Historic Pelham

The giant ship carried about five long tons (5.1 tons) of explosive powder charges for its six and ten-inch guns. In January, 1898, the United States sent the vessel from Key West, Florida, to Havana, Cuba to protect U.S. interests during the Cuban War of Independence. To this day, nearly 120 years later, no one is certain what happened. But, it is known that at 9:40 p.m. local time in Havana Harbor, Cuba, the explosive powder charges ignited and a monumental explosion obliterated the forward third of the USS Maine, sinking the U.S. Navy vessel. Two officers and 251 sailors and marines were killed by the explosion or drowned in its aftermath. Of 94 survivors, only sixteen were uninjured.

Almost immediately, cries of "Remember the Maine!" echoed throughout the United States. The United States intervened in the Cuban War of Independence. American acquisition of Spain's Pacific possessions thereafter led to U.S. involvement in the Philippine Revolution and, ultimately in the Philippine-American War. Called the "Spanish-American War," the conflict raged from April 21, 1898 until August 13, 1898. See "Spanish-American War" in Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia (visited Nov. 4, 2017).

During the brief Spanish-American War, Pelham lost one of her own: Harry Patterson. Pelham also stepped up and provided support for the soldiers and sailors who fought for the United States during the war. Today's Historic Pelham article details a little of that important support on the home front.

Explosion of the USS Maine.

NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.

Shortly after the war began, Land and Sea Auxiliary No. 22, Red Cross, became active in the region in support of the war effort. Though led principally by Pelham and New Rochelle women, the organization encompassed women, "Juniors" (younger woment), and some men from Pelham Manor, New Rochelle, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, and other parts of Westchester County. Many communities, including Pelham Manor, organized their own branches of Land and Sea Auxiliary No. 22.

According to a local newspaper report, by June 18, 1898, the Pelham Manor Branch of Land and Sea Auxiliary No. 22, Red Cross was organized. Mrs. Frank K. Hunter was president. Mrs. Robert Clifford Black was Vice President. Mrs. John Cunningham Hazen (head mistress of Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls) was secretary, and Mrs. Jabish Holmes was treasurer.

The Pelham Manor Branch immediately began to raise money and to collect donations of reading materials, clothing, and first aid equipment for distribution to American troops during the War. On Thursday, June 23, the Branch hosted a "garden fete" fundraiser at the Westchester Country Club. The garden fete raised $1,500 for the benefit of American troops. Two days later the group hosted a fundraiser dance at the Manor Club club house.

By July 9 the regional Auxiliary had "347 members and 165 juniors, not including men, who are associate members." Also by that date the Auxiliary had "secured by entertainments and contributions $3,157.45, and sent 2,929 garments, towels and bandages and six large boxes and two barrels of books and literature to the soldiers and sailors. The gifts include two checks, one for $500 from Adrian Iselin, and one for $100 from Colonel Delancey A. Kane."

Within the next three weeks, the Pelham Manor women shipped 3,014 books to American troops. They shipped 909 "garments" as well. They also shipped bandages and other first aid equipment. They participated with other branches in the region to raise additional funds. Indeed, at a meeting of the entire Auxiliary including all branches held in New Rochelle Town Hall on August 2, 1898, the president of the entire Auxiliary, Mrs. Frank K. Hunter (also president of the Pelham Manor branch of the Auxiliary, and the treasurer of the entire Auxiliary, Mrs. Robert T. Emmett of Pelham Manor, announced that the Auxiliary already had raised $4,444.84, and had incurred expenditures of $2,555.89 including fundraising expenditures and expenditures to provide necessaries to American troops engaged in the War effort.

During mid-August, according to one report:

"The Pelham Manor Branch of Auxiliary No. 22, Red Cross Society has sent during the last two weeks 430 articles of literature contributed by Mrs. Hammett, Mrs. Coleman, Mrs. Robert, Mrs. Black, Mrs. Secor, Miss Secor, Mrs. Gillett, Mrs. Whiting, Mrs. Carson and Mr. Thomas 3174 articles, books, magazines and papers have been sent.  The Work committee have sent 31 shirts, 63 bands, 24 sanitary squares, 16 towels. The supplies sent were 1 dozen Anker's bouillin capsules, 1 dozen packages ground barley, 16 cans clam broth, 6 lbs. of tea. These supplies were contributed by the Hillside Club of Mansfield, Conn."

Though the brief war ended on August 13, 1898, the Pelham Manor Branch of the Auxiliary continued its work for several months. Indeed, the Pelham women involved with the initiative continued their work with the Red Cross for quite some time after the war.

Then, as now, Pelhamites "Remember the Maine!"

* * * * *

"BRIEF AND NEWSY. . .

--The Pelham Manor branch of Land and Sea Auxiliary No. 22, Red Cross, has been organized by the election of Mrs. F. K. Hunter, president; Mrs. R. C. Black, vice-president; Mrs. John C. Hazen, secretary; Mrs. Jabish Holmes, treasurer. The first entertainment in aid of the fund will be a dance in the Manor Club house next Saturday evening. The women of the Westchester branch of the Auxiliary will hold a garden fete on Thursday, June 23, at the Westchester Country Club."

