman, Mrs. A. Meier, and Mrs. J. M. Ordway. Each committee consisted of six members, the chairman selecting those she desired as helpers. The duty of each committee was the personal supervision of one company, alphabetically assigned to it.
Final organization was perfected April 27th, when the following permanent officers were elected: Mrs. Henry E. Jones, President; Mrs. W. A. Buchanan, Vice-President; Mrs. F. E. Lounsbury, Recording Secretary; Mrs. Martin Winch, Treasurer. Executive Committee—Mrs. O. Summers, Mrs. A. Meier, Mrs. Levi White, Mrs W. T. Gardner, Mrs. B. E. Miller, Mrs. J. E. Wright, Mrs. E. C. Protzman, Mrs. R. S. Greenleaf, Mrs. G. T. Telfer, and Mrs. J. M. Ordway.
The name, "Oregon Emergency Corps," was adopted and Mrs. W. A. Buchanan and Mrs. Levi White appointed to draft a constitution. This was presented at the next regular meeting, and after a slight revision, unanimously adopted.
A suitable badge was adopted and a membership list opened, the fee being placed at ten cents, affording all patriotic women an opportunity to enroll their names and become active workers of the corps. Regular meetings were held at the Armory once a week, the Executive Committee meeting at the call of the President as often as the business of the society required. Being now in readiness for work, the question arose as to what should be done, and the most practical way of doing it. To this end the Military Board was consulted, and valuable suggestions were received from Gen. Chas. F. Beebe, Col. Jas. Jackson, Col. B. B. Tuttle, and Major Dan J. Moore, Brigade Commissary, O. N. G., each advising that a regimental fund for the Second Regiment, Oregon Volunteers, be raised; also the making and purchasing of such articles for a soldier's knapsack as army quartermasters do not keep in stock.
A room on First Street was placed at the disposal of the society by Mr. Adolph Dekum, and here the Oregon Emergency Corps' headquarters opened May 5, 1898. Capt. R. S. Greenleaf, of Battery A, kindly detailed members of the company to decorate and make attractive the room, loaning for this purpose the historic Centennial flag, which, for the first time in over twenty years, passed from the custody of the company. Members of the battery reported for duty each morning, thus assisting the committee of ladies in charge in many ways.
A telepbone was put in by the Oregon Telephone Company, electric lights supplied by the General Electric Company, and chairs, tables, and other furnishings, provided by the business houses of the city. The Singer Machine Company sent sewing-machines for the use of the Supply Committee, and work began in earnest. Women from every part of the community, representing church, club, and society organizations, enrolled their names and offered their services in the emergency call, showing more plainly than words can describe the broadening influence of these organizations upon the mother-heart of the land. Laying aside prejudices, creeds, and personal affiliations, they became a unit in this patriotic work. Day after day, with aching hearts, but smiling faces, they toiled; the membership grew into the hundreds; subscriptions came pouring in, the sums ranging from one hundred dollars to the dimes, nickels, and pennies of the children.
Word was received that the volunteers of Oregon were to be mobilized at Portland, and on April 27th Brigadier-General Chas. F. Beebe, O. N. G. issued special orders for the preparation of a suitable camp within the city limits. The site selected was the Irving- ton race-track, and on April 29th one hun- dred and sixty-one tents were pitched, the name "Camp McKinley " adopted, and on the morning of April 30, 1898, the first com- pany arrived and active camp-life began.
Members of the different committees of the Emergency Corps visited the camp daily, consulting with the commanding officers as to the health, comfort, and needs, of the sol- diers in their charge. Open house was kept
at headquarters for the Volunteers when in the city, and everything human ingenuity could suggest and loving hearts contribute to smooth the pathway from comfortable civil life to the hardship and discipline of camp-life was done. This was not planned nor worked out by one person, but by united effort on the part of all, whose kindly min- istrations grew out of a desire to cheer and encourage these brave Oregon Volunteers,— the flower of the State,— who had given up home and position, offering their lives to their country in the noble work of liberating an oppressed and outraged people.
