?he Bancroft Library University of California/Berkeley Regional Oral History Office
Eleanor Richards Lyon
CIVIC VOLUNTEER, CLUBWOMAN, AND CONSERVATIONIST
With an Introduction by
Harvey Blanchard Lyon, Jr. , M.D. Richards Parker Lyon, M.D.
An Interview Conducted by Rosemary Levenson
copy No. @ 1976 by The Regents of the University of California All uses of this manuscript are covered by a legal agreement between the Regents of the Univer- sity of California and Eleanor Richards Lyon dated 1 October 1975. The manuscript is thereby made available for research purposes. All literary rights in the manuscript, including the right to publish, are reserved to The Bancroft Library of the University of California, Berkeley. No part of the manuscript may be quoted for publication without the written permission of the Director of The Bancroft Library of the University of Califor- nia at Berkeley.
Requests for permission to quote for publica- tion should be addressed to the Regional Oral History Office, 486 Library, and should include identification of the specific passages to be quoted, anticipated use of the passages, and iden- tification of the user. The legal agreement with Eleanor Richards Lyon requires that she be notified of the request and allowed thirty days in which to respond. TABLE OF CONTENTS -- Eleanor Richards Lyon
INTRODUCTION by Harvey Blanchard Lyon, Jr., M.D. and Richards Parker Lyon, M.D. i
INTERVIEW HISTORY iv
CURRICULUM VITAE vii
FAMILY TREE OF ELEANOR RICHARDS LYON
I FAMILY BACKGROUND
A Virginian Father: The Richards Family
Captain Richards ' Service in the Civil War: Mosby's Rangers
T.W.T. Richards in Virginia and Nebraska: Law and Business
A Kentucky Mother: The Henry-Flournoy Family
Law and Real Estate Development in Southern California
Growing up in Los Angeles and Glendale
College Days
Courtship and Marriage
I1 EAaY MARRIED DAYS IN OAKLAND
Daily Contacts with Harvey's Parents
Helps with Lyon Storage and Moving during World War I
Some Volunteer Activities Travelers Aid The Oakland Symphony Volunteers in Piedmont Schools and Piedmont Community Church I11 HOSPITALITY HOUSE, OAKLAND
Hospitality Hut
The De Fremery Center for Colored Service Men
Larger Quarters Needed for Hospitality House
Art ink letter 's Monday Nights
Over Three Million Served
IV THE DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
Colonial Dames of America: Chapter V
Eleanor Lyon and her Contributions to the DAR An Interview with Mrs. Frank Emilio La Cauza, Historian General of the DAR.
Eleanor Lyon Joins DAR and Founds Acalanes Chapter
State Offices
The DAR Image and Public Relations
Emanuel Leutze's 'Washington Rallying the Troops at Monmouth: 1854"
The DAR and Politics
The DAR and Redwoods
Dedications of the Rebecca Lambert and Eleanor Lyon Groves
Liberty Trees and the Bicentennial
The Lyons' Contributions to the Conservation of Redwoods An Interview with Newton Bishop Drury, President of Save-the-Redwoods League V SERVICE TO CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF THE EAST BAY
The Branch Auxiliaries
Volunteer Organizer and Administrator
Christmas Programs
The' Bruce Lyon Memorial Research Laboratory
Dr. Richards Lyon, President of the Medical Staff
Eleanor Lyon and Children's Hospital Medical Center of Northern California An Interview with Alice Cutter (Mrs. Robert K.)
Juniper Branch and the Fund Raising Auxiliaries Building an In-Hospital Volunteer Service Volunteers During the Building Service Maintenance Strike Volunteers and Patients The Bruce Lyon Memorial Laboratory The Women's Movements and Volunteerism
VI A SAMPLING OF WOMEN 'S CLUBS
Ebell Society
Harvey Lyon's Contribution to Ebell
Women's Athletic Club of Alameda County
Home Club
VII "THESE BACKGROUNDS ARE JUST VERY FANTASTIC"
Some Personal Reminiscences of Eleanor Lyon An Interview with Madge Mann (Mrs. William G.)
Lifetime Member of the Republican Party
Women in Politics The Depression
Hospitality and Entertaining at Hidden Valley and Woodland Lodge
Bicentennial Commissions and Redwoods: the Liberty Tree
Family Life
"She Also Cooks.. .I1
Harvey's Later Years
Eleanor Breaks her Hip
Harvey's Death. "It was Nothing that was Difficult"
Granddaughter Lee Lyon 's Death
APPENDIX
State Regent's Report, Daughter's of the American Revolution, 1964-1965
Dedication Ceremony, Bicentennial Liberty Tree in honor of Eleanor Richards Lyon by Acalanes Chapter DAR, 1974 135
INDEX INTRODUCTION
There is a sparkle to her eyes and smile as Mother greets one with, "Well! How are you? It's so good to see you!" She would often say to us, "Don't be afraid to meet people. You will never know when one may become your very good friend." She has lived by this saying and has met and made many friends in her lifetime.
For years she helped strangers through Traveler's Aid. She helped host thousands of servicemen at the Oakland Hospitality House during World War 11. She assisted Dad as co-host at social gatherings in his numerous professional, community, and service organizations. And she has been a prominent community leader herself over the years. She has in all of this initiated and maintained many meaningful relationships.
After marriage in 1914, Mother came from southern California to Oakland to live, knowing very few people in the area. Dad had grown up in Oakland and managed a very personalized moving and storage business. Mother studied names and faces and developed a highly retentive memory for them. We boys often marveled at how well she remembered people.
Our home was the place of frequent gatherings for those friends and acquaintances Mother and Dad shared. As a leader in Rotary and in the moving and storage industry, Dad had many relationships with people who contributed much interest and warmth of feeling to his life and the family as a whole.
Mother was Dad's finest audience, responding to his humor with enj:oyment and appreciation. She was a loyal, supportive wife, acting as an able assistant or spearheading some family effort, often placing her own personal desires second to the needs of the family.
Mother was a dynamic participant in activities relating to school, church, boy scouts, etc. She frequently held meetings and entertainments in our home as she organized and led the grammar school Mothers' Club and then became president for many terms of the high school and college Mothers' Club as we grew older. All the while, Mother kept in close touch with a group of congenial girl friends through get-togethers for many years.
She was a conscientious, resourceful planner and manager of family outings such as Sunday picnics, vacation trips, and parties, especially on birthdays. Her experience as a school teacher before marriage probably added to her helpfulness to us in our school studies and understanding of life in general. In her own family she has thoughtfully remembkred her grandchildrens' birthdays with a present and an addition to a speclial savings account for each of them. She has also expressed admiration for her parents and sister and brother, noting with appreciation their affection and supportive- ness of her. other's 'persainal concern for her own mother in her later years was an inspiration.
Likewise she was often considerate of women friends who~lackedtrans- portation, going out of her way to take them with her or wherever they needed to go. At other times such friends would be included in our family gatherings when they lacked family of their own.
In the '30s Mother was resourcefully adaptable to the demands of the Depression years. She was able to limit expenditures of the family to meet lowered income with a careful shopping eye on quantity, quality, and cost.
In any project that Mother entered into she was a quietly industrious worker. She knitted many sweaters for grandchildren and made thousands of brocade kleenex cases as gifts for friends or for fund-raising benefits. Any worthy school, neighborhood, or community project received her support. And all the while she kept a clean, neat, comfortable, inviting home that provided much flavor to our lives 'as children.
Mother showed her skill as an able administrator, presiding effectively over womens' groups in the schools and hospital, sitting on the Board of Directors of Children's HcSspital for many years and administering the state Daughters of the American Revolution program as Regent to give but a few examples of her numerous activities.
Our parents shared in the work of Save-the-Redwoods, memorializing our younger brother Bruce in an inspiring, energizing activity that took many hours work on the part of both. They also acted together in sponsoring the Bruce Lyon Memorial Laboratory at Children's Hospital. In these projects and in the social aspects of all of Dad's activities Mother was included as a vital partner.
Mother has an indomitable optimism about life. Her encouragement and reassurances often helped us through times of doubt and distress. She often expressed trust in the order and ultimate goodness of life with remarks such as, "There must be a solution to the problem. Things will work out. Just keep trying. "
Our parents were consistent churchgoers and supporters, often acting vigorously for church charities and social events. Often Mother has demonstrated intuitive capacity in difficult situations, responding sensitively to the needs of others and evidencing a comprehension of the rightness and reason for the way things work out.
Her work at Children's Hospital as head of the volunteers for many years is an example of her sincere concern for others, giving thousands of hours of her time and energy to helping sick children regain their health.
She has been an enthusiastic patriot of our country in both DAR and the Bicentennial programs. In these she has shown strong identifications with the courage and freedom of our land and its early pioneers, some of whom were family related.
As a patron of the arts, particularly in symphony, opera, paintings, and doll collecting, she has vigorously participated in benefiting the community, friends, and family.
In all of this Mother has shown a prodigious energy regularly refreshed for the next day's demands by untroubled sleep. Breakfast for Dad at 6:15 a.m. has been a regular schedule for the last thirty years.
As her children, we are extremely grateful for her influence as a central, constructive force in our lives.
Harvey B. Lyon, M.D.
Richards P. Lyon, M.D.
September 1975 INTERVIEW HISTORY
Eleanor Lyon was interviewed by the Regional Oral History Office of The Bancroft Library to document her outstanding contributions of time, effort, and philanthropic support to the quality of life in the city of Oakland, the state of California, and the country at large. To name a few of her areas of service--she has given over 12,000 hours of volunteer service to Children's Hospital, Oakland, as well as serving on its Board of Governors; her work in conservation has primarily focussed on redwoods, ' where she was instrumental in raising funds for the purchase and preserva- tion of several groves, and she is now a board member of Save-the-Redwoods League; during World War I1 she directed Hospitality House, Oakland, where over three million servicemen were entertained, and these are only some of the high spots of her careers in volunteer service. She has also been an outstanding leader in patriotic organizations, such as the Daughters of the American Revolution of which she is Honorary State Regent as well as numerous social, hobby and interest clubs. She was an active partner in Lyon Storage and Moving, the company founded by her late husband, Harvey B. Lyon who was interviewed in this office's business and community series.*
My first meeting with Harvey and Eleanor Lyon was in January, 1973, when we began work on Mr. Lyon's memoir. Early in our acquaintance, which soon ripened into friendship, the Lyons asked me to call them by their first names. I found this warmth to be a clue to their "secret weapon" in mobilizing so many friends to assist them in the innumerable good causes to which they devoted their lives, and the source of much of the fun they all had. It was the approach of ~arvey'sninetieth birthday which finally persuaded the Lyons to slow down just a little and schedule time for the necessary sorting of papers, interview sessions, and revisions of the edited transcript which enabled us to have his memoir finished by November 2, 1973.
Once Harvey's memoir was finished, planning started immediately on Eleanor's. But it was hard to pin Eleanor down since she was maintaining an active schedule of volunteer and social life as well as caring for Harvey. For example, in February, 1974, she participated officially in nine different ceremonies. And then a number of things happened to cause delays and interruptions, In January, 1975, Eleanor broke her hip tripping on a curb when hurrying home from Children's Hospital to take Harvey to a doctor's appointment. Undaunted, she rejoiced in the fact that her broken hip qualified her to join Harvey in the convalescent section of Piedmont Gardens, Oakland, where he had had to move after her accident. This fine
*Harvey B. Lyon, "Entrepreneur, Rotarian, and Philanthropist," 1973. building offers both convalescent care, and a beautiful apartment complex to which Eleanor moved after her hip mended. From her airy flat in Crest- mont Towers she was able to be with Harvey constantly in the hospital wing until his peaceful, smiling death on May 24, 1975.
A week later, the family was stricken again when Lee Lyon, daughter of the Ted Lyons' and Eleanor's granddaughter was killed by a charging elephant. She was an experienced and distinguished wild life photographer and writer who was making a "Survival" film in Rwanda. Our last scheduled interview took place on June 9, 1975, with Eleanor as indomitable as ever.
Much of the background material for Eleanor's memoir had already been reviewed in the course of the preparation of Harvey's. A circuitous course sometimes had to be pursued as new cartons of clippings and other memorabilia were retrieved from the Lyon (now Neptune) warehouse, or surfaced in the course of moving from one apartment to the other.
Nine interviews took place spaced over fourteen months. We started in the Lyons ' penthouse apartment overlooking Lake Merritt on March 29, 1974. The last one was in June, 1975, our first meeting in Eleanor's pretty new flat in Crestmont Towers. Eleanor always greeted me with infectious enthusiasm for one of her many good causes and for our joint endeavor.) As one of her friends said to me, "She always smiles and she's never destructive ."
Generous and able help came from many people. Eleanor's sons, Dr. Harvey B. (Ted) Lyon and Dr. Richards Lyon talked with me at length about their recollections and later collaborated on the volume introduction as they had for their father's memoir.
The memoir is enhanced by the taped recollections of a number of dis- tinguished colleagues and friends of Eleanor's. These mini interviews are incorporated in appropriate chapters in the memoir. In addition to the taped transcripts, those interviewees also gave valuable guidance and background in£ormation.
Mr. Newton B. Drury,* whose memoir was prepared by this office, described the invaluable contributions of Harvey and Eleanor Lyon to saving virgin redwood groves in California. Eleanor's service to this cause was honored in two recent ceremonies, the dedication of a grove to her in the Jedediah Smith redwoods by the Daughters of the American Revolution and a redwood tree by the Acalanes Chapter of the DAR in Lafayette. A transcript of the proceedings at the latter ceremony is included as an appendix to this memoir. Brother Dennis, Librarian of St. Mary's College, Moraga, and the main speaker, was most helpful in revising the test of the transcript.
*Newton B. Drury, "Parks and Redwoods, 1919-1971." Two volumes. 1972. Mrs. Frank Emilio La Cauza, Historian General of the National Society of the DAR, kindly drove up from Monterey to be interviewed in the conference room of The Bancroft Library on Eleanor Lyon's contributions to the DAR at the local, state, and national levels, particularly in the fields of conservation, education, and preparation for the Bicentennial.
Mrs. Robert K. Cutter, whose husband's memoir has just been completed as volume one of the oral history of the Cutter Laboratories,* made the time just before a trip to Russia, to talk about Eleanor's twenty-five years of service to Children's Hospital, Oakland. She described her extra- ordinary contributions as organizer of the volunteer corps, board member and co-donor of the Bruce Lyon Memorial Laboratory.
Last but by no means least, Mrs. ~illiamG. Mann, a loyal personal friend of Eleanor's, came to our office to evaluate the impact of Eleanor's personality on her hosts of devoted friends. Mrs. Mann collected supple- mentary material for me, and we enjoyed several convivial lunches while we discussed strategies.
The completed transcripts were arranged both chronologically and topically and returned to the interviewees for their review and approval. The manuscript was then final-typed, proofed, illustrated, indexed, and bound. Forty-five copies have been printed and are widely distributed in public and private libraries throughout the country.
It has been a truly memorable experience for the interviewer to have had the privilege of sharing so large a part of the Lyons' lives through generous access to their papers, their memories, and their hospitality. Perhaps Eleanor's gallant spirit can best be summed up by the comment of the photographer, Jack Chinn, whose fine work gave us our frontispiece. When Eleanor complained that she still was not able to drive her car after breaking her hip, he said, ''That won't stop her! The next thing you know, she'll be coming down Piedmont Avenue on a skate board."
Need I say more?
Rosemary Levenson Interviewer 6 January 1976 486 The Bancroft Library University of California at Berkeley
*Robert Kennedy Cutter, "Building and Guiding a Family Pharmaceutical Firm. 'I Volume I, "Cutter Laboratories, 1897-1972 : A Dual rust ." 1975 CURRICULUM VITAE -- Eleanor Lyon
Born July 10, 1889
Education Grammar school, Los Angeles Westlake School for Girls Occidental College, Los Angeles Normal College
1911-1914 Taught school
Married April 21, 1914, Harvey Blanchard Lyon (died May 24, 1975)
Children 1916 Richards Parker Lyon, M.D. 1918 Har~eyB1anchardLyon~M.D. 1921 William Bruce Lyon, World War I1 bomber pilot, killed in action, 1945
Community Activities
1914-1947 Traveler's Aid Society, volunteer and board member
Cub and boy scout mother; three sons eagle scouts
1921 Ebell Society, past president
Campfire board
1922 Mother's Club, Piedmont Community Schools, co-organizer and president
Piedmont Community Church, circle and church guild member, chairman and president of guild.
1922 -1947 Board of Directors, Womens' City Club, Berkeley
1926 Charter member, Womens1 Athletic Club, Oakland
Charter member, Ro-Ann Cradle, Booth Memorial Salvation Hospital
Charter member and co-organizer, College Womensl Club, Berkeley, branch of the American Association of University Women President, Oakland Home Club
Vice-president and president, Chapter V, Colonial Dames of America
Women's chairman, Mayor's Recreational Defense Committee (appointed by Oakland mayor, Dr. John Slavich)
Organizing chairman, Volunteers for Hospitality Hut, DeFremery Hospitality House for Colored Serving Men and Hospitality House (served over 3,000,000 service men)
President, Bay Area Chapter United Federation of Doll Clubs of America
Co-organizer, Juniper Branch, Children's Hospital Medical Center
Board of Directors, Children's Hospital Medical Center
Lyon family donated the Bruce Lyon Memorial Hospital Research Laboratory to Children's Hospital
Co,-organizer and Chapter Regent of Acalanes Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Lafayette
State Assistant Secretary, DAR
State Chaplain, DAR
State Vice-Regent, DAR
State Regent, DAR
Honorary State Regent, DAR Member of the steering committee for the National Society, DAR for the U.S. Bicentennial, and a number of other important state and national DAR committees.
World Affairs Chairman, Ebell Society, Oakland
Member and past president of the Bay Area and Northern California branches of the Huguenot Society Member and past president of the Daughters of the American Colonists 1968-1976 Member Californga Bicentennial Celebration Commission appointed by Governor Ronald Reagan
1975- Board member, Save-the-Redwoods League
Member Delta Kappa Phi California Republican Party Piedmont Community Chest Orinda Country Club California Genealogical Society California Historical Society, San Francisco Alameda County Historical Society Piedmont Historical Society Pan-American Society National Officers' Club, State Vice-Regents Club and National Society of the DAR Member and co-organizer of the East Bay Opera League Member and co-organizer of the Gala Concert Series Alameda Bicentennial Commission International Platform Assocation California Heritage Society
Member of Oakland Bicentennial Commission
Honors
1945 "Woman of the Year": Quota Club, Oakland
1946 "J3arvey Lyon Family, Service to their Fellow Man" Rotary Club, Oakland
East Bay Alumni, Theta Sigma Phi, National Sorority for Women in Journalism award for "Outstanding Contribution to the Community."
"Service Award ,I1 Rotary Club, Oakland
Children's Hospital Medical Center "Woman of the Year" for twenty years and over 12,000 hours of volunteer service. I FAMILY BACKGROUND
A Virginian Father: The Richards Family
RL: Eleanor, it's a great pleasure to be here, and I'm looking forward to an interesting story.
Lyon: Everybody is so interested. They say, "Eleanor, what about your in£ormat ion?"
RL: Perhaps we can start with your grandparents and your parents.
Lyon: My grandparents. I'll talk first about the Richards family. They came from Virginia, from Loudon County, Virginia, from the famous farm called Green Garden. I have a picture of where my father was born.
RL: What sort of a place was Green Garden?
Lyon: Beautiful. The Richards were famous horse people. When my sister and I went into the lobby of their home, I said, "Does someone here play golf or tennis?'' They said, "No, these are what the horses have won." They had the most beautiful trophies I have ever seen. It's Green Garden that Onassis wanted to buy.
RL: Was this a breeding stable?
Lyon: Yes, they had everything. Did I give you the picture of my father on his horse?
RL: Yes, thank you.
Lyon: My great-grandfather, William Richards, apparently went to Ohio, and made a will there in 1844. He left a family bible worth five dollars to one daughter, and the rest of his estate to be divided equally between the remaining nine children, including my grandfather, CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA, WAR DEP'ARTMENT, ~I Rolls of the /J- I . I '/ I , it appears that Jy&;k;d of' said Company, was . I eiucte(l &&&,+>-:-\ of said Company; to hke xqk,.,. 1 -;, !F >3-' - from tho [&kv
I ,$ By command of the Secretary of War. - v .a I Lyon: Jesse. In the 1860 census, Jesse is listed as a farmer, with three sons. Washington and Thomas, my father, are listed as laborers. Adolphus, who was younger, used to come to California to visit us. My grandfather lived to be 85, and died in Loudon County, Virginia, in 1883.
Captain ~ichards'Service in the Civil War: Mosbk's Rangers
Lyon: My father was born in Upperville, Loudon County, Virginia, in 1844. During the Civil War, he served in the 43rd Battalion, Company G of the Virginia Volunteers on the Confederate side. He was wounded, and taken prisoner. Later, he was released and was promoted to captain in Mosby's Rangers which was what the 43rdj Battalion became. I've never said much to my family about this because Harvey's family was on the other side.
I know that my father was an active participant in the fighting. I had part of a document with the signature of General Robert E. Lee on it; I think it was a letter of recommend- ation. I was asked to send the original document to Williamsburg.
RL : Did you send it?
Lyon: I did because the United Daughters of the Confederacy asked me to. They said they didn't have anything like it. By the way, my mother was a founding member of the Robert E. Lee chapter of UDC in Los Angeles, so I was a UDC Daughter and belonged to the Mildred E, Lee, UDC young people. They still exist, you know.
There's also a letter from General Lee to the Honorary Secretary of War, August 9, 1964, printed in the War of the Rebellion Records.* Lee writes that Mosby commends Mr. Thomas W, Richards as "a man of approved courage, of good character, and fitted by experience for the duty [of organizing a civilian self defense group] ."
RL : When was your father taken prisoner?
Lyon: When he was very young. After all, he was only 17 when the war started. I can remember my father telling me.
*War of the Rebellion Records, Series I, Vol 4, part I, pp 990-991. Captain T.W.T. Richards' account of some of his experiences with Mosby's Rangers. Written, circa 1905. Original orthography.
Comrades of Sam Davis Camp:
You have very kindly requested me to prepare and read to the camp a paper relating some of my experience as a member of CoZ. John S. Mosby's Partizan Rangers, a request highly flattering to myself but the compliance with which I fear will be a disappointment to the camp. During the 40 years that have rolled past since we laid down our amns as Confederate Soldiers, I have been so occupied in the daily struggle for a living and a small share of this world's comforts that I have had but little time even to recall the stirring scenes of that euent- ful period and I feel my inability to relate them so that they wouZd prove inter- esting to you. Every soZdier of the Confederacy feels a special interest in the events of which he was a part and a pride in the discharge of his duties as such, and this must be my excuse for attempting to entertain you with some of the history of Mosby and his Rangers. John Singleton Mosby at the conunencement of the war, was practicing law in Southwestern Virginia. He was 28 years of age, and at that time District Attorney for his County. He enlisted as a member of the First Virginia Cavalry. After more than two years service with the regular Cavalry under General Jeb Stewart, during the fall of 2863 he requested Genl. Stewart to furnish him a small detail of men for operating in that section of Virginia lying north of the Rhappahannoch River. At that time the Federal Army was camped on the north bank, and the Confederate Army along the South bank of the Rhappahannoch. This territory, afterwards called "Mosby's Confederacy", was then within the Federal lines. Genl. Stewart furnished Mosby with a detail of 15 men from the First Virginia Cavalry. With this nucleus he conunenced his operation in florthern Virginia. He was so successful in his raids that his reputation soon spread and attracted to his following, volunteers from all sections, very many of them coming from Maryland, until at the date of the raid I am about to relate to you, his conunand numbered about 200 men. Among the nwnber who followed Mosby as Privates in his Command, were Captain Bradford Smith Hoskins, formerly Captain in the 44th Royal Infantry of the British Army, and Genl. Robert Von Mossow, a German Baron, and afterwards commander of the 9th Corps of the Armies of the Emperor of Germany. One of the most notable additions to the Conunand was a flew Yorker, a deserter from the 5th New York Cavalry and knom among us as "Big Yankff. He Zeft the Union Amnj when Lincoln issued his Emancipation Proclamation, came through the lines joined Mosby's Conunand and proved one of the bravest soldiers and hardest fighters that followed the Partizan leader, "Big Yank" was always in the thickest of the fight. On the 3rd of JuZY, 1864, Mosby assembled his Command at the village of UppemriZZe, about five miles east of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Genl. Jeb Stewart had in the meantime sent Mosby a 12-pound brass Napoleon gun. With this Commd numbering about 200 men, Mosby started on the 3rd of July, and marched North. On the morning of the 4th we reached the south bank of the Potomac River opposite to the point of Rocks in Maryland. At this point the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad running from Washington City West passes along the North bank of the River, and just at the foot of the spur of the mountains. As our advance scouts reached the river, they were fired upon by the Federals from the North bank. Mosby halted his Conunand on an eminence conunanding the opposite side of the river and placed his Napoleon in position. Soon a passing train came rolling up on the North bank. The first shot from the Napoleon went wild, but the second struck just in front of the engine and so near that the engineer stopped his train and in a few minutes the side of the mountain was dotted with white linen dusters climbing into the mountains to escape. This train was loaded with Government Clerks from Washington City on a Fourth of JuZy excursion. Notwithstanding they Zeft Washington City armed with revolvers, for the express purpose of shooting Guerrillas they lost no time in hiding themselves in the mountain crevices and timber. Mosby's Command then charged across the Potomac and into the Point of Rocks. This place was guarded at the time by 350 Federal troops consisting of two Companies of Infantry and two of Cavalry, protected by a circular rifle pit. At the approach of the Confederates these troops after a slight resistance, also fled into the hills. When the fighting was over, the Confederates turned their attention to the deserted Federal Camp and stores. As a part of their 4th of JuZy celebration, the Federals had provided a swnptuous feast, including an immense cake in the shape of the American Eagle about three feet in length. The Rangers soon carved up the eagle and helped themselves to it as well as to the other delicacies, while the Federals were hiding in the hills and the Washington City Govement Clerks werescramblinginto cover in the adjacent mountains. The Fourth of July feast over, the men took charge of the SutZer and other stores in the tom and Zoacikd themselves and horses with dry goods, groceries, hats, shoes, confection- aries, etcetra. The tezegraph operator at the place fled with the others and hid in the mountains. After the Confederates Zeft, he returned to his post, telegraphed the Govemunent OfficiaZs at Washington, and after describing the condition of things as we22 as he couZd, wound up by saying "the devil was to pay generaZZy. " It was an amusing sight to see the Command homeward bound with roZZs of caZico, Zadies' dress goods of every description, some cZad in hoop skirts and Zadies ' bonnets. This was knom as the "CaZico Raid" and many a Ranger gZaddened the heart of his best girl with the gift of something rare in "Mosby's Confederacy" in the shape of a new dress or fashionabZe bonnet. As the Command marched along the road, some arrayed in crinoZine, some wearing bonnets, and aZZ disguised in some fantastic articZe of appareZ, they Zooked Zike a company of masqueraders. An oZd Zady Mrs. Dawson, at work in her garden by the road side, when she beheld the strange procession drawing near, was seized with aZarm and mnning into the house exckimed to her chiZdrenn "Run my children, run to the garret; they are not Yankees; they are not Con- federates; they must be Indians." But her fear was soon twdinto pZeasure when she Zearned that they were Mosby's men returning from a raid. This ended the "CaZico Raid." But the Rangers soon Zearned that there was stiZZ some serious work ahead of them. The Command camped for the night near Leesburg about eight miles from the Potomac. Scouts sent out by Mosby returned during the night and informed our Commander that Major Forbes, with 200 picked men, forming what was known as the CaZifornia BattaZZion was near Leesburg, sent up by CoZ. LoweZZ from Fairfax Courthouse under his fighting Major to capture Mosby. In the morning, Mosby sent a detail of men with the property captured at the point of Rocks back to the place of rendezvous. This Zeft him about 250 men. Mosby knew that it would be a great disappointment to Major Forbes to march aZZ the way up from Fairfax Courthouse to Leesburg to capture him and his men and then not have the opportunity of doing so, so he decided at once to give the Federal Major the opportunity he was Zooking for. Early on the morning of the Sth, the Command was marching toward the camp of the fighting Major at BaZZs MiZZ, near Leesburg, but-when we reached that place we found that Forbes had broken Camp and marched across the country towards Aldie. It was not difficult to follow his Zine of march. About noon we came in sight of the Federal Colwnn, dram. up in Zine of battle on the Zeft of the Twrzpike in an open field. Our little Napoleon was
again called into action to scare the Federals. . This was all it was ever in- tended or expected to do. After two ineffectual shots, Mosby gave the only command that he ever gave when charging the enemy:"Corne on Boys", and dashed up the turnpike towards the Federals, his 250 men following his bkck plwne and yelling like Camanche Indians. They were soon right on the Federals, using their pistols with deadly effect. Forbes, for some reason ordered his Command to fall back. They started to fall back to a plateau of higher ground in the rear, but the Rangers closed in on them and pressed them so closely that the Federal Officers could not rally them. Three times the fighting Major tried to stop his men, the last time when they had reached a rail fence across the high plateau in the rear, Major Forbes drew his sord and begged his men to make a stand. With his bright steel blade in hand he wheeled upon our advance and with about twenty-five of his men fought with deternrined but useless valor in a hand to hand combat, for in a few seconds half of his gallant band were either killed, wounded or dragged to the ground by their wounded horses. When this rally was made, the writer happened to be in front of Major Forbes when he wheeled his horse trying to rally his men. In less time than it takes me to relate it, he charged towards me with his bright steel sword against his breast, our horses almost touching nostrils, Major Forbes on my right, his orderly Sergeant on my Zeft with his saber raised to strike me. I fired at Forbes and dropped on my saddle. I struck Forbes' horse, and as he lunged past my right side, the sharp, keen blade went through my right shoulder, his horse fell dead at my side, and his sword in my shoulder twisted me off my horse. His orderly 's sabre went over my head and cut off my horse's ear. I sprang to my feet and leveled my pistol at the fallen Major, pinned to the ground by his dying horse. He exclaimed: "I surrender!" I lowered my pistol, helped to remove the horse, took the fighting Majors' handsome English sword with the blood from my shoulder on the blade, and his armg pistol, which I still keep as one of grim war's deadly trophies. I have never ceased to feel greatful for that better impulse that saved the life of the brave and gallant Major Forbes. He was a member of the wealthy and cultured Forbes fdly of Boston Mass., and after the war a prominent and influential man in his city. I once met him after the war, and found him a most agreeable and thorough gentleman. Mosby's loss in this engagement was one man mrtally wounded, and three severely wounded. The enemy lost twenty killed and mortally wounded, twenty- five badly wounded, sixty prisoners including the Conmanding Officers, and nineth horse with their equipments. So ended the effort of fighting Major Forbes to capture Mosby and his comand. RL : How did he look back on the Civil War period?
Lyon: He was very definitely a southerner. He had a penalty of health due to the hardships he suffered in Captain Mosby's campaigns. 1 Fortunately, he survived. Later, he organized the Los Angeles chapter of the Southern Veterans.
RL : I think it's very interesting. One thing I'd like to get is-- when he was a grown, married man and had children, how did he look back on the Civil War? Was it an exciting period for him or a sad period?
Lyon: I might call it a loyal period.
I never heard my father criticize our government. He came to California a Democrat, and I will never forget, when McKinley was running for President. He came home one day and he said, "Family, I am now a Republican." Then he was a Republican from then on.
T.W.T. Richards in Virginia and Nebraska: Law and Business
RL : What did he do after the war?
Lyon: Apparently, he went to the University of Virginia, and graduated in law in 1867.
One time, he was invited to come back to the reunion of his class. We were all ready to go--the whole family, my mother, my sister May, my brother Tom, and I. Then he had a heart attack; it was an attack due to the heat.
RL : Do you know why he moved from Virginia to Nebraska?
Lyon: I think he was invited on account of his abilities. His first wife died in Nebraska.
RL : How many children did they have?
Lyon: They had three--two girls and Jesse. We visited the family and Jesse; Jesse moved to New York, and we visited them in New York.
