To handle the entire work effectively, the National Headquarters
of the American Red Cross fixed and allotted the
quotas, which were to be produced according to certain standards,
designs and patterns. The branch, however, bought its own materials
- at first from local dealers and later through divisional warehouses.
The first work to be done was the surgical dressings. From
the very beginning the demand for them was urgent, and
many a "hurry call" was received. On December 8,
1917, for example, 750 4x8 inch compresses were ordered to be
in Chicago by December 20; and with the push and termination
which characterized all Red Cross work, these were ready and
forwarded as early as December 14. And again this request was
received from Madison: "Do, please, get everybody busy,
and speed up to the limit on surgical dressings. One million
must come from this district in December, and we must do our
share. Please ship as often as possible, and in as great quantities.
This is a real emergency." This plea was strengthened by
a cable received at National Headquarters from Major Grayson
M. P. MURPHY, head of the Red Cross Commission in France, copy
of which was sent to all Red Cross workers. "The Red Cross
has direct responsibility for supplying us with surgical dressings,
and nothing in the whole situation here is equally important.
The Red Cross standard dressings in millions must be sent over
with all possible speed. If this is not done and done immediately,
a serious calamity and national disgrace is inevitable. The American
women who compose the Red Cross chapters should prepare with
all the enthusiasm and speed possible the dressings which are
going to mean life or death to our men. The whole question deals
with the most vital thing that the women of America can do for
the soldiers in this war."
Brodhead had many splendid Red Cross workers who nobly responded
to these urgent appeals. In fact, there is
scarcely a woman in Brodhead who did not give at least a
few hours a week to the making of these surgical dressings -
a work of tiresome routine, most exacting, tedious, and with
none of the thrill and glory of attending other forms of "war
work." It was, however, a work without which our list of
casualties might have swelled out of all proportion.
Under the efficient supervision of the knitting committee
previously named, many women did splendid and praiseworthy
work in knitting. For the most part, this work was done quietly
at home. Letters of appreciation were received from soldiers
by Mesdames S. D. FISHER, Edward McNAIR, O. F. SMITH and F. M.
SHERMAN for knitted articles in which they had placed their cards.
The quotas, large and hurried, were invariably completed ahead
of time and were always up to a very high standard. As late as
March, 1919, a quota of 65 pairs of socks and 50 sweaters for
refugee children were received, so that it was necessary for
the knitting to be done up to summer of that year.
Although for sanitary reasons, surgical dressings were always
kept distinctly separate, refugee garments were also made
in the work-room. Hospital supplies, such as bed shirts,
pajamas, handkerchiefs and so forth were made at the work-rooms
and at home by individuals and societies as well.
The work of the Brodhead Branch of the Red Cross received
much commendation from the Madison Chapter. Mrs.
Mary HOBBINS, director of the work, wrote that it was a pleasure
for the inspectors to open up the boxes on account of the neat
and efficient workmanship and the way the boxes were packed.
And the branch frequently received commendation like the following
from the Madison Chapter: "December 5, 1917. We wish to
congratulate you on the splendid work which you have sent in
to us. You have made 85 knitted articles over your quota, which
means that Brodhead is heart and soul in the work of the Red
Cross, and we are proud to have you as a branch of our chapter."
In August, 1918, the Chapters were reorganized, so that,
in place of having one chapter supervise two or three counties,
each county had its own chapter, with its county seat as
headquarters. Brodhead now became a branch of the Monroe Chapter
where it remained to the end of its work.