Show n i THE ONLY PIECE OF NEUTRAL GROUND IN AMERICA 11 1 N a beautiful fur and I romar tic I I j jf location four milS f IU of time the city of Bedford t Ind then is a tract of acres that is the only piece piete of ground on the tle Am American Ami i continent or more properly I I 1 the Western Hemisphere It is by the international jl treaty against the tread of hostile i feet It is a sanctuary against the invading armies of nations under the lie sacred treaty of Geneva Dr Joseph Gardner of Bedford Ind I nel donated the tract of land Innel to Clara Barton for the Hed Cross The rhe gift was accepted by hy Miss Bar Har Barton Harton Barton ton in the name of the tic Red Cross Society of lie World mid and 1111 immedi immediate ate atc steps were taken to secure the passage of proper laws of Congress to 10 forever secure the magnificent magnificent gift to the die uses and purposes de der desired desired sired by the donor and Miss Barton Bartoli 1 nations besides the United limited States joined in ht ratifying the terms of the treaty at Geneva which forever establishes the tract as exempt from front war and secures the lie institutions to be he founded there from fury any lobo form amI of invasion what east whatever whatever ever In return for or this international al action the Red Reel Cross true to its purpose will y prepare the place for I such possible emergencies as may nm arise urise in m the future of nations Primarily Primarily Primarily marily the place will not be he set over exclusively for the time establishment e of i hospitals to t t care for wounded sol soldiers piers diers hum but will also embody a large plan to secure to Red Cross work worl workers ers from every quarter of the world a permanent honk home to which they may retire rei ire to be he cared for during clurin the th remainder of their lives out of oC the funds of the thc Red Reel Cross Society of the world In donating the tract to the Red Rell RedCross RedCross Cross Dr Gardner suggested that it would make Inake an admirable location for the American clIn storehouses in invalid invalid invalid valid homes hospitals and nurse mine school supply depot of the RedCross Red Heel RedCross Cross in this country COli n I This sug suggestion su suggestion has fens been heen approved by h I the Red Cross officials I It I t is abundantly supplied with the thc I purest water and numerous streams ripple among the hills Its perfect drainage high location and sufficient transportation facilities make it an all ideal plate pla e for extensive pub public lie lic institutions Hospitals and Monies homes for infirm and 1111 unfortunate nurses will be he established by the Red Heel Cross and the officials of the society who have viewed the place declare that no better hetter site could be he I obtained anywhere for such pur purposes poses The tract will contain many mallY build buildings buildings buildings ings when the plans are arc fully car carried carried carried ried out for besides the hospitals cottage e honks homes for nurses and store storehouses storehouses storehouses houses there will be h a fireproof building in iii which will hill be he stored all t the he trophies t ru th it s keepsakes kc e sake akee and 1 souvenirs I airs nils presented presented to tot the Red Hed Cross in I all parts of time the th world Dr VI Cardner lf presented the tract of land to 10 the Red Cross Crolls as a thank offering to humanity At present the tract is under the charge and of Dr Ir Gardner who has hns been selected by hy bythe hythe I the time Red Heel Cross for that station There are arc a village schoolhouse postoffice told and railroad station on out the farm and Dr Gardner employs a alar large lar e force of men in ill beautifying and nud improving the place The he large lar c residence which is situated on oil the highest hill from which a magnificent cent view is spread is in made to ex lX express express press its acquired character of oC ged lcd Cross Home Ironic It bears hears upon many of its angles ankles red crosses embellished with wilh a silver and mill gold background round Dr Ir and Mrs rs Gardner have earned a reputation in ill Red Cross work both hoth being officers in the thc American society General Shafter Sha ter witnesses that Mrs Gardner was the only woman except Clara Dar Barr Barton Darton ton tun who was on the time firing line linc be before before fore forc Santiago foul and she is remembered by every soldier of that battle hattle as the lie woman who furnished him with food and many mall comforts while I Miss liss Barton was journeying back hack to the coast for supplies Mrs Gardner nursed General Harry L Eghert Egbert on the firing filing f rin line tine at Santia Santiago go lie He was teas later killed in ill the time Phil Philippines iJ |