xt70rx937t9n_477 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt70rx937t9n/data/mets.xml https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt70rx937t9n/data/46m4.dao.xml unknown 13.63 Cubic Feet 34 boxes, 2 folders, 3 items In safe - drawer 3 archival material 46m4 English University of Kentucky The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.  Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Laura Clay papers Temperance. Women -- Political activity -- Kentucky. Women's rights -- Kentucky. Women's rights -- United States -- History. Women -- Suffrage -- Kentucky. Women -- Suffrage -- United States. Union Signal text Union Signal 2020 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt70rx937t9n/data/46m4/Box_30/Folder_23/Multipage20675.pdf 1898 1898 1898 section false xt70rx937t9n_477 xt70rx937t9n 1‘ A EM "130
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286536 ‘I ‘\ “5

“3”!” thum’l- '5;

 

COPYRIGHT. 1898,1w THE \VOMAN'S TEMI’ERANCE
PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION, CHICAGO.

Volume XXIV.—.No. 10. Issued Wéékly.

 

 

 

VfiEHICVAGO, March 10, [Pike $1.00 Per Year in Advance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

THE UNION SIGNAL.

.
. a)

 

LETTERS, TELEGRAIVIS AND RESOLUTIONS.

Letters and telegrams poured in by hundreds
from all parts of the country and, indeed, of
the world. It is impossible to publish these in
full, but some of the most representative tele-
grams are herewith appended.

Heaven seems nearer now. Flowers near her
f rom—Kate Jackson. "

Read I Thess. ’4 :
Davis.

Accept my sincere sympathy for the death of
Miss Willard—Annie Wittenmeyen

Heartful sympathy.—Agnes E. Slack.

Deepest sorrow.—Derby (England) W.C.T.U.

Manchester AsSOCiation, annual meeting, deploring Miss Willard’s death,
send sympathy.—Mary Hughes.

Blessed Frances, joined to her four in heaven, we bereft mourn together.
—Mary B. Willard.

Heartfelt sympathy from British women.-Eva McLaren.

Our deepest sympathy is with you and all your associates—F. W. Wood-
bridge. '

My heart goes out to you in this your sorrow. You have lost a friend.
The women of my race have lost a friend also.—Mrs. Booker T. Washington.

We are dumb in presence‘of your grief, but, oh, the coronation and reunion !
———John and Annie Bidwell.

Members of Willard Benevolent Society of Biddeford, Me.,.extend pure
sympathy to relatives of Frances Willard in their recent bereavement.—
C. Maude Newcomb. Secretary.

Catholic Total Abstinence Union mourns the loss of your unselfish, pure-
hearted leader. No more devoted champion of Christian sobriety has sacri-
ficed all things for God, home and humanity.—-J. M. Cleary.

Home at last among her kinsfolk, she calls us onward, upward, heaven-
ward.—Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Cook.

Accept for yourself, for her family and personal friends, and for the great
society of which she was the noble leader, expression of my profound sympa-
thy and deep regret for the great loss sustained in the death of Miss Willard.
—Fred M. Dow. -

It is too bad. The world could lose no better friend—Henry W. Blair.

I weep with you. Fifty-nine beautiful years. The life of the land she loved is
purer because she lived—George W. Bain.

Love and sympathy to all in this great sorrow.
martyr to sense of duty.——Mary A. Livermore.

Only an imperative engagement could prevent me from sitting with you among
the mourners to-day. To speak words of admiration and respect would be but to
utter sentiments long felt and often repeated. As her whole life has been one of help-
fulness, her memory will be lasting and blessed—J. M. Buckley.

Permit me to express my deepest sympathy and grief in your great 1035, in which
all of us who are working for the interests of women share—M. Carey Thomas.

Just heard of the crowning of the warrior—soul of a world’s friend. Her gain
will be a loss to millions. My heart breaks in sympathypfor her people; but our
mourning will be forever hushed when we read the meaning of life’s mysteries, as we
greet her upon the threshold of the Eternal City—Evangeline Booth.