Meantime, circular letters had been sent to the cities and towns throughout the State, urging the patriotic women to form auxili- aries for the purpose of raising money to swell the regimental fund, and also help in the purchasing of a flag, to be presented to the Volunteers by the women of the State.
Hood River was the first to respond, with Roseburg, Pendleton, Corvallis, Hillsboro, La Fayette, La Grande, Hubbard, Weston, Woodburn, Astoria, and The Dalles, quickly falling into line. Faithfully have these aux- iliaries assisted in every line of work that it has been found necessary to take up; contri- butions of money and supplies have been given, while in their respective localities a fund has been raised to assist the families of the Volunteers. Hospital supplies of caps, fever-belts, and cordials, are constantly for- warded, and daily letters are received ask- ing for instructions.
On Sunday, May 8th, a patriotic and sacred concert was given at Camp McKinley, to in- crease the regimental fund that the Emer- gency Corps was raising, and the proceeds netted the creditable sum of $1,399.35. The attendance of over ten thousand people was an evidence of their zeal and desire to con- tribute their mite toward the object. The programme was furnished by the First Regi- ment Band, Miss Rose Bloch, and Madame Norelli. It was a scene never to be forgotten by that vast audience, when, at the close of the evening drill, the Stars and Stripes were slowly lowered at the booming of the sunset gun, and the long lines of Volunteers, mo- tionless as statues, listened as the inspiring strains of the " Star-Spangled Banner " float- ed out upon the summer air, while the set- ting sun, kissing the peak of the distant snow-crowned mountain, shed its departing rays like a heavenly benediction upon these sons of valor.
May 11, 1898, the First Battalion, consisting of Companies A, B, C, D, Second Regiment, Oregon Volunteers, under command of Major C. H. Gantenbein, by order of the War Department, left for San Francisco, and one week later (May 16th), Companies E, F, G, H, I, K, L, and M, under command of Colonel O. Summers, broke camp and proceeded to join the others at the Presidio, to await transportation to Manila.
To the Captain of each of these companies, the Oregon Emergency Corps gave one hundred dollars in gold coin as an emergency fund. To Major M. H. Ellis, Commanding Regimental Surgeon, in charge of the Hospital Corps, was given one hundred dollars, also eight hundred yards of flannel for bandages. In addition to this, contributions from other sources made the available amount fully two thousand dollars.
To each Volunteer was given a pocket-comb, cake of toilet soap, one huck towel, one package of envelopes, one writing-pad and pencil, a housewife containing needles, thread, pins, safety-pins, trouser-buttons, court-plaster, waxed-ends, etc., while members of committees visited the different companies, mending their clothes and providing many things necessary to their well-being. After the departure of the Volunteers for San Francisco, the headquarters were trans- ferred from First Street to the Armory, which the Military Board turned over to the Emergency Corps for their use. Here meet- ings were held, a bureau of information es- tablished, with a committee in charge, and all other business transacted.
On May 1-1 th an offer was made by the firm of Lipman, Wolfe & Co. to turn over their department store to the Emergency Corps upon any date they might select. The entire charge of this establishment was to be assumed by the organization for one day,— ten per cent of all sales to go to the regimental fund. To this generous offer was added the privilege of serving a midday lunch and introducing other suitable fea- tures that would help to swell the treasury. This offer was unanimously accepted, and on May 17th the most novel scene ever wit- nessed in Portland's business history was presented. Women, prominent in charitable and philanthropic work, leaders of society,
sedate and stately matrons, assumed control of the various departments of this large busi- ness house, acting as superintendent, assist- ant superintendent, cashier, and floor man- agers, while a hundred or more of Portland's fair daughters from early morning till late at night stood behind the counters serving customers. The store was gayly decorated with flags, bunting, and roses; music was furnished by the Kinross Orchestra and Co- lumbian Mandolin Quartette. Thousands of purchasers who had waited for this day surged back and forth through the aisles, and crowded stairways and elevators in their haste to give their ten per cent to the sol- diers' fund. The East Indian department, which was transformed into a most enticing restaurant, proved inadequate to the de- mand, as hundreds whom it was impossible to serve were turned away. The result proved the success of the venture, one thou- sand dollars being added 10 the treasury of the society, while the remark made by the senior member of the firm, that it had been " the happiest day in a business career of over thirty-five years," left no other conclu- sion than that a two-fold blessing follows such generous deeds.
