Pine Mountain Settlement School
Series 09: Biography – Staff\/Personnel
Lucretia Garfield Correspondence 1919-1958 Part II<\/p>\n\n\n\n
TAGS:<\/strong> Lucretia Garfield (Comer) correspondence, Girl Scouts, Katherine Pettit, Ethel de Long Zande, Evelyn K. Wells, Burton Rogers, fundraising, donations, Girl Scout camps, speaking engagements, country school teachers, Medical Settlements, community residents, workers, students<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a>Lucretia Garfield<\/strong><\/a> came from a remarkable family. She was born on January 18, 1894, in Ohio, the daughter of Harry “Hal” Augustus Garfield<\/a> and Belle Hartford Garfield. Harry, her father, was President of Williams College<\/a> in Williamstown, Massachusetts, and later headed the Federal Fuel Administration<\/a> during WWI and throughout the 1918-1919 flu pandemic. Belle, her mother was a very sensitive and caring parent but was given to periods of anxiety that required extensive “rests.”<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Harry was the son of the 20th President of the United States, <\/span>James A. Garfield<\/a> and his wife Lucretia, or “Crete” Garfield. President Garfield died at the hands of a disgruntled and narcissistic assassin.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n As the daughter of Belle and Harry Garfield and granddaughter of First Lady Lucretia Garfield and James, Lucretia had a high bar to reach but she had also inherited the family tenacity and sensitivity to social needs of the less fortunate and for service. Named for her grandmother, whose shortened nickname was “Crete,” she chose to be known as “Cre” and many of her letters to the staff at Pine Mountain are signed with the familiar “Cre” that she reserved for close friends.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Lucretia Garfield Comer was born in 1894. She married John Preston Comer on December 25, 1925, an Assistant Professor of Government at Williams College in Williamstown, MA. They had three children: John (\u201cJack\u201d) P. Comer, Mary Laura Comer and Elizabeth Comer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For more about Lucretia Garfield, her family and her affiliation with PMSS, go to her biography at LUCRETIA GARFIELD<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [Note: All letters from PMSS staff are carbon copies, typewritten and unsigned that are meant for the Office files. The initials at the bottom left of most PMSS letters indicate the writer (along with initials of the secretary). For example “EZ” are the initials of Ethel de Long Zande<\/strong><\/a>, “KP” refers to Katherine Pettit<\/strong><\/a>, and “EKW” to Evelyn K. Wells<\/strong><\/a>. The transcriptions are in chronological order and not necessarily in order of the image numbers.]<\/p>\n\n\n\n 066-066a<\/strong> January 14, 1923. Handwritten two-page letter to Mrs. Zande from Lucretia, \u201cen route to Cincinnati,\u201d <\/em>who [006] <\/strong>asks to take patrol leaders to the Harlan Co. Girls\u2019 Rally, which would include Martha Shoope<\/strong>, [006a] Fair Anna Harris, Allie Callahan <\/strong>from PMSS and Clara Callahan, Bessie Shields <\/strong>from Line Fork<\/a> and one girl from Big Laurel<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 058-058a<\/strong> January 16, 1923. Two-page handwritten letter to Evelyn [K. Wells] from Lucretia on stationery from Hotel Belmont, NYC. [058]<\/strong> Describes her itinerary and addresses in NYC, Rosemont, PA and Baltimore, MD. [058a]<\/strong> “I find Mother quite nervous about everything in general and about me in particular.”<\/em> Lucretia may not go to Chicago and Detroit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 059<\/strong> January 17, 1923. N.D. Typewritten letter to [no salutation] from [unsigned] at PMSS. Describes a Christmas “treat” at the Greasy Creek schoolhouse down Abner’s Branch involving decorations, gifts, and a program presented by the students. This occurs in seven of Miss [Marguerite] Butler<\/a><\/strong>‘s schools. [Handwritten notation upper left indicates to whom this letter was sent and signed “L.G.”]<\/p>\n\n\n\n 057<\/strong> January 18, 1923. To Lucretia from EZ, who writes that the four patrol leaders from PMSS may not be able to go to the rally. EZ will try to spare Clara<\/strong> and Martha<\/strong>, but she is not sure about Miss [Ruth B.] Gaines’<\/a><\/strong> girls, depending on Infirmary needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 060<\/strong> January 22, 1923. To Miss Ethel McCullough in Cincinnati, OH from [unsigned, likely Garfield] in Williamstown, MA. Encloses the account of the Christmas \u201ctreats\u2019 at Miss Butler\u2019s schools. [See 059.] She writes: One thing that impressed me on my rounds this Christmas was the fact that the day of romantic primitiveness is passing. Several of the schools lie just across the mountain from the railroad and there is more coming and going than there used to be. The genuine simplicity of the children\u2019s attitudes in these schools is giving way to a kind of sophistication and restlessness that needs – more than ever in some respects – the sort guidance that Pine Mt. School is giving. I am more and more convinced that what Miss Butler will bring back to the children and to the communities in which they live will be of very great value. \u2026..