When my father was in Nebraska, he was a very active business man besides his law work. He was admitted to the Nebraska bar in 1869. .qI (L y(51.711 Oj' f71P Ci/~:~~iltC(JZA/.~ of' 27~~. (I'1ab20d Sl(/,leajLr-Jl~c held ui4 87~eCify of Omalzn, on tlze-&&!?. i12, -I;71,c~MLI.*of' ow70 Lord owe thou~u,~.l,deight
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He was invited by the Flournoys for Christmas--my Mother was their guest and met my Father, and then they were married. I think this background is very necessary for my memoir, because I don't think many people realize that a Virginian came to California and then followed through like that. A Kentucky Mother: The Henry-Flournoy Family RL : Could you tell me about your mother's background? Lyon: Her name was Mary Henry and she was a remarkably talented person. She was charming; she was a Kentucky Beauty. RL : Does that mean something special? Lyon: Yes. A Kentucky Beauty is the beauty of the year. RL,: Like a beauty queen, then. Lyon: Yes. The pin I wear is her pin. I think her family never understood why she left Kentucky. That was her own thinking; she wanted to come to California. RL,: Did she go to college? Lyon: No, she didn't go to college; she went just to high school and graduated in Hopkinsville. Her family had this beautiful farm. It was eleven miles out from Hopkinsville; I think it was the most beautiful farm that I have ever seen in my life. RL: What sort of a farm was it? Lyon : It was for tobacco--all kinds of crops. RL : Did they have horses too, to breed and train? Lyon : Yes, they did. And they had these colored families. It's hard to realize that in those days, all the assistance they had on their farm was colored. My aunt used to go every morning to these colored people and check on them to see if they were all well. They had a whole area of the farm where their homes were, a perfectly beautiful place. Then, when May and I went back to visit Kentucky, we were guests of the Arthur Henry family, my mother's oldest brother. They had wonderful horses and buggy, and we'd drive eleven miles into Hopkinsville . My grandfather and grandmother came to Los Angeles and left the ranch to their oldest son. Julia, my cousin, never married. RL : Who owns the farm now? Is it still in the family? Lyon : No, they sold it. My uncle Arthur, Jr. and cousin Julia live in Hopkinsville, and Julia is on radio there. The interesting thing is that when my friend, Mrs. La Cauza, who is a state regent of the California Daughters of the American Revolution, goes to Hopkinsville to visit her only niece, she always contacts Julia. I'm just waiting now for a letter from Julia because I sent her the story of Harvey's life, and I know she's going to be very surprised. RL: Why did your mother decide to come to California? Lyon : To visit the Robert Flournoys. She was very fond of my Aunt Mary Flournoy. She was teaching school in Hopkinsville and just came out for a visit. She then had a very interesting experience of meeting my father, who had come to California to visit--well, he was interested in California, and then he went to the Flournoy home, evidently, for dinner or something, and met my mother. They were married almost right away. He hadn't brought his children with him. It wasn't till my father and mother were married that the children by his first wife came from Nebraska. Lyon : The Flournoys were my mother's cousins. I think I showed you the picture of my aunt Mary Flournoy, my mother and my sister, Mary Richards, standing together--three Marys! RL: I thought your sister was May? Lyon: We called her May, but her name was Mary. RL: What did your mother's family feel about her move to California? Lyon: Well, her parents soon came out and joined her. My grandfather and grandmother loved California. I never heard my grandfather say one word against California. My grandfather's name was Richard Gano Henry, but he was always called Colonel Gano Henry. He came with my grandmother to live with my mother and father; it was in that house on Olive Street. When they came to live with my father and mother, my grandfather, who was an attorney, then became a justice of the peace in Burbank. Law and Real Estate Development in Southern California Lyon: It was very interesting for the Richards family to have come to Los Angeles and for my father to have become such a popular business man. RL : Did he practice law in Los Angeles? Lyon: Yes. He was in his law off ice and then he became a lawyer for real estate. RL : What areas was he interested in? Lyon: Well, he was involved in a company in Ventura county, the Simi Land and Water Company, which was incorporated in 1887. Of course, that was before I was born. He was on the Board of Directors, and invested over $31,000 in it. I've got a little pamphlet here by Janet Scott Cameron, published in 1963, called "Simi Grows Up," and that tells about it. RL : I think it would be a good idea to put a copy of that in this volume. Lyon : Fine. Then, at about the same time, he was working with the Providencia Land, Water and Development Company in Ventura County. They were developing what we now call Burbank. He was the I secretary and treasurer. RL : Do you know why it was named that? Lyon : It was a Doctor David Burbank who bought parts of the San Rafael rancho and the Providencia rancho and then sold all 9,000 acres to my father's development company. I can give you the real background on that, too, from a history by Mr. Keffer of the San Fernando valley. Can you imagine, I just came across the original development plan of .the City of Burbank! I think I should take it to Burbank. Yes. Let's read this into the record. It says on this canvas- backed map: "T.W.T. Richards was the treasurer and secretary of the Provindencia Land, Water and Development Company." They developed the town of Burbank? Lyon : Yes, and they developed San Fernando valley. RL : They didn't have any water at that point, did they? Lyon : It was a very great problem. RL : Your grandfather, you say, was an attorney. Did he also train at the University of Virginia? Lyon : No, he was from Kentucky. RL : Do you know where he took his training? Lyon : I have no idea. Every Saturday morning, my grandfather (Colonel Gano Henry) drove in from Burbank to the Los Angeles office to report on what had happened in the last five days in the Burbank development, where he was a justice of the peace and of law and order. I never will forget this friend. I don't know how she contacted us, but she did and she said, "I saw your grandfather driving across those three railroad tracks sound asleep!" What was he driving? Lyon : He drove his horse and buggy. RL: And the horse was doing the steering. [Laughter] Lyon : And the horse saved him. In our yard, we had a beautiful stable. Our family was very, very connected with horses in the early days. Then my grandfather (he lived to be eighty-seven), said to my mother, Mary, "I feel I must just go to bed and go to sleep." That was in 1908. He was a wonderful fellow, and I was his favorite grandchild. We had very good times together. My grandfather was a very good-looking man and a very interesting man and I had wonderful times with him. RL: Could you tell me more about your father? Lyon : He was a very clever man. My father had a manner of conducting things that people liked in Los Angeles. His off ice was in Los Angeles, because after all Burbank was a very little town, and he would drive out to Burbank. It was horse and buggy in those days; my father had very lovely horses. He only farmed forty acres out there in the San Fernando valley because he was in business in Los Angeles as a real estate attorney. He just couldn't do more on account of the distance. RL: You said your father had some business difficulties. Did he ever go bankrupt? Lyon : Fortunately, he did not, but he came awfully close. He was affected by the depression which afflicted Los Angeles county. I always felt sorry for my father; I always felt that he worked very hard but there was a difficulty in his accomplishing financial success in Burbank. In those days, it was a very little country town, only dependent on this Providencia Land Company opening it, that financed it, set it up. RL : Do you think he was a disappointed man? Lyon : No, no. He was a wonderful man. I felt very sorry that the result of the Civil War that affected his shoulder and his back caused difficulty through the years. Then he went out and had that sun stroke. RL: What happened exactly? Lyon: It was a very hot day--112' they said--and my father was out irrigating his alfalfa. They got in touch with this man, and he came in and helped my father. But when my father came home that afternoon, that was it. He never recovered from it. He lived to be seventy-two. My mother did too; isn't that strange? I can just look and almost see Burbank today, where my father's office was. RL: Was it one-story or two-story buildings, do you remember? Lyon: Mostly just one story. The big buildings were across the street, but the courthouse was over on the other corner. [Pointing to a map.] My grandfather owned that block there; he left that to my mother. Growing up in Los Angeles and Glendale RL : Let 's see, there were three of you in the family. Who was the eldest? Lyon: I was, then came my sister Mary--we called her May--and my brother Tom who was the youngest. RL: Did your mother have help in the house and garden? Lyon: Occasionally, yes. I think we all helped. My mother had a very wonderful way of handling food. For instance, my sister and I took turns fixing the salad and dessert. But my mother always fixed the soup, biscuits, and cornbread--the main meal--bGt my sister and I were involved in every meal. My mother was a remarkable cook; she was a Kentuckian and had a kind of way of knowing delicious food. We had constant guests, many from the Westlake School for Girls, which was right around the corner; the girls used to always come by our home. We had a wonderful vegetable garden right there at 619 Bonny Brae. Our garden in front was just the grass, and we had lovely poinsettias , My mother ' then planted the early California plants on one side. ~hey'reshown in that picture. [Looking at photograph] Lyon : The poinsettias began growing up the front of our home; when I was married, they were to the second floor. After I was married, my mother used to send me poinsettias every year at Christmas. She knew how 1-loved poinsettias, and I still do; I think the artif icial poinsettias today are beautiful and use them for Christmas decorations. RL: Where did you go to school? Lyon : I went to Tenth Street and graduated in the eighth grade, then to Cambria School, Los Angeles High School, then to Westlake School for Girls. Westlake was on Alvarado Street, the next street was Westlake, and we lived at 619 Bonnie Brae Street. My parents built our lovely home. RL : Is Westlake a private school? Lyon : My, yes! RL : Why were you sent to a private school? Lyon : I wanted to teach Latin and Greek, and I was at the Los Angeles High School, Cambria School. What happened was that I had to take the Sixth Street car, go up, then take the Figueroa to go up the hill; then I had to walk up that hill. At the time, I only weighed one hundred and eight, and my father worried about me. He said, '%leanor, it doesn't please me for you to carry those heavy books up that hill." So, after I finished my freshman year at high school, that is when I went to Westlake. RL: Were you in the first class there, did you say? Lyon : Yes. The first that went four years. I was in the class of '08. RL: What interested you in Latin and Greek? Lyon : At that time, I was speaking French; I don't really know. RL: Was French taught in grammar school then? Lyon : Yes. I was very anxious to go to France and study for a year to get my French in order. At that time, I spoke a good deal of French. RL: How did you enjoy school? Lyon: I loved it. I began taking Greek and Latin when I first went to Westlake. And there were two teachers who were both very gracious to me because there were so few interested in the classics. They were Jessica Smith Vance and Frederica de Laguna. Miss Vance was a Stanford graduate. Her brother was in love with Miss de Laguna but he died. Then the two of them opened Westlake in 1904. We had wonderful social times in Westlake in those days. We had the lake and we used to have boatrides on the lake. I was a Theta Beta Phi of Girls Collegiate. The three schools of that day were Westlake, Marlborough, and Girls Collegiate; they were the three important girls schools in Los Angeles. I had friends at all three. RL: When did you learn to play tennis? Lyon: In the early days of Los Angeles, we used to have friends who had lovely tennis courts, and we played each weekend. RL: Then you picked up your tennis from friends? Lyon: Yes, and we played. I think that tennis to me was a wonderful game. I played a great deal. I played tennis at least two or three times a week for many years. All my friends loved tennis. It was when we moved to Glendale that I became a tennis player at Westlake School. And we had our own tennis court. I won the San Fernando valley tennis championship for three years. I tried to find the trophy I was awarded the other day, but anyway, I won that championship. My younger brother, Tom, was very athletic too. May Sutton,* who was the head tennis player of the country, invited me to be on her team. I went down to Long Beach to play; how I ever got from Glendale to Long Beach, I don't know. I must *May Sutton Bundy, 88, the first American to win a Wimbledon championship and the first woman named to the U.S. tennis Hall of Fame; of cancer in Santa Monica, Calif., Oct. 4. Winner of the U.S. women's single championship in 1904 and Wimbledon titles in 1905 and 1907, May Sutton boasted a fearsome forehand drive and fighting spirit to match. Newsweek, October 20, 1975. g;lnle ilnl;roved and the orbit of her service line. This is a position where ~ourna~~~c~~tplay widened she ran few players can live, but Hazel, a vir- lla The New 'Orkery s111;ck into tlic prides of southern Cili- tooso at volleying, could handle May's October 13* 1975 fornia-the f:llnotls Sutton sisterslfrom returns at midcourt with a volley or Pasitdena. Tllere were five Suttons in half volley, after which she moved the all. &, the jwungest, was far and rest of the way to net and put the ball away the best. A sturdily built girl with away with an angled smash-or volley. a crushing forehand drive, limitless Later that year, the two young Cali- stamina, and the pugnacity of a bull- fornians had a tremendous battle in the dog,.she abhorred the thought of losing Pacific Coast Championship at Del 1 'and was not above consciously putting Monte-"the Newport of the West." i j her opponents off if she felt that it May won the first set, 7-5, but Hazel would make victory surer. Hav- fougl~tback and took the sec- 1 ing cleaned up all competition on . ond, 6-4. Then May did a the West Coast, in 1904, at the start!ing thing. Instead of re- age of seventeen, she went East , turning to the court after the to the Philadelpllia Cricket Club brief rest period for the deciding ~ for tbe United States Champion. set,dw told the umpire that she ! ships and carried off the wom- would like a cup of tea. During en's singles title with the loss of only the twenty minutes it took for the tea three games in two sets. She didn't en- to arrive and May to drink it, she 1 ter the Nationals again during her stretched out in a wicker chair and re- peak years, but in 1905 she undertook gally took her ease. This outrageo~~s ,the long trip to England and became stalling-it should never have been the first American, man or woman, to- permitted-worked: she won the third capture a Wimbledon championship. set, 6-4. Following this extraordinary When she returned there the next year incident, the Hazel-May confrontatio~is to defend her title, she was defeated took on, for their supporters, the cold, in the challenge round by Dorothea strained grimness of an open feud, each Douglass, but the following year she side trying to outneedle and outshout turned the tables on Miss Douglass the other. May was the winner in most (who had become Mrs. Lambert- of these matches, but one she didn't win !chambers). After that, Miss Sutton -was her first meeting with Hazel on never went back to Wimbledon. In grass, in 191 1 at Niagara-on-the-Lake, her first meeting with Hazel Hotch- in Ontario. May had whipped through kiss: in California, she overppwered the first set without dropping a game 1 her. Miss Hotchkiss, who was a year and was leading 5-1 in the second 1 older than May, was a compact young when Hazel began to hit the ball hard- ) woman barely five feet tall. She liad er and better. As her play improved, 1 good control of her ground strokes, but Mag's fell off a little, and Hazel won 1 I the best of them co~lldn'tbegin to com- six straight games to rescue the set, pare. with May's awesome forehand. 7-5. She kept going, and ran off six I rThe only departments of Hazel's game more games in a row for the third set ,that were superior to May's were her and the match. The point that should /volley and her overhead, but getting to be brought out is that during this ex- net against May was a very difficult' tended rivalry Hazel Hotchkiss, though thing. Early in 1910, the year after disturbed by May Sutton's chronic 'Hazel won her first United States bellicosity and appalled by the rowdy i Women's Singles Championship- partisanship of the galleries, kept con- 'thanks in good measure to May's ab- trol of herself and played up to her sence--she at length succeeded in tak- ability. The'understanding she gained ing a set from May, which was some- of how to compete under intense pres- thing that no American woman except sure helpedlto make her a most effec- ; the other Suttons had ever done. Later tive teacher of young players with ithat year, in the Ojai Valley tourna- tournament ambitions, but what made I ment, she actually defeated her. The her such an invaluable influence on I score was 2-6, 6-4, 6-0, and May did them was her conviction-undoubted- 1 not like it at all. She marched off the ly heightened by its absence in May's , court without congratulating the win- mikeup-that good sportsmanship is, ; ner, and Hazel had to run around the crucial to the true enjoyment of tennis net and intercept her, so that there and other games. could at least be a token handshake. By this time, Hazel had discovered that she could get to the net against May if she did it in two moves. First, after :]litring a deep forehand or backhand, Islie moved from the baseline to the Lyon: have gone down on the car that ran from Glendale to the center of Los Angeles. I know that I got to Long Beach, and I won my match. Then she said, "Eleanor, I wish you could join my team." I said, "I just cannot, because I have the responsibility of my father and mother, and I'm teaching school; it just is not possible." But we used to play tennis often. In that picture that I showed you of my family, that's our tennis court. Swimming was the other hobby, Our group used to go down to Long Beach; I guess we must have gone down in the streetcar. We used to go to Christ's Episcopal Church in Los Angeles a great deal because my father and mother were participants; my father was on the board. But one day, a neighbor, Kate Robinson called me and said, "I think it's so difficult for you and May to go down to that church." We had to go on the streetcar, then to Figueroa to that church. 'let my father or mother or me pick you up and take you to the Baptist Church." They did, and May and I joined the Sunday School class, which was where I met Ed Lyon, Harvey's older brother, who was the teacher. RL : Your parents didn't mind you going to the Baptist Church? Lyon: They never said anything because I think that originally my mother's family was Baptist. Of course, my mother and father were married as Episcopalians, and we were born Episcopalians. But all three of us were baptized at the First Baptist Church in Los Angeles. RL : About how old were you? Lyon: I was about fifteen or sixteen. Then one time, when I was about sixteen years old, we were sitting on the front porch, as we used to, and talk and visit. A horse and buggy drove up in front of our place, and Harvey Lyon came to invite me for a buggy ride. RL : Was that your first meeting with him? Lyon: The first time I'd gone out with anybody like that. My grandfather then said to my mother and father (when they came back from the neighbor's), "Some young whipper-snapper came here and took Eleanor for a buggy ride. I want it stopped!" He did not want me to marry! Lyon : I knew Harvey from the time I was a teenager, but my family just didn't want me to marry until I finished college, College Days RL: When did you graduate from Westlake School for Girls? Lyon : In June of 1908. RL: What made you choose Occidental College? Lyon : I was offered the University of California, University of Southern California and Stanford. But with my father and his heart condition, I could not go to Stanford. I think my father said, "Eleanor, that's too near Harvey." [Laughter] So I went to Occidental. It was quite a trip. I had to take the Sixth Street car, change to South Pasadena, and go up on the South Pasadena streetcar. I used to do quite a bit of studying as we rode because it was quite a ride. But then, my father just didn't want me to leave; he had no thinking about my leaving. RL: You stayed at Occidental for two years, 1908 to 1910? Lyon : Yes. RL: Did you get a degree? Lyon : No; I couldn't in two years. But I had a very wonderful report. RL: What did you major in? Lyon : Languages--Latin and Greek and French. Occidental was a very small, very personal college in those days. There were forty-eight boys and fifty-one girls in my freshman class. They were a very wonderful group. By the way, I used to tell fortunes! I did it with Edith Hutchinson for fund raising. We'd have affairs four or five times a year and dress up in Mexican outfits. Are you interested at all in fortune telling? RL : Yes, indeed. Did your fortunes come true, do you know? Lyon : That's what they said. Everyone appreciated it! I guess you know what the meaning is a little bit. Your left hand is what God makes; your right hand is what you make. For me to have my life line like that, I said to myself, '%ow fantastic!'' Then, of course, I have the 'N" which means marriage and money. I used to tell fortunes in a way that people never forgot. I'm not a believer in it very much, but it was an interesting hobby. RL: Why did you leave Occidental after two years? Lyon : Because my father was ill, and his affairs were in serious condition. We were trying to save our father money. My brother was just graduating from high school; he went to Los Angeles High School. My father felt that the cost of my going to college was more than he could take care of for me because he was really just in agony morning, noonland night. It was a very tragic thing. RL: Then, where did you go af ter Occidental? Lyon : I went to Los Angeles Normal Teacher Training School and my sister went too. RL: Were there fees at Normal? Lyon : There were fees, but they were very little. Because of my A credits at Occidental, I only had to go five terms. RL : What did you study at Normal? Was it teaching methods? Lyon : Normal was a wonderful training school, right in the heart of Los Angeles; all I had to do was to go down the Sixth Street streetcar, so that it was very convenient. I took a wonderful course in cooking as well as in school training. I could teach any grade, they sa'id. I was very lucky to get my first teaching job in Glendale; it was marvelous for me to have to walk just a short distance. We lived on Central Avenue, close to Glendale Avenue, and the school was right there. When I applied at Glendale, my father walked over with me. When I went in, I said to the men who were giving the test to new teachers, "What are all those bags?" They said, "Those are applications from all over the United States." RL : How many were there? Lyon: 1 Three bags full of applications. I said, "My! A lot of teachers want to come to California, don't they?" They said, "Yes, and they want to come to Glendale." I was given my interview, and got the job. RL: This was in March of 1912? Lyon: Yes. I was given the new building in Glendale that was right in back of the grammar school for my second grade. RL : So, you were teaching primary? Lyon: Yes--first. Then I was invited to come to Los Angeles for arts and crafts and history and grammar, to be a special teacher. I went to Eastlake Park, right across Hollywood Boulevard. I only taught there till Easter, April, 1914, and then we were married on the following Tuesday evening. RL: Did you enjoy teaching? Lyon: Yes, I loved it. I loved the young people and they loved me. We had wonderful times together. I feel in those days there was a different spirit of trying to please young people. I was interested in interesting them in art and music. In those days, I painted and this and that. RL: What grade did you teach in Los Angeles? Lyon: I taught sixth, seventh and eighth--the three highest. RL: What did you find were the major problems or challenges? Lyon: Interesting the young people. This is what I would try to do everyday. I would go home and try to work out what the next day would be. Art in those days was very interesting to young people; they responded in a marvelous way. I was kind of a little girl at that time, and these boys would put their arms around my neck and say, "Oh, what fun!" RL: Where did you train in art? Lyon: I trained at Normal in methods of teaching art. I felt it was important for me to have an understanding of arts and crafts. I think I got to Normal by eight o'clock and would never leave Lyon: until around four. The teachers there were remarkable and they enthused me about teaching. My sister became a beautiful kindergarten teacher. She always sat at the piano and played. She was a popular artist. After we were married, at Christmas time, she overdid things and caught pneumonia. It 's a very strange thing, but pneumonia has been what has taken so many of my family, especially in the early days. I know that my sister was not taken care of right with pneumonia, and that's why she passed away. RL: What year did she die? Lyon: January of 1915. In 1914, she came up to visit us two or three times. She was a lovely girl. She was much taller than I; she was 5'8" I think, and I'm 5'4 112.'' May and I had wonderful times together. Courtship and Marriage RL: You knew Harvey for at least five years before you were married? Lyon: I met Harvey when I was about fifteen. That was when he came down [from Oakland] to his brother Ed's for Christmas. They had a Christmas party on Saturday. On Sunday, Ed asked Harvey to take around the calendars of his business, which was Lyon, McKinney, Smith Furniture Company in Los Angeles. This is, of course, before Lyon Van and Storage was started. RL: So, you met him when he was handing out calendars for his brother's business. How long were you actually engaged? Lyon: We weren't engaged then; I hadn't graduated from Westlake. My grandfather wanted me to graduate; he wanted me to go to college. Then he felt that with my background of language, and art, and crafts, and music that I could have a very interesting life. RL: Right. Lyon: In December, 1913, Harvey came to Pasadena to visit his oldest brother Parker and Clara, his wife, and family. Parker said, "Eleanor, we 'd love to have you come and stay with us for a few days because Harvey's coming." And he planned dancing and skating Lyon: and everything for us for five days. $hat is when Harvey said, "Eleanor, couldn't we get married next year?" We had had some wonderful days together. That's when the planning began for our wedding, April 21st, 1914. You asked me how much my salary was as a teacher. It was a very small sum; I don't think it was more than two hundred or something a month. I know that when I was married, fortunately I had started my bank account and I did have a little money that I had saved. My mother helped me with my trousseau and all, and had a dressmaker come. for three weeks; she got me ready to be a bride. My wedding was a very lovely experience with my five friends that I'd been to grammar school and then to Westlake school with as bridesmaids--five lovely, lovely girls. * Harvey brought his friends down from Oakland as his ushers. My brother gave me away because my father was gone. And my mother, my cousins, and my sister were all there--my sister was a beautiful girl. We were married on the Tuesday after Easter, and started to drive home to Oakland. Harvey had a Pierce-Arrow, an early Pierce-Arrow, a number three. We drove up to San Bernardino. We came up to Santa Barbara. We went up over the mountain, and Harvey said, "Eleanor, if you could just get out in the back and help me push this car over the mountain." We never went over that mountain that we didn't think of it! I1 EARLY MARRIED DAYS IN OAKLAND Daily Contacts with Harvey's Parents Lyon: Our first home was over here on Grand Avenue--1045 Grand. That was a flat. It's where the Safeway is now. They moved the flat that we lived in up that side hill, and it's there still. Did I show you the picture of our house? RL: Yes, thank you. Did you have any help in the home or did you do your own work? Lyon: No. I had a training with my mother in cooking. Then, as I said, I took this wonderful course in my five semesters at the Normal School in cooking. That is when I wrote my original cooking book. RL: Have you still got it? Lyon: Yes, I have. ~arvey's mother was not cooking-minded . When we were first married, I went down to take her a pie or cake or something. Of course, we called her Ma. I said, "Ma, what about your dinner?" She said, "I haven't given it any thought." Do you know that Harvey sent his horse and buggy from Twenty-Ninth and Broadway down to Twelfth and West every day for his father and mother to have a buggy ride? They would come up Grand Avenue and over to me to ask me to go for a buggy ride. I had them to dinner every Thursday night for years and years and years. After Harvey's father passed away, Harvey would pick his mother up. Harvey was born after his mother was forty. When he married-- I don't know how all this happened, whether his mother said she Lyon: was going to miss him lor just how it happened--anyway, I said to myself, 'Xarvey must get in touch with his mother every day." So, when he would come home, I'd say, "Harvey, were you in touch with your mother?" If he wasn't, I'd say, ''While I get dinner, you go see your mother." I did not ever want her to say that I took all of Harvey's time. On Sundays, we went to the Baptist Church. Then, we would go on a picnic. I would have the picnic ready. His mother did have one of the early electric cars; I think you saw the picture of that in the pictures we showed you of cars. She had an accident and never had another car. So Harvey and I used to take them out every Sunday. Later, I did have help. I had this darling little Swedish girl, Eva, who was my assistant; she had never cooked--I taught her. RL : Was she at home- -a mother 's helper? Lyon: She was helping me. I taught her to cook. She then became the [Robert Gordon] Sprouls' main cook at the University of California when he was made president. I don't know if I have her name; I should ask Ida. She went to work for Ida when we moved up to the country. I taught her to cook. Helps with Lyon Storage and Moving during World War I , Lyon: When Harvey and I came to be bride and groom, Harveyls business was just beginning. His salary was a hundred and fifty a month. He took the fifty; that took care of his car and his problems. He gave me the hundred, because I paid the rent for our flat over here on Grand Avenue (1045 Grand). It was really quite something in the early days, how we handled our financial problems. Then--I don't know just exactly if it was my suggestion or Harvey's suggestion that we bring my mother into the problem of our financing. That is when we organized the Richards Incorporation; they combined with Lyon Storage and Moving, and that is how we financed it. Then my mother was able to finance it for me. She'd come to stay with me, and she would say, "Eleanor," and she would hand me a check. RL : When did she come to stay with you? Lyon : Every year. Of course, my sister came to vist us until she died. Then my brother came to the University of California in engineering, and he lived with us. My family kind of followed through with me in a very wonderful way. We loved to go down to my mother's home, which was 619 Bonnie Brae in Los Angeles, and the boys loved it. My brother pas an engineer at the University of California, and then he was asked to be a pilot of a plane. He was one of the first of the navy pilot officers. He was sent to Boston for his original training, then sent to Florida. He went to North Island in Coronada and was in charge of that base there. Then my mother sold her home in Los Angeles and moved to Coronada. Our second move was up on Kempton. Then is when we moved over on 1653 Grand -Avenue (that's Piedmont), where Dick and Ted were born. RL: When did you start playing bridge? Lyon : Right from the very start. RL: You mentioned that when World War I came, you helped Harvey run -- his moving and storage business. Lyon : I assisted him because he was asked by the university to help drill ROTC [Reserve Officers Training Corps]. RL: What were your day-to-day responsibilities in the business? After all, you had two babies, didn't you, born in 1916 and 1918? Lyon : Yes. I did the checking with two members of the Blum family-- Adolph and Jack Blum--who were Harvey's assistants. The off ice would just say, "Eleanor, if you could just help us with this checking. " RL : I'm not quite sure what you mean by checking? Lyon : Checking means just kind of assisting in the office there. Harvey would go certain days in the morning and certain days in the afternoon; that was the way it worked out. RL : Would you try to solicit business? Lyon : People were very conscious of calling and saying, "Eleanor, we depend on you to move us, and we depend on you to put our things in your warehouse." It was a personal contact. Lyon : Those who worked for us were just darling people. Twice a year we jwould have a dinner in our home and go to the ice skating over in'San Francisco. RL : Was that the Ice Follies? 1 Lyon: Yes. Then, they'd come out to our home for a picnic and then go over to the Ice Follies, then to the Fairmont for dinner. How they loved it! At Christmastime, I make a $raline that is different from anything you've ever had before; I think, this Christmas, I'm going to try to do it again. I got the recipe from Mary Skinner's sister, my classmate at Westlake School for Gir1s. It happens that Mary Skinner and I were playing tennis in her yard and Mary said, "My sister's making some candies." I said, "How lovely!" Afterwards, we went in and I said, "This is the most delicious candy I ever tasted; can I have the recipe?" She said, "No, Eleanor; just watch me make it one time." I began making pralines. I became famous for my pralines before I married. Then, for Harvey at Christmas, I took three pralines to each and every one of his workmen, which meant over three hundred. They became my famous candy. Edith Reed always said, "Eleanor, pralines just make my Christmas." I make them different from anybody else. I said to myself, "I wonder if I can learn." I went and saw Mary's sister make them and I went home. She said, "Eleanor, never give this recipe to anybody." I never did. Our sons have never forgotten it, and my brother--just this last time we went down to visit him-- said, "Eleanor, do you ever make pralines now?" I said, "It's a little difficult in my small kitchen to make them because they have to be made in a very special way." But I'm going to try to do it again because my brother would just love it; I'm hoping he's coming for our 60th anniversary. RL : Would you be willing to share the recipe now? Lyon: Why not? Here it is. Pralines Take 3 cups of sugar and 1 cup of milk and boil. Put 1 cup sugar in skillet and melt. When melted, pour into boiling sugar and cook, stirring, until done. Add nuts, vanilla, and butter the size of a walnut and beat until creamy. Dip up and put on buttered brown paper. Some Volunteer Activities Travelers Aid RL : How did you become involved with Travelers Aid? Lyon: We came to Oakland in the last week of April [1914]. Because Harvey got up so early in the morning--he had to be at his business very early--I decided that I would love to be involved in a program at the Young Women's Christian Association. There were three programs. I did assist with volunteer service a little bit, too. My program was cooking; they had a wonderful cooking class there at the YW. Then there was a gymnasium and sewing. I used to go Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Mrs. Ralph Fisher was president of the YWCA at that time. They used to serve a nice little luncheon there at the YWCA. There was a full schedule of activities; I loved it all. They had such personal contacts in those days and I had a lot of fun there. Harvey never came home for lunch, and I only had to get home by dinner, living right on Grand Avenue here. One day, I came out of the main entrance of the YWCA, and there was Constance Sibley in charge of registration. KL: Was she a Miss or Mrs.? Lyon: She was Fred Sibley's first wife. Fred was in college with Harvey, and I met him, I'm sure, at the first party of Harvey's class in '06. She said to me, "Mrs. Lyon, I have a friend upstairs that I'd like you to meet." We went upstairs, and this was the beginning of Oakland's Travelers Aid Society. The other person, Lida Cranston, asked me if I could volunteer--sign up--for her organization to be of assistance to travelers. That is when Travelers Aid was organized. We had one other helper; her name was Collat. The three of us started Travelers Aid Society of Oakland. RL : What was the impetus? Lyon: To take care of these travelers that came in and were so confused. Lida would call me and say, "Eleanor, the Santa Fe is coming in from the east and we had word that there's a group trying to contact some member of their family," or this or that, "and we'd like you to go down to pick them up and help them." RL : How did you get your information about people in trouble? Lyon: I think it would come in to the Y and then Lida would call me. I lived right here on Grand Avenue and it was very easy for me to go down immediately to the YWCA. I don't remember any problem of parking in those days. I would then go in and talk to Lida and say, "Now, Lida, what is your suggestion?" Then she'd put a little pin on me as identification. (I was not a trained social worker; I didn't have time.) RL : Was there a national organization of Travelers Aid at this time? Lyon: Not until 1917. Oakland was the first in California.* RL : People have always been arriving confused and lost. Was there anything special about the year 1914? Were people pouring into California for any particular reason? Lyon: Yes, because they wanted to come. Some of their friends had come to California. They had a problem; they didn't know where to go and they didn't want to get lost. I had my car and would take them wherever they had to go. Lida was a remarkable person; she and Constance backed me. I was very shocked when she died. For the Exposition of 1939 over at Treasure Island, she called me and said, "Eleanor, there's going to be a group of young people coming in from Salt Lake City. They want to come to the Exposition and sign up to work. Can you meet them?" I did, and took them across the bridge. I met these young people and took them over the grounds, and I took them to lunch. I never will forget meeting Zellerbach and a lot of famous people in that room. Then I was told to bring them back to the train and send them home because there just weren't any jobs. *See following pp. for a history of aid to travelers. Joining the check for 20s I wish thank you for helping me in my hard moment. More pe rhaps \;.hat help uas the FAITH you had in somebody foreigne really appreache your zdvice in helping 12s coixe back home zrld live do.,-n my gast troubles .- - . -- -_------C;eir;,, y fi,.Q$- bJ< &2C-* $9 / l 4 r- b,,W-L&/ JNG- v&-w4 a. 4i-L 9-&j--bdZCU;M-C?~< . C Lyon : Travelers Aid was a wonderful opportunity. We had marvelous contacts with people and so many interesting experiences. I don't know that I could do it today--drive down to pick up somebody at the train; in those days, there was no question. When a new person took over and demanded the salary she demanded and then demanded thus and so in the office, it became very difficult. Of course, I gave my contribution, and still do, af ter all these years. RL: Are you saying that it was harder to work as a volunteer when the office became professionalized? Lyon: I don't think there's any question about that sort of thing. In fact, it lost, for me, the personal opportunity. The Oakland Symphony RL : What can you tell me about the origins of the Oakland Symphony? Lyon: The origin of the Oakland Symphony was really what they called the Youth Symphony--it was for the youth of our area. The youth were very enthused about it. Every time that we had a concert, the children were there in tremendous enthusiasm. Our sons always took their friends. Harvey and I had a great deal to do with the planning of it. RL: I understand that it started as a YMCA orchestra, under Ed Leslie in 1924. Were you in on that? Lyon: It did. The YWCA was the original activity in the community at that time. That was when I became so interested in doing what I was doing for Travelers Aid. When I became interested in doing things with the YWCA it was a very enthusiastic place, because it was central and it had that lovely auditorium. We really had a wonderful opportunity there. The city of Oakland built that auditorium, and we moved there. Orly See was the conductor. RL : Was it the YWCA or the YMCA? Lyon: It was the YWCA. The YMCA was over on Broadway, and the YWCA is right there on Harrison. 4 OAKLAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ASSOCIAITION Office of the President I 1 137 Ashmount Avenue Oakland 10, California September 12, 1956 Fir. Harvey B. I,yon 31!.00 Broadway Oakla-nd, Ca.l_if. Dear !ire Lyon: At fts meeting on Septenber 5, the i3oa.rd. of Direc-tors of the Ca.!.:la.lid S:,viphony Grches tra As sociatlon unanimously passed a resolu-tion that your rssignation from the %ai-d be a-ccepted wfth regret, and. with 2.n expression of ~rat5tud.efor the in.vnl_u- able contribu-tions tha.t JTOU. have made to the orchestral s pro,qress thr~u-~ghthe years. As we look f oi.ward to the o:?ening of the Oakland. Sgm- ~?honylstwenty-third season, we a-re a.tvare that the vision and enthusiasm you. have alxFlays exhibited vill still be with us, in the .il-orm of th.e sturdy organization which you have helped to create and in its consistently rna%nta.ined artistic ideals. Th.e orchestra will long bezr the ifiiprint of your .thou::h.tful ded.ication, and. we who remain in its sxecutive work h.ope to niake it orthy thy of your continued interest and su.yport. 