Clara Barton: A Centenary Tribute to the World's Greatest Humanitarian / Founder of the American Red Cross Society, Author of the American Amendment to the International Red Cross Convention of Geneva, Founder of the National First Aid Association of America

by Charles Sumner Young

ACHIEVEMENTS

1. Organized, conducted and popularized Free School System, Bordentown, N. J., at her own expense. Commenced her school with six pupils, all boys, and in one year had six hundred; secured five teachers to assist and had promises of a new building, if she would continue. It was built for her and is still in use. “Pauper Schools,” that is, Public Schools at public expense, were ridiculed by the people. The six boys were renegades from private schools. Third week, room filled and assistant required. Such was the success that the private schools were discontinued and a four thousand dollar school house, three stories of brick, was built and Miss Barton inaugurated the Free Public School of Bordentown, N. J. With six hundred pupils and eight teachers, impetus was given to the cause of free education over the State, 1852–4.

2. First Woman Clerk in Government Office, Washington, D. C. A place of trust at $1,400 per year, in charge of caveats, Patent Office, which position she gave up at the opening of the Civil War to work in the field. 1854–’61, under Mr. Charles Mason, Commissioner of Patents. Discharged when Buchanan came in; but recalled under Lincoln; resigned when war came on.