USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > Newton war memorial > Part 4
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In all over $27,995. was, expended by this organiza- tion during the war. Since April 1919, the organization has raised and given away about $600 to the Temporary Hospital in Paris, and to one of their own boys who was badly in need of help.
Miss Virginia Parker, a member of the organization worked in Paris with the American Fund for French Wounded.
NEWTON GIRL SCOUTS
The record of the Newton Local Council of Girl Scouts during the war is one to be proud of. Among the various activities in which the members engaged were the planting of war gardens, one in Newton and one in Newton Centre, the products of which were sold and the money given to French orphans. During the summer of 1918, the Scouts had three war gardens. These gardens were planted, and tended by the girls, and. as during the preceding summer. the proceeds went to the support of French orphans. The troops in charge of these gardens were Troop 2 ( Newton), Troop 3 (Newton Centre), and Troop 5 (West New- ton).
In Newton, the troop cooperated with the Red Cross organization of the town helping in every way possible. In West Newton, the Troop cooperated with the Soldiers Aid Society (later the Red Cross).
A war Service Award was given by the National Organization to the girl scouts who did a certain number of hours of war work. The work included knitting, supervised service in the Red Cross, local gardening, food conservation, thrift-war saving stamps,-care of young children Americanization work etc. Additional awards were given for other points. These took the form of red, blue, and silver ribbons. Over sixty girls were given war service awards, many of them also earning the red, blue, and silver ribbons.
One hundred and twenty girl scouts were Victory Girls. To be a "Victory Girl" one had to pledge herself to earn and give five dollars toward the great work of bringing home into the trenches.
Four of the Troops supported French orphans for a number of years.
The following members of the Girl Scouts were overseas : Miss Susan B. Hills, and Miss Helen Chapin, both of Newton Centre, and Miss Evelyn Cunningham, Captain of the Newton Group.
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THE HOSPITAL AID ASSOCIATION
The work of the Hospital Aid Association during the war was confined to helping the hospital. The Emergency Hospital was in charge of the Motor Corps of the Red Cross. Mrs. George Talbot was Captain of the motor corps. Dr. Talbot offered his house on Walnut Street at this time for the use of the Newton Branch of the Red Cross.
THE NEWTON WELFARE BUREAU
The Newton Welfare Bureau during the War carried on work for men in the service and their families under the Public Safety Committee. Miss Margaret E. Rich, General Secretary, served as Secretary of the Food Conservation Committee. She also went to France under the auspices of the Red Cross.
NEWTON FRENCH RELIEF
In August, 1914, at the suggestion of Mrs. Frank Edwards, a group of women were called together at Grace Church, Newton, to consider doing something to help the Belgian refugees. This work continued through the winter of 1914-1915.
In the fall of 1915, a meeting was called to form an association to work for the relief of the wounded soldiers in the hospitals of France. The organization was called the Newton French Relief Association. From October 1915 to June 1916, this organization met every Thursday morning in Grace Church.
At first, the shipping was made directly to individual hospitals, but later, supplies were shipped to Mrs. Blair Fairchild, a Boston woman living in Paris who gave her entire time looking after the needs of the small hospitals.
Resuming in October, 1916, the association met continuously every Thursday until July 1918, when Tuesday meetings were also instituted. These meetings continued until the fall of 1918 when the workrooms were closed during the influenza epidemic. Their organization still has money in the treasury to be used in time of need.
A slight idea of the amount accomplished by this group of women may be gleaned from a few items from their records. During the year, 1915-1916, 35 cases and sacks were sent across. In 1917-1918, the total number of articles reached 114,666. From August 1918 to January 1, 1919, 52,308 surgical dressings were made, and from that time to April 1st, the entire output was 841 articles, including children's gowns, baby jackets, bootees, women's nightgowns, knitted sweaters, socks, stockings and the like.
