THE BERTHA BRANCH OF THE BURT COUNTY
CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS

IN way of explanation, before the installation of Rural Free Delivery, Bertha was a cross roads town with postoffice, store and other places of business. It is located near the center of the county, without railroad facilities, it is about equal distance from Decatur, Lyons, Craig and Oakland, it is one of the most beautiful and wealthy rural communities in the county.

  The ladies of that neighborhood early in 1917 began Red Cross work by converting their Kensington club, which met among the neighbors, into a Red Cross club, some of the members of the social club were reluctant about the change, but they later realized that patriotism had the right-of-way, that it was their duty to do what they could towards winning the war. A few of the leaders collected a lot of dish towels, handkerchiefs and other necessary articles, and sent them to the boys at Camp Cody, at Deming, New Mexico. Then they began work for other Red Cross organizations, they sewed garments for Lyons, Oakland and Tekamah. The Bertha school gave a public entertainment in December, 1917, the proceeds of which was $94.50, that was given to the Red Cross club to use in purchasing their own material for bed sheets, pillow cases and bed shirts, these were made up and donated to other nearby Red Cross branches. Later it dawned on them to organize a branch at Bertha and get credit for what work they completed.

  A public meeting was held in Bertha hall in the spring of 1918 for the purpose of organizing a local branch, a good many attended. Louis Ruhe was chosen chairman; Mrs. John Baker, vice chairman; Chris Kohlmeier, treasurer, and Sam Lydick, secretary. The Bertha district was to take in four school districts, Nos. 28, 36, 51 and 55. There several hundred dollars was raised at the organization meeting, which provided them with ample funds to buy material.

  They sent in an order for 50 pounds of yarn, and 10 suits of pajamas, they received 60 suits, the mistake was not discovered until they were nearly all made, that the invoice of 60 suits was intended for the county chapter, who offered to help, but they concluded to finish the lot and get the credit. The Bertha branch made their quota of everything assigned to it. Their work room was in the hall over the Bertha store, where they met every Thursday. Mr. Sam Lydick, through his generous and patriotic nature, presented the Red Cross ladies with two new singer sewing machines for the workroom; Chris Kohlmier also presented the ladies with a dozen chairs. Most all the work done by the Bertha branch was by district 36 (Bertha district), the other districts continued to donate their work to other branches. Among the ladies who did the most sewing were Mrs. John Tranmer, Mrs. Louis Ruhe and daughters Maude, Grace and Mabel, Mrs. Fred Ruhe, Mrs. John Baker, Mrs. W. Geistler, Mrs. Carl Strelo, Mrs. Ed. Toxward, Mrs. Chris Kohlmeier. Mrs. Harry Willey, Mrs. Tom McKenzie, Mrs. Josie Entrican and Misses Shinnie and Phena Johnson. They made about 350 garments for their own branch, beside what was donated to other branches from this the Bertha territory.

  The Bertha branch was only credited with raising $2,800 after the organization was formed in May, 1918. In justice to that loyal community it is only fair to state that Chris Kohlmeier who is treasurer of the Bertha branch, donated a stallion to the Red Cross, which was sold at auction in Oakland, for $1,665.00, that was credited to Oakland, he also donated a nanny goat which in the several sales sold for the aggregate sum of $5,000.00, all of which came from the treasurer of the Bertha branch which would put it near the $10,000 mark instead of $2800.00.

  Bertha branch was most generous with the boys who donned the khaki from its

territory, it gave a reception for each of the boys and presented them with a wrist watch, or money as a token of hearty good will. If the Bertha branch does not loom very large in Red Cross funds to its credit, school district 36 (Bertha district), gave $503 for National war work, and bought $4,200 worth of War Savings Stamps, and $16,000 by the four districts making Bertha territory. Henry McKenzie, Albert Olson and others are entitled to much credit for the active part they took in all war work drives. It was difficult to obtain any data from the Bertha branch, the chairman failed to respond to repeated requests for information. He is the only head of a war organization in this county who declined to furnish the splendid record made by the community, and should be preserved. We gleaned the above data the best we could from other parties, in order to give credit where it was due, for the wonderfully good record in a rural community.

of Tekamah was missed in making up the Soldier Section, as he could not be located to obtain his service record. Since hearing his story we excuse him for not wanting to talk or write of his terrible experience in France.

He entered the service Sept. 14, 1917; was sent to Camp Lewis, Wash.; went overseas July 5, 1918; assigned to a machine gun company in 91st Division. He was in the St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne offensives. He was in the Argonne fighting 17 days. The division he was in, lost 3,000 men in 30 minutes, while charging across an open field; out of 250 in his company he is one of the 13 who survived, all the officers were killed, as sergeant he led the company for two days; he received the Cross de Guerre for bravely in action. Discharged, April 22, 1919.

