to the entire management. precede the harvest. In order of nature seedtime must It becomes my duty to record the death of Mrs. Gulielma Ross Davenport, who departed this life December 25, 1898. She had but recently been made a member of our Society, and, in view of her qualifications for the service, I was hoping she would be an important leader in the line of our work. I had fixed my mind on her as a person suitable to fill any office to which she might be called in the Territory. But divine providence had ordained otherwise and took her to join the sisterhood of angels within the veil. Respectfully submitted, MRS. WALTER A. DUNCAN, IOWA. Madam President and Members of the Eighth Continental Congress: As an evidence of the steady, strong and healthful growth of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Iowa. I am proud to bring to you to-day not only the greetings of fifteen organized Chapters, but representation by delegates on the floor of this Congress from all but three. The growth in organization of Chapters has been constant and though at times it has seemed slow, the various impediments to rapid growth are fast disappearing. The old method of tracing lineage by correspondence alone has given way to the quicker and better methods of research made possible through the National Society and the various students who have taken up the work of tracing the genealogy of families and the records not accessible to the majority of persons applying for membership in our Society. Where the zeal and zest of even one member has shown itself in a community there often the work has progressed with such surprising and inspiring rapidity that a Chapter has been formed while places seemingly more promising have ofttimes taken far more time to perfect their organization, which facts and argument seem to prove conclusively that the growth of our work is dependent far more upon the persons entrusted with it than upon the place in which it is started. There are in Iowa many eligible parties and many national members scattered throughout the State who desire affiliation with organized Chapters, feeling the truth of the fact that without association and stimulation interest in any project soon lags and enthusiasm for it soon dies. Firmly believing that the Chapter is the foundation stone which makes our structure firm, I have made most earnest effort this the closing year of my active service as State Regent to bring all members-at-large into Chapters and to combine isolated nucleii of Chapters in process of formation into a common center until such time as individual separate Chapters might be formed. Though Iowa cannot claim the privileges and distinction of the colonial States, she is striving to encourage in every one, and in every way possible, patriotic endeavor and to rescue from oblivion the names of Iowa heroes, whose deeds of valor entitle them to recognition. The second method of organizing Chapters as given in the Constitution has been the one generally followed by me in the State and has proved most successful. The appointment of one Daughter as Regent in a district or village has brought to that locality not only the information and assistance so much needed by those who seek it, but has invariably been the secret of success in forming Chapters. With few exceptions all Regents of my appointment during the four years of my term of office, have reported the formation of Chapters. Of the five Chapters organized the promising feature is their progress toward the requisite twelve members. Cedar Rapids and West Union of the larger towns of the State are still unorganized. Much care has been taken in the selection of those who were to assume the responsibility of organization and efficiency has been the key-note of their success. As to the line of work undertaken in Chapters the general statement that all follow the study of American history with the commemoration of patriotic anniversaries will cover the ground, though if space were mine I would give special promi nence to the noticeable departures in the manner of entertainments. The one great fact that overshadows all else in importance as an outcome of the experiences of the year is the demonstrated one that where Chapters have a definite object to work for there interest and enthusiasm have marvelous growth. In the war relief work the Daughters of the American Revolution found a channel for their patriotic services and with efficiency that challenges the admiration of all observers has won its place as a thoroughly organized sisterhood, able to assist the Government in any hour of national need. Since Iowa made no special report of work done through the summer in war relief, a short summary from each Chapter is added in this report of the regular Chapter sessions. The oldest Chapter in Iowa, the Abigail Adams, Mrs. E. G. Pratt, Regent, has fifty-eight active and loyal members. Regular monthly meetings where business followed by the muchenjoyed social hour have kept up the interest in the Society and made organized work in the city through its channels in war relief easy, quick and satisfactory. November 30th marked a day of great pleasure in the Chapter's history when, with the Sons of