Clara Barton Diaries and Journals Diarists other than Clara Barton Staff diaries Apr. 20-29, 1896 (Srwruidu-Turkish relief mission) 4 Turkish RELEIF MISSION APR. 1896 1896 Continued from No. 3. (Red Book) Apr. Monday Cple 20 Weather Clear warm we dispatch several important letters by the Orient today. Law Bogigian, Steve, Plume, etc. G.P. took a £tg 1000 to the Turkish Post this morning and sent it to the Rev. H.N. Barnum for Dr Hubbell £tg 500. and Mr Wistar £tg 500. Total sent Hubbell to date £tg1500. Wistar £tg 700. A letter from Dr. Post tells of the medical expedition. and the cost of it so far. We have send £tg 420 and will at once send £ 200 more for expenses. We can serve the field in no better way than to maintain the corps of physicians in their grand work among so many thousands sick. Moslems and Christians alike are suffering and this will be an object lesson in Red Cross humanity work. We take a copy of Dr. Hubbells telegram of yesterday and call on Mr. Wendall, the English newspaper man He was not at home but we met him subsequently and gave him the dispatch which he will send out tonight to England and America. We call on Gen. & Mrs Short at the Pera Palace At 11:30 tonight we receive the following dispatch in Turc. from Wister Dated at Orfa, today "Our teskeras have been "vized. We will be in "Harpout by the 30th of "the month, Wistar." We give Dr. Hubbells telegram from Marash Apr. 19 to Mr. Werudel to telegraph England and America. Send registered package of letters to Harpout. Wood 8 Wistar 2. Bub 3. Ernest 2. Apr Tuesday Cple 21 weather Clear cold winds We called at the Legation this morning and councelled with Mr Riddle as to who sent the information from the Legation that Miss Barton could only distribute through the Turks. Riddle found no record either in dispatch book or cable packets, we have an idea that the Texas Steer thought it sounded well politically and sent it to Olney to make an impression. If that was his object he most certainly succeeded. went to Stamboul and called on Mr. Peet. He informs us that we can have Dr. Harris at Marasch and Dr Hubbell at Harpout draw on us for what they need thus doing away with sending money by poste . We also learn that we can telegraph Marasch and Harpout in English which is another great advantage, we purchase writing paper in Stambul, Mr. & Mrs. Garguila call. we send following cables, "Mask, New York, "Hubbell reports from Marasch "Typhus increasing, Beyrout "physicians in charge, Hubbell "proceeds Marasch to Malatia "with grain, agricultural "implements, distributing "enroute, Farmers nothing "to work with. Barton "Lane, Boston. "Expeditions doing splendid "work. Relieving between "Marasch, Harpout, Corfa, "Harpout, Our physicians "in control Marasch. "Hubbell reports Typhus "increasing. Barton, "Doctor George Post, Beyrout, "Letter received. many thanks "Agree with you. no better "work than ours, possible. "for suffering humanity, "irrespective religeous preferences. "Cable you credit £lg 220 today "can you care for medical "supplies. Can you find more "physicians. Have the two "started. Shall we send "money to Harris. Can we "purchase drugs better here, "If so what kinds, where ship, " Barrton, "Doctor Harris, Marasch, "Rejoiced to learn your "arrival. Know you and corps "will attend every case, "refusing assistance to none "whatever his religion or race. "How can we assist your "noble work. Please send "very frequent reports "daily if practicable. How "many sick, what diseases, "what proportion are women, "About Zeitun, can you attend " that city. Where can we "obtain more doctors for you, "Besides telegraphing reports, "please write fully, your "findings at beginning of "your work. Classify "diseases and people. Tell "us your needs. Barton. During our absence today Mrs,. Alex Forman, and Mr & Mrs Allen Forman of 116 Pierrepont St. Brooklyn New York, called Friends of Dr Lucy Hall Brown, Apr. 22 Wednesday. Cple. weather. Clear. Chilly. We sent the following wire "Rev. Augusta J. Chapin. "Steamship "St. Sunniva", care "J. Ross [Geo.?] Alexandria, Egypt. "Wrote you Saturday, above address "An American writer. tourist, "came after you left. ready to "work. we being in extremity. "accepted the service." you "therefore will not need make "your generous sacrifice. Hope "you receive letter. Let us "hear from you when you settle "Bon voyage. cost for 