Unmeasured rejoicing for our beloved Frances. May the dear Father help us who
sorrow to take up her work faithfully.—Cordelia A. Greene. ,

. Your loss is great. The breach is wide. A noble heart has ceased to beat in our
midst, but the cause of temperance and purity your leader so disinterestedly and cour-

13—18.—Rebecca Taylor

 

 

Our dear Frances has died, a_

 

ageously championed must not suffer. The women‘ and children of the white ribbon ‘

and the fathers and brothers who stand by them must spring into the gap. Inspired
by her spirit they must take the field and carry on the work she has left behind.—
Commander and Consul Booth-Tucker.

Do you tell me our beloved Chieftain received her heavenly summons, that our
courageous Frances no longer is here to guide the battle? Alas! alas! “ Onward.
Christian soldiers.” “ The Lord of Hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge.”
With stricken heart, yours as even—Eliza Ann Thompson.

Words can not express my sorrow and tender Sympathy for you.——Cornelia M. Dow.

We sympathize with you and Christian temperance workers in loss of noble friend
and leader.-Mr. and Mrs. D. L. Moody. ‘

Our dear Frances has gone home. A nobler woman never graced the world.—
Randolph S. Foster.

, Warmest sympathy and sorrow for W. C. T. U.
Francis E. Clarke.

The world is poorer and there will be mourning in all the land, while heaven is
richer for the departure of our beloved Miss Willard. From the depth of my own
grief for this great loss, I send you who were nearest her, her beloved Anna, to Mrs.
Baldwin and to Mrs. Stevens, my heartfelt sympathy.—Mary H. Hunt.

Dominion comrades mourn their Chief.—Annie O. Rutherford.

‘ TwohemisPheres
have lost their friend,
protector and civilizer;

Millions mourn with you.—-

mos of all Armenia.—
Fgo an Armenian Let-
ter.

other life ever uplifted

soul saw so great beau-
ty and possibilities in
every soul; no other
heart held such large-
ness toward all hearts.
—Harriet B. Kells.

We honored her and
we mourn hen—Eliza-

Ward and Herbert D.
Ward.

Others Who Sent
Messages.

Miss Lillian Whiting; Rev.
William Hayes Ward. Editor
of the Independent,- Rev.
Josiah Strong. D. D.; Miss
M a ry A. Lathbnry ;. Mrs.
Margaret Bottome; M rs.
William P. Dod e. New
York: Rev. John . Barrows;
Rev. Samuel T. Caner. Edi-
tor Lluz’stz‘an Union; Mrs.
Dio Lewis ; Mrs. Dr. Cullis;
Miss Susan B. Anthony;
Mrs. Westover Alden. of
New York 7‘12'lmne; E.‘ J.
Wheeler, Editorof the 1.1 0‘
dry Digest; Rev. Dr. Funk.

_ of the Voz're; Mr. and Mrs.
George C. Slebbins; Mr~. J.
Ellen Foster ; Marietta Hol-
ley; FrancisMurphy ;Coun-
tess Di Brazza.

Each state and terri-
torial union was repre-
sented by one or more
messages from its pres-
ident or general oflicers,
while the entire board
of National Superm-
tendents, organ1zers and
evangelists sent tender
w 0 rd s of condolence.
In addition to these,
hundreds of district,
county and local unions
sent resolutions, while
(Continued on 3a cover page.)

INTERIOR OF WILLARD HALL._

all: .nations weep, but.

Fr ncesWillard! No ‘* I

so many lives ; no other-

beth Stuart Phelps,

  

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“THOU HAS’I‘ GIVEN A BANNER To THEM THAT FEAR THEE: THAT IT MAY BE DISPLAYED BECAUSE or THE TRUTH.”

 

 

Volume XXIVr—No. 10. Issued Weekly.