In the winter of 1918 owing to the difficulty of getting things shipped the Newton French Relief decided to become a branch of the American Fund for the French Wounded, and thereafter their output went through that auspices. Owing to the coal shortage as a conservation measure the work rooms were moved from Grace Church to the Y. M. C. A. Building where the other organizations were also meeting.
The work was financed through generous contribu- tions from interested individuals and from an occasional lecture or talk by someone from overseas. The society expended from October 1917 to May 1920 $5324.92, and raised as its contribution for Newton
beds in the American Hospital at Rheims more than $4,000.
NEWTON IN THE INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC
No account of the work of the women of Newton during the war would be complete without an account of the splendid part played by them during the in- fluenza epidemic of the war (1918).
Under the able management of a committee com- posed of Mrs. Henry H. Kendall, Mrs. George M. Angier, Mrs. Morton E. Cobb, and Mr. James G. White, the Woodland Park Hotel in Auburndale was turned, within 48 hours, into a place of refuge for those afflicted with the disease.
Mrs. Ellery Peabody of West Newton was in charge of the linen, Mrs. Wilson of Newtonville was in charge of the hospital. The Newton Hospital sent surgical equipment. Many of the nurses were volunteers. Linen was collected from all parts of Newton, the response to the need being immediate and most generous.
The Newton constabulary kept guard on the grounds. Many citizens gave the use of their automobiles, and came themselves to do what they could.
Never has a city responded so loyally to a need within its gates. All honor to the noble men and women who gave of their money, their goods, and themselves in the hour of need.
THE AUXILIARY OF THE 101st REGIMENT
The auxiliary of the 101st Regiment, U. S. Field Artillery, was one of the active organizations during the war. Special relief work was done at the mobiliza- tion camp at Boxford, Mass. from July until September 1917.
Intense interest was shown when the men were in France, and many hundreds of dollars contributed by Newton people for the men. Christmas, 1917, a special Christmas box was sent by the auxiliary to the men. Knitting and other needs of the regiment were constantly met.
The 101st regiment went to France in 1917 and remained during the winters of 1918-1919. Everything possible for their comfort was sent over to them. Many members of the auxiliary also went overseas. Among those whom the auxiliary remembers with special gratitude was Mrs. John Lowell of Chestnut Hill for whom no tribute is too high.
In the loan parade of the Fall of 1917, many Newton women marched under the banner of the auxiliary behind a float from Newton. Children of the men at the front also marched with the slogan, "Help Our Fathers at the Front."
When the men returned home in 1919, a formal reception was given them by the Newton people, the committee in charge being appointed by Mayor Childs. Mrs. Lillian Stuart Clancy represented the auxiliary on that occasion.
SPECIAL AID SOCIETY OF NEWTON
One of the eighty-five branches of the Special Aid Society was formed in Newton immediately on the entrance of the United States into the war. Although the formal organization did not take place until May
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30, 1917. active work was begun early in April, when at a week's notice 25 each of sweaters, socks and comfort bags were made and turned over to the Newton Public Safety Committee for the use of Company C, 5th Regiment. During the months of April and May over 1400 articles were made and delivered, most of them for the enlisted men of the Navy, and for the Naval and Marine hospitals at Chelsea. The Newton Branch continued its activities for three years, until April 29. 1920.
The officers were: President, Mrs. H. H. Powers; Secretary, Mrs. George Owen, Treasurer, Miss Maud B. Henry.
Mrs. Powers was succeeded by Mrs. Sterling Elliott, followed in 1919-20 by Miss Georgia H. Emery, who carried the responsibility of all the society's activities for the last six months of its existence. Mrs. Owen was succeeded by Miss Miriam Drury.
The Committee Chairmen were : Finance, Mrs. F. E. Stanley; Publicity, Mrs. L. D. Gibbs; Work, Mrs. Edward M. Moore; Canteen, Mrs. Frederick White ; Hospitality, Mrs. William E. Jones.