Source: BRIEF AND NEWSY, New Rochelle Pioneer, Jun. 18, 1898, p. 5, col. 3.

"LAND AND SEA AUXILIARY.

Land and Sea Auxiliary No. 22, of the Red Cross, of Westchester County, now has 347 members and 165 juniors, not including men, who are associate members. The women have secured by entertainments and contributions $3,157.45, and sent 2,929 garments, towels and bandages and six large boxes and two barrels of books and literature to the soldiers and sailors. The gifts include two checks, one for $500 from Adrian Iselin, and one for $100 from Colonel Delancey A. Kane; also $1,500 received at the garden party given by the Westchester, Pelham Manor, New-Rochelle and Larchmont branches. The money will be used to purchase delicacies for the sick and wounded.

The committees of the New-Rochelle branch will be at Trinity House on Wednesday mornings to receive supplies and gifts."

Source:  LAND AND SEA AUXILIARY, New-York Daily Tribune, Jul. 9, 1898, p. 7, col. 5.

"BAZAAR AT 'THE ORCHARD.'
-----
Francis Wilson Lends His Home to Aid Red Cross.

Auxiliary No. 22 of the Red Cross Society of New Rochelle met in the Town Hall there yesterday. About 100 women members from branches in Pelham Manor, West Chester, Larchmont Manor, and Mamaroneck were present. Mrs. Frank K. Hunter, chairman of the auxiliary, presided. Mrs. Robert T. Emmett, the treasufer, reported that the total receipts from different sources were $4,444.84, and the expenditures $2,555.89. Mrs. Robert C. Black, chairman of the Pelham Manor Branch, reported the shipment of 3,014 books and 909 garments.

The junior branches of the auxiliary intend to give a patriotic bazaar at 'The Orchard,' on Meadow Lane, the home of Francis Wilson, the actor. Mr. Wilson will furnish the band."

Source:  BAZAAR AT "THE ORCHARD" -- Francis Wilson Lends His Home to Aid Red Cross, The New York Press, Aug. 3, 1898, p. 7, col. 4.

"RED CROSS NOTES. . . .

The Pelham Manor Branch of Auxiliary No. 22, Red Cross Society has sent during the last two weeks 430 articles of literature contributed by Mrs. Hammett, Mrs. Coleman, Mrs. Robert, Mrs. Black, Mrs. Secor, Miss Secor, Mrs. Gillett, Mrs. Whiting, Mrs. Carson and Mr. Thomas 3174 articles, books, magazines and papers have been sent.

The Work committee have sent 31 shirts, 63 bands, 24 sanitary squares, 16 towels. The supplies sent were 1 dozen Anker's bouillin capsules, 1 dozen packages ground barley, 16 cans clam broth, 6 lbs. of tea. These supplies were contributed by the Hillside Club of Mansfield, Conn.

The president, secretary and treasurer are away, but substitutes are in their places and meetings are held regularly.

J. R. CARSON,
Acting Sec'y."

Source:  RED CROSS NOTES, New Rochelle Pioneer, Aug. 20, 1898, p. 4, col. 3.

"MONEY FOR RED CROSS WORK.
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The Work of the Auxiliaries Prospers -- Supplies Sent to Hospitals.

The Red Cross Supply Committee met yesterday morning at 552 Broadway. It was announced that the Ambulance Auxiliary had turned over to President Wardwell $5,000, and to the Long Island City Emergency Hospital $5,000. Mrs. Cowdin of the Nurse Maintenance Auxiliary reported the collection of $89,000 to date, and that 296 nurses are being maintained in the various hospitals.

Supplies were yesterday sent to the temporary hospital at Pelham Manor, where a number of the Eighth Regiment men are confined; to the Long Island City branch; to the Naval Hospital; to Capt. Spicer of the United States Marines, at Portsmouth, N. H., and to Mrs. R. S. Bowne, at East-hampton, L. I. Mrs. Bowne has offered to take care of twenty-five men, and supplies were sent to her to be used in making ready for the arrival of the patients."

Source:  MONEY FOR RED CROSS WORK -- The Work of the Auxiliaries Prospers -- Supplies Sent to Hospitals, N. Y. Times, Sep. 8, 1898, p. 12, col. 3.

"BRIEF AND NEWSY. . .

--Members of Auxiliary No. 22, Red Cross, of West Chester, Pelham, New Rochelle and Larchmont, attended a meeting of the National Red Cross Society, at Sherry's last night."

Source: BRIEF AND NEWSY, New Rochelle Pioneer, Dec. 10, 1898, p. 5, col. 1.

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Labels: 1898, Harry Patterson, Pelham Branch of Land and Sea Auxiliary No. 22 Red Cross, Spanish-American War, USS Maine