)096 .

6
‘~1 909

CORRESPONDENCE OF
ELSIE H. KIMBALL
(1887 1972)
—

Elsie Kimball spent two years at Mount Holyoke from 1905 to 1907. In 1919
she signed a contract with the American Committee for Relief in Near East
(later renamed Near East Relief N.E.R.) to work in the Transcaucasus. Her
—

first letter was written on board the S.S. Patria on July 6, 1919; and she
continued to write home regularly up until December 13, 1921 when she left for
home. In 1923 she returned for a second tour of duty; these letters were
written between May 13, 1923 and August 18, 1927. All the letters*are
addressed to her mother and her sister Rene (Lorenia, Mount Holyoke ‘05);
they are copies, not originals, but in a letter of May 10, 1987 to Elaine
Trehub, Natalie Kimball writes that the transcripts were made under Elsie’s
supervision and that she read them all making any necessary corrections.

She was first sent to Derindje, about 150 miles south of Constantinople, where
the group of 30 was lodged in a warehouse used by the Germans during the war.
From here she journeyed to Tiflis in Georgia, an ancient city with many
ethnic groups, where she was assigned to be secretary to Colonel Haskell,
Allied High Commissioner to Armenia (en route she accidently met Gertrude
Knox, Mount Holyoke ‘09). This placement was a disappointment — she did not
want an office job — but it proved to be interesting and demanding work,
involving editing translations, purchasing supplies, hiring personnel. When
Haskell went off to the Peace Conference in Paris, Elsie persuaded him to
assign her to an orphanage during his absence. In October she arrived in
Ahalkaj.aki (Russia) up at 6,000 feet, a ruined village to which the Armenian
population had just returned in the spring. Amid appalling conditions, Elsie
set out to select the worst—looking “full” orphans (October 26, 1919) in a
“rag—bag” populace. On a visit to Alexandr~pol (letter of November 25) she
reported that the N.E.R. there had care of 15,000 refugees and 4,000 orphans,
though 75,000 were still uncared for. She was unable to convince the authori
ties to permit her to continue in orphanage work — she was so good in the office
they did not want to lose her — and so she had to return to her job with
Colonel Haskell. All through the spring, refugees poured into Tiflis; all
feared the arrival there of the Bolsheviks. A population of about 500,000
swelled to almost a million (April 7, 1920). In May with Baku in Bolshevik
hands, an ultimatum was issued that all 35 American women were to leave Tiflis
within two hours.

Elsie was one of the few women to remain in the Caucasus. In August, 1920, she
was offered the chance to take charge of the refugee work in Batoum on a tempor
ary basis, before returning to work in the interior. Conditions were frightful
but Elsie had soup kitchens feeding 1500 children within 24 hours. By September
she was in Kars (Armenia) as supervisor of orphanages with 5500 children and 200
personnel in her charge. The Turks occupied the city shortly after and the
relief workers barely hung on, protecting the orphanages amid looting and shoot
ing soldiers. At the same time, the Bolsheviks had reached Alexandr~pol and
their supply routes were cut; food, clothing, wood and water were very scarce.

*with a few exceptions

 Elsie H. Kimball

She left Kars on April 5, 1921 and in May was temporarily assigned to Batoum
(Russia) where they were treated well by the Bolsheviks. Later in the year
she was moved again to Tiflis in the office of Captain Yarrow. By mid—December
her contract had ended and she returned home via Batoum and Constantinople.

In the spring of 1923, Elsie was on her way back to the Near East and once again
she was persuaded to do office work, acting as secretary to Captain Yarrow, now
Director General, in Alexandr~pol, Russia, four miles from the Turkish border.
She found conditions greatly improved from her previous visit. In December,
worn out with office responsibilities and those as managing housekeeper of the
residence for N.E.R. personnel, she went off for a rest to Djalal Oghlou, 60
miles up in the m ountains, a small station in farming country with only 2300
orphans. She stayed on until April working at the orphanage, until she was
called back to work once again for Captain Yarrow in Leninakan ( formerly
Alexandrapol). She was upset to find herself back in an office job; she wrote
(April 11, 1924) “a year will have passed in June since my arrival to do
orphanage work.” In June, however, she was sent back to Djalal Oghlou in charge
of 1000 children, a job which she clearly loved. Unfortunately the next winter,
she was seriously ill (February 3, 1925), had surgery and was in the hospital
in Leninakan. By March she was back in Djalal Oghlou (now called the Djalal
Oghlou Farm School), working with children. Through the summer she organized
a recreational program which provided a camping experience for the children in
small groups. After a vacation in the winter of 1925—26, once again she found
she was to be transferred to the office of the Director General. This time she
rebelled — she had been promised orphanage work on her second tour, was in the
Near East a year before receiving an orphanage assignment — and she resigned.

