Page:History of Woman Suffrage Volume 6.djvu/594

 HISTORY OF WOMAN SUFFRAGE Mitchell's friends and neighbors, among whom were Miss Sarah J. Eddy, Mrs. John Eldredge and Mrs. Barton Ballou. Gradually the suffrage agitation spread over the entire island, which includes the three townships of Portsmouth, Middletown and Newport. In Middletown the league's work was ably carried on by Mrs. Eugene Sturtevant and her daughters. All rendered priceless service to what was then an unpopular and unfashionable cause. Mrs. Julia Ward Howe was present at the first meeting and as long as she lived took great interest in its work. This interest was inherited by her daughters, Mrs. Maud Howe Elliott and Mrs. Florence Howe Hall. The summer meetings were sometimes held at Oak Glen, Portsmouth, Mrs. Howe's country home, and here on soft June afternoons the veteran suffrage workers and the young neophytes destined to carry on their work rejoiced in coming together. On one ocasion a young stranger was noticed in the audience who followed the proceedings with breathless interest. Soon afterwards Mrs. Norman deR. Whitehouse of New York began her fine service for suffrage, which was con- tinued until the victory was won in that State. Many of the most distinguished speakers ever heard in Newport came under the auspices of this league. Among the active workers were Mrs. Walter Wright, secretary and treasurer; Miss Eliza- beth Peckham, Mrs. Oscar Miller, Mrs. Bertram Storrs and many others, and among the faithful members Admiral and Mrs. Sims rendered "aid and comfort" beyond belief in those days when it took some courage in fashionable Newport to "come out" for woman suffrage ! [The long and interesting account of this league must be omitted because space can be given only to national and State organizations.]