BERTHA BRANCH AMERICAN RED CROSS OFFICIALS

THE LYONS, NEBRASKA BRANCH AUXILIARY OF THE
AMERICAN RED CROSS

THE Lyons, Nebraska Branch Auxiliary of the American Red Cross, comprising the territory of Lyons and surrounding country, was organized for war work on May 10, 1917, at a meeting of the citizens in the city hall.

  Its organization was affected largely through the efforts of Mrs. D. M. Dennison, who became its first chairman, and who rendered faithful service during her term of office. The other officers elected were as follows: Mrs. M. L. Hildreth, vice-chairman; Mrs. D. E. Lyon, secretary; and Mrs. May Stiles, treasurer. Mrs. Susan McMonies was later appointed second vice-chairman, also Mrs. Henry Crellin, a Red Cross nurse, was elected instructor, and her assistance was of much value during the time when the work was new to everyone. The work room, during the first six months was placed in charge of Mrs. S. Stauffer, who deserves much credit for her faithful and efficient service. At the end of this time Mrs. Susan McMonies succeeded Mrs. Stauffer, being assisted by Miss Bertie Smith, Mrs. McMonies giving unstintedly of her time and strength to the work. On December 7, 1917 the annual election was held. Mrs. Gertrude Wigton, to whom can be credited much of the success of the organization since that time, was elected chairman; Mrs. M. L. Hildreth, vice-chairman; Mrs. D. E. Lyons, secretary, and Mrs. May Stiles, treasurer. During the year, Mrs. R. S. Hart was appointed to fill the vacancy of Mrs. E. G. Coffin, who moved from the city. Mrs. F. F. Laase has held the chairmanship of the membership committee since the branch was organized and has done splendid work. Mrs. Ed. McMonies held the chairmanship of the finance committee from May 10, 1917 to December 7, 1917, when D. E. Lyon was appointed chairman. On October 16, 1918 was held the second annual election at which time the same officers were reinstated with the exception of Mrs. May Stiles, whose place was filled by Mr. Paul Calnon.

  When our members were called upon to furnish garments for our soldiers, a knitting department was organized with Mrs. M. L. Hildreth in charge. In December of 1917, classes of instruction in the making of surgical dressings were formed under the leadership of Mrs. Henry Crellin, Miss Ruth Buckley and Mrs. Remington. Later a room was secured for this work and Miss Ruth Buckley placed in charge. The fine work accomplished by the chairman of these two departments is shown by the amount of material shipped. Mrs. May Newmyer made an able chairman of the packing committee. Other committees were appointed from time to time at the direction of Division Headquarters, all of whom have performed efficient service.

  The gymnasium was used as a sewing room during the summer months, the Masonic hall during the winter, and later the surgical dressing room.

  The first drive for the War Fund was conducted in 1917 under the chairmanship of Geo. Little and a total of #5,059.50 was raised, the quota being $3,000.00. Twenty-five per cent of this amount was returned to our local fund. The second drive in 1918 with D. E. Lyon as chairman was for $3,100.00, a total of $4,044.50 being collected. A hog drive at the same time by the farmers resulted in raising $8,906.19 for a special fund for future drives, etc. The amount of $12,906.70 has been raised for the local fund, making a total for our branch of $21,812.89. We have paid $400.00 to the Nebraska Base Hospital, and $1,500.00 to Headquarters to pay for future supplies. $401.47 was raised for a packer fund, out of which we paid for the 56 Christmas packets sent to the soldiers in 1917. We also sent Christmas packets in 1918. A banquet was given in honor of sixty of our returned soldiers

and to members of the G. A. R., and another will be given upon the return of all our soldiers and sailors.

  Our sewing department has shipped 3,758 articles, the surgical dressing department 6,484 articles, and the knitting department 1,200 garments. We have also sent three large shipments of clothing to the Belgians. Only one case of civilian relief has been necessary, a small loan being extended, though we have aided several soldiers' families by securing for them desired information.

  While our membership has not been 100% it has been very nearly so. Would space permit we should be glad to mention by name a large number of our citizens who gave so freely of their time and money that all possible aid might he sent to our boys in the service and to those in need. For the success of our organization in the result of the patriotism, and of the co-operation of practically every man, woman and child in the territory covered by our branch. As we have co-operated for the cause of our country and for our boys during the war, we may continue to do so until the ravages of war have been removed and true freedom reigns o'er all the earth.

 

 

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LYONS BRANCH AMERICAN RED CROSS OFFICIALS