ALS signed “C. B.,” four pages on two adjoining sheets, 5.25 x 6.5, May 15, 1908. Barton writes to Roseve and Harriet. In part: “I am afraid I almost killed you with my letters of Sunday. And it may be I was entirely mistaken, and that the papers to go out to the people, are not to call direct for me—and that this excellently expressed paper is only for the men who are to lead, and not for the public—and this would be all so right. You will perhaps understand how these especially Red Cross days (of San Francisco) are made to bear a little heavily on me, and they are not missing their opportunity neither in New England, or here. Their spades are full of earth just now to ignominiously bury the poor old Red Cross. You will realize that it is not restful for me to feel Miss Boardman visiting in the families, and talking to the people of the city of my home, who have always been so willing to let me go on and do the hard things they could not do themselves; and when I do not hear of one who even asks her a question of the past, but all accept her with honor and confidence, you will not wonder so much, that I recoiled against asking those same people to show me favor. It was foolish I know but one cannot help being human and sincere. It is all over now. I am stronger today and have reflected that I was probably mistaken…The R.C. here is steering very hard in these last weeks to both justify and magnify itself. They are not yet succeeding to the full measure of their hopes.” In fine condition.
Throughout her life, Barton thrived on a 'hands-on' approach to matters, often managing Red Cross chapters from in the field. As the organization became more established, new board members opposed this style with some participants looking to remove her from power; “Miss Boardman” was Mabel Boardman, who emerged as her main competitor. Following a multi-year power struggle, Barton’s supporters elected her president ‘for life’ in 1902. The organization fractured into Barton and Boardman supporters, with this letter, penned eight years after that pivotal vote, revealing the bitterness that still existed at the thought of “Miss Boardman visiting in the families, and talking to the people of the city of my home, who have always been so willing to let me go on and do the hard things they could not do themselves.” Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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