Hardin Township

Hardin Township

The Hardin Branch of the Red Cross was organized September 30, 1917, by Mr. Geo. C. Weaver, with the following officers in charge: Chairman, Mrs. Eugene Bagby; vicechairman, Mrs. Lillie E. Scott; secretary, Mrs. Lucy McFaddin; treasurer, P. W. Thomas; director, Mrs. Ina Turnbeaugh. The first membership campaign resulted in a membership of 307. At this time it was arranged to hold the meetings in the homes of the members. Belgian Relief work was first taken up. Later in the year a work room was secured and the relief work dropped, hospital supplies and knitting being more needed at that time.

On August 24, 1918, a Red Cross sale was held, the proceeds of which amounted to nearly $500. Other funds for our Branch were obtained by farm sale lunches, entertainments, etc. Miss Esther Norton took pictures of the members at the work room, sold them at ten cents each, and turned the proceeds over to the local treasury.

On October 1, 1918, the first year's work ended and an election of officers resulted as follows: Chairman, Mrs. Lillie E. Scott; vice-chairman, Mrs. Melinda Thomas; secretary and treasurer, Miss Lena Willard. We at once had a new membership drive and secured

During the two years' work finished goods sent to county headquarters was as follows: 309 articles of hospital supplies, 350 articles for Belgian Relief, 225 knitted articles.

The three banner solicitors in the membership drives were: Frank Norton, Mrs. Eva Yokem, Herbert Graham. The following persons also took an active part in the soliciting for members, donations, ete.: Ila Willard, Margaret Durr, Ruth Kemener, May Bauer, Cora Ramson, Otis Yokem, Opal Foster, Katherine Bagby, Iva Stickman, Louella Schemel, Faye Ramson, Hazel Main, Mabel Hayden, Lucile Cunningham, Lena Willard, Mattie Bauer, Anna Kern, May Yaeger, Ina Turnbeaugh, Lettie Willard, Ora Willard, Dora Schemel, Arthur Koontz.

Quite a number of families were 100 per cent in membership. Mrs. Eliza Bauer, a lady of 80 years, completed five sweaters in one week, and was a most willing worker when we could get yarn.

The first move in the organization of the Hull Branch of Pike County Chapter, American Red Cross, was made September 24, 1917, by George C. Weaver of Pittsfield, county chairman. It was followed a week later by a boost from A. Clay Williams, which resulted in the organization of the Hull Branch with J. F. Lacy chairman, G. W. Lawrence vicechairman, W. H. Lease treasurer, and Mrs. Lillie Kirby secretary. Mrs. Addie Aylshire was appointed head of the sewing room, assisted by Mrs. R. Cadwallader, with Mrs. E. Davidson and Mrs. A. Lawrence cutters and Mrs. J. Ripple instructor in knitting.

The membership was soon increased to 450. A room was at first furnished by G. W. Lawrence and fuel by J. H. Kirby, but later the town board furnished a room, lights and fuel for the work room. One thousand articles, including the knitted garments, were made and shipped.

At no time was the work hindered by lack of funds to purchase the necessary material. Ladies from the country, who could not come to work, sent in donations; and the men saw that the treasury was always full. Sometimes strangers, passing by and seeing the Red Cross emblem, would stop and contribute to the fund. The Belgian Relief Fund received due support, and several local families in straitened circumstances were assisted by the organization.

The Hardin Township Unit of the Pike County Unit, Women's Committee Council of National Defense, was organized in 1917 with the following officers: Chairman, Mrs. Eugene Bagby; secretary, Mrs. Ada Cox; treasurer, Mrs. Lelia Parker. School district chairmen were: Mrs. Anna Kern, Mrs. Eva Yokem, Mrs. May Bauer, Mrs. Mabel Hayden and Miss Lena Willard. The Registration Board consisted of Mrs. Lottie Conboy, Mrs. Lillie Scott, Mrs. Melinda Thomas, Mrs. Lelia Parker, Mrs. Cora Ransom, Mrs. Dora Schemel and Mrs. May Bauer. Department chairmen were: Child Welfare, Mrs. Etta Bagby; Allied Relief, Mrs. Lottie Conboy; Production and Conservation, Mrs. Lena Yaeger; Registration, Mrs. Lillie Scott; Community Welfare Meetings, Mrs. Eugene Bagby.

The work of the unit was concerned with all the above mentioned activities. Out of 190 women in the township 141 were registered. The district chairman who had charge of the Educational Fund raised our quota of $40. The chairman of Allied Relief collected 70 articles of clothing on the Belgian Relief Drive. The special committees were active and efficient, showing a most hearty spirit of response to all calls.