Clay County, Missouri - Chapter 27: Clay County Chaptee, American Red Cross, 1920

Chapter 27: Clay County Chaptee, American Red Cross

FIRST WAR FUND DRIVE - ORGANIZATION FORMED IN CL,AY COUNTY - OFFICERS OF CLAY COUNTY - CHAIRMEN - WAR FUND AND MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGNSRECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES - PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT - CANTEEN WORK - HOME SERVICE SECTION - DOCTORS FROM CLAY COUNTY WITH ARMY AND NAVY - DENTISTS - VETERINARIES - STUDENT DOCTORS - NURSING DEPARTMENT JUNIOR RED CROSS - NEGRO AUXILIARY.

The week of June 17th to 23rd, 1917, was the week set aside for the first great War Fund Drive for the Red Cross. There was no organization in Liberty. Prof. W. O. Lewis sought to got various people in Liberty to form some organization to try to get some funds for the Red Cross during this week while everybody was thinking about the subject. A call for a meeting was published in the Liberty papers on Thursday, June 21st. The meeting was held in the court house, Friday night, June 22nd, 1917. The call for this meeting was signed by a number of the prominent men in Liberty. It was hoped that a good many citizens of Liberty would attend the meeting. An effort wa.^ also made to get people from other sections of the county to attend this meeting, but there were only nine present. At this meeting a small temporary organization was formed with W. 0. Lewis as chaiiinan, Mrs. Dora L. Hutchinson as secretary and John Major as treasurer. The men present decided to solicit funds on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, June 24th, 25th and 26th. Although there was little time to prepare

Those who took part in this work felt that Clay County should have a Chapter of the Red Cross. The officers of the temporary organization entered into correspondence with the headquarters of the newly established Southwestern Division of the American Red Cross at St. Louis, Missouri, with reference to organizing. The petition asking for permission to organize a Red Cross Chapter in Clay County was finished and mailed July 11, 1917. The request was granted and the meeting in which the organization was completed was July 17, 1917. This meeting was well attended and the following officers were elected: Dr. W. O. Lewis, chairman ; Mr. H. R. Banks, chairman ; Mrs. Dora L. Hutchison, secretary, and Mrs. John Major, treasurer. Soon after the organization the chairman of the chapter, after advising with various ladies in the town, appointed Mrs. H C. Harper as chairman of all relief work such as sewing, knitting and surgical dressings, for the county. This proved to be a very fortunate choice. Mrs. Harper was in a position to give a great amount of time to the work and the success of the work in the county was largely due to her tact and executive ability.

Dr. W. O. Lewis

The Clay County Chapter includes all qf Clay County, subdivided into ten branches subdivided into nineteen auxiliaries. Following is a list of branches wilth their auxiliary, chairman of each and date of organization :

The total receipts other than the campaigns amounted to $53,033.85 and total expenditures were $46,306.49. This money was raised in every way that the ingenious mind of man and woman could devise - cake and pie sales, dances, parties, ice cream socials, ball games, auction sales, donation from Sunday schools and lodges. The I. O. 0. F. Lodge was especially active in raising money for the cause. A picture show and auction sale undertaken by them netted $1,615.45. The Masonic Lodge contributed generously, as well as the Knights of Pythias. The Excelsior Springs Golf Club donated the entrance fees of their State Tournament - a nice sum. Hotels and apartments donated sums of money. The Predated Check System was adopted by several of the branches of this Chapter with fair success. Excelsior Springs, one of the largest branches, was especially successful in raising a large amount by adopting this system. Their workroom needed $1,000.00 per month.

