The hanks had charge of the Bund

27.

HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

drives, five in number, and the War Stamp Drives. All quotas were raised with a goodly surplus.

The War Savings societies were in charge of Mr. F. A. Dutton. A great many societies were formed giving added interest to the Thrift Stamps habit among school children as well as older ones.

All calls from the Y. M. C. A. were answered with full and overflowing measures.

A Woman's Council of Defense was created. It was quite a large organization. They took charge of the war gardens, conservations of food, canning demonstrations, as well as caring for lecturers on their line of work. '"The Spinster's Return," a home talent play, was given to raise funds. It was very well done and fully appreciated.

The work of the W. C. T. U. was confined to the making, fitting and delivering of a comfort kit to each soldier upon leaving. A testament and song book were among the other helpful articles included in the kit.

Lewellen was the first in the county to organize a Red Cross Chapter. This was done August 28, 1917. Oshkosh and Lisco soon followed with organizations September, 1917. Each started with the regulation ten members, and a few others besides. The drives for membership brought good results. Before the Armistice was signed Lewellen had five hundred members, Oshkosh and Lisco had over nine hundred.

Successful Red Cross sales were held in the three places. Oshkosh raised over $1,400 in February, 1918. The quotas each time were raised with a surplus.