CHICAGO, March 10, 1898.

[Price $1.00 Per Year in Advance.

 

Frances E. Willard.

Promoted.

BY LLEWELLYN A. MORRISON.

Awaiting thee, high in the heaven of His love.
The heralds of God are repeating the story-—
Thy story of trial and triumph—above.
The homage of hearts, like an incense, ariseth
Around thee, ascending, encircled in light;
The Spirit divine thy pure spirit baptizeth
With infinite beauty and marvelous might——
By the blood of atonement made spotless and white.

BELOVED of Earth! Thou art risen to the glory

Beloved of Heaven! Great honors await thee,
'Nor mind of a mortal their measure may know;
The ransomed extol Him whose love did create thee,
(A proof of His promise) He loveth us so.
The saints in the land of immortals and angels,
While landing thy tender, beneficent grace
Make boast of the scope of thy human evan gels
And plans of redemption to save a lost race
And win them to holiness, pureness and peace.

Beloved of God! How the Father rejoiceth—
Thy coming such garlands of gleanings doth
bring! -
The trophies thou bearest, thine adventures
voiceth; .
Thy treasure-trove greatly enhanceth the

King.
Thy spirit, in youth, caught a glimpse of God’s
brightness— , :
Unveiled but to visions that steadfastly gaze
On His face, and thy sou1,.invthe sanctified

whiteness . , >

.
r~

zi/l/ %
. 1 // I
Alia-Q4223.

    

’/

J 'y I”; 4.
I // ~»
/ —The. Chicago Record.

Aflame, so translated His purpose and ways
As to render them ever a desire and a praise.

We niourn-not, beloved! Nay! How should we mourn
t ee ' ' -
Advanced to a throne, though our eyes may not
see!
We love thee! . Yet never to earth would return thee
When, safe 1n the heavens, thou art sceptered and
free. . . .
We crown thee “.OUR LEADER” forever, anointed
By queenhest service our lives to enthrall;
Heaven sealeth the scroll by which thou’rt appointed;
We follow and serve at thy word and thy call,
’Till freedom and chastity cometh to all.
London, Can.

  
    

 

[Copyright by Woman’s Temperance Publishing Association, 1898.]

Biographical Sketch of Miss Willard.

BY, MRS. L. M. N. STEVENS.
Acting President National W. C. T. U.

RANGES E._WILLARD was of New England
F ancestry; she was born in Churchville, N. Y.,

in 1839, reared in Wisconsin and educated
in Illinois at the Northwestern University of
Evanston—the largest ‘ «v ,
suburb of Chicago. Here “my! ' \‘I';'/,/
was the family home for ——.~\, , "Ill/t
well-nigh forty years, «ea

    

 

 

and practically placed their government in their
own hands. This method worked so well for the
good order of the institution and the development
of a high standard of honor in the young women,
that it has since been introduced into many c01-
leges and public schools.

In 1862 Miss Willard wrote her first book,
“Nineteen Beautiful Years,” which was pub-
lished by Harper & Bros, and with an introduc-

 

 

and here, beginning in
the public schools, Miss
Willard, by what she
liked to call “honest hard
work,” achieved the po-
sition of clean of the
woman’s department of

the University, and pro- _ r
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tion by the poet Whittier has been
translated into several languages.
She also wrote, “How to Win,” a
book for girls; “Woman and Temper-
ance,” a history of. the W. C; T. U.;
“A Classic Town,” a history of the
beautiful university town of Evanston;
“A Young Woman Journalist,” in-
tended to inspire young women to
take up a profession in which Miss
Willard herself has been engaged for
many years. “Glimpses of Fifty
Years," her autobiography, of which
fifty thousand copies have been sold,
was written in 1889 by request of the
National W. C. T. U. “A Great
Mother” is perhaps her best book,
containing as it does the theory and
practice of bringing up children ac-
cording to her mother’s plan, and

fiMEWjM Madam Willard was, in the estima-

tion of every one who knew her, a

 