She accepted a job (about January 1926) with the Georgian Manganese Company,
owned by the Harriman family, who had a 20—year lease mining manganese in
Tchiatouri (Russia). Living conditions were rugged (steep slopes and slippery
mud made even getting to the office a challenge) and Elsie found the office in
disarray. Once again her organizational skills were put to work and she set
about rearranging files and procedures. A staff of 20 Britishers and Americans
soon grew to a large secretarial staff. Elsie helped especially with transla
tions; she had been studying Russian off and on since her arrival in the Near
East and by now she knew “every—day Russian” as well as technical terms related
to the mining industry. She intended to stay only six months or so but she could
not resist the spell of the Near East (May 22, 1926: “I feel I am really living
out here.”) and she stayed on until the summer of 1927. Her last letter was
written on her way home when in port in Algeria, August 28, 1927.

Elsie’s letters are vivid in their detail. She moved around among a number of
cities and towns in the Transcaucasus at a time when the area was in turmoil
from the ravages of war, famine, earthquake, Bolshevik advances, fleeing refugees,
massacres, fire. Ethnic groups and languages were innumerable. Descriptions of
some of her journeys are high adventure — traveling through spectacular scenery
by ill—equipped trucks which breakjioj.m on mountain passes as night falls and
snow begins with the threat of brigai~ all about; or a “blood curdling” night
ride on a mountain road without lights (April 27, 1920); or riding local trains
in converted boxcars on long, painfully slow trips which took days or weeks.
 Elsie M. Kimball

Vacation time she spent seeing as much as possible of the area — Mediterranean
ports, Moscow, Leningrad, Samarkand, Persia.

Living accommodations varied from the very rugged to more comfortable boarding
house conditions. She was well initiated on her voyage out in 1919 when she
killed 150 bedbugs at one time on the “Bulgaria” on the Mediterranean. On her
first tour she had a horse which she used both for transportation and for
exercise and recreation. She worked hard at her Russian lessons when she had
the time; there was tennis and especially when assigned to Black Sea ports,
parties with the American Navy at which she could wear her Paris evening gown
purchased in Constantinople (July 11, 1920).

The letters are a good source of information about American personnel in the
Near East since she always gives the names of those with whom she is associated
and with her changing assignments she became acquainted with a large number of
staff people. N.E.R. was known as “Never Ending Readjustment” (October 17, 1921)
and Elsie’s letters demonstrate well the truth of that assessment.

Little is known about Elsie’s life after she returned to the United States in
1927. In 1928 she was awarded the overseas medal of Near East Relief for five
years of courageous service. The Alumnae Office records indicate that for 21
years she was Superintendent of Stenographers in the Law Department of Union
Carbide in New York with a staff of 50. At the age of 68, in October of 1955
she married John Beck, a chemist. In 1972 she died when she was 85 years of age.

Of special note:

8—30—19 Journey to Tiflis; description of city. Residence is confiscated property of

Georgian oilman rented to Americans; Russian cook.
9— 9—19 Job with Haskell
10— 9—19 Visit of General Harbord’s Mission (appointed by Wilson to investigate Near and
Middle~st in order to decide mandates). Fighting in Baku. Denikan’s Army
vs. Tartars, Kurds, Georgians, Daghestans. Armenian refugees.
10—15—19 Tiflis — climate ideal but no water; when treated tastes like hair tonic
10—17—19 Stop at Borjom, well—known health resort
10—26—19 Ahalkalaki. To Karsak and Sulda to select orphans amid “howling bedlam of
humanity”
11— 4—19’ Description of Armenian wedding. Visit to villages with two Russian doctors.
Up mountain trail to help with vaccination. Dinner given by Armenian staff
11—15—19 Visit to Doukhobor village — sect resembling Quakers — “spirit wrestlers” —

home of Peter Verigen, leader

11—25—19 Visit to Alexandr~po1. Snow storm on return — drifts and howling winds taken
—

in for night by Gorelovka family -

1— 5—20 N.E.R. supplies sunk at sea

 Elsie M. Kimball

1—16—20 Tiflis. Visit of Mary Vail Andress, D.S.M. medalist for work in France
1—27—20 Russian refugees working for N.E.R. Enclosed statement describes massacre
by Turks in Marash
2—13—20 From Bele Panau an unsigned statement describing column of Armenian refugees
—