1::ii-th best wishes, I arfl SEncerely yours, Burton hleber , Secretsry, Oekland S--mphoq~Orchestra Associatron i MEMBERSHIP CARD I ! I I ORCHESTRA i ' I 1 I 1I.t 2ti5q&h. Y MEMBER'S NAME . > Lyon : In looking back over the symphony, it brings a lot of memory of the enthusiasm of our friends, and how we all participated in running it. RL : How do you mean? Lyon : You asked if the musicians were paid. The girl who played first violin was paid. She was very talented and went later to the San Flrancisco Symphony. Only a few were paid. For most of them it was just an opportunity for a contribution to music. For Oakland, across from San Francisco, to start this was quite some- thing. There were many people who were surprised. I said, "But it's for youth." The Ehmanns, Ed and Charlotte, were very enthused about this, and they were the ones who followed through with Harvey. Every time he would come down Broadway, Ed would stop and talk with Harvey about the symphony. That is when Harvey conducted all the picking up of any kind of instruments that needed to be stored until the next practice. RL: Who were some of the other key people who helped get this civic symphony started? Lyon : I think I showed you that picture of Harvey and his friend dancing at one of the fund raisers. These fund raisers were very interested in helping that symphony. I'm sure we feel that Oakland had reason to be very proud. The San Francisco Symphony has always been remarkable. When the Oakland Symphony moved to the Paramount Theater we were invited. Our sons are musical, and today Ted goes to Rotary a half hour before a meeting and has the piano until twelve o'clock, where he plays. In his own home he has two pianos, and he has his friends who come and play with him. RL: Chamber music. Lyon : All of his affairs are very, very musical and very lovely. If his father and mother comes, he always plays his piano. RL: You have obviously contributed to the Oakland Symphony over the years. Would you say that you had any active part in the planning of the symphony? Or were your contributions mostly financial? Lyon: Oh, no. We had meetings together. We were living at 306 Sheridan, and they would come to our home. We would have supper and discuss things. We had many get-togethers, dear. The whole area of Piedmont was enthused about our Oak1 anq Symphony. I feel it is very important that we realize that the Oakland Symphony had this beg inning. RL: Why did Harvey retire from the board in 1956? Lyon: He had difficulty with his hearing. For him to go to a meeting and not hear people ... People do not speak distinctly, and therefore he would not be able to have an answer. He would come home and say, "Eleanor, I just don't believe I can go on any further." At the time I had great responsibility. This was when I was so involved with Children's Hospital. I feel that Dick and Ted would have been very proud of their father if he could have gone on, but he couldn't. Dick and Ted contribute so much themselves now, and do you know that today Dick is a part of the San Francisco Symphony, the Oakland Symphony, and the Napa Symphony. Carol is entertaining today the directors of the Napa Symphony. That is why Dick is not coming into Oakland today; he'll see his father tomorrow. Each time he comes to see his father it is very sad, and it's sadder each time. This deterioration of the body. He's not in pain, but he's just kind of annoyed. I don't know how long annoyment goes on, but I try, in every way I can, to help him. RL: What would you say Harvey's major contributions were to the symphony, as a board member and in other ways? Lyon: They were to the needs. Whenever Ed Ehmann came by Harvey's office, his business there on Broadway, they would discuss financing. The Ehmanns were very generous, too. He and Harvey used to kind of match money. They felt that it was very important for Oakland to have a symphony, and that meant, of course, Alameda and Contra Costa counties. There were many who came from all over the area. I think back on how wonderful that auditorium was, and that beautiful area that adjoins it--did you ever go to that dinner? RL : No, I didn't. Lyon: They used to have dinners there. In the early days it was a very, Lyon : very interesting experience of personal contribution of food and so forth for their affairs. RL: What did you think of Orly See as a conductor? Lyon : Oh, he was wonderful. He was a remarkable man--a very, very understanding person. He would come and talk with Harvey and me over any sort of problems, in a very intelligent way. We were friends. RL: Oakland used to have the reputation of having more adventurous programming than the San Francisco Symphony. Lyon : Yes, and we tried to interest young people. And we did! RL: Do you think that was partly by having more twentieth century composers and American works on the program? Lyon : Yes, I do. The enthusiasm of our group was wonderful. All the young people would come up and tell us how much they enjoyed it. The music was just beautiful. It was usually over by ten-thirty. Looking back over those twenty-five years, I don't think Harvey and I ever missed a concert. RL: I noticed some very unusual programming. There was a program in 1955, for example, where they played Schumann's 4th symphony first, and the prelude to Act I1 of Lohengrin last on the program. Did they often do this? Lyon : Yes, they did. RL : Why? Lyon : They wanted to enthuse the Oaklanders in music. I had my tickets for eleven years right next to the I.W. Hellmans. The Hellmans bought that place out in the valley that is now Dunsmuir. They lived there for fifty years. Harvey and I sat next to Mr. and Mrs. Hellman, and they used to invite us every summer out to their home. Dunsmuir is now open to the public. When we speak of Dunsmuir, it is very fantastic that the families in those days were friendly. The Hellmans were rich Jewish people, but I never thought of them in any way except as just lovely. She was very gracious, and she used to invite us out to her home for luncheon. Lyon : Here's a picture of the other home that is being redone, the Cameron-Stanford mansion. I'm contributing to it because we're going to have our Ebell hundredth year there. I could still go to the Oakland Symphony; I'd love to do it. But I cannot do it at night. We did go to the dedication [of the Paramount Theater] with Dick and Carol. My, did we see the old- timer friends there! They were most gracious. Afterward we went out to a Mexican restaurant for dinner, and Earl Warren was there. They came up to us, and they were very gracious. RL: I didn't know that you knew Earl Warren. Lyon : Oh, did we know him! RL : Tell me about him. Lyon : We had such confidence in him when he was governor. Of course, Harvey knew him very, very well--him and his wife. RL: Did you know him when he was district attorney in Alameda County? Lyon : Yes, absolutely. We knew all these people. When I think what Harvey's warehousing business did for the community! Tell me a little bit about it. I know he stored and did all the moving for the Oakland Symphony. Lyon : He stored the things. He had a portion of the floor where these instruments were very protected. He never charged for any storage. Until the time he passed on his business to Neptune there were still some instruments there. He then informed the symphony that he still had these instruments. Harvey had a way of handling people and things that gave people confidence. Hospitality was a wonderful thing with our symphony. RL : Your friend Madge Mann said that the way you worked, and the way you got so many things done, was to invite people to your house and talk things over. Lyon : Yes. And they loved to come to our home on Sheridan. Judge Everett Brown and his wife, Winifred, lived next door to us. Every morning Winifred used to contact me. Lyon : I feel that over the years, all the activities in Oakland felt that to get the Lyons would make whatever it was a success. I've had a very interesting sixty-one years of life here in this Bay Area, with one interest after another. These organizations have been so loyal and so wonderful. Volunteers in Piedmont Schools and Piedmont Community Church Lyon: When Dick went to kindergarten he came home and said, "Mom, Miss Ellen Driscoll (the principal), said to me, 'I understand your mother can help with our Christmas for Haven School."' That is when I went over. I said to myself, ''Why isn't there anybody on this floor (it was just one floor in those days)--why isn't there anybody around?" With that, I heard voices. I went down the steps, and around the furnace were all the teachers, eating their lunch. I said, "Oh, how do you do this?" They said, "Well, this is the only warm place in the school for us to have lunch." RL: Was this down in the basement? Lyon: Yes. I was very, very startled, and I said, '%liss Driscoll, 1'11 try to help you with Christmas." 'hey started that Christmas festival there. That was a little fund raising at that time, too. Then I said, 'my do you have to eat here? I couldn't do this. This wouldn't be an answer for me." Of course, I had taught school, so I knew exactly what the school situation was. Regarding the whole Haven School situation, I said, "Don't you have any help?" They said, "We did have some women, but they did not get along together, and therefore they broke up." RL: You mean volunteers, working with the teachers? Lyon: Yes. I said, "How sad:" Miss Ellen Driscoll suggested that I contact another mother who lived right near the school, and had some money. I went over there and how I ever went up those steps, I don't know--I used to Lyon: run up and down steps, but now, when I think of how I might fall-- Anyway, I went up, and I introduced myself. She said, "Oh, I've heard of you. " I said, "I understand that you had a group that worked for Haven School. " She said, "Yes." Then she told me the names of those who, unfortunately, had been difficult. That is when I began to work on setting up volunteer programs for the school. We then founded the Mothers' Club. The Mothersf Club of Piedmont Schools started with Haven, and then went to the other schools. RL : Was this roughly equivalent to the P.T.A.? [Parent Teachers Association] Or was it instead of a P.T.A.? Lyon: It happened that the P.T.A. invited me to come to their meetings. This was before I organized the Mothers' Club. It was down on the next street over from Harrison, in downtown Oakland. They met on Mondays, and they discussed all the problems of the schools and things like that. I had to go down on the streetcar and then walk over there. I just felt it was too much for me. RL : So you felt you would do better for Piedmont outside the structure of the P.T.A.? Lyon: Yes, outside, and organize for Piedmont. Piedmont has stayed with it all these years. Before I left Piedmont schools we built that building on Highland Avenue. We set up hot lunch programs, Christmas programs, all sorts of things. Fortunately, I was able to give a piano to their new building. RL : Was there any other reason besides the inconvenience of getting to the P.T.A. meetings that made you decide to be independent? Lyon: Yes. It was that Piedmont was a little town that was not a part of Oakland. We felt it was better to be independent. Then we belonged to Piedmont Community Church. I became a circle chairman. I belong to six circles now; in fact, they phone me every month. In Piedmont Church we worked very hard. Harvey served as the president of the board of trustees. Lyon : This is when Wallace Alexander built that building, and Harvey cooperated with him. Every time Wallace came by our home on Sheridan Avenue, he would drop in. (I don't know why all of our friends just loved to drop in. Maybe it was because I had homemade candy--I think I told you that I made a candy called pralines.) I have been so lucky. I've never been in a hospital until this last time in Alta Bates. RL : Did you have the boys at home then? Lyon: Yes, Dick and Ted were born on Grand Avenue. Bruce was born in a small building that Remilda Meads recommended--her friend was with me when Bruce was born. HOSPITALITY HOUSE, OAKLAND Hospitality Hut RL : I thought it a good idea to start today by asking about Hospitality House in Oakland, which, I believe, eventually came under the auspices of US0 [Un3ted Services Organization, Inc.]. I noted in the files that you wrote a letter dated December 10, 1941, on City of Oakland stationery, seeking cooperation from various clubs and associations. What previous planning had been done which enabled you to make such a very prompt attempt to help servicemen? Lyon: Oh, Hospitality House: A man named E.F. Garrison was the president when we first took up activity in Travelers Aid. It is a memory that we all worked together in a very wonderful way. We always had our group meetings right there in the lobby of the YWCA. It always kind of centered on that YWCA. Then came the period of what you might call women's contacts in Oakland that were necessary to our community. That was when Mayor John Slavich appointed me women's chairman [of the Defense Recreation Committee]. RL : Was that in the 1930s? Lyon: Yes, it was in the middle thirties. I was called to the first meeting, and I think you have the picture because I gave it to you, of the group that planned the setup for the Second World War. This is when the servicemen began coming from all over the United States to our area, and then going on to the Orient--Honolulu, of course, and the Philippines. During that period Mayor Slavich said, "Eleanor, if you can do something about this, Oakland will be very appreciative." That is when we built the little Oakland teahouse, right there on the corner of Lyon : 14th and Franklin--it was in that little park where the redwood is. RL: Was that for the information center? Lyon : Yes, it was an information center and it was a center. I never will forget when I was first asked to do this. Mayor Slavich took us down to the auditorium in Oakland, and there were all these sick boys; they had the flu. RL: Was that in the First World War? Lyon : No, the Second. RL ': There wasn't room for them in hospitals? Ly on : I have no idea. I never will forget going into that auditorium and seeing all these servicemen. I have many loyal and devoted friends, and they began to help me to take cookies and fruit and such things to them. Then Mayor Slavich said, "I think we should have a center," and that is when we built that building there. It was dedicated on November 30, 1939. It was a little hut right in front of City Hall. RL : Was that built with city funds, or with donations? Lyon : There were donations. As I remember, we had a setting there of chairs and little tables, and a kind of a little kitchen and a place to serve our food. Aileen Adolph Young, who had no sons-- no children--began suggesting that we have food for the servicemen. (You know that beautiful little music place in the city park? That's the Adolph--her father.) We had certain days when we had different groups bring cookies and fruit, and help with serving. It became as many as ten thousand who used to attend practically every week. We had the tremendous pressure of serving, and yet the boys just loved it. RL : Was that Hospitality House? Lyon : No. That was Hospitality Hut--just a little place. The De Fremery Center for Colored Servicemen Lyon: Then the James De Fremerys gave their home to the city for the servicemen (they also gave a park to the city). It is an amazing thing to think that I arranged for the coloreld servicemen as well. RL : Did you have two separate facilities? Lyon: Oh, yes. Do you know that one Sunday ~arve~came with me to one of the programs I put on every Sunday--there was a constant pressure there with that De Fremery House--and it was my birthday. He was worried about the colored boy who put his arms around me and squeezed me so. I don't think Harvey ever forgot it. He said, "I never saw a colored boy that was so absolutely determined to love you. " The thing is, that I was young then [laughs] . RL : Was there any mixing at all? Did any of the white servicemen come to the De Fremery House? Lyon: Only to assist me. They managed that place in such a way that I had supervision of it. In fact, the colored women came into the picture there a great deal. They lived kind of all around that area, even in that day. When they would come over they would bring their cookies and so forth, and it was very interesting. Larger Quarters Needed for Hospitality House Lyon: One day Mayor Slavich said, "Eleanor, I think we should try to do something in the center of Oakland again, because the Hut is not able to handle what is happening in Alameda County." So Aileen came with her car--she had a wonderful Cadillac car and driver--and she and I drove all over Oakland. How we happened to come up 13th Street, I really do not know, because I don't think that I had ever had the thought that that was the answer. Do you remember the Countess [Lillian Remillard di] Dandini? RL : Oh, yes. Lyon: Well, Countess Dandini lived next door--that was her home. That's where she was born. She owned that home, and right next door was 660 - 13th Street. We came down the street, and the driver spun Lyon: around and let us out in front. We went in, and it was that anti-war group that was just organized, you know? RL : The Isolationists? Lyon: Yes. When we went in this girl was sitting at her desk, and she had her feet up on her desk. I said, "What are you doing?" She said, "Well, we're all through. I'm througb; I'm fired. We 're moving out .I' RL : Was that the old Ginn house? Lyon: I think so. Yes, it was. Then I said to Aileen, "Let's make a tour of it." We did, and of course we discovered that there was a lot to think about. I asked Mayor Slavich who owned it, and he said it was the Catholic Church. I then suggested we contact the bishop of the Catholic Church. I went to San Francisco and contacted him on Mission Street at the church there. I told him about our problem and what we had in mind. He said, "All right, I will talk with Mayor Slavich and okay it." He was very, very pleasant to me. The church charged us a dollar a year rent. The mayor said, "Mrs. Lyon, that whole house must be examined. You have to have a thorough fire inspection before you can have servicemen in there, because that's just a wood frame building-- you should make a very definite study of it.'' We then began to raise money. In fact, I had a doll raffle-- twelve dolls. It was very popular, and it was at the Leamington. We raised the first money for 660 - 13th Street, and then began having donations of furnishings. In the Piedmont church, in that middle room (I got a letter from Linnebum, the minister, telling me how beautiful that table always is) is a table I presented to them that had been used at Hospitality House. I had to do the building over; I had to have new carpets, new painting, have the kitchen done over. On the second floor I had that wonderful library, and we had the game floor up there with three pool tables for the boys to play. We had a place for music, and we had music every night--different groups came in and gave their music. RZI: How did you recruit your helpers? Lyon: Through friends, and because of the twenty-eight organizations I contacteld. For example, Ebell Society was every fourth Wednesday (let us say). Each society was assigned their day. This is all over Alameda county, dear. lu: You must have had enormous quantities of food. Did you have a paid kitchen staff to cook the turkeys and so on? Lyon: Oh, no, we all just did it ourselves. Our stove was very small, so it meant that people had to bring cooked food from their homes. That charming Jewish girl who took over on Sundays brought the most delicious food, and the boys just loved it. In those pictures you'll see them serving at the table. We had a wonderful spirit, and I am just amazed at the number of people here who are telling me that they remember the activities of that day, and how wonderfully grateful they are for the memory of what we did for the young boys. Florence Dean, a friend of mine in the early days, who never married, became the librarian. She was a very well to do girl, and she began to contribute to the library. The artists from Oakland Arts and Crafts came twice a week and took pictures of the boys. RL : How was the money raised to run Hospitality House? Lyon: It was just contacting ... I was going down Franklin Street one day, and this man came along (I can't remember who it was). He said, "Eleanor, I want to contribute to your Hospitality House." I said, "I take no money; I don't handle a cent. Go right to Mayor Slavich ." Mayor Slavich hand led it. lu: Was part of it funded from the city, out of tax revenues? Lyon: No, it was just personal contributions. Do you remember the grocery store on Piedmont Avenue? She said to me, "You know, I think you should turn the Sundays over to the Jews. The Jewish people would like very much to contribute to this." I said, "That is perfect, because it's difficult for me to come in on Sunday," since I was there the other six days. So she took over, and she planned every Sunday. I was there fifty-eight months. Her group were there every Sunday, and, my, did the boys love it. RL: 1 Sunday can be such a dead day in the city if you don't have a car or a family. Lyon: That was a wonderful answer. You'll see that story in those pictures, because we had a birthday party for Hospitality House every year. I'm sure you must have the picture of the original birthday cake. That wasn't what you would call the US0 yet. It wasn't until about the second year, I think, that they organized US0 in the country. US0 never contributed to us. We carried on under the combinat ion of Hospitality House-USO. Art Linkle tter 's Monday Nights Lyon: Every night we had a dance. Harvey and I went to San Francisco one evening to the Sir Francis Drake Hotel to a dinner party. There we met Art Linkletter, who at that time wasn't very prominent. I said to him, "You have a main interest that I feel is very important to our servicemen. Could I arrange for you to come every Monday night?" And do you know that he came every Monday night for two years, and had the servicemen join in music and singing? He was kind of inspirational in dancing, and friendly--a master of ceremonies. I'm sure that in my pictures of the US0 I have a picture of him. RL : I have some at the office. Lyon: I was there six days a week. I came in from Orinda and always arrived by nine o'clock in the morning and opened the front door. Then our day's work began. Art Linkletter was very enthused. In fact, he invited me to come down to Hollywood one time. RL: Did you go? Lyon: No, because I had too much responsibility. I don't remember just what it was here in the area, but I just couldn't do it. I couldn't go unless Harvey could go with me. But that was when Art Linkletter was working for us, and his publicity was wonderful at that time. That was when he was contacted for a movie. RL : So you feel that you helped to build his reputation? Lyon: Oh, I don't think there's any question. Because when he came over to our place, I felt he was quite a little boy. I said to him, "You do have a lot of talent, and we need it." Of course he came out to our home, and we had a lot of contact with him. I feel that Art felt, after this experience that he was ready to go on to the big time. Over Three Million Served RL : There was a women's committee and a men's committee. What was the function of the men's committee? Lyon: The men's committee was to help with entertainment. We had birthday parties; we had weddings; we had a great many occasions where we had social need. RL : Did the men's committee do a lot of the fund raising? Lyon: The strange thing is that whenever I had any sort of a contribution, it was always sent to Mayor Slavich, and he helped me finance it. RL : You said you had no counsellors or psychologists. You gave me a page from the "comments" book, when the ten thousand guests came through. One of the servicemen, instead of signing, "very good," "swell place," or what have you, wrote, "AW0L"--absent without leave. I wondered if you had many problems of that sort that you had to try to help with? Lyon: We did our best. They would come up to my office and I would try to straighten things out. I remember one occasion (I don't know what happened) when this boy was too ill to go back to Livermore. He's the only boy to stay there overnight. But I said, "I don't see that there's any other answer ." I'll try to find those books, because they are solidly signed. Every one of those boys just ioved our Hospitality House. They came at every opportunity they had. And, of course, they loved our library. We had wonderful contributions of books. Oh, my, when I think of the background of the personalities-- well, I can just see those boys ' faces. Another thing, those pictures tell a story. I&: Can you give me any rough statistics of how many people were served when you were head of this organization? Lyon: Mayor Slavich told a story after it was over and said there were over three million. There were lots of days when it was difficult because it was so crowded. In fact, we had to give up having them sign, because it was such a tremendous job. This was the most popular center in the United States. The boys have never forgotten it. I think one of the most dramatic things was when we had this wonderful young couple that were married in our building. They were just darling. Then he went to Iwo Jima or somewhere, and he was one of the boys that was killed. She: then contacted me. We had weddings--I think you have a picture of a wedding. The City of Oakland backed hs in a wonderful way, and our publicity was just marvelous. RL: Who handled that? Lyon: The Tribune and another Oakland newspaper located on Franklin Street--maybe the name of it is in that publicity. We had wonderful times throughout this effort. I&: Would you call the newspapers, or would they just routinely send journalists over? Lyon: Emelyn Knowland, the wife of William Knowland, came quite often to the house. She would ask me what she could do to help. Every- body was very cooperative. My office was just a little room up on the second floor. I had my typewriter, and in those days I would type a great deal. I typed all my reports. I used to take Florence Dean home (I don't think I ever picked her up, because she lived at the Bellevue-Staten). I used to come in from Orinda as fast as I could. As I look back over the years, everything that happened in the city of Oakland, where there were gatherings or a program, or anything of that kind, we were invited to bring the boys along. RL: So all the clubs and associations worked with you to provide hospitality for servicemen? Lyon: Yes, they cooperated with us. I just feel, as I look back on it, that it was a fabulous experience of personalities. It started with my being so identified with "early days1' in Oakland and getting to know people. And Harvey's office, then, was right on Broadway. Bruce Maiden was another friend of ours who constantly contributed to our fund. I never asked him how much he had or anything like that. I just would say, "We need.. .I1 He would let me know if he didn't have it. RL : Do you think all this activity was helpful to your husband Is business? Lyon: It was helpful to my husband's personality. Lyon Storage and Moving was the most famous group in the West. There's no question but that Harvey was a very honest warehouseman. Therefore, he was respected at all times. When I started furnishing that place I contacted people who had said, "I don't need this ,I' or, "I don't need that .I' We picked it up. RL : In your awn van? Lyon: Yes. And it went into that building. I had a beautiful piano. Harvey and I just felt, with our three sons in the war, that this was very important. Our three boys entered right at the beginning. You saw the picture of the three of them going to war--it's right here on the wall. They all left the next day. RL : That must have been very hard for you. Lyon: We kind of gasped. Dick was at Iwo Jima; he was a Fourth Marine. Our boys were very remarkable, popular boys at Piedmont High School and then at Stanford. People were very, very gracious and kind about contributing themselves. Willa said in her letter yesterday that she hoped that Harvey would be able to be one of the hosts at his '05 reunion. I hope so, too, but I don't know whether his feet are ever going to be able to walk. Of course, he could be taken in a cart. Lyon : This year I sent the US0 birthday cake again; I've never missed a year. Would you believe it's my thirtieth time? i Do you make it? Lyon: I order it at Fieldam's. In the original days I did make it, maybe. The picture you have of Mayor Slavich and me standing together with a great big cake, oh, no, I didn't make that! There were a tremendous number of boys. Anyway, we had a fabulous experience. When it was over--when I said I was retiring--the Catholic Church said, 'Wrs. Lyon, we'd like for you to continue and assist us ." I said, "The only way I can do ft is to have you know that I'm trying to do the best I can." So the Catholic Church took over again. 41a OFFICE OF THE MAYOR DR. JOHN F. SLAVICH OAKLAND 12, CALIFORNIA MAYOR Mrs. Rarvey B. Lyon, Hidden Valley, California. IZy dear Mrs. Lyon: On behalf of my colleagues of the City Council and myself as Mayor, I wish to extend to you our nost cordial thanks and appreciation for your outstanding work as Chairman of the I'Tornen's Committee of the Oakland Defense Recreation Committee. It is the unceasing efforts of patriotic citizens . .. like yourself that has made the Oakland Hospitality Project famed throughaut the Nation, and has given pleasure to hudreds. d- / .- . . . r. . . .. ~ . . ., . .- . :.. -- of thousands of our Service Iien and Konen. . . -...... Pith kindest regards and best mishes for a Hapg - 4. 1-..' and Pros?erous New Year, I an, Sincerely yours, / f / Dr. &&I I?. Slauich, Mayor. IV THE DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION Colonial Dames of America,: Chapter V RL : It took me such a long time to type your curriculum vitae that it made me wonder what interested you in joining so many different patriotic groups. For example, what attracted you to the Colonial Dames of America? Lyon: Well, I feel that if you are eligible for Colonial Dames--that it is very inspiring to do the work and have friends help you with the work of going back to the very foundation of both your father's and your mother's line. It makes your ancestry very important to you. I felt I should study the background of my family life and I realized that the personalities of the Henry family, of the Richards family, of the Flournoy family--these were all relatives of mine--all of these families were outstanding people, apparently. One of the good things about Colonial Dames is that they only meet four times a year; therefore, at each meeting they have an inspiration. Originally it was called the Independent Society of Colonial Dames of America. RL : How do you mean? Lyon: The inspiration of historic background, of personalities. Our talks have been really quite remarkable, and it's an inspiration. Did you ever know a Mrs. Zelma Rountree? RL : The name's familiar. Lyon: She's a very well known historian. She was president of Colonial Dames [1951-19531 when I joined. When they asked me to be president, I was very surprised. I participated in Colonial Dames Lyon: through all the years. After becoming president [1953-19551, I had a very remarkable experience of working with wonderful people. I'll get you my booklet* because it tells the story, and I worked very hard on it. You'll be interested in our seventieth anniversary booklet. RL : Do the Colonial Dames have charitable projects? Lyon: There's an excellent account of all our activities in this new booklet. The parent society and the chapters have been responsible for one major piece of historical restoration and preservation. We bought the Abigail Adams Smith House in New York, in the mid '20s. Since then, it's been furnished with eighteenth and nine- teenth century things, and is open to the public as a museum, and more property next door to it has been bought for offices and so forth. Abigail Adams was the daughter of President John Quincy Adams, and married a fine soldier who'd been an aide to General Washington. Then we've contributed to national and international projects such as helping furnish Gracie Mansion in New York, the White House, and various colonial buildings in the USA. And we helped with the restoration of Sulgrave Manor, in England, where George Washington was born. We also contributed to the war efforts in France and England in both World Wars. In 1898, believe it or not, the society even published five volumes of 'letters to Washington" and the booklet says, ''Historians and librarians praised the books and they were a financial success." What do you think of that? RL : I think that's great! Lyon: We have very good scholarships every year which we present to students of colonial ancestry. We make quite a study of who we present to. I think our last one was for three years. Then we have celebrations and historic get-togethers that are priceless. Let me read about one of the wonderful times when Dr. *"The Colonial Dames of America: Chapter. Five, San Francisco, California. Fiftieth Anniversary 1902 -1952. " Lyon: Aurelia Henry Reinhardt, president of Mills College, gave one of her interesting programs. That was in 1925. When/Mrs. Charles Francisco Lewis was president, through her husband's position in the Management of the Hotel St. Francis, she was privileged to have flowers from the Hillsborough estate of Mrs. Templeton Crocker and was shown many courtesies by the Hotel. She entertained the Chapter with elegantly appointed teas in the Garden Court of the St. Francis and Chapter V had a number of Annual luncheons in the beautiful Colonial Ballroom. For one memorable meeting, this room was turned into a Spring Garden, with flowering trees, greenery and flowers, from the Crocker estate and the country estate of Mrs. Raisch at Los Gatos. The tables were decorated with Colonial style bouquets of spring flowers, and corsages of the same style for each guest. Our beautiful place cards, with the gold emblem of the Society, marked each place. The Chapter's two beautiful silk flags stood in place at each end of the Head Table. The Pastry Chef of the Hotel had made of sugar a large replica of the newly acquired Abigail Adams Smith House and garden, an amazingly accurate creation with the lights of the interior showing through isinglass windows--a graceful courtesy to a fine gentleman, his charming wife and to Chapter V The Colonial Dames of America. The featured speaker was Dr. Aurelia Henry Reinhard t . Then it goes on to say how my mother and I were there as guests of our cousins, Dr. Reinhardt and Miss Alice Henry! RL: I'd like to insert the official descriptions of some of your activities, Eleanor. Lyon: That's fine. Mrs. Harvey Blanchard Lyon's Presidency was filled with activity. The highlight of the first year was the visit of Mrs. Morris W. Harkness, a former member of the Board of Managers of The Parent Society, who was honored by a formal dinner at the Women's Athletic Club in Oakland. The following year our President General, Mrs. Byron Stookey was our Chapter's honored guest. Mrs. Lyon entertained her at a formal dinner party at Woodland Lodge, her country home, and the following day the Chapter members enjoyed the luncheon given for Mrs. Stookey at the Women's Athletic Club, where she told the Chapter members of the plans to develop our Headquarters into a Museum. Mrs. Lyon has served five times as Vice President and Program Chairman, and the more than twenty-five programs she has presented to the Chapter through the years have been exceptionally diversified and interesting. Among these programs was one given by Mrs. Henry F. Grady, who told of her experiences as the wife of the U.S. Ambassador to India, Greece land Iran. Another delightful program was given to an Annual Meeting by Mr. Harvey B. Lyon, a skilled photographer, who showed his unusual pictures of their visit to the Orient, with Mrs. Lyon as narrator. This program was given at the College Women's Club in Berkeley as many of our Annual luncheons were held there after World War 11. The third program given by Mrs. Lyon was the qbvie based on the famous picture by Emanuel Leutze, "Washington Crossing the Delaware," probably one of the most significant events in American history. Mrs. Lyon has made two visits to the Annual Meetings of The Parent Society and two visits to the Annual Meeting of the Auxiliary, at the home of Mrs. E.H. Whittaker in Santa Barbara. She has entertained Chapter V many times at her Woodland Lodge home, and at her apartment in Oakland. She has supported the Projects of The Parent Society and the Chapter. Lyon: Oh, I want to be sure to say that our chapter contributed to Save- the -Redwood s for the DAR Rebecca Lambert Grove. And the other thing was that Harvey and I worked very hard with Eva Taylor's estate. There's something about that in the booklet too. In 1972 the estate was worth over a million dollars! Let's put it in. In 1966, Miss Eva Taylor, who with her mother and sister, Mrs. William Taylor and Miss Mildred Taylor, had joined Chapter V in 1922, died leaving the family estate to The Parent Society, as a Memorial to the Taylor family, with the interest to be used for educational purposes. Mrs. John Kean and Mrs. John B. Trask represented The Parent Society in the disposition of this estate and Mr. and Mrs. Harvey B. Lyon gave valuable assistance. This year marked the close of the beautiful patriotic celebration "The Massing of Colors'' in Grace Cathedral due to disturbances by dissident per sons. a: What was this reference to disturbances by dissident persons? Lyon : It was picketing by young people. RL : Why? Ly on : Why? I have no reason why. The day that happened is the last time that I appeared over there. All of these organizations brought their beautiful flags, and of course our Colonial Dames have beautiful flags. a: Were you frightened at all when they were picketing? Lyon : I was. I don't like picketing. a: I noted that at the time of some of the troubles on campus, the statewide DAR voted to try to have picketing on campus made a misdemeanor. Was it actions like that that caused this reaction by the young people? Lyon : Yes. RL: Do you feel that 's a wise move for the DAR to make, to recommend that legislation be brought in against the students and the young people at the time? Lyon : I don't know. Of course, I feel that if we don't control this thing, we 're in difficulty . Understanding of honesty is important. RL: How old would you say the youngest members of your club are? Lyon : We don't have many young people in Colonial Dames. The daughter of the president is the only young person; she's around twenty-eight. You mentioned that you hoped your granddaughters would join. Have any of them? Lyon : No, they don 't have time. They are in University at Paso Robles, Sonoma and Davis. In fact, I don't think that they can afford to pay their initiation, their dues, and keep their activities going yet, but I hope that some day they're going to be able to. When Lee went to Africa and saw the Huguenot Society that I'd been president of for nine years, she was very interested. I wrote to her and said, "I am so glad, Lee." I said, "You know that this is ,your ba k round. l1 Clg These are things the young people today don't Lyon: realize unless they have somebody to tell them, inspire them. RL : How much does it cost to belong to Colonial Dames now? Lyon: It costs around sixty dollars for initiation and a year's dues. Then, you have to entertain. I think it cost me about twenty- eight dollars to entertain over in San Francisco at the president's home. She had three of us assisting her. We had around thirty-two that day. Everything like this, dear, is expensive today; you don't do it reasonably. Then, if you have to have assistance, with the dishwashing and so forth, it's just something. I'm delighted that you're interested in this, because I feel that the Colonial Dames are the foundational historic group of women in America. You have to have that background to be a Colonial Dame. RL: We've talked about Colonial Dames. Then, Daughters of the American Colonists--was that the society you joined most recently? Lyon: Yes, in 1954. I have been asked to join--if I named all the different ones--the Mayflower group, the Magna Charter [sic] group, the whole background of our country--each one of those groups is a pressure. RL: Do you think there are too many of them? Lyon: No, each group is important. But I can't join them all because it all means going to Boston, Philadelphia, going to these different places, and when I joined DAR, then I said, "I must learn." That is when I went to the first DAR congress in 1950. I was very, very fortunate because I was interested in Colonial Dames and I was invited to come to New York to their meeting. MY! Did I have an inspiring experience! It's inspiring if you can make the friends and enjoy the lovely backgrounds of these organizations. Every affair that the Colonial Dames had was delightful and inspirational. Eleanor Lyon and Her Contributions to the DAR An interview with Mrs. Frank Emilio La Cauza, Historian General, Daughters of the American Revolution, I RL: Mrs. La Cauza, thank you very much for coming up from Monterey today to help with Mrs. Lyon's memoir. You were telling me earlier that you are now the Historian General of the Daughters of the American Revolution? La Cauza: That's right. RL: Through the years that Mrs. Lyon was with the DAR can you give me a quick run through of your positions? La Cauza: While Mrs. Lyon was Vice Regent of California she asked me to act as chairman at the dedication of a DAR marker, placed by the California State Society in the courtyard of Carmel Mission, honoring the earliest known United States citizens who came to live in California. That was in 1962, and my earliest experience of working with Mrs. Lyon. RL: Then you've been in touch with her for about thirteen years? La Cauza: Yes. RL: And since then what major offices and positions have you held in the DAR? La Cauza: My elected offices have been State Assistant Secretary, 1966-68; Recording Secretary, 1968-70; Vice Regent, 1970-72; Regent, 1972-74; and, on the national level, Historian General, 1974-77. RL: You were going to tell me about what you knew, either from direct personal knowledge or from talking to DAR members, about her various contributions to the DAR. I wondered if we could start at the local level and go on from there. La Cauza: She organized the Acalanes Chapter in Lafayette on January 12, 1950, with a membership of twelve, that 's the minimum require- ment, and within one year from that time the membership doubled. Mrs. Lyon was Regent of the chapter from 1950 to 1955. After she was Regent she filled other offices in the chapter, such as the treasurer, the chaplain, and she of course served on many, many committees in the chapter. I think perhaps she almost carried the chapter for a good long time. La Cauza: During that time chapter members worked for the national committees, as all the chapters are required to do, to support them not only financially, but to actively participate in the program. In addition to that, the chapter was very active in the American Red Cross, the USO, the United States Public Health Service hospital on the west coast, the DAR Neighborhood Center in Los Angeles, which was a center bought by the State Society and served some of the, well, less fortunate people in the area, and that was completely supported by the California DAR . RL: Would the northern California chapters work for a Los Angeles center? La Cauza: Yes, because we are all one society really, and the chapters from all the way from the southern border to the northern border of the state support all of the projects of the State Society. In addition, Acalanes Chapter contributed to the national building fund at DAR headquarters in Washington. It was then that the Administration Building was being built between Constitution Hall and Memorial Continental Hall. All chapters throughout the country supported that, as well as the Valley Forge Bell Tower, which is a memorial to the American Revolutionary soldiers, in Pennsylvania. The bell tower was built by the DAR and dedicated in 1953. And, of course, Save-the-Redwoods. The chapter contributed greatly to Save-the-Redwoods. RL: Would you say that was primarily because of Mrs. Lyon's interest or was this a joint community effort? La Cauza: I would be inclined to give Mrs. Lyon credit for stimulating the interest among her chapter members in Save-the-Redwoods. Earlier there was a national project for the redwoods. The National Tribute Grove of five hundred acres in Northern California was purchased by the DAR and dedicated by the National Society in 1949. Since that time, however, I think the great interest among the chapters throughout California was due to Mrs. Lyon's influence because she and Mr. Lyon have been active in Save-the-Redwoods League for a long time. Now this is just on the local level of the Acalanes Chapter I'm speaking now. I believe it covers pretty much the activities of that chapter in the early days. RL: Then I hoped you could inform me somewhat about her contributions at the state level of the DAR. La Cauza: I believe I have more information on that particular phase than anything else. Mrs. Lyon filled the office of Assistant Secretary, Chaplain, Vice Regent, and State Regent, and I have the years for those. Now those were elected offices she filled. She also served on a number of committees and there, of course, was a great deal of work. Mrs. Lyon, after she completed her term between 1964 and 1966 as State Regent, became Honorary State Regent of California. During her term as State Regent she had the distinction of having the President General [Mrs. Robert V.H. Duncan], who is the head of the whole national society, visit California in ' the first year of Mrs. Lyon's regime. This was in addition to the President General's official visit to the state conference in March of 1964. In September the President General was on her way to Hawaii, so she stopped over at Mrs. Lyon's invitation and attended a meeting of the northern Council of the California State Society (the state is divided into councils, southern and northern). According to the records they had something like seven hundred people at that meeting over in San Francisco. So that was a feather in her cap, shall we say! At that time Mrs. Lyon presented to the President General a check of a thousand dollars, a gift from the California State Society for the national project of the DAR Library expansion in Washington; it's a large genealogical library. RL: When the President General came, was this primarily a social occasion? La Cauza: It wasn't really a social occasion; they had a reception for her, but this was an official meeting of the Council and the President General spoke on the work of the DAR. The members came from all over the state, from southern California as well as the northern part. RL : So, it was exciting to people and encouraging. La Cauza: Yes, it was. This particular President General was very popular, she was a very warm person, very capable. So they were delighted to have her here on the second time in one year. This was unprecedented ; this had never happened be£ ore. RL : So Mrs. Lyon must have had a good time ! La Cauza: Yes. I'm sure that she invited Mrs. Duncan when Mrs. Lyon was first elected, and that was in March of 1964. Another highlight, I believe, of Mrs. Lyon's regime, a classroom at the Kate Duncan Smith DAR School in Alabama was given in Mrs. Lyon's honor. This was in a new building there and the cost of that was twelve hundred dollars. The California State Society gave a similar amount to the other DAR owned school, Tamassee, South Carolina, in Mrs. Lyon's honor. In 1967 Mrs. Lyon went to the two schools (this was after she had completed her term) for a special occasion. She was honored at this new building at Tamassee where a plaque is placed recognizing her efforts in landscaping and other, well, lamps, and things like that, that were given in her honor. I think that was quite a nice occasion. Another worthwhile effort at the time of Mrs. Lyon's administration was that a resolution was passed at the state conference in 1964 confirming our State Society's interest, from its beginning, in Save-the-Redwoods . They authorized contributions for a fund with which to buy a grove as a memorial to Honorary State Regent Rebecca Purkett Lambert. The grove was purchased and it was dedicated to Mrs. Lambert in 1966. It is on the Avenue of the Giants near Dyersville, California. And during her regime three new chapters were organized in California. RL : Was that done on her initiative? La Cauza: Yes. This is all under the jurisdiction of the State Regent, you see, but she has an officer who works actively with all the details and mechanics of it. I'm sure that these were organized at her instigation. RL : As a result, perhaps, of her enthusiasm. La Cauza: Yes. The Yosemite Chapter over in Fresno was one of them, another was Faxon D. Atherton Chapter, named for a very famous California woman (in the A therton-Menlo Park area). A, .third one was in southern California, the Rancho San Bernardo, which is a lovely section, mostly retired people there, I believe. That's in San Diego county. So, those were the three. La Cauza: Also during that time, the grave of the first Revolutionary War veteran to be found buried in California was marked, with Mrs. Lyon presiding over the dedication ceremony. That was the grave of Captain William Smith buried in the Mountain Cemetery in Sonoma. RL: I've seen pictures of that. La Cauza: We don't know of any other. There may be others, but we haven't discovered them. A book called California's Seventy-Five Historic Years [DAR 1891-19661, which was initiated by Mrs. Walter Flood during her term as State Regent, was published in Mrs. Lyon's administration, and that's a rather interesting book, too. It has a listing of all the markers, restorations of California DAR, and the history of some of the chapters. It's a little book, quite nice. RL : Yes, I've seen that. Mrs. Lyon lent me a copy, and it's a very nice work of reference. La Cauza: In 1965, during Mrs, Lyon's administration, California was honored with its first National DAR Good Citizen, a young girl, a senior high school