USA > Missouri > Clay County > History of Clay County, Missouri > Part 21
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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 this 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. Henry C. Harper. 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 service before all other con- sideration received the certificate which in recognition of loyal service to the nation through the Red Cross is awarded to persons serving through
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
periods of six, twelve and eighteen months. Each period of six months must have eight hundred hours actual work. Likewise each eight hun- dred hours work must carry with it six months service. The names and awards of Clay County workers are as follows:
Eighteen months' service, 2,400 hours, badge with ribbon bearing two white stripes-Mrs. Henry C. Harper.
Twelve months' service, 1,600 hours, badge with ribbon bearing one white stripe-
Mrs. Dudley VanDyke.
lirs. J. L. Thompson.
Mrs. Taylor Thorp.
Urs. Harry Maltby.
Miss Kate Breckenridge.
Mrs. Inez G. Brand.
Miss Rose Breckenridge.
Miss Sallie Myall.
Miss Bess Sparks.
V:s. B. F. Billings.
Miss Gertrude Sparks.
Mrs. A. M. Tutt.
Miss Ethel Sparks
Six months' service, 800 hours, badge bearing plain blue ribbon-
Mrs. A. E. Morrow.
Mrs. V. B. Stone.
Mrs. J. M. Sandusky.
Mrs. W. T. Belt.
Mrs. H. G. Parker.
Mrs. Emmons.
Mrs. W. H. Woodson.
Mrs. Harriet Jones.
Miss Lounette Denny.
Mrs. J. Q. Craven.
Miss Anna Simrall.
Mrs. I. J. Edmonston.
Mrs. E. B. Maltby.
Vys. Harriett Read.
Dr. W. O. Lewis.
Mrs. S. B. Cole.
Mrs. Mary Waring.
Mirs. Fred Davis.
Mrs. Kate McCrory.
Mrs. O. I. Steele.
Mrs. J. T. Duncan.
Mrs. C. S. Wilcox.
Mrs. Ralph Davidson.
Viss Fay Steele.
Mrs. Henry Haynes.
Mrs. Sarah Clevenger.
Miss Minnie Haynes.
Mrs. W. W. Breckenridge.
Mr. R. A. Davidson.
Mrs. Glen Lewis.
Mrs. E. H. Wear.
Mrs. J. C. Shelton.
Mrs. Don Shelton.
Six months' service but less than 800 hours, badge bearing khaki ribbon-Mrs. J. C. Anderson, 700 hours.
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
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 is 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 times, especially in packing and shipping. To Mr. Harry Boggess, Mr. Joe Winston, Mr. Elihu Park and many others who were ever ready 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 ex- pecting 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 sup- port 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 time 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, all 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 sewing machine by the men."
The women of the Production Department are justly proud of their
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
record, and of the fact that they are a part of the loyal army of Amer- ican women that proved a factor in the winning of the war, and in re- lieving 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.
Canteen Work.
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.
The Canteen department was organized with Miss Ethel Sparks as chairman and the following members:
Mrs. Harry Maltby.
Miss Ann R. Clark.
Mrs. Eunice McCartney.
Miss Nellie Ruth Field.
Mrs. Aileen Benjamine.
Mr. Pascal Parker.
Mrs. Jerome Alexander.
Miss Bess Sparks.
Miss Gertrude Sparks.
Mrs. Stanton Field.
All with enthusiasm and patriotism were eager to be of service 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 hos- pital 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.
At three different times the drafted men, in leaving were served supper-about three hundred in all. On the first occasion the supper
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
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 sup- plied with cigarettes, cigars and lunches.
While the Clay County Chapter realizes that very little service was rendered by the Canteen Department, it was only from lack of oppor- tunity and not of spirit.
ETHEL SPARKS.
Home Service Section.
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 Amer- ican Red Cross was organized in October, 1917, with Dr. E. H. Suther- land, 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:
E. H. Sutherland, Liberty, Chairman.
Mrs. E. H. Sutherland, Liberty, Executive Secretary.
Mrs. W. E. Templeton, Excelsior Springs, Representative.
Mrs. Walter Hulen, Holt, Representative.
Mr. Golf Logan, Kearney, Representative.
Miss Mattie Snail, Smithville, Representative. Mrs. Eliza Hey, Linden, Representative.
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Mr. Charles Lewis, Paradise, Representative.
Mrs. Griffith, Nashua, Representative.
Miss Sophia Schroeder, North Kansas City, Representative.
Miss Gertrude Writesman, Missouri City, Representative.
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 neces- sary other than the friendliness and neighborliness of their fellow- citizens. 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 furnish- ing to the constituent the information with which it was kept constantly supplied from headquarters regarding laws and provisions of the gov- ernment for assistance to the dependents of soldiers and sailors. 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 Service 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 secur- ing furloughs and in the extension of furloughs, mostly in cases of sick- ness and death of relatives.