\u201d <\/em>Notation upper left of page: \u201cSent to M. Butler Fellowship list. L.G.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 061<\/strong> January 27, 1923. Typewritten letter to Mrs. Zande from Lucretia in Kew Gardens, Long Island. Updates Zande about her fundraising; encloses check from donor; plans to meet with Mrs. Carnegie, Mr. Abraham Flexner, Mr. Henry Leach and Miss Caroline Burkham; have met with Mrs. John Henry Hammond; provides her itinerary in PA, NY, MD and DC and the places she will be visiting en route to PMSS. Notation in left margin: Angela [Melville] informed Lucretia about Miss Burkham before their meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 063<\/strong> January 30, 1923. To Lucretia from [unsigned, likely EZ]. PMSS updates: Miss Dougherty<\/strong> resigned last week. \u201cMeanwhile, <\/em>Freeves<\/em><\/strong> holds the fort.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 062<\/strong> January 31, 1923. To Lucretia (\u2105 Mrs. T. Branson, Rosemont, PA) from EZ. \u201c…[W]e now have <\/em>Oliver Wendell Hogg<\/em><\/strong>, the son of William Cullen Hogg, living at Far House, though we had to refuse his cousin, Jennings Musick. You will remember Oliver Wendell, who came to [visit]….when you were in charge of Far House.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 064<\/strong> February 9, 1923. Typewritten letter to Evelyn Wells at PMSS from Lucretia at Hotel Victoria, Boston, MA. Encloses $1000 donation from Mr. John B. Garrett. Asks for additional literature for her talks to groups in Baltimore and Washington. She provides fundraising ideas, such as a Pine Mt. Association in several large cities to assist with fundraising activities. Notation along left margin: Suggests Mr. Howard B. Lee of Louisville, KY, as a prospective donor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 065<\/strong> February 10, 1923. Typewritten letter to Mrs. Zande from Lucretia at Hotel Victoria, Boston, MA. Lucretia asks approval to get influential people in Baltimore and Washington to serve on a Pine Mt. Committee to set up activities and help Lucretia to be better prepared to ask for donations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 066-066a<\/strong> February 20, 1923. Two-page typewritten letter to Evelyn [K.Wells] from \u201cCre\u201d (Lucretia). In Baltimore, MD. Describes her travel plans for Scout business and fundraising (Washington, Cincinnati, Berea, Richmond, Barbourville, Pineville), returning to PMSS mid-March, in time for the rally in Harlan. \u201cNow that I am speaking and being looked up by reporters, I feel that I am really making Pine Mt. known to more people!\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 070 [no image]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 071-071a <\/strong>February 6, 1923. Two-page letter to Lucretia [in care of Mrs. J. Stanley-Brown] Kew Gardens, NY, from EZ, [071]<\/strong> who is \u201cdelighted<\/em>\u201d to receive the two latest donations. EZ encourages Lucretia about doing speaking appointments as well as individual interviews. Tells about Angela Melville\u2019s experiences. Dillard Turner<\/strong> is \u201cthrilled<\/em>\u201d that PMSS is sending him to Lexington with Dr. Roberts<\/strong> to a big YMCA conference where John R. Mott will speak. Describes teaching the \u201clittle new ones<\/em>\u201d how to sit at the dining table, including Willie Pennington. [071a] <\/strong>EZ hopes to have a \u201clittle apartment\u201d<\/em> in Louisville \u201cuntil the baby comes.\u201d <\/em>Mentions Miss Hutchins and Miss Sidelinger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 072-072a <\/strong>February 13, 1923. To Lucretia, \u2105 Mrs. Reid in Baltimore, MD, from EZ, [072]<\/strong> who is sorry Lucretia is having problems with fundraising and for her misunderstanding of EZ\u2019s advice. EZ then describes the steps toward giving speaking presentations; letters, appointments, announcements, committees, all done before leaving PMSS for the tour. Pine Mountain Associations have thrived in some cities (Plainfield because of Evelyn and Montclair because of EZ\u2019s friends there) and not others. EZ assures Lucretia that her individual meetings are \u201cvery worthwhile.