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The Rouen Post Base Hospital 21 Collection

9-1948 The Rouen Post, September 1948

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Recommended Citation "The Rouen Post, September 1948" (1948). The Rouen Post. Paper 121. https://digitalcommons.wustl.edu/rouen_post/121

This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Base Hospital 21 Collection at Digital Commons@Becker. It has been accepted for inclusion in The Rouen Post by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons@Becker. For more information, please contact [email protected]. THE ROUEN Base Hospital 21- World War I POST 21st Gen. Hosp. - World War D

A P A P E R D E V 0 T E D T 0 T H E I N T E R E S T S 0 F R 0 U E N P 0 S T N o. 2 4 2 AND ALL FORMER MEMBERS OF B.H. 21 and 21st. G.H. JULIA C. STIMSON DIES; ated from the New York Hospital School of NURSE AND EDUCATOR Nursing in 1908. Subsequently she studied at Columbia University, majoring in biology Miss Julia Cathe­ and sociology, later completing the require­ rine Stimson, Chief ments for a Master's degree, which was Nurse of Base Hospi­ awarded by Washington University in 191 7 tal 21, World War I. "in absentia," while she was overseas. In died September 30, 1948 in a Poughkeep­ recognition of her war work, Mt. Holyoke sie, N. Y., hospital. College conferred upon her, in 1921, an She was 67 years old. honorary degree of Doctor of Science. She lived at Briar­ After graduating from the New York cliff Manor, N. Y., Hospital School of Nursing, she was Super­ and maintained a sum­ intendent of Nurses at Harlem Hospital from 1908 thru 1910. In 1911 she became Ad­ mer r e s i d e n c e at ministrator, Hospital Social Services, Wash­ Rockland, Maine. She Julia c. Stimson was the daughter of ington University at St. Louis, Mo. In 1913 she was appointed Superintendent of Nurses Henry A. Stimson, D.D., one time pastor of of the Hospitals and Clinic, Washington the Pilgrim church at St. Louis, Mo., and a University, St. Louis, Mo. She held this cousin of the Honorable Henry L. Stimson, position until 1917 when she went overseas former Secretary of War. as Chief Nurse of Base Hospital 21. A memorable service was held for her Miss Stimson will ever be remembered by Saturday afternoon in the Congregational the members of Base Hospital 21 of World Church at Briarcliff. Twenty nurses in uni­ War I for her skillful organization and direc­ form appeared, as well as representatives tion of the nursing service of the unit while from many nursing organizations and others. operating No. 12 British General Hospital Friends of Miss Stimson played the or-~ at Rouen, France. gan and cello for a half hour before the ac­ Major General Meritte W. Ireland, Chief tual services.The church choir led the con­ Surgeon of the American Expeditionary gregation in singing The Star Spangled Ban­ Forces in Europe, recognizing the extraor­ ner, which with the flags in the chancel. com­ dinary ability of this great woman, in 1918, prised the military touch to the service. appointed her Director of the Nursing Ser­ vice of the A. E. F. Surviving are tree sisters, Mrs. Elbert H. Under her vigorous and energetic leader­ Harvey, Duxbury, Mass .. Dr. Barbara B. ship an exceptional standard of nursing ser­ Stimson, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and Prof. vice was maintained in the A. E. F., despite Dorothy Stimson of Goucher College, Balti­ many seemingly insurmountable handicaps. more, Md .. and a brother, Philip M. Stim­ Her skillful direction of the Army Nurse son. New York. Corps in France led to Miss Stimson's ap­ pointment as Acting Superintendent of the entire Army Nurse Corps, in July 1919, upon Julia Catherine Stimson was born May 26, her return from overseas. At the same time 1881 . She received her Bachelor's degree she was appointed Dean of the Army School from Vassar College in 1901 and was gradu- of Nursing.

