NAWSA GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE Foote, Katherine M. Danhart Acres Box 644 Edgartown Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts Many, many years ago, a Maid burdened with a Child on the road to Bethlehem to pay her taxes, sought shelter and rest at the Inn- unavailable - a stable was offered, she accepted; the manger in Bethlehem cradled a King. To my valentine: Katherine M. Foote [*Foote*] THE ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE OF MARTHA'S VINEYARD MAIN STREET, EDGARTOWN, MASS. COMMITTEE IN CHARGE MISS KATHARINE N. FOOTE, CHAIRMAN AND TREASURER MISS HELEN L. HATCH, VICE-CHAIRMAN MISS ELIZABETH W. DORCHESTER, SECRETARY FRANCIS A. FOSTER HARRAH K. BENNETT MRS. WILLIAM M. BUTLER MRS. T. M. RANDOLPH MEIKLEHAM MISS FRANCES LOUISE MEIKLEHAM MRS. W. L. MURRAY MRS. HENRY E. DAVIES MISS DAVIES MRS. GEOFFREY G. WHITNEY MISS ALICE STONE BLACKWELL MISS BERTHA L. MAYHEW MRS. H. B. HOUGH MRS. JAMES NORTON MRS. ARTHUR W. DAVIS MRS. CHARLES S. STANTON MRS. JOHN A. JEREMIAH MISS KATHARINE M. FOOTE, MANAGER B.R. CRILEY, D. V. M. VETERINARIAN TELEPHONE CONNECTION EDGARTOWN, MASS. Aug., 13th 1930 My dear Miss Blackwell, I know you will be pleased to receive a few lines from me - thanking you very, very much for your kindness & co-operation for the new Animal Rescue League. Every one enjoyed it who were present - and a good many have told me how much they regretted they could not be there - I am pleased to tell you the collection amounted to $54.20 I think that was fine and shows how much they valued & appreciated your lecture. Also the work we are doing for those who cannot speak for themselves. I feel there was a good attendance Sunday Eve - all to hear you. I am sure - for the usual attendance is very limited. I hope to see you again before leaving for the Winter - If you could be here for the Old Ladies Concert Aug, 19th I certainly should be pleased to consider you my most distinguished guest. Thanking you again for your kindness I am yours truly - Katharine M. Foote. Please remember me to your cousin. I am sure her heart & sympathy are ours. Katherine B. Foote Edgartown. July 17th 1939. My Dear Miss Blackwell. The check received from you for $25.00 to be credited to Miss Katharine B Blackwell - is most acceptable & appreciated, I assure you, and thank you sincerely. The veterinarian came. June 9th we have been very busy - having any number from 5 to ten dogs to board. Aside sick ones- the various diseases to which man and &beast are subject. I regret I could not have seen the play. I wonder if it will be played 2 elsewhere - it would meet with great applause on this Island. There are a few who have not forgotten what your Mother & yourself have done for women- for their rights & to suppress injustice & advance suffrage - May God bless such people who have lived to accomplish in the world, not spent their time in vain but when their days are over - "They can wrap the drapery of their couch about them & lie down to pleasant dreams"-Thanatopsis. Just a few of my favorite lines. Miss Haleth is yet on the Island but resigned from the Mansion House 3 I trust resting at one of her cottages. You remember perhaps I had this league incorporated & made Miss Haleth President as all those interested insisted upon my being manager & Treas. but Miss Blackwell I am nearly 80 years of age & one can never bet what a Year might bring forth at our age. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak - I have had to have more help thi season - a Boy to do the outside work as well as some inside - previously I have done it myself but not able now. I have to save all I can for the league to continue - it takes much 4 to pay the bills! You may realize how much I appreciate your very generous gift - Wishing you health, happiness & the richest of blessings to rest upon you - Yours truly - Katharine M. Foote Katharine Foote 59 Summit Ave., Winthrop Highlands, Mass. My dear Miss Blackwell, I am enclosing the article of which I spoke in regard to Mr. Brighams connection with the Boston Transcript & Animal Rescue League of Boston - also a notice of the Fair at The Copley Plaza Hotel Dec. 1st & 2nd. If you are in Dorchester at that time - I certainly would be pleased to see you at our table - I certainly consider it a great honor that you take an interest in our work - & appreciate your willing heart & co-operation. Please remember me to your cousin and accept my love for yourself. Yours truly Katharine M. Foote. Nov. 9th 1930. P.S. I closed the league at the vineyard Nov 1st & came here for the Winter trusting we shall be able to continue & maintain our work on the Island another season. [*Miss K. Foote*] Edgartown May 7th Dear Miss Blackwell: Thanking you for your earlier thought & kind words of encouragement. Now you have received the gold medal for your service to humanity. A life devoted the the emancipation of women, and justice for the oppressed of every race and color. I thank God there are such people as you, They are few and far between. I feel greatly honored to claim your acquaintance and Edgartown, July 20th My dear Miss Blackwell. For your letter with check for $5.00 enclosed I thank you most sincerely from the bottom of my heart. I feel so proud you even give me a place in your affections - You are far more of a saint & heroine than I am. Your family, including yourself, helped to liberate humanity from bondage, gave them their rightful place in the world to vote & have their voices heard on the side of right & temperance. God does not descend from not many like you in this world. Katharine B. Foote [*Katharine Foote*] feel you are a friend to my cause and to me personally. I wish I came here the last of March. I hope to make you a call at Chilmark during the summer. Remember me to your cousin Miss Catherine Blackwell. With real love for family & more admiration for your work than I could possibly express - Yours truly Katharine W. Foote. 