\u201d [072a] <\/strong>EZ gives additional fundraising advice; mentions Miss Butler\u2019s experiences; mentions other recent donors. Suggest that Lucretia visit Mrs. Eric L. Bergland in Boston, \u201can old friend of Pine Mountain<\/em>.\u201d EZ will publicize the literature Lucretia will send about the Carnegie Pension Fund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 073 <\/strong>April 25, 1923. To Lucretia at The New Willard Hotel, Washington, DC, from EZ, who regretted missing her again, wanting to praise her for her Girl Scout activities, having raised over $2000 in a year for the school, and the play, \u201cLittle Women.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n 074 <\/strong>May 9, 1923. To Miss Garfield in Williamstown, MA, from KP. Beta Sigma Omicron donated $400 they raise annually for Miss Marguerite Butler\u2019s salary. KP asked what was covered by the money Lucretia raised for her. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 075 <\/strong>May 16, 1923. To Lucretia in Williamstown, MA, from [unsigned]. Send the $30 to Miss Gaines who is managing the girls who are going to camp; thanks Lucretia for $5 from donor; not sure of the benefit PMSS will receive from the Robinson Fund. \u201cAs you know, I went to St. Louis the minute school closed and brought back a lovely little four months old girl. She is very very good, and adds vastly to the happiness of our household.\u201d <\/em>Thanks Lucretia for the books she sent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 083-083a <\/strong>May 25, 1923. Two-page letter to Lucretia from EZ. [083] <\/strong>PMSS is very short of staff; encloses letter from Nora Howard<\/a>.<\/strong> In case Nora can\u2019t go [to camp], Mabel Mullins<\/strong> will be offered the chance. EZ relates the story of the Laurel House girls and their \u201crowdy\u201d behavior down Greasy which led to their year\u2019s suspension and why Fair Annie<\/strong> cannot go to camp. [083a] <\/strong>Mrs. Dudley Blossom pledged $500. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 076 <\/strong>May 28, 1923. To Miss Garfield from KP, who tells her to send the money to Miss Butler in Denmark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 078-078c <\/strong>May 30, 1923. Handwritten 4-page letter to Mrs. Zande from Lucretia in Concord, MA. [078] <\/strong>Thanks Zande for sending details about \u201cthe Laurel House troubles\u2026\u201d <\/em>Lucretia had written Miss Gaines, enclosing a letter to be forwarded to Mr. Howard<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n [078b]<\/strong> <\/em>Nora [Howard]\u2019<\/strong>s letter \u201cis surely a comfort when so many of the girls show so little loyalty.\u201d<\/em> [078c]<\/strong> <\/em>Concerned that Fair Anna and Allie will take \u201cat least six months of bitter experience to break through those walls of obstinacy.\u201d <\/em>Received a letter from Clara Siler. <\/strong>Eager to see Berto\u2019s little sister.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 077 <\/strong>June 19, 1923. To Miss Garfield from KP. Encloses fair program; mentions Mr. Chapel; School of Politics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 080-080c<\/strong> N.D. [Written before Zande\u2019s June 21 letter.] Handwritten 4-page letter to Miss Gaines from Lucretia. [080] <\/strong>\u201cIt seems to me that all of the Scouts who were involved in that frolic down Greasy should be suspended from Scouts <\/em>[080a] <\/strong>…for it is not fair to Scouting that these girls should represent Girl Scouts.” <\/em>Lucretia offers to ask for their insignia if Gaines and Zande agree. [080b] <\/strong>If Allie took her uniform it may be difficult to retrieve it. [080c] <\/strong>Suggest the wording of a possible letter to the girls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 079<\/strong> June 21, 1923. To Lucretia in Boston, MA, from EZ. \u201cBoth girls (Fair Annie and Allie) are estranged from the School and as far as we know, feeling bitter and hard.\u201d<\/em> EZ hopes their feelings will pass by Fall. The girls left their uniforms behind and PMSS shouldn\u2019t ask for their badges yet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 084-084a <\/strong>July 3, 1923. Two-page letter to Lucretia in Williamstown, MA, from EZ. [084] <\/strong>Agrees that PMSS should have a Scout Captain. Mentions Miss Baber, Miss Dunbar, Ethel Wright, Evelyn Wells. [084a] <\/strong>Agrees that Scout leaders must be trained before starting troops; that scouting is good for this part of Kentucky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 081-081a <\/strong>August 9, 1923. Two-page typewritten letter to Mrs. Zande from Lucretia. Encloses the Scholarship Badge requirements from the Blue Book of Rules<\/em>. Kay [Katherine B.] Wright<\/a><\/strong> and her sister Marjorie Wright and parents visited. Asks permission to bring her \u201cCivil War uncle\u201d <\/em>with her to PMSS. [081a] <\/strong>Describes her plans to bring her 80-year-old uncle to PMSS: \u201cAs a youngster, he fought in the Civil War around Middlesboro and later retreated through the mountains, where his regiment was cut off from supplies for many days.