Several of the villages near Havana and as far east as Matanzas were then visited and arrangements similar to those made in Havana were perfected for the distribution of food and clothing; and these communities were supplied as quickly as possible.
Shortly after Miss Barton’s arrival in Havana the deplorable “Maine” disaster occured, killing, drowning and injuring so many of our brave sailors and marines. As soon as she heard of this awful calamity she visited the hospital where the victims who were not killed outright were lying, and arranged to have them provided with every possible attention, and the best of everything needed that money and sympathy could procure.
As the situation developed and the needs of the country became known, it was found to be necessary to largely increase the working force of the Red Cross, and arrangements were accordingly made to have some of the oldest and most experienced workers of that organization, with some new recruits, come to Havana. A large house for their accommodation was secured in the suburb of Cerro, about three miles from the business centre of the city, where they were pleasantly and comfortably established. The party when completed consisted of the following named ladies and gentlemen:
Miss Clara Barton, Mr. J.K. Elwell, Dr. J.B. Hubbell, Dr. E. Winfield Egan, Dr. A. Monae Lesser, Mrs. A. Monae Lesser, known as “Sister Bettina,” Misses Annie McCue, Minnie Rogall, Blanche McCorresten and Isabelle Olm, Red Cross nurses or “sisters;” Mr. J. A. McDowell and Mr. C.H.H. Cottrell.
Many of the best citizens of Havana, ladies and gentlemen, Spaniards and Cubans, gave us a most hearty welcome and every encouragement, many of them volunteering their services in any capacity in which they could be made useful, and we were thus enabled to secure a number of doctors and nurses, who gave excellent service, and who received the well-deserved thanks of the Red Cross.
Relief Distribution From the San José Warehouse.
Mr. Elwell was put in charge of the warehouse with an able corps of assistants, and his work there was all that could be desired, as it was something that he was perfectly familiar with from long experience; he had the great advantage of knowing the Spanish language and the character of the people with whom he was dealing. Many hundred tons of the finest supplies, including everything that a generous and sympathetic public could think of that would be suitable for a famishing people, were given out as fast as orders were issued for them; but in every instance the utmost care was exercised that nothing should go out that might reach the hands of irresponsible persons; and every possible safeguard of check and receipt was adopted and successfully used.
Opening a Hospital and Orphanage.
The large number of orphan children that had been left unprovided for appealed to the sympathies of some worthy people for whom Consul-General Lee was the spokesman, and Miss Barton was asked by them to provide a hospital and home for these waifs. She therefore rented and furnished a large private residence on Tulipan street in Cerro, near the Red Cross residence, which was opened and named the “Lee Orphanage.” The house was completely arranged and had a capacity for seventy-five inmates, besides the attendants, and it was soon filled. Dr. and Mrs. Lesser were placed in charge of the orphanage, assisted by several Cuban doctors and nurses. The greater part of the children who were brought there were in an extreme state of exhaustion from lack of nourishment, many being unable to sit up, and the greatest care and watchfulness had to be observed to save their lives. A few of them died after they reached the hospital; but by careful and unremitting attention the larger part of them were gradually brought back to health, and it is to be hoped that some of them will eventually find homes in good families.