3 follow His leadership or reject it. It seems wiser to me follow where He leads me, and I thank Him for giving me a work in this chaotic world which brings relief to the suffering, to the homeless and neglected. The veterinarian has been here since June 21st and our work has been continuous. Four bought in but by autos this week two died, & three had to be humanely put to sleep as their troubles were incurable - one little cat died today from Pneumonia. So it goes, but what right have we to complain when we think of Europe and humanity there. Those without funds, and without homes just drifting, seeking shelter and peace. 2 Heaven to work among us, but knocks at the door of our hearts & when we open that door & bid Him enter, he reveals to us His purpose for which He sent us into the world. You & I heard his voice. You the call for righteous justice for humanity. I for help for those who cannot plead their own cause but entitled to kindness and mercy. Yours was the higher call by far, and God bless you for having fulfilled it. I have been far from well this last Winter but I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. I am just His agent to carry on this part of His work. We are free agents to 4 I did not intend to weary you with this long letter when I found a few minutes to call my own - so I will thank you again for your kindness in interest in my efforts. I am most eighty years old - so pray that my health, strength courage, patience & wisdom may may be supplied until I can hear my Savior say "Well done good & faithful servant enter into the house of the Lord." & some day you will join me - and the friendship from on earth will continue in Heaven. "That sustained by an unaltering trust one will approach the grave like one who wraps the drapery of his couch about him & lies down to pleasant dreams - Yours with love & appreciation of the honor you bestow upon me. Take care of you yourself. These are Edgartown. Jan 1st 1943 Dear Miss Blackwell, Your thoughtfulness and kindness to me exceeds others. You remembered me with a gift--a check when I felt discouraged, not for myself. Perhaps I realize more than others the need of the league, let me say right now how much I appreciate your thinking of me. I had a severe fall. I broke a bone in my foot, tore the ligament, fractured a rib, injured a kidney. I was over-worked during the season, lack of help- gas etc. I could do no more without a rest, went to Boston as soon as I could return a little dog to the owner. After four weeks care, 2 stayed one night at the Bellevue, was taken sick with inflammation of the bladder. I phoned Mrs. Sellar in Dedham, wife of the President of the Boston League, who took me to my docter, he ordered me to the Hospt. for examination. Xray etc. no stomach ulcers (which I feared) or operation necessary, no broken hip for which I have much to be thankful. I then returned to stay with Mrs. Sellar until able to come back to Edgartown. Was not well enough to attend the Fair at the Copley Plaza at which I have a table for the Vineyard. Mrs. Wm Butler took charge of it for me, neither Mr or Mrs Sellar or my doctor would permit me to attend. My blood pressure below 100 oweing to my age & heart, but collected here 3 packed and sent the noval articles to sell. I was obliged to close the league two weeks ago, lack of fuel oil to heat & gasoline for transportation to and from the town. I am boarding in Edgartown where I can look after the sick & neglected animals. We have a gas chloroform & ether box so we can open the gates of release to slow suffering. The natives on this Island are cruel beyond comprehension. Within six weeks we have rescued four dogs tied in the woods, left to starve and freeze. Summer people bring cats which have kittens say they cannot take them home to apartments, leave them to starve. They resort to the woods for food, live on birds. Miss Blackwell I feel as I know you must. The gross cruelty & sin than brought this torn and chaotic world. I must not say 4 beyond hope. God still reigns and right will prevail, at what a cost. Young men slaughtered that dictators may have power. It seems to me Gods plan of elimination in ways we do not understand. Accidents fire crime etc. will finally cleanse the world of its wickedness or destroy it & build a better one. Do you think this may be so? I hope I have not wearied you, I just want you to know how I feel & appreciate your thinking of me. How little I am mentally compared with