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The following news items were drawn from the archives of the Mail Tribune 100 years ago. WAR MOTHERS LEAGUE TO ORGANIZE AUXILIARY HERE Mrs. E. S. Gill of Seattle, official representative of the War Mother’s League is in Medford to meet women interested in the welfare of enlisted men, Thursday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock at the library. The league is one of the useful activities relating to the war, and it is hoped to form a local branch. She will explain the workings as well as results of this excellent organization, which is the only one receiving the endorsement of Secretary Daniels and Maj. Gen. H. A. Greene, commandant of Camp Lewis, he having written a personal letter giving it and the methods of procedure the highest approval and commendation. Mrs. Gill desires to effect the organization of an auxiliary here and wishes to meet women who are interested in war work. She has much of interest to relate regarding response from men who are now corresponding with “War Mothers” and urgently requests support. There are no dues or fees, only personal service required. The league was organized in Seattle and incorporated last September. Its object, expressed in the preamble to its constitution, is to “take to our hearts and lives, as our son, at least one enlisted man in any branch of the army or navy, who has no mother to love and cherish him.” Every “mother” pledges herself to write cheerful and encouraging letters regularly to her “son.” Col. W. M. Inglis, of the 2nd Washington Infantry, on October 17, wrote a letter of recommendation for the league members. “I find they are accomplishing splendid results,” he said, “and I only hope more of my men may be taken care of in a similar manner.” Mrs. Gill, discussing the work of the league said, “In these days of stress when considering every possible method for the welfare of the men who have gone forth to fight there is not one which is more practical or to the direct purpose than is the War Mothers’ League of America, which deals directly with the mental condition and happiness of the motherless enlisted man. “It does for their minds what the Red Cross does for their bodies, and is, in my opinion, almost as essential, for the reason that all commanders say that when men are homesick and lonely they are only about 50 percent efficient.” For more stories like this, check out “The Archive,” a weekly podcast series at mailtribune.com/podcasts