1072. Nurses Memorial: Ruth Holden and Alice Illingworth Haskell

Christian Petersen papers, RS 26/02/52, Iowa State University, Special Collections and University Archives.

Date	1919
Material	Bronze
Dimensions	approximately 24 in. (61 cm) [height]
Description	Memorial plaque unveiled in Capron Park, Attleboro on October 5th, 1919. Melted during a World War II scrap metal drive, according to photograph caption in Papers, SC.
Markings	Inscription: A TRIBUTE / FROM THE WOMEN OF ATTLEBORO / NINETEEN HUNDRED AND NINETEEN
Provenance / Location	Although this is listed as “melted”, it might not have been. Possibly located in Sturdy Memorial Hospital or the Sturdy Building (City Hall), Attleboro, Massachusetts.
Alternate Title(s)	n/a
Notes / Sources	Papers, SC, Box 12 f.5, notation that the Memorial is located in the Attleboro Public Library. Image, Box 9 f. 4; Box 7, f.12, photo "A bronze tablet, the work of Christian Peterson, ‘‘A tribute from the women of Attleboro” to the memory of Ruth Holden and Alice Illingsworth Haskell, was placed in the reading room as a suitable place until the erection of the municipal building." from Attleboro Town Annual Report, 1919, pp. 174-175. Attleboro Annual Report 1919, p. 174 “Ruth Holden – Alice Illingworth-Haskell Memorial Nursing Fund. Created in 1919 by the men, women and children of Attleboro in memory of Ruth Holden, born Nov. 1890, who died April 21, 1917 while nursing war refugees in Russia; and of Alice Illingworth-Haskell, born Oct. 11, 1892, who gave her life in the influenza epidemic Oct. 16, 1918. By their sacrifice they being dead yet speaketh.” The Attleboro Sun, Page8, 1961-04-08 “Christian Petersen” -- “Christian Petersen’s work in Attleboro has not been equaled nor excelled. He enabled the Robbins Co to achieve a foremost position in medallic art and in some branches of silverware. His artistry and craftsmanship started the Balfor Co on a plane above competition. The bronze Ruth Holden-Alice Haskell Memorial which was in the Attleboro Public Library and will be placed in the new Sturdy Memorial Hospital, was designed and modeled by Petersen soon after World War I. A deserved recognition of his capability came with many honors after leaving Attleboro. His achievements were many. -GN” Assume author is George Nerney.

Ruth Holden, from Attleboro, MA, served as a nurse in Russia during the World War I serving Russian refugees and died in service of typhus fever in a small town north of Moscow.

Alice Illingsworth Haskell of Norton, MA, served as a volunteer nurse during World War I in Attleboro and died during the influenza epidemic after only eleven days of service, struck down by influenza herself.