Ellsworth native Lu Adams will portray the life of Mary “Mother” Bickerdyke for the program at Monday’s Barton County Historical Society meeting, set for 7:30 p.m. at the BCHS Museum. The public is invited.
Adams has been portraying Mary Bickerdyke since 1996 and has done extensive research on her colorful war stories and aid to veterans. “Mother” Bickerdyke served as a volunteer nurse in the Civil War, following General Sherman’s army in 19 major battles. Adams will describe how Bickerdyke assisted Civil War veterans while living in the Great Bend area and how she helped others during the 1867 Indian raids and 1874 grasshopper invasion.
The Bickerdyke home, hospital and cemetery in Ellsworth were named in her honor in 1897.
The Barton County Historical Society museum is located at 85 South U.S. 281, just over the Arkansas River bridge.