Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 April 1902 — ARMY NURSES’ CHIEF. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

ARMY NURSES’ CHIEF.

■ torr of tbe President of Their Na» tlonal Organisation. One of the most interesting women at the recent Grand Army encampment was Mrs. Elizabeth Windle Ewing, president of the National Association or Army Nurses and a resident of Phenixville. Pa. Mrs. Ewing was born in the historic village of Valley Forge 58 years ago and grew to womanhood among the valley hills where Washington and his half starved-army lay encamped that memorable winter of 1777-8. She married just before the civil war, and when her first baby was 3 days old her husband, Emanuel Ewing, a member of an old Chester county family, kissed her goodby, shouldered his musket and went to the front. The young wife’s solicitude for her husband began to tell on her happiness

and health, and at last, early in July, her cup of sorrow was filled to overflowing when she received word from Captain Dobson that her husband had been badly wounded at the battle of Malvern Hill, June 30, taken prisoner and carried off to Libby prison. This was too much for her. She felt that she must go and nurse him at all hazards. After many rebuffs and disappointments she found him and became an army nurse. Mrs. Ewing nursed her busband back to health and saw him go home, and then she turned her attention to others and remained in the hospital several months. After her work at the hospital Mrs. Ewing went home and at once identified herself with the soldiers’ relief work and has ever .since been a leading spirit In all movements calculated to benefit the old soldiers. She was elected president of the National Army Nurses’ association one year ago and, although in feeble health, has succeeded In doing all that belongs to her office.

MRS. ELIZABETH WINDLE EWING.