The Red Cross of Oregon
From the Red Cross of Oregon, comes the following report, forwarded by Mrs. Levi Young. In transmitting the report Mrs. Young says: “While it may be longer than desired, still we feel that the eyes of our country have been more particularly turned toward Cuba and the relief work done by the eastern branches, while the Pacific Coast has been doing a work second to none. Conditions here make it difficult to raise the necessary funds, and every dollar expended represents untiring devotion to the cause:”
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 26, to offer their services to the military board of the State in providing material, aid and comfort for the Second Regiment Oregon Volunteers.
Colonel 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 offices were chosen, and twelve committees were appointed. 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 27, 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. The 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, Mrs. Levi Young appointed to draft a constitution. This was presented at the next regular meeting and after a slight revision, unanimously adopted.
Preamble to Constitution.
“The Oregon Emergency Corps realizing that its aims and objects are far-reaching, will remain a permanent organization to aid not only the brave Oregon Volunteers upon land or sea, but assist in the welfare of the wives and children, many of whom may need care and support while their loved ones are absent.”
In compliance with the provisions of the constitution, the following standing committees were appointed:
Finance Committee.—Mrs. Charles F. Beebe, Mrs. Ben Selling, Mrs. H.W. Goddard.
Auditing Committee.—Mrs. H.W. Wallace, Mrs. James Jackson, Mrs. J. Frank Watson.
Purchasing Committee.—Mrs. H.H. Northrup, Mrs. Adolph Dekum, Mrs. B. Blumauer.
Sewing Committee.—Mrs. Wm. Patterson, Mrs. W.C. Alvord, Mrs. A.E. Rockey, Mrs. E. Nollain, Miss T. Rose Goodman.
Press Committee.—Mrs. Levi Young, Mrs. H.L. Pittock, Miss Ida Loewenberg.
Naval Committee.—Mrs. John Cran, Miss Nina Adams, Miss Zerlina Loewenberg, Miss Carrie Flanders, Miss Lena Brickel.
A suitable badge was adopted and a membership list opened, 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 received from General Charles F. Beebe, Colonel James Jackson, Colonel B.B. Tuttle and Major Daniel 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. Captain 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 telephone was put in by the Oregon Telephone Company, electric lights supplied by the General Electric Company, 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 $100 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 27, Brigadier-General Charles F. Beebe, O.N.G., issued special orders for the preparation of a suitable camp within the city limits. The site selected was the Irvington race track, and April 29 one hundred and sixty-one tents were pitched, the name, Camp McKinley, adopted and on the morning of April 30, 1898, the first company 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 soldiers 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 ministrations 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 auxiliaries 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, LaFayette, LaGrande, Hubbard, Weston, Woodburn, Astoria and The Dalles, quickly falling into line. Faithfully have these auxiliaries assisted in every line of work that it has been found necessary to take up—contributions 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 forwarded, and daily, letters are received asking for instructions.
On Sunday, May 8, a patriotic and sacred concert was given at Camp McKinley to increase the regimental fund that the Emergency Corps were raising and the proceeds netted the creditable sum of $1399.35. The attendance of over ten thousand people was an evidence of their zeal and desire to contribute their mite toward the object. The program was furnished by the First Regiment 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, motionless as statues, listened as the inspiring strains of the Star Spangled Banner floated upon the summer air, while the setting 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 16, 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 captains of these respective 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.
After the departure of the volunteers for San Francisco the headquarters were transferred from First street to the Armory which the military board turned over to the Emergency Corps for their use. Here meetings were held, a bureau of information established with a committee in charge, and all other business transacted.
On May 14 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 mid-day lunch and introducing other suitable features that would help to swell the treasury. This offer was unanimously accepted and on May 17 the most novel scene ever witnessed 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 business house, acting as superintendent, assistant superintendent, cashier and floor managers, 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 gaily decorated with flags, bunting and roses; music was furnished by the Kinross Orchestra and Columbia Mandolin Quartette. Thousands of purchasers who had waited for this day surged back and forth through the aisles, crowded stairways and elevators in their haste to give their ten per cent to the soldiers’ fund. The East Indian department which was transformed into a most enticing restaurant proved inadequate to the demand, as hundreds whom it was impossible to serve, were turned away. The result proved the success of the venture, one thousand dollars being added to 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 conclusion than that a twofold blessing follows such generous deeds.
After the departure of the Second Regiment for San Francisco the Emergency Corps continued the work of its supply department in meeting the wants of the soldiers—not only Oregon volunteers but all or any needing assistance. May 23 an appeal was received from a member of the Red Cross Society in San Francisco for fever belts and sleeping caps as it was impossible to meet the needs for these articles then existing. The following telegram was at once sent:
Red Cross Society,
San Francisco, Cal.
Greeting:—Count on us; will send 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 16 Post street.
The Sewing Committee has continued its labors, hundreds of articles being made and furnished to the Second Regiment Engineer Corps Oregon recruits and Washington volunteers, etc.
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, have 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.
In July the work was found to be increasing so rapidly that it was necessary to enlarge 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. Wm. Patterson; assistant for correspondence, Mrs. Edmund Nollain; assistant for recording, Mrs. Lischen Miller.
Headquarters were again established at 137 First street, to meet the request of business men and others who wished to contribute 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 300, and among the named recorded are those of Captain C.E. Clark, of the battleship “Oregon,” Hon. Edward Everett Hale, General Longstreet, Hon. Jos. E. Sheldon and Mrs. James Shafter.
The total membership of the society is 1557. Of this number 553 are members of auxiliary corps, leaving 1004 members for the Portland organization. The membership of the various auxiliaries is as follows:
| Weston | 27 |
| Astoria | 69 |
| Hillsboro | 69 |
| Pendleton | 38 |
| Lafayette | 33 |
| Corvallis | 51 |
| La Grande | 39 |
| Hood River | 21 |
| Hubbard | 10 |
| Roseburg | 100 |
| Woodburn | 23 |
| The Dalles | 80 |
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 of Camp McKinley and photographs 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 Emergency Corps. In work of this kind Oregon stands alone, being the only State that is the fortunate possessor of so concise and comprehensive 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 promises of continued care and attention 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 direction was considered. On July 23, Judge Joseph Sheldon visited Portland in the interests of the American National Red Cross. 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 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, Dr. 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 6, 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 their 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 twentieth of August they were turned over to the command of an able and experienced officer, Major Goodale, of the Twenty-third U.S. Infantry. They have since been moved to the Presidio, where surroundings are pleasanter, pending orders for their transportation to their own regiment at Manila or return to their homes.
During their stay in San Francisco the representatives of the Oregon Emergency Corps 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 Association, held in Golden Gate hall, and listen to Judge Sheldon’s able address upon the American National Red Cross.
It gives us pleasure to publicly acknowledge the unbounded gratitude of the Emergency Corps of Portland for the many kindnesses bestowed by the women of the California Red Cross upon the soldiers from Oregon. First, for their attention to the Second 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 recruits 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 staunch 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 to faithfully and conscientiously 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 26 to November 5.
The work of the organization will be carried on in future, as in the past, along every line which best serves the interest of those for whose benefit it was begun. The treasurer’s report shows: receipts, $7,526.03; disbursements, $6,389.54; balance on hand, $1,136.49.