Clara Barton: A Centenary Tribute to the World's Greatest Humanitarian: Founder of the American Red Cross Society, Author of the American Amendment to the International Red Cross Convention of Geneva, Founder of the National First Aid Association of AmericaYoung, Charles Sumner
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Clara Barton: A Centenary Tribute to the World's Greatest Humanitarian: Founder of the American Red Cross Society, Author of the American Amendment to the International Red Cross Convention of Geneva, Founder of the National First Aid Association of America
Young, Charles Sumner
Barton, Clara, 1821-1912
Grateful to me! It is I who should be grateful, and I am.
CLARA BARTON.
We of South Carolina can never forget her contributions to the
storm-wrecked people on our desolated sea-coast, after the fearful
tempest of 1893. She came as an angel of mercy. With uncovered heads,
and with profound deference, we bow to the blessed name of Clara
Barton. _The Southern Reporter._
FELL ON THEIR KNEES BEFORE “MIS’ RED CROSS”
A terrific hurricane and tidal wave had struck the coasts of North
Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. It was estimated that at least
thirty thousand people were rendered homeless,—the larger number of
these being of the colored population. Governor Tillman and Senator M.
C. Butler sent an urgent request to Clara Barton to come to their
assistance.
Clothing was so scarce among the poor colored people that only the men
could appear on the streets. About four o’clock in the morning, a crowd
gathered about the warehouse. Only men were present and these were
attired in such garments as could be found, mostly ragged at the best.
In some cases only rags were tied about them, just enough to enable them
to come for their rations of food, for their starving families. A motley
crowd it was, but there was never any jostling or crowding, nor
confusion of any sort.
“Many pathetic scenes come to my mind as I remember this work,” says
“Sister Harriette.” “When Miss Barton was engaged and could not be seen,
it was my place to receive the visitors, ascertain their wishes, and
dispose of them as seemed best. They called Miss Barton ‘Mis’ Red
Cross,’ came to see her, sometimes in crowds and, when she was not
otherwise engaged, they were taken to her office. Many of them were old
women, and upon entering the room one and all fell upon their knees and
bowed their heads, as if in the presence of a superior being. She
approached them graciously; some seized her hands and kissed them;
others reached a fold of her skirts and carried it to their lips, never
saying a word, asking for nothing, satisfied with just being permitted
to look at her. They left as quietly as they had come in and went out to
their homes satisfied that they had been permitted to see ‘Mis’ Red
Cross.’”
[Illustration:
MARIO G. MENOCAL
In commendation of the Founder of the American Red Cross—Clara Barton,
it gives me great pleasure to state that her services rendered to
the cause of humanity in general and the poor starving people of
Cuba in particular, during our last struggle for independence, were
inestimable and her memory is linked to the history of Cuba by ties
of gratitude, love and respect.
MARIO G. MENOCAL,
The President of Cuba, 1912–1920.
See pages 82; 100; 234; 241; 354.
]
LXXII
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