for running expenses. A campaign was started to raise this amount by using the Predated Check System, the result was that the greater part of the needed $12,000.00 was raised by this system. This campaign closed with a grand auction sale of live stock, poultry, produce, souvenirs and relics. The following local newspaper report shows the patriotic spirit that prevailed in this community: "Over the top with a bang, all trenches cleared, the enemy routed, and Old Gloiy flung to the breeze - that is the story of the Red Cross Auction in Excelsior Springs last Saturday. 'The business of the day has not been completely checked, but will total between $1,200 and $1,500.' Auctioneers of state wide reputation donated their services. A collar button worn by Jesse James at the time of his murder brought $.31.00. Frank James' rifle, carrying fifteen notches and having his name cut on it, was donated by his son. An old trunk made in England in 1830 was bought as a relic by a St. Louis trunk man. Another attractive gift was a gander which was sold and resold all afternoon bringing $132.00. One young lady offered to buy a husband ; however, none was offered for sale." -

When the government called upon the women of America to help with the war work, 1,540 Clay County women responded promptly, and were organized into a loyal and enthusiastic body of Red Cross war workers.

The Production Department was the first section of the Red Cross to begin work and was perhaps the most active of the departments of the Red Cross Chapter during the war.

The Surgical Dressing Division with Mrs. Harry Maltby as chairman, Miss Ethel Sparks and Miss Nellie Ruth Field, assistants, did fine work. Only four branches of the chapter assisted in this work which continued from August 15, 1917, until the oflficial closing of war work. The output was 372,440 dressings.

Hospital garments were made under the supervision of Mrs. Henry C. Harper. The work in this division was discontinued the first day of June, 1917. The women of America by that time had filled all of the Red Cross warehouses in America and all of the Red Cross warehouses in France with a reserve stock of hospital supplies, gannents and dressings. From September 1, 1917, until June 1, 1919, the output from this division was 9.269 hospital ga]Tnents.

Knitting Division: When the Red Cross Chapter was fonnally organized, a large number of women already organized with Mrs. J. L. Thompson as chairman and doing fine work as Navy League Knitters, loyally and patriotically became Red Cross workers. Mrs. J. L. Thompson was appointed chairman, Mrs. Taylor Thorp, inspector, so they were ready to begin work immediately and the task of securing material began. This proved to be a most difficult matter. Finally in October, 1917, with much enthusiasm, our women and children and even one old man, one young man and a few boys began to knit. Oh, how they did knit. The telephone in the home of the chairman, where the supplies were kept, was at white heat. Why they went at knitting much as the boys did at the fighting in the Argonne. One woman knit as she walked the street. Something like 5,060 knitted garments (sweaters, sox, helmets, wristlets and mufflers) were made. All branches and auxiliaries rendered excellent service and the Chapter as a whole rendered splendid service both in amount and quality of work.

On April 6th, 1918, Mrs. A. M. Tutt became assistant and in an exceptionally loyal manner gave her services as knitter and assistant in office work. In December, 1918. Mrs. Tutt formally succeeded to the chairmanship.

Refugee Relief work was under the direction of Mrs. William H. Woodson as chairman until her resignation, the first of June. Up to this time thi|S work was done in the schools and in the homes. After the making of hospital garments was discontinued, April 1, 1919, refugee garments were made in the Red Cross sewing rooms under the direction of Mrs. Heni-y C. Hai-per. 8,104 garments represented the work of this division, making the total output from the Production Department 395,624 articles. Many women, by putting patriotic sei-vice before all other consideration received the certificate which in recognition of loyal service to the nation through the Red Cross is awarded to persons serving through periods of six, twelve and eighteen months. Each period of sitx months must have eight hundred hours actual work. Likewise each eight hundred hours work must carry with it six months service. The names and awards of Clay County workers are as follows:

This department owes much of its success to the support of the business men who, with generous and kind consideration did the little things and big things that did not go on record, yet counted for much in adding to the comfort and efficiency of the work rooms.