traveling through snow to Islahil

2—20—20 Earthquake
3 —2—20 Movie crew from International Film Corp
3—20—20 Bolshevik demonstration protesting taking of Batoum by British
3—26—20 Fear that Bolsheviks will overrun Tiflis; refugees arriving from Vladjkavkaz
Quote from Col. Haskell’s official letter re future policy of N.E.R. with summary
of accomplishments and facilities.
4— 7—20 Refugees in Tiflis. Persecution and degradation of Armenians
4—21—20 Trip to Ahalkalaki; stranded overnight; oxcart tows truck
5 8—20 Description of evacuation of Tiflis
—

5—10—20 In Batoum under siege by Adjarians; danger from Turks now, not Bolsheviks
—

6—20—20 Only 4 American women left in Caucasus; British planning to evacuate Batoum
6—25—20 Visit of Maud Radford Warren, writing for Sat. Evening Post
7—18—20 British gone. Mixture of 12 nationalities. About 2000 Greek refugees from
Armenia camped near by.
8—31—20 In charge of refugee work in Batoum. Describes camp conditions of Greek
refugees —no food or sanitary facilities — dying of starvation. Greek Mission
of no help. Soup kitchen feeding children
8—31—20 Letter to Mr. Yarrow, Dir. Gen. of N.E.R. Relief Caucasus Branch
Report on camps, problems with Greek Mission and Greek doctor — resentful of
- American “interference”. Now 12,000 refugees. Barracks house 3000, 6000 in open,
3000 to go to Macedonia. 35% ill, seeking space in military hospital
—3—20 Letter to Mr. Yarrow
Must soon leave on account of problem with Greeks
10— 3—20 Journey to Kars; in charge of orphanages — 6 buildings spread 2 miles apart;
biggest problem is disciplining older children
10—31—20 On Sept. 29, Armenian general orders evacuation a/c of advancing Turks. Stampede
of refugees and howling mobs of children. Encounters with Turkish soldiers.
Kurds most vicious. Looting. Help of Turkish guards. Whips soldiers trying to
steal blankets “the most amusing of the incidents...running from a woman”
11—21—20 Letter of Cora Beach to her family re experiences with soldiers at orphanages
in Kars— looting, shooting, stripping, killing.
12—15—20 Bolsheviks now in Alexandrapol. Americans now at Kars. Fate of orphans there
uncertain. All supplies short, children in weakened condition a/c food rationing.
Supply routes cut supplies looted by Turks.
—

1— 9—21 Possible movement of orphan groups to Kars but not enough supplies; 2 meals day.
Water by bucket from river, freezing weather. 40 Americans now in Kars
— not
sufficient a/c many problems. Elsie transferred to Boys Industrial School.
1— 9—21 (Second letter, written at same time but mailed later a/c fear of censorship)
Massacre at Kars
1—29—21 Mail censored by Turkish Liaison Officer. Turks ordered transfer of orpha’~ to
Alexandr~pol; cannot work under Bolsheviks. Returning tq Constantinople for re
assignment
4—25—21 Trezibond: Left Kars April 5. 6000 orphans moved to Alexandrapol — 1000 died
during winter now under control of Turks and where Armenians permitted.
—

Difficulties of transfer. Tiflis taken by Bolsheviks.

 Elsie H. Kimball

-~‘

5—21 New York Journal clipping describing journey to Constantinople from Kar ; plight
of orphans
5—10—21 Constantinople: most Americans have trachoma
5—21—21 On Board “Ferenz Ferdinand” — returning to Tiflis. Bolsheviks permitti g N.E.R.
to continue and help getting supplies through; railroad reopened
5—26—21 Letter of Elsie White written from Stamboul addressed “dear friends” de cribing
arrival of Turkish army in Kars. Looting of house of American personne by
soldiers. All Armenians ordered out. Condition of orphanages. Alexan ropol
personnel arrive in Kars.
[See Elsie Kimball’s letter of January 9 about same events and looting f house
of American personnel]
5—31—21 Batoum — temporarily assigned here. Treated well by Bolsheviks.
6— 5—21 Continues description of journey to Constantinople — 25 days en route. At
Erzeroum Turks provide housing and food. Turkish guard. Run—away hors
6—18—21 “I never dreamed there could be such awful conditions anywhere.” Russi n refugees.
Massacre at Alexandropol.
8—10—21 Bulletin of August 10 of Near East Relief, Caucasus Branch deseriptio
— of
massacre near Akhboolag, 18 miles from Alexandropol
8—14—21 Tiflis — changing assignment. Tour of inspection by party of 25 Americ na.
Many ill.
9—11—21 In charge of “good—sized” office staff
10— 3—21 Alexandropol — calamities on journey, stranded overnight. Now in off ic job
with nothing to do. Visited scene of massacre at Akhboolag
10— 9—21 Train travel
,~_4O—17—21 Funds adequate for 50,000 refugees; only small percent of starving popu ation
6—21 Orphanage work running more smoothly
11—30—21 Tabriz, Persia. One week in boxcar on train from Erivan. Travel by da ; overnight
with missionaries,
12—13—21 Tiflis — starting for home

