When the Freeborn County Chapter of the American Red Cross was organized in May 1917, the primary focus was on World War I events. The chapter’s members in the county’s communities and townships worked to assist the nation’s armed forces personnel and to support relief efforts in other parts of the world. Then a local medical crisis near the end of the war resulted in the chapter becoming involved in the first of many area situations requiring Red Cross responses.

In 1918, an influenza epidemic spread around the world. One estimate says over 20 million people died, including 500,000 Americans. That last number exceeded the nation’s casualties in the war. Many citizens of Freeborn County became ill and some died during this influenza epidemic.

A news item in the Oct. 17, 1918, issue of the Freeborn County Standard weekly newspaper reported:

“Under the able supervision of Miss Anna Kippen, superintendent of Naeve Hospital, the Red Cross has established an emergency hospital of thirty-five beds in Science Hall of Albert Lea College. Eight patients were received there yesterday and last night, but none so far today. The establishment of this hospital was thought necessary because of the scarcity of nurses and also in this way the cases may be isolated. C. C. Dwight, representing the Red Cross committee, secured the equipment for the hospital, cots, bed linen, towels, in fact everything was secured in two days’ time. The vacant building was cleaned and made sanitary, fire started in the big boilers of the college heating plant. Graduates of the Red Cross Nursing classes are acting nurses of this hospital: Miss Nelson, Mrs. Cora Johnson, Mrs. W. L. Palmer, Mrs. E. L. Hayek, Miss Ruth Larson, Mrs. Nelson, Mrs. A. Sanders. Miss Lizzie Olson volunteered as cook.&uot;

(The Albert Lea College for Women had ceased operations in 1916. The school’s Cargill Science Hall later became the Abbott Elementary School and is now the Abbott Apartments.)

A second local influenza epidemic in January 1920 resulted in the cancellation of a planned winter festival and the quick creation of a second temporary hospital. This new hospital, again set up with assistance of the Red Cross, was located in what was then known as both the Auditorium and the Masonic Temple, 147 N. Broadway Ave. (This location is now the Albert Lea Civic Theatre.)

The Tribune reported that 22 patients were in this building on Jan, 28, 1920. And, on Feb. 2, one of the patients died.

Nursing was an early concern for the Freeborn County Chapter. During World War I the chapter sent nine nurses to serve in military hospitals in the U.S. and Europe. In fact, at least two reference sources say the local Red Cross carried the entire expense of the public health program in the county for 11 years. Ida Mae Schweitzer is listed as the first county nurse.

Another aspect of the chapter’s contribution to county life was cited in the 50th anniversary booklet issued in 1967. It said:

&uot;One of the things the (Red Cross) Nursing Services is proud of is the Mental Health Center. A newspaper clipping in 1951 told of the 106 women whose ‘vision brought the Community Health Center to Albert Lea.’&uot;

Unexpected disasters have resulted in quick responses by volunteers from the area chapter, plus other chapters and the state organization if needed.

On May 10, 1953, a tornado southeast of Hollandale killed six members of the Aniseto Martinez family. The Red Cross helped the two surviving children of this family plus other victims of the storm.

On April 30, 1967, several tornadoes swept across Freeborn, Steele and Waseca Counties in what became known as &uot;Black Sunday.&uot;

Over 100 homes and buildings on the west and northwest side of Albert Lea were destroyed and five people in the county died as a results of this storm system.

The Red Cross, working with their corps of volunteers and students from Lea College and several high schools, helped those people who had their lives disrupted by this disaster.

Other occasions when the Freeborn County Chapter responded to situations needing immediate response included providing milk, beverages and rolls for over 300 student fans and adults attending the Region One Wrestling Tournament who were stranded in Albert Lea during February 1971 by a blizzard.

Assistance was provided in June 1978 to families affected by rainstorm flooding on Virginia Place. Then, in 1983, flooding from a broken water pipe resulted in quick aid for residents of the Shady Oak Apartments.

During February 1984, the local Red Cross helped about 150 travelers stranded in the city during a blizzard. Also, on June 7, 1984, assistance was provided for the victims of a tornado which swept across the southeast and east sides of Albert Lea.

The area chapter provided assistance to flood victims in Des Moines and other parts of Iowa during 1993.

More recent events involving assistance from the Freeborn County Chapter include the Glenville tornado of May 1, 2001, and the Farmland Foods fire of July 8, 2001.

Ann Pribyl, the present exective director of the Freeborn County Chapter, said the involvement at the Farmland Fire was with a &uot;feeding station&uot; operated in conjunction with The Salvation Army. This site was set up under a large tent and served as a place where firemen could get something to eat and drink, and as a place to relax and cool off for a few minutes (with the use of several large industrial fans).

Next: An update on the Freeborn County Chapter, its water safety and blood collection programs, services for military families, and other activities.