Genealogy of the Fitch family in North America - citizen hylbom blog

96 FITCH FAMILY
in her final report says :
'The aggregate of our ef-
forts, including the results of our Grand Fair, represents
a money value of not less than half a million
of dollars—$300,000 of this sum were paid
into the treasury of the United States Sanitary
Commission in cash; and hospital supplies were
furnished to the amount of over $200 000 more,
embracing the various things needed for the comfort
of the sick and wounded soldier." The Great
Fair of Brooklyn owes its origin to the Woman's
Relief Association. It was at first proposed that
Brooklyn should unite with New York in the
Metropolitan Fair, but on further deliberation it
was thought that a much larger result would be
attained by an independent effort on the part of
Brooklyn and Long Island and the event fully justified
the opinion It is much to say, but the proofs
of the statement are ample, that no one of the Sanitary
Fairs, held from 1863 to 1865. equalled that of
Brooklyn in its freedom from all friction and disturbing
influences in the earnestness of its patriotic
feeling and the complete and perfect harmony
which reigned from its commencement to its close.
This gratifying condition of affairs was universally
attributed to the extraordinary tact and the executive
talent of Mrs. Stranahan. As was well said
by the pastor, the Rev. Dr. Spear, "she was the
right woman in the right place. She gave her
time to the work with a zeal and perseverance that
never faltered and with a hopefulness for her
country, which yielded to no discouragement or
despondency. As a presiding officer she discharged
her duties with self-possession, courtesy, skill and
method, that commanded universal admiration.