After the departure of the Second Regi- ment for San Francisco, the Emergency Corps continued the work of its supply de- partment in meeting the wants of the sol- diers,— not only Oregon Volunteers, but all or any needing assistance. On May 23d an appeal was received from a member of the Red Cross Society in San Francisco for fever-belts and sleeping-caps, as it was im- possible to meet the needs for these articles then existing. The following telegram was at once sent:
Red Cross Society, San Francisco, Cali- fornia,— Greeting: Count on us; will seud one thousand caps and one thousand fever- belts.
OREGON EMERGENCY CORPS.
Work was at once begun, and in a few days the supplies were shipped to 1G Post Street.
The Sewing Committee has continued its labors, hundreds of articles being made and furnished to the Second Regiment, Engineer Corps, Oregon Recruits, Washington Volun- teers, and others.
It has been the privilege of the Oregon Emergency Corps to entertain all troops passing through Portland en route to different stations on the Coast. This was at first done at the Union Depot, where the soldiers were met by committees and served a substantial lunch, consisting of coffee, sandwiches, cake, fruit, etc. In this branch of work the Flower Mission, composed of twenty or more young women, has rendered valuable assistance in serving refreshments and decorating the trains. Tons of flowers have been donated for this purpose, and the departing soldier has been given a bouquet of Oregon roses in addition to his box of lunch. Frequently has a letter accompanied by a box of flowers been sent at the request of husbands, brothers, and sons, to their distant homes, and replies received from many have made sweeter the saying, "Small service is true service while it lasts."
After the use of the Armory was tendered the Corps by the State Military Board, the soldiers were met on their arrival at the depot and escorted to military headquarters, and lunch served in the spacious drill-hall. The freedom of the building was extended, the gymnasium, bowling-alley, reading-room, etc., affording rest and recreation for all.
Six thousand three hundred and thirty-one soldiers were entertained at lunch in the Armory, and 3,578 given boxes of lunch for use on the train.
In July the work was found to be increasing so rapidly that it was necessary to in- crease the executive staff. To this end the President made the following appointments: First Assistant, Mrs. Levi Young; Second Assistant, Mrs. H. W. Wallace; Assistant to Treasurer, Mrs. William Patterson; Assist- ant for Correspondence, Mrs. Edmund Nol- lain; Assistant for Recording Secretary, Mrs. Lischen Miller.
Headquarters were again established at 137 First Street, to meet the request of busi- ness men and others who wished to contrib- ute to the society, and found the Armory at an inconvenient distance.
An honorary membership list was opened, with the fee fixed at one dollar. This list at present numbers over three hundred, and among the names recorded are those of Captain C. E. Clark, of the battleship Ore- gon, Rev. Edward Everett Hale, General Longstreet, Hon. Jos. E. Sheldon, and Mrs. James Shafter.
The total membership of the society is 1,557. Of this number, 553 are members of
Auxiliary Corps, leaving 1,004 members for the Portland organization.
Among the treasured souvenirs of the so- ciety is an autograph letter from Captain C. E. Clark, in response to a congratulatory telegram sent upon receipt of the news that the Oregon had been selected as the flag- ship of Commodore Watson's fleet. Another is from Edward Everett Hale. This aged author paid the Oregon Volunteers the great compliment of presenting twelve copies of his famous story, " A Man Without a Coun- try," with his autograph upon the title-page of each copy, to the Second Regiment. These books were sent to the care of the Emer- gency Corps, who forwarded them to Ma- nila, acknowledging the receipt of the same in a letter to the author.