  
 

fessor of rhetoriciin afaculty otherwise composed
of men, nearly all of whom had been graduated
from European universities. She herself studied
abroad two years or more, from 1868 to 1870;
French, German,.Italian history and the fine arts
being the' subjects to which her attention was
devoted. It was her expectation to be a literary
woman in connection with her work as a college
professor. ' She was perhaps more celebrated for
her method of school government than for any
other one thing at this time. She organized
What amounted to a senate and house of repre-
sentative's’of the young women‘in the-college,

‘ CROWD SEEKING ADMISSION TO WILLARD HALL.

truly “great mother.” Miss Wil-
lard’s hand-book for the World’s
white—ribboners, entitled, “Do Every-
thing,” is packed full of hints and
helps for local workers. She also
wrote, “Women in the Pulpit.” “How
I Learned to Ride the Bicycle” and “ Occupa-
tions of Women.”

In 1883 Miss Willard and Miss Gordon made
a temperance organizing trip, visiting'each of the
fifty states and territories of the United States,
traveling thirty thousand miles or more from
Puget Sound to the Gulf of Mexico, sucha trip
as has never been made by man or woman in any
cause so far as we know. In the same year Miss
Willard founded the World’s W. C. T.’ U. of
which she became president, and which has made
the white-ribbon society known in every English
speaking country of the globe.

 

 

  

"' \-., \“‘V “ 1— \Nq , ,y I t q

2 (146)

In 1892 Miss Willard and Miss Gordon went
to England by invitation of Lady Henry Somer—
set, who is their devoted friend and who leads
the movement in Great Britain. Here they
helped to develop white—ribbon methods, and to
edit the English white-ribbon paper. Editions
of Miss Willard’s books were brought out, thus
making her known to the reading public in the
mother country. A great reception was ten-
dered her in Exeter Hall, participated in by fifty
philanthropic societies of London, with such
speakers as Canon Wilberforce, Lady Henry
Somerset, Mrs. Ormiston Chant, \Villiam T.
Stead, Rev. Hugh Price Hughes, Rev. Mark
Guy Pearce and several members of Parliament.

They returned to America from this visit in
the summer of 1894, and Lady Henry Somerset
came with them. The winter of 1894—95 was
spent mostly in Boston. In March, 1895, they
again went to England. Miss Willard and Miss
Gordon came back in time for the National
W. C. T. U. Convention held that year in Balti-
more. April, 1896, Miss Willard made her last
voyage to England, accompanied by Miss Gor-
don and Miss Powderly, her stenographer.’ It
was in the autumn of this year that she and Lady
Henry did their notable work for the Armenian
refugees at Marseilles, and her interest in their
welfare never waned. She reached
her native land late in October, 1896,
spent the following winter in Castile, /
N. Y., and the last summer of her
life was spent mostly in New Eng:
land.

She presided over the World’s W.
C. T.'U. Convention in Toronto in
October, 1897. Her address as pres-
ident of that Convention was pro-
nounced by many to be one of the
finest, most powerful and eloquent
that she had ever delivered. A few
days later she presided over the Na-
tional Convention at Buffalo, N. Y.
The weeks intervening between this
Convention and her translation,
February 17, 1898, were spent in
Chicago, Evanston, 111., Wisconsin
and New York.

Miss Willard originated the Poly-
glot Petition for the prohibition of
the liquor traffic and the opium
trade, which with seven million
names and attestations of great soci-
eties was presented to the President
of the United States in February.
1895, and in London before an audi-
ence of ten thousand people in June,
1895. '

In 1894’ the honorary degree of
LL.D. was conferred upon Miss
Willard by the Ohio Wesleyan University.

HOW SHE CAME INTO THE WORK.

, Miss Willard has repeatedly said to me that.
when the Crusade came, she read of it daily in
the Chicago Post, edited by her brother Oliver,
and she, as well as her mother, became absorb-
ingly interested in it; more so than in anything
which they had ever read, except abolition and
the anti-slavery war.