The Directors were: Mrs. Samuel W. Bridges, Mrs. Harry E, Damon, Mrs. Frank A. Day, Mrs. L. S. Drake, Mrs. C. S. Ensign, Mrs. Frederick J. Fawcett, Mrs. Alfred W. Fuller, Mrs. Welles Holmes, Miss Elsie Horsfall, Miss Martha Lathe, Mrs. Henry A. Nealley, Miss Mabel Riley, Mrs. Franklin E. Smith, Mrs. Vernon B. Swett.
The total amount disbursed by the Society, from April 7, 1917 until the books were closed June 6, 1921 was $20672.57,-$10196.07 to Armistice Day, Nov. 11, 1918, and the balance in post-war activities. A sub- stantial part of this sum was raised by the Finance Committee, some came from entertainments, sale of wool and so forth, but, especially during the first weeks financing the work was made possible by the generosity of one or two devoted members of the board of directors.
The Society sponsored two entertainments and dances given by a group of naval reserves from Bumpkin Island. Through its interest in Lt., After- ward Commander Bruce R. Ware, the Society "adopted" the crew of the transport, Agamemnon, sending them special knitted articles, and establishing personal correspondence with many members of the crew. For Christmas, 1917, Mrs. Day packed and sent from her house a box of 500 Christmas gifts contributed by members of the Society for the deck force of the ship, and a box of "smokes" for the men below decks. Another box was sent in 1918. In the Spring of 1919 when the "Aggy" put into Boston a supper was given for the men at Channing Church, followed by a dance at the Hunnewell Club.
The Canteen Committee, at the ten-day Food Conservation Exposition in Horticultural Hall, April, 1918, handled the luncheon for one of the days, receiving special commendation for its excellent and economical menu. It conducted demonstration classes at Stearns School Centre, held a "Food Facts Centre" at Newton Corner, distributing recipes and giving demonstrations, conducted two demonstration lectures, at the Hunnewell Club and at the Y. M. C. A., put up and sold a large quantity of canned goods in the Summer of 1918, and gave substantial aid to the Public Safety Committee during the influenza epidemic of the following Fall.
The Work Committee met daily. Until February
1918, the meetings were held in Channing Church parlors, when with the other war relief organizations of the village it moved to the Y. M. C. A. Building. This committee made and distributed 25000 articles during the three years, serving, besides Special Aid Headquarters and local societies, the Navy League, the Red Cross, the Woman's Seaman's Friend Society, the American Fund for French Wounded, the Ameri- can Committee for Devastated France, the Coast Artil- lery Auxiliary, the Italian War Relief, and Serbian and Polish Relief, as well as many individual cases. In 1919-20 it contributed second hand clothing and bolts of new material to European relief organizations. It planned and wrote directions for a special "Aviator's Outfit" which was widely distributed through Special Aid Headquarters. It also designed and printed directions for a gauntlet glove, used in the Navy. A list of the women who gave untiring and cheerful service to this branch of the work would be quite too long for the scope of this report, but their whole- souled devotion made one of the bright spots of those strained and anxious years.
THE WOMEN ASSOCIATES OF NEWTON HIGHLANDS
The Women Associates of Newton Highlands was organized in April 1917 at Trinity Church, Newton Centre. It was financed by a Committee of Safety.
Mrs. Morton E. Cobb was the first chairman of the organization. The association met at the Sacred Heart Club House until August, 1917. Members of the Oak Hill District as well as those from Newton Centre and Newton Highlands belonged to the organization.
Sewing, surgical dressings, etc. was done for the Metropolitan Chapter of the Red Cross, and for the Committee of Public Safety.
Just before the Armistice, a committee had collected in money and pledges $10,000 for the work of the association for the next year.
A very large amount of sewing, knitting, and surgical dressings was made by the society, and after the Armistice, much was done for the refugees. The spirit and devotion of the whole village was remarkable. In all of the activities, lawn festivals, dances concerts, and lectures for raising money, the men of the community cooperated most heartily.