The Liberty branch ig especially indebted to Mrs. Frank Hughes for a cutting machine which was of invaluable help. To the First National Bank for several comfortable rooms and the patient endurance of all inconvenience and annoyance, necessarily and unnecessarily arising. To the Citizens Bank for use of room for our knitting. To the mayor and councilmen for use of Council Chambers for the office of our secretary. To Mr. E. B. Maltby for use of room and other favors. To Mr. James Costello for lumber, Mr. H. R. Banks for lumber. To Mr. Herbert Hill for chairs and other favors. To Mr. W. F. Paradise for daily delivery of ice. To Electric Light Office for electricity. To Mr. Pascal Parker for service of three telephones and other favors. To Sharp Brothers for use of two sewing machines and chairs. To Mr. Ralph Davidson for his faithful service at all ti|mes, especially in packing and shipping. To Mr. Harry Boggess, Mr. Joe Winston, Mr. Elihu Park and many others who were ever re^^dy to lend a helping hand when called upon.

From Winner, a small auxiliary, the following report shows this same spirit of patriotism was manifested there, and in fact prevailed in all of the production work throughout the chapter:

"This auxiliary was organized by Dr. Lewis, then County Chairman, on the night of January 27, 1918. He and Dr. Robert R. Fleet coming that night to this little country store with the mercury below zero expecting to find eight or ten persons gathered for the meeting. They were amazed to see, before the evening was over, more than fifty men, women and children. And to show the good 'get together' spirit of our community in this great Red Cross work and also the never failing support of our men folks, we want to mention one Red Letter Day of our organization. Early in June (we were in the habit of each one taking light lunch so as little tihie as possible be lost from our work) our men folks asked us into the store where they had supplemented our lunch with ice cream, strawberries and cake, ?11 good and nicely served as a surprise to the women workers and at this time had Dr. Ward Edwards, who was present, announce the gift of a serving machine by the men."

record, and of the fact that they ai-e a part of the loyal anny of American women that proved a factor in the winning of the war, and in relieving the suffering growing out of it, and are ready to take up the peace time activities of the Red Cross with the same spirit and zeal.

Mrs. H. C. Harper

Owing to the fact that the Clay County Chapter of Red Cross is so closely situated to Kansas City, there was little opportunity for Canteen Service. For this reason Mr. Pettus of St. Louis, Chairman of this work in the Southwestern Division, first suggested there was no need for having a Canteen organization, but later advised that the Chapter organize to be ready for emergency work along this line. But did not think a hut or definite arrangements necessary.

All with enthusiasm and patriotiism were eager to be of sei-vice and did render valuable aid to the hospital in connection with the Rahe Auto Tractor School, located at North Kansas City, Clay County. This school was taken over by the government and the drafted men were brought there; many of them were taken seriously ill and the school was not prepared to care for them properly. The government officer in charge appealed to the Clay County Chapter for aid until they could get things in running order. The Liberty branch supplied surgical supplies and hospital garments. The Chapter contributed many dainties for the sick boys - for weeks sent custards, soups, buttermilk, fruit and flowers and visited the hospital, supplying the immediate needs until the government completed arrangements for caring for the sick.

was served by the ladies free of charge but other times the chairman of the draft board paid for the supper of each, the money being turned over to the local branch, Liberty, of the Red Cross Chapter. On one occasion a troop train stopped here for a short time and the men were well supplied with cigarettes, cigars and lunches.

WTiile the Clay County Chapter realizes that veiy little service was rendered by the Canteen Department, it was only from lack of opportunity and not of spirit.

Ethel Sparks

When the war broke out it was apparent to everyone that no one could fight well if he was worrying about his dependents at home. The Home Service Section of the American Red Cross was organized for the purpose of reducing such worry to the minimum. It was the business of Home Service Sections to take the places of soldiers and sailors in their homes as far as possible, giving moral, financial or other assistance when needed.