\u201d<\/em> Handwritten postscript: She is \u201cpleased that <\/em>Miss Baber<\/em><\/strong> is to have the Scouts during the winter. Miss Roeder<\/strong> has applied for her Captain\u2019s commission!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 085 <\/strong>August 15, 1923. To Lucretia from EZ. \u201cMiss [Maya] Sudo<\/strong><\/a> has told me of her visit with you.\u201d <\/em>Waiting for Miss Baber\u2019s arrival and will ask if she will take the Scout work. Miss Sudo has an offer in New York and plans to leave PMSS this fall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 086 <\/strong>September 7, 1923. To Lucretia from EZ, who asks Lucretia to find out the names of the officials in the U.S. Steel Corporation and which one could be asked to establish a fund for the cost of minor operations among the children. Still looking for a Scout worker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 087 <\/strong>December 6, 1923. To Miss Garfield from KP, who thanks her \u201cfor taking Zona <\/strong>down\u2026\u201d Mentions Perkins Wilson, Rebecca Pennington, <\/strong>the Madons <\/strong>and Florrie.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 015-015a<\/strong> December 9, 1923. Two-page handwritten note to \u201cBess,\u201d from Garfield. Encloses contribution to the Japanese earthquake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 088 <\/strong>December 13, 1923. <\/strong>To \u201cCre\u201d [Lucretia] from [unsigned]. Thanks Lucretia for the ream of paper and money and items for the country Christmases. Encloses check for Zona\u2019s expenses. Mentions Harry, Miss Whittaker, Dr. Todd at Lynch, Mrs. Bullock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 089-089a <\/strong>December 27, 1923. To \u201cCre\u201d from [truncated]. Expresses appreciation of Lucretia\u2019s visits to PMSS and how much the School loves her. Mentions an article Lucretia\u2019s wrote for World Neighbors. <\/em>Asks Lucretia to make speaking appointments with two classes at the Tremont Temple Baptist Church in Boston which are PMSS friends. Also, at the Central Congregational Church in Brooklyn, who give PMSS an annual scholarship. [truncated]<\/p>\n\n\n\n 090 <\/strong>January 11, 1924. To Lucretia in Williamstown, MA, from EZ. Mentions Southern Conference, Miss Louise Baldwin, Julia Himmelshack, Jean Wise, Scout Training classes, Marguerite Butler, the Radioptican, Harding Memorial Association, (\u201cI have a good deal of faith that a man\u2019s memory may be trusted to take care of itself.\u201d<\/em>), Mrs. Milham.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 091-091a <\/strong>January 21, 1924. Two-page letter to \u201cCre\u201d [(Lucretia] at Berea (KY) College from EZ. [091] <\/strong>January 11, 1924. Mentions Angela Melville in Berea, who accepted a position promoting a Farmer\u2019s Credit Association, Lucretia\u2019s Boston and Brooklyn appointments and her travel plans for Richmond and L.M.U. Prefers \u201cCooly\u201d<\/em> (Olive Coolidge<\/strong><\/a>) to take Lucretia\u2019s position next year. Also needs a donor of about $2000 for a Girl\u2019s Industrial Building<\/a> for sewing, cooking and weaving classes. [091a] Miss Slusser<\/strong> is leaving; Miss Rhodus<\/strong> is teaching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 092<\/strong> February 19, 1924. To \u201cCre\u201d at Boone Tavern, Berea, KY, from EZ, who is delighted that she\u2019s \u201chaving a trip\u201d<\/em> with Angela [Melville]. James Gilbert<\/strong> has died of spinal meningitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 093 <\/strong>April 19, 1924. Letter to \u201cCre\u201d from [truncated]. 093] <\/strong>Saddened by her last meeting with Lucretia, [?] writes, \u201cI felt so sorry we couldn\u2019t have sat by the fire a good deal longer Sunday evening and philosophized. I entirely agree with you about wanting to see what is around the next corner and about the way in which friendships that seem to belong only to one period have a way of extending all through one\u2019s life. And yet I felt a very real sadness about having this epoch over\u2026.\u201d <\/em>EZ welcomes her to visit PMSS anytime. PMSS decided to only take children over 13 years old next year; the church bell has arrived and will be rung on Easter morning. The Model Home<\/a> was given in honor of Mrs. Mary Mildred Sullivan by the NY Auxiliary of the Southern Industrial Educational Association. Mentions Mrs. King\u2019s letter [truncated].