The winter of 1874 was a time of heart break
to Miss Willard on account of difficulties in the
Northwestern University at Evanston, Ill., and
she resigned the presidency of the woman’s col-
lege and her professorship in the university in
June of that year. Attractive positions as the
head of educational institutions were offered her,
but she felt more and more drawn toward the
women of the Crusade. She was not at Chau-
tauqua when the preliminary committee was
formed, but was at that time in Maine, consult-
ing with Neal Dow, and in Boston, consulting
with Dr. Dio Lewis. Meanwhile she wrote to
Bishop Simpson, who had been a greatly honored
friend of her family for years; also to Mrs. Mary
A. Livermore, whom she and her mother ad~
mired more than any other woman they knew;
and to other leaders, as well as to her own family,
friends and relatives—not one of whom sent her
a favorable reply except Mrs. Livermore, who
encouraged her greatly and told her by all means
to follow her leadings.

But Miss VVillard’s resolution to join the Cru-
sade movement was taken independently. One
morning in August of 1874 there came to her a
letter from Mrs. Louise 8. Rounds, who had led
the Crusade movement in Chicago in the winter,
asking her if she would come to Chicago and act

THE FIRST
DU

M. E. CHURCH. EVANSTON,
RING THE OBSEQUIES.

554“,» ‘r v "

THE UNION SIGNAL;

as president of the local W. C. T. U. They were
a weak band of middle-aged women, without
financial resources, and Mrs. Rounds wrote Miss
\Villard that they could offer her no salary. On
the same day that this letter reached her at Cam-
bridge, Mass., Miss Willard received a definite
offer from the principal of a ladies’ school in New
York city, near Central Park, offering her $2, 500
a year if she would act as preceptress, teaching
as little or as much as she pleased, but exercis-
ing a helpful influence over the young ladies
and among the patrons. She was entirely with—
out income, and had not laid up a penny, as
those who know her do not need to be told; her
mother was advancing in years, and Miss \Vil—
lard was her only support; the Crusade move-
ment had passed away, and there seemed to be a
lull in the work; yet so profound was the impres-
sion that God called her to the work of the
'W. C. T. U. that she at once wrote to New York
declining Dr. Van Norman’s offer, and to Mrs.
Rounds, accepting the position of president of
the W. C. T. U. of Chicago, upon the duties of
which she entered a few weeks later.

It was indeed well for this world that she thus
decided. No woman has ever done so much to
lift humanity heavenward. The one woman of
the centuries! Best beloved, God crowned!

     

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'MARCI-I IO, 1898.

On February 13 Miss Gordon wired to Head-
quarters:

Miss Willard suffering extreme exhaustion.
critical, not hopeless; improvement to-day.

This was followed on February I4 by a mes—
sage which read:

Vitality remarkable; we have two trained nurses, two
skillful doctors, and best of all, our Great Physrcran.
\Vill wire frequently.

Later in the day she added:

Thanks for all your loving sympathy; God comfort us.
Still hoping, but very anxious.

The next day our hearts were cheered by this
message:

Slight change for the better at six last evening.
Favorable conditions continue this morning. Heart’s
love to you all.

Under this same date, February 14, Mrs. L.
M. N. Stevens, National vice-president, wrote to
Headquarters from her home in Portland, Me.:

Your hearts are grieved and anxious, as is mine, over
the critical illness of Miss Willard. I have held myself
in constant readiness to go any hour if Anna thought I
could be of any help. I have so wired her. I am pray-
ing, hoping, believing.

Later in the same day she wrote, on board the
train en route to New York:

Anna asks me to come and I am going to comfort and
to help if I can. I cannot believe God is to so afflict us.
I am hoping, believing that she is to recover.

