Page:Sketches of representative women of New England.djvu/202

Rh was OIK' largely cxpcriinciital and characterized by most rayiul growtli in nunibpr.« and development. . . . Now we tind ourselves looking out over a field of work limitl»'ss in extent, and we find ourselves, too, most admirably prepared to carry forward the lines of work projected to reach, if possible, the highest ideal ever set for woman's work.

"This year, 1901-1002, has been a remark- ably successful one from every standpoint. . . . This has been brought about because the time was ripe, the officers of the administration wonderfully cajiable for the places they were called to fill; the spirit of the day was for pros- perity, for advancement.

"It is with feelings of great satisfaction that I am permitteil to tell you to-day that never were Memorial Sunday and Memorial Day more generally observed than in the year 1902. "Contributions to the Southern Memorial Day fund came with much promptness from corps and also from indivitlual members, in many instances accompanied with letters filled with patriotic enthusiasm. There was in the hands of the national treasurer, from last year's contribution, nine hundred and forty-two dol- lars. This year we have .sent to the Quarter- master-general of the Grand Army one thou- sand six hundred and thirty-one dollars and ninety-three cents, and there is one hundred and thirty-three dollars and ninety-four cents now remaining in the treasury. . . . The amount sent South this year by the W. R. C. is the larg- est sum ever sent in any one year. We are most glad that the response was so generous, and we are positively assured by the com- mander-in-chief that the need was never greater nor the work of decorating more thoroughly performed. . ..

"We have formed a closer union with the G. A. R., to whom, as Colonel Bakewell says, ' the Woman's Relief Corps is married ' : and in that closer union of spirit and methods of work, in uniformity of pm'pose and material, we must hand to our posterity a heritage rich in the ideal teaching anil living of a higher citizenship than we have ever known.

"Patriotic days have been widely observed. In response to the Flag Day letters bearing the joint message of the (i, A. R. and W. R. G., flags floated from ocean to ocean. . ..

"Work has rapidly advanced along all lines. Flags, charts, oleographs, have been placed in the schools. Patriotic j)rograms of rare merit have been constantly prepared, and the children of our land have sung 'The Star-spangled Banner' with a new sjiirit and vigor. " I wish especially to commend the work of the Sons of Veterans. Their organization is one of noble purpose, and the results of their united efforts cannot fail to be a grand success. I woukl also call especial attention to the open- ing of the new educational institution, the Sons of Veterans Memorial University, on Sep- tember 10, at Mason City, la."

Mrs. Jones is honored in her native State, and has filled places of responsibility in other lines of work. She is one of the Trustees and chairman of the Book Conunittee of tlie Brad- ford Public Library, which was started at her suggestion. Its beginning was in 1874, when Mrs. Albert Bailey and Mrs. Jones went about from house to house, and jirocured subscrip- tions of one dollar each from sixty-three women to a fund for the purchase of books for a li- brary. In addition to the annual subscrip- tions, money was obtainetl by entertainments and lectures conducted by the association. The books were kept at the house of Mrs. Jones, who acted as librarian three years. At the dedication of the present building, the gift of John Lunn Woods, in 1895, the address was delivered by the Hon. J. H. Benton, Jr., of Boston, a former resident of Bradford. Re- ferring to the work of the Ladies" I^ibrary As- sociation, he said: "Who can measure the good which has resulted to this comnumity from this patient, persistent, un.selfish work of these wise and public-spirited women? They de- serve our jM-aise equally with him whose name this buiUling bears. While his name is car- ried upon the portals of your library, theirs should be borne upon tablets upon its walls, that in the years and generations to come those who enjoy the benefits may not forget how nuich they owe to those who made its existence possilile."

Mrs. Jones is a prominent member of the Daughters of American Revolution in 'ermont,