The Red Cross of Washington State. — Extract From the Official Report
The tocsin of war started in each community, from which went out the brave defenders, a desire to benefit and make soldier life more comfortable. As emergency corps, relief corps, or without name, the women went to work to do something for the soldiers. The Red Cross was a name to most known only in an indefinite way, until reports began to come in of grand work done. Not knowing how to proceed, groping in the dark, feeling our own way instinctively, we organized in Tacoma and Seattle. The Seattle Red Cross, desiring a State organization, called a convention for August 16, to meet at Seattle, and successfully launched the Red Cross of Washington.
Of the work done much of it has not been reported to the State Association, and even the reports represent only a small part of the work done throughout the State. Had all reported to a common centre Washington would have made a magnificent showing. As it was, all contributions have been sent directly to the company each city was directly interested in. Thus much relief given the soldiers materially or financially by the State of Washington cannot be stated here, as many of the emergency corps and other relief societies have disbanded since the cessation of hostilities. However, the Red Cross of Washington is effecting auxiliary Red Cross societies all over the State, and in the future all relief work in this State will be under the insignia of the Red Cross.
The Red Cross of Washington was organized on August 16, at Seattle. The officers are:
| Mrs. John B. Allen, President, | Seattle. |
| Mrs. Chauncy Griggs, Vice-President, | Tacoma. |
| Mrs. J.C. Haines, Vice-President, | Seattle. |
| Miss Birdie Beals, Vice-President, | La Conner. |
| Mrs. Lester S. Wilson, Vice-President, | Walla Walla. |
| Mrs. Virginia K. Haywood, Vice-President, | Spokane. |
| Mrs. John C. Evans, Vice-President, | New Whatcom. |
| Mrs. Francis Rotch, Corresponding Secretary, | 1512 Thirteenth ave., Seattle. |
| Miss Helen J. Cowie, Assistant Corresponding Secretary, | Seattle. |
| Miss Sadie Maynard, Treasurer, | 807 North J st., Tacoma. |
| Miss Jessie Seymour, Assistant Treasurer, | Tacoma. |
| Miss Marie Hewitt, Recording Secretary, | 501 North Fourth st., Tacoma. |
| Mrs. Everett Griggs, Assistant Recording Secretary, | Tacoma. |
Seattle Red Cross
In answer to a call issued by Mrs. J.C. Haines through the Daily Press to all loyal women of Seattle, there were gathered in Elks Hall, June 20, 1898, nearly one hundred women, anxious to organize on definite lines; the universal sentiment prevailing, that organization under the Red Cross banner would result in the most effective work. The present officers are:
| Mrs. J.C. Haines, | President. |
| Mrs. H.E. Holmes, | Vice-President. |
| Mrs. Mary M. Miller, | Second Vice-President. |
| Mrs. C.D. Simson, | Treasurer. |
| Mrs. W.P. Giddings, | Recording Secretary. |
| Mrs. H.C. Colver, | Corresponding Secretary. |
An executive committee was elected, composed of twelve members, with the officers ex-officio members of the same. The constitution and by-laws were drafted and copies mailed to all local Red Cross Societies of Washington. Through the various committees much work has been accomplished, the same spirit which pervaded the organization in its infancy having increased until the membership now shows two hundred and fifty active members.
It afforded the Seattle society great satisfaction to be able to send to the national society a check for $500. To the captains of Companies B and D, Washington Volunteers, at San Francisco, was sent $350 to be used in cases of illness and other emergencies, and to the Independent Battalion, Washington Volunteers, at Vancouver Barracks, was sent $100 for similar purposes. In many instances the relief committee has drawn upon the emergency fund for the relief of soldiers’ families. Upon a half day’s notice fifty-one lunches were put up by the members for a company of volunteers on their way to San Francisco, and to a call from Major L.R. Dawson, for funds to purchase food and milk for hospital patients at the Presidio, the society responded with $100. To the sufferers from the New Westminster fire was disbursed over $400, collected by the Seattle Red Cross women, and $50 was donated by the society itself. Carloads of food, cots and needful clothing were sent and distributed by a committee chosen by the society. The chairman of the Sewing Committee has expended $401.43 for material for Red Cross work and much besides has been donated by Seattle merchants. From this material have been made 232 denim pillow cases, 843 flannel bandages, 408 eider-down caps and 248 housewives (the latter filled with necessaries and comforts), besides hospital night shirts, handkerchiefs and a variety of different bandages. To Dr. L.R. Dawson, surgeon of the First Washington Volunteers, was sent a dozen boxes of hospital supplies and delicacies to be shipped on the transport “Ohio” with that portion of our troops, and the society has also decided to take charge of a Christmas box to be sent to the Washington Volunteers at Manila.
Tacoma Red Cross
The Tacoma Red Cross was the first Red Cross organization in the State of Washington, and has done most effective work. The officers are:
Mrs. Chauncy Griggs, president; Mrs. A.B. Bull, first vice-president; Mrs. G.S. Holmes, second vice-president; Mrs. Lincoln Gault, third vice-president; Mr. Chester Thorne, treasurer; Mrs. W.C. Wheeler, assistant treasurer; Mrs. Frank Sharpe, recording secretary; Mrs. H.M. Thomas, corresponding secretary.
The Tacoma Red Cross has 400 members. Receipts, $684.82. Disbursements, $592.08.