the American Revolution, a joint celebration was held and cordial relations already established between the Societies strengthened. A New Year tea, an innovation in our Chapter celebrations, was highly successful, bringing together husbands, children and friends in most informal and friendly manner. The Chapter is proud of its two Real Daughters, Mrs. L. A. Andrews and Mrs. Lucy F. Sibley. Contributions to the soldiers, $100.00; Lafayette Monument, $10.00; Meadow Garden Farm, $2.00. A regimental flag now with the troops at Manila was a gift from the Chapter. Dubuque Chapter, Mrs. Fannie B. Tredway, Regent, numbers fifty members. Seven Chapter meetings have been held at the residence of members. Two social meetings, one a banquet, Febraury 22d, the other Flag Day picnics, brought the members in friendly relations and proved the value of such diversion in keeping alive the sentiment of patriotism and reverence for the Nation's heroes. The study of historic characters has been the regular outline of work and stimulated interest in this hitherto too-much neglected branch of knowledge. Through the efforts of our State Regent, Mrs. Clara A. Cooley, $30.00 was raised in the Chapter for the war fund; Lafayette Monument, $20.00; Meadow Garden, $3.00. The local War Relief Association, of Dubuque, which made for itself so fine a record in its contribution of over six hundred dollars and in its work done for the Iowa soldiers, was aided by the State Regent and a few of the local Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. Clinton Chapter, the banner Chapter of Iowa, numbering one hundred, meets monthly with a program of carefully-prepared papers on historical topics. A suggestive departure which might be followed to advantage in large Chapters elsewhere is the division of the membership into three sections, each in turn making the plans, defraying all the expenses of one entertainment during the year, each division acting under an efficient chairman. To these celebrations all Chapter members are invited. While the literary and social features of the Clinton Chapter programs are successful it is to their patriotic work that credit is due. A patriotic festival tea was the means of raising $700.00, of which $400.00 went to the National Daughters of the American Revolution. A contribution of $100.00 to Continental Hall, Lafayette Monument, $25.00. Chariton, Sarah McCalla Chapter, named in honor of a noble, heroic woman, whose memory is revered by all true patriots, has for its Regent Corilla C. Lewis, writer of the patriotic song, "The Old Thirteen." Regular meetings of the Chapter have been marked by increase of interest and while our numbers have not shown any great gain there has been an awakening of interest in the aims and objects of the Society and our own loyalty and support of the local Chapter has gained in fervor. Sioux City, Martha Washington Chapter, Mrs. G. D. Stevens, Regent, has eighteen members, besides claiming a Real Daughter in the person of Mrs. Emily Nettleton Smith. The Chapter has held ten regular meetings, five special ones. It observed February 22d appropriately with a banquet in which the Sons of the American Revolution participated. During the Grand Army of the Republic Encampment, 1898, the local Chapter extended many courtesies to the visiting ladies of the organization. The AMERICAN MONTHLY MAGAZINE and "The Spirit of '76" are subscribed for by the Chapter for the benefit of its members, a suggestion which might be taken up by every Chapter wanting to make known to its Daughters the value of our publication. Davenport, Hannah Caldwell Chapter, Mrs. Maria P. Peck, Regent, thirty-eight members. The programs of this Chapter are unique in appropriateness and interest. Political in part, as: Is the government of foreign territory by the United States advisable? patriotic, too, as: Is legislation needed for protection of the flag? social as well, as: Legitimate aims and place of hereditary societies. The discussion and participation in these questions has made of the regular meeting of members a time of great enjoyment as well as growth in knowledge of the practical questions of the day. In the war relief work the Daughters of the American Revolution Chapter did efficient service and made generous contributions. Davenport claims no honor greater than the presence in its midst of two Real Daughters, Mrs. Electa A. Van Fleck and Mrs. Julia Ann Weaver. The Hanna Caldwell Chapter has entertained the sister Chapters of Moline and Rock Island and gained help and inspiration from the hospitality extended. In order to keep the Chapter posted on Continental Hall progress a committee of members has been appointed to report to the Chapter all information gained. Manchester, Martha Jefferson Chapter, Mrs. R. W. Tirril, Regent, has a record of constant and good work along the line of patriotic endeavor and has evinced in its historical study a growing interest in the aims and objects for which the Society was organized. In conjunction with the local War Relief Association, the Chapter did much valuable work. While the enthusiasm of large centers is lacking in the smaller towns of Iowa the incentive of patriotism depends not upon numbers |