CLARA BARTON - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 09/03/1903 - HFSID 175771

"I BEGIN TO FEEL THAT THEY DO NOT FEEL LIKE TAKING UP FIRST AID AT PRESENT, HOWEVER THEY MAY APPRECIATE IT"
 
CLARA BARTON. Autograph Letter Signed: "Clara Barton", 2p, 4¼x6. Anamosa, Iowa, 1903 September 3. To Roscoe (Roscoe G. Wells). In full: "I shall write you every day till I know you are through Detroit. The morning mail brought no news from Minneapolis. And I begin to feel that they do not feel like taking up First Aid at present, however much they may appreciate it. It is not wise, nor proper for me to say any thing more to them, and if we hear nothing from them, the matter will rest just as it is - and no harm done - They may be tired with the strain of the Encampment and not feel like taking up a new thing yet. We shall carry out our program, if we hear nothing by going to Cedar Rapids - St Paul Chicago & home. I do hope that Detroit is all you anticipated. & that if nothing [illegible] come, you will still feel it to have been a useful & [illegible] trip." General ROSCOE G. WELLS later became 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, referred to in this letter. 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. 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. Staple holes in upper left corners. ¼-inch tear on upper left edge of signature page. Otherwise, fine condition.