The Home Service Section of the Clay County Chapter of the Amex*- ican Red Cross was organized in Octobez-, 1917, with Di-. E. H. Sutherland, professor of Sociology in the William Jewell College, as chairman. Mrs. Inez Brand was appointed as the representative in Excelsior Springs and Miss Irene Smith as the representative in Holt. Since the demands for work of this kind were so few at that time no other representatives were appointed then. The chairman gave his personal attention to all calls from other places. But as the situation became more serious it was apparent that a complete organization was necessary. During the spring of 1918 a thorough organization was developed, which was practically complete by July, 1918, with the following officers and representatives:

During the war Clay County sent 1,029 persons into service. These and their dependents constituted the field of work of the Home Service Section of the Clay County Chapter. Most of these families were entirely able to care for their own needs and no assistance was necessary other than the friendliness and neighborliness of their fellowcitizens. The Home Service Section rendered assistance of various kinds to 174 families.

Financial aid was given to ten families, partly as loans, partly as gifts. Most of the loans were necessary because of the failure of the government to send family allowances and allotments on time, together with the fact of sickness, death or unemployment of those at home.

The Home Service Section rendered its greatest service in furnishing to the constituent the information with which it was kept constantly supplied from headquarters regarding laws and provisions of the government for assistance to the dependents of soldiers and sailoi-s. In doing this and other kinds of work 195 letters were written and ninety personal visits by the various representatives and by the secretary were made.

The army used the Home Sen'ice Secretary as an official source of information regarding the necessity of furloughs for the soldiers. In that capacity the Home Service Section gave much assistance in securing furloughs and in the extension of furloughs, mostly in cases of sickness and death of relatives.

Other forma of service given were assistance in securing vocational training for wounded soldiers, securing emplojTnent for returned soldiers and financial aid for stranded soldiers. To the relatives of several of the nineteen men from this county who died in sei-vice aid was given in securing compensation, insurance and personal effects.

Funds for this work were provided by the Clay County Chapter. At first no regular system was developed, but in September, 1918, the Executive Committee of the Chapter voted to establish a revolving fund of $100 from the Chapter funds for Home Service work. The expend-

The question has been raised regarding the future of Home Service work in this and other counties. In some places it has seemed desirable to extend the field of Home Service work to families of persons who were not in service, and thus make it a general organization for the welfare of needy persons in the community. No action to that effect has been taken, but the need for some such organization has become very clear, and there is no doubt that the organization already developed could be used to good advantage for that pui-pose in this county.

Mrs. E. H. Sutherland

The Nursing Department of Clay County Chapter was among the last of its departments to be organized. The Sewing, Surgical Dressings and Knitting Departments were doing very creditable work a year or more before the imperative need of a Nursing Department was realized.

In the latter part of July, 1918, just before our Chairman, Dr. W. 0. Lewis, left for camp, this department was established and Mrs. Mary L. Davis appointed to act as chaiirman.

The chairmen of the various branches were requested to name a woman from each branch whom they could recommend, for their local or Branch Chairman of Nursing service. These with Mrs. Davis as chairman completed the personnel of the Nursing Service and Educational Committee.

During the month of August, 1918, a nursing drive was initiated. This was carriled out by the Red Cross Nursing Service in co-operation with the Women's Council for National Defense, resulting in twelve of Clay County's best young women entering training schools for nurses to prepare for future needs and to relieve others for active service in camps and at the front.

A little later a survey of the Nursing Service of Clay County was made and it was found that we had twenty nurses who signed up questionnaires. This sun'ey came after the Armistice was signed and when most people felt that the war was virtually over, or it would have resulted in more names being sent in.

Several of the above nurses have been requested to take the work of instructing classes in Home Nursing but so far none have been willing to do this for all of Clay County. Classes are anxious to begin the study of Home Nursing and one class in First Aid was organized in November, 1918, progressing as far as lesson five, when influenza interfered. Dr. W. H. Goodson, the instructor of this class will finish giving the course soon.

As First Aid has lately been made a department vdthin itself, Home Nursing is being expanded into Public Health and Welfare Nursing, which is a more general arrangement fitted to times of peace. The aim is to bring this instruction to every woman in every home in Clay County who will take the course.