student, Miss Teri Lou Howden of San Diego. You remember the young lady.here at The Bancroft Library [Andrea Nakagawa] said that she had received a DAR honor, not national but state, in 1962. It seems to me that there are other things. Oh, I wanted to also tell you,to go back to the redwoods, this occurred during Eleanor's State Regency. She used, for the state executive board that year, Christmas cards featuring the redwoods, and they were sent all over the country. At the same time, she took twenty-six redwood seedlings to the Tamassee School and they are planted there. She was on the Advisory Board of the Tamassee DAR School, so I think that was one of her pets. Another item that might be of interest to you is, during that time Mrs. Lyon presented to the City of Burbank the original tract map of the Providencia Land and Water Company designed in 1887 by her father, Captain T.W.T. Richards. She gave that to the City of Burbank. Could you tell me about the way Mrs. Lyon conducted her meetings when she was State Regent? La Cauza: Mrs. Lyon had such a marvelous sense of humor. If she made an error somewhere in the agenda it was never taken seriously. I'll give you one little example. This was at the state conference, at the banquet; there was a very large crowd. RL: How many would you say? La Cauza: I would say about five hundred people at this particular time. The speaker that evening was a well known general. The conference committee had decided to have another well known person give the introductions--a retired admiral. So, when Mrs. Lyon came to the point where the speakers were going to be introduced, she got the admiral and the general all mixed up, swapped ranks for them, you might say, and everybody just burst into laughter. She looked around for a moment, not knowing what was going on, and then she realized what she had done, and she joined in the laughter. So it turned out to be a very funny occasion, and she enjoyed it as much as everyone else. So, I think that shows you a bit of her sense of humor. [Laughter] RL: Yes, I can just see it. La Cauza: Would you like to know some of the state appointments she had? This was before, and since, she was State Regent. RL : Yes, I certainly would. La Cauza: I think that gives you a better idea of some of her activities. In addition to being State Regent, which of course is very important, these are other items, I think, of interest. She served on the State Resolutions Committee, she was State Vice Chairman of Conservation (you see, conservation has always been of great interest to her). Then from 1970 to 1972, she was State Chairman of Save-the-Redwoods, which is a sub-committee of Conservation, and she was reappointed to that same position in 1972 (this was during my term as Regent) and served to 1974. Also during that same period, 1972-1974, she was a member of the State DAR USA Bicentennial Committee, and she was an advisor to the State Executive Committee. So, she was wearing three DAR hats during that time. Now, during this period, 1974 to 1976, she's Special Emissary for the Bicentennial film 'Making of a Patriot.'' I don't know whether you've seen that or not, but this is the La Cauza: film Mrs. Lyon bought which is narrated by Chet Huntley. She has taken it all over the state to show to DAR chapters and other groups, and she's very, very generous with her time on this. So, this is her particular thing she's doing right now for DAR on a state level. And also at the same time, she is State Vice Chairman of Conservation again. That's all her state appointments. RL : Then, she's held a number of national offices as well, hasn't she? La Cauza: Appointments, you might say. RL : Thank you, then an office is an elected position and-- La Cauza: That's right. Now, let me say this. During the time she was State Regent, from 1964 to 1966, she was a member of a National Board of Management, because State Regents are, you see, and she had to go to Washington for National Board. But that is different from the elected national office. She had served on the Platform Committee for National, this was in 1954, on the National Resolutions Committee, on the DAR Speakers Staff, she was Special Hostess to the President General when she came out here in 1967, and she served as a member of the Advisory Committee to Tamassee DAR School Board, I mentioned this before, and she was appointed in 1967 by the President General to the Steering Committee of the National Committee for the USA Bicentennial (this is the national DAR committee). Now, she is a National Vice Chairman of Conservation. That is a term from 1974 to 1977. So, briefly, these are the things that she has done for DAR. As mentioned before, Mr. and Mrs. Lyon have been active and ardent supporters of Save-the-Redwoods League for many years. They've been responsible for the preservation of many areas of the redwood trees and groves in northern California, including the one in Prairie Creek Torest as a memorial to their son, Bruce, who, as you know, lost his life during the Second World War. In 1973, the California State Society dedicated a ten acre grove in the Jedediah Smith State Park honoring Mrs. Lyon and other Californian members who had made possible the purchase of the grove. Were you present at that occasion? BULLETIN Mrs. Harvey Blanchard Lyon Mrs. Donald Spfcer State Regent State Vice Regent September 1964 Theme: he here fore^ brethren,) Stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, (whether by word, or our epistle) ." Thessalonians, Chapter 2, Verse 15* Dear California Daughters: me are commemorating the 177th Anniversary of the signing of The Constitution of the United States of America-* flf : This preoious Documentl our Nation's nearest approach to perfect political wisdom= was the work of men who purchased liberty with their blood, but found that without organization freedom was not a blessing. Miss Gertrude Carroway in her President Generalts Letter #13 (~une23, 1955) stated that mthe Daughters of the hericarr Revolu- tion originated the iden of Constitution Week and its observmoe, and Senator milliam F? Knowland introduced in the Senate the Resolu- tion that the Preside$t be authorized and requested to issue a proclamation designatipg the seven day period, September 17th to the 23rd, as Constitution nreekOn This Proclamation for Constitution Week and Citizenship Day was made and signed by President Lyndon Bo Johnson on April 14, 1964. On this anniversary of the founding of our cherished freedoms, we as Daughters must take heed of the dangers that threaten us todaye Patriotio Traditions, so imporbnt a part of our historical past, are no longer cherished by many citizenss ;.Pledging Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of hmerioa, singing* Star Spangled Banner, and saluting as the Flag passes by, these are no longer observed in true reverence by manyo True patriotism is a produot of the ideas of our Founding Fathers and must come f'rom the heart and spirit. Educstion in both school and home holds a meaninghl appreciation of Our Heritage. Each Daughter has the privilege and the duty to participate Educationally, Hlstorioally and Patriotically. My very Best mishes to every Daughter, and may you have a busy, fruit- ful and rewarding year of service in DARo Faithfully yours, n State Regent La Cauza: I was there; this was during the time I was State Regent. RL : Please tell me about it. Mrs. Lyon told me that she was completely surprised by the dedication. Was that actually so? La Cauza: Yes. It was a surprise to her. We really did not let her know that we were going to honor her. And her name is on the plaque, of course. We had a marvelous time. A busload of members left Oakland, some flew from southern California to join the tour; ~therswent by private car. We drove up to Eureka and made the Eureka Inn our headquarters. Early the next morning we drove on up to the Jedediah Smith Park near Crescent City. There we had the dedication of the plaque, placed at the base of a beautiful and tremendous redwood tree. You really can't tell the size of it from this picture (showing photograph). But we were told at the banquet that night by Emanuel Fritz, Professor of Forestry (Emeritus), University of California at Berkeley, it had been determined that this tree is about two thousand years old. I have the most wonderful feeling when in the redwoods. The forest rangers are very dedicated, and they do so much for us. I just don't believe that anybody knows how much we owe them. But Mrs. Lyon was very much surprised. Mr. Lyon was, too. He said, "Oh, my Eleanor is being honored .I' So, we had a marvelous time, had a lovely banquet that night at the Eureka Inn. We left the next morning and came back. I think that was something that she thoroughly enjoyed . RL : She deserved it. It must have been really a great pleasure. La Cauza: Then another time that I remember so well was a lovely thing. This was when Mrs. Lyon was an Honorary State Regent. It was at the 1971 State Conference at the banquet. We had music that evening, an accordionist. So, much to Mrs. Lyon's surprise, they arranged with Mr. Lyon to sing to Mrs. Lyon, "Let Me Call You Sweetheart." He came up in front of her, with his arms out like this [Arms spread wide], and sang to her. Everybody loved it, it was just beautiful. She was moved; this was a complete surprise to her. That's another of the little things that I remember. There was a great bond between Harvey and his Eleanor. La Cauza: Just marvelous. His Eleanor, there was just no one like her. Everybody all over the state knew that, and they wdre hefd in great admiration by everybody. RL : Mrs. La Cauza, 7 would like to ask if you can identify the qualities that make Eleanor Lyon so special? La Cauza: I think it's Mrs. Lyon's personality and her tremendous drive and energy. She never turns anyone away. They ask her to come and speak to a chapter, to a group, she does it. She has unbelievable vitality, and I think she is simply remarkable. Everybody who knows her, they love her. They know that she has done so much more than we know about, really, for her community, for all people. I don't believe I've ever heard her say an unkind thing about anybody. Isn't that the truth! But, one of the things that I've been trying to get at is, what is her secret in activating other people? You see it in her children's Hospital work, in the USO, everywhere, and I'm sure it was true in the DAR. I have my own theory, but I'd like to know what yours is. La Cauza: It's a little difficult to say "no" to her. Do you want to know how Ihappened to go on the State Board for the first t ime ? RL : Of course. La Cauza: Mrs. Lyon called me one morning, when I was not yet awake, (in those days I was having difficulty in falling asleep). It was before eight o'clock, I answered the phone, and it was Eleanor Lyon asking me point blank if I would be willing to go on the State Board as an Assistant Secretary. This was a position she had held one time, this was recording secretary for the northern Council, really, is what it boiled down to. I was still half asleep, so I said "yes." She had asked me the year before if I would accept another position and I could not do it at that time. My obligations were such that I could not take a job on the state level. Now, that 's my experience, I couldn't say "no" to her, and I don't think anyone else can say "no" to her. She has a way of approaching you, there's some secret she has in getting people to do things. I don't have it [laughter], and I don't know how she arrives at that, but they all come through La Cauza: for her. I guess she puts a lot of herself into these things, too, you know. RL : I think that's it. You look around and see that there wasn't a single thing that she hadn't done herself, whether cake baking or speaking or collecting money or giving money. She put her stint in at everything. La Cauza: That's right. I think she has. I believe that those who know her, when she asks them to do something, they know she's done it herself--well, they can't very well say "nol" She's a lovely person. RL: How would you describe the particular strengths that she brought to the Daughters of the American Revolution? La Cauza: I believe she was able to inspire so many members because of -her belief in the activities and objectives of the DAR. She always had an interest in education; that's one of our three patriotic goals--Historic Preservation, Promotion of Education, and Patriotic Endeavor, to which, of course, she added her interest in conservation. That covers so many things, so many aspects of conservation. I think she had an interest in just every phase of it. She did bring a lot to the DAR. Many of her accomplishments I've named here, but that doesn't cover all of it. I just picked out some major things that I thought would be of interest. And all that time she was bringing~iupher children. Mr. Lyon was in business, and I believe that she was also active in that as well as her community activities. She just seemed to have untold vitality. I don't know how she was able to do it. And she's still that way! RL: It was so good of you to drive up today. La Cauza: I've enjoyed it very much, and I love talking about Eleanor Lyon because she's one of my favorite people. It's been wonderful meeting you too. I've enjoyed it. Thank you. Eleanor Lyon Joins DAR and Founds Acalanes Chapter RL : When did you join the DAR? Lyon: When my three sons were at Stanford, I got to know the [Charles] Danforths. He was a very distinguished professor of anatomy, and his wife, Florence, was a very remarkable state regent of the DAR [1948-19501. They had a lovely home on the Stanford campus. Dick and Ted majored in engineering, and then went into medical school. Dr. Danforth was very proud of our sons. Well, the Danforths said time and time again, "Eleanori, I think you should be a DAR." So, I joined in 1950. I went to Washington to the continental congress, and I had a remarkable experience of meeting'very wonderful people. I don't know what it is about my expression, but people seem to think they know me. I had just the loveliest beginning of friendships in the DAR. RL : Incidentally, I'm interested that you are called the Daughters of the American Revolution, because in English history, we learn about it as the Revolutiionary War. But my children learned it as the War of American Independence, and nobody has ever accused the DAR of being a revolutionary organization. [Laughter] Lyon: No, no, no. It was a result of the revolution. I feel that the participants were outstanding--fathers, grandfathers of DARs of today. I'm proud of the DARs; many of them I'm very proud of. Of course, I have a lovely time with them, and the Acalanes Chapter has a meeting once a month on the first Monday of the month. I was asked to set up a new chapter in Lafayette, in Contra Costa county where we were living. There was Ann Loucks chapter already, but it was .up north in Martinez, and met on Saturdays which was a bad day for many people, so it was felt that there was a need for another chapter to serve the people from the southern part of the county. RL : How did you go about it? Lyon: My co-founder, June Haddon [Mrs. Ernest Haddon], and I were given a list of people who might be qualified to belong to DAR and be interested in joining. We contacted these prospective members and then we went and visited them. Lyon : We arranged to meet on Mondays which seemed to be a good day for many people. RL: Every week? Lyon : Oh no, dear, once a month. We had a wonderful group of thirteen that started our chapter. RL: Why did people want to join the DAR? Lyon : Because it was an opportunity for all of us to be with people who were interested in their own historic backgrounds and to have an opportunity to find out who they were. RL: Is the DAR the only organization that provides this opportunity? Lyon : Well, there are genealogical societies in every community. And the museums have that historic background and the libraries. RL : You mean any museum? Lyon : Yes, yes. All these places have historical materials that are very important. RL: What is the attraction for people since this material is available without the DAR? Lyon : In my case, I've been very lucky to meet wonderful people over the years. (They even wrote to me about our 60th anniversary.) Another instance, when I would go back to Washington, I would go to our two schools, Kate Duncan Smith and Tamassee. RL: I was going to ask you later on about them. Perhaps you could explain about them and their relationship to the DAR. Lyon : It just happens that I was very, very interested in both schools. At Kate Duncan Smith they dedicated one of their schoolrooms to me. That's in Alabama. Tamassee's in South Carolina. Tamassee was opened first, in 1919, and Kate Duncan Smith in 1924. What function does Kate Duncan Smith serve? MERRY SW hp&yU'&W~py CE-XEtXS~ktAs a~hbnq NEW YEAR 3h.d ib ht!%~Lu% Lyon : It is to take care of the difficulty of the mountains of that area where, if it wasn't for that school, there'd be no school. Is it a boarding school? No. The children are bussed in daily from a hundred square mile area. It's a very, very remarkable school. Tamassee is both boarding and day. It inspires young people to do their educational work in a very intelligent way. And then for them to be so gracious to me for what I did! Mrs. Walter Austin, of Berkeley, dedicated the schoolroom to me at Kate Duncan Smith. RL: Are these children who have problems in some way? Lyon : Yes, because those mountains are not easy. RL : Is it totally financed by the DAR? Ly on : Yes. You give every year to it. a: As an individual, or by chapter? Ly on : You give both ways. It happened that I became very interested in both the schools. When I had my redwood dinner for the DAR at continental congress, I took twelve redwoods to Tamassee and twelve redwoods to Kate Duncan Smith and they say they're beautiful still. They send me Christmas cards every year. a: How many times have you visited their school? Lyon : I think I was there three times. It's very difficult for me to fly there, because you have to fly south and then fly up. RL: How would you summarize the accomplishments of Acalanes Chapter when you were head of it? Lyon : We accomplished so much socially, patriotically and in friendships, you might say. I went to every State Council meeting and every Conference all through the years, but our members were outstanding people who could be on any sort of committee. The state-wide conference comes north every other year and Acalanes members would serve on all the appropriate committees. It was an inspirational success. State Off ices RL: I'm speechless! That ribbon is magnificent. You'll have to describe it. I guess now's a good time to explain it to me before you tell me about your various state offices, culminating in your tenure as State Regent. Lyon : It's a broad blue and white silk sash that we wear over our shoulder on the diagonal--like an order. RL: What does the diamond represent? Lyon : It was a gift to me as a State officer on the occasion of the seventy-fifth anniversary of DAR. RL: Now here we have another bar of metal. Lyon : Yes. This is what they call Sons of the American Revolution. RL: Is that because Harvey is in the Sons? Lyon : No, because I was honored. These are honors. RL: What were you honored for at that time? Lyon : Because of my activities for the SAR. RL: I see. Attached to the sash is about a nine-inch-long beautiful blue and white ribbon, and on it we have seventeen pins. What do those represent? Lyon : Those represent my activities. Now this is what they call CAR-- Children of the American Revolution. This is my contribution to it. I gave my efforts, my planning and help to them during my years as state vice-regent and regent. Then, this is the pin that was given to me because I presented a hundred dollars to CAR, and so on. There are all kinds of little pins now. RL: Here's a revolutionary soldier. What does he represent? Lyon : He's what they call a patriot. The top pin is the honorary state regent pin. Then these pins all represent DAR contributions. RL : Does that mean work or money? Lyon : It means work. This is a national committee, organizing chapter regent, ex-chapter regent, ex-recording secretary, ex-chaplain state officers club, national officers club, and so forth. Then my ancestors, WilliamHenry, John Gano-- RL: John Ga4--is- d he the one who baptized George Washington? Lyon : That's right. Then Mathews Flournoy and John Stites. At the bottom is the Daughters of the American Revolution pin with another diamond on it. When I went down to a conference recently, one of the girls said, "Eleanor, I think your pins are the most beautiful I've ever seen. I' I can see why! I'm sure that we won't be able to cover completely all your activities in the state and national DAR, but we are very fortunate that Mrs. Frank Emilio La Cauza, now Historian General of the DAR taped her recollections of your contributions. That interview delightfully fills in some of the gaps. Would you tell me now how you moved into the state level of the DAR? Lyon : I was [Acalanes] Chapter Regent for five years, and that's a long time, you know. Then people started saying, "Eleanor, we need you for the State.'' I have served on a committee every year for twenty-five years. In the beginning, and then after I was chapter regent, then I became treasurer and had different assignments for our Acalanes DAR . RL: In the statewide DAR, I know that you were very active in the dedication of the grave of William Smith, Jr., in Sonoma, and you spoke at Grace Cathedral and all sorts of places. Is there any particular incident in those years that stands out in your mind--a high point that you can talk about? Lyon : It was to me what we call the dedication of fine historic women who have the pride of their background and then carry on their interpretation of how important our American history is to then. There aren't many around. RL : The membership is declining? .. . Huguenot Ancestor of Mrs .. Harvey Blanchard Lyon, Past President of the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter The Huguenot Society of California k92 Staten Avenue, OaHand, California 9k610 Reverend John Gano Excerpts from A History of the Baptists; Traced by Their Vital Principles and Practices, from the Time 'of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to the Year 1886, by Thomas Armitage, D.D., LL.D., New York, Bryan, Taylor, & Co., 1887. LGGW] "He was, in person, below the middle stature, and when young, of a slender form, but of a firm, vigorous constitution, well fitted for performing active services with ease, and for suffering labors and privations with constancy. . . . His presence was manly, open, and engaging. . His voice strong and commanding, yet agreeable and capable of all those inflections which are suitable to express either the strong or tender emotion of an intelligent, feeling mind. In mental endowments and acquired abilities he appeared highly respectable; with clear conception and ready discernment, he formed readily a correct judgment of men and things. His acquaintance with the learned languages and sciences did not commence till he arrived at manhood, and was obtained chiefly by private instruc- tion. To the refinement of learning he did not aspire; his chief object was such a competent acquaintance with its principles as would enable him to apply them with advantage to purposes of general usefulness in religion, and to the most important interests of society; and to this he attained .n "Rev. John Gano, who was a patriot of the best order, as well as a noble pastor He began his services in the army in Clinton's New York Brigade, and was inde- fatigable in animating his regiment at the battle of Chatterton's Hill. The army was in something of a panic, and with cool courage he took his post in what seemed a forlorn hope. Many were abandoning their guns and flying without firing a shot, so that a mere handful were holding their ground when he sprang to the front. He states that he knew his station in time of action to be with the sur- geons, and he half apologizes for his daring, saying: 'In this battle I somehow got to the front of the regiment, yet I durst not quit my place for fear of dampening the spirits of the soldiers or bringing on myself an imputation of cowardice.' He was at Fort Montgomery when it was taken by storm, but knew nothing of fear. Webb, Warren, Hall and Washington were all his personal friends. An interesting incident in his chaplaincy is related by Ruttenbeer, in his 'History of Newburg.' News was received that hostilities had ceased and that the preliminary articles of peace were settled; and on April 19th, 1783, Washington proclaimed peace from the 'New Building, ' and called on the chaplains with the several brigades to render thanks to God. Both banks of the Hudson were lined by the patriot hosts, with drum and fife, burnished arms and floating banners. At high noon thirteen guns from Fort Putnam awoke the echoes of the Highlands, and the army fired a volley. At that moment the hosts of freedom bowed before God in prayer, after which a hymn of thanksgiving floated from all voices to the Eternal throne. This building was not Washington's head- quarters, but was a large room for public assemblies, sometimes called the 'Temple,1 located in New Windsor, between Newburg and West Point. Thatcher says in his Journal' that when this touching scene occurred the proclamation made from the steps was followed by three huzzas, then prayer was offered to the Almighty Ruler of the world by 2ev. John Gano, and an anthem was performed by voices and instruments. After these services the army returned to quarters and spent the day in suitable festivities. Then, at sundown, the signal gun of Fort Putnam called the soldiers to arms and another volley of joy rang all along the line. This was three times repeated, cannon discharges followed with the flashing of thousands of fire-arms, and the beacons from the hill-tops, no longer 'harbingers of danger, lighted up the gloom and rolled on the tidings of peace through New England and shed their radiance on the blood-stained field of Lexing- ton. Every patriotic Christian heart in the nation joined in the thanksgiving to which this patriot Baptist pastor gave expression in the presence of his immortal Commander-in-chief." TIME September 5, 1972 RELIGION Washington's Baptism Though biographies of George Washington have been written in abund- ance, many d~tailsof his life have not been widely known until this year, bicentenary of his birthday. More or less newsworthy have been the revelations that he did not smoke; ordered his wife's dresses; that he was a shrewd landowner who left an estate of $1,000,000; that a poem "On Christmas Day1' which he was supposed to have composed was copied from an old book. A George Washington story known to few persons remained to be made current by Editor Charles Edward Thomas of The Delta, publication of Sigma Nu fraternity. This, made public last week, was how George Washington was baptized. When he was almost two months old, Washington was sprinkled in the orthodox Episcopal manner. At 33 he took oath to conform to the doctrine of the Church of England "as by law e~tablished.'~Throughout his life he was seen regularly in church though he did not often kneel in prayer or partake of communion. Washington's reputation, like that of such Deists as Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine and Benjamin Franklin, is one of coolness and moderation in religion. But through his time swept a hot blast of evangelism, chiefly in the Methodist and Baptist faiths. General Washington one day went to Rev. John Gano, chaplain in the Con- tinental Army, and exclaimed: "1 have been investigating the Scripture, and I believe immersion to be baptism taught in the Word of God, and I demand it at your hands. I do not wish any parade made or the army called out, but simply a quiet demonstration of the ordinance." In the presence of 42 witnesses George Washington was immersed in the Potomac; but he did not give personal testimony which would have made him a mem- ber of the Baptist Church. In 1908 Rev. E.T. Sanford of Manhattan's North Church commissioned a painting of Washington and Chaplain Gano waist-deep in the Potomac. The painting was taken to the Baptist Church at Asbury Park, N.J., where it hung until 1926. It was then presented by Chaplain Ganols great-granddaughter to William Jewel1 College (~aptist)in Liberty, Mo. for the dedication of a John Gano Memorial Chapel. Lyon : No. My friends are gone. RL: When I spoke to Madge [Mrs. William G.] Mann, she said that one of the most important things in the DAR were its resolutions. Would you agree with that? Lyon : Yes. I served on the resolutions in Los Angeles, when I was a chapter regent. Then when I was serving on the national board and went back to Washington, I was appointed to the national resolutions committee. I had a tremendous experience. RL : Were there a lot of difficulties? Lyon : You talked things over with these very loyal, dedicated, historic women and we tried to handle everything in an intelligent way. We've had some very intelligent women. It was a revelation to me to go there and serve'from, I think, nine until five and then go back in the evening. RL: What problems stand out in your mind? Lyon : I was faced with the problems of the state because during my year, first as secretary then as chaplain, and then as State Regent [1964-19661, I learned a great deal about ambitions. Those were personalities. The ambitions of certain members were destroying to others; I mean they were discouraging. RL: Did they plot to get one person elected? Lyon : They wanted to be in office. RL : Was this for social reasons, for social prestige? Lyon : No. It was for control of the state affairs. The financing, when I went into office, was in a serious state. RL: How so? Had the accounts been badly kept or the money been spent wrong? Lyon : From what I learned down south, it had been spent in a way that was not for the best interest of the state. RL : In what sorts of ways--people's private gain? Lyon : Yes, and their travel, their contacts and so forth. I am very grateful to Harvey because if I have problems, I do not talk it over with others; I talk it over with him. Then I try to come Lyon : to my conclusion. I've done this with Ebell Society; I've done this with everything that I've done. We had to do a new financial setup, and fortunately I was able to do it. RL: Will you describe the main changes you made? Lyon : In my bulletins, I told what the financial problems were and asked the responsible people to handle it directly. For me to have attained these things, I'm very grateful; I have an answer for you, it was wonderful. RL: Was it an accounting problem as much as anything? Lyon : It was accounting correctly. I don't know whether people understand how our state society is set up. The state regent is elected for two years, one term a candidate from the south alternating with a candidate from the north. But southern California tends to control state DAR politics. I have letters--I don't know how I happened to come across them--but I have some remarkable letters. This is from a past regent of a chapter down there. You will see that this is someone who was very, very grateful to me. She said, '%leanor, you straightened this out ; you straightened out our state society. You worked so hard on trying to solve a problem." That was a problem of control by the south. One of the things I tried to do was to reactivate the Phoebe Apperson Hearst chapter on the Berkeley campus. That was founded in 1924, and it was very sad the way it was disorganized. When I became a state officer, people said, "Eleanor, I think it would be wonderful if you could reorganize that chapter." I tried to do what I could, but at the time it was difficult for me to carry it through. Chancellor Meyerson was very helpful, but there was not enough interest among the young people. RL : Is this lack of interest in the young a general phenomenon? Lyon : Oh no, we have some young people in our Acalanes chapter we are very proud of--five new members this month. Was there a great deal of competition for office statewide? Lyon: There was a great deal of ambition. [Laughter] Where people are ambitious and where they do not have the ability to handle people and problems, it's sad. I always had wonderful assistance. For instance, Vera [Mrs. A.L. Amen] and I lived in Piedmont. She became my vice-regent in Acalanes, and then chapter regent. She's a Colonial Dame too. When we went back to Washington and went to New York to the [Colonial Dames] conference in New York, we had wonderful times together. I think per'sonalities and having a wonderful time with friends--these things are the important things. We had the happiest experiences. The seventy-fifth anniversary of the DAR occurred when I was state regent, and it was called the Diamond Jubilee Seventy-five Years Anniversary. RL: Whereas it should have been sixty years, isn't that right? Lyon: No. In marriages, twenty-five years is silver, fifty years is gold, sixty years is diamond, but for an organization seventy-five years is diamond. RL: According to a newspaper account I read, you bought five hundred diamonds for gifts. What sort of "diamonds" were they? Lyon: I have no idea what they are, except that everybody just loves them. RL: They're beautifully faceted, very brilliant. I treasure the one you gave me, and my family enjoys it. In fact, the first person to wear it was young Tom who borrowed it for his tie when he went to Symphony on Saturday night! [Laughter] To whom did you give these diamonds? Lyon: I gave one to every guest who came to dinner at the opening of the Continental Congress in Washington. I was asked to be hostess when I was California State Regent. So I began to plan. I said, "Oh dear, I wonder how I'm going to handle this!" I got my decorations for the table, for fifty states. We had beautiful redwoods for the table. Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine, December 1964 65a how very nice, ' I .-r r - The California State Society Is Proud to Honor Mrs. Harvey Blanchard Lyoi~ State Regent State Vice Regent State Organizing Secretary Mrs. Donald Spicer Mrs. Thomas V. Coffee State Chaplain State As8istant Secretary Mrs. Ralph R. Campbell Mrs. Leo F. McGuire . . State Assistant Chaplain State Treasurer Mrs. Russell M. Brougher Mrs. Charles M. Romanowitz State Recording Secretary State Registrar I Mrs. James H. Bailey Mrs. Paul A. Roth State Corresponding Secretary State Historian Mrs. Robert Hunter Swadley Mrs. Richard H. Cronshey * State Librarian Mrs. LeRoy C. Kaump - -- Lyon : As State Regent, I was responsible for two state wide conferences. Someone just said to me, "Eleanor, I've never forgotten your conference." This was in '65 and it was in Sacramento. The flowers, our program, the whole thing was fabulous. Being state officer for eight years, I had a wonderful opportunity of getting to know people well. I used to fly down from Oakland Airport to Santa Monica to Los Angeles Airport. Then I would be met and taken all over southern California. Or, I would fly to San Diego and go for a luncheon and then come home in the afternoon. How wonderful it was to have the airplaqe. RL : Were you interested in a national office in the DAR? Lyon: I was proposed for national off ice. It was an amazing thing for me to learn how the eastern states control so much of the election. I think I lost by seven votes for Vice President General. But my friends in other chapters East, West, North, South have never gotten over it--I mean to say, they still do not understand why I couldn't carry on and go on. But I couldn't. Different states were determined to have their VPG's and so that was it. I have the counting of the votes in my files. RL : Did you and your friends lobby for support? I noticed that with the office of president, people had hospitality suites and gave away all sorts of things. Lyon: The cost of today is fantastic. I have concentrated on California and I am concentrating on California and my work in conservation and for Americanism. The DAR Image and Public Relations RL : The DAR has been represented in the press quite often--perhaps unfairly--as a very conservative and sometimes discriminatory organization. I'm sure you remember the troubles back in Washington- - Lyon: It all depends on who is representing it. When I was an officer, the [Oakland] Tribune wrote the most wonderful article about our DAR. They contacted me for information, and they were just wonderful. It depends on how you handle these things. If you do this in a dominating way, then you're in trouble. When I mention the DAR out in the valley, the newspaper out in Walnut Creek used to have articles about everything we did in a wonderful way. Of late, I feel that they have hardly mentioned the DAR in Oakland, and I'm sorry. But I'm not a member of the chapter here; I'm a member of the chapter out there. But now, our new regent-- her name is Mrs. Robert Dozier of Piedmont--is going to contact the Piedmonter and the local papers because she's a Piedmonter and she is going to be regent of our chapter. She is going to handle this thing in a wonderful way. Bill Knowland's father was a very fine person with the DAR. He was very gracious to me in my years and gave us wonderful publicity, never critical publicity in the Oakland Tribune. I never heard one word of critical publicity in our area. Of course, Bill was a member of SAR. We had wonderful relations with him. I&: You've obviously been very successful in getting good coverage for your organizations. How would you describe your methods in public relations? Lyon: It's dedication and devotion, interest and effort; I have no other words for it. To me it's just dedicated, devoted efforts to try to make the contacts and make our accomplishments known--all of that is part of the picture. I feel that the DAR has done a tremendous job of interpreting California and American history. I think we now have five young people coming into our Acalanes chapter. They are presenting history programs in the public schools in Contra Costa county. And they have wonderful schools. These programs have expanded in a tremendous way. When we set up our chapter, I first contacted the schools and it has gone on and on. I have two films that I've been showing in schools and clubs and various DAR chapters. RL: What films are these? Lyon: The first one was Washington Crossing the Delaware," that remarkable film. I presented it nineteen times last year. Now I have a new one "Making of a Patriot" about George Washington, that I just got from Williamsburg. I paid three hundred and forty dollars for it. Everybody just loves it! Emanuel Leutze's 'Washington Rallying the Troops at Monmouth: 1854" RL: On your advice, I took my youngest son to the University Museum last week-end and we both had such a good time admiring the Leutze painting. Could you give me the history of how it arrived at its present beautiful state? Lyon: My dear, I think it's the most beautiful painting in the world! I'm not fooling. RL : When was it painted? Lyon: 1854. Then, wbile Congress was thinking about buying it for the rotunda of the Capitol, it was bought by a New York banker. Mrs. Mark Hopkins bought it from him and gave it to the University of California. As you know, we didn't have a museum till quite recently, and somehow, it got rolled up, stored in the basement of the gym and forgotten! RL: Who found it? Lyon: It was the people in American Heritage, and there was a lot of excitement about it. We were all invited, Harvey and myself, and Dick and Carol, to come and see it in that old brick building. RL: The old Power House. Lyon: Yes, that's right. Then came the problem of raising the money for the restoration. We were thrilled with the picture and we said, "What can we do?" How did you go about it? Lyon : I began working on it through the DAR and there's a lot of correspondence about it. People in the University got in touch with us. Chancellor Meyerson invited us all to a special reception. I Harvey and I had contributions from different friends of ours. They were not all DARs; many of them were just people who were interested in the picture. They knew that Harvey was of the Class of '05 and that Harvey and I knew Bob and Ida Sproul so well and were very fond of them. That is when we began working on this. After the picture was shown on campus, it was sent up to Davis to the Laboratory for Research in the Fine Arts and Museology. It was quite a problem because the picture is so large. RL: How big is it? Lyon : I'll have to check. Would you believe thirteen feet by nearly twenty-two feet? This meant that special equipment had to be built to stretch it properly and back it. Those were the main expenses because the surface~ofthe picture was in fairly good condition. RL: About how much money was involved? Lyon : Well, that was one of the problems. It was very hard to estimate. They came up with $7,500 as the top figure. RL: Was that how it came out? Lyon : Yes, it did. RL : How did you raise the money? Lyon : Harvey helped me. We raised it from everybody! The DAR gave $5,000, friends of the University gave, Harvey and I gave. We were very enthused about the restoration of that painting. Now, we tell all our friends constantly to go to the museum and see it. Everyone who goes is just thrilled. It's on the wall, and it's just fabulous! Of course, I feel that it can be a bicentennial topic of historic background that is just going to be wonderful for the University. Lyon: As I understand, the state of New Jersey has asked the University to send it back there. But how can you do a thing like that? It could be a very dangerous thing! I just think you should say to them, "Come out and see it." I think ;that museum there, where they have selected it for that wall is splendid. I do a good deal of speaking, and therefore I always mention this painting because, to me, when it comes to the bicentennial, that is the foundation for our community here. I was hoping they could have it at the museum in Oakland, but I do not think the University of California Museum could give it up; I think they should center on it. Somebody told me that their young people went to the museum because of my telling about it just recently, and that they were just thrilled. RL: When you were trying to fund the restoration for that picture, did you get cooperation from the DAR chapters in the south? Lyon: Not very much, no. RL : How do you account for that? Lyon: The way I account for it is this, that the south has a way of handling the south. The DAR and Politics Ea: What sort of political perspective does the California state DAR have? Lyon: The DAR takes very few political positions publicly. RL: But in some states, the DAR does take a political position. I know in Connecticut that some of the chapters have come out in favor of the Equal Rights Amendment, and I wondered what the pattern had been in California--whether the Southern chapters had tended to sponsor more conservative tyhes of resolutions. Lyon: When I served on Resolutions, (and I did for three years) we discussed all these things, and we tried to handle them in a Lyon: very, very intelligent way, making a study of the information that was handed us. We worked for about five days setting up the resolutions. Then, when I was appointed for the national for two years and went back to Washington, I took California resolutions because they were very sane, honest, and fine. Everybody back there appreciated them. RL: Are many DAR members active in politics? Lyon: It's a very strange thing, dear. I just don't think that I ever felt that these women concerned themselves with politics very much on account of the fact that they have such great responsibility to carry on DAR, Colonial Dames--there's so many, many organizations that pressure you to belong, and it all means a responsibility. The DAR and Redwoods RL: What first interested you and your family in conservation of redwoods ? Lyon: We loved to go up to the redwoods, and in the early days, our sons used to go up to go fishing and hunting. We had a love of being on holiday together. So we used to go up to the redwoods, and Bruce loved them. He loved trees. I never will forget going up the highway many, many years ago with our three boys. Then it was very strange, we met some friends, the Smiths from Stockton, on the highway. They said, "Eleanor, there is an eighty acre grove available on Route 101 just beyond Prairie Creek." It is one of the most beautiful areas of the highway because of the lilies of the valley and rhododendrons and ferns. The Smith had dedicated a grove to their father. That was when we made the decision to dedicate a grove to Bruce. When I was talking to Newton Drury the other day, he said, "Did you know that the Bruce Lyon Grove is now worth over a million dollars?" He said it's because of the type of tree--it's the sort the lumbermen want. We paid, I think, between five and eight thousand for it. RL: How did you go about interesting the DAR in redwoods? Lyon : Before I joined the DAR, there was a state and then a national project to purchase National Tribute Groves. The key person was Mrs. Charles A. Christin. Our first grove was dedicated to veterans in 1949. Then the Rebecca Lambert Grove on the Avenue of the Giants was dedicated in 1966. It is very beautiful; you saw the pictures. RL: What part did you play? Lyon : I covered it all. RL : Who approached you? Lyon : The president of the national DM. RL: Who's idea was it? Lyon : It was my idea. By taking the redwoods back to Washington when I was State Regent, people became personally interested. Conserva- tion has always been part of DAR, particularly for the state of California, and I'm sure for the whole country. DAR has a national committee. Now with Save-the-Redwoods League and with the Liberty Trees, it has really become a very national project again. RL: So you feel that it was primarily your work that stimulated renewed DAR interest in the redwoods. How much money did the national DAR raise for the Rebecca Lambert Grove? Lyon : They didn't raise much. No, I tell you; it's a very strange thing. The national gives to Save-the-Redwoods, and gives it in the name of about six (and I can give you the list of that; I have it in my file) of those who give to the redwoods every year. I raised the ten thousand, and that was over a period from '66 to last year--'73. The money used to be sent directly to Save-the-Redwoods, but now it is sent to the [DAR] state treasurer and then she sends it to the president of Save-the-Redwoods, Then he informs me how much we have. There are contributions of a hundred, for membership, and so forth. Then there are chapter contributions. Many of my friends want to feel that they have contributed. RL: So did you raise the money primarily by personal solicitation