<\/p>\n\n\n\n 095 <\/strong>April 26, 1924. [Date-stamped April 29]. Western Union Telegram to Mrs. Ethel Zande from Lucretia at Gray\u2019s Lake, IL, who asked for directions to Drake Hotel, Chicago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 094 <\/strong>April 29, 1924. To Lucretia at the Drake Hotel in Chicago, IL, from EKW. Mentions donation from Mrs. Griffin, forwarding letter from Mrs. E.C. Kin[?]. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 098-098a <\/strong>June 9, 1924. Two-page letter to Cre from EZ. [098] <\/strong>Mentions \u201cthe children\u2019s whooping cough\u201d; pictures of PMSS sent by Lucretia; $500 from Mrs. Bullock. Asks about Pelham Manor. Miss Childs<\/strong> will conduct a vacation camp; Angela [Melville] will visit for the second Pine Mountain Credit Union meeting (Columbus, Grant, Mr. Nolan, Oscar Begley and others are the incorporators).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Described Miss Bowman\u2019s problems with her Pineville Scouts when they visited PMSS. [098a] <\/strong>Plans to travel to Colorado in October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 096 <\/strong>June 16, 1924. To Lucretia in Williamstown, MA, from EZ. Asked about the plans to get the Girl Scouts to Camp Procter. Miss Schubert <\/strong>or Miss Blackburn<\/strong>, old PMSS workers, will meet them in Cincinnati.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 097 <\/strong>June 18, 1924. To Miss Garfield from KP, who thanks her for the picture. Indicates that Lucretia interested several people in helping fund Miss Butler\u2019s trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 099 [no image]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 100 <\/strong>July 21, 1924. <\/strong>To Miss Garfield from KP. Thanks her for sending pictures and an article on vegetable dyes in Scotland. Miss Gaines, Dillard, Nora Nolan<\/strong> and KP will attend a meeting at Carr; a dental clinic is at Line Fork for three weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 101 <\/strong>November 10, 1924. <\/strong>To Lucretia at Boone Tavern, Berea, KY, from EZ, who asks if Lucretia could get the PMSS graduates at Berea to tell or write to PMSS friends and current students what PMSS has meant to them; Has heard from Boone<\/strong> and Dillard<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 102 <\/strong>November 13, 1924. <\/strong>To Lucretia from EZ, who would like Lucretia to write to Mrs. Garfield and ask her to distribute letters written to Junior Leaguers requesting help with PMSS salaries. Miss Mary Work<\/strong>, from Oxford, is running the model home this year. EZ suggests plans for Lucretia when she returns to PMSS along with Miss Donnett and her friend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 103 <\/strong>December 3, 1924. <\/strong>To \u201cCree\u201d (sic)<\/em> in Williamstown, MA, <\/em>from EZ. Enjoyed Lucretia\u2019s visit; enclosing Mrs. Garfield\u2019s letter who \u201cturned us down so prettily that we felt almost complimented.\u201d <\/em>Tells about testing her eighth grade about geography; Nora Stamper<\/strong>, from Cutshin and Lena Ward<\/strong> from Leatherwood are at PMSS for their first year. Asks for any material about Ghandi and life of Christ, which EZ is thinking of teaching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 104 <\/strong>April 13, 1925. <\/strong>To Cre from EZ, who is glad that Lucretia enjoyed her trip to Egypt and that the School of Politics has been subsidized. \u201c<\/em>Dorothy<\/em><\/strong> and <\/em>Polly Cunningham<\/em><\/strong> are here and dancing is in full swing — four sword teams and morris this year, add to it as much county as ever.\u201d <\/em>Thanks Lucretia for her $15 gift. Clara<\/strong> has been asked to come back for two months as junior councillor. Miss Reeves<\/strong> will get scholarships for two other girls, one of them is possibly Elsie Hensley. Aunt Sal <\/strong>died about 10 days ago. \u201cWe all feel bereft, when we think we can never go and sit and talk with her again. It was always such a joy to be with her.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 105 <\/strong>May 4, 1925. <\/strong>To Cre from EZ. Lucretia will cover the girls\u2019 travelling expenses; Dorothy and Polly Cunningham left; describes the May Day celebration,with dancing held in a decorated Laurel House dining room due to a dogwood winter.
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\n\n\n\nCONTENTS: LUCRETIA GARFIELD Correspondence 1919-1958
Part II (1923-1958) <\/h3>\n\n\n\n1923<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1924<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1925<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n