Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1868-03-20
A Visit to the Soldiers Orphans
Home.

Enron CHRONICLE During the past
winter | had occasion to visit Madison, and
having a few hours to spare, determined
to improve the opportunity, and make a
visit to the Soldiers Orphans Home. I
was very much pleased and interested by
what saw and heard, and concluded that
short sketch of my visit might rot be
uninteresting to your readers.
Starting early one morning in snow
storm, reached Helena Station in time
for the ~ o'clock train, bought my ticket
and stepped on the car The first person
/ saw was an old friend and school-mate
had not seen for years We took seats
and passed half an hour or so in talking
over old times, our present prospects, and
future hopes. While thus pleasantly en-
gagged we heard deep bass voice inquire.
elias any one any news y by George"
said my companion, 81 know that voice !"
and turning in our seats we saw a cQlorcd
man, with black monstache and grey
hair, looking over the car for an answer TO
his question:. Said he, III have Just come
from Minnesota, and am hungry for news"
His voice was one, that once heard would
never be forgotten; deep and full, perfect
ly smooth and musical. All eyes were 1T
once turned upon him. and the whisper
ran through the car, sits Fred Douglass"
which was the fact 1t was Frederick
Douglass, the scholar and orator. and prob
ably the modest specimen OF the negro
race in the world 81 s. ss f.@t s
( N arrived Is Madison, alilRfter transact
ing my business, went jRte the apitol to
look at the Republican State Convention,
which was thcrr assembled. As entered
q white headed geAtaInan was@aflressing
the Contention upon the political issues Of
the day. lie handled his SUBJ ct with an
ability thai showed he had an almost un.
bounded knowledge of Il, hat his style of
delivery vas awkward, his gestures seemed
to me out of place, and his voice was a
regular Yankee drawl I turned to man
standing by and remarked that I thought
that old Granny had better write out what
he had to say and let some one else read
it. Sir" said he, ''that is Horace Gree
lev, editor Of the New York Tribune p
OF course had no more to say, as il did
not look well for me, a small potato, to be
criticising the great Horace Greeley. 1
listened till he got through, and then came
away, but still think, though of course
would not mention it for the world, that
Horace Greeley is no more Of an orator
than am a--a-a Horace Greeley. And
had rather buy a paper that has one of
his speeches in and read it, than / would 60
four rods to hear Horace Greeley speaksit.
Well, if | don't go on TIL never get to the
Home. As | was passing out of the AS
sembly Chamber noticed a dark complex
Toned, grizzly bearded man, whose good
natured countenance had smile and a
greeting for every acquaintance, and was
informed that it was II. II. Giles, g. W.
G. L. of the /. 0. of G.. T. of Wisconsin.
The next day | went to the Home. shall
not attempt description of the building,
but only say that the main building was
once the residence of Gov. Farwell, and no
pains or expense was spared to make it
one of the most beautiful and elegant
dwellings in the State. 1t is built in an
octagonal or eight sided form, four stories
high, surmounted by an observatory
The building site is one of the most beau
tiful of the many beautiful ones AROUND
Madison, being on the banks of the Third
Lake. rang the bell and was shown in.
Upon inquiry learned that the Resident
Manager was absent, but the Matron very
kindly volunteered to show me over the
Institution. She retired from the room
few moments and came back accompanied
by about dozen boys, between the ages
of twelve and sixteen, with whom I talk
ed for some time, and whom found very
intelligent, we'll behaved, andwell informed;
and would compare very favorably with the
samenumber of boys taken from any school
or neigbborhood. After the boys returned
to their lessons, was shown the boys bed
room, where seventy or eighty beds were
arranged in three rows next to school
room where about fifty of the smaller ones
were taught by one of the largest of the
girls, then through large door to another
room, with about the same number OF
children in. The door was thrown open
connecting tibet schools, and the Mat
ron told them that the gentleman wanted
to hear them sing. They then sang the
song of the trades, initiating with their
hands, feet, and heads the different motions
made in working, such as the farmer now
ing, the blacksmith pounding, &C., all in
perfect tune and time, not voice out of
tune, or motion out Of time. From this
school we went to the school of smallest
scholars, who also sang, and went through
the exercises for the expansion Of the lungs
and muscles, as regularly together as any
military company conld go through the
manual Of arms. after which they repeated
in concert the names of the counties in
this state, answered promptly and in entire
concert some Of the most puzzlng geogra-
phical questions, and sang several songs.
Upon returning to the parlor we found
there some members Of the Legislature and
their friends who came to visit the Home.
The resident manager returned with them,
and the bell was rung calling the children
together in the chapel for evening worship
We entered the room. which was large
one, capable Of seating three hundred chill
dren and their teachers, and were given
seats on the platform. Your humble cor
respondent felt quite large, seated as he
was among so many distinguished gentle
men, and inwardly resolved to keep his
mouth shut and try and pass off for big
man too At the farther end Of the hall
hung large American flag, and in differ
ent parts of the room banners were dis
played upon which were inscribed appro-
propriate notices, such as .Bercayed but
not Forsaken," sour Country is our Fa-
ther now" "0ur Fathers laid down their
lives for their Country" &c. The door
opened and a little girl came in, took a seat
at the melodeonand began playing march,