from your friends and your own donations? Lyon: Yes, and contributions. My chapter--Acalanes chapter--has been interested in conservation and Save-the-Redwoods for twenty-five years. Dedications of the Rebecca Lambert and Eleanor Lyon Groves RL : When you went up for the dedication of the Eleanor Lyon Grove did you know what was going to be said on the plaque? Lyon: No. RL : I'll read it in, and we'll have a picture in the volume too. The plaque says, "Honoring Eleanor Richards Lyon, honorary state regent, and the California members of the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution who made possible the preservation of this redwood grove. U.S.A. Bicentennial Project." How did you feel when the plaque was unveiled? Lyon: Harvey cried, and I was just surprised. You'll see my picture; I was just surprised. In that picture, there's Newton Drury and the state regent, Mrs. Frank L. La Cauza. I sent those pictures of our dedication to the state historian, the state chairman, Mrs. Norma Warner out in Walnut Creek, and then to my friends, the Pinkhams, who have been so wonderful to us over the years, because they went with us to the dedication. We had a bus; we had a very happy bus. RL : How many people on it? Lyon: Forty-eight. And do you know, quite a number of people have asked me why I don't plan another bus trip like that to the redwoods? The bus started from San Francisco. We went over and got on the bus, went up north, and then stopped at the Rebecca and Charlotte Lambert Groves because many had never seen them, on the Avenue of the Giants, and then to Eureka. Then we had the evening together. The next morning, we went for the dedication. It was the most fabulous dedication that I think any of them have ever experienced in their lives. In fact, they have never forgotten it. Lyon : When you speak about honor, I don't think I was ever more surp'rised in my-life when I opened that--I guess you saw the cover of that plaque; then they took that off, and I saw my name. I was so surprised --"Eleanor Richards Lyon. " Everybody was so gracious. My state has been very gracious to me. RL : When ye go to the redwoods, we go just as a family in a car, and then we walk. I wondered what sort of feeling a large group of forty-eight or more people have in the redwoods. Lyon: When we went up by bus to the Lady Bird Johnson Grove, of course we went up to the foot of the mountain and then we had to walk up a mile and a half up the mountain; that was really something. With Newton Drury, he was just getting ready to be very sick, afterwards. I know; when I was walking along with him, I said to myself, "Dear, what's the matter with Newton," and I took hold of his arm and tried to help him. Anyway, Dick, our son, operated on him a short time afterwards, and all was well. For the DAR dedication of the Rebecca Lambert Grove, we had this gracious bus, and we really had a lovely time on that bus. I had to get my talk ready and I had a great deal of responsibility to get the whole thing set up. That was when I was state regent. We turned right at Crescent City to Jedediah Smith Park, and this DAR grove has one of the most beautiful trees that you could possibly select. It's over three hundred feet high and over thirty feet round ; it is gorgeous, just gorgeous. Then we had this very lovely dedication, and fortunately the sun came out. This is what happens--the sun comes out and lightens these trees in the most gorgeous way. Then the rhododendrons and the ferns were just beautiful that day. We had a picnic just beyond. You get your little picnic boxes in Arcata or another place nearer Prairie Creek. We had just a wonderful kind of a little tour of Jedediah Smith Grove in the bus, and then went back that evening for the dinner. RL : Are people silent, or do they talk all the time, among the trees? Lyon: I don't think they talk so much. I think they're very thrilled or surprised or interested--I don't know just what the definition is. No, they were very wonderful, very wonderful. They had a beautiful service. Wonderful publicity too. Liberty Trees and the Bicentennial Lyon: I feel that now, with the Liberty Tree and with the Bkcentennial, there is a different approach. RL : I'm glad you started that because this is the next question I was going to ask you about. Exactly what is the Liberty Tree program? Lyon: The Liberty Tree program is a program that will promote pride in our country and interest in conservation, particularly of redwoods. For instance, next Saturday we are going to Sacramento on the invitation of Governor Reagan to plant a hundred redwood trees in the Expo Garden. You know the Expo of '76? RL : Where the old state fairgrounds were? Lyon: No, they have a new section now. It's beautiful. We went up to the dedication of it this year; Governor Reagan invited us. Harvey and I enjoyed it very much. -- - - RL : Did Newton Drury help from Save-the-Redwoods? --. Lyon: Yes, and does he do things for me! Do you know, I have now been invited to serve on the board of Save-the-Redwoods League! [I9751 RL : Are these trees donated by the state of California? Lyon: Yes, the state of California Park Department. The project is sponsored by the California Bicentennial Commission. We plan to have a redwood tree in every California park and recreation area. RL : It's perhaps unkind to remember the remarks that people made in the past, but I remember Governor Reagan being quoted as saying, "When you've seen one, you've seen them all." Has he changed his views on conservation? Lyon: Yes, he has. RL : What do you think changed him? Lyon: I think his contact with William Penn Mott , who is the head of the Parks and Recreation Committee; I wouldn't be surprised if Bill hasn't changed his ideas. RL : I'm still not clear about how the Liberty Tree program is funded. Lyon: Up to this point, it has been taken care of by the Park Department. And the thirteen trees that were sent to the eastern states is part of Bill Mott's project. I feel that Nixon is highly approving. This is another thing that I'm strong for Nixon on, is that he's very interested in conservation. RL: There hasn't been much public record of this. Can you give me some illustrations? Lyon: There has been so much of this other monkey business [Watergate] that I don't know, I can't document it. But I think the whole thing is very important for our state. RL : The Liberty Trees, do you mean? Lyon: I mean the whole thing. The average person does not know what the DAR means. RL: Could you sum up what the average person ought to know about the DAR? Lyon: They ought to have an interest in the background of their families first, and what their families did to make our country. I think DAR makes a great contribution to that. The Lyons' Contributions to the Conservation of Redwoods An interview with Newton Bishop Drury, President of Save-the-Redwoods League. RL : I would like to ask you how you first came to know Mr. and Mrs. Lyon? Drury: I knew Harvey long before I knew Eleanor, and it must have been sometime in the late thirties or early forties. That's when they became interested in the redwoods. Our file on the Bruce Lyon grove indicates that the contribution that they made for that grove was acknowledged by the Save-the -Redwoods League in December of 1945. Ever since then, in various ways, we've had touch with them. Mrs. Lyon's activity dates back a great many years, but our main contact with her began when the Daughters of the American Revolution contributed in the forties to what was known as the Drury: National Tribute grove up in Del Norte county. That was in 1949, and at that time the DAR contributed toward the National Tribute grove the 'sum of $29,424 and five hundred acres of this Tribute grove was specifically dedicated to the DAR. Then Mrs. Lyon was very active. Of course, she had her part in the establishment of the Bruce Lyon grove in 1945, but she was particularly active in 1956 in the establishment of the Charlotte Lambert Grove. Charlotte Lambert was the daughter of Mrs. Rebecca Lambert, who, I think, was the president of the DAR. In 1967 Mrs. Lyon was the sparkplug in raising a fund to establish a grove in memory of Mrs. Rebecca Lambert. It adjoined the Charlotte Lambert Grove on the Avenue of the Giants near Dyersville. Those were the high points in her interest. As you've already recorded in the interview with Harvey Lyon, in the 1940s they established, largely through his efforts, the Rotary grove in Prairie Creek redwoods. The two Lambert groves were in the Humboldt Redwoods State Park. The Bruce Lyon grove and the Rotary grove were in the Prairie Creek redwoods, about fifty miles north of Eureka. RL: In looking in your interview, I noticed that the Jedediah Smith grove was established as a memorial grove. I then checked in my files and saw that the Bruce Lyon grove was not in that area. I wondered how you helped people choose their groves. What's the procedure, when someone like the Lyons comes to you and says they would like to contribute to a memorial grove? Drury: Usually the people who are interested go up into the redwood country, and we show them around. We find that tastes vary-- what is beautiful to one person is commonplace to another. We find that some people want to establish groves on the beaten track--on the main highway, where the elderly folks can get to see them. But there are some who would prefer to have them more remote--reached only on foot, away from the madding crowd. So by examination of various groves these people reach a conclusion as to what area they would like to contribute towards. Their name is placed on it and it appears on our maps. All they get for their generosity is that slight notice and the satisfaction of doing a good deed. Now there are over four hundred groves in the different redwood parks, and a very substantial amount of the money we've been able to raise to purchase redwood lands has come from that source. RL: I think it Is a very good idea. About the Rotary grove, did the initiative come from Mr. Lyon or from you or your brother in Save-the -Redwoods? Drury: It came primarily from ~arve~iLyon. My brother Aubrey, who was executive of the league in the forties (he died in 1959; I was in Washington in the National Park Service then), and Harvey worked it out. Harvey told you that they raised ten thousand dollars. Computing at the rate that we have to pay for redwood stumpage, that grove couldn't be bought today for a million dollars. RL: It's wonderful that you and people like you had the foresight and managed to buy some of these groves and preserve them. Can you tell me a little bit more about Eleanor Lyon? It's hard for her to speak in praise of herself. Perhaps you could do a character sketch for me. Drury: I don't presume to do that, but she's a very joyous person. She has one or two favorite expressions about every experience that she has. Apparently everything she does, she derives enjoyment from it. I know that she constantly refers to things as being "fabulous. " Every little experience she has is "6abulous ,'I and it's a marvelous trait to feel that way. She's a very generous person, and her love of life is manifest. I guess that 's what's kept them both alive so long. RL : You didn't mention something that happened just last fall--when the DAR dedicated a grove to Eleanor Lyon. You were on the expedition, of course? Drury: Yes. I have one or two things here that I can let you have if you want them. I think Mrs. Lyon has all of the photographs. This is the account of the Bicentennial DAR grove up there in Jedediah Smith Redwoods. You can have these if you want them. Here's also an account of the dedication. I think she has all of that. RL : It was in November. I gather the DAR, many of them, went up by bus. Were you on the bus with the DAR? Drury: Yes, I was. Here's something from the Oakland Tribune about a certificate that the Lyons received from the Rotary. Of course, she has several primary interests that I know bf. One of them is the ~ave-the-RedwoodsLeague 114 SANSOME STREET, ROOM 605, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94104 June 12, 1975 OFFICERS NEWTON B. DRURY.Pre~idenl RICHARDM. LEONARD.Vice Pre~idenl WILLIAMe. WENTWORTH.Trealurer JOHN B. DEWITT, Secretary and Execurive Director B RODERT G. SPROUL. Trea~urerEmeritw~ Mrs. Harvey B. Lyon 8 Crestmont Tower, Piedmont Gardens COUNCIL HORACEM. ALBRIGHT 110 - 41st Street, Apartment 234 HOWARD WHEATLEYALLEN Oakland, California 94611 .MRJ... --HARMON C. BELL BURTISW. BENBOW MRS. RICHARDH. BUEL SELAHCHAMBERLAIN.JR. Dear Elinor: ALLEN L. CHICKERING MRS. ALLEN L. CHICRERING NORMANM. CHRISTENSEN Harvey was a wonderful friend of the Redwoods, as you are. ROBERT E. CONNICK CHARLESF. DALY He was a member ofour Board of Councillors for twenty-six 'NEWTON B. DRURY 'MRS. FUNCIS P. FARQUHAR years. We remember gratefully his generosity and yours in EMANUELFRITZ WILLIAM~IAYGARLAND establishing the ~ruceLyon Memorial Grove and his untiring BEN C. GERW'ICK.JR. MRS. GUYG. GILCHRIST .efforts working with my brother Aubrey, which resulted in JAMESP. GILLIGAN T. A. GREIG the Rotary Grove at Prairie Creek.Redwoods State Park. MELVILLEBELL GROSVENOR EDWARDH. GRUBB WALTERA. HAAS EARLP. HANSON Your own efforts as main representative of the Daughters of CARYLP. HASRINS ARTHUR W. HOOPER the American Revolution in their aid to the League, inclu- .BRUCE S. HOU'RD CHARLESP. HOWARD ding the dedication of the Charlotte and Rebecca Lambert PHELPS STOKES HUNTER Groves and the D.A.R. Unit of the National Tribute Grove ROGERKENT ALFREDA. KNOPF have been of great aid to the League. The dedication to 'RICHARD M. LEONARD HARVEY B. LYON you of the D.A.R. Bicentennial Grove was most appropriate. MRS. J. W. MAILLIARD.JR. JOHN J. MCCLOY DONALDH. MCLAUGHLIN 'R. A. L..MENZIES We should feel honored if you would accept appointment to G. W. MERCK LAWRENCEC. MERRIAM fill Harvey's unexpired term as a member of our Board of ROBERTC. MILLER MRS. ELIZADETHI. MORRISON Councillors. -~..-- - ROBERT NEUHAUS MRS. NATHANIELA. OWINGS With best regards, GEORGE S. PEYTON.JR. HERMANPHLEGER - NICHOLASROOSEVELT G. JAMESROUSH sincere& yours, MRS. MELVINE. SAWIN ROBERT G. SPROUL. JR. ALLANM. STARR MRS. WILLIAMW. STOUT. c$k dm CHARLESC. WAGNER GEORGEWALDNER WILLIAME. WASTE Newton B. Drury 'WILLIAM P. WENTWORTH J. ROY WITTWER Director3 B OBJECTS 1. To rejcue from drstrucrion represenr- arive areas of our primeval foresrs. 2. To co-operrire wirh the California State Park Commission, the National Park Service, and other agencies. in establishing Redwood parks and olhrr parks and reservations. 3. To purchr~eRedwd groves by pri- vare subscription. 4. To co-operare wirh the California Srare Highway Commission, and orher agen- cies in assuring rhe presen,arion of trees and roadside kauri along highways. 5. To rupporr reforesrarion and conserva- [ion of our forest areas. Drury: Children's Hospital in Oakland. My daughter, Mrs. Austin L. Edwards, is now a memb.er of their board of directors. She works very closely with Mrs. Lyon. Another of her interests is the DAR, and also the redwoods. RL: Have they worked actively in Save-the-Redwoods, other than giving money and raising money? Drury : Yes, Harvey Lyon has been on our board of counselors ever since 1949, and he's helped us in many ways besides contributing--with advice and using his influence with potential contributors, as has Mrs. Lyon. Each year she's canvassed the DAR of the state of California, and has raised rather substantial sums to contribute to the redwoods. RL: How much would it cost if somebody now wished to buy and dedicate a grove to*,an individual? Drury: A ten acre grove at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park today calls for a gift of ten thousand dollars, which is twice the five thousand they gave in 1945. But at present day values, as I think I've mentioned, the eighty acres at the Rotary grove would probably be worth about a million dollars. RL : It must have been an impressive ceremony--the Daughters of the American Revolution. I find it hard to visualize what actually went on. I've seen the program, of course, but can you give a personal reminiscence of that last meeting? Drury: There were thirty or forty of them there, and they met informally out under the trees. There was a little talk by the California president of the DAR; Mrs. Lyon spoke; I said a few words at that dedication. Mrs. Lyon gave quite an account of the explorations of Jedediah Smith, after whom the park was named. It was an informal affair. At the end of the ceremony they unveiled this tablet which was placed on a hill in a redwood bench in that grove, which pays a tribute to Mrs. Lyon and what she'd done for the DAR and for the redwoods . RL : Thank you very, very much, Mr. Drury. Is there anything else you think you could add to our knowledge of the Lyons? Drury : Their unflagging enthusiasm and their generosity. There's no question that that has been a great asset to the Save-the-Redwoods movement. I jotted down these dates; you-can take them if you like-- the various groves they've had a part in establishing. Drury : There are some photographs here that might interest you. This is the meeting we had up there with the Rebecca Lambert grove dedication. You can take any of those that you like. [Looking at photographs] Here are some pictures of the Bruce Lyon grove. Here's a picture she sent to me, so she'd probably have the negative. RL : I put one in ~arvey's volume. [Discussion of various photographs] Drury: I can't think of anything very important that I could add, but if you have some gaps that you think you need to fill, if you call me up on the phone I'll try to help you fill them. But you won't lack for material if you interview Mrs. Harvey Lyon [ laughs] , I can promise you that! She has a phenomenal memory, among other things. RL: And she really carries things through. Drury: She's a wonderful character. I never heard her make a derogatory remark about anybody or anything; everything's fine with her. RL: It's a wonderful attitude. V SERVICE TO CHILDREN?S HOSPITAL OF THE EAST BAY The Branch Auxiliaries RL : When did you first get involved with Children's Hospital? Lyon: I think it was soon after World War I1 when I was asked to start Juniper Branch. Minnie [Mrs. William Harold] Oliver, who was General Chairman of the branches, asked me to get a group together in my home in Piedmont and see if she could get them interested in raising money for Children's Hospital. Do you know it's the only hospital specializing in children between Hawaii and the Rockies? RL: I'd no idea. Lyon: Well, everybody was most enthusiastic and gracious. We had such wonderful activities ! RL : What sorts of things did you do? Lyon: We had fashion shows, bridge marathons, dances, cruises, you name it, we did it. And we raised a very large amount of money for the hospital, which was the idea of course. The hospital was run from the start on money raised by women. You only had to take people to Children's to see the wonderful work that was being done for these children, and they would see the need and want to make things even better. RL : Were either of your doctor sons associated with the hospital? Lyon: Oh my, yes. Dick did his residency there in pediatric urology after he came back from the war, and you know he was president of the medical staff last year. That was a wonderful year for the hospital. HIGHEST EARNINGS TO DATE Children's Hospital Branches, Inc. contributed an impressive $490,281 to this Medical Center in 1973 through hundreds of fund-raising events and projects, it was announced by Mrs. Wil- liam 0. Bullard, president. This was the highest net earnings fig- ure in the Branches' 62-year history, Mrs. Bullard proudly told a crowd of 600 at the Hospital's Annual Meeting and luncheon at Goodman's, Jack London Mrs. Wm. 0. Bullard (center) with "Women of Year," Mrs. Charles F. Robie (10 years) and Square, Oakland, Feb. 25. Mrs. Harvey B. Lyon (20 years). Mrs. Albert Kass, another lo-year awardee was unable to be The dramatic total of those earnings present. coupled with Branch-credited gifts to "Exciting" is the word that can of not only the Branch members, the Hospital-was $605,760. best describe the year of 1973 for but by our many wonderful friends the Branches. who support our fund-raising We became a corporation hence- events and projects. forth to b,e known as Children's Our purpose and goal is always Hospital Branches, Inc. uppermost in the minds of our out- And, again, we had a rbcord- standing members-to provide the breaking year, achieving the high- finest medical care for children re- est earnings in our 62-year-old his- gardless of ability to pay. tory. My heartfelt thanks to you all! This was accomplished through MRS. WILLIAM 0. BULLARD President, the imagination and enthusiasm of Children's Hosoital Branches. Inc. Mrs. David Appleton (I) and Mrs. David Cavanaugh of Blossom Branch (2nd place). Leading the annual friendly fund- raising competition between Branches was Alameda's Garden Branch with a grand total of $27,157 under the lead- ership of Mrs. Ronald Goodman. Gar- den's Juniors, Mrs. John Leavitt, chair- Mrs. I. Cleveland Steele and Mrs. Joseph Mrs. John Leavitt and Mrs. Ronald Goodman man, contributed $9,002 to that amount. Mancini of Laurel Branch (3rd place). of Garden Branch (1st place). Another Alameda Branch hit the top The thrift shops of Linden and Pine the first time was Vallejo's Lilac Branch, three for the first time in its 25-year his- Branches helped to put them in the Mrs. James Bertuzzi, chairman, with tory. Blossom Branch (Mrs. Edward high earning brackets again. Under the $1 2,483. Fischer, chairman) earned a whopping leadership of Mrs. Jack Hooper of Pied- In ninth place was Redwood Branch, $21,777, $5,614 of which was brought mont, Linden chalked up an imposing Mrs. Luther Miller of Oakland, chair- in by Blossom Juniors, Mrs. David Ap- $19,495, while Pine totaled $15,401, man, with $12,469; in tenth place, Live pleton, chairman. chaired by Mrs. Carroll T. Morton of Oak, with Mrs. Ralph Johnson of Rich- Laurel Branch, which has scored Oakland. Pine's Juniors contributed mond, chairman, with $12,290; and among, the top three many times, came -$4:073 with Mrs. 'Eugene 'Morrow ' of rounding on2,the group of,Branches in in third with $19,885. Mrs. Tracy D. Cut- Orinda as chairman. the twelve thousand dollars category tle of Oakland was chairman. South Alameda County's contribution was Fir Branch, Mrs. David S. Way of Next in line was Hill Branch with a to the top Hospital fund-raisers was Oakland, chairman, with $12,157. total of $19,606. Mrs. Douglas Albert of Tamarack Branch led by Mrs. William Leading the all-Branch-fund-raising Piedmont was chairman of the Branch Howe of Castro Valley, with a total of projects which the general public con- whose most famous fund-raising event $1 3,313. tributes to on a year-round basis is the is the Winter Debutante Ball. Joining the high-earning ranks for -continued on page 25 BAMBINO & SPRING 1974 Lyon : The branches raise more and more money for the hospital every year. Well over $600,000. RL: You mentioned Princess Aditiya of Thailand's visit to the hospital. Lyon: Oh, that was fantastic. She liked to be called "Mom" Kobkaew Abhakara, and was on a three month tour of the U.S. on the invitation of UNICEF [United Nations International Children's Fund]. She stayed with us out at Hidden Valley, and we had a big reception for her the next day, with the Air Force Band playing the Thai national anthem and over three hundred guests. I'll show you pictures if you like. That was when I was northern California. chairman for UNICEF. The princess was so impressed with Children's Hospital. Then, when we took our big tour of the far east, she invited us to visit her in Bangkok. That was fabulous. Volunteer Organizer and Administrator Lyon: But we found out that just giving money wasn't enough. There were still lots of things that were needed. I was asked to organize volunteers to help out. RL: When was that? Lyon: I think it was about 1953. They asked me to come on the Board of the hospital and set up a regular volunteer program. RL: How did you go about it? Lyon: I found out that if you took people to Children's they only had to see what wonderful work was being done there to know that they wanted to help! I brought my friends, and they brought their friends. They gave me a little office where I could interview people, and put them in the sort of job where they belonged. RL: What sorts of jobs did you need volunteers for? 82a 'OFFICE OF THE BRANCHES 731 - S2nd St., Oakland 9, Calif. I Fifty-first and Dover Streets Oakland, California I 0~yrnpic2-9202 December 31, 1958 " Mrs. Harvey B. Lyon 492 Staten Avenue Oakland 10, California Dear Eleanor, It is a very great pleasure to me to be the one to inform you that at the last meeting of the Executive Council of the Branches you were unanimously elected a 'Woman of the Yearn for the fifth time. We have arrived. at the--point.which 1'have so often mentioned .- ...- - -- - the beginning of a n& era which is opening up whole new fields: ' the re- search laboratorg soon to be completed, the expansion of the hospital building, all this presents new problems and an even greater need for women such as you to help to meet the challenge not only for leadership but for inteipretation to the Branch members. Your devotion will do much to stimulate others to emulate your example. Your work during the strike crisis went far beyond the call of - -7 b"^- dde- A - r It is- the good fortune of Children's Hospital in having the devoted interest of you and your family. You know-wlat joy I have found in working with you and you will be a part of the memories which I have cherished with the greatest happiness, ---.A Q-JL-L Wi-th warm affection, 4L-L..iu / ,' Mrs. IVm. Harold Oliver &f- 7H-w &.- wL General Chairman of the Branches r !.' , L' *' 3 A&&, /--J- +&&&G/L- kh:w ,, J- ,,,Y-'. Xi W'LL J, C, -7-- ,, a Lyon: We needed people to help in the clinics, in the gift shop, sewing and mending, as lobby hostesses, helping with the Christmas programs that I started--oh, dozens of places. RL: What sorts of people have served as volunteers? Lyon: All sorts, men and women. We don't take anyone under sixteen, but that's the only restriction. Some of our teenagers have been fantastic! One year, I remember, they worked as receptionists in the speech and hearing clinic, helped convalescent children in the occupational therapy section, put on plays, and did all sorts of decorating. They added so much brightness to the hospital: The children just love them. RL: I found a newspaper clipping in your files where you are quoted as saying, "Volunteer service isn't something you do or don't do according to mood or whim. It is work with responsibilities. The r,ich rewards are in the emotional satisfaction of helping, of being needed. " Lyon: That's right. And there was another thing. If people said they'd come, I insisted that they come on that day and time, or find a suitable replacement. RL: What happened if they didn't? Lyon: Well, it didn't happen very often, but if someone just couldn't be relied on, we didn't keep them as a volunteer. Christmas Programs Lyon: One thing I found was that they didn't do very much about Christmas in the hospital. Of course, the nurses and doctors were too busy. So, I asked if there was anything I could do to help. I think that started in about 1950. Oh my, did the children love it! RL: It must have been nice for the staff too. It's very dreary having to work when every one else is off having a good time with their family. Lyon: Yes. RL : I see that by 1955, you were going great guns. Mrs. Harvey Lyon places decorations on a CHMC door as Terrie In 1954, a year after she started her Christmas decorating project, .Kurrasch, Recreation.Therapist and in-house Christmas coordina- Eleanor Lyon posed with Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus. I "Increasing Needs with Opportuni- tiesfor Fulfillment" was the 1967 Vol- unteers theme which inspired 155men, women and teenagers to give a total of 10,253 hours of service' to the hos~ital. f RST LAUV Of CHRISTMAS Our cherry-red uniformed Volunl Mrs. Harvey Lyon of Oakland, who Girl Scouts and Volunteers of CHMC teers contributed their talents, effortd originated the idea of decorating Chil- worked a grand total of 105 hours. and abilities, love and consideration1 dren's Hospital Medical Center for Each year, more decorations have to young patients and parents in many Christmas 19 years ago, headed the been added and now Safeway donates departments and every ward of the committee once more for Christmas, 28 trees. Santa's helpers try to make hospital. 1972. sure that every child has a decorated During our summer volunteer pro- For the first Christmas project, Mr. tree in his room. The jewel, of course, gram, Candystripers filled the hospital, and Mrs. Lyon bought the trees, lights is the traditional large tree in the lobby. with youthful charm and understand-i and cords and influenced others to do- Decorations went up on Dec. 18. On ing, and gained for themselves a val- nate decorations. George Dubonis of Dec. 22, Mrs. Lyon was back again with ued experience. the City of Paris gave the first large seven members of her Oakland Doll Among the services our Volunteersl boxes of ornaments. Juniper Branch club, providing entertainment through- rendered during the year were ward' members came to help decorate the out the hospital. volunteers, lobby hostesses, medical hospital and have helped each suc- This past Christmas, the large, mov- library assistants, Speech and Hearing ceeding year. Oakland Rotary club do- ing Santa, donated by Mr. and Mrs. receptionists, hospital tours, emergency, nated the outdoor figures and mem- Lyon, stood in the hospital lobby rather room assistants, cardiology assistants, bers of Juniper made dolls and dressed than a corridor upstairs. He waved a and typing and clerical assistants in them. cheery greeting to tots who came to be many departments of the hospital. In, Christmas, 1972, was far easier for hospitalized as well as to their families. addition to these regular duties, Vol? Eleanor Lyon. Thirty-five volunteers An outside decoration and lighted unteers were called upon to assist in, joined her in the one-day decorating white tree were provided again this various special projects. They hostessed job. Representatives of nine Branches, year by Ketchum Displays in Concord. Heart Day seminar meetings, showed library films to the children, maintain-, ed the hospital's aquariums, decorated, Christmas trees for the wards, and, participated in many other projects and events throughout the year. A dedicated Volunteer Board guid- ed the policies and accomplishment of the In-hospital Volunteer progra which assumes a ear-round, seven / I day week responsibility. 2 gqnswo MRS.HARVEY B. LYON I 1967 Chairman of Volunteers THOSE WHO HELPED ! Eleanor Lyon's Doll Club came to entertain children. BAMBINO WINTER/1973 19 Lyon: Yes, we had lots of decorations, greens and ornaments and a great tree, and Santa Claus. Then there were lots of carol singers. I think one of the things the children liked best was the Mexican Christmas with a pinata. We had a puppet show put on by Olga Strehlow, and story telling. The music section of the faculty wives club at the university came and sang a cantata. And we collected lots of presents so that we could give one to each patient as well as visitors to the outpatient clinics. Everybody helped from the Rotarians to the Boy .Scouts. And we've been trying to do more and more for the children every year. The Bruce Lyon Memorial Research Laboratory lU: In Harvey's memoir, we talked about the Bruce Lyon Memorial Grove of redwood trees. What decided you and your family to contribute a research laboratory in Bruce's memory to Children's? Lyon: We saw the need. So, we gave $100,000 to start a research laborakory, in 1957. There wasn't anything like it west of the Mississippi. It was completed in March, 1959,. Dr. Irvine McQuarrie was to have been the first director of research, a wonderful man. Unfortunately, he died before the building was completed, so Dr. Arild Hansen was the first director. They've done some amazing work there. And how it has grown! Did I show you the pictures of the dedication of the second story? RL : Yes. I think it would be nice to put that in the memoir. Dr. Richards Lyon, President of the Medical Staff Lyon: I specially enjoy going to Children's now that Dick is president (1974). They are so gracious. This is very gratifying to Harvey and me. Now, he 's in command. Do you know, they named me Woman of the Year every.year for twenty years of service! [Now twenty-one] I guess I'm still convinced about Children's Hospital. - C, 84a MEDICAL STAFF RE-WB 2%&%&8/&8&Z-ZY October 1959 Vol. 5 No. 10 7 - - ' I- - -IT The Bruce Lyon Memorial I '~aborator~dedication, continued Children's Hospital of the East Bay marked a dramatic Research Laboratory . moment in the dedication services of the Bruce Lyon Memorial Research Hospital. I Signed by Melvin Schwartz, M.D., chairman of the Dedicated on September 10 medical staff, and Thad B. ]McCarty, president of the hospital, the placque read: "To the Harvey B. Lyon family, parents and children everywhere express deep gratitude and respect for its contribution to their health ad frrtwe well-being through the generous gift of THE BRUCE LYON MEMORlAL RESEARCH LAB- ORATORY in memory of their son and brother, Bruce- Dedicated Thursdayy September 10, 1959." I Following the presentation to the Lyon family, Mr. McCarty presented the key to the laboratory to Dr. Arild E. Hansen, new research director. I i Chief speakers at the dedication were Dr. Charles Dimnler, chairman of the research committee. Dr. ' Hansen; Dr. Harold Faber, professor emeritus, Depart- ment of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of i Medicine (who was introduced by Dr. Hubert Long); / and Dr. Edward B. Shaw, professor and chairman, de- partment of pediatrics, University of California (who I was introduced by Dr. Hansen, a long-time friend). Commenting on the value of the laboratory to the com- munity were various civic and community leaders. Rep- resenting the medical staff was Dr. Carrel1 Peterson; the Alameda Contra-Costa Medical Association, Dr. Dudley Bell; the East Bay Hospital Conference, Louis Flunk; all the mayors of local communities, Clifford E. Rishell, mayor of Oakland. -- -- 1 DR. McQUARRIE RECEIVES ! t Presenting a placque to the Harvey B. Lyon family at the- dedication of the Bruce Lyon Memorial Research Laboratory were two children who underwent open-heart surgery at Children's Hospital of the East Bay~,'~Fr6'i5i'?~Wmvep~; - Dr. 1MrIE 'McQnarrie,'researctf~~msu3tant.will re- Lyon, Janie Lummus, 14, Matthew Vongehr, 4, Mrs. Harvey ceive an honorary Doctor of Science degree from B. Lyon. Northwestern University on September 29. This' is the centennial celebration of the founding of the medical school and Dr. McQuarrie will partici- pate in a scientific colloquium the afternoon of the A placque presented to the Harvey B. Lyon family by 29th. children who had recovered from heart surgery at "Even with two large universities in our area, how many men will receive an honorary degree from such Continued on page 2 an outstanding university this year?'says medical director Dr. James L. Dennis "This is ah honor of which we should all be proud." MEDICALSTAFF * Richards P. Lyon, M.D. President This past year has been one of change in preparation system. for further change ahead. A second great step has been the development of For the first time in many years, a strong communi- our Neonatology Unit, made possible largely by the cation link has been forged between the Medical Staff quality of Residents gaining their pediatric credentials leadership and the Board of Directors of the hospital. at Children's Hospital. The teaching program is deeply As the cost and complexity of medical care increase, entwined with progress for without these young people, particularly with children, the need for effective com- dedicated and highly intelligent, our special care of munication likewise increases. How is this accom-- the hewborn would be impossible. plished? Through the seeking of solutior?~to serious A third accomplishment is the completion of the new problems involving the entire leadership. This requires constitution and by-laws of the Medical Staff, now untold hours, selflessly given, by physicians and awaiting final Executive Committee and membership trustees. action. Though changes are not great, this has been As an example, for the first time in many years, with an extensive undertaking because of complexities of Dr. Robert_Gerdsen at the helm', members of the med- medical-legal medicine. Drs. Joyce Craddick and ical executive committee and leaders of the various Sanford Sherman, our next president, are primarily specialties have had a direct input into the patient responsible for the final document. care and teaching programs. As the retiring president of the staff, I must thank The net result is the development of outstanding the president of the Board of Directors, Pat Patterson, leade~shiptalent among our physicians for the future. for support well beyond any concept of duty. His exam- Isee, therefore, a continuous line of strong physician , ple of leadership and concern has had much to do with leadership, with a keen awareness of the problems with the increased effort made by the Medical Staff facing medicine today. leadership. Through the clarification of responsibili- Other than the routine of medical affairs manage- ties and issues, which he has so diligently sought, I ment, certain accomplishments do stand out over the expect the next year to be an excitingly productive one past year. for Children's Hospital. First has been the development of the medical audit Individual staff members will be giving more and to a point that it should be fully operational in the sum- more of their time in solving complex problems, and mer of this year. The medical audit is-atype ofdiagno- are fortunate in having as their next leader, Dr. Sanford sis review carried on by the physicians themselves as Sherman, a man immensely qualified for his task. a self-discipline. Because prototypes are rare, we The Medical Staff, through their president, again have considered this a pioneering venture and its suc- expresses its appreciation for the wonderful work that cess will largely be due to the efforts of Dr. Daniel is done by you women'in the Branches. Th% good that Fleisher, who, as an acknowledged expert in his de- is done through your efforts provides the heart that veloping field, has been constructing the review makes our hospital unique! . * 1974 ANNUAL REPORT 5 Eleanor Lyon and Children's Hospital Medical Center of Northern California An Interview with Alice Cutter (Mrs. Robert K.) Juniper Branch and the Fund Raising Auxiliaries RL : You were telling me earlier how Children's Hospital was really funded in 1912 by a group of women who then started the Branches (fund-raising auxiliaries) whose activities have been the mainstay of the hospital all these years. Cutter: Yes. At the time that I came into the picture in 1939, there were probably thirty-seven or thirty-eight branches. In the course of the years, the numbers grew to over seventy. RL: When did you first meet Eleanor Lyon? Cutter: I think it was in 1947 or 1948. RL : What was your connection with Children's then? Cutter: I was serving as chairman of public relations for the board of Children's Hospital. Eleanor became interested in the hospital in the late forties, through Mrs. [William Harold] Oliver, who was then general chairman of the branches. She talked to her about the possibility of starting a branch among her group of friends. Mrs. Oliver was general chairman of the branches for twenty-five years until she retired in 1958. It was probably 1949 that Eleanor gathered a group of enthusiastic Piedmont women to her home in Orinda, and Mrs. Oliver asked me to go with her to talk to them about the activities of the branch organizations, and before we knew it, the Juniper branch was formed. Eleanor was very active in fundraising in the early days of her connection with the hospital. She helped her branch conceive of all sorts of possibilities from sewing groups, to fashion shows to book reviews, to bridge parties and dances of one kind or another--all the different things that the social life of that time required. RL: What do you think motivated these women to put so much time and energy into Juniper branch? children's Hospital Medical Center / OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF BRUCE LYON MEMORIAL RESEARCH FORD MEMORIAL DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT CENTER TELEPHONE 654-5600 January 30, 1968 Mrs. Harvey B. Lyon 492 Staten Avenue Oakland, California 94610 Dear Mrs. Lyon: As president of Children's Hospital Medical Center of Northern California, I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate you as a woman of the year honoree. Your continued devotion to the ever-increasing burdens of our hospital is an inspiration to the staff and the Board of Directors. I know your hours of time in disposing of tickets, attending meetings, serving and aiding in sponsoring events, may sometimes seem too much to ask of anyone. But when we pause and think of the miracles of life-saving going on day and night for children who, through no fault of their own, are in need of medical care and getting it -- thanks to you -- at Children's Hospital, one can't help really feeling better about doing something to benefit others. In any event, I appreciate your service to our hospital. May this honor which you have received and so richly deserve, remind you of how many little people -- too young to even say a word -- are grateful for what you have accomplished. Faithfully, A. H. MOFFIT?~, J$.. . . President, Children's Hospital Medical Center AHM:jp Cutter: Well, I think that primarily they were a group of women interested in the social activities of the time, such as bridge, dinners, and fashion shows, but one thing that Eleanor did to interest these people in Children's Hospital was that she brought them to the hospital. Now this is something she has done throughout her years of connection with the hospital. She followed a belief that Mrs. Oliver held very strongly, that if people came to the hospital and saw what was happening there, saw the children, and the helpful activities that benefited them, that they would be so emotionally impressed that they would go out and respond to the need for money through their activities. Mrs. Lyon in the early days of her association with the hospital, was always bringing an important friend or group of friends to the hospital to show them what was going on. They ended hp by very shortly becoming members of Juniper Branch: . RL : How much of the appeal do you think was due to Eleanor Lyon's connections with newspapers? I gather that she wanted and got high visibility in the Oakland Tribune and other newspapers for the activities of her groups. Cutter: There isn't any question but what she did do that, and the group' that she gathered did seem to enjoy the publicity. They were prominent figures on the Tribune society page as the result of their activities. The society editors of the Tribune were always interested in the activities of Juniper Branch, and probably that had something to do with the group's enthusiasm. RL : How much did these groups have to do with the operations of the hospital? Cutter: They earned the money for the hospital--large sums of money, to cover the part-pay program of the hospital. Occasionally, money was used for capital expenditures but :,primarily it provided care for the needy children of the community. Though we were practically autonomous in the way we ran our branch organization, with each Branch carrying on its activities in the field it could best handle, we did have an overall governing body which carefully regulated the overall program to see that everything we did provided a favorable picture of the hospital to the community. The chairman of the branches and different women in the branch organization always served on the hospital board of directors. So, in that sense, they always had a say in the operation of the hospital, where the money went, and that sort of thing. But as branch members, as a branch organization, they never were allowed to say "Our money will go to this or that Cutter: particular feature of the hospital operation." Over the years, I feel that was one of the outstanding features of our organiza- tion. I have seen other organizations being crippled because their volunteer groups of women would say ''Now, I want to spend my money for this painting, or this whatever ," and it becomes a very difficult thing for a board of directors to handle. RL : So then, what you're saying is that there was a healthy inter- action between the branches and the board of directors, with some members serving on the board, and therefore getting the overall policy picture, but without any commanding voice? Cutter: That's right, that's right. Their voices were heard but they did not dictate action. Building an In-Hospital Volunteer Service Cutter: Then Eleanor Lyon, early in her activities as a branch member, I believe in 1954, was asked to serve on the Board of Directors of Children's Hospital. At that time, Mrs. Oliver felt that we had grown to the point where we should have a very well organized in-hospital volunteer group. We always had a few people that liked to work in the hospital and help in one way or another with service to the patients, but they were more Lady Bountiful types, with flowers and jellies and that sort of thing. [Laughter] Not with any really con- structive type of service. But when Eleanor became a member of the board, she was asked b,y Mrs. Oliver to take over the in-hospital volunteer program corps. Through her wide circle of friends and friendsLof-friends, she soon had a group of over a hundred women, that in one way or another, was helping. Now this was a time in the history of hospitals when it was very difficult to have the volunteer accepted as a valid part of the hospital operation. Administrators and staff, department heads resisted the.idea of the volunteer coming in in a really meaningful fashion. I suppose they felt it was a threat to their jobs. But Eleanor Lyon was able to get a group together. A few of them were branch members, but most of them were not connected with the branch organization. Mrs. Lyon's theory was that ''in order 'to be a good volunteer, one's work had to be meaningful. She had to come at a specific time, do a job, and feel that what she had done was of real 'value.." RL: You said that the volunteers were mostly not branch members. From what groups did they come? Cutter: I know that Eleanor brought in some members of the DAR; she also brought in members that she had worked with in her garden club, I believe, at one point. She seemed to have connections with a number of different groups. I can't think of all their names at this point, but she had quite a following. RL: Like interlocking directorates! If you have a large number of activities, you can generate a large number of people-- Cutter: To serve. There's no question about that. I did come across a quote of Eleanor's that I think expressed her feeling. She said at one point in an article, "Volunteer work isn't something that you do or don't do according to the mood or whim. It is work with responsibilities. The rewards are the emotional satisfaction of helping, of really being needed." In 1954, Richard Highsmith was the administrator of Children's Hospital. Now he's head of Merritt Hospital, but in those days he was very active at Children's. I remember he said that the volunteer provided the little extras, the little luxuries that a voluntary, non-profit hospital cannot afford. RL : Could you specify some of the areas where you think this work was most important? Cutter: They worked out a system of areas within the hospital that could best take volunteers. Many worked in the outpatient clinics where children brought in often had to wait in the waiting room while their card files were assembled and made ready to be brought to their respective clinic appointments. So the volunteers were very useful there. They also acted as lobby hostesses. In a children's hospital, many of the parents arriving with sick children had two or three others with them. Often there was no one at home to take care of brothers or sisters. So the lobby always seemed to be full of those children that could not go into the clinic, could not go up on the wards when the sick patient was taken up by the parents, and had to be taken care of. There the lobby hostesses played a very important part, and sometimes a very difficult role. They did really serve. Then another group I remember that Eleanor was very active in promoting was a sewing group that got together in the house- keeping department. Because sheets had a way of disintegrating Children's Hospital Medical Center / OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA ..*!.'.',. CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF FIFTY-FIRST AND GROVE STREETS BRUCE LYON MEMORIAL RESEARCH OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA 94609 FORD MEMORIAL DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT CENTER TELEPHONE 654-5600 May 29, 1973 Mrs. Harvey Lyon 492 Staten Avenue Oakland, Ca. 94610 Dear Mrs. Lyon: On behalf of the patients and staff of Children's Hospital Medical Center, I wish to extend our sincere thanks for your long service to the Hospital on the Volunteer Board. A simple thanks, however, cannot adequately express our appreciation for the many hours you spent as an active participant in this most valuable and important group of ladies in service to the Hospital. The Volunteer Program at Children's Hospital could never have accomplished as much as it has over the years without the wholehearted support of dedicated individuals such as yourself. I certainly hope that you will remain every bit as active in the Volunteer organization in the future as you have in the past. It is most important at this time when the volunteer organization will be expanding and growing that a person with your energy and experience be more involved than ever with the activities and guidance of the organization. Although the Volunteer Board as such will no longer exist, we will always think of you as a key person who helped shape the Volunteer organization. I am certain that I am also conveying the sentiments of Miss Pollard, Mrs. Kurrasch, Mr. Henley, Dr. Boettcher, and Mrs. Thatcher to you in this letter. We are all looking forward to a continuing relationship with you. Sincerely, l#~:P. ~illiamF. Drum Administrator WFD: bc Cutter: the two or three sewing machines were always kept busy. They also made hospital gowns for children out of colorful prints. In our Children's Hospital a child was never put in a white hospital gown. It was always something exciting, to attract the child's interest. Then they worked in the diet kitchen. The trays were made more attractive by volunteers. Eleanor had quite a group of younger people working. She was instrumental in getting some of the Girl Scout troops interested in making favors for the children's trays. There were also play ladies who worked closely with the occupational therapist. In the early days, those were the areas that volunteers were most successful in. Eleanor had a little office off the occupational therapist's room. It was a cubbyhole [laughs], as the hospitals in the early days weren't about to turn too much space over to the volunteers. But she set up a desk and a card file, and there she interviewed applicants for service to the hospital. Of course, some people that came did so out of a need of their own to serve, to be helpful. Sometimes people were neurotic or perhaps not the best people to be working with children. I think Eleanor did have a talent for spotting some of these people in interviews and in her enthusiastic, jolly, friendly way she screened them. She judged their fitness for the job, their ability or special talent, or whether they just were not someone we could use in the hospital. Then, she brought them together with the department head, introduced them to the job, and worked with them for a little while to see that they fitted into the department. She had real ability for lining people up with the job that was needed in the hospital. By 1957, she had a corps of both men and women, coming to do valuable service on Saturdays and Sundays and evenings as well as weekdays. RL : That's wonderful. Cutter: It really was! She even got Harvey to get some of his Rotarians to come! [Laughter] Sometimes I wondered how she could inspire all of those people, but she never lost an opportunity to sell Children's Hospital to whomever she was speaking. Volunteers During the Building Service Maintenance Strike Cutter: I do remember a strike that we had during 1958 or 1959, I'm not sure of the date. But the building services union walked out. This was in the earlier days of unions in hospitals, and Children's Hospital was not completely unionized at that time. In fact there were very few union people in the hospital. Of course, I have to admit we were trying to avoid having any unions established. They were organizing for unions. So, the board would not accept the union because most of the people were not really, at that time, interested in the, union. This was before the East Bay Hospital Organization that now has an attorney and a board that meets to work out union problems. That has been a great step forward, I'm sure. In those days, though, we did not have that kind of setup, and the board itself with the administrator had to struggle to meet the demands of the potential union. I was responsible, at that point, for getting as many people as possible to fill the needs of the housekeeping department, the diet kitchen, the laundry and many other activities to keep the hospital open during the strike. The actual medical nursing staff did not walk out, but the building service maintenance did. Well, I turned to Eleanor and she did provide an amazing number of people, including both Harvey and Eleanor. A group of women provided by Eleanor ran the laundry for I think, something like five or six days. Now there isn't a more distressing job in the hospital than working in the laundry. Many worked in the kitchen, and diet kitchen, and she (Eleanor) even had the whole board of directors making beds! , [Laughter] That was quite a time we went through. And we broke the strike. We went on for a number of years without the hospital being unionized. In the end, of course, the union did come in. But I always think of Eleanor's role in that, and Harvey sweeping floors. He swept all the corridors of the hospital, every morning before he offered his services to Lyon Moving and Storage. [LaughsI RL : I think that's one of the things about both of the Lyons, that there wasn't anything they weren't willing to do. Cutter: This is a very important point. She was always asking someone to do something, but she never asked anyone to do something that she wouldn't herself have done willingly, did do willingly! MAR, 30, 1975 DEAR MRS, HARVEY LYON: A FEW LINES TO LET YOU KNOW YOURE THE MOST STIMULATE VOLUNTEER I HAVE KNOWN. YOU HAVE GIVEN ALL THESE FINE YEARS, AND YOUR HEART AND SOUL IN VOLUNTEERING WORK, YOU CONTHIBUTE HAPPINESS TO EVERYBODY YOU HAVE COME CONTACT WITH. AND I KNOW THAT YOU MADE THEM A LITTLE HAPPY IN THEIR LIFE. YQU WILL BE REWARD FOR ALL THE GOOD YOU HAVE DONE IN YOUR LIFE TIME. I KNOW GOD WILL GIVE YOU GOOD HEALTH AND LONG LIFE. AND MAY THE GOOD LORD BLESS AND WATCH OVER YOU AND MR. LYON. GOD BLESS AND TAKE CARE OF YOU. ANTHONY C, MONTANO. CHMC . VOIJUNTEER. A VEHY VERY HAPPY EASTER TO THE BOTH OF YOU. Volunteers and Patients RL: So far you've described volunteer work, basically, in service capacities not connected with hospital patients. Did volunteers then come into the wards and in contact with sick children? Cutter: Yes. In later years, they have, because a different kind of volunteer has come into the hospital, a volunteer that has been, let's say, a professional person in his or her own right, but at this point has become willing to give of his or her own time. There's not too much of that, because, I think it's still something that has to be carefully controlled. The hospital job people have to feel secure, they mustn't feel that someone can come in and take their job away from them. Volunteers do help in the clinics now to a greater extent than they did in the first days because they now have a much better training orientation program. All of this was developed on somewhat of a trial-and-error basis. They now work in the cardiac clinic. They prepare the patients and hold their hands, keeping them happy during some very difficult and scary examina- t ions. The volunteer is always right there. I think one would find that the nurses at Children's are especially gentle, and trained in pediatric care, and tender loving care is something that is stressed, but the volunteer can give more of that than the nurse and staff have time for. RL: It would seem to me that from what I've observed that one of the primary roles of the volunteers would be a mothering and nurturing role. Cutter: Exactly. Yes indeed. Mothering fathering! [Laughter 1 There has been a great effort at Children's to bring both mothers and fathers into the care of the children in the wards. When I say wards, that 's what -all of Children's Hospital is, you know. We don't have the private room unless it's a terminal case of some sort, because children are much better off where they can be with their friends. The mothers and fathers come in and feed them, and change them where possible, and are with them often, because it's been Cutter: found that children respond to medical treatment much better under those circumstances than when they are isolated. You know, hospitals used to say, "You-can-only-come-in-at-such-and- such-a-time," and that was just too traumatic for the child. Now the volunteer program has helped in the education of those parents. The nurse guides the volunteer, or has shown the volunteer how to do it, and then the volunteer has the time to spend with the patient and the father and mother. RL : You mentioned some of the anxieties, or the threat, as you put it, that the volunteer might pose to some of the professional staff. I would like a little more about that, and also how Eleanor Lyon was effective in dispelling this anxiety. Cutter: In the early days, they didn't understand the value of the volunteer. I remember the first hospital conference I attended in the East. At that time it seemed to be a major concern to hospital administrators and department heads whether or not they should become too involved with the volunteers. Though they did have an auxiliary program; that is part of the hospital conference was turned over to volunteer auxiliaries. Primarily administrators were interested in volunteers' help in fund-raiding, but did not want them to become too involved in the hospital picture itself. I'm sure that over the years that attitude has changed, to a great extent. I think it's because the cost of hospital service has become just monumental, and it's just not possible to have as many ancillary medical services as are necessary for a hospital on a pay basis. The volunteers have to come in and help where they can if hospitals are going to be able to keep their costs down at all, they have to use every source available to them to provide services at every level. Today they are welcoming volunteers in every way possible. I never have the feeling going into Children's Hospital today, that they resist volunteers. In fact, they welcome them and say "Can't we get some more volunteers for this activity or that within the hospital?" They're harassed themselves, I guess, and they welcome assistance. And, I thi& primarily, this is true because the volunteers are trained. RL : This was something thatjyou mentioned about Eleanor, that when she recruited, you said she screened', but you also mentioned to me earlier that she established rules for attendance and commitment. Cutter: Oh yes. Commitment! That was one of Eleanor's primary themes, I think, was that the volunteers, to be effective4 to be co nted on, had to be there at the.time they had signed-.£or. They !new that they had a job to do, and either they were there or they got another volunteer to cover for themi And if they didn't follow through they found in a short time that they were no longer part of Eleanor's army, and it was a regimented little army. that was devoted completely to Eleanor Lyon! I think that is very important in that she had a very devoted following. Especially -in the early days where she was responsible for setting up this volunteer program. Now, I don't believe that in the last ten years that she has played that important a role in the volunteer program. At this point, there is a paid director of volunteers at Children's. RL: Well, of course, she had an enormous responsibility with Harvey. Cutter: Yes. That's true, but the hospital found that it Tas necessary to have some one there on a permanent, regular basis, and no person that has a family, children and grandchildren can really give that kind of time. Although, I think that Eleanor has tried to be at Children's almost more than humanly possible. Another thing that Eleanor started that was really a great thing for the hospital--it was her idea originally--was to decorate the hospital for Christmas, and she made a tremendous project of that. She brought in volunteers, and she brought in all sorts of decorations and trees. She got them donated to some extent, but I'm sure that Eleanor and Harvey bought trees and decorations by the hundreds. Each year, she tried to make the hospital a little more attractive than the year before. I think her Christmases at the hospital were a real tribute to her. RL: That's so important for the children. Cutter: And the staff. That's true. And she always had the administrator dressed up in a Santa Claus suit, going around, and the children loved it. I think she has continued her Christmas decorating right up until last year. The Bruce Lyon Memorial Laboratory RL: What other contributions did Eleanor and the Lyon family make to Children's Hospital? Cutter: Well, of course at board meetings she was always asked to report on her volunteer group, and people were interested in hearing what the volunteers were doing. But beyond that, Eleanor and the Lyon family contributed monetarily to the hospital. They gave, as you probably already know, the initial $100,000 to establish the research laboratory as a memorial to their son Bruce Lyon, who was lost in World War 11. She and Harvey and their two doctor sons have always been very much interested in how that research lab would progress and in the directors that were chosen for the lab. Dr. [Irvine] McQuarrie came out as the initial head fromMinneapolis to help set up the lab. He unfortunately died shortly thereafter. Then, Dr. Arild Hansen took his place and was instrumental in the setting-up of the lab at that time. Eleanor and Harvey played a continuing role in how things should be done. RL: How has the board's policy on donations changed over the years? Cutter: I think in a past era gifts were received gratefully, and perhaps the donor had more to say about how that gift could be used than was always wise. Today, gifts are restricted in that a donor makes a gift, let's say, to the intensive care center through the foundation. How that money is used in the intensive care center work or for the development of that program is entirely up to the board. A person now, in giving a gift, if it is a gift that.is going to be expensive to maintain, has to provide the monetary wherewithal to maintain that gift. RL : What was it like in the earlier days? Cutter: I remember a gift that the board thought was going to be absolutely great--ten or twelve thousand dollars. But it turned out that the donor was insistent that it be used for a fountain for the hospital. The last thing Children's Hospital needed was a A sectional view of crowd at dedication Researchers pose with gift bottle of champagne. From left, Dr..Marty Feldman, Dr. Ray Foster, Dr. Lin, Dr. Gary Green, Dr. Michael Berry, Dr. S. Abraham, Dr. Jack Bartley. Bruce Lyon Memorial Speakers (Ito r), Pat Patterson, Research Laboratory Dr. Abraham, Bud Smith. Dr. Boettcher Addition Dedicated and Mr. Dunlap. Formal dedication of the second story tion. The total came from a $142,000 accomplished with a clear understand- on the Bruce Lyon Memorial Research bequest and many other gifts. He said ing of objectives and a sound funding Laboratory was held at a luncheon June William Kettlewell had the idea to stack base. 8 in the Edith Meyers auditorium. one building on top of the other. Smith S. Abraham, Ph.D., Director of the Featured speaker was Henry B. Dun- presented the research staff with a bot- Research Laboratory, conducted tours lap, Executive Director of Children's tle of champagne. of the new addition following the pro- Hospital, Los Angeles, who discussed Dunlap said the highest aspiration of gram. "Why Research?" man for his fellow man is the advance- Ernest N. Boettcher, M.D., Executive ment of medical science. Children's Vice President of CHMC, presided and hospitals have a commitment to the accepted the addition, which is a free child who is ill today. standing unit built above the original "It is our ability to save that child structure on a bridge of steel. or take on that difficult case that ac- Rolland D. (Pat) Patterson, president counts for the high cost of medical of the CHMC Board of Directors, said care today," he said. the addition doubles the size of the re- Realizing that each pediatric med- search building, reaffirming Children's ical research department may not be concept of being a medical c'enter of superb in all fields of basic research, healing, teaching and research. He said each should strive to be superb in a there is a staff of 31 with a budget of few areas, advancing the knowledge $500,000, of which. about $35,00D .is . for Ueahent ~f patients, developing supplied by the hospital. The hospital strength in the area of clinical investi- also owns about $500,000 worth of lab- gation as opposed to ivory tower re- oratory equipment which has come search, he said. through various projects. He urged taking a hard-nosed look at Harold B. (Bud) Smith, Chairman of The Hanrey Lyon family poses in the the future, recognizing the four respon- doorway to the new addition. They the Board of Trustees of the CHMC sibilities of the hospital (care of chil- gave first donation for the original re- Foundation, told how the money was dren who are sick, teaching, research search laboratory. Eleanor and Har- vey are at left, son Dr. Ted Lyon and raised for the half-million dollar addi- and community services) can be best Mrs. Richards Lyon I BAMBIN0.a FALL 1973 Cutter: fountain! In fact, the fountain had to be kept filled with rocks because children fell into it. [Laughs] In earlier days, the I relationship of gifts to basic hospital needs was not- always I adequately considered and pointed out to the donor. The Women's Movements and Volunteerism RL : Do you have any comments on how volunteer work and volunteer attitudes have been changed by the various women's movements, and what Eleanor Lyon's reaction has been to women's lib and the downgrading in some publications of volunteer work? Cutter: I'm going to find it hard to separate my feelings from Eleanor's on that score. But I believe that perhaps we have similar feelings there, because of the amount of time that she has always so willingly and generously given. I do think that the women's movement has had a derogatory effect on volunteerism today, and it threatens to have even more bad effects. Too many young women today feel that in order that their work be meaningful in their group, among their peers, that they should receive a salary for it. I think that's very unfortunate. It's true that many more women today are trained to do a really valuable service in a professional way, but the advantage of being able to use professionalism as a gift to their institution, whatever they're interested in, whether it be a hospita1, or a museum, on a volunteer basis, to me gives great satisfaction. I think of the number of women, let's say, in public relations, that can write. They have a background of writing, or handling photography, that sort of thing. Now if they can give that to their particular hospital branch as a service that the hospital group cannot pay for, then it is very valuable. We're finding more and more that the good volunteer starts out offering her time, proving her ability in some field, whatever field, whether it's some area of hospital work, professional service, or some other field, museum work perhaps, and then feels that in six months to a year she's proven herself. Then many times she thinks she should be paid for the job. We've lost some good volunteers because of that attitude. I think that's unfortunate. But it is,something that we are Maggi Thrall, who entertained Naida Kipp, left, and Grace with a one-woman show at the Scott received special cer- luncheon, receives plant from tificates as Christmas gift Mrs. Thatcher. wrappers. ileanor (Mrs. Harvey B.) Lyon, now in Piedmont Gardens since suffering a roken hip, receives her new volunteer patch for 12,522 hours from Volun- ?er Director Andrea Thatcher. Paper ones were distributed at the Annual ,wards Luncheon because the real patches had not arrived. Mrs. Thatcher arranges exhibit at Los Angeles convention. It at- tracted much favorable attention for our Volunteers in Recreation. VOLUNTEERS HONORED; CHMC PROGRAM RECOGNIZED BY CHA February was a big month for CHMC hip. (She is doing fine.) Lee Daggett, Marion Holland, Roger adult and college volunteers. They had Others who received patches were Kergel and Jennie Rathjens, 300; Lor- their awards luncheon and their pro- Simone Corcos, Naida Kipp, Jane raine Baumgartner, Hilka ~urnettrSita gram in Recreation Therapy was in- Knight, Anthony Montano, Faye Smith Klaver, Elizabeth Mocine, Gerald Ridge cluded in an exhibit of top programs and Blanche Spiganovicz. They were and Linda Stern, 200; Peggy Andrews, in the state in Los Angeles at a con- joined by Evey Hopper, who this year Mary Arnold, Barbara Carroll, Cynthia vention of volunteers, sponsored by received her 1,000-hour pin. Her name Guiten, Theo Johnson, Bonnie Lucas, California Hospital Association. goes on the lobby plaque. Marling Mast, Galen Murphy, Betty Eleanor Lyon, who founded CHMC Others receiving pins were: Vera Rose and David Weisman, I00 hours. Volunteers and has 12,522 hours to her Long, 900 hours; Irene Figroid, Marie Special entertainment at the lunch- credit, was specially honored during Meyer and Isabel Neff, 800; Naia Kobke eon was by Maggi Thrall, Branch Public the luncheon. She received one of the and Helen Soave, 700; Elva Hutchinson Relations Director, who performed her new starred patches for volunteers and Florence Mostert, 600; Lucille Bi- one-woman show of "Funny Girl," serving more than 1,000 hours. Within ondi, Heidi lmfeld and Grace Scott, which had the audience both laughing hours she was a patient in Alta Bates 500; Mary May Johnson and Dorothy and crying. hospital after falling and breaking her Wishart, 400; 12 BAMBINO Spring, 1975 Cutter: certainly facing in a big way today in volunteerism. Being an older woman, I'm sure I'm looking at it from a different view- point than many young women today. I was upset when one o£ our leading society editors pointed out this same thing in a laudatory vein. Many very able young women are getting wonderful jobs in their fields and are leaving equally good jobs they had been doing as volunteers. RL: I think I saw that article this week in the Chronicle. Cutter: Actually, the one I was referring to was in the Tribune, and it was about three months ago. RL: The argument that I have frequently heard is that the volunteer does not get the responsibilities, and therefore does not get meaningful satisfaction out of their work, to the same extent as a paid professional. This I've heard particularly from social workers, and I don't know how you'd comment on that. Cutter: I think that may be entirely possible. It does seem unfortunate, though if the volunteer has been particularly trained, let's say, in social work, if that is her background, and then she has an opportunity to give her time in that field, it's too bad if she is not given a meaningful role. Perhaps there again, it's the matter of the co-worker feeling that her job is threatened. RL: How would you sum up Eleanor Lyon's contributions to Children's Hospital? Cutter: Well, Eleanor was a very dependable, very enthusiastic, very devoted and very valuable volunteer for Children's Hospital. We had lots of fun working out plans with Eleanor. Though 'she was inclined to do her own thing in her own way the results on the whole were most successful. RL: I don't think there's anybody who has put in as many hours of volunteer service to Children's Hospital as Eleanor Lyon. Cutter: There certainly isn't! I think her hours at this point add up to something over 12,500, and there isn't anyone in the organiza- tion that can touch that. RL : That's remarkable. Thank you so much, Mrs. Cutter, for giving your time . Cutter: Thank you for asking me. It's been a pleasure. VI A SAMPLING OF WOMEN 'S CLUBS [Editor's Note] This listing represents only a small sample of Eleanor Lyon's activities and contributions as founder, active member, and often president of a number of local and regional clubs. We have tried to make an exhaustive listing in her curriculum vitae on p. vii. In addition to philanthropic, social, educational and athletic clubs, Eleanor belonged to doll societies, gardening clubs and many, many others. Women's clubs in many ways paralleled the development of the men's service clubs, such as Rotary or Elk. In other ways, they form a part of "Women's History" and should be remembered and noted along with the Suffragettes, the WCTU ladies, and the various and shifting Bohemian groups. Ebell Society* RL : You were telling me about Ebell Society which is celebrating its hundredth anniversary in 1976: Who founded it? Eleanor: Ebell Society was founded by Dr. Adrian F. Ebell. I'll read a bit about him from one of our booklets. He was born September 30, 1840 in Calcutta of German parentage, and was educated in America. Fate thus prepared him to be an internationalist. Dr. Ebell claimed that the full development of feminine mentality required the study of the exact sciences. He therefore devoted himself to lecturing in "Female Seminaries" on science. Later he organized a plan of study and traveled widely to establish Chapters to what *This interview was taped in 1973 with Harvey and Eleanor Lyon. Eleanor: he called "The International Academy of Art and Science," with headquarters at Berlin. The first Chapter in California was founded in Oakland in 1876. Dr. Ebell died in 1877 while on his way to Germany. The Oakland Society then decided to sever the connection with Berlin and reorganize their society on more general lines, naming 'it, in loving remembrance of Dr. Ebell "The Ebell Society for the Advancement of Women." ... Members of the Ebell Society who moved south were instrumental in organizing the Ebell of Los Angeles. . They in turn mothered other Ebell Societies throughout that area. Dr. Ebell was a very talented and educated man. He came to Oakland. He went down on 13th and Grove to the home there where we had our Hospitality House for servicemen in the years of the Second World War. Dr. Ebell said to the group, "We can travel, we can have art, we can have crafts, we can have a very wonderful group here.'' Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Alexander, who lived right across the street and were outstanding early Oaklanders, became interested in Dr. Ebell. Ebell Society of Oakland was the first woman's club in the West .' It-is the second in the United States. Sorosis of New York was number one. There are seven Ebell Societies in southern California. It happened that my mother was a member of Ebell Society of Los Angeles. I joined because my name was proposed in 1921. I've been a member over fifty years. We have all of our tea service and everything of that type. What is thrilling to us now is that young people are coming into our club. This last meeting five young women were proposed for membership. lU: What are the main objectives of the club? Eleanor: We've had wonderful programs of artists in different fields for our second luncheon and our fourth Tuesday tea. They have always been taken care of financially. Harvey started the financing of our club and presented $87,000. We have added to it now and I was told yesterday that we have now about $112,000 as our fund. This is wonderful, because the chairman in charge of any program is given the funds . Eleanor : On the first Tuesday we have our business meeting and then we have outstanding travel people, then a tea. On the third we have house and garden, then we have book reviews. We have wonderful programs for the members of our Ebell Society. Then we make contributions to something like eleven organiza- tions. These contributions have been very generous; we support Children's Hospital, for example. Now that we're going to be a hundred years old in '76 we 're thinking of writing the story of our Ebell Society in a book. We will have the opportunity with our finances to do this in a very gracious and historical way. During my year as president we brought in the new Ebell china. RL: When were you president? Eleanor: 1968-1970. I was asked to be president two or three times before but I never could do it because of my responsibilities with my family, and with other organizations. I have my president's report here. Would you like it? RL: That would be fine. Eleanor: Harvey helped resolve the very serious situation we had when the building we had down on Harrison and 15th Street burned. The City of Oakland said that it was not a fireproof building and we should do thus and so, and we had very little finances. They could not rebuild that building, and then it burned. Harvey, . who was down at 8th and Harrison, went right up with his vans and trucks and rescued the treasures of the Ebell Society. The City of Oakland called and asked Harvey to come down to City Hall. They asked him to take over the financial setting of Ebell Society. Harvey and I began a study of where we could build. Harvey Lyon's Contribution to Ebell Harvey: I tried to find a place in Oakland where we could buy the land and build aiother building, have a place for parking. I could not find'.such a place. The membership of Ebell, like so many organizations, is pretty well up [in years], and they had to have public transportation coming to their building for their events. I would find a nice place with lots of nice shade trees and all, but who could walk three or four blocks to get there? We finally gave up and said that Ebell would have to take advantage of a building that was already built in the grounds over here in the park [Lake Merritt]. That building, the Lakeside Park Garden Center, could be improved upon for meetings, because the acoustics had never been good. They had spent thousands of dollars, but the audience couldn't understand what was being said. Now they've added another byilding, keeping the wonderful kitchen that they had for the breakfast club. They put on the north side a building equivalent in space but without any beams. The trouble with the breakfast club was that the beams in the ceiling cut out the acoustics. I said to the committee that was going to build, "I'm the chairman of this committee. We're ready to go ahead, but I'm putting one burden on you, the architects and the builders: to make your acoustics perfect." They said, "All right. we'll do it." And they have materialized my request in a beautiful building in every way including acoustics. Eleanor: How about your piano? Harvey: The immense grand piano was burned in the fire. There were two pianos very ordinary that were burned somewhat, but they could be repaired. The big grand piano could not be repaired. It was a Steinway. I imagine that it cost $10,000. I found a Steinway grand in San Francisco so big and wonderful it was just kind of a drug on the market. It was a German Steinway. It was called a Steinweg. I talked to them nicely and smilingly, pointed out to them that they were really getting tired of displaying-it in their display room in San Francisco, why not let the Ebell Club have it at what would be a fair price? We made a bargain without too much trouble. We brought it over to Oakland. We had it tuned perfectly. Just one tuner can Harvey: touch the piano with the permission of the Ebell Club. If a person rents that side of the building for a social hour or for music for Christmas, etc., they've got to take our piano person, because we don't want anyone to touch the piano who doesn't know how to handle tle Steinweg. It's a talking point for the care that Ebell takes.F Eleanor: Each time my husband comes in for any event they just make over him, kiss him and hug him and they just have never forgotten what he was able to accomplish for that group. Just recently he was asked to introduce William Mott of the Park Department. He did a wonderful job. If Harvey doesn't come occasionally these girls say, "Oh, why doesn't Harvey come?" Women's Athletic Club of Alameda County Eleanor: You know, dear, I was a founder member of the Women's Athletic Club! Someone must have sent my name in. It was a wonderful group. And we have such a beautiful building, right by the lake [Merritt]. You remember, that was where Harvey and I had our sixtieth anniversary party. RL : Yes, a lovely place. . Eleanor: I've helped them all I can. People have a way of approaching you if you have a financial interpretation. RL : Do you mean if you either have money or are competent at raising money? Eleanor: I was confident in both things. I usually matched. If someone said they would give me ten dollars, I would say that I would give ten dollars also. Money has been such a very big part of keeping things going --money and work. When the Women's Athletic Club was having a capital fund drive, they said they had to have their members contribute. They asked for $500. I got the letter from the president, and she said, '!Mrs. Lyon, because you are a founding member you do not have to contribute." But I sent the $500. These things are my thinking. MARCH 31, 1945-46 OFFICERS Prcsidcr~f...... MRS.JOHNLOUISLOHSE Hotrorary President ...... MRS. WALLACEM. ALEXANDER First l'icd-President .....:...... Ms. FRANKL. CARP.ENTER Secorld Vice-Prcsidertt ...... ;...... Ms. HAROLDB. NAYLOR Recording Sccrefary...... MRs. LEROYH. BENNETT Corresponding Secretary...... 1...... -...... Ms. JOHNK. BUTLER Treaslrrer...... MRS. HENRYJ. KAISER .. DIRECTORS . - hlrs. llonald C. Allen idrs. Blaine Klum Mrs. G. Howard Robillson Mrs. hiorris B. Carter Mrs. Edward M. Larmer Mrs. Wm. Henry Sargent Mrs. David D. Howe Mrs. Thomas Ernest,Leach 'Mrs. Owen G. Stanley Mrs. Glcnn Harrington Mrs. John C: McLeod Mrs. W. W. Bruner ' rlrs. hlarius W.Hotchkiss 'Mrs. Mildred Meyers Mrs. Thomas R. Sweet Mrs. Robert L. Platt . . . . FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE . MR. JOSEPH,R. KNOWLAND,Chairrr~art . . hfr. Louis J. Breuner Mr. Everett J. Brown, Jr. Mr. H~~TYJ. Kaiser Judge Everett J. Brown *Mr. William Cavalier . Mr. P. D. Richardson Served partial term.' OPENHOUSEOFFICERS'RECEIVINGLISE Mrs. Jolrrt K.Butler, Mrs. LeRoy H. Bennett, Mrs. Harold B. Naylor, hfrs. Frank L. Carprn- ow \VONDERFUL it was to have World War I1 end as dra- fcr, Mrs. Joltrt Lotris Loltse. Being Received-Afrs. Harvey B. Lyorr and othrrs. matically as it had started. V-E Day on May 8, 1,945, I' followedby V-J Day on August 14, 1945, certaioly House in March 1946 was made even more glamorous by the ex- eased our: operating problems.for the ending of hostil- quisite bou.quets carried by each officer in the receiving line. These ities brought back 10 former employees. Our profit for the year was &re thd gifts if our Treasurei, Mrs. Henry J. Kaiser, who could. $26,220.60, including depreciition. With the payment of $33,000.00 not be present and sent the flowers as hei substitute. Thi 1,236 who our bank loan had beeh reduced to $76,000.00. We could and did do attended voted the day -"the best ever.?* All members joining the some much needed painting. This included the exterior trim, the Club before 1930 were the hostesses. r Lobby, the Plunge, the Second Floor, including the Beauty Salon .. .War activities continued apace unti! V-J Day came in August. and the Terrace ~ood.Als'o the Lobby and Teirace Room furniture After that the incentive was removed even though the need was was re-upholstered duking this period of renovation. still there. The membership increased to 1,071 Active members or a total Our Red Cross Sewing Group had started working for the U. S. , of 1,621 for all types. On April 20th) 1945, the transfer fee of $50.00 Naval Hospital at Oak Icnoll in Septembei 1942 and ended its work was resumed, having been waived since August 1938. On November for them in March 1946. During that period 95,714 yards of muslin lst, this transfer fee was increased to $100.00. had been cut and 37,188 hours had been spent in making 123,721 Among the annual events held were the President's Luncheon articles, such as a variety of surgical gowns and wrappers, gauze when the usual Lei Ceremony was omitted and "Reminiscences of masks, tape sponges, lapardtomy sheets, and hemming 100,000 15 Years as Your President" by Mrs. John Louis Lohse aas'sub- towels, etc. In other woids, we met'all the sewing requirementsqof stituted as the program; the Plum Pudding Lighting Dinner fol- maintaining a hospital-almost a hundred different .articles. lowed by Christmas carols sung by our WAC Choral under the direc- Our Surgical Dressing work for Oak Knoll started in January_ tion of Mrs. William H. Sargent and "The Mansions" read by Mrs. 1943 and 'ended I\;l arch 3 1, 1946. During that period, we 'speite Gerald E. Cheadle. The return of our glamorous Birthday Open 45,501 hours in making 3,621,065 dressings. We celebrated thP I ' I-IISTORY OF PHILANTHROPIC WORI< . ' . HISTORY OF RED CROSS WORK . . Z Started Nov. 21, 1932 1931-1 11 families given 2 week; supply of provisions. SEWING, KNITTING AND SURGICAL DRESSINGS 1932-154 families totaling 589 persons given 2 weeks supply of provisiorls. . . Total Year Arficle~ 1933- 98 families tolali~ig509 persolis given 2 weeks supply of provisions. 1932-Men's shirts for WPA workers...... -...... -..-.. ,-.- 122 1934-148 fanlilies totaling 694 persons given 2 weeks supply of provisions. 1933-30 layettes, 17 shirts, 20 afghans ...... -..--. :..., ...... 67 1934-27. layettes, 23 shirts, 31 afghans ...... -.-.-.-.-.--.. ----..-- 81 1935-128 families totaling 538 persons given 2 weeks supply of provisions. 1935-19 layettes, 15 afghans, 15 articles for Visiting Nurses--..-,-- 49. Plus clotliing, furniture and toys. . , 1936-15, layettes; 6 bed jackets, 5 afghans..-...... ,----.-...---...-.--- 26 1937-10 bed jackets, 15 afghans , . 25 1936-Many articles such as eye glasses, false teeth, shoes with special soles, etc., ...... -....- . give11 through County Charities Commission. 1938--Layettes, nightgowns, afghans. 180 bandages sent to China 1939-Many articles for Visiting Nurses. 1937-$1,200.00 earned or donated-2 blind women given "Seeing Eye" Guide Dogs. . 1940-Dresses and underwear for war refugees .--....-.-,--- 1,676 1941-Pearl Harbor refugees...... -...--.----- 4,036 . 1938-$1,045.00 earned or dokted-1 lrlintl woman and 3 bliild men given "Tailwagget" Bought and gave Station Wagon to Oakland Chapter. Guitlc Dogs. . . 1942-Convalescent robes, pajamas, warden kits ..-.--.--..---. 7.931 ' Began sewing for Oak Knoll Naval Hospital in September, pneumonia 1939--$2,200.00 earned or dokated-3 blind men .and 1 blind woman given Gdide Dogs. jackets, bed covers, etc ...... ;..--- -- 9.651 1940-$1,054.76 earned or donated-1 blind man givih Guide Dog. Fleet Air Combat, Fleet Officers and Pilots were given swimming instruc- , . ' . tion in Plungetotal hours 4,366. 1941-$520.00 donated for ~~ideDog Fund. '. 