At this time a report went out through the
daily press to the effect that Miss Willard was
suffering with cancer of the stomach,
which tended to increase the burden
on anxious hearts everywhere. Mrs.
Stevens, immediately upon her arri-
val, corrected this in the following
message:

Disease not cancer of stomach. Drs.
Hills and Draper deny it. It is exhaustion
following grip. Hopeful. Love.

February 15 she wrote:

I reached here at midnight. The tele-
grams have told you that the change for
the better came at six last night and she
seems to keep about the same; retains the
little nourishment she takes and is nearer
conscious than she has been. I have seen
her only as the drapery was drawn aside.
The dear, pale. death-like face, and the
pitiful little voice-it is all heartbreaking
—but if God will only restore her—I be-
lieve He will. Anna thinks of everything;
I have never seen such devotion as hers.
Nothing is left undone to save her. We
know all about the prayers at Headquar-
ters. God bless and hear and answer. ’

The next day, Wednesday, she
wrote: again: . .

I have just wired you that we are en
couraged. The doctor is devotedly atten-
tive, the nurses the same; if love and skill
can keep her she will stay. I will, of
course, wire you if there is any positive.
change either way. I am sending out let-
ters to all the members of the National ex-
ecutive, for I know how anxious they are.
Lady Henry cables every day such tender
messages. I have not yet spoken to her;
the doctor said I might, but I thought I
would better not. She moans incessantly,
and turns her head from one side to the
other constantly. She seems conscious;

Condition

 

"”‘/ knows people and says some wonderful
our Leader’s Promotion things. It is a great battle for life; I believe life here
‘ will win.

Miss Willard’s TranSlation on February 17, 1898,
at New York City.

Details of Her last Illness as Received by The Union Signal.

OR months past Miss ~Willard’s health had
been a source of anxiety to her closest friends,
but her own cheery hopefulness and her
apparent strength during the Conventions lulled
them into a sense of security. She left Chicago
on January IQ for the east, intending to enter

upon an active canvass for the Temple fund. ‘

Shortly after her arrival in New York she was
attacked by influenza, and while the disease
seemed difficult to shake off, there was no thought
of immediate danger. A letter from Anna Gor-
don dated February 12 gave the first intimation
that her illness was serious,~ and read in part as
follows:

Our precious Miss Willard has been going through a
siege of influenza for three weeks; we thought she would

be up again by this time and much better for the rest
and quiet in bed, but I grieve to say that she is extremely

weak and her condition for the last three days has been

serious, for while the same symptoms in most other per-
sons would not be alarming, in her case they certainly
are, for she has a minimum of strength withowhich to
combat disease. We have had a trained nurse from the
first and to-day I am asking for a consultation with Dr.
William Draper, for all that love and skill can by any
possibility suggest, must be done for our beloved.

, 0‘ if MM_,~'.M"-*J"~.flfij m >f~ $,)va,)W“‘~~”.--.fv* “u" f‘ y‘- I'M-m" ,."- ‘ , g '.. ‘ ‘ 'p ,- . r‘. “Ila":-

Thursday morning messages came as follows:

No decided change. Weak from pain and sleepless-
ness; still hopeful. .

A general call to prayer was sent out from
Headquarters, and at the noon hour Willard
Hall was filled with a vast audience, the cry of
every heart being, “Spare her if it is Thy will.”
Prayers were offered by Mrs. Stevenson, Mrs.
Barker, Mrs. Metzgar, Mrs. Fry, Miss Hood, Miss
Shontz, and every appeal for her restoration
found an answering echo in the audience. It
was felt that the last elfort had been made and

- our Chieftain rested in the shadow of the wings

that were to bring healing or a summons home,
according to God’s will. The gathering dis-
persed, each one to wait in silent prayer for the
next message that should come over the wires.
It came at three o’clock, and brought some
measure of comfort:

Sleeping quietly after long insomnia; still hoping and
claiming restoration.

