New exhibit recognizes war mothers

The Hot Springs County Museum and Cultural Center has plenty of exhibits and information about the history of Hot Springs County and the surrounding area, as well as plenty of military history. This latter will be added to with the addition of a display about the Mother's League and the American War Mothers, Claude Branham Chapter.

The Mother's League - sometimes called the Godmother's League - was organized by Dora McGrath on Sept. 22, 1917, after the United State had entered World War I. The league was the only one of its kind in the world. There was a National Godmother's League in New York, which adopted motherless soldiers and sailors, but the Mother's League here in Thermopolis adopted a boy, and sometimes more, in addition to their own sons.

The league was dedicated to complete service for and to all boys of the county who were serving their country. McGrath was president, and America Hank was secretary.

As groups of enlisted boys left for training camps, each was assigned to a member of the league who acted as "godmother," sending small gifts, a complete knitted outfit made by the godmothers, and letters of cheer and comfort.

The Mother's League continued until the end of WWI, doing countless things for their boys and comforting bereaved mothers. When trainloads of returning soldiers passed through Thermopolis, the league maintained a canteen at the depot for three months. On Sept. 30, 1919, following the Armistice, a huge elk barbecue was served by the league to all soldiers and sailors of Hot Springs County at the State Reserve - later known as Hot Springs State Park.

In July of 1924, Mrs. H.H. McClure, National President of the American War Mothers, and Mrs. Vesa Russell, State Organizer of Wyoming, stopped in Thermopolis on their way to Yellowstone, in regard to organizing a chapter here. They called on Dora McGrath, and after explaining the work of the organization, McGrath assured them she would work to organize the local chapter.

McGrath secured names of 10 or more mothers whose sons and daughters had served in WWI. Applications were signed, and on Sept. 24, 1924, Russell returned to Thermopolis.

After a lunch at the Woods Hotel - later known as the Carter - a business meeting was held with Russell explaining the object of the organization. Those attending were McGrath, Clara Calloway, Margaret Price, Laura Schickley, Margaret Simpson, Berta Ray, Marie Varney and America Hank. The organization was formed with McGrath running the meeting, and they all elected to meet Sept. 29 to name the chapter and elect officers.

They chose to name the chapter after Claude Branham, son of Mr. and Mrs. James H. Branham, who was killed in France during WWI by an accidental shell explosion. Elected officers were: President Dora McGrath, First Vice President Margaret Price, Second Vice President Lotta Lohlein, Third Vice President Judy Wighte, Fourth Vice President Jennie Haynes, Recording Secretary Clara Calloway, Corresponding Secretary Margaret Simpson, Treasurer Laura Schickley, Historian America Hank, Custodian Marie Varney and Auditors Berta Ray, Amanda Nostrum and Anna Sharp.

Meetings were held on alternating Wednesday's in McGrath's office and the $72.20 in the Mother's League was transferred to the War Mothers to carry on the work.

The War Mothers were dedicated to the service of veterans, soldiers, sailors and their families, and those in the hospitals in Sheridan and Denver. The organization served through World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam, and was formally disbanded in 1981.