1943-January: begin making surgical dressings for Oak Knoll Naval Hospital 692,692 Articles for Oak Knoll Naval Hospital, Sewn_ 43.126 1942-Guide Dog giyen to RL : What is Home Club? Eleanor: It was originally founded as an orphanage for girls from six months to fourteen years, but it was many other things as well. They were housed in cottages, each cottage with a house- mother. Mrs. Mary R. Smith was the benefactress, and she got the idea from reading B.L. Farjeon's story of 1872, "The Blades of Grass .I' RL : I was very impressed by the little history you gave me, The Home Club, 1903-1953. It says, "The Trust Board consisted of fifteen members, who met once a week to carry on the duties of the trust... The elevating influences and objectives strived for by this Board for the Cottages were first, religion, and second, education, believing that all good would come from these two. Work was to be dedicated to the holy ministration of motherhood and the home. " Eleanor: Harvey and I mostly used it as a dancing club. RL : How many years did you dance with Home Club? Eleanor: We joined Home Club in 1919--so it has been fifty-six years. A girl came yesterday to see me, and she said, "Eleanor, we miss seeing you at Home Club.'' I told her that Harvey doesn't dance anymore. But we had wonderful years at Home Club. That was always the first Thursday of the month. VII "THESE BACKGROUNDS ARE JUST VERY FANTASTIC'' Some Personal Reminiscences of Eleanor Lyon An Interview-with Madge Mann (Mrs. William G.) RL : It was so good of you to come to the office today, Mrs. Mann, to help me with Eleanor Lyon's memoir. How long have you known Eleanor? Mann: I met Eleanor when we first came here from the east coast, which was in the late forties. She gave a reception at her home at Woodland Lodge, in Orinda, and I'd say there were several hundred people there. I was invited as a guest of a guest and she had approved it. And I was so impressed with her that day and this is true, Rosemary, I was amazed to see her ease and charm and the fact that she greeted each person individually and made them feel that she was personally glad that they were able to be there. That was my first meeting with her. It was a lovely day, a day somewhat like today, but there was a breeze through the big hall. And from there we bumped into each other at various civic affairs around town. RL: What was your husband's business? Mann: He was in the real estate business in Massachusetts, mostly commercial. We came out here because the Chamber of Commerce talked about the beautiful weather in California. And actually, we were disappointed at first, but you know California has a beauty that has nothing to do with the weather. It's the way of life and the people. RL: Did your husband and Harvey work together in business? Mann: No, Bill was in business with Charlie Shuey. Actually, our friendship with the Lyons was because of Eleanor's and my friendship. Mann: They knew each other and we went to weddings and social affairs together. But the thing 11 want to emphasize about Eleanor is that always she was quietly accomplishing what she had set out to do. And if there should be some impediment to the results she hoped to achieve, she solved that in a quiet way of personal contacts and not making a big to-do about anything. RL : Would she telephone people? Mann: She'd call on them personally: She would telephone them first, of course, but she'd call on them. That was how she got those Piedmont ~others'hot lunches. There was opposition to it. I've heard about this from several sources. I don't know why there was opposition to this because it was a good program. She also has an ability to pick the person most likely to help her. She called on this one person, and I really don't recall the name, and that person immediately reversed her position and got to work along with Eleanor, and they established the hot lunches. Eleanor has been instrumental with the US0 in entertaining servicemen--she has done camp fire girl work--so many, many things. And of course you know what she's done with the redwoods! RL : How would you define what it is that makes Eleanor such an out- standing person? Mann: I don't like to sound like a valentine but honestly, with apologies to Oliver Cromwell, she has no warts at all as far as I can see. I've talked to many people and asked them what they think--any shortcomings that all of us have--that would make her seem more human, and we couldn't come up with any. In fact one friend said, '8er only fault is that she has no fault." [Laughter] So, there's your valentine . But she has accomplished so much and if I could only put it in words-- Her family came first, her husband, and I should think this would be an example to these young, liberated women who need to be first. She did not do that. Harvey came first and she took second place. She didn't even claim recognition in regards to what she had accomplished. She always put Harvey and the boys first, Dick or Ted, and now the grandchildren. Mann : When she came up here from down south, this was her home right away and she made it her home. She forgot what had gone before. There was no clinging to that. By comparison, when I came out here, I could only think of Washington, D.C. as my area. I always referred to it as home, and do you know--I still do. Would you believe I'm still a member of the Livingston Manor Chapter of the DAR in Washington, D.C." They let me join the Berkeley Hills Chapter as an associate member, but I kept my old membership in Washington! I do belong to the San Francisco chapter of the Colonial Dames of the XVIIth Century, the Ann, Bradstreet Chapter. I'm just not as adaptable as Eleanor. She's very outgoing, very. If there's an executive type and yet with feminine softness it is she. It would be a wonderful example for people going to another place to read this memoir and see what one person has accomplished. She's done this in comparatively few years. When were they married? RL : Mann : That's about sixty years, and there's hardly a person in Oakland that doesn't know of her: And I know of no one in the city that doesn't admire her. They think of her foremost for the Bicentennial--for so many things. I've often wondered myself, why this is? Why is her name first in all the state? Why would it be Eleanor? RL : Would it be her great ability and contributions? Mann : Well, I think it's that; I think it's her ability and her contributions, her time, and her money, and her efforts. And I also think it's her preciousness and her--I'm still trying to find the right word. It'll come to us if it's to be. Now you asked me about her personal philosophy of life, her unique spirit, that I'd like to ponder on a while, and I'd like to come up with some personal anecdotes. RL : Has she ever talked to you about religion? Mann : I think she lives her religion. How do the boys impress you, Rosemary? Well, they're outstanding, aren't they? Mann: I think they're the living proof of the principles that she has instilled in them. In fact, it's their way of life, hers and Harvey's and the children are carrying it out. And I think that's comf orting to her and gratifying. RL: Could you be a little more specific on that? Mann: Well, the way they live their lives. They contribute something to the world; they're not just coming through for the ride. They're really accomplishing something, and they are thoroughly honorable boys and helpful. I think they're like their mother and father. They'll help anyone. And I recall saying to Dick after his father was ill, and he had all those changes to make, and I said, "Dick, you did this so well," and he said, "I didn't do a thing." That's just like Eleanor! They're not pretentious. RL: Yes, that's right, they're unassuming. . . Mann: Right, unassuming is a better word. I know how I'd like to sum this up. Some years ago Eleanor wrote-this poem for me. Now, it may not be the greatest poetry, but I treasure it because it says so much that's true and good and that's the way Eleanor's been all the way through. Count not your age by the years you live But by the happiness YOU give The friends you make The good you do The little things that day by day Bring cheer to others on Life's way And count this Day one more mile Upon the road of things worthwhile. Lifetime Member of the Republican Party RL: I gather that you are a member of the Republican-. $'arty? When did you join? Lyon: Yes. My father came from Virginia; my mother came from Kentucky. They were both Democrats. I never will forget; I was a little girl--I think maybe nine or ten years old. My father came home and he said, "Now family--I am now a Republican." RL: What changedhim? Lyon: I should remember who was running for office--the one that was killed--McKinley was running for office. My father said, "I admire him very much on his honesty and his interpretation of our country." As a little girl, I can still hear him say that. It was an amazing thing for him to make such a decision, after being born Democrat from Virginia, and then my mother a Democrat, it was just amazing . Then is when my father began to be very interested in Los Angeles politics. But, of course, he organized the Confederate Veterans of Los Angeles County. He had many, many friends and they really prized his approach on things. RL: When did you yourself join the Republican Party? Lyon: I've been a Republican ever since I've been voting. RL: Have you been active in party affairs? Lyon: Only by going down to the office. No, no. I think I told you that Harvey was asked to be mayor of Oakland. That was when we were living out in the country, and he just could not come into Oakland again immediately. Then he was asked to be governor. But he was not minded that way. I mean, he had the responsibility of his business that was very, very intense. I don't think the average person realizes how popular Harvey was as a warehouseman, because he was asked to go East twice a year to give his talks on his business, how he handled it and so on. Usually, it was a convention that was up around Chicago and then Florida. He would fly and give these talks. RL : Was this to the National Warehousemen's Association? Lyon : The National Warehousemen's Association of which he later became president and was a very popular president. Then we were the first couple to be sent to Europe, to visit the warehousemen in Europe. During the years when Warren was governor (he ran, of course, as a non-partisan governor), did you support him from 1942? Lyon : We supported him in '42, yes, but we were very critical of him later. RL : What were you critical of? Lyon : I feel the laxity of his thinking about the approach to being an honest American was something that, as governor, he interpreted in a very strange way at times, didn't you? RL : Could you give me examples of this? Lyon : Let me talk with Harvey. Harvey was very difficult about Warren. RL : Was it his attitude toward labor? Lyon : Yes, and of course, that was connected with Harvey's business. Harvey kind of wondered if he was just going to turn it upside d own. RL : Can you be specific? Lyon : Let me talk to Harvey about that, because I think at that time, I was very involved. I had these three boys at Stanford, and for eleven years, every third '~uesday,I went to the Mother's Club. RL : Yes, but Warren didn't become governor actually until 1943, and your boys were out of Stanford. Lyon : I know, but he was in politics right here in Oakland. He was district attorney. I think that, at that time, we were for him; there wasn't any question about our voting for him for governor. Then, of course, they were friends of ours; we even went to Sacramento to visit them. We had wonderful contacts with them; that was mainly due to the Sprouls. Bill Knowland was, of course, very much for Warren. Let me find out from Harvey what it was that the businessmen were so critical of the handling of. RL: Were there other things that you objected to, such as Warren's health insurance proposals? Lyon: I think so if we were rightly informed, we wonder if that's the answer, don't you think? RL : Richard Nixon--you told me that you knew his mother. Did you ever meet him personally? Lyon: Yes, in the early days. Yes; in fact, I've had personal letters from him. Yes, he knows me. RL: Did you support Richard Nixon for governor in 1962? Lyon: Did I! Indeed I did. I guess, in looking back over the years, that I feel with Nixon, that our DAR would have been very benefited by him in California in many ways because he knew our background in a very lovely way. Now, politically, it's very difficult. RL: I saw the photograph of you supporting his candidacy for presidency in '68. And did you support him in '72? Lyon: Yes. RL: How do you feel about him now? Lyon: I feel very, very sorry to think that the interpretation of our country could have been so messed up with this Watergate. When you hear what you hear, and when you don't hear what you should hear-- RL: What is it that we should hear? Lyon: We should hear more facts. I guess politics is so difficult today, in knowing what is what. But to have the reports come on radio and television about who did this and so with money--somebody was quoted yesterday: they had personal money that was given for them politically. RL: Who is "they"? Nixon? Lyon: No, it was someone they were interviewing. I should remember more my facts like that. But, I have Harvey constantly in my mind, and he distracts me when I'm trying to concentrate on something. Lyon: I'm very grateful that he keeps going, but he does become distracted. I love people who know the things that are for the good of our country, of our state and of our local area. I'm very much conscious that Mayor Reading has tried to do a tremendous job here in Oakland, and he has done an intelligent interpretation of facing the problem of our city of Oakland in a wonderful way. RL: Do you think you would support Nixon now? Lyon: Yes, I'm supporting him. I'm not coming out and saying things; I'm just saying that I hope that this is going to solve right. It isn't that I don't admire this Ford [now President Geratd]; I think he's been a very honest and remarkable man. Yet, my goodness! What he has been faced with--it's almost unbelievable. Of course politics today in our country is different from every other country in the world. For Nixon to come out the other day and say that the United States of' America is still the top country in the world. If you go to other countries and you'll see what you see in other countries, you realize that other countries have lots of problems. Now, with this Nixon business, I'll be so glad when something is absolutely honestly decided. I cannot understand congress controlling the way it does. Now they say it's the senate that's going to make this decision about impeachment. RL: That's in the constitution. Lyon: I know. The thing is that now with this whole situation, I guess Harvey and I are very conscious that we hope it isn't going to disturb us. I tell you, I think that ~arl'warrendid disturb Harvey very much in the period of his years in business. I must ask him about it because I don't think I do know those facts. With my contact with Governor Reagan, we have had such a very definite feeling that he is trying to do an honest job. Don't you think so? RL: Interviewers don't have politics when they're on the job! Lyon: I think you would be interested to hear about the community center for Asians they plan to put in our beautiful warehouse on Harrison. There was a big article about it on Sunday. RL : Yes, I saw it. It sounds like a fine use for the building, and something that is really needed. Women in Politics RL: This takes us back a little bit, but I mentioned the Equal Rights Amendment. You were, after all, married in 1914 at the time when the women's suffrage movement was so strong. What was your view on women's suffrage? Lyon: I guess a sane, intelligent interpretation. As a younger woman I felt that for me to be considered a businesswoman was something. RL: Yes, but did you feel that women ought to have the vote? Lyon: I've always felt that women, if they're intelligent, can do a great deal for their country. RL: Did you work for the women's suffrage movement at all? Lyon: No, I've never had time to work politically very much. I do try to answer questions of my friends who ask me, "Eleanor, what do you think about this or that?" I think this voting now takes a great deal of thinking, because Harvey and I hardly know any of these people who are running for office. RL: Did you ever consider joining the League of Women Voters, for instance? Lyon: I used to attend, yes, and I think I belonged for many years. But I think when I moved out in the country, that was very difficult for me. We moved out in 1940 due to Harvey's health ; he needed that lovely dry air out there on account of his coughing, his colds. The Depression RL: Something we really didn't touch on in Mr. Lyons ' memoir which I would like to ask you about is how your life was changed by the stock market crash and then the depression of the 1930s? Lyon: Harvey was governor of Rotary. We went down to San Fernando, and the wife of the president of the Rotary Club took me to lunch; and then Harvey went to lunch, and then he learned of the stock market crash. I think it was in September. Ly on : Harvey then had to work harder because everything was very, very depressed. When he was asked to be governor of Rotary he was very much surprised, and I said, "Oh, Harvey, what about the boys?" Then I said, "Let me call my mother." So I called my mother in Coronado and asked, "Ma, could you come over to our home and take over for a year?" She said, 'Well, many people would like to rent my home." So she rented it. Then they changed the Rotary year from April to June, so it meant that Harvey was governor for fifteen months. We traveled to Hawaii three times at the invitation of the Rotarians of Hawaii. Twenty-six of us went on a ship at Christmas. We had wonderful experiences in Rotary in the depression years, and I do not know how we handled it. RL: Did you have to pay your own way on all these trips? Lyon: Well, practically. No, at that time Rotary was very well to do. I don't know if Harvey had a great deal to do with the accumulating. But, no, he was given money for his expenses, but not for us--not for the family. RL: What happened to his business? Lyon: His business was affected by people not paying. RL: So many businesses went bankrupt. Were you in great financial trouble at that time? Lyon: Oh, we were building that building on Broadway. RL: Lyon Storage and Moving? Lyon: Yes. Therefore, my mother came into my financial problems. When I told her, "Now, Ma" (I always called her "Ma"), "it is just tragic to think that Harvey has worked so hard for this building for Lyon Storage and Moving, and we need assistance." It was with that that she then allowed me to have this financial help from her. RL: Were you able to pay off the debt to her? Lyon: Yes. Hospitality and Entertaining at Hidden Valley and Woodland Lodge RL: Sinceyoucame fromsouthernCaliforniaas abride,youlvelived in Oakland, Piedmont, Orinda, Lafayette, and now back in Oakland. Is that right? Lyon: Yes, and I just love it here in Crestmont Towers. It was the answer for us when I fell, and Harvey got so ill. I've always loved to entertain and have my friends and family over and give them a good time. I was a famous hostess, as I think I've told you. And then we opened our homes in Hidden Valley and Woodland Lodge constantly for my clubs, and Harvey's clubs and any number of good causes. And people just loved it. When we moved out to the country, there was hardly a day or a weekend that we didn't have guests. It was reported that we had over eleven thousand guests at Woodland Lodge. RL: Tell me about Hidden Valley. Lyon: That was a famous subdivision in Contra Costa county. We bought a hundred acres there--what a beautiful valley--and built the first home. That was in 1940. I understand that now there are no lots available. It was very popular. There's no more opportunity for a lot. It was called Hidden Valley Estates, owned by H.B. Lyon & Sons. Then the Wood family--one of Alma Wood's sons came down and said, "Mrs. Lyon, you know that my mother was killed on the highway. I' I said, "Oh, yes, Alma was a friend of mine. The same luncheon that she was going to that day, I was going to, too." But she was killed as she entered the tunnel. Then he said, "Please, Mr. and Mrs. Lyon, make an estimate at Martinez, at the courthouse, for our property." That was to be a week from Monday. So Harvey had Reg Kittrell come out and make the estimate (Reginald Kittrell was quite a real estate man and a friend of Harvey's'in college; he was in the class of '05). When Harvey went up to Martinez, this judge said, "Mr. Lyon, the property is yours, because you have the signature of the eight children." That is how we moved up there. But I am sure that when Lyon: we went up and looked at it that day, I said to Harvey, "Of course this house has been neglected for a whole year, since Alma has been gone. The yard, the garden--everything is going to have to be redone." Then I was told that the pool had to be redone. But, my, did it become a popular pool! I'd like to show you this lovely poem written by Molly Bianchi. She and her husband, Al, worked for us at Hidden Valley and Woodland Lodge. RL : That's nice! Let's put it in the memoir. ODE TO THE LYON LAIR A home of beauty through the day or night Long and low and cool and white The inside filled with treasures rare And love and family all are there The tinted mirror in the hall The rush of footsteps down the hall The Chinese dish four centuries aged The procelain birds on the patio caged The window a frame for a real live mountain A saucy bird in the garden fountain The sound of the thermostat controlling the heat The woof of the dog as he trots on his beat The doorbell that chimes instead of rings The den with its arms full of so many things The breakfast nook with its air of good morning The grandfather clock with its "timely warning" The kitchen so clean and somehow aloof The weathered shingles up on the roof The boys1 room full of masculine mystery The library - fiction - philosophy - history The club room with trophies - souvenirs - guns The aroma of bread and cinnamon buns The closet with jams and jellies and such The cats that roll in the sun so much The silver that gleams in the dining room The swish of someone handling a broom The grand piano lovingly played The click of a scale as someone gets weighed The oak tree the owl hoots in sometimes The sound of a car on the hill as it climbs A collection of dolls in ruffles and lace The feeling of peace in this wonderful place The flowers in bloom that border the lawn The changing of skies from sun-up till dawn The house aglow as guests arrivt The drone and buzz from a wild beehive The lemon tree by the kitchen door The Persian rugs that next on the floor Pipes and tobacco and an easy chair A dish with some peaches, an orange and a pear The workshop - hammer, saw - and file The glassed in showers in a bathroom of tile The long garage with a car or two The warmth of the sun when the sky is blue The magnolia tree with its southern charm The quack of a duck on a nearby farm The daphne bush with its fragrant smell The sudden whirr of a telephone bell The scent of a rose garden after the rain The far off whistle of a traveling train The green house and hot-house with fragile plant The family gathered, uncle - cousin - aunt The gardener 's cottage, small and complete The moon arising - sudden and sweet The vegetable garden and raspberry bush The song of a saw as you pull and push The sureness of knowing that God is around The startled bay of a hunting hound Cloisonne vases, mahogany wood Dinner cooking - smells so good This is your home - every room - every part This is the place you hang your heart With love to the Lyon family in Hidden Valley Molly (B ianchi) This is dedicated to a very perfect home which is all a home should be. M.B. Lyon: We entertained for Stanford many times. They'd have a luncheon and then play tennis or swim in the afternoon, they'd have a famous swimmer from Stanford, an exhibition of swimming. Then there'd be supper. I think they said there was something/ like eighteen hundred or two thousand came. Of course, they made quite a sum of money for their scholarship fund . Once I had ten luncheons in a row to display my doll collection and make money for ten different organizations. Even our athletic club used to come to our home every year for their picnic; they could park and there was that whole area there. We had seventeen and a half acres. I used to help Harvey a lot. RL: Can you give me an example of that? Lyon: Well, entertaining of his friends, both in the warehouse industry association who came West, or his Rotary; and he was something connected with the Automobile Association that was very, very important. RL: Highway safety? Lyon: Yes. Those people all came to our home to have a lunch or a dinner out in the country. They loved to come out to Orinda, and it was our privilege. For the twenty-f ifth anniversary of the Travelers Aid Society I had them to lunch. We had just a wonderful visit. What caused us to sell Woodland Lodge and move back into Oakland was the narrow road going down the highway; our sons didn't want us to get killed. Bicentennial Commissions and Redwoods: The Liberty Tree Lyon: You know Governor Reagan appointed me to the State Bicentennial Commission in 1968? RL : Yes, I saw the. letter. Lyon: We've been working very hard all these years, and now I'm on Oakland's Bicentennial Commission too. Did we talk about finding the only known California veteran of the American Revolution? RL: I don't think we got that on an earlier tape. Lyon: Well, it was a wonderful thing that the DAR did, and it happened when I was State Regent. We had a beautiful ceremony up there in Sonoma for Captain William Smith, Jr,, and Senator [Joseph A.] Rattigan put a resolution into the Senate approving of what we did. RL: Let's put that in. Lyon: I'm also on the national DAR Bicentennial Committee. Then, next year [I9761 we want to put up a memorial to Juanita Miller. Do you know Althea Youngman? RL: Yes, I've met her. Lyon: I think she's a very lovely person. She and I had talked when Juanita passed away about having a Juanita Grove, and this is what we're going to hope now to plan up in Joaquin Miller Park. What Juanita always said, "The redwood tree is the cross of God," RL: What did she mean by that? Lyon: She meant that the cross of God was a redwood tree, and so we're going to try to work out the cross of God of redwood trees. Just how we 're going to do it, that '11 be developed. But if we can have on that hillside the redwood trees--the cross of God--it will be a very beautiful thing. This is what we're working on. She and I had a great deal of common interest in Juanita, and therefore this is just another step. I'm very proud of what we're doing for the redwoods. You know they're going to be our liberty tree for '76? That is very important-- very important. I'm not fooling. It's very important. RL: So you hope to stimulate giving, so that we can preserve more of our redwoods. Is that correct? Lyon: Yes. That's it. And they'll be planted in areas--parks or cemeteries-- where they feel the trees will be successful. You know I gave redwoods to the DAR schools? They were little trees about four inches high, and I had twelve for Tamassee and twelve for Kate Duncan Smith--growing trees. I had them sent to Washington. I also gave to the president--Mrs. Sullivan--I gave her two redwoods, and I understand they're beautiful trees today. I feel that everybody kind of identifies my middle name with the redwoods. It just amazes me; they say, "Eleanor, what about the redwoods ?" RL: Richards? Oh, you feel that your middle name ought to be Eleanor "Redwoods" Lyon, is that it? [Laughter] Lyon: Did I tell you about the way Governor [Pat] Brown signed my proclamation for U.S. Constitution Week? RL: I don't believe that we got that on the tape. Lyon: It was when I was State Regent of the DAR. I wrote out the preamble to the Constitution and asked the governor to proclaim American History Month. Then I got a letter saying that he never signed anything of that kind. Two days later, the secretary called and said, "Mrs. Lyon, Governor Brown is going to sign your proclamation!" And then she called again and said, "Mr. and Mrs. Lyon, would you please come to Sacramento? We would like to have you there when he signs it." Wasn't that amazing? Then he sent me this wonderful letter. [Shows letter.] RL: You must have found that very gratifying. Lyon: It was fantastic. Stittr of Cillifarnlit GOVERNOR'S OFFICE SACRAMENTO EDMUNDG. BROWN GOVERNOR January 28, 1966 Mrs. Harvey B. Lyon 492 Staten Avenue Oakland, California 94610 Dear Mrs. Lyon: Thank you for the personally inscribed copy of HISTORIC SPOTS IN CALIFORNIA. This will be a welcome and worthwhile addition to my library. Itwas good to meet you, your husband and the ladies of the aaughters ofthe American Revolution yesterday and'a great pleasure to join with you in commemorating American History Month. With appreciation and all best wishes. Sincerely E A,-1TND G. BRO her& Family Life RL: Can we go back a little and talk about your ideas about the rearing of your children and their education. Lyon: Fortunately for us, we were very cordially welcomed to Piedmont. We lived on Highland Avenue. The Everett Browns lived next door to us (Judge Everett Brown) and Winifred was my friend. When I began to plan I would talk with her and she would be very cooperative. We were in touch with each other almost every day. I look back at the friendships in Piedmont. It was a little town at that time, and we walked, walked, walked in every direction for practically everything. Piedmont schools did not have cafeterias. Therefore, my three sons used to bring their friends to our home for lunch. I got in the habit of making sandwiches and salads and fruits, and things that the boys liked. They would have a happy time. Both Dick and Ted were musicians, and they would go and play the piano. Every day, practically, Dick or Ted or Bruce brought ' their friends for lunch. We had the dining room that was very lovely, and we had this kind of a breakfast room. Practically every day I fixed a luncheon for our family. Of course, Harvey never came home for lunch because he had his responsibilities. I had a wonderful kitchen there--at 306 Sheridan; you ought to see that house. We added to the back of that house a wonderful sleeping room for our three sons and their friends, and downstairs we added a lovely room where I had my library and tables--it was a sitting room, instead of the parlor (in those days we had a parlor room). Those years, from the day the boys started in kindergarten (all three of my boys, of course, went-to kindergarten), through Piedmont High School, were very, very interesting years. There was never a dull moment. I think, looking back, that my boys are very conscious of the friendships of those years. I could tell you lots of names. When we think of our years in Piedmont, we were very fortunate. I know that many people didn't understand why we moved from Oakland. GOVERNOR'S OFFICE SACRAMENTO 95814 April 16, 1974 iqr. and Mrs. Harvey B. Lyon c/o Nrs. Richards Lyon 1189 Jerome Way Napa, California 94558 Dear Mr. and Mrs. Lyon: It is a pleasure for me to join your family and friends in extending congratulations to you on your 60 th wedding anniversary. I sincerely hope these past years have brought you and yours good health, happiness, and a full share of all the good things in life. Best wishes for a memorable and enjoyable day, and for your future happiness together. Sincerely, RONALD REAGAN - Governor Lyon: Well, the school was right across the street, almost, and the church was just right in the next block. And then there was the park. And we helped build the high school. The three boys made a remarkable contribution to Piedmont High School, and they were all Eagle Scouts. I was Cub Scout mother for seven years when Bruce was a Cub Scout. RL: Were you Cub Scout mother for all three boys? Lyon: Yes. They used to come to our home a great deal. In those days I used to do a lot of cooking early in the morning--cookies, cakes, pies. I don't know why--it was just my interest. I had supply areas in the basement of my 306 Sheridan home; I had a refrigerator down there. I used to be able to keep plenty on hand. My friends never could understand how much company I had. Friends have been so wonderfully friendly, and socially interesting. All our activities were together--why, how wonderful! In looking back over the early days of Oakland, we used to do things together in the most marvelous way. I grant it was because Harvey always had a Pierce-Arrow car; he always had a great deal to work with; and he was always enthusiastic. RL: You were always giving--your time. It's not difficult to give money, but what has impressed me so much is how much time you and Mr. Lyon gave to all your various causes. And how much fun you had while doing it! Lyon: We did. The laughing and the fun of his service. Well, I have a whole book of his stories of his talks of his background of his activities in practically everything that he entered into. . I feel that that is the background of life. For example, with what went on with Travelers Aid--why, we had wonderful times together. Then, when you think of fifty-eight months of the Hospitality Center, and how everybody was so remarkably gracious and interested in contributing themselves-- themselves.. . And Mayor Slavich was very enthused about the handling of it. I have had a very amazing experience about Ted. [Now a psychiatrist.] Ted has two half-way houses for young people down in Palo Alto, and then he has this one--the Harvey House--for his patients. The other day, when we went down on Sunday, I don't think I've ever had such a wonderful talk with my son. He said, Lyon: "Mom, it is just inspirational to me to think of the background of our family and how we had such wonderful times together," because the boys loved to picnic, to swim, to hike, to climb--they loved all these activitiels. Of course, Harvey, in those days used to go duck hunting and all that sort of thing. But he said, "If I can just tell my patients that the thing they should do is to understand their mother and father, and to have their mother and father understand them and work together. " I know that's what you do, because your boys are'certainly very proud of you. "She Also Cooks.. ." Lyon: With my background of activity, I feel I have so much to be thankful for. RL: Howdid youdo it all? Lyon: When we were first married, Harvey had twenty-seven horses, and therefore he had to be at his building by six o'clock. So I had breakfast at a little after five o'clock. He would go to his meeting and I would begin my day. The Lawrence Moores became my very close friends. May Bell Moore--they were very prominent Oaklanders--asked me to join the Shakespeare Club because at that time I was quite a Shakespeare enthusiast. In fact, in Los Angeles I belonged to the Shakespeare Club, and we used to have little plays. I loved Shakespeare in those days. I don't know where my copy of Shakespeare has disappeared to, because I don't have many books now--but I did have out in the country. With Lawrence and May Bell we had a wonderful beginning of a social life; they were a part of our early picture. This is when I was on Grand Avenue. You saw that article, "She Also Cooks.. ." didn't you? RL : Yes, I think we should use that! Harvey 's Later Years Lyon: When I think back over the years, our life was always very inter- esting. Now, I think of Harvey and the last four years, where I have been able to get up in the morning, even after picking him up several times at night off the floor because he couldn't get back into bed, and each morning I would have breakfast by six- fifteen. He just enjoyed his breakfast; it gave him a pepping up; it gave him the starting of the day. Then I would say, "Now, Harvey, just take care of yourself," and then I would take care of the breakfast dishes. Then I would begin to think about noon, because when you're interested in activities there are so many luncheons. I would say to myself that I was going to write down what I was going to do, and I did write it down. Tommy, the doorman, would say several times to me, 'Wrs. Lyon, what did Mr. Lyon do with his instructions?" And I have no idea what he did. The day I broke my hip.. . Eleanor Breaks Her Hip RL: Tell me how you broke your hip. Lyon: That morning I told Harvey that I had to go to the Children's Hospital Volunteers' Service luncheon. I said I would leave at eleven-thirty and have luncheon at the Children's Hospital. He wanted me to take him to his hearing man, and he had his pants and two coats at the cleaners. I said I would pick Harvey up and we would go and do these errands after the luncheon. At the luncheon they honored me. Then I looked at my watch and said, "Oh, my, it's five minutes after three. I must be on my way." So I ran up the steps from where they had the luncheon, and ran down through the door, out to the sidewalk. There was a heap of sand or something from a building under construction. There was no parking on that side. (Before the luncheon, I had to go around the block five times before I found a place to park.) Lyon : I'm sure that I stepped down, like this [straight down], and the heel of my shoe gave in that sand or whatever it was, and threw me right on my right hip. They immediately took me to Alta Bates, and that's where I saw you the next day. [EU also had to go to hospital yhere we ended up on the same floor!] I I .find that many of my friends have had this happen to them. I had never thought of anything- like that happening to me. When I got to Alta Bates, they said, "rs. Lyon, some of that sand is still in your shoe." I said, Well, for goodness sake!" While I was at Alta Bates, Dick helped his Dad move to the third floor of Piedmont Towers. They were just wonderful to him. And then I could move right on to the same floor and give him his meals, three times a day. I was not handicapped, like Harvey was, in getting around; I always got around with some assistance. The care in that third floor was wonderful to me--the girls were wonderful to me. And I don't think they gave me intensive care because I don't think they thought I needed it. They'd bring my breakfast to me, and then I would go in for lunch and dinner, and always get Harvey to eat. If I came in, he 'd say, "Eleanor.. ." and that was it. I'm very fortunate. In March they had a birthday, and they asked, Wr. Lyon, could you give your toast?" He said, "Oh, no, I don't speak that way now. I' See, he began to lose his speaking ability; the concentration was too much. The whole interest we had in the third floor was wonderful. The strange thing is, now, that the trouble has gone from my right to my left knee. RL: I hope it mends quickly. Lyon: Oh, it will. I had a massage this morning for the first time. EU: Do you feel better for it? Lyon: Yes. I'm going to have it twice a week. Harvey's Death. "It was Nothing that was Difficult" Lyon: The girls have come over from the office over there, on the third floor, and one said, "You know, Mrs. Lyon, I am sure, watching Harvey until he passed away at three o'clock Saturday morning, that he was smiling; and I'm sure he gave his toast to God.'' You can see from the background and activities of my life that Harvey and I have worked together. Whenever he had a problem he would call me ; he would ask me. I was with him all that day. Finally, at ten o'clock that evening, the nurse said, "You must be tired. We'll watch him." He died at 3:00 a.m. the next morning, and they said he was.stil1 smiling. I have no definition of how--evidently his going--every time he drew his last, and last breath, he was thankful to God. The funeral was beautiful--beautiful flowers, beautiful spirit. The background of Harvey's life, and his friends, his contacts, his contributions, his interests were all interpreted by our wonderful minister, Sam Lindamood. He is the minister at the Piedmont Cornunity Church. He gave an interpretation of Christian passing that my eleven grandchildren were interested in. It was nothing that was difficult. I am very grateful that our grandchildren had this experience. This background of service is something that they will never forget. Then we went to Mountain View, and there, in the plot of the Lyon family, Harvey was buried. For Harvey to be buried in that beautiful casket, my! he was smiling. You know that we planted a redwood tree on Harvey's grave? I'll try to have a picture of that. I thought that if I could get Dick and Carol and Ted and Sue [ the Lyons ' sons and daughters-in-law] and me to stand right by that redwood, and then have a picture taken, that's what I had in mind. But I have had so many things, that I just haven't had time to concentrate on that yet. There are going to be many, many redwood trees that are going to be planted as memorial trees in California. RL: Of Harvey: Lyon: Well, of others of my friends. Because, you see, they feel that they would like to honor their mother or their father, or some member of their family, or something like that. a SHOOTING TIMES 6 COUNTRY MAGAZINE JUNE IJULY 2. 1SY6 - release point is a peninsula jutting out into a lake which can be effectively closed off &th electric fence. ?he young elephants therdore stand a very good chance of surviving. The operation was unique in many respects. not the least of which was that the small calves were to be drugged. slung below helicopters and carried from the catching paint to the acclimatisation bomas. This was what made it par- ticularly unusual and exciting trom a film point of view. Lee Lyon covered all this fully and successfully. It was when, following the acclimatisation period, the elephants came to be released in Kagera that the tragedy happened. Lee was widely experienced with elephants. She had worked with lain Douglas-Hamilton and his wife Oria, as I did myself, when Swival made a " Special" about rain's elephant study in Lake Manyara National Park. Tanzania. (Douglas-Hamilton's book "Among the Elephants" about this study has been in the best-seller lists for neady two months now.) So Lee knew what was likely to happen. She - Lee yon had provided herself with a car close to her camem position into which she should have been able to escape should GENERALLY speaking I hold with the rule that what hap- anything go wrong during the release. One always provides pens backstage to produce the show is no concern of for the unexpected and the unexpected in this case was that those who sit out front and pay to come in. The fact that one of the calves might press home a threat-charge on a play was murder to put on, that the leading lady had release: tantrums, that a book took five years to research and 10 to One animal did just that, scattering everyone working on write isn't really the worry of the consumer. the release. Lee remained filming until the last moment and. We have even become conditioned to accept that people when the elephant checked momentarily, I am pretty sure, lose their lives to serve us through the mass media. News- tried to save her camera. This was where it went wrong. In reel cameramen. television and newspaper journalists get those fatal seconds, the elephant charged again and killed written off from time to time in the course of entertaining her. 6r informing us, while we relax in the comfort and safety 'Why do I recount all this? Because Lee would. I am cer- of our sitting rooms. It is fairly natural that when the tain, have become a teading name in wildlife conservation tragedy happens we, the immune, tend to shrug It off as an and film-making and because, if 1 didn't write about her occupational hazard of their calling. here and now when my heart is full, she might pass from This week it was very different. It happened very close the television public's mind as a name briefly seen on the to home. A girl called Lee Lyon was killed by an elephant credits. in Rwanda. You may have seen reports of the accident in It doesn't help that she was not only an extraordinarily the national press. Before this happened you may not have gifted but an extraordinary pretty girl. She was 29 when heard >f her name, though it is very likely that you have she died. She came from California and seemed to have that seen her work. Lee was part of the "Survival" teams that health and glow which only stored sunshine can give. made " The Flight of the Snowgeese " and the recent much- She was a tough, slight girl. tough physically and tough praised '' Gorilla." She was a first-class practical naturalist mentally and you need all of that when you make wildlife and stem in wildlife conservation. She was a brilliant filming your chosen way of life. When she spent six months stills photographer and, sadly, was making her first "Sur- working every day at around 8,000 feet in the rain forests vival" film entirely on her own. of Zaire, on the gorilla film as assistant to leading "Sur- The film concerned an operation which has also received vival" naturalist cameraman Dieter Plage, she lost nearly a certain amount of press coverage because of its unusual a stone and a half in weight. She didn't have much to lose nature. It was designed to save a population of elephant in the first place. calves. It was impossible to save the adults because the She was like a Jack Russell terrier in pursuit of her herd lived in a densely populated part of that most densely objectives and, like a terrier, never let go. populated of African countries, Rwanda. Lee was an experienced mountaineer. an excellent Where every square foot of soil is needeh for subsistence Scuba diver and a first-class light aircraft pilot. She only farming. elephants are the last thing that the indigenous decided to learn to fly during her last two years in East human population needs. Consequently the local farmers Aftica. She soloed in eight hours and was said to be the had done their best to get rid of them, with spears, with best woman pilot the instructors at W~lsonAirport, Nairobi. guns and with snare wires. Apart from the fact there was had taught, and, believe me, they see all sorts there. Since no way of catching the adults and shifting them to the then she flew many hours in her work, often in appalling safety of Rwanda's Kagera National Park, many of the fully weather conditions, especially among the mountains of grown elephants were in toa poor a shape to do much Zaire. ' about. The bodies of many were covered with badly A kindly man at the American Embassy who handed me infected wounds. In any case, there w-as no practical way of the Telex giving me the details of the tragedy said "It moving them. So the President of Rwanda sent out an order seems such a waste of life." It didn't seem the time or place that they were to be shot and the calves rescued and trans- to argue and, anyway. I was flnding it very hard to speak. located to Kagera, after a suitable period of acclimatisation But I did profoundly disagree with him. Here was a g,id It was this, the movement part of the operation, that Lee doing what she wanted most in life exactly where she most Lyon was covering. wanted to do it and doing it superbly well. Though the essential bloodiness of the salvage job can- The members of the " Sunrival" team, which is very not be blinked-some 106 of Rwanda's total population of much a "family" affair, sometimes called her Lyon Lee. 140 elephants had to be destroyed-the calves stood a good Occasionally. they inverted her name thus with .an admiring chance. Kagera Park is full of lions and many people argued growl of disapproval because, like all good people and most that the rescue was a waste of time since the lions would lions, she could walk alone on occasions. But invariably make hay of young calves when released without adults. they said it with affection and respect for her spirit. There are no other elephants in Kagera. Personally. I would have preferred Lioness Lee for it is I. for one, do not believe this to be true. 5he chosen the fennle of that species that has all the guts and heart. Granddaughter Lee Lyon 's Death [A few days after Harvey's death, the Lyons learnt of the tragic, accidental death of Lee Lyon, in Af rica. Eleanor has chosen to preface this section with a perceptive memoir of Lee, written by a friend and colleague and an example of Lee's own fine work. Eleanor sustained this poignant loss, so soon after her own accident and Harvey's death with her customary fortitude and faith.] RL: I think we should put in your volume as much about your feelings and Harvey's about Lee as you want to. Lyon: Yes. Well, she was a very favorite granddaughter. RL: Would you remind me who's daughter Lee was? Lyon: Lee was the daughter of our son, Harvey B. Lyon, Jr., M.D. (known as Ted). RL: The psychiatristwho lives inpalo Alto? Lyon: Yes. Her mother was Theodore Chadwick, known as Teddy. They had three children, David, Lee and Erin Eleanor--named after me. Then they divorced. RL: After the divorce, with whom did the three children live? Lyon: They then lived with Ted. RL: And his second wife? Lyon: Yes, Sue. Sue had one daughter, Jane. Due to the whole background of that period, I feel I have a great deal to be conscious that it was an amazing answer. Because Sue has been a very wonderful wife to Ted, and has been understanding in many, many ways. She has business ability, and she has personality. And, of course, she and Ted had three more daughters. Her daughter, Jane, took on the name of Lyon. RL: When did your grandson David die? Lyon: He died about nine years ago. I have the date. He was killed on a highway. He was a graduating senior at Chadwick School, between Long Beach and San Pedro in southern California. Then they were to spend a very lovely weekend at Monticello, up in the snow and skiing area. He went. David was between a sister and the brother in the back seat of the car. Another car came right in from the side and hit the back of the car, and killed all three of them. David was a senior at Chadwick, and was entering Harvard. RL: To go back to Lee. She was brought up in Palo Alto and went to Cal? Lyon: Yes, went to the university, and got her degree in French and economics, and was a very popular Kappa Kappa Gamma. Oh, she was a very popular girl. In fact, I think, as I remember, that they asked her to be treasurer. She was very clever. In her junior year she was given a scholarship to Japan. RL: So she spent her junior year abroad in Japan? Lyon: Yes. She was there until the middle of summer; she was there about nine months, I think it was. Then she came back to Cal and graduated. Her first job was up in Canada where she helped make that beautiful movie for T.V. "The Incredible Flight of the Snow Geese." RL: So that was where she started her career as a working photographer? Lyon: Yes. RL: Was Snow Geese a television program? Lyon: Yes. And, oh, my, popular! As I understand it, it was shown all over the country. Snow Geese was a very intelligent interpretation of snow geese that had never been done before. RL: Howdid she trainasaphotographer? Lyon: Well, she must have inherited it, because her father is a good photographer. Ted's a beautiful photographer. When we lived first in Happy Valley, then in Hidden Valley, and then Woodland Lodge, she used to spend a good deal of time with me, and loved Lyon: the swimming and the tennis. And, of course, we were members of the Orinda Country Club. Activity was her thinking--activity of life. And she did it in a very feminine, gracious way. She was always good-looking. RL: She was a beautiful girl. Lyon: She always had that lovely expression. How fortunate. RL: When did she go to Africa? Lyon: She's been there nearly three years. I'll have to ask Ted. She came for Harvey's ninetieth birthday, which was a year and a half ago. RL: November, 1973. Lyon: That was the first time she'd been back from Africa. That was when we had these wonderful pictures taken of Lee and her family and grandfather. RL: Do you have any idea how the terrible accident occurred? Lyon: Have you seen these articles? RL: I saw that picture you showed me. Lyon: But you haven't seen the articles? RL: No. Lyon: Then I'll give you the article, and that will tell you the story. I think I have about three descriptions of what happened. I'll give them to you. RL: Eleanor, how have you managed to face this loss so soon after your husband's death? What is it that gives you the strength? Lyon: 1t is faith. [Pause] And Harvey--his background, his honesty, his cooperation with me, with anything that I said: "Now, Harvey, we are going to do this or that or the other." And this started in 1914, when I married him. I just have felt that with my two sons, with their families, that I have much to be grateful for; much to be grateful for. Lyon : And, oh, I got a beautiful letter from my brother--a very religious letter. He was very, very gracious in telling me that God was taking care of us. With Harvey, why, for him just to go to sleep--why, how wonderful. And then for them to say, "Now his granddaughter has joined him." Isn't that amazing? RL: That consoles you? Lyon: Yes. Oh, yes. If Lee had died, dear, before Harvey passed away--if he had known about Lee--he would have gone. You see what I mean? Now, that is the intenseness of the spirit of our family. Yes, Harvey would have gone. That night that I was in there with him, I was just soothing him and [demonstrates] pat, pat, pat, and saying, "Now, Harvey; now, Harvey." His expression was, again, just more and more friendly; he smiled. Well, these things are just quite amazing. RL: So everybody stood on Saturday when you were introduced [at a DAR meeting]. Lyon: [Whispers] Yes. They were very, very kind to me. I feel it was because I tried to be honest. People do not understand why I keep it up, and I say, "Because I have such memories; I want to maintain those memories. " When you ask, dear, about my life, I feel I want to maintain-- I have never resigned; I've never written a resignation. I have always felt that if there was difficulty, if I could say, "I'm sorry, thank you, but I cannot accept," that that is not a resignation. I haven't been able of late years to keep up with all the pressures. RL: But you've never resigned? Lyon: No. I've never resigned. APPENDIX STATE REGENT'S REPORT MRS. HARVEY BLANCHARD LYON. The Theme of our President General, Mrs. Robert V. H. Duncan, for 1964-65 is "The People Who Know Their God Shall Stand Firm and Take Actionn --- and your California State Regent has a complementary Theme, ttThereforeBretheren, Stand Fast and Hold the Traditions You Have Been Taughtn. , It is with deep appreciation for your constant support of our Societies' Themes that your State Regent greets you this morning and welcomes you to this, our Fifty-seventh Annual State Conference, California Society, Daughters of the American Revolution. Your State Regent is most grateful to your devoted and able State Vice Regwnt, Mrs. Donald Spicer, whose co-operation has been complete in every part of our program, and to the State Board for their sup- port and assistance. She expresses heartfelt thanks to Chairmen and Vice Chair- men of National and State Committees,who have so ably directed their committee responsibilities, to Chapter Begents, Vice-Regents, Boards, and Members for their implementing National, State and Chapter Projects. She here and now expresses her deep appreciation to Mrs. Stephen F, Her- inger, Conference Chairman, and to Mrs. Frank A, Rumsey, Vice Chairman, to Sacramento Chapter and its Committees, for their untiring, successful effprts to present to our State Society its Fifty-seventh Conference, meeting 3FoC the first time in the Capitol City of our State. Your State Regent has visited 135 of the State's 141 Chapters, singly or in groups, traveling 34,813 miles by plane, bus and car. At Chapter meetings sherhasreported on National Resolutions, Fifty-sixth State Conference, Seventy- fou~th /I Continental Congress, the September 25th Northern Council Meeting in $an Fran- cisco featuring Mrs. Duncan's visit., the Rebecca Purkitt Lambert ltSave the Hed- woodst1Memoria1,the locating of California's girst Revolutionary War VBterants Grave, in Mountain Cemetery, Sonoma; the National Board Meeting, the "Kick Off" October llth, 1964, of the seventy-fifth#Anniversary Diamond Jubilee Celebration of our National Society; ~onstitutionWeek; American History Month'; the Massing of the Colors (Grace cathedral) SanFrancisco); and now, atate Conference, Sac- ramento. It has been a rewarding experience to meet with you, to get to know you, to enjoy your gracious hospitality, to be greeted with beautiful corsages, and other decorations inspired by the gala, glittery, glamorous, Jubilee Celebration3 Redwood trees and burls, the Song, "Cathedral of Godt?,gorgeous camellias, man- zanita, Hawaiian leis, Colonial dolls; delightful mementos:- thank you all. 2. 