77.75, Barton, Pullman The following telegram was received - "Marasch April 22. "Clara Barton American Legation "Been having sharp attack "Malarial fever. All doctors "have left Zeitun. Many sick, "will try and go with party "Tomorrow. Impossible to "get more doctors. Post letter "today. Harris." We went to the bank today. Deposited £1000 2/3 L/c of Bostons we received in New York. Also deposited £64 4/10 just rec'd from Wing. Phila. Drew £500. Cabled Dr Port £lg 220 50 remittance . Folal £640 km Cost £1.40. Made several purchases. Ms Dobrashian called with The Turkish woman who called the other day. Mr. Minassian came at 4 and began copying our daily record in the regular record book. Mr. Bliss called and received a check for the socks we bought from Papazian some days since. We learn that the goods have been shipped to Alexandretta, which may cause trouble as we did not so order. Called on the Forman's at Pera Palace Hotel this evening. They have been traveling abroad two years. Leave tomorrow for Paris. They are friends of Dr Hall Brown Apr Thursday Cple 23 Weather Bright-warm Mr. Minassian came this morning and as Alexand was sick and asked Mr M. to deliver some letters. Afterwards he continued on the books. He writes on a good plain hand and will be of service in getting our notes into shape. Send several letter by the orient. Several ladies called today. Mrs Dr Greene, Miss Gleason & Mme Secy A. Assadourian. Mrs Harriet . Reynolds Sec'y of the Humane Education Committee. R.I. U.S.A. called She is a strong W.C.T.U woman and as she knows very little about affairs here and the difficulties hedging us about her ideas were very funny, She is a bright, pretty woman Will remain two or three weeks in the city. Has just introduced "Black Beauty" into the Italian Schools. Her son is a civil engineer in the U.S. Apr Friday Cple 24 weather Threatening An April day. cloud & sun. Rained hard in the night. Mr Werdel called this morning and consulted in regard to the general situation. C B. read some notes she had just jotted down as to agriculture and what our men were doing on that line. Mr. W. asked C.B. to give him the notes to found an article on. She agreed to write them over and send to him. Mrs. Reynolds came again today and not only remained and helped Miss Barton in various ways but as she is very anxious to come and remain with us during her stay in the city we have decided to let her do so as she will be useful to Miss Barton and is a very agreeable lady C. B. knew her in the U. S. A telegram received from Dr Post as follows "cable received but no "money. In need of funds. will "forward supplies, Am doing "all I can, Post" G.P. goes to the Ottoman and finds that the money was cabled two days ago. Telegraph Dr Post, "Apply Ottoman Bank for "remittance sent twenty-first. "two hundred sterling. Pullman" A very satisfying wire from Dr. Ira Harris. "Marasch April 24 "Party start for Zeitoun "today Harris" G.P purchases a very complete little steel cash box so arranged with a double steel bottom that it can be screwed to the table or floor and cannot be moved or opened without the proper key. A very handy little safe. Buys a lamp and other articles for the house and relief. Mrs Reynolds selects Wistar's & Wood's room for her temporary abode. Poor Mrs Mason's room cannot be occupied, on account of the odor. We have had sulphur burned in it, carbolic acid to fumigate and various other disinfectants but all to no purpose the carbonic acid gas remains as offensive as ever so the room will not be used as a sleeping apartment. Apr. Saturday Cple. 25 weather. clear. warm. Sent following cable to - "De Graw, Washington "Our corps physicians control "Marasch. Start today Zeitoun, "establish temporary hospitals "Both other expeditions "distributing grain, farming "Tools. Elaborate through Presser Barton" Mrs. Reynolds went to Bebek today. Enjoyed herself. We call on Dr. Zavitziano and consult in regard to physicians for Marasch. The Dr. is to inquire and report on Monday. Do some shopping. receive a very satisfying telegram from the interior "[Marasch. April 24. "Party start for Zertoun "today, Harris."] "Diarbekir. April 25. "all well. Valie Cordial. "Harpout wednesday. Wistar", Send following cable to "Olney, Washington. "Three, expeditions reported "Today, One, the physicians, in "control Marasch, are organizing "temporary hospitals