Other forms of service given were assistance in securing vocational training for wounded soldiers, securing employment for returned soldiers and financial aid for stranded soldiers. To the relatives of several of the nineteen men from this county who died in service 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-
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
itures of the Section during its history are as follows: Loans $70.26, gifts $10.00, general expenses $53.37.
An office was established in the Citizens' Bank Building, and the Executive Secretary maintained office hours there two afternoons a week.
In June, 1919, Mrs. T. J. Rogers, became acting secretary, during the absence of Mrs. E H. Sutherland for the summer.
The question has been raised regarding the future of Home Service work in this and other counties. In some places it has seemed desir- able 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 wel- fare 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 purpose in this county.
MRS. E. H. SUTHERLAND.
Names of Doctors from Clay County with Army and Navy.
Dr. G. P. Alton, Barry, Missouri.
Dr. J. E. Baird, Excelsior Springs, Missouri.
Dr. Jno. F. Grace, Excelsior Springs, Missouri.
Dr. Tom A. Grace, Excelsior Springs, Missouri.
Dr. J. E. Musgrave, Excelsior Springs, Missouri.
Dr. O. C. Okell, Excelsior Springs, Missouri.
Dr. R. W. Prather, Excelsior Springs, Missouri.
Dr. William Earl Wallace, Excelsior Springs, Missouri.
Dr. Neal Dow Williams, Excelsior Springs, Missouri.
Dr. Y. D. Craven, Excelsior Springs, Missouri.
Dr. A. A. Kirkham, Excelsior Springs, Missouri.
Dr. Howard Lienhardt, North Kansas City, Missouri.
Dr. Sterling Price Stowers, North Kansas City, Missouri.
Dr. George R. Dagg, North Kansas City, Missouri.
Dr. Burton Maltby, Liberty, Missouri. Dr. Roy Heap Milligan, Kearney, Missouri.
Dr. George R. Mccullough, Excelsior Springs, Missouri.
Dr. E. C. Hill, Smithville, Missouri.
Dr. H. A. Calvert, Smithville, Missouri.
Miss Lutie Ecton, Smithville, Missouri (Red Cross nurse).
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Dentists.
Dr. W. R. Hardin, Liberty, Missouri. Dr. Uel Cobb, Liberty, Missouri.
Dr. R. S. Tully, Liberty, Missouri.
Veterinaries.
Dr. J. P. Clark, Randolph, Missouri. Dr. Elmer Johnston, Excelsior Springs, Missouri.
Student Doctors.
Brewer Pocter, Liberty, Missouri. Sam McCracken, Smithville, Missouri. W. W. Billings, Liberty, Missouri.
Nursing Department.
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. O. Lewis, left for camp. this department was established and Mrs. Mary L. Davis appointed to act as chairman.
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 chair- man completed the personnel of the Nursing Service and Educational Committee.
Their names are as follows:
Miss Vertie Hulett, Excelsior Springs, Missouri.
Mrs. Matt Winn. Kearney and Holt, Missouri.
Mrs. Maud Mosby, Linden, Missouri. Miss Kate Sexton, Missouri City, Missouri.
Miss Nina Vance, Nashua, Missouri.
Miss Grace Irminger, Paradise, Missouri
Miss Julia Hill, Smithville, Missouri.
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
During the month of August, 1918, a nursing drive was initiated. This was carried 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 question- naires. This survey came after the Armistice was signed and when most people felt that the war was virtually over, or it would have re- sulted in more names being sent in.
Since then two more cards have been sent us belonging to nurses residing in the county.
Several of the above nurses have been requested to take the work of instructing classes in Home Nursing but so far none have been will- ing 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 inter- fered. Dr. W. H. Goodson, the instructor of this class will finish giving the course soon.
As First Aid has lately been made a department within 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 Ist following her visit and explained further about the new plans that were being made.
Several new names were added to the Nursing Committee represent- ing the various departments of civic and social life of the county.
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.
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Junior Red Cross Work in Clay County.
The Junior Red Cross work in Clay County was started in the sum- mer 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 enrolled as Junior Auxiliaries. The response was highly gratifying and by the close of the year practically every school in the county was a Junior Auxiliary and nearly every 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 member- ship, paying the regular fee of $1.00. Various plans were used in rais- ing 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 Chap- ter 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.
The Treasurer's report shows the following membership summary:
Number of school children (white and colored) in
chapter jurisdiction 4,670
Number of Junior members 3,750
Number of Junior auxiliaries 69
During the present year all schools are being urged to renew their membership by raising one-fourth as many dollars as they have children enrolled. Sixty per cent of this money will be sent to the National
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
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 includ- ing 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 lay- ettes, arm slings, refugee garments, sweaters, socks, hospital quilts, pil- lows, 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 it makes it im- possible 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.
Name of Auxiliary and Branch. Prathersville Auxiliary
No. and Name of Articles Made. Raised $110.26.