Miss Galbraith visited us May 9, 10, 1919, and explained the changes in organization to be effected. Misses Allen and Witte came about June 1st following her visit and explained further about the new plans that were being made.

As the hot weather is upon us it was recommended that we do our best to get names for classes to be held in September and October and to try to procure a Red Cross nurse to take charge of these classes at that time.

Mrs. Mary L. Davis

The Junior Red Cross work in Clay County was started in the summer of 1917. The Chapter School Committee was appointed and plans were made for organizing the work after the opening of school in the fall. Soon after school started letters, literature and membership cards were sent to every teacher in the county and the teachers were urged to raise the membership fees and have their schools eru-olled as Junior Auxiliaries. The response was highly gratifying and by the close of the year practically every school in the county was a Junior Auxiliarj' and nearly eveiy pupil was entitled to wear the Red Cross button. The total Junior membership reached 3,750 out of a total of 4,670 children in the Chapter jurisdiction. Many of the Juniors took out Senior membership, paying the regular fee of $1.00. Various plans were used in raising the fees. In most of the high schools the money was contributed by the students. In some of the high schools and in most of the rural and graded schools, entertainments, box suppers, bazaars, and various other community plans were used as a means for raising the funds. Ten per cent of the membership fees were sent to the treasurer of the Chapter School Committee. In as much as most schools raised considerably more than their membership fees, it is probable that at least $1,000 was raised by the children of the county during 1917-1918 for Junior Red Cross work.

The Committee, having sufficient funds on hands to carry on the Health Crusade during 1918-1919, did not insist on schools again raising membership fees. Many did so, however, and under the new ruling from National Headquarters, all of this money was turned over to Mr. Black and part of it turned over, by him, to the treasurer of the Chapter.

During the present year all schools are being urged to renew their membership by i-aising one-fourth as many dollars as they have children enrolled. Sixty per cent of this money will be sent to the National

Treasurer to be used for relief work among the destitute children of the devastated countries of Europe and Asia. The remaining- 40% will be used by the Committee in the Health Crusade, or in other authorized activities connected with the Peace Program of the Juniors.

The work of the Junior Red Cross during the war was varied including every form of war activity that the Juniors could carry on. The children and teachers all over the county took up the work eagerly. The only difficulty experienced by the Committee was to provide definite work for the children to do. Shot bags, gun wipes, comfort kits, infant layettes, arm slings, refugee garments, sweaters, socks, hospital quilts, pillows, rugs, etc., were made by the children. The exact number cannot be repeated, as no accurate means of reporting to the Chapter School Committee was worked out. This is to be regretted as iit makes it impossible for the Committee to make anything like a complete report.

Many schools that did just as effective work as those listed below did not send in written reports. The following summaries, taken from the reports sent in, gives some conception of the scope of the work done by the Juniors in Clay County.

comfort kits, large numbers of hospital bandages, pillows, infant layettes, refugee garments. High school girls worked during noon hour and at Red Cross work rooms on Saturday and after school. More than 4,000 pounds of refugee clothing collected. Adopted three Fiench orphans. High school girls collected $300 on an American flag for the Senior Red Cross ; collected an equal amount on "Armistice" day.

In addition to the above, practically every school in the county enlisted in the Health Crusade last year. Most of the children enrolled as Modem Health Crusaders and received the Squire's button and the Knight's pin. School closed before the children had opportunity to earn the final badge. The campaign is again being started in the schools of the county and the Committee hopes that the majority of the children in the county will win the Knight banneret pin. The crusade is a most practical form of hygiene instruction and will materially raise the sanitary and health conditions in the homes and schools of the county.

Liberty organized an auxiliary among the negroes of Liberty about December 15, 1918, with a membership of seventeen and Mrs. Lena Thompson, chairmart. Their work in the Production Department was exceptionally good. They contributed $100.00 in one of the Red Cross drives.