Members of this association who served overseas during the war were Miss Dorothy F. Turnbull and Miss E. Gertrude Melick. Those who served at Camp Devens were Miss Honora M. Hurley, Miss Hughjean McAfee, Miss Susan W. Hills, and Miss Marion D. Hills.
In February, 1919 the association joined the local Red Cross and worked through them.
THE NEWTONVILLE SPECIAL AID ASSOCIATION
The Newtonville Special Aid Society was at first called the "Special Aid Society," then the Red Cross Special Aid," and finally, the "Red Cross Branch of the Special Aid Society." The Red Cross and the Special Aid finances were, however, kept separately.
Before April 7, 1917, the work was done by churches, individuals, and in one case, through a social club which became a hard-working club.
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The work of the organization included sewing, surgical dressings, entertaining of soldiers and sailors, all done in a wholehearted way.
Among the various objects to which the organization contributed were layettes for French babies, Near East Relief, Tuberculosis Stamps, and the American Hospital at Rheims.
From April 7, 1917 to Nov. 11, 1918, over $18,000 passed through the society's hands. In January, 1918, a canvass for funds was made in Newtonville, and the response was so generous that $1,350 was put at the disposal of the society monthly.
Responsibility rested upon Mrs. Wallace C. Boyden, Miss Anna J. McDonald, Mrs. W. H. Lucas, Mrs. William H. Allen, Mrs. James L. Richards, Mrs. George Malcolm, and Mrs. Henry V. Jones.
Many of the society's members were actively engaged in war work overseas. Among these were Miss Louise R. Sherman, Miss Margaret McGill, Miss Cornelia Taylor, Miss Margaret Rich, and Miss Sophia Smith.
On this side, the following members were actively engaged in war work. Mrs. George H. Wilkins, Miss Carrie Williams, Miss Kathleen Jones, Miss Alice Boyden, and Miss Isabella W. Puffer.
AUBURNDALE BRANCH OF THE AMERICAN FUND FOR FRENCH WOUNDED
The Auburndale Branch of the American Fund for French Wounded was started in Auburndale in 1916 by Miss Florence E. Tower, and Miss Mabel T. Eager.
This organization worked on surgical supplies and hospital garments. The society was financed by private contributions until the War Relief Fund was started, when the organization was practically financed by the Community Fund raised in Auburndale. A Buick automobile was also sent to France to aid in the dis- tributing of supplies.
The different branches of the American Fund for French Wounded in the Newtons raised $14,500 to endow two beds and furnish a room in the American Memorial Hospital for children at Rheims.
The interest in this hospital has continued since the war, members contributing to it every year since the war closed.
LUCY JACKSON CHAPTER OF THE D. A. R.
The Lucy Jackson Chapter of the D. A. R. was exceedingly active during the period of the war in knitting articles for the soldiers. All members worked with the local Red Cross, with the churches, the American Fund for French Wounded, the Special Aid Society, the Navy League and the Christian Science Relief work. Three members of this society, Miss Isa- belle W. Puffer, Miss Ada H. Whitmore, and Miss Evelyn Carter were actively engaged in war work, the first two in occupational therapy, and the third in connection with the commission for the blind.
SARAH HULL CHAPTER OF THE D. R.
Members of the Sarah Hull Chapter of the D. R. contributed generously to the State D. R., the Red Cross, the French Relief, and Special Aid Societies, sewing for the latter organization regularly.
Miss Anna Whiting, a charter member, opened her
home for Red Cross work. Much knitting was done for the "boys" and kit bags etc. fitted out.
The organization has always made the hospitals around Boston viz: the West Roxbury Hospital, the East Norfolk Hospital, and the Franklin Hospital, their special care, supplying these hospitals with books and magazines, food etc., and visiting them in person. Nor did this work end with the war.
WEST NEWTON W. C. T. U.
Members of the West Newton W. C. T. U. during the war made surgical dressings and entertained sailors and gave many contributions largely through the Red Cross and local women's clubs.
