dignation, why our American Red Cross is not as
rich and great as in other nations?

In February, 1888, occurred the Mt. Vernon, Ill., cyclone, cutting a
broad swath through one-half of the beautiful county-seat, tearing down
all heavy buildings, picking up the lighter ones and sweeping them
along like cardboard.

In three minutes the work of destruction was over. Ten minutes later the
sun shone out brightly over the ruins of the town, the wails of the
maimed and dying, and the lifeless bodies of the dead.

Fires broke out on every hand, and the victims pinned down under the
wreckage were subjects for the flames. Appeals for assistance went out,
but by unfortunate press representation failed to arouse the public,
till after several days, when we were reached, through their
representative in Congress, begging that in mercy we go to them. We
arrived in the night, found homes destroyed, hospitals full, scant
medical care, few nurses, food scarce and no money, a relief committee
of excellent men, but little to distribute.

At daylight we looked over the situation and sent this simple message to
the Associated Press:

"The pitiless snow is falling on the heads of three thousand people, who
are without homes, without food or clothing, and without money.

"AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS,

"Clara Barton, President."

This was all. We assisted their relief committee to arrange for the
receipt and distribution of funds, sent for experienced helpers to take
charge of supplies, to distribute clothing, and aid the hospital
service. We remained two weeks, and left them with more supplies than
they knew how to distribute, and the Citizens' Committee, with
accumulating cash in its treasury of ninety thousand dollars, full of
hope, life, and a gratitude they could not speak.

As in the Texas famine, we paid our own expenses and no dollar but our
own had passed our hands. We were only glad to do this, in the hope that
we were building up an institution of self-help of the people, that
would one day win its way to their favor and aid.

III

YELLOW FEVER IN FLORIDA

During the same year the yellow fever broke out in Jacksonville, Fla.,
and was declared epidemic in September.

An arrangement had been made between the National Association and the
Auxiliary Society of the Red Cross of New Orleans, which society
embraced the famous old "Howard Association," that, in case of an
outbreak of yellow fever, they would send