Clara Barton
General Correspondence
Ham, Caroline Gerow
July 1898-Jan 1901
"behind every genuine
work of mercy there is
a hidden history of
surrender of time, ease,
leisure, rest, pleasure".
I realize how small
has been my effort, in
comparison to what I
would do were it in
my power. I count it
a great privilege, even
to have gained one
intelligent adherent
to Red Cross principles.
Mrs. Lesser knows of 
my determination
and I believe she 
too will rejoice with
me. Every movement
made by Red Cross since
February last which

213-S-Third Ave.
Mount Vernon. NY.
July 18 "98
Dear Miss Barton,
Although you
may have heard of
my final victory, in 
forming a Red Cross Aux'y
here in Mt V - , I feel
I must, myself, write 
you of it. My life 
has been so full,
duties so numerous-
(along Red Cross lines, most entirely)
that this is the first 
opportunity I have 
had to acquaint you
with what I have been


trying to do for you.  
I enclose you a copy 
of the "call" I sent out; 
also result of said call
 telling of auxy formed.  
We organized on June 
24th 1898-as a 
permanent Red Cross 
Auxy.  Our number'#36.  
I also enclose clipping 
of my statement as 
Treasurer, just a week 
after Garden Party was 
given.  As your name 
& Red Cross are synonymous 
terms throughout the 
civilized world, so is 
mine (as to interest, knowledge 
of etc.) here in Mt V-.

Not a day passes, scarcely, 
but some one calls to 
have me tell them of 
the work-and our 
NY papers just full i
n praise of you and 
your work in Cuba.  I write 
you of this because 
of my constant professions 
of love and 
devotion to you "my 
queen", that you may 
believe such professions.  
'Tis truly said "no man 
has ever gained anything 
real without giving 
a part of himself 
in payment for his achievement' 
and thatnation to have given 
to the world such 
a woman.
God grant you may 
be spared to us years 
longer; that we may 
prove to you our 
love, admiration 
appreciation and 
devotion.
Yours to command, 
with love unceasing,
Carrie Gerow Ham.

has been made known 
through press, I have 
on file.
Presume you will 
have received the package
 I sent you by Mr. Cobb, 
ere this reaches you.  
I am now planning 
to have another [lauria?] 
party (at Mrs. Cottrell's); 
this is to be the girls' 
affair.  Little George, whose 
contribution I sent you 
in box with "pussy" on, 
feels more than proud 
that His money was 
sent you first.
I must write you 
what Senator Hoar 
said of you in anaddress at the Clark 
University summer school, 
last week. It appeared 
in N.Y. Sun of yesterday, 
as copy from Worcester 
Mass. spy.
"The poet of chivalry, Edmund 
Spenser, has drawn for 
all mankind his 
portrait of the Red 
Cross knight.  But his 
imagination has 
drawn no loftier 
stroke than the 
real character of 
Clara Barton, an 
American woman, 
who, on her errand 

of mercy, has penetrated 
the barbarism of 
Turkey and carried 
her gentle ministrations 
past the cruel and 
bloody knives of the 
Spanish soldiery."  "An 
American woman has 
struck for the American 
youth a loftier strain 
in the "Battle Hymn 
of the Republic"–  
"In the beauty of lilies, Christ 
was born across the sea, 
As He died to make men 
holy, 
Let us die to make men free."
How privileged a[*Mt Vernon Recevd, July 14/98*]
THE GARDEN PARTY.
A Successful Affair-$120 Sent to the 
Red Cross Treasurer
The members and officers of the 
Mount Vernon Red Cross auxiliary 
desire to express their gratitude to 
Mr. E.E. Hoff, for donation of twenty 
quarts of ice cream; Messrs. Van Arsdale 
for camp chairs loaned and delivered 
free of charge; the New York 
Infant Asylum for use of lanterns and 
decorations; Messrs. Holler, Mead 
and Dexter for contributions of ice; 
D.G. Burton Co., for lumber; Mr. 
Lambert for carpenter work; 
Commissioner of Public Works McTague, 
improving condition of Jackson street, 
and the Mount Vernon Band (11th 
Separate) Mr. Craig, leader-for the 
fine band concert which added so 
much to the pleasure of the occasion 
at the garden party, held July 7.  The 
ladies are busy making pajamas and 
night-shirts for our men at the front, 
and would announce that all donations 
of material or aid in sewing will 
be gratefully received.  They have
 just received one piece of muslin and 
one piece of gingham from Hearn's 
dry goods house, of New York city.
   Result of garden party was most 
gratifying, as statement appended 
shows:
Tickets sold..............................................................................................................$119.25
Donation from Mrs. J.S. Mead, of Montclair, 
N.J. (through Mrs. J.G. Duncan).                                                                                     20.00
Donation-proceeds of an entertainment 
given by Ruah Lord, Ethel Van Namee, 
Ida Breck, Irene Arnheim, Florence S. 
White, Vera Marston.....................................................................................................2.10
                                                                                                                                         _______
                                                                                                                                        $141.35
Sent Red Cross treasurer, New York 
     city...........................................................$120.00
Expenses...........................................................17.28                                                   137.28
                                                                                                                                          ________                       Balance................................................................................................................$        4.07
[*C.G.Hans, Treas.*]neuritis, at base of brain, and 
spinal meningitis.  I am 
sitting up in bed between 
pillows-a privilege accorded 
me since Sunday.  Yesterday 
I wrote my first letter-to my 
mother & Mr. H.  Have been 
best part of the day writing 
this.  No one more glad 
than I for "Madison Sq"-affair, in 
NY.  Our auxy will, probably, 
take no action-now I am away.  
I raised (personally) all the funds 
etc for Galveston; never called a 
meeting.  Did you receive clothing 
from our Needlework Guild, while 
at Galveston?  They agreed to send 
some.  I shall probably be 
here until about Jan, 3rd 1901.  I 
trust you are well.  Accept my 
love and "greetings of the Season".  As ever
Your's in admiration 
C.G.Ham