September, 1948 THE ROUEN POST

Under the National of Louise Hilligass, at her country place, Defense Act of 1920, Hilli-Haven near Augusta, Mo. Julia C. Stimson was Her most recent visit to St. Louis and the made a Major in the school, was at the time a banquet was given Army Nurse Corps, on December 11, 1945 at the Jefferson Hotel the highest rank in the to welcome the return of the 21st General corps at the time. She Hospital of World War II . was the key figure in For her distinguished military service helping s e c u r e the Major Stimson received: amendment of the Act The American Distinguished Service of 1920, which gave Medal relative rank to the British Royal Red Cross, 1st Class Medaille de la Reconnaissance Francaise Major Julia Stimson members of the Army Retired Nurse Corps. Medaille d'Honneur de !'Hygiene Pub- After 20 years of service, Miss Stimson, lique in 1937, retired from active duty. International Red Cross Florence Night­ ingale Medal. She did not remain inactive very long. In In 1918 a book by Miss Stimson, entitled, 1938 she was elected President of the Ameri­ "'Finding Themselves" was published which can Nurses Association and the same was based on her war letters describing the energy, devotion and time were her con­ experience of Base Hospital 21 crossing to tinued contributions to the nursing profes­ France and taking over No. 12 General Hos­ sion. She remained as President. of the nurs­ pital, B. E . F. She also wrote many other ing Association until 1944. articles. In 1942 Major Stimson had been recalled Despite her many activities Julia Stimson to active service with the Army and was in found time for a number of hobbies. She St. Louis and every other important medical played the violin, was a lover of nature and center of the United States in connection books and spent many hours working with with plans for recruiting nurses, and for in­ metal and enamel. terpreting the special needs of the service. Miss Stimson visited in St. Louis on a Thus, another distinguished member of number of occasions. She came on for the Base Hospital 21 of World War I has de­ Base Hospital 21 Reunion in 1937, com­ parted this life but not without having left memoratin_g the unit's 20th anniversary. a heritage of high character, devotion, edu­ Upon her return to BriarCliff we received a cation and excellent service which shall long letter from her which we quote: be remembered. Dear Mr. Engel: * * * * I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed the Reunion and what a thrill I got out of it. You may be sure that if I We mourn with the family of can help it nothing will prevent my return to others that you may have. May I congratulate you upon the JULIA CATHERINE STIMSON way the aITangements were made for the doings in St. Louis. It seemed to me that they were beautifully done "Splendid you passed, the great surrender made, and that every one had a gorgeous time." Into the light that nevermore shall fade; Deep in your contentment in that blest abode, The next time we saw her was in N ovem­ Who wait the last clear trumpet-call of God." ber, 1942 when she had been reactivated by the Army. She arrived in St. Louis Novem­ Members of Base Hospital 21 ber 24, 1942 and was a guest at Washington University Nurses Residence during her The family of the late Colonel Julia C. stay in town. The Women's Auxiliary Com­ Stimson want to thank you very warmly, mittee of the Nurses Residence were host­ not only for the beautiful wreath of flowers tesses at a tea party for her at the Residence which you sent, but also for your expression on November 27, 1942. On November 28, of sympathy. Major Stimson, Estelle Claiborne, Louise Very sincerely yours, Knapp and Mary Reynolds were the guests PHILIP M. STIMSON TH_E__ .ROUEN _. POST

American nurses, led by Julia Stimson, in the great parade in Paris of July 4, 1918. Miss Stimson, at the time, was Director of the Nursing Service of the A. E. F.

JUILA C. STIMSON SCHOLARSHIP WASHINGTON U. GIFT HONORS FUND AT WASHINGTON MEMORY OF DR. FRED T MURPHY UNIVERSITY A gift of 177 publications of the Yale Uni­ versity Press has been received by Wash­ An unidentified individual who was in­ ington University in memory of Dr. Fred terested in the Washington University Towsley Murphy, graduate of Yale and pro­ School of Nursing, recognizing the need for fessor of surgery at Washington University further preparation for positions of responsi­ School of Medicine from 1911 to 1918. bility, gave a sum of money approximately The collection includes books on scientific, four million dollars later increased to five medical. historical and literary subjects. million, the interest of which was used for scholarships in the School of Nursing. Excerpts from the minutes of the Corpora­ tion of Washington University, June J2. 1918 record the fact that the donor suggested WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY that in view of the excellent service and high A Gift in Memory of character of Miss Julia Stimson, the Scholar­ ship be named for her. He did not want his FRED TOWSLEY MURPHY name used. It was recommended that his of the Class of 1897, Yale College wishes be followed and that he be informed Professor of Surgery · of the action of the Corporation, and ex­ tended their hearty thanks for his generosity. Washington University Medical School The first scholarship was awarded in 1911-1919 1918. Since that time a scholarship has been Founder and First Commanding Officer awarded annually, to be used by graduates of its Hospital Unit in World War I of the Washington University School of 1914-1918 Nursing for advanced preparation for teach­ ing, administration and public health po­ ~ ~ sitions. Twenty-six scholarships have been used thru September 3, 1948. THE ROUEN POST

