BURT COUNTY CHAPTER - AMERICAN RED CROSS

EVERY patriotic citizen of Burt county feels a just pride in the record made by the Burt County Chapter, (this includes all the auxiliary organizations) it won the honorable distinction of being the banner county in the banner state in the United States, in membership record, in proportion to population, and were publically presented with a silk flag by F. W. Judson, state chairman for Nebraska. Mrs. E. C. Houston received the prize banner as chairman of the Burt County Chapter. She has it in a glass case in the Red Cross rooms in the court house, to be preserved as a souvenir of the honor won. Much credit is due Mrs. E. C. Houston and Mrs. George McGuire, president and secretary of the Burt County Chapter, for the wonderful record made. Inquiries came from all sources within and outside the state, as to "how they did it." The answer is, superior organizing ability in perfecting faultless team work in all parts of their county, they rode over 2,000 miles in their campaign to organize every town and school district. The spirit of 1776 was kindled in this county as overnight. Factions, nationalities, creeds, classes forgot their differences and united for one common purpose, to aid the Red Cross in mobilizing every atom of energy, and every penny of wealth was to be pooled in the cause of right. The chairman, Mrs. Houston, was very diplomatic, she did not dictate to the branch organizations, she left the responsibility with each, to exercise their own judgment in the conduct of local affairs. The utmost harmony prevailed, the only rivalry was which could accomplish the most to aid the prosecution of the war. To Mrs. Houston and Mrs. McGuire, president and secretary of the Burt County Chapter of the American Red Cross, and their loyal co-workers in all parts of the county are due the honor of winning the prize banner, of which every loyal citizen have just reason to be proud.

CHAIRMAN, NEBRASKA AMERICAN RED CROSS ACTIVITIES

June 4, 1919.   

MRS. E. C. HOUSTON,
Tekamah, Nebraska.

My Dear Mrs. Houston:

I owe you an apology for not writing sooner in response to your recent request, but wish to state that I overlooked this entirely last Tuesday, the day I promised to write you, and have been out of the city much of the time since that time.

Burt county stood at the top throughout this entire period, with the largest per capita membership of any county in Nebraska, and in both War Fund drives ran well over the top. You undoubtedly have detailed records covering the War Fund drives.

About a year ago the writer offered a silk Red Cross flag to the county chapter having the largest per capita membership, which was won by your chapter, and I had the pleasure of attending your county meeting and presenting this to you.

The members of your county organization should derive much satisfaction from the excellent showing you have made in connection with Red Cross and other war activities. No better reflection of the patriotism and true Americanism prevalent in your section could be made.

With best wishes, I remain,

Yours faithfully,

FRANK W. JUDSON.

AMERICAN RED CROSS - BURT COUNTY CHAPTER
TEKAMAH, NEBRASKA

THE Burt County Chapter of the American Red Cross was organized May 14, 1917, through the combined efforts of the Tekamah Woman's Club and the Woman's Relief Corps. A goodly representation of the people were present at the called meeting and immediately expressed their willingness to serve.

To carry on the work successfully, branch chapters were very soon organized in

 

Craig, Oakland, Lyons, Decatur and Bertha. As the need grew, and interest increased several rural auxiliaries were started.

Not enough can be said in tribute of the untiring labors and efficient management of the executive committee. The officers elected at the organization retained their positions from that time to the present, with the exception of the first and second vice-chairman. These latter officers moved from the community and were thus beyond the jurisdiction of this chapter.

The executive committee were as follows: Chairman, Mrs. E. C. Houston; first vice chairman, Mrs. Allie Hanna, who served until October 12, 1917. Mrs. F. A. Cameron was elected to fill the vacancy. Second vice chairman, Rev. R. J. Mantey, who served until October 8, 1918. Mrs. Herbert Rhoades was elected to fill the vacancy. Third vice chairman, Mrs. L. S. Larue; fourth vice chairman, James E. Cornish; secretary, Mrs. George McGuire; treasurer, D. W. Greenleaf; chairman membership committee, Mrs. Ed. Latta, who served until January 30, 1918, E. J.

 

Ganno elected to fill the vacancy; chairman finance committee, E. I. Ellis, who served until April 18, 1918, Mr. Herman Wragge was elected to fill vacancy; chairman first aid, Dr. I. Lukins; chairman civilian relief committee, Mrs. F. A. Cameron; chairman publicity committee, Mrs. R. T. Houston; chairman disaster relief committee, W. T. Poucher.

The chapter was especially fortunate in having such men and women for leaders. All are highly respected in the community, and were well able to exercise good judgment in the supervision of public affairs.

the chairmen and members of the various committees, organized upon instructions from divisional headquarters, appointed by the county chairman. The officers of the various branches were in turn elected at the regular meetings or chosen by the branch chairman.

  At the time of the serious influenza epidemic, committees were appointed to care for persons in need of care or food.

  It has been the aim of the Burt County Chapter to interest all persons within its jurisdiction in some phase of the Red Cross work. Many of the older women, unable to go to the work rooms, knitted many garments in the home, and pieced many quilts for the refugees. Children in the schools were taught to knit. Knitting at social affairs, clubs and on trains became very common. Hospital garments and the surgical dressings were made in the various work rooms.