There was little of rest or sleep that night for
the devoted comrades who knew that the crisis
had come, and both hoped and feared for what
the morning might bring forth.

THE FINAL SUMMONS.

At three o’clock in the morning the news that
the loved one had passed over came to Mrs.

 

 

 

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;. 7;: 7:12-15 ¢ .

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MARCH IO, I898.

Katharine Lente Stevenson from Miss Gordon in
the following words: '

Our precious leader has entered upon the activities
that are not succeeded by weariness. The last of her
household, she has been welcomed by Christ and His
angels to be with her loved ones in Heaven’s home,
sweet home. Let us follow her as she followed Christ.
God comfort us all.

A little later came a message from Mrs.
Stevens: ,,

The unfavorable change came about seven o’clock.
Services here Sunday; Evanston, Thursday. God pity
and comfort us.

Friday evening Mrs. Katharine Lente Steven-
son and Mrs. Helen M. Barker left for New York
to be present at the services there and escort
the beloved form back to Chicago, leaving Miss
Helen L. Hood in charge of the funeral arrange-
ments in this city.

 

The Last Days.

UR dear Anna Gordon, recognizing as she

has always done, that Miss Willard be-
longed to the great host of white-ribboners and
was upborne by their love and loyalty, has, at
our urgent request, taken us into the “holy of
holies,” and in the midst of her own profound
grief gives these sacred reminiscences of our

beloved leader’s last days 011 earth. Miss Gor-

don writes:

When Miss Willard decided to spend a few
weeks in New York, Mrs. Barnes. accompanied
by Miss Swankie-Cameron, of England, visited a
number of hotels and boarding-houses to find a
suitable home, for while there were several invi-
tations from friends who would gladly have
welcomed this beloved guest, Miss Willard felt
that with three in the party, and so much par-
aphernalia in the way of books and papers,
together with the large number of letters she
was planning to send out, it was better for us to
be where we would feel we were no burden to any
one. Among other places visited by Mrs. Barnes
was the Hotel Empire, pleasantly located up
town near Central Park and the Riverside Drive,
not thickly surrounded by business blocks or
homes and therefore in the best atmosphere; but
prices were found to be far beyond our possi—
bilities. The genial proprietor, Mr. W. Johnson
Quinn, expressed to Mrs. Barnes his very earnest
hope that Miss Willard would come as a guest of

' the Empire and generously reduced the price of

rooms about one—half, writing Miss Willard a
delightful letter which she received in Chicago.
In replying, after thanking him for his courtesy
and generosity, Miss Willard told him the price
was still far beyond what a reformer could pay,
and that she would go to a quiet boarding-house
down town which Mrs. Barnes had found later
could accommodate our party, and we sent word
to the lady in charge, who is a white-ribboner,
that we would reach her home on Tuesday after—
noon, January II. Just before we left Chicago
the following telegram was received, which
brought the tears to Miss Willard’s eyes and a
quiver to her lips as she said, “This is something
quite unusual ; such kindness from a stranger
touches me deeply.” The telegram read:

To have as a guest at the Hotel Empire the author of
so much good will more than recompense us. There will
be no charge for your apartments. W. JOHNSON QUINN.

Our white-ribbon friend who had expected to
entertain us was most generous and considerate
in relinquishing her claim, and on Tuesday after-
noon we were established in our pleasant suite
of rooms at the hotel.

During the first week or two of our stay we
drove for an hour every pleasant day, sometimes
in Central Park, or down the beautiful Riverside
Drive as far as the tomb of General Grant and
back again, and late in that first week we spent
an afternoon in the charming home of Miss Wil-
lard’s niece, Mrs. Katharine Willard Baldwin,
seeing for the first time the little grand-nephew,
Summerfield. A few days later Mr. Quinn called
on us and deeply impressed Miss Willard with his
brotherly good will and his sincere wish that we
should feel perfectly at liberty to stay at the hotel
just as long as we pleased. “Why,” said Miss
Willard, “I thought we ought not to stay beyond
aweek,” only to receive the reply, ‘ ‘You could not
do me a greater kindness than to stay a year if you
wanted to, and any time in the future if you are

THE UNION SIGNAL.

in the city I want you to feel that you and who-
ever is with you will be welcome to the best
rooms at my disposal.”