Walla Walla Red Cross
In June, 1898, a temporary organization was effected at Walla Walla, known as the Red Cross Aid, with Mrs. J.H. Stockwell as chairman. This Aid Society cared for and entertained 229 soldiers passing through, and forwarded to Company I, several boxes of bandages, towels, handkerchiefs, etc. On September 21, 1898, the Red Cross Aid became a permanent organization under the name of the Walla Walla Red Cross and the following officers were elected:
| Mrs. Lester S. Wilson, | President. |
| Mrs. Thomas H. Brents, | Vice-President. |
| Mrs. D.T. Kyger, | Vice-President. |
| Miss Grace O. Isaaca, | Recording Secretary. |
| Mrs. Eugene Boyer, | Corresponding Secretary. |
| Mrs. George Whitehouse, | Treasurer. |
Upon notice that Company I was to start for Manila, the Red Cross of Walla Walla forwarded money and delicacies to the value of $100. Since permanent organization, the membership has more than doubled, and now numbers about one hundred and fifty. Receipts, $1,408.00. Disbursements, $1,058.00.
Spokane Red Cross
A meeting for the organization of a Red Cross Auxiliary was called in Spokane, Washington, on July 11, 1898. Two days later the final organization was completed and officers elected to serve until the annual meeting in October:
The work of the society has been largely along the lines of raising funds for supplies, and to aid the families of the two companies of volunteers, Company O and L, both of which have gone to Manila. Supplies of underclothing, socks, towels, soap, combs, sleeping caps, fever bands and other necessary articles have been sent. Five hundred pounds of jellies were sent to Manila. Christmas packages have been sent to every man in the two companies. The sewing committee is steadily at work on hospital supplies. The membership is 173.
The present officers are:
| Mrs. Virginia K. Hayward, | President. |
| Mrs. George Turner, | Honorable Vice-President. |
| Mrs. F.F. Emery, | First Vice-President. |
| Mrs. H. Salmorason, | Second Vice-President. |
| Mrs. A.J. Shaw, | Corresponding Secretary. |
| Mrs. L.J. Birdseye, | Recording Secretary. |
| Mrs. N.W. Durham, | Treasurer. |
| Receipts | $951.78 |
| Disbursements | 355.07 |
| Cash on hand | $596.71 |
To Miss Birdie Beals belongs the credit of organizing the La Conner Auxiliary, and also the Bellingham Bay Auxiliary at New Whatcom. The La Conner Auxiliary was most active to respond to the call of the Red Cross. They sent large boxes of fruits and jellies to the Hospital of the First Regiment Washington Volunteers, made caps and bandages, etc., and contributed towards the outfit for the First Regiment Washington Volunteers.
The Bellingham Red Cross was organized by Miss Birdie Beals, President of the La Conner Auxiliary. They have adopted the constitution and by-laws, selected officers and are ready to do active work. The officers are: Mrs. John A. Evans, president; Mrs. E.S. McCord, vice-president; Mrs. S.J. Craft, recording secretary; Mrs. T.J. Kershaw, corresponding secretary; Mrs. E.W. Purdy, treasurer.
The report from the Emergency Corps throughout the State is very incomplete, as many corps who have done good work have sent directly to the Company of soldiers raised in that particular town, and not reported to the Red Cross at all.
The following is an extract from the report of the Emergency Corps:
The Emergency Corps of the State of Washington, having accomplished, as far as lay within its power, the work for which it organized, has, through its officers and executive board and with the consent of its members as represented at the meeting of October 11, decided to disband.
At the time of its organization the corps pledged its undivided effort to the service of the volunteers of the State of Washington during the war between the United States and Spain. That emergency having happily ended in victory and peace, the society feels that its special work is over. To those of its members who can still devote time and strength to patriotic and humane effort, the president and the executive board cordially suggest that they enroll themselves as members of the Tacoma Red Cross society organized for permanent effort in the broad field of the nation’s and the world’s need, and when the aid and support that they can give will result in practical benefit to any cause to which it is applied.
In closing the work of this organization the officers and executive board wish to make a public report of what has been accomplished during the four months of its existence. In absolute harmony the society has worked together, members and officers alike. The following record, taken from the secretary’s last report, speaks for itself in proof of the patriotic energy which has inspired its labors. Since June 1 the Emergency Corps of the State of Washington has distributed for the use of state volunteers: Flannel abdominal bandages, towels, suits of pajamas, night shirts, suits balbriggan underwear, hospital pads and shirts, hospital pillow cases, and linen handkerchiefs.
In closing the work of the organization the officers and executive board desire to express their appreciation of the aid and sympathy extended them by the public and especially by the merchants of Tacoma, whose donations of money and material assisted so largely in what has been accomplished. To the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce they are greatly indebted for the use of a room for headquarters and for work and storage rooms. To the Northern Pacific Express Company, and to the Northern Pacific Steamship Company, they owe many thanks for aid and courtesy. It is impossible in this short summary to enumerate every instance of cordial sympathy and support which has cheered and aided the Emergency Corps in its labors; from all sides encouragement came and substantial help.
In dissolving the bond between officers and members now remains in each heart a cordial memory of mutual interest and sympathy, respect and confidence.
To the press of Tacoma the Emergency Corps acknowledges its many obligations. To the press and citizens of the State at large it is also indebted for much of its power of usefulness and would express an earnest appreciation and gratitude. The following letter was received from Captain Sturges, of Company C, stationed at the Presidio, San Francisco:
To the Ladies of the Washington Emergency Corps, Tacoma, Washington:
It is with a feeling of almost inexpressible gratitude that the officers and members of Company C, First Washington Volunteer Infantry, try to express to you their warmest and most lasting thanks for your kind and very useful donations and your expressions of sympathy and interest. The many kindnesses of their Emergency Corps have done much to help the soldiers more easily to bear their many hardships and to more enjoy their few comforts, knowing that kind hearts are interested in their welfare.
We unite in wishing you all the reward that your noble work so justly merits.
Very thankfully yours,
E.C. Sturges,
Captain Commanding.