Valuable service has been rendered the State of Oregon by a member of the Corps, Madame A. de Fonfride Smith, who has compiled an official roster of the enlisted men for 1898. This has been entirely her own work, and contains a careful history sketch of each member of the State Military Board, officers of the Second Regiment, and the name of every volunteer. This little book is tastefully bound, and illustrated with views ^f Camp McKinley and photo- graphs of the officers of each company. The author has visited nearly every town in the State from which volunteers were recruited, circulating the work, while a copy has been kept for every man whose name is recorded on its pages. Several thousand copies have been sold and the net proceeds are to be a contribution to the treasury of the Emer- gency Corps. In work of this kind Oregon stands alone, being the only State that is the fortunate possessor of so concise and comprehensive a history of its brave sons.
Up to the time of the departure of the Oregon recruits for San Francisco, there had been an ample field for the labors of the Oregon Emergency Corps in its local work; but it became evident that in order to carry out the promise of continued care and atten- tion to the Volunteers while in the service of their country, to assist in the relief work of furnishing supplies for the hospital ships or sending nurses to care for the sick at Manila, it was now necessary to have Governmental protection. This could only be obtained through the agency of the Red Cross Society, and the question of expediency in this direc- tion was considered. On July 23d, Judge Joseph Sheldon, of Washington, D. C, visited Portland in the interests of the American National Red Cross Association. In an address before the Emergency Corps he presented the advantages resulting to the relief societies of the different States through co-operation with this national body, advising affiliation as soon as possible. Action was deferred on the part of the Society till the next regular meeting in order that members might be given an opportunity to investigate for themselves. Meanwhile the Executive Board held several conferences with Judge Sheldon relative to their power to continue local work and their obligations as an organization to the National Committee. At a regular meeting, on July 30th, the subject was resumed, and after a presentation of both sides of the question a unanimous vote in favor of affiliation resulted. The name of the organization was changed to the "Oregon Emergency Corps and Red Cross Society," and an application made to the National Committee for proper recognition. The wisdom of the step was demonstrated a few weeks later, when transportation was given by the Government for two nurses,—Doctor Frances Woods and Miss Lena Killiam,—for Manila. These nurses were outfitted and furnished funds by the Portland Society and sent forward on the Arizona as Oregon's representatives in the relief work of caring for her sick or suffering Volunteers.
Reports having been received of the sickness and general discomfort of the Oregon recruits at Camp Merritt, the Society, at a meeting held August 6th, voted to send the President, Mrs. H. E. Jones, and Mrs. Levi Young to visit the recruits and inquire into the matter. They proceeded at once to San Francisco, spending two weeks in investigating conditions and doing whatever their judgment advised to make more comfortable the unpleasant surroundings. These recruits, whom it was expected would be sent at once to their officers and regiment, turned out veritable military orphans, stranded at Camp Merritt, and left for weeks to the care of young officers from other regiments. Happily, this condition is changed, as on the 20th of August they were turned over to the com- mand of an able and experienced officer, Major Goodale, of the Twenty-third U. S. Infantry. They have since been moved to
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the Presidio, where suri-oundings are pleas- anter, pending orders for their transporta- tion to their own regiment at Manila or re- turn to their homes.
During their stay in San Francisco the representatives of the Oregon Emergency Coi-ps and Red Cross Society were enabled to look into the various lines of relief work of the California Society. Many courtesies were extended by the officers of the State and local associations, valuable suggestions were received, and it was also their privilege to attend the meeting of the State Associa- tion held in Golden Gate Hall, and listen to Judge Sheldon's able address upon the American National Red Cross Society.
It gives us pleasure publicly to acknowl- edge the unbounded gratitude of the Emer- gency Corps of Portland for the many kind- nesses bestowed by the women of the Cali- fornia Red Cross upon the soldiers from Oregon; first, for their attention to the Sec- ond Regiment Volunteers, who, though with them but a few weeks, were the recipients of many comforts, but more particularly to the sick or afflicted ones of the Oregon re- cruits, for whom they have cared, supplying both medicines and delicacies and in other ways providing for their necessities.