Early in the week, opening January 23, Miss
Willard complained of great weariness and unnat-
ural languor, but she kept bravely at work not-
withstanding my pleading that she should rest a
few days just then when she seemed so much to
need absolute physical repose. During the morn-
ing of Thursday, January 27, she lay on the
lounge in our bright sitting room while I read
aloud to her, but early in the afternoon, at her
own suggestion, the tired head was pillowed,
and our hopeful hearts said a few days of rest and
our loved one will be herself again. Dr. Alfred
K. Hills, who had been Miss Willard’s physician
during the summer months, and under whose
treatment she had been well—nigh restored to her
old-time vigor, called frequently after our arrival
in the city, and now assured us that although Miss
Willard was suffering from a marked case of
influenza, there were no symptoms that need give
us alarm. Desiring that our precious charge
should have skilful as well as loving care at
once, Nurse Mary Telford was secured on the
following Monday, a woman whose tender de-
votion to Miss Willard should forever endear
her to the hearts of white-ribboners. On Satur-
day, February 5, Miss Willard sat up in her
rocking chair for the last time (nearly three-
quarters of an hour), and dictated a letter to Dr.
I. K. Funk, of theNewYork Voice, in regard to
the sale of liquor in New Haven. That after-
noon she asked me to take the letters from her
table, some of them still unanswered, and put
them all away, saying, “Nannie, that’s the first
time I was ever willing and ready to list you do
this.” The little package of letters and various
memoranda were placed at her request in the
“green bag” given her by Lady Henry, and
carried all these later years, and which hung

uwhere she could see it from her bed.

Sunday afternoon, the 6th, she enjoyed a long.
call from her nephew and niece, who brought a
diary of the baby’s life, from which 'I read to
her that afternoon and the next day. Among
others who called during those earlier days of
Miss Willard’s illness, and who were allowed by
her physician to see her a few minutes were,
Mrs. Mary Lowe Dickinson, Mrs. Dr. NiVen,

of Dobbs Ferry, Miss Helen Gould with her-

cousin, Mrs. Snow, and Miss Susan B. Anthony.

On Wednesday, the 9th, some roses came with
Mrs. Fessenden’s card, and Miss -Willard dlC‘
tated a word of loving thanks. The same day
she wrote a brief note to her close comrade and
devoted friend, Mrs. L. M. N. Stevens, and this,
with a letter to Lady Henry are the last penciled
lines we have, save a pitiful bit of writing
attempted the next morning, which it saddened
our hearts to see was quite unintelligible, save
the word “love.” She asked for paper and pen-
cil and wrote with characteristic rapidity, but
there was no strength to guide the tired fingers.

On the morning of Thursday, the 10th, Miss
Willard asked me to bring paper and pencil for
an important memorandum she desired 'to give
me. “Don’t fail to put it down,” she began,
“that I have always recognized the splendid work
done in I874. by the women of Washington Court
House, and that while I regard Hillsboro as the
cradle, Washington Court House is the crown of
the Crusade, and” she added, “Fredonia must
always be remembered as the home of the first
local W. C. T. U.” She asked me to send some
souvenir and a message of special remembrance
to Mother Thompson, to Mother Stewart and to
Mrs. Zerelda Wallace. Mrs. Dio Lewis had
called the day before, and as I told Miss Willard
of her visit she talked much of the early days of
her acquaintance with Dr. Dio Lewis, of his part
in the Crusade movement, and said that she
hoped that at the twenty-fifth anniversary of the
Crusade our Convention would take some action
in regard to having a day for the special and
grateful remembrance of the work of this early
reformer. She talke