131 Meeting our President General, Mrs. Robert V. H. Duncan at State Conference, coronado, listening to her inspiring Forum and Talk, created an extra desire to "Know, Do, and Tell the True DAR Story, Nationafjy and Statewise". Returning to the Bay Area after Coronado Conference, a meeting of San Fran- cisco Chhpter Regents was called to plan for our P~esidentGeneral's visit to Northern Council in September. Referring to newspaper publicity after this Sep- tember meeting, I quote "The DAR is H. E. P. - - Historical, Educational, and Patriotic - Hale and Heartytt,Mrs. Duncan remarked at the luncheon, Northern Council has hit an all-time high". Seven hundred and eight attended from all over the State, also Btate Regents from Hawaii and Nevada. Mrs. Duncan was greeted by the "Welcome to Californiat1song and a presentation by the Mayor's representative, of a ceremonial Key to The City by the Golden Gate. She also received and graciously acknowledged a check for One Thousand Dollars from the California State Society in contribution to her Project, The Expansion of the DAk Library in Washington. Your State Regent was appointed by the President General to serve a second time on National Resolutions Committee. Officially installed at Continental Congress, ~~ri$3,1964, she immediately on herbher return to California com- pleted the appointing of State Chairan and Vice Chairmen, this with the capable assistance of the State Vice Regent. Your State Regent attended two National Board meetings, conducted three State Executive Board meetings and two Special Board meetings. She attended two Southern Councils, giving State Regent's instructions May 19, and on November 17 her report on/khe National Board Meeting. She has presided at five NorthernCouncils, giving Regent's Instructions May 22. She has had a vast amount of correspondence, has edited the State Year Book, has written the Regent's Letter and the three Bulletins. She is dedply grateful for the c8- operation of our State Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. Robert I?. Swadley and her Daughter help2rs. We are proud that, among appointees of our President General, a Cali- fornia Daughter is serving as American History Month Rational Chakrman ; also twelve California Daughters are serving as National Vice Chairmen, and one as an Advisor of the DAR Museum, each inspiring us to greater effort. California Daughters were saddened by the disastCous floods in Northern California. Con- tributions of service and supplies were made by local Chapters. ~t is always a privelege to present Good Citizen Awards. The report offour State Chairman will inspiration. 3. 132 Referring to the locating of the burial site of California88 only Revo- lutionary War Veteran, waskgtonts Birthday just passed was a fitting day for the unveiling of a bronze marker in memory of Captain William Smith, born in Virginia, 1768: died in Sonoma, 1846. City, County, and State officials spoke, and your State Regent made the dedication. State Senator Joseph A Rattigan introduced in the California Legislature Senate Resolution No. 72, which was immediately and unanimously passed, commending and thanking the DAR for their enriching our State history by their research. A new Chapter, b'axton D. Atherton, lvlenlo Park, is awaiting confirmation at the next ~ationalBoard meeting, April 15, 1965, Our State Society spon- ser&The California State Service in The Memorial Chapel of the National Shrine at Valley Forge, Sunday, August 2, 1964. Your State Regent was proud to speak at the First Meeting of Eshscholtzia chapter in the new Grace Edgar Coe Club House, November 5, 1964. On February 10, 1965 Potreros Verdes and General Richard Gridley Chapters hosted your State Regent's ItPresentationtt to the City of Burbank of the "Orig- inal Plattt, Tract Map of the Providentia Land and Water Company, designed in 1887by her father, Captain T. W. T . Richards. In the Oakland Tribune of June 14, 1964 appeared the following: "Here8s To The Red, White and Blue. Have Flags, Will Travel. Two organizations with deep roots in the United States will join hands this summer in a gesture of inte~nationakfriendship, They gre Girl Scouts and California Society, Daughters of the American Revolution. At a recent ceremony in Oakland G'irl Scout office Mrs. Harvey B. Lyon of Oak- land, State Regent of DAR, gave six A,merican flags to six Girl Scouts. Soon they will travel to Canada, England, Europe and Argentina. The tours are financed by Juliette Low World Friendship Fund. The fJags are DAR1s contribution, The girls will use them in offieial ceremonies while attending foreign camp and troop programs, thenwill give them to Scouts of host nations." On Nay 25, 1964 occurred the dedication of two bronze plaques marking a gift of trees in 1929 to University of California by DAR in 1929. Mrs. L, van Horn Gerdine, Past State Chairman UCLA Tree Markers, quotes the Bresident of the University, Itthe beautiful mile 10ng row of eucalyptus trees contribites greatly to the attractiveness of the UCLA Campus." On November 17 at Southern Council in Santa Monica, your State Regent aalerwaz privileged to present the Honorable Donald L. Jackson with the "Outstanding American Commendationn, an award from Beverly Hills Chapter for his "Challenge to Actiont1 address - - -also qAmericanism Medal from Peyton Randolph Chapter 1 4. 133 to Miss Margarita Alexander, a former Cuban, for her services as a naturalized citizen and her "Behind the Iron Curtain" talks. On Flag Day Oakland East Bay Chapters awarded Mr. Bmanuel Razzetto an Americanism Hedal for his Civic leadership. Califo@nia State SocietyI1s gifts to the "now accredited Kate Duncan Smith School" of twelve hundred dollars toward a new class room - - and a similar amount to Tamassee for a much needed ice maker have been acknowledged and deeply appreciated, At the Nay meeting of Commodore Sloat Chapter, Mrs, Faulkland Landsdowne, Artist, presented your State Regent with beautiful etshings of Memorial, Continental, and Constitition Halls, and the Capitol. On the evening of February 18, 1965, the Bay Area Chapters of DAR, at the invitation of University Chancellor Marlin Meyerson, attendeda previewof Leutzef painting of 'Wasington Rallying the Continental Troops at Monmouthn, This canvas, painted in 1854, (13' x 22') is the companion piece of the famous WUshington Crossing the Delaware" , At our 56th Conference a Resolution was passed confirming oar State Society's interest from its beginning in "Save the Redw~ocls~~,and authorizing contributions from our Society's members to a fund with which to secure a "Save the redwood^^^ grove as a Memoriam to Honorary State Past Regent Rebecca Purkett Lambert. Contributions totaling $1,183,60 have been received to date, Your State Regent has had the privilege of meeting Mr. Robert L, Sonfield, National President of S. A. R, - Rr, Gebrge Todt, State President of s. A. R, - mr, Van R. H. Sternbergh, National President of C. A, R, She has also attended local SAR and CAR meetings, by invitation. Finally I would like to speak of the inspirational message given the State Begents by the President General at the October Board Meeting in Wash- ing as she reminded us the this is Uiamond Jubilee Year for DAR, with special opportunities and responsibilities. She said there are three Ms and an Lo 1. Nuseum - - 2. Magazine - - 3. Membership . you will hear reports from Chairmen on each of these later in our Cmference. The L stands for Library Expansion - - of our National Library in Washingtc ThisBis our President General's Project. As mentioned earlier in this report, She was presented with a check for one thousand dollars on her visit to us in San Francisco, and gifts of ten hundred and forty-one dollars have been received from individual Chapters, making a total response of two thousand and forty-one dollars to date, Your State Regent has tried to fulfill her responsibilities, to inform .. 5. T members, and to tell the "Full DAR Story". Thank you for your fine accomplishments, to be reported to you now. May God bless you and this Conference. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as Your State Regent, Eleanor R Lyon ACALANES CHAPTER DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION On the Occasion of the Dedication of a Bicentennial Liberty Tree in honor of ELEANOR RICHARDS LYON by her Acalanes Chapter DAR One p.m., Monday, November 18, 1974 at 950 Dewing, Lafayette, California Reception Immediately Following at the Old Town Hall Moraga Road at School Street, Lafayette WELCOME Mrs. Robert B. Dozier, Regent of Acalanes It is a great pleasure for us to have this opportunity to honor our Eleanor Richards Lyon. It is through the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Perry Carter and Mrs. Richard Field of Texas, owners of the property, that we are given the privilege of having this beautiful tree to dedicate. We truly thank them. The invocation will be given by our chaplain, Mrs. Guy Leon Harmon. INVOCATION Mrs. Guy Leon Harmon, Chaplain of Acalanes Dear Heavenly Father, You are the beginning and the end of all things, and we believe all living things are in Your hands, and therefore in good hands. And so today we lift up our hearts to Thee, to ask Thy blessing upon this enterprise. And as we dedicate this tree, we hope it will con- tinue to be strong and beautiful and useful, a joy to generations to come. Also we hope it will be a symbol of the ever continuing call to unselfish service of Eleanor Richards Lyon. We thank Thee for the life we honor here today. May this hour be so filled with Thy grace that it shall be a blessed remembrance. Amen. [Mrs. Dozier:] We will all join in the Pledge of Allegiance, which will be led by Mrs. Alva Starr, our Chapter historian, and the American's Creed, led by Mrs. Harvey Blanchard Lyon, our Honorary State Regent of California and past Regent of Acalanes Chapter. THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Led by Mrs. Alva Starr, Librarian of Acalanes I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. THE AMERICAN 'S CREED led by Mrs. Harvey Blanchard Lyon, Honorary State Regent of California I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people, whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed, a democracy in a republic, a sovereign na- tion of many sovereign states, a perfect union, one and inseparable, es- tablished upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and human- ity, for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes. I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies. 1Mrs. Dozier:] Instead of trying to sing our National Anthem out here, I'm going to ask our First Vice Regent, Mrs. John Gilmore, to read the fir-st verse, and you may listen and remember it. THE NATIONAL ANTHEM read by Mrs. John Gilmore, First Vice Regent of Acalanes Oh, say, can you see by the dawn's early light, what so proudly we hailed at twilight's last gleaming, whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous flight o'er the ramparts we watched, were so gal- lantly streaming, and the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there? Oh, say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? INTRODUCTIONS Mrs. Robert B. Dozier We're so happy that so many of you braved the weather, and we're more than thankful for sunshine, because we really wondered what we'd be up against . I would like to introduce the DAR officers who are here today. I guess all you can do is to hold up your hand, or you can meet them over at the reception: Mrs. Arthur Strehlow, State Vice Regent of California; Mrs. Robert Swadley, Assistant State Chaplain of California; Mrs. Sidney W. Sorensen, Director of District 4; and Mrs. James B. Haley, President of the East Bay Regents Association. These DAR officers have worked for many years with Eleanor and her project, to save the redwoods. Other guests are from the Lafayette city offices, the Historical Societies of Orinda, Moraga, and Lafayette. We deeply appreciate the help they have given us in planning this. We also have Jay Green of Palo Alto, who was the designer of a plaque. Mr. Wil- liam Penn Mbtt of the state parks had hoped to be here, but he was called out of state. Mr. Newton Drury, President of the Save-the-Redwoods League, regrets that he is unable to be present. You will have the opportunity to visit with the many friends of the Lyons during the reception. It is our great privilege today to have as our speaker Brother Dennis of St. Mary's College. Brother Dennis is the Librarian of the college, and the Archivist of the Mbraga Historical Society. ADDRESS Brother Dennis, St. Mary 's College This occasion affords me the opportunity to express gratitude in an indirect way to two people who cannot be with us today: The first is the person who was to be the speaker of the day, Mr. William Penn Mott, Just within the past month he used his authority to release the Moraga Historical Society from the obligation to take out six hundred thousand dollars of liability insurance to cover the risk involved in taking a single photograph in Sutter's Fort in Sacramento. I am indebted to him to discover that bureaucracy stops somewhere. The second was Mr. Ralph Chaney. Some of you must recall the professor from the University of California who went to China to obtain specimens and seeds of the Dawn redwood, the metasequoia, arriving there just ahead of the Communist forces and escaping with this precious botan- ical heritage. On the occasion that I visited him at his home in Berkeley he made me promise that I would do something to save the redwoods in Cali- fornia. This, I'm afraid, is my first opportunity to fulfill this promise and to give tribute to his cause, and, I should add, to that of today's honoree. I was requested yesterday to give a title to this talk. I could not come up with one then, but since that time one--made of just two Indian words--came to mind. As soon as I mention them, I hope you'll say, "Why, of course." The first of these is Acalanes, the name of your chapter, and that of the Indians who were our predecessors in this valley. It was a thrill for me today to discover that Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Lyon had once lived on a hundred and thirty acre ranch in Happy Valley, for it was in Happy Val- ley that the Acalanes tribe named its village "Aklan." Those who dwelt there, and later in the nearby rancherias or villages, the Spanish called "the Acalanes .I1 It was there that the history of Lafayette began. The first European settlers in Lafayette Valley, we are oftentimes led to believe, were Elam Brown, his family and his friends; but no, there were others before that. The first settler in what was to be called Lafayette was Candelario Valencia. He came there first with his father, Bruno ~alencia,and his brother Francisco; then later with his wife Paula Sanchez and his children. In the early 1840fs, when this land where we now stand was Mexico, Valen- cia's "Old Corral" was a landmark on the map. However, due to the Acalanes Indians, Valencia abandoned the site and took his family to San Francisco, where he settled near Mission Dolores, and where today, according to Bancroft, a street bears his name. Let us hear his works, "This place was occupied by my family and myself during a period of five years when it had been harried by the Indians up to a point where my life and the lives of the members of my family were en- dangered, I abandoned it for a time ." History tells us that he then abandoned it for good--when the Indians burnt his house down--this in peaceful "Happy" Valley! It was the lot of this Happy Valley and this Rancho Acalanes to fall into the hands of an American--an American by adoption, I would say. His name was William Leidesdorff. He was the vice-consul of the United States in San Francisco. Keep in mind that this was, as I mentioned before, Mexi- can soil, and at that time Washington had diplomatic and commercial agents in Monterey and Yerba Buena (or San Francisco as it came to be called a year before his death in 1848). William Leidesdorff obtained Rancho Acalanes from Candelario Valencia, and the vice-consul sold it to Elam Brown, its entire three-quarters of a league. However, the maps of this, and the adjacent rancho of the Moraga family (Keep in mind that I represent today not only Saint Mary's 'college but the Moraga Historical Society as well) show a co-extension of the two into Happy Valley. This led to a series of disputes over areas of Rancho Acalanes that lasted until the third quarter of the nineteenth century. There it was that the Moragas disputed Valencia's right to have access to the springs in Happy Valley that watered the cattle of both. Governor Micheltorena finally ordered Moraga to permit Valencia to quarter his cat- tle on land in Happy Valley with both parties allowed equal rights to the springs. There too the co-grantee of the Moraga. Rancho, Juan Bernal, and his wife, Encarnacion Soto, decided to build their home. However, it was after the husband's death that ~egoraSoto constructed the house of adobe that is identified on a map of the Moraga Rancho as 'Widow Bernal's." It was later in the process of being refurbished for use when the 1906 earth- quake struck. Roy Bunker, whose widow still lives on the property, then used the timbers of the adobe's roof structure for the construction of a new home which has since been demolished. Horace Walpole Carpentier, the first mayor of Oakland, having acquir- ed the Bernal interest in the Moraga Rancho, attempted to push his claims to land in the Lafayette area as a result of this overlapping of the boundaries. Elam Brown is in his own right significant to you people in the Acalanes Chapter area, for he was the founder of Lafayette, and one should say too one of the founders of the State of California. In 1849 he was elected a delegate to the Constitutional Convention at Monterey by the people of the Contra Costa (East Bay) to establish a form of government for what was to become the thirty-first state of the Union. It is appropriate that the Daughters of the American Revolution should identify with a rancho whose owner was a founding father of this state, but also with an Indian tribe which more than any other in the Contra Costa struck for freedom and the rights of their fellow man. Not alone should those who formulated the Constitution of this republic be called its Founding Fathers, but those too whose blood was shed that this nation be given birth, namely your ancestors. The Acalanes Indians are symbolic, I would say, of your ancestors, for, as your forebears revolted against tyranny, so did the tribe of Aklan. Of all the aborigines of the Contra Costa, they were the only ones who rebelled against the paternalism of the Missions. Five times military expeditions had to be sent against these people because they had assisted the proteges of the Padres to escape from the system, en- couraged them to rebel, or defended them when search parties were sent out to bring them back. So they, of all the East Bay tribes, had the backbone and the cour- age to confront the Spanish Empire as represented by the Presidio of San Francisco and the Missions of both sides of the Bay of Saint Francis. Our only portrait of an Acalanes Indian was that of a young person who was a member of that cadre of natives established at Mission Dolores. It was painted by a young Russian artist (Louis Choris) who was part of a four-man team of scientific observers on a round-the-world Russian naval cruise of exploration and research in 1816. The identification of your chapter as the Acalanes is, therefore, most appropriate: first, for historical reasons even-to the extent of its association with today's honoree, who was organizing regent of the chapter; second, for its symbolization of the spirit of your ancestors; and finally, for its symbolization of the accomplishment of your fore- bears in making this republic independent of an empire. Perhaps you have been wondering what the other of the two Indian words was. As you stand here today in anticipation of the ceremony of the dedication of this redwood tree, I believe you will say again, "Why, of course" when you hear this second Indian work--sequoia! The first Sequoia was an individual, a member of the Cherokee tribe that at the time lived in Georgia before it was harshly driven across the mountains and the ~ississip~iinto Oklahoma. But before the tribe endured this injustice, this noble Indian, Sequoia, developed an alpha- bet for the Cherokee language, and so was honored by an Austrian scientist who in admiration for him assigned the name sequoia to this most noble of this earth 's trees. These sequoias, the coastal redwoods, were thriving in groves in "the Sierra of the Setting Sun" when the Moraga family settled in these valleys, for to their rancho they gave the most beautiful of all rancho names--the Rancho of the Lake of the Redwoods. Long before that, perhaps in Lafayette as in Moraga, redwoods pene- trated to this interior region. When Saint Mary's College was being built, a search for water to be used in the preparation for the concrete structures to be built on the campus revealed at the depth of thirty feet a piece of redwood timber--not fossilized--intact. When, in my surprise, I mentioned this to a local historian, he said, "That's nothing; in Oak- land we found one a hundred and sixty feet down." --Redwood still intact! I have a fossil of redwood found on our side of the Oakland hills, where sequoias still do grow. If we would consider the existence of the sequoia in Lafayette to be only a conjecture, its presence here as redwood timber and lumber is an historical fact closely bound with the development and establishment of the town. Somewhat in the sense that Birnam Wood had come to Dunsinane in Macbeth did the redwood come to Rancho Acalanes, for it was from the Peralta, the Middle, and the Moraga Redwoods that oxen-drawn wagons brought lumber down the San Antonio-to-Martinez Road, the major stop for repairs and for refreshment of man and beast being Lafayette. Not too many years ago the highway between Walnut Creek and Martinez (I was surprised to see on a map of a few decades back) still bore the name of "Redwood Highway," a reminder that this was a vestige of that route where- by the products of our redwood forests came through Lafayette on their way to Martinez, Benicia, Sacramento, and the mines beyond. Elam Brown himself would never have settled in Rancho Acalanes if it had not been for his involvement with the redwoods. In his first summer in California, 1847, he made a living for himself and his family whipsawing timber in the Pera1t.a Redwoods and shipping it to San Fran- cisco. The next year he discovered that the nearby Acalanes Rancho was for sale. Five years later he purchased the Moraga Redwoods from his next door neighbor, Joaquin Moraga, whose rancho extended into the heart of Lafayette. Moraga Boulevard, a mere city block from Lafayette's main thoroughfare, is a reminder of this proximity. Although the sequoia is closely related to Rancho Acalanes histor- ically, as I have delineated, it is in its own right a symbol of not only this Acalanes, Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, but of today's honoree as well. The sequoia is a symbol of this day's ceremony, for it, like your society and its honored member to whom we pay tribute, preserves from a distant past a future not only for itself but for all of us. The heritage of early America which the Daughters of the American Revolution champion is preserved by them for posterity. This heritage may be that of national traditions, whether moral or intellectual; of history, whether in art and architecture or in documents of historical significance; of nature itself, such as sights or things of beauty be- stowed on us by the Creator. Indeed, in this last mentioned area of the state council's program of preservation we can find no parallel to the activity engendered by Mrs. Harvey Lyon for this noble cause. During her term as chairperson of the Save-the-Redwoods Committee a number of groves were preserved in the area of the Jedediah Smith for- est: the Bruce Lyon, honoring her dear, beloved son; the Charlotte and Rebecca Larnbert; the Daughters of the American Revolution; and the Rotary groves. The heritage of the people of California and indeed of all America is now a living monument to the efforts of the Daughters of the American Revolution, but particularly a monument to the honoree of today's program. It was, therefore, most appropriate, or, even, I might say, necessary, that one final grove be dedicated to her; that we know as the Mrs. Harvey Blanchard Lyon Grove. Just as Mrs. Lyon preserved the sequoias for Californians through your society's efforts, so she has continued so on an even broader scale. For this purpose she had accepted from Governor Reagan an appointment to the National American Revolution Bicentennial Commission, and as a member proposed a 50-state wide program of planting what she called "Liberty Trees." These were none other than her beloved coast redwoods, twelve of them in each state of the Union. Her efforts in the preservation of the heritage of Americans and of Californians have not stopped with the things of nature. Accepted also by her from Governor Reagan was a membership on the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission of California. One facet of this state's com- mission is to encourage an appreciation for the values of each area's heritage as well as those of the entire state,. Among those to be revered by the people of the San Francisco Bay Area, but especially by the citizens of that metropolis, is the advent of European civilization there, the bicentennial of which antedates the founding of our republic by one week! This event and those leading up to it were merely endorsed by the state's bicentennial commission, but due to the efforts of Mrs. Lyon and those of like enthusiasm on the board, this project has been raised to the status of a sponsored program. Because of your membership in the Daughters of the American Revolu- tion I can with assurance say that one or more of your ancestors came to our eastern shores as colonists. Well, we here in California had our colonists too. Six years ago we celebrated the bicentennial of our first colony; next year we will commemorate the founding of our second. The event and the efforts that prepared for it are now summed up in the state bicentennial commission's sponsored project entitled the "Re- enactment of the De Anza Trek." I mention it because the second in com- mand of this colonizing expedition was one Joaquin Moraga, the grandfather of the Joaquin who was the co-grantee of much of Lafayette, Orinda, and of course of Moraga. You can see why San Francisco's Twin Bicentennial as well as the re-enactment of this trek will be of interest to all of us. Eloraga, following the return of De Anza to Mexico in April of 1776, led the colonists from Monterey on June 17, arrived on Dolores Creek on the 27th, and founded the Presidio on September 17. In the meanwhile independ- ence from another colonizing empire had been declared on July 4 that year. Moraga was to found both the Pueblo of San Jose and the Mission of Santa Clara early in 1777. This is the heritage we want our people to cherish, and we are grate- ful to Mrs. Harvey Lyon for promoting its cause with the commission. Our coast redwood is the "sempervirens," a name given by an Austrian botanist. Notice the meaning of the word. It is not an "ever green" tree. Those of you who took Latin many years ago might remember the present participle: From the word virire, we form the present participle, virens. That means "green-ingtt--the ever greening tree; it's forever being greened-- in the springtime and in the fall. It is springtime forever: The hope of springtime comes to us, there- fore, forever, when we look upon the redwood sempervirens. Mrs. Harvey Lyon has given that hope of springtime to posterity, not only through her preservation of our heritage, but in her looking toward the future. This tree which we shall dedicate today is symbolic, then, of Mrs. Lyon--sharing the past as a prelude to and a preparation for the future. Professor Chaney, whom I mentioned earlier, said that the sequoia sempervirens has a history of a hundred million years. Think then, if it has such a past, what a future will be in store for it--for this tree be- fore us. The warm spring rains of a thousand years will fall upon the graves of all of us standing here before it before it will attain its mid-life span. And it will continue through another thousand years to drop its seeds in the winds of autumn before it joins in death all whom we call mortals. It is a symbol, therefore, of the kind of life all of us would live-- a life of immortality: coming from a distant past, of a living in God, and a looking forward to union with Him. "Thou hast made us for Thyself, 0 Lord," said St. Augustine, "And our hearts are ever restless, " he con- tinued, "until they rest in Thee. " So it is, then, that this sequoia has become for us, as it has for the Acalanes Chapter, a symbol of this farseeing and energetic leader in the ranks of the Daughters of the American Revolution whom we honor today, Mrs. Harvey Blanchard Lyon! [Clapping. ] IMrs . Dozier: ] Thank you very much, Brother Dennis. We appreciate all that you have done. I'm sure we've learned a lot and certainly are in- spired. We will now have our dedication of the tree by Mrs. Helen Haney, who is the past regent for the state of Iowa and a very active member of our own chapter. We are delighted to have her. DEDICATION Mrs. Joseph G. Haney, Honorary State Regent of Iowa I feel very honored and privileged to have been asked to make this dedication today to this most gracious and generous lady, whom I also have called "dear friend" for many years. Father Dennis has told you a great deal of the things that Eleanor and Harvey have done, but I'd like to tell you a few other things that he didn't touch on. They came to this beautiful valley in the early thirties. In about 1949, with the sanccion of the national DAR board, the state regent of California designated Eleanor Richards Lyon to be organizing regent for a DAR chapter in this area. This entails a great deal of work, and I won't go into all of that. A name was selected, Acalanes, which was very apropos for this area. Papers must be processed, proving their members' lines all the way back to a patriot who gave service in the American revolution. This was done, and on January 12, 1950, Acalanes Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolu- tion, was organized. It was chartered on March 2 of that same year, 1950. Knowing Eleanor and the things she likes to do, she wasn't content to serve as regent of a chapter. She went into the state level, and for many years was active at the state level and served on the state board, which you must do for eight years, culminating in becoming state regent of Cali- fornia, which she served from 1964-1966. I didn't have to ask her that, because that's when I served, and that's when Eleanor and I became very good friends . Just a little sidelight: the California and the Iowa box in Constitu- tion Hall are side by side, and we sat elbow to elbow through many, many delightful meetings, didn't we, Eleanor? Another thing that many of you might be interested in knowing is that there are a lot of Eleanor's beloved redwoods planted along the eastern seaboard in the original thirteen states of the colonies. Also, she car- ried to Tamassee DAR school in northwestern South Carolina redwood trees which are planted there, and also at Kate Duncan Smith DAR school in northern Alabama. So there's a bit of California along the eastern sea- board where our country was founded. So it is, again, with a great deal of pleasure that it is my privilege to dedicate this tree, dedicated as a Bicentennial Liberty Tree, in the honor of Eleanor Richards Lyon, by her Acalanes Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Lafayette, California, this eighteenth day of November, 1974. [Prolonged applause. 1 INDEX -- Eleanor Richards Lyon Abhakara, Princess Adit iya "Mom" ~Abkaew, 82 Abigail Adams Smith House, 43-44 Acalanes Chapter, see DAR Alexander, Mr. and Mrs. Wallace, 31, 98 Alta Bates Hospital, 31, 123 American Heritage, 68 American Red Cross, 49 Ammen, Mrs. Vera, 65 athletics, 22 and passim Austin, Mrs. Walter, 60 Bangkok, 82 Baptist Church, 12, 19 Bianchi, A1 and Molly, 114-115 Bicentennial, 70, 73 and passim committees California, 75-76, 116-118 California, DAR, 53 National DAR, USA, 54, 78, 117 Oakland, 105, 116-118 Blm, Adolph, 20 Blum, Jack, 20 Boy Scouts, 84, 120 Brown, Governor Edmund Gerald (Pat), 118 Brown, Judge and Mrs. Everett, 28, 119 Bruce Lyon Memorial Grove, 71, 76-77, 80. See also redwoods. Bruce Lyon Memorial Research Laboratory, 84, 94. See also children's Hospital. Burbank, 6-9, 52 Burbank, Dr. David, 7 California, State of, Park Department, 75-76 Cameron, Jane Scott, 6 Cameron-Stanford mansion, 28 Cass Street Foundry, 4 Charlotte Lambert Grove, 73 Children's Hospital Medical Center of the East Bay, 56, 81-96, 99, 122 Board of Directors, 86, 90 Branch auxiliaries, 81 85-87, 95 Bruce Lyon Memorial Research Laboratory, 84, 94 Building Service Maintenance strike, 90 Christmas programs, 83, 93 labor unions, 90 parent participation, 91-92 volunteer program, 83-84 Children of the American Revolution, 61 Christin, Mrs. Charles A., 72 Christ's Episcopal Church, 12 College Women's Club, Berkeley, 45 Colonial Dames of America, 42-47, 65, 71 Ann Bradstreet Chapter, 105 Confederate army, 2-3 Confederate Veterans of Los Angeles county, 107 conservation, 53-54, 57, 66, 71-80, 117-118 and passim cooking, 10, 14, 18, 22, 36, 120-122 Cranston, Lila, 22-23 Crestmont Towers, 113 Crocker, Mrs. Templeton, 44 Cutter, Alice (Mrs. Robert KO), 85-97 Dandini, Countess Lillian Remillard di, 34 Danforth, Professor and Mrs. Charles, 58 Daughters of the American Colonists, 47 Daughters of the American Revolution, 5, 42-80, 88, 109, 128 and passim Acalanes Chapter, 48-49, 58-60, 62, 64, 67, 73 Berkeley Hills Chapter, 105 Diamond Jubilee 75th Anniversary, 65 Eleanor Lyon, State Regent, 50-53, 61-66, 118 Faxon D. Atherton Chapter, 51 historic markers, 48, 52, 62, 117 Livingston Manor Chapter, 105 National Building Fund, 49 Neighborhood Center in Los Angeles, 49 National congresses, 47 national good citizen, 52 national resolutions committee, 54, 63, 70-71 Phoebe Apperson Hearst Chapter, 64 platform committee, 54 Rancho San Bernardo Chapter, 51 redwood groves, 45, 51, 54-55, 71-80 redwoods, 49, 51, 52, 118 schools, 51-54, 59, 118 speakers staff, 54 Valley Forge bell tower, 49 Yosemite Chapter, 51 Dean, Florence, 36-39 Defense Recreation Committee, 32 De Fremery Center for Colored Servicemen, 34 De Fremery, Mr. and Mrs. James, 34 Democratic party, 2, 107 doll collecting, 35, 116 Dozier, Mrs. Robert, 67 Driscoll, Ellen, 29 Drury, Aubrey, 78 Drury, Newton B., 71, 73, 74-80 Duncan, Mrs. Robert V. H., 50-51 Dunsmuir, 27 East Bay Hospital Organization, 90 Eastlake Park, 15 Ebell, Dr. Adrian F., 97-98 Ebell Society, 36, 64, 97-99 Ehmann, Mr. and Mrs. Edward, 25-26 Eleanor Richards Lyon Grove, 54-55, 73-74, 78-79 Equal Rights Amendment, 70, 111 Flood, Mrs. Walter, 52 Flournoy Family, 4-6, 42 Flournoy, Mary, 5-6 Flournoy , Mathews , 62 fortune telling, 13-14 Fritz, Professor Emanuel, 55 fund raising 25-29, 35, 36, 38, 68-70, 81, 85-87, 101, 116-118 and passim Gano, John, 62 Garrison, E.F., 32 Geese, The Incredible Flight of the Snow, 126 Girls Collegiate School, 11 Girl Scouts, 89 Glendale, 4, 9-13 Gracie Mansion, 43 Grady, Mrs. Henry F., 45 Green Garden, 1 Haddon, June, 58 Hansen, Dr. Arild, 84, 94 Harkness, Mrs. Morris W., 44 Haven School, 29-31 Hellrnan, Mr. and Mrs. I.W., 27 Henry, Alice, 44 Henry, Arthur, 5 Henry Family, 4, 42, 62 Henry, Julia, 5 Henry, Colonel Richard Gano, 6-9, 12, 16 Hidden Valley, 82, 113-116, 126 Highsmith, Richard, 88 Home Club, 102 Hopkins, Mrs. Mark, 68 Hopkinsville, 4-5 hospitality, 9, 21, 26, 28, 44-45, 82, 113-116, 120 and passim Hospitality House, Oakland, 32-41, 98, 120. See also United Services Organization, Inc. Hospitality Hut, Oakland, 32-34 Howden, Teri Lou, 52 Huguenot Society, 46 Huntley, Chet, 54 Hutchinson, Edith, 13 Iwo Jima, 39-40 Joaquin Miller Park, 117 Juniper Branch. See Children's Hospital. Kate Duncan Smith School, 51, 59-60, 118 Kean, Mrs. John, 45 Kittrell, Reg, 113 Kentucky Beauty, 4 Know1 and , Eme lyn , 39 Knowland, Joseph R., 67 Knowland, William, 39, 67, 108 labor unions, 90, 108 La Cauza, Mrs. Frank Emilio, 5, 48-57, 62, 73 Lady Bird Johnson Grove, 74 Lakeside Park Garden Center, 100 Lee, General Robert E., 2, 12, 13 Leslie, Ed, 24 '%et Me Call You Sweetheart," 55 Lentze, Emanuel, 45, 68-70 Lewis, Mrs. Charles Francisco, 44 Liberty Trees, 72, 75-76, 116-119. See also redwoods, etc. Lindamood, Reverend Samuel, Jr., 124 Linkletter, Art, 37-38 Los Angeles High School, 10, 14 Los Angeles Normal Teachersf Training College, 14-16 Loudon County, 1-2 Lyon, Bruce, 31, 40, 54, 71, 119 Lyon, Clara, 16 Lyon, Carol Kiessig, 28, 68, 124 Lyon, David, 125-126 Lyon, Edward Cobb, 12, 16 Lyon, Elizabeth Parker, 18 Lyon, Dr. Harvey Blanchard, 20, 25-26, 31, 40, 58, 71, 106, 119-121, 124, 127 and passim Lyon, Harvey Blanchard, 5, 16, 18-31, 45, 49, 55-56, 68, 73, 90, 93, 98-102, 104, 106-107, 119-124, 128 and passim Lyon, John Lewis, 18 Lyon, Lee (Margaret), 46, 125-128 Lyon, McKinney, Smith Furniture Company, 16 Lyon, Dr. Richards P., 20, 25-26, 28, 29, 31, 40, 58, 68, 71, 74, 81, 84, 106, 119, 123-124, 127-128 and passim Lyon Storage and Moving, 19, 25-28, 90, 112 Lyon, Susan, 124-125 Lyon, Theodore Chadwick, 125-126 Lyon Van and Storage, 16 Lyon, William Parker, 16 Maiden, Bruce, 40 '!Making of a Patriot ," 53, 68 Mann, Mrs. William G, (Madge), 28, 63, 103-106 Marlbqrough School, 11 Meads, Remilda, 31 Meyerson, Chancellor Martin, 64, 69 Miller, Juanita, 117 Mills College, 44 Moore, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence, 121 Mosby's Rangers, 2-3 Mott, William Penn, 75, 101 McQuarrie, Dr. Irvine, 84, 94 Nakagawa, Andrea, 52 Napa Symphony orchestra, 26 National Warehousemen's Association, 107-110 Nixon, President Richard Milhous , 76, 109-110, 116 Northern Nebraska Life Association of America, 4 Oakland Symphony orchestra, 24-28 Oakland Tribune, 39, 67, 78, 86, 96 Occidental College, 13-14 Oliver, Minnie (Mrs. William Harold), 81, 85-87 Omaha Foundry and Machine Company, 4 Omaha Iron Works, 4 Orinda Country Club, 127 Parent Teachers Association, 30 photography, 45, 126-128 Piedmont Community Church, 29-31, 35, 124 Piedmont schools, 29-30 mothers' clubs, 30, 104, 119-120 Piedmont Towers, 123 Piedmonter , 67 Pierce-Arrow car, 17, 120 pralines, 21, 31 professionalization of volunteer work, 24, 40, 91, 95-96 Providencia Land, Water and Development Company, 7, 52 publicity, 39, 67-68, 86-87 and passim Rattigan, State Senator Joseph A., 117 Reading, John H. , 110 Reagan, Governor Ronald, 75, 110, 116 Rebecca Lambert Grove, 45, 51, 72-74, 77, 80 redwoods, 49, 52, 54, 60, 65, 71-80, 104, 117-118, 124 See also conservation, Daughters of the American Revolution, Save-the- Redwoods League. Reed, Edith, 21 Reinhardt, Dr. Aurelia Henry, 44 Republican party, 3, 107-110 Richards, Adolphus , 2 Richards Family, 1-2, 6, 42 and passim Richards Incorporation, 19 Richards, Jesse, 3 Richards, Mary Henry, 4-6, 9-19, 98, 107, 112 and passim Richards, May 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 12, 16-17, 20 Richards, Captain T. William T., 1-17, 52, 107 and passim Richards, Thomas, 2 Richards, Commander Thomas Gano, 3, 9, 11, 14, 17, 128 Richards, Washington, 2 Richards, William, 1 Ross, Mrs. Andrew, 4 Rotary Club, 25, 84, 89, 111-112, 116 Rotary Grove, 77-78 Rountree, Mrs. Zelma, 42 San Fernando valley, 7-8, 11 San Fernando valley tennis championship, 11 San Francisco symphony, 25-27 Save-the-Redwoods League, 20-21, 45, 49, 51, 53, 72, 75-80. See also redwoods, conservation, DAR See, Orly, 24, 27 Shakespeare Club, 121 Sibley, Constance, 22-23 "Simi Grows Up ," 6 Simi Land and Water Company, 6 Skinner, Mary, 21 Slavich, Mayor John, 32-41, 120 Smith, Mrs. Mary R., 102 Smith, Captain William, 52, 62, 117 Sons of the American Revolution, 61, 67 Southern Veterans, Los Angeles Chapter, 2 Sproul, President and Mrs. Robert Gordon, 19, 69, 108 Stanford University, 40, 108, 116 Stites, John, 62 Stookey, Mrs. Byron, 44 Strehlow, Olga, 84 Sulgrave Manor, 43 Sullivan, Adele Erb, 118 Sutton, May, 11-12 Tamassee School, 51-52, 54, 59-60, 118. See also DAR Taylor, Eva, 45 teaching, 14-16 and passim tennis, 11-12, 127 and passim Theta Beta Phi, 11 Travelers Aid, 22-24, 32, 116, 120 United Daughters of the Confederacy, 2 United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, 82 United Services Organization, Inc., 32, 37, 41, 49, 56, 104 United States Constitution week, 118 University of California, 20, 68-70, 126 and passim University of Virginia, 3-4, 7 Upperville, 2 Ventura county, 6-7 volunteer work, 22-41, 82, 87-94 and passim War of the Rebellion Records, 2 Warner, Mrs. Norma, 73 Warren, Chief Justice Earl, 28, 108-110 "Washington Crossing the Delaware," 45, 67-68 Washington, President George, 43, 53, 62, 68 "Washington Rallying the Troops at Monmouth," 68-70 Westlake School for Girls, 9-13, 16, 21 White House, the, 43 Whittaker, Mrs. E.H., 45 Women's Athletic Club of Alameda County, 44, 101, 116 women's clubs, 97-102, 113-116 and passim Wood, Alma, 113-114 Woodland Lodge, 44-45, 103, 113-116, 126 Young, Aileen Adolph, 33 Young Men's Chris tian Association, 24 Young Women's Christian As~ociati~on,22 -24, 32 Youngman, Althea, 117 Rosemary Levenson Grew up in England; B.A. in History from Cambridge University, 1948. Graduate work in History and International Law at Cambridge and Radcliffe. M.A. in Sociology at the University of California Berkeley in 1969. Moved to Berkeley in 1951 and worked as free-lance editor and anthropological photographer. Volunteer service in groups related to the public schools, religion, and University of California faculty wives. Travel in Europe and the Far East. Joined the staff of the Regional Oral History Office in 1970.