CLARA BARTON - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 09/01 - HFSID 175777

CLARA BARTON
Clara Barton sends a typed letter about it being a while since she wrote.
Typed Letter Signed: "Clara Barton", 1p, 8½x11. Glen Echo, no year, September 1. To "My dear Secretary". In full: "I can not (sic) recall at all, when I wrote you last neither what I wrote about. So many things have gone through my head since that time that it is like a brook in a freshet, all washed out. I do realize, however, that the fifty reports are here to gladden my eyes each day as I look at them. How very fine they are! I can well understand how 'slow' the summer has gone, and like you I am glad of the promise for the autumn. I am glad, too, of the charming little trip you all had to Salem. That was a very pretty courtesy for the Y.M.C.A., and I hope they will continue it on other quarters. You must have known through Harriette that I am expecting to go to Saratoga, but it has been so uncertain in my mind, that I have said very little about it. I still hope nothing will prevent, although personally, I am not anxious to go. It seems to us here, that the summer has gone. It is really so cool and autumn like. The night and mornings are really cold; but there has been so much rain, that the flowers have outgrown and out-bloomed themselves and are still very beautiful. I am sorry to say that Mrs. Ward is very poorly. It is, I think, a nervous break-down. She made an unfortunate purchase of what she thought would be a home, but finding herself financially unable to accomplish it. I fear she will break entirely. We are trying to get her here to save her. Mrs. Capron seems to be doing well and nothing breaks her. I wonder if Roscoe will find himself able to go to Buffalo. It would be charming if he can. I shall wish very much when I find myself so very far North as Saratoga that I could compass New England as well, and look in on my remarkable family; but if I am able to go at all, it will be only to return as quickly as possible. For the things to be done immediately, stand around me in prospective like so many guests, and they are veritable Bancos 'and will not down'. My Virginia help have not yet returned from vacation and temporary help leaves me something to do in the house. We are looking forward to sometime when you shall visit us, which will be a happy day for us here." The typing is light and dark which led Barton to add, in holograph: "My type writer is not aged". General ROSCOE G. WELLS was Barton's assistant at the National First Aid Association of America. CLARA BARTON (1821-1912), who had served on the battlefields of the Civil War, became acquainted with the International Red Cross of Geneva while working abroad during the Franco-Prussian conflict and established the American Red Cross in 1882. She served as the organization's President until June 16, 1904, when she resigned from her "lifelong presidency". In April 1905, the year before this document was signed, Barton founded the National First Aid Association of America, which taught first aid classes, developed the original first aid kits and helped to organize community ambulance brigades. She would serve as the organization's honorary President for five years. In 1891, Edward and Edwin Baltzley had built a three-story, 30-room home in Glen Echo, Maryland for Barton. Remodeled in 1897 as the headquarters of the American Red Cross, the home temporarily served as a warehouse and was crammed with thousands of items to assist victims of wars and natural disasters. Barton lived in the home in Glen Echo until her death. Lightly creased with folds, vertical fold at the second "a" in Clara. Lightly shaded at upper blank margin, heavy shading at blank upper right corner. Nicked at upper blank edge. Overall, fine condition.