your intellect, the good you have done in the world so far exceeds anything of which I am capable that I feel very humble when I write you, but I can wish you many more years of usefulness. Your articles which I read in the papers are always just, fair and 5 helpful to the world & those who read them would join me in wishing you a New Year of happiness and peace. With much love to you from your great admirer. Katharine M. Foote Dec., 21st 1938 Me dear Miss Blackwell, May Gods richest blessings be yours this Christmas Season and the New Year bring health and happiness to your door. I never fail to read all you contribute out of your wealth of knowledge, wisdom & noble principles, which are scarce in this chaotic world of today. Your interest in the Martha's Vineyard Animal Rescue League is one among other things that encourages me in my efforts and makes me feel I am doing that which is approved 3 I was on the Island from April 1st until Nov 20th shall be here for the Winter & return to my duties in the early Spring. I am proud to know that you think of me & my efforts and trust my live may always be worthy of your interest, consideration and may I say love? Thanking you for your gift to the league & wishing you a very pleasant Christmas & New Year with Gods peace & blessing resting upon you. Yours truly Katharine M. Foote. 2 by you, I am sure it is otherwise, you would not have sent me the contribution of $5.00 which you did last summer from your cousin Miss Katherine Blackwell and yourself, for which I thank you most sincerely, it all helps to carry on the good work & encourages my feeble efforts. We cared for 1241 animals in 1937, including - dogs, puppies, cats, kittens, cows, calves, goats, kids and pigs every creature that needed the care of a veterinarian, or whose life was relieved from pain, suffering, neglect, starvation or injures by hit & run drivers. Edgartown Oct., 4th 1945 Dear Miss Blackwell, When I wrote thanking you for your gift, I was not aware it was your birth-day. Had I been a card would have been enclosed, one among many, I am sure. The 88 years so many of which have been for the benefit of woman-kind. You are worthy of Heavens 2 richest blessings and the highest honors the world and mankind can bestow upon you. I envy the mind that grasps so clearly and the courage to stand for the right, and security. With love and admiration I am sincerely - Yours, Katherine M Foote. [*K M Foote 59 Summit Ave Winthrop*] April 3rd 1931. My dear Miss Blackwell; To you I offer my grateful appreciation of your kind thoughtfulness - a card & letter at Christmas, an Easter card a few days ago - You would have heard from me long ere this had not sickness & death prevented my doing many things that appealed to my heart. Just a few words of explanation - After the Animal Rescue League fair at the Copley Plaza in Dec., (when we added to our bank account $113.00) & to which I gave my unlimited time and attention - I was afflicted with neuritis in my arm 3 many complaints that he had been left in a vacant lot to starve & freeze during the cold Winter, it was snowing very hard the day we found him. Miss Blackwell how can people be so cruel & heartless? I have not forgotten your willing offer to lecture again for our cause. After talking it over at the league, we all felt that it would be better, if during the Summer (the height of the season) you would kindly deliver the lecture on the Island (Vineyard Haven I think.) There were many who would liked to have heard it at Edgartown, unable to do so. We have good friends, real helpers like yourself at West Chop. I think the lecture would be better attend, appreciated & 2 and shoulder. I lost the entire use of my arm and hand for several weeks. I endured it two days & nights before having a doctor. Before he came, I fainted away, so you may know the pain was severe. Before I was really able I offered my assistance to an old & dear friend - taking turns sitting with her every other day during a severe illness from which she passed away Mar. 18th. Their limited means could not afford a nurse. I made one trip to Oak Bluffs, with a State officer from the Boston League, to have a very old horse humanely put to sleep. I received & profitable given these - I fear the people in Winchester & members of the Boston League would have little interest in our Martha's Vineyard branch. You do not know how much I value your co-operation and interest in our behalf. I have not forgotten your cousin I know you wrote me she had been ill, Is she better, I certainly hope so & that your own health will be increased as the years roll by - I suspect the Chilmark Cliffs had a severe lashing during the Winter & March storms - I think it is beautiful there and wish I had a cottage, it seems so quiet restful & health-giving - I hope I have not tired you with this account of my Winter. & that our acquaintance will be continued. Thanking you for all you have done to help us - Yours truly Katherine M. Foote. [*Remember me to your cousin.