6—10—23 Alexandropol. Persuaded to be secretary to Dir. Gen, Capt. Yarrow

6—21—23 Visit of Beasley, writer for National Geographic
7—29—23 Visit of Dr. Finley, N.E.R. Ex. Com.
8— 5—23 Visit to relief station at Djelal Oghlu
9— 2—23 Congressional group to inspect conditions. Banquet given by Bolshevik ity
officials; parade of 10,000 orphans
9—25—23 Fire in warehouse with 300 cords of wood
10— 1—23 Visit to tunnel or canal under construction 5 miles from Polygon
10—14—23 On visit to Tiflis, visited Ani, ancient Arnien*ian capital, accompanied y Turkish
consul. Hair bobbed.
12— 7—23 Visit to Djalal Oghlu, for rest. 60 miles from Alexandropol, farming co ntry,
2300 orphans
1—14—24 Djalal Oghlu — must have easier assignment. Station to be liquidated b t
agricultural school to continue with 1500 orphans
2—20—24 Going to Alexandropol for Washington Birthday celebration — long arduous trip
4—11—24 Alexandropol renamed Leninakan.
5—19—24 To return to Djalal Oghlu in charge of orphanage -

10—14—24 1000 orphans in her care. Now in addition to food and shelter, attempti g a
constructional program as well. Children love to study
 Elsie K. Kimball

Enclosure: Quarterly Report, Orphanage Department, Djalal Oghlou, October 1,

1924
Supt. of 1071 boys and girls; 200 employees, of whom 35 directly involved with
orphanage and of these 20 are ex—orphans 16 years of age or older. Children
work in fields in summer. Food cost $2 month per child. Description of camp
life where children taken in small groups for recreational camping experience.
12—21—24 Lost on visit by horse to Kara Kala.
1—13—25 Visit to Leninakan — difficulties. Children’s Christmas
2— 3—25 Leninakan: description of illness and operation.
2—28—25 Kara Kala Ranch to recuperate. Colonel Rawlinson’s Adventures in the Near East
3—21—25 Ready to start work now called Djalal Oghlou Farm School
—

4—13—25 Trip to Alexandropol marooned in snow storm

—

5—11—25 Recreational program

12—11—25 On vacation; copy of letter from 15—year old orphan, Antarani Yeghiasarian from
Van about her life
2—3—26 Tehiatouri, Georgia, Russia. When returned from vacation, transferred to office
job and resigned. Now with Georgian Manganese Co., owned by Harriman family.
2—12—26 Describes office and accommodations. Staff of 20 growing.
5—20—26 Batoum — vacation. Conditions at Tchiatouri
8—20—26 Trip to Vladikavkaz, end of Georgian Military Rd.
8—25—26 Death of Mr. King, Englishman; Americans fare better in health than English
perhaps because all N.E.R. personnel have strict physical examinations beforehand
but G.M.C. personnel have none.
9—19—26 Now large secretarial office; helping with translations. Much socializing in
evenings.
1’ 7—26 Serious earthquake in Leninakan. N.E.R. feeding most of city.
Enclosure: copy of letter October 30, 1926 from one of N.E.R. local personnel
in Leninakan about quake and conditions afterwards.
11—28—26 N.E.R. reports 1000 killed in quake. All N.E.R. buildings ruined or unsafe.
1— 2—27 Averill Harrimans for New Year’s; all are “crazy about them”. Departure delayed
since she is needed for her knowledge of Russian while her boss in MoseoQ~ a~t
conference.
1—30—27 Planning on visit to Turkestan; long descriptions of places to be visited.

Notes on trip with Russian friend through Soviet Central Asia East to
Samarkand and Tashkent, March 24, 1927 to April 1

5—23—27 From Moscow — further description of trip to Samarkand

8—11—27 At sea on British Manganese ship; visit to Leningrad

CRLudwig
~ November 1989