Each book contains a book plate bearing ters, where refreshments were served and reproductions of the seals of both schools. impromptu entertainment reigned. The collection was exhibited until October Labor Day morning a gigantic and color­ 16 in the faculty room of the medical library. ful parade through the downtown district Volumes on medical and scientific sub­ took place, and it was gratifying to see the jects will be added to the medical library, huge throngs who lined the streets to view and those on history and literature will be­ the march. Hi-jinks, crack drum and bugle come part of Ridgley Library on the main corps, aging veterans of World War I and campus. Dr. Murphy was the founder and the youthful veterans of World War II were first commanding officer of the university's the highlights of this very successful parade. Base Hospital 21 in World War I. After the parade, the convention reconvened. Mrs. Murphy, wife of the late Dr. Mur­ Our National Commander James F. O'Neil phy, visited the exhibit accompanied by Dr. was the distinguished speaker for the morn­ and Mrs. Walter Fischel. Dr. Fischel also ing session. He gave a fighting talk on the served with Base Hospital 21 in France. "Legion in Action." Behind the scenes on Saturday and Sun­ REPORT ON MISSOURI day the various committees had been busy DEPARTMENT AMERICAN LEGION preparing the business for the Monday after­ CONVENTION noon and Tuesday sessions. The Resolutions by Edward J. Manley Committee offered resolutions concerning The Thirtieth An­ the following: nual Convention of 1. Immediate payment of a state bonus thru legisla­ tive action at the next General Assembly. the Missouri Depart­ 2. Ask Congress to make the home of the late Gen­ eral Pershing at Laclede, Mo., a national shrine. ment of the American 3. Investigation of a proposal of a St. Louis post for Legion was convened the construction at Gasconade, Mo., of an institu­ at the M u n i c i p a 1 tion similar to Boys Town. Auditorium, Kansas Elections on Tuesday found John C. Jef­ City, Missouri over fries of Hannibal, the successful candidate the Labor Day week­ for Department Commander, William Stone end September 5-6-7, of Kansas City was elected National Com­ 1948. mitteeman. Nineteen hundred A banquet and dance Monday was a sc " delegates and their cial highlight and a contrast to the serious Edward J. Manley families were in atten- business of the convention. dance for the three day session. The open­ Special train accomodations for St. Louis ing, on Sunday, was in county fair style, Legionnaires to and from St. Louis enabled with old friends greeting each other, register­ them to round out an excellent weekend. ing and entering free automobile contest. This contest is in conjunction with the Na­ tional Convention in Florida in October. ROUEN POST No. 242 Opening day of the convention found the ANNUAL ARMISTICE PARTY Mayor of Kansas City and other city offi­ cials extending keys of the city to the Legion­ s·aturday, November 6, 1948 naires and inviting them to take over the at city. From turnouts in the hotel district it appeared that the Legionnaires took the ~ D Ranch House Mayor literally. Before adjournment a very of impressive Memorial Service was held on the Municipal Stage conducted by the Kan­ Dr. and Mrs. Edwin C. Ernst sas City Guard of Honor. In the late after­ 2 Schultz Road noon the Veterans Welfare Committee maintained "open house" at their headquar- St. Louis County, Mo.

220 No. 4th Street Bill Engel St. Louis, 2, Mo.