Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-06-08
The soIdiers, Home.


The soldiers home, fine marble building
with Mansard roof was built in 1852. The
ground, purchased from Mr.. Geo. Riggs upon
his removal to New York, with the buildings
and improvements, cost about 100000. This
money was part of a sum collected from con-
quered towns in Mexico by General Scott, with
whom the idea of the "Home" originated and
who obtained the consent Of congress to apprO-
pirate the money for this purpose. The natural
beauty of the grounds has been greatly in
creased by the taste displayed in laying them
out Smooth, gravelled drives, shady walks,
uncovered arbors, sunny ponds; and, sur
rounding these fields which a few weeks later
will be rich with golden grain, form picture
of rare and soothing loneliness. The road from
the gates up 10 the "HOme" is shaded by mag
nifcent trees, with openings so artistically con-
trived that nothing of all the beautiful landscape
is hidden from the eye.
Seen from a distance, the "HOme" looks like
some old feudal castle; but the bright cheerful
interior suggests nothing so forbidding. The
building is spacious, airy and nearly perfect in
its arrangements. The sleeping rooms are
plain, but light, well ventilated and comfort
able. The pleasantest room is, as it should be-
the library-large, sunny, well furnished, and
with very good collection of books. Here we
found many of the "old folks at home" and
very comfortable and contented they looked
To be admitted to the "home," soldier must
have seen twenty years honorable service in
the army, or have become permanently dis
abled in shorter term. The fund for the sup
port of these veterans comes from various
sources. All soldiers in service pay twelve and
half cents month for this purpose; all I'M
claimed property of deceased soldiers is turned
into the fund, also all fines imposed by courts
martial. This fund and all matters connected
with the institution are under the charge of a
board OF commissioners, the commissary gen.
eral, surgeon general and adjutant general of
the United States army. All expenditures are
under their control, and all improvements are
made subject to their personal approval.
The law requires that au examination and in
spection shall be made by them once month,
but ii is in reality made oftener than this, and
these war-wOrn veterans have the qualification
Of knowing that constant interest is felt in
their welfare, and a constant care exercised for
their comfort and happiness. The men can
work in the garden and on the farm if they
choose, and are paid for their work by the day,
and some supply themselves with pocket
money in this way. A small sum is given to
each one monthly for tobacco money" An
old soldier could more easily do without food
than tobacco. Occasionally they visit the city
IN vehicle which attracts considerable atten-
ton from strangers who happen to meet with it.
AS 1t stood in front of the postoffice few days
since, gentleman, evidently stranger said
81 would like to know what that arrangement
is; it looks too public for private vehicle, and
too private for public 0ne." 1t is not unlike
the Central Park carriages, though somewhat
differently arranged, and, with its pretty horses
and brass-mounted harness, is quite snowy
affair."
Besides the permanent residents, soldiers who
may be temporarily in the city are accommo-
dated during their stay. Col Felix Comfort,
formerly commander OF regiment of New York
volunteers, whose health became too much i'm
paired for him to attend to any business, was
received into the home and cared for until his
death.
The governor aud other officers OF the home
i've on the grounds, in pretty picturesque cot
tages. Very comfortable and home-like they
look, with their broad shady piazzas overlook.
ing green lawns and odorous flower beds. One
Of the cottages was Mr.. Lincoln's favorite resort
during several summers; and looking round
upon the cool shadows and peaceful beauty Of