*] [*1931*] The Animal Rescue League of Martha's Vineyard Main Street, Edgartown, Mass. COMMITTEE IN CHARGE MISS KATHARINE M. FOOTE, CHAIRMAN AND TREASURER MISS HELEN L. HATCH, VICE-CHAIRMAN MISS ELIZABETH W. DORCHESTER, SECRETARY FRANCIS A. FOSTER HARRAH K. BENNETT MRS. WILLIAM M. BUTLER MRS. T. M. RANDOLH MEIKLEHAM MISS FRANCES LOUISE MEIKLEHAM MRS. W. L. MURRY MRS. HENRY E. DAVIES MISS DAVIES MRS. GEOFFREY G. WHITNEY MISS ALICE STONE BLACKWELL MISS BERTHA L. MAYHEW MRS. H. B. HOUGH MRS. JAMES NORTON MRS. ARTHUR W. DAVIS MRS. CHARLES S. STANTON MRS. JOHN A. JEREMIAH MISS KATHARINE M. FOOTE, MANAGER B.R. CRILEY, D.V.M. VETERINARIAN TELEPHONE CONNECTION Dear Miss Blackwell; Your letter with check received please thank Miss Katherine Blackwell for it - I certainly have been more than busy, the past two or three weeks have brought us from ten to twenty calls a day - the poor homeless cats & kittens have been turned in for us to humanely destroy has been terrible. 27 one day this week - 10 yesterday A.M. I sometimes wonder if I am doing the right thing, but were it not for us they would be left through the Winter to starve & freeze. The veterinarian left Sunday - I shall be here until the middle of Oct. perhaps longer. I truly appreciate your kindness in repeating the lecture for the benefit of the league - & your cousin Miss Katherine in remembering us each year. I thought your beautiful spirit of willingness and co-operation was worthy of more than a card so have waited until I could call a few minutes my own to write you - The lecture brought us $12.00 which I assure you helps us for every dollar counts towards expenses - we had to pay $196.00 mileage in Dr. Mease’s car - for its use - ten cents per mile - when we go to all parts of the island it counts. I am enclosing one of our pamphlets - a gift of 3000 from the Reynolds Printing Co, New Bedford. Mrs. Butlers letter inside - I would have seen you had I been able to attend our Sunday School picnic at Chilmark as last year - but was unable to leave here to many calls & needs for me to go. I have had one afternoon only this summer. That was an hour & a half - in an airplane - my first flight - it was wonderful. I would like to describe it to you sometime when we meet. I left this place well covered - Dr Mease - & a young lady if he were called out. Now with my deepest appreciation of all you have both done for us - and allow me to say love to you both. I am Yours truly K. M. Foote. [*K. B. Foote*] Reprinted from the Boston Transcript 324 Washington Street, Boston, Mass. Wednesday, February 12, 1930 W.E. Brigham Head of Rescue League Directors of the Animal Rescue League of Boston at a meeting held at 53 State street have unanimously elected William E. Brigham of Newtonville chairman of the board and managing director of the league, in succession to Julian Codman of Boston, who retires from that position because of the pressure of other duties. Mr. Codman was chosen to direct the affairs of the league in February, 1929, following the death of Mrs. Huntington Smith, founder and president of the league. During his administration several noteworthy improvements in the conduct of the league have been instituted. These have included a retesting and perfecting of the electric cages for the disposal of dogs and some other small animals; and the installation in the clinic of an apparatus for slightly anaesthetizing animals before the administration of ether for operations. By means of this improved process it is now possible first to administer a mixture of gas, as has long been the practice with humans in hospitals, thus modifying shock and doing much to lessen the inevitable fright of the animals at conditions they do not understand. Mr. Brigham is a member of the editorial staff of the Boston Evening Transcript, and continues his work on this paper. He has long been interested in animal welfare. While serving as Washington correspondent of the Transcript, which position he filled for seventeen years, he was for a time active in the affairs of the Animal Rescue League of that city, and he was elected a director of the Boston league immediately upon his return to Massachusetts in 1925. In addition to his experience in that capacity he was an associate and confidant of Mrs. Huntington Smith during the last years of her busy life, and is thoroughly familiar with the wise managerial policies she initiated, which it has been the sedulous purpose of the directors to maintain. In addition to its extensive plant at 51 Carver street the league maintains nine branches, including one in Lynn and a home of rest for horses and a cemetery for small animals at Pine Ridge, Dedham. It annually cares for 80,000 animals, more or less, some 16,000 of them dogs, finding homes for as many strays as possible. It is supported almost wholly by voluntary contributions and bequests. To Miss Katherine M. Foote Christmas 1941 To dear Miss Foote, in whom we see A heroine, a saint. Too faint and feeble are y words Her excellence to paint. If all the suffering animals She has from pain set free Could join in whinnes, mews and barks A chorus it would be! She is the Florence Nightingale Of those that cannot speak, And all who love dumb animals To aid her work should seek. A Merry Christmas may she see, A Happy New Year, too, And may she long have health and strength Her noble work to do. Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.