30 refugee garments. 180 triangular bandages.
48 sweaters. 22 pairs of sox.
Holt Branch Made refugee garments.
3 hospital quilts.
North Kansas City Branch
Knit wash rags; made pillows.
Kearney Branch
Paradise Branch
Refugee sewing; sold salvage; col- lected used clothing for refugees. Gave entertainments to raise money for Seniors. Did refuge sewing.
Linden Branch
Pleasant Valley Auxiliary
Sewing and snipping; 1 quilt, shot bags, gun wipes and pillows.
Woods School
2,000 gun wipes, 6 pillows, 1 quilt, 1 rug.
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Nashua Branch
Liberty Branch
Excelsior Springs
16 pillows, rugs and gun wipes. Boys made shipping boxes. Surgical dressing classes organized. Large numbers of shot bags, gun wipes, comfort kits, infant lay- ettes, armslings.
Collected refugee clothing, nut shells. Girls worked at Red Cross rooms on Saturdays and after school.
Boys made shipping boxes. 300 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 French 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 Mod- ern 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 prac- tical form of hygiene instruction and will materially raise the sanitary and health conditions in the homes and schools of the county.
G. W. DEIMER.
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
309
Report of the Negro Auxiliary of Liberty.
.
Liberty organized an auxiliary among the negroes of Liberty about December 15, 1918, with a membership of seventeen and Mrs. Lena Thompson, chairman. Their work in the Production Department was exceptionally good. They contributed $100.00 in one of the Red Cross drives.
Names of Members.
Marion Pearley
Mattie Cathey
Minnie Beauchamp
Frances Alexander
Vina Taylor
Pauline Allen
Bell Walker
Scottie Thather
Janie Davis
Bessie Dale
Laura Robinson
Marie Parker
Martha Robinson
Lena Thompson, President
Mary Dudley
Delcia M. Gay, Secretary
Lucy B. Capps
CHAPTER XXVIII
SOME CLAY COUNTY AND MISSOURI EVENTS.
SOME DATES OF DISCOVERY, SETTLEMENT AND PROGRESS OF MISSOURI AND ANNALS OF CLAY COUNTY, MISSOURI.
1755.
The first settlement of whites in Missouri is made at Ste. Genevieve.
1764.
Laclede and his companions establish a trading post at St. Louis.
1798.
Population of St. Louis, 925.
1800.
Indian traders have headquarters at Roubidoux (St. Joseph) and at Randolph Bluffs, just above where the C. M. & St. P. R. R. crosses the Missouri River, in Clay County.
1803.
Louisiana ceded to the United States, by Napoleon Bonaparte, for $15,000,000; formal delivery of possession, December 20, 1803.
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
1804.
Jurisdiction surrendered at St. Louis.
March 26-Congress divides the new territory into two parts. The northern department is called the District of Louisiana, and is attached to Indiana, of which Gen. H. Harrison is governor.
May 14-Lewis and Clark, with twenty-eight men, start from their camp opposite the mouth of the Missouri, on their expedition to the Pacific. On their return, they reach St. Louis, September 23, 1806.
1805.
By act of Congress, the District of Louisiana becomes the Territory of Louisiana, and Gen. James Wilkerson is appointed the first governor.
1807.
Merriwether Lewis is governor of the Territory of Louisiana.
1808.
The Missouri Fur Company is organized in St. Louis by the Chouteaus Y and others
1809.
The Missouri Gazette issued at St. Louis by Joseph Charless, and a copy of this newspaper of 1812 date, was sent to the Missouri Historical Society, St. Louis, from Liberty, in the spring of 1920.
1810.
Benjamin Howard, governor of Missouri.
The United States census shows the population of the Territory of Missouri, 20,845.
1812.
June 4-Congress changes the name of the Territory of Louisiana to the Territory of Missouri, the change to take effect December 7, 1812.
1813.
William Clark, governor of Missouri.
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
1819.
The Steamers Expedition, Captain Craig, Jefferson, Captain Offut and the R. M. Johnson, Captain Colfax, with nine keelboats, left St. Louis, June 21st on the long, arduous and perilous voyage to the mouth of the Yellowstone to ascertain the practicability of navigating the Missouri. Accompanying the voyagers was part of the 5th United States Infantry, under the command of Colonel Chambers. The Jefferson sank at Cote- Sans-des- Sans. Captain Martin in 1818, camped for the winter on Cow Island, with three companies of United States Riflemen. This island is about ten miles above Leavenworth. John C. McCoy, late of Kansas City, in a paper entitled "Survey of Kansas Indian Lands", read January 15, 1889, before the Kansas Historical Society, and printed in the fourth volume of "Kansas Historical Collections", page 303, writes: "Captain Martin, in 1818, camped for the winter with three companies of United States Riflemen on Cow Island, ten miles above Leavenworth, and during the winter killed between two and three thousand deer, besides great numbers of bear, turkeys, etc."
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