  The finance committee was organized to devise ways and means of adding money to the treasury. By home talent affairs, box socials, Red Cross booths at the Fair, auction sales of various kinds, proceeds from lecture courses and numerous other sources, the funds poured into the treasury.

  The membership committee deserve much credit for the way they organized for the best results.

  The civilian relief committee was to furnish help and comfort to the families of absent soldiers.

  The publicity committee informed the people of the great needs and also of the vast work that the Red Cross was carrying on.

  The Junior Red Cross interested the younger folks, and some form of work was conducted in every school district.

  The first aid committee was organized for the purpose of interesting the people in the need of a knowledge of the first aid, and to enroll such persons in such classes.

  Through the liberal support of the members in a financial way the Burt County Chapter furnished to the great cause amounts aggregating $150,000.00. To the Nebraska Base Hospital about $1,000 was furnished. The following articles were shipped to headquarters: Knitted articles 8,383, surgical dressings 36,457, hospital garments 13,202, refugee garments 1,517, layette 2,996, comfort kits 257, booklets 355.

  The civilian relief committee was able at various times to render valuable service to families having absent soldiers. This committee was also instrumental in urging all soldiers serving from Burt county to take out war insurance.

  Many enrolled in the first aid class. It was especially gratifying to have so many women from the rural districts take interest in this phase of the work. Surgical dressing classes were also formed under efficient instructions.

  Relief was tendered many families during the influenza epidemic by special committees.

  Through the membership campaign of 1918, Burt county reported 100 per cent.

  The Burt County Chapter was awarded a Red Cross flag, by the state chairman, F. W. Judson for having obtained the largest per cent membership in 1917. For the success of this organization we are indebted to the co-operation of practically every man, woman and child in Burt county.

SUPPLEMENT

  THE Tekamah Chapter of the American Red Cross, comprising the territory surrounding Tekamah carried on the local activities under the same officers as constituted the Burt County Chapter with the additional assistants to meet local necessities. The local organization was under the direct management of Mrs. E. C. Houston and Mrs. Geo. McGuire, chairman and secretary of the Burt County Chapter, assisted by a local corps of local people who were continuous in their effort to render all assistance necessary, to enable the officials to mobilize the working force in the city and adjacent territory. The headquarters and work room of the local organization were first in the Woman's Relief Corps building which was nicely arranged for the purpose, but after the completion of the new Court House, the County Board of Supervisors offered the Red Cross commodious and convenient rooms in the new fire proof structure, which they occupied, and kept as active as a beehive every day of the week until after the armistice was signed. Following is a brief summary of what was accomplished by the local organization.

  Tekamah and vicinity made 3,021 hospital garments, 516 refugee garments, 2,240 layettes, 70 comfort kits, 60 booklets, 11,547 surgical dressings, 3,078 knitted articles. Money received from all sources, $43,575.62. Some of the items were as follows:  Sales $18,503.45, hogs $5,763.80, quilt made by girl patriots $1,256.00, goose $862.50, tune, America $450.00, rooster $305.00, Jews whiskers $170.00, moon $122.00, handkerchief from France $2,627.00, calf $822.00, lamb $211.00, pup $235.00.

  The Bethel ladies were the first from the county to ask for sewing. Seven organized auxiliaries all in the country. Mrs. Elsie Kelly. chairman district 4; Mrs. Dena Major, chairman Fairview school district; Miss Marguerite Richardson, chairman districts 23, 50 and 70; Mrs. Guy Young, chairman Districts 3 and 18; Miss Zada Kearney, chairman district 29; Mrs. J. S. Eckley, chairman district 2 and 19; Mrs. Mattie Redding, chairman district 35. All of these auxiliaries did excellent work and enabled the chapter to complete all quotas on time.

  Mrs. Emmet Ellis had charge of the sewing till May, 1918, when she moved away from the jurisdiction of the chapter. She was succeeded by Mrs. H. I. Van Nostrand. Mrs. Metta Sutherland Stout, Mrs. Frank A. Cameron, Mrs. L. S. Larue and Miss Lou McGuire had charge of the work room during the making of hospital garments and refugee clothing.

  Mrs. Ed. Stapleton supervised the making of infant layettes. Mrs. I. Lukins was chairman of the surgical dressings, with Miss Hilga Nelson assistant. When Miss Nelson answered the call of her country as a trained nurse, Miss Louise Reinert was appointed to fill the vacancy. Mrs. McGuire had charge of the knitting. Mrs. R. T. Houston supervised the pressing and packing of the garments, was also chairman of the publicity committee. Mrs. Geo. B. Ott was chairman of the garment cutting committee.

  Would space permit, special mention should be made of Mrs. Geo. B. Ott, Mrs. Chas. A. Fuller, Mrs. H. V. Stanfield and others who served on so many committees, and were always on hand and filled any position made vacant by the absence of the of the heads of important departments. In fact the main corps of assistants were so efficient and faithful in their constant attendance, that it permitted Mrs. E. C. Houston and Mrs. Geo. McGuire, county chairman and secretary to devote the time necessary to the complete organization of the entire county. Tekamah's local organization gave freely of their time, that all possible aid might be sent to our boys in the service and those elsewhere in need. The success accomplished is the result of patriotism and the cordial co-operation of practically every man, woman and child in the Tekamah territory.

BURT COUNTY AMERICAN RED CROSS OFFICIALS