—— having great wealth and connected with the social elements of Washington, coveted Miss Barton’s position and honors. She used her every endeavor to accomplish this purpose. She visited me in my office at Meriden, Conn., knowing I had great influence with Miss Barton, and offered, if I would get her to become honorary president of the Red Cross, to raise a million dollars for a Red Cross temple to be built in Washington and Miss Barton could have any sum she chose as an annuity, expecting, of course, to succeed Miss Barton as president. If we did not accept her offer she insinuated we would be sorry. Her proposition was spurned.
From that day she hounded and persecuted Miss Barton until her wicked design was completed. Since Miss Barton’s death —— has made the most damaging, slanderous statements, well knowing there is no law to which she is amenable. If there was we would avenge Miss Barton’s memory quickly.
I will say that Miss Barton when she died was several thousand dollars poorer than when she established the Red Cross. She had the friendship and confidence of every president from Lincoln to McKinley, also Gen. B. F. Butler, Vice-President Wilson, Charles Sumner, Senator Hoar and Richard Olney of Massachusetts, the most influential men of the country, and the crowned heads of the world. Many, like myself, gave years of our time and paid our own expenses, not for the Red Cross, but for Miss Barton and humanity. With friends of great wealth who offered and sent her checks for large amounts to her individual order to be used as she pleased (I opened many such letters) could any one imagine that Miss Barton would stoop to steal a few paltry dollars?
If —— persists in vilifying Miss Barton’s character, I wish you would ask her to make her statements in my presence.
Our Saviour was crucified, but has been remembered affectionately ever since.
—— is down and out in the Red Cross, which since her removal has printed much in Miss Barton’s favor.
—— seems obsessed with only one idea, to besmirch the memory of Clara Barton but, like Abraham Lincoln, who in life was so sadly traduced, Miss Barton’s name will be blessed more and more as the years pass by, while —— will pass away practically unknown and unmourned.
Yours truly,
(Signed) Francis Atwater.
AFFIDAVIT