in Zeitoun "also. Second - relieving "Matalia, euroute Harpout. "Third - distributing at Diarbekir "arrive Harpout thirtieth. "Provincial Governors cordial "and helpful. without "thought of direction or control. "( Please publish) Barton" Apr. Sunday Cple 26 Weather Clear, warm A house day. writing and consultation, we have so far done wonderfully, remarkably well. Far better than any of the other relief organizations We have our unexpressed opinions in regard to the reasons but shall hold the opinions sub rosa until time shall reveal the facts then we will see if the one tallies with the other. Mrs Reynolds tells us of some of her experiences in trying to introduce her "Black Beauty" into the Italian schools. Her trials with the publishers was pathetic and somewhat funny. but she came out all right so we rejoice with her. Apr Monday Cple 27 Weather Bright, warm We send letters to Harpout and the U.S. Received a telegram from "Malatia. April 26, 1896. "Have arrived here all right "Will leave for Harpout "Tomorrow, Lemmie wants "Eight-pounds given to "his wife. All well, Hubbell", G.P. goes to Ottoman and gets credit of L[pounds] 9. an error made by the bank in Ming's remittance of March 24, Gives Mrs. Lemmie Llq [pound large] 8. which pays Lemmie's wages up to April 22. Goes to Bible House and consults with Peet as to exchanges, equivalents etc, a pleasant chat. We received a very agreeable call from some Americans today. Rev. Geo. B. Vosburg, Boston Harry C. Warren, Louisville Ky. Miss Jane Gray Glenn; Clarksville Tenn Miss Mainnie Verhoeff, Louisville They are of a party of fifty or more who left the U.S. early in Feb. Have been to Egypt. Palestine and return via Athens, Rome etc. The excursion party breaks up in Italy and they return by various and devious ways. They remained over two hours. Dr. Zavitziano called to report that he could secure three or four physicians (Greeks) for work at Marasch at 25 liras per worth. It is a large sum still we will take up the question and see what can be done. Dr. T.N. Vigliri called with a friend. M. Papazoglou avocat. Dr. Vigliri came to renew his offer of service and that of his brother in Diarbekir. Apr. Tuesday Cple. 28 Weather Bright, warm we go to the Legation this morning and ask Riddle about reports of the terrible conditions in the interior as given in the London News received yesterday. He tells us that the news is anti Turc and inclined to sensationalism. Though the English and missionary people are having great trouble. That Sir Philip Currie is having great trouble with the Porte. We are sorry indeed for our friends and if we could assist them more than we are doing we would be exceedingly. We rejoice that our way thus far has been smooth, Fresh reports each day but confirms our knowledge that, at least so far as we are concerned, the Government is sincere. At Aintab for instance Wistar and Wood asked the Kaimakam who were the most needy. the governor asked them to see the Local Com, This they did and found that almost all the members were Armenians. This is at least significant. Mr. Louis C. Solyorn of the Library of Congress called this morning. He is an Austrian by birth but has been in the U.S. Library 28 years. He is visiting Constantinople a few days. Has talked to a number of Turkish officials all of whom told him of the confidence they had in Miss Barton and her work. This coming from the source it does is gratifying as it seems sincere. Rev. A. W. Ludbrook called this afternoon. He is a kind of a missionary living most of the time in Melbourne, Australia. Received very fine reports from Hubbell's & Wistar's expeditions. Sent following telegram to Dr Harris, Marasch. "Can send three or four "Greek doctors well recommended, " from here, shall "we send them. Many "thanks for dispatch. How "is Zeitoun, America "intensely interested in "your work. How can we "further serve you. Barton" Apr Wednesday. Cple 29 weather Bright, warm Received following wires in Turc. "Orfa. April 28. 1896. "Clara Barton. Cple. "The post money is just "received. Many thanks." Shattuck" Also "Airtab. April 28 1896. "Miss Barton. Cple. "Typhus and dysentery are "raging in Arabkir. The "people are in great poverty " and the deaths are numerous "Can you send a doctor "and medicines. Shepard" Transcribed and reviewed by volunteers participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.