MOTHERS' REST ASSOCIATION
Among the many organizations which contributed to the welfare of the soldiers and sailors during the war, was the Mothers' Rest Association which gave two weeks' rest free of expense to many wives and children of soldiers. Many soldiers' families were also enter- tained at the home.
THE WOMAN'S AUXILIARY OF THE NEWTON Y. M. C. A.
The Woman's Auxiliary of the Newton Y. M. C. A. during the war gave generously to the War Relief Fund, and did knitting for the soldiers at Camp Devens. Many of the members were among those who enter- tained at the "Hostess House" for soldiers quartered on Claflin field, and in the Newton Club House which was given by the club for the occasion. Fifty hostesses from the different Newtons entertained. Many friends of soldiers came and were very grateful for the hospitality.
Many of the members of the Woman's Auxiliary worked with the Special Aid Society, the French Relief, and the local Red Cross.
After the war work was moved into the Y. M. C. A. building all activities were carried on there.
THE NEWTON CIRCLE
The Newton Circle gave entertainments and dances for the boys during the war, and helped with the street patrol, as well as helping to shelter many unmarried mothers.
WOMEN IN THE WORLD WAR War Record of Individuals
Ansley, Mrs. Charles D. ( Margaret Seely) Auburn- dale. Served overseas as a nurse with the Auburndale Woman's Club members under Dr. Balch.
Barton, Maude, Newton Centre. Served as a Red Cross Nurse.
Boyden, Alice, Newtonville. Served in the Marine Hospital at Staten Island, N. Y.
Carter, Evelyn, West Newton. Served in connection with the Commission for the Blind in Baltimore and other places.
Chapin, Helen, Newton Centre. A Lieutenant in the Girl Scout Troop in Newton Centre, served as a Reconstruction Aid during the War, and organized the War Work League of Kalamazoo, Michigan.
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Childs, Carol, Newton. In charge of an orphanage in Serbia during the war.
Clarke, Carolyn, Newton. In hospital service during the War.
Chamberlin, Mrs. H. P., Newton. Served at Camp Merritt, New Jersey, during the war.
Cotton, Mrs. Chester L., Newton. Served in the United Canteen Work in Boston.
Cunningham, Agnes, Auburndale. Served as a nurse overseas.
Cunningham, Dorothy, Newton. Served with Hospital Unit No. 5.
Cunningham, Evelyn, Newton. Capt. in the Newton Girl Scouts, served overseas as a Reconstruction Aid. Was attached to Hospital Unit No. 65.
Draper, Lillian, Auburndale. Secretary to Col. Cutcheon in France during the war.
Dennett, Anne, Auburndale. Engaged in hospital work at Camp Devens.
Eddy, Bertha, West Newton. Served overseas with the Y. M. C. A.
Emmons, Dorothy, Newton. Served in Reconstruc- tion Work at Mattapan following the war.
Hall, Lena, Newtonville. Assisted in hostess work at Camp Devens.
Herron, Caroline, Auburndale. Served in Recon- struction work following the war.
Hills, Susan, Newton Highlands. Served at Camp Devens.
Hills, Marion, Newton Highlands. Served at Camp Devens.
Hurley. Honora M., Newton Highlands. Served at Camp Devens and also overseas.
Holmes, Katherine, Newton. Served during the War at Base Hospital No. 50.
Holmes, Gertrude, Newton. Served with the Bureau of Refugees, France.
Jordan, Edith, Newton. A nurse overseas.
Johnson, Adele Fairbrother, of West Newton. Sent under the Red Cross to Hospital Holtzman, Lyons,
France, for work with refugees and children of France. Was there from July 1918-January 1919.
McGill, Margaret, Newtonville. Headed an Inter- national Unit of Ten College Women sent out by Mt. Holyoke College to England and France. Was in charge of the hostess house at Luxemburg, with the 33d Division.
Melick, E. Gertrude, Newton Highlands. Served as a nurse overseas.