[*ansd Dec, 22/900 CB*]
401-Massachusetts Ave.
Boston-Mass.
Dec 19th 1900
Dear Miss Barton=
About the middle of October, 
having collected all I could 
for R.C.-relief at Galveston, I 
came on here, hoping to rest 
and recuperate my shattered 
health.  My life during the 
summer had been more than 
full, as most of our ladies 
were out of town; we who 
remained at home realized 
that, misfortune is abroad in 
summer as well as winter; 
that willing hands need never 
be idle.  My first week 
here, I rested some-butwas far from well.  Having received 
numerous invitations from club women, 
and those whom to visit with, meant 
real pleasure and profit for me – I 
had anticipated much.  Alas, only 
a few days were mine to so enjoy.
Three of those days, I spent with 
Mrs Mary A. Livermore; one at her home 
for an afternoon, and two as her guest 
at affairs of public interest.  At one of 
the latter – a "tree planting" at Brookline, 
under auspices of Charity Club – I met 
dear Mrs. J. Sewall Reid.  I leave you 
to guess, of whom we talked?
Mrs Livermore said of you, to me, "tell 
her I consider her the eighth (8th) 
wonder of the world".  and so; 
again I have the rare pleasure 
of sending you deserved tribute!
Nov. 3rd found me in bed, where 
I am yet.  Have been seriously ill 
and suffered much.  At times have 
had two physicians – but Ed has 
attended me regularly.  Mr. Ham 
came on, at once, and arranged matters, 
and has spent most every Sunday with 
me.  I am stopping with friends who 
have been devoted to me.  The illness 
was caused by a severe fright which 
brought on an attack of 

an unostentatious manner 
would not detract 
from her, or her life's 
work in years hence. 
Again, Ed really needs 
you to clear up certain 
matters.  He knows 
nothing of this letter 
to you.  I am foolish 
enough to think perhaps 
you will come to us.
How much it would 
mean for us – at the 
dawn of the Twentieth-
Century to have you with 
us, alone, for a few 
days.  I feel he would 
sanction this request, even 
though it is asking very 
much.  That the Twentieth 
Century may bless us all, by
keeping you with us – is my

sincere wish – Lovingly, – Caroline Gerow Ham.


[*ansd. Jan 12 1901 CB*]
#29–St Botolph St. 
Boston–Mass.
Dec. 31st 1900
My dear–
Just to thank you 
for your precious letter 
of the 22nd inst., which
came to me on Christmas 
eve.  No, I am not yet 
able to go home.  I came 
here (above address) on 
Wednesday last.  Found 
the ride in coach a 
little tiresome, but the 
change has been beneficial 
in every way – as I am
with very delightful people, 
friends with whom 'tis 
a pleasure to be.  I 
am with you in thought 
tonight, and wish I werewith you at the "Madison Square".
Cannot tell you how glad I shall be 
to show Ed your letter.  Having a number 
of patients who need his constant 
care – lying low of fever and serious 
ills – have not had an opportune 
moment to show him your message 
to him.  I wrote him of it.
     If you felt he needed you, or 
rather, that you could "set him right 
in a good many things" would 
you come on to see him right 
now?  If your health permits, will 
you not come to Boston, for a few 
days, and be my guest here?  It is 
a quiet, pleasant house.  Ed is 
Lieut. of the Ambulance Corps, of M.V.M –
Capt, Myles Standish.  The armory 
is near here; we could go over there 
drill night and the "boys in blue" 
and Capt. Standish, Gov's Staff etc, would 
welcome you.  You understand what 
this would mean for Ed?  Then too, 
Clara Barton at the armory, in 
this, our classic city of Boston, in[*[1900]*]
Glen Echo, Md. Dec. 22,

Dear Mrs. Ham,
     I catch this hasty moment, while you letter is new, to 
tell you how sorry I am for your illness-you must leave off working 
yourself sick, it does not pay.  But I know it is a comfort to you that 
our Ned has attended you.  You know I think him the prince of doctors.  
Tell him of you please that I am not as well as I want to be and that 
I think of him every day.  I cannot tell him all that I should like to 
with my pen; but wish he were here to listen to it.  He would set me 
right in a good many things.  I think by this time you must be well 
enough to go home, and please please don't talk to me about watch meetings, 
nor needlework guilds, nor auxiliaries, nor anything of that 
kind.  Remember that one can cloy of the same kind of food forever and 
forever and forever administered.  Send me sometimes  a little line of 
friendship and not business, and I will be so glad to get it.  
Yours lovingly,

Mrs. Carrie Gerow Ham
401 Massachusetts Ave.,
Boston, Mass.


Glen Echo, Md. Jan. 12, 1901

Caroline Gerow Ham,
Boston, Mass.
My Dear Mrs. Ham,
     I have to write at once to prevent you from building 
up a false hope.  I do not go out of my own house and therefore could
not think of going to Boston.  I have not even been in the city 
of Washington since I came back from Galveston.  "NED" knows very well 
in which condition I usually come home from a field and that it takes 
me about as long to get back the strength after I get home as it did 
to lose it on the field.  Again I should be very very glad to see him 
here; but I cannot come to see either him or you there.
     Regretting this and thanking you always for your constant 
affection, I remain,
     Sincerely yours,