West Liberty History 1838-1938

Source: One Hundred Years of History
* Commemorating a Century of Progress in the West Liberty Community * WEST LIBERTY, IOWA
WEST LIBERTY CHAPTER AMERICAN RED CROSS

At a meeting of the King's Daughters Circle, May 8th, 1917, Mrs. Bella McElravy of Chicago, a former resident presented the matter of the need of organization.

May 26th at a called meeting for the purpose of organization, the chapter was organized with thirty-one members, whose officers were Rev. H. K. Schondelmeyer, chairman; Mrs. Lillian Whitacre, vice-chairman; Mrs. F. H. Shellabarger, secretary, and Ray Whitacre, treasurer.

Work was at once started and committees appointed to have charge of knitting, handkerchiefs, bed sox, comfort bags, nightingales, bath robes, pajamas and bed shirts. The first shipment of these supplies was in August, 1917.

At the end of the first year the membership had increased to 1850 exclusive of the juniors, and in two years was 2150.

The total number of garments made and shipped was over 5000 exclusive of the knitted garments, of which were 762 sweaters, 166 mufflers, 725 pairs of sox, 193 pairs of wristlets, and 25 helmets. In addition to this there were three separate shipments of used clothing to the Belgian relief, totaling some 2500 pounds.

The Chapter established a canteen in West Liberty and work in this line was done for all train troops, and meals were served to soldiers, sailors and civilians when stopping here in behalf of the Liberty Loan drives. A musical troop of Canadian soldiers, disbanded here, was given financial aid.

All through the years the Chapter has been active in all requests for aid, the last being the Ohio valley flood in 1936 when they sent out $ 860.40 as their contribution.

The membership is now 216, and Ray Whitacre is still treasurer.

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