CLARA BARTON - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 08/17/1905 - HFSID 218025
Sale Price $1,195.00
Reg. $1,400.00
AFTER BEING FORCED TO RESIGN AS PRESIDENT OF THE RED CROSS, 82-YEAR-OLD CLARA
BARTON FORMED THE NATIONAL FIRST AID ASSOCIATION AND WRITES, FOUR MONTHS LATER:
"I TOLD HER OF THE FIRST AID, AND MY CONNECTION WITH IT, AND INTIMATED THAT
HER AUXILIARY WOULD BEAR THE SAME RELATION TO ME IN THE FIRST AID THAT IT DID IN
THE RED CROSS WITH THE ADVANTAGE OF WORK ALWAYS AT HAND...."
CLARA BARTON. ALS: "Clara Barton", 5p, 5x6½ lined sheet.
Oxford, Massachusetts, 1905 August 17. To Mr. Wells. In full:
"I was very glad to have received your letter this morning as it put me in
mind of the neglected fact that I had not yet mailed the letter on Rock
Products, which I inclose in this. I must admit that the weather and temperature
for the last two days were not conducive to rapid business, in a home without
fires - it however had the effect to put the new range into quick operation.
& nothing is lacking now for your cherished Beef Steak, but the raw
material. I shall be glad to see the Telegram which you kindly propose to send.
I had thought it was not printed by not appearing on our copies here. We had no
'2d Edition'. The type writer still remains. On Mr Laurens speaking to the
owner he replied, that 'that was an old machine; that he would send over a new
one and take that back as we might want to use it sometimes and might just as
well have a good one'. Many thanks for the card, and kind provision made
through your father's house. Some time when in a mood for it I will call and
make my wants known. I held a side walk reception this morning - observing
that the inside of the last two days had left their traces. I took the broom,
primed up my skirt and stepped out about 7. Before I got to the end of the walk
with my little piece of sweepings I had received eight real calls on the walk
from gentlemen and ladies some on foot, some in carriages, one lady on horseback
and finishing with the little doughnut boy. I concluded that the sidewalk might
not be altogether out of place for early morning calls. It was nice when I
got back into the house. You will perhaps recall speaking to you of Mrs Mohn of
Brooklyn who disbanded her R.C. Auxiliary when I left. She is of the Womans
Relief Corps and wrote for something for her table. I (sic, In) replying to her
yesterday, I told her of the 1st aid, and my connection with it, and
intimated that her Auxiliary would bear the same relation to me in the 1st Aid
that it did in the R.C. with the advantage of work always at hand. I told
her I would make her known to you at Hodges and that she might receive
literature, or in some way hear from you. I think it would be well to interest
her. She is a forceful woman and has certainly proven herself faithful, Mrs.
Reed must have known Mrs Mohn a longtime in the W.R.C. I hope she would approve
her as I have always found her friendly and true. I think she will expect
something from you- I shall take great pleasure in scribbling on the pretty
diplomas. As you were able to 'call up' sister Henriette. I conclude she is
home and will venture to speak to her at once. Love to Miss Kenul." Pencil
note (unknown hand) at upper margin of fifth page. This letter was written to
General ROSCOE G. WELLS, Barton's assistant at the National First Aid
Association of America. On May 14, 1904, CLARA BARTON resigned as President
of the American National Red Cross, in wake of mounting criticism of her
management style, ability and age (82). In April, 1905, she established the
National First Aid Association of America and served as honorary president for
five years. It was based on an unsuccessful first aid program Barton had
initiated within the Red Cross. The new organization emphasized basic first aid
instruction and emergency preparedness and developed the first aid kit now
used at homes and in schools and businesses. Ambulance brigades were formed
in conjunction with police and fire departments, as well as in industrial
settings. The diplomas mentioned by Barton (upon which she will scribble her
signature) were for the first students who successfully completed the course in
basic first aid instruction. Though the organization didn't grow as she had
hoped, her goal was achieved: first aid training was incorporated as one of the
essential functions of the American Red Cross. Lightly creased with folds, light
diagonal crease at the "la" of Clara. Staple holes at upper corners touch 3
words (all legible, paper intact). Overall, fine condition.
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