In the space of this article it is impossible to mention in detail the many contributions from patriotic citizens throughout the State of Oregon. Gifts from corporations, business houses, independent leagues, and individuals, bear testimony to the interest all feel in this great relief work, and their confidence in the Red Cross Society, through which their offerings are dispensed. The press has been our stanch and valued friend, freely giving editorials and space to further the cause.
There are no salaried officers, — men and women having generously given their time from the first day of organization to the present. It has been the aim of the officers faithfully and conscientiously to discharge their duties, realizing the great responsibility and confidence reposed in them.
Each month a carefully prepared report of the proceedings, receipts and disbursements of the Society has been given the public, and the Treasurer's report, here appended, is in full from April 2Gth to September 1st.
The work of the organization will be car- ried on in future as in the past along every line which best serves the interest of those for whose benefit it was begun.
MRS. LEVI YOUNG,
For Oregon Emergency Corps and Red Cross Society.
REPORT OF TREASURER, APRIL 28 TO SEPTEMBER 1, 1898.
RECEIPTS.
Initiations (city members, 1,004)...$ 100.40
Initiations (auxiliaries, 553) 55.30
Sale of membership badges 292.00
Sale of honorary badges 19.75
Honorary membership fees (300) . . . 300.00
Sale of stationery 31.06
Sale of Manila punch 51.05
Proceeds sacred and patriotic con- cert 1,399.35
Proceeds refreshments (Camp Mc-
Kinley) 58.08
Proceeds Lipman, Wolfe & Co's
store 1,000.00
Sundry donations 1,537.76
Donations (hospital fund) 539.50
Sale of flags and small items 5.74
$5,389.99
DISBURSEMENTS.
Postage $ 22.84
Express charges 17.95
Telegrams 31.20
Expenses at headquarters 60.80
Sundries 74.40
Furnishings for Armory kitchen. . . . 63.80
Printed stationery 69.55
Badges 199.40
Pacific Regalia Company 25.50
Regimental Band 100.00
Expense for soldiers' luncheons .... 221.98
Second Regiment Oregon Volunteers 1,200.00
Second Regiment Hospital Corps . . . 100.00
Second Regiment colors 175.00
Supplies in equipping troops 1,651.47
Relief fund 104.15
Expenses for Oregon recruits in San
Francisco 241.70
Outfitting nurses for Manila 500.00
$4,859.74
Balance on hand Sept. 1, 1898...$ 530.25 Respectfully submitted.
MRS. MARTIN WINCH,
Treasurer.
THE RED CROSS
[Dedicated to the ladies of the Red Cross.]
O RED CROSS, blazed on field of white!
O heart of love on pure ideal!
The great world's grief -anointed sight
Has found thy color-symbols real.
Thou standest for the mighty throes
Of human sympathy profound,
That reach alike to friends and foes,
That know no race or nation's bound.
Untrammeled thou by caste and creed;
That man is man, enough for thee;
His pain is thine; thy chance, his need;
Thy care, his dole of misery.
Where'er our country's standard goes,
Its shadow thou till tumults cease;
Where'er the trumpet's war-blast blows,
Like echo sweet, thy flag of peace.
A marshaled host, thy army stands,
Untiring in its pledged relief,
Responsive to the high commands
Of duty,— its accepted chief.
Wherever Suffering lifts her voice,
In wars or devastations dread,
There ye have made your ready choice,
Ye toilers 'neath this Cross of Red.
The ills of soul or flesh ye meet
In service without stint or price:
Death's " Dolorosa " knows your feet,
Pain's " Calvary " sees your sacrifice.
Ye tread within the footsteps sore
Of Him who healed in Galilee,—
Who said, "This shall ye do, and more,
Fulfilling God's own ministry."
Amelia Woodward' Truesdell.