LADIES THINK OF THE SICK - St Paul Globe, May 3 1898
LADIES THINK OF THE SICK LEARNED THAT CAMP HOSPITAL LACKED EQUIPMENT
Member of the Distaff Chapter, D. A. R., and Other visit the Grounds and Secure a List of the Articles Needed Some of the Necessary Things Are at Once Provided. Others Will Follow.
It is one thing to hear a rumor and another thing to chase it up. The women of St. Paul were told Sunday that the soldiers at Ramsey camp were not as well cared for as might be. Yesterday morning an investigation was Instituted with a view to making the Minnesota soldier boys as comfortable as possible. "The majority of St. Paul women, or rather the mother-hearted women of the city," said one of the ladies, "are not In sympathy with the old maid, un-motherly sentiment that the soldiers should get used to hardships, for they will endure worse while in the field.' The only comment that mothers have to make on such sentiment is 'for shame!' "While the boys are out there at camp," said another, "sore throats, chills and insufficient hospital appliances are not calculated to prepare them for the hardships of the southern climate. It is a by-gone doctrine that teaches undue and unnecessary taxing as a preparation for Warships." So in spite of the frequent statements that "even if the boys were not wholly comfortable it would be good training for them," a few ladles, representatives of the Distaff chapter, D. A. R., and others, inquired Into the matter. Members of the hospital staff received the inquiries cordially and with evident appreciation. While uttering no complaint or criticism upon any one, they named frankly the things that were needed to make the soldiers comfortable.
Following is the list of articles needed in the hospital: Lamps, oil stoves, pillowcases, cot-bed sheets, hand tow- els, dish towels, old flannel, a few hospital dishes, plain heavy glasses, chairs, two mops, a big dishpan, two slop pails and a bed pan. Pieces of carpet would also be serviceable to put beside the cots for the sick men to step on, instead of the cold floor. Old cotton and soft linen can be used ln large quantities. "That the ladles are kindly disposed and more than willing to do," said a member of the staff to a visitor, "is shown by the flowers sent to the boys Sunday." But here was a long list of things that were needed, and the ladies look- ed over it to see what should be sent immediately. As a result of the Inspection, by 7 o'clock last night large bundles were on the way to Camp Ramsey. Sheets, comfortables, quantities of soft flannel, linen, a big lamp and a pail of broth for the sickest men made up the cargo.
These things were collected by members of the -"Distaff chapter, from the women who could be easily reached and quickly moved. With the bundles went the message that more would today. A follow courtly "thank you" was the answer, with the statement: "These things and what you send tomorrow we can use to good advantage and more, too." There will be a meeting of the ladies who visited the hospital yesterday and others this morning at the Young Woman's Friendly association rooms to make further arrangements. If any other women wish to contribute to the comfort of the Minnesota boys, an inquiry at the Young Woman's Friendly rooms between 10 and 11:30 o'clock, or at the office of the women's department of the Globe would prevent an unnecessary duplication, and expedite matters considerably.
Some of these things will doubtless come through official sources, but they are not there now, and the women can put them there within a few hours, if they will but work. Then there are other things do which only women know how to put men in comfortable surroundings, are these things they can be relied upon to do.
The prevailing opinion among the women of St. Paul seems to be that in common Christianity all possible speed should be made In freeing Cuba from Spanish rule, and all the needed a.d possible carried to the people of that country.
Women with sons old enough to fight brush away the tears which will come and say: "Thy will be done." And one little woman was heard to say last week, "would that I had a dozen sons to send.
Among the nurses of the city, the feeing is strong that, shall the call come, they are ready, even though they meet failure through the severity of the climate.
"It is glorious," said Mrs. Russell R. Dorr yesterday in.regard to the victory of the American fleet, and Mrs David Colville echoed this sentiment last evening, saying: "It is fine," and asked for the very latest war news The sentiment cf the Schubert club as a whole has been very practically demonstrated by the generous offer of the proceeds of the Hofmann concert to the German- American Red Cross society.
Source: Chronicling America, Library of Congress