RED CROSS DEPARTMENT
EDITED BY THE COMMITTEE OF PUBLICATION OF THE RED CROSS
THE Executive Board of the Red Cross Society of San Francisco wishes to thank the editors of the Overland Monthly for their great courtesy in allowing the Society, from August, 1898, to January, 1899, inclusive, the space known as "The Red Cross Department." They recognize that the knowledge of the work done by the Society has been given to a large body of readers, and that in the pages of the Overland the record becomes a part of the permanent history of California.
Mrs. John F. Merrill, President.
HISTORY AND REPORT OF OREGON EMERGENCY CORPS AND RED CROSS SOCIETY
THE CALL to arms was still ringing through the land, when a band of patriotic women, responding to an appeal for assistance, assembled at the Armory in Portland, Oregon, on the morning of April 26th, to offer their services to the Military Board of the State in providing material aid and comfort for the Second Regiment, Oregon Volunteers.
Col. O. Summers was present, and briefly explained the object of the appeal. He suggested that as speedily as possible a society be formed to take up that branch of work which belongs alone to women in time of war, and consists in providing the requisites for a soldier's welfare not laid down in army regulations.
Temporary officers were chosen—Mrs. S. P. Sladen, Chairman, and Mrs. F. E. Lounsbury, Secretary. After some discussion the following ladies were appointed chairmen of twelve committees: Mrs. H. E. Jones, Mrs. O. Summers, Mrs. W. A. Buchanan, Mrs. G. T. Telfer, Mrs. R. S. Greenleaf, Mrs. W. F. Gardner, Mrs. Levi White, Mrs. B. E. Miller, Mrs. J. E. Wright, Mrs. E. C. Protzman, Mrs. A. Meier, and Mrs. J. M. Ordway. Each committee consisted of six members, the chairman selecting those she desired as helpers. The duty of each committee was the personal supervision of one company, alphabetically assigned to it.
Final organization was perfected April 27th, when the following permanent officers were elected: Mrs. Henry E. Jones, President; Mrs. W. A. Buchanan, Vice-President; Mrs. F. E. Lounsbury, Recording Secretary; Mrs. Martin Winch, Treasurer. Executive Committee—Mrs. O. Summers, Mrs. A. Meier, Mrs. Levi White, Mrs W. T. Gardner, Mrs. B. E. Miller, Mrs. J. E. Wright, Mrs. E. C. Protzman, Mrs. R. S. Greenleaf, Mrs. G. T. Telfer, and Mrs. J. M. Ordway.
The name, "Oregon Emergency Corps," was adopted and Mrs. W. A. Buchanan and Mrs. Levi White appointed to draft a constitution. This was presented at the next regular meeting, and after a slight revision, unanimously adopted.
A suitable badge was adopted and a membership list opened, the fee being placed at ten cents, affording all patriotic women an opportunity to enroll their names and become active workers of the corps. Regular meetings were held at the Armory once a week, the Executive Committee meeting at the call of the President as often as the business of the society required. Being now in readiness for work, the question arose as to what should be done, and the most practical way of doing it. To this end the Military Board was consulted, and valuable suggestions were received from Gen. Chas. F. Beebe, Col. Jas. Jackson, Col. B. B. Tuttle, and Major Dan J. Moore, Brigade Commissary, O. N. G., each advising