McKeil, Theodora, Newton. A Red Cross Nurse during the War.
Munro, Annette, Newton. A Red Cross Nurse, Served at Camp Devens and in France, Poland and Armenia.
Norman, Irene, West Newton. Served overseas with Dr. Greenwood's Unit. Was at a hospital at Vichy for a year.
Noyes, Mabel, Newton Centre. A Red Cross Nurse. Otis, Isabel, West Newton. With the Y. M. C. A. Unit overseas.
Parker, Virginia, Newton Centre. Served in Paris with the American Fund for French Wounded.
Puffer, Isabelle, Newtonville. Engaged in Occupa- tional Therapy in Washington, D. C.
Rae, Edith ( Mrs. F. P. Lowry), Newton. Engaged in canteen work among the merchant marines.
Sherman, Louise, Newtonville. In charge of an orphanage in Syria under the Near East Relief Feb. 1919-July 1920.
Springer, Mildred, Newton. A Red Cross Nurse. Wheeler, Esther, Newtonville. A Yeoman in Boston.
Weeks, Dorothy, Auburndale. A Red Cross nurse.
Weldon. Minnie, Newton. In Y. M. C. A. work.
Wilkins, ( Mrs. George), Newtonville. A Hostess at Camp Devens.
Wing, Alice E, West Newton. In Canteen work in France under the Y. M. C. A. at Perigereaux and Bordeaux. Later opened a canteen at Coblentz. Re- turned to the United States in 1919. Died August 11, 1920.
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WORK OF THE CHURCHES OF NEWTON
The city of Newton has long been famous for its churches, of which there are forty-two in the eight villages, representing all denominations, both Protest- ant and Catholic.
The women of these churches took prominent parts in and through the various organizations of the city. None of the churches were organized for war work as churches.
Among the organizations within the churches from which reports of the war work of the women have been received are the following :
The Stebbins Alliance of the Unitarian Church, Nezeton Centre
Members of this association worked with (1) The Newton South Allies, (2) Women Associates, (3) Red Cross.
Oak Hill Union Evangelical Church
The Woman's Aid Society of this church worked with the Red Cross. They met once a week to knit for the soldiers, also taking work home. Through Mrs. Robert Gould Shaw 2d, whist parties, food sales, pageants, and other entertainments brought in sums of money which were devoted to the war.
First Baptist Church, Newton Centre
The Woman's Union of the First Baptist Church, Newton Centre, was one of the organizations whose members did much of real service during the war. This was done, however, as individuals, not as an organization.
One member of this organization was the chief organizer and president of the Newton South Allies Relief Association, an organization which did splendid work all through the war period. Many members also worked through the local Red Cross, of which one member was a director.
Miss Anna Young, a member of the Woman's Union of the First Baptist Church, was a member of the Wellesley College Unit for Social Service which served overseas, and Miss Carolyn Spence, another member, was a reconstruction aid in the government hospital at Colonia, New Jersey.
The First Church (Newton Centre) Congregational
Members of the Woman's Benevolent Society of this church worked for the war through (1) The Newton South Allies, (2) local Red Cross.
The following from this church did special war work :
Miss Maude Barton-Red Cross Nursing and Relief Work.
Miss Mabel Noyes-Red Cross Nursing and Relief Work.
Miss Helen Chapin-Originated the Patriotic War Work at Kalamazoo, Michigan, and was, later, with the U. S. Army Medical Corps.
Miss Marjorie Taylor-Engaged in occupational ther- apy among the sailors in the Boston hospitals, and from November 13, 1918-June, 1921, with the U. S. Army Medical Corps.
Church of the Good Shepherd, Waban
During the World War, the Women's Guild of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Waban, held many meetings for war work, and cooperated with the Waban Woman's Club and with Union Church (Wa- ban). As a result many garments, sponges, rollers, pads, surgical dressings etc., were made, also comfort bags for Company C of Newton. Various sums of money were given to the Red Cross and other relief organizations.
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