Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-08-15
Letter from Dayton.
The soldiers, Home-The CITY Market.
IooRREsPoNDENcE OF THE DAILY SPY.

DAYTON, Ohio, Aug.7.
This morning, we drove across the river out
of town to visit the soldiers home. The cOun.
try is as fiat as possible for three miles, then
the road climbs the hill on which the home is
situated. We were surprised at the loneliness
of the surroundings; the greenhouses, garden
and flowers must be seen TO be appreciated
such a variety and quantity Of flowers. The
verbenas alone are marvellous, and every flower
that blooms seemed doing its "leyel best" The
air was almost painfully laden with so many
sweets wrapt in one. In the greenhouse the
tropical flowers were magnificent. The richest
eolors displayed in such variety of shades and
contrasts. 1t is one Of the rules of the institu-
ton that politeness is to be standard vir-
tue with all its inmates, and every soldier
stands ready and waiting to tell you anything
you may wish to know. All this information is
freely given in pleasant contrast with our ex-
perience at Niagara.
In the garden we came upon springs, hidden
partly in caves, over which all kinds of ivies
and other vines were growing. But the great
charm of the place lies in the thought that all
this wealth Of beauty and loneliness is placed
here for the enjoyment Of the rough, stern faced
fellows we see walking about us, who have
earned the right to spend the remainder of their
days beside these still waters and in these sweet
places For all Of them were wounded and dis
abed in the war--all the eight hundred, Ma
ture is doing so much to enter the hearts of
these men, as they live in the midst Of these
tender, softening influences. The government
spends fifty thousand dollars annually for the
support Of the home
We went into the chapel-a mass was going
on at the time. The wants of the soul Of Gath
Ole, Protestant, Jew and Gentle, are all met in
accordance with their various forms. Through
out the grounds and buildings you see the hand
Of the government which cares not for ex-
pense. We went into the "Putnam library"
Her name is emblazoned in glory here,
Mary Lowell Putnam. She was here July 4th.
She would not allow her picture taken, HUT
1 while lshe was being escorted through the
grounds they photographed the crowd and
caught her in it.
| The soldiers are standing, lying or sitting
around everywhere The blue blouses bring
the eight must be stil going on. So many Of
these men cOnld tell stories which il would thrill
ones heart TO hear. How strange il must be to
them, the memories OF the war, Ten years
ago, bangl bangl big smoke; and now man.
kind running along in the same old ruts again.
But they so suddenly, by bullet here and a
bullet there, forever thrown out of their old
| course Of life, and set down in this paradise TO
end their career in peace and quiet, The bospit-
al has the reputation Of being second to none
in the country Eventually the institution will
wind up, Of course, unless we have another war
TO sustain it,
Every other day is market day in Dayton.
Tue market is a long open building, running
through from one street to another, and on
market days is filled, and running over. with
vegetables and meats. should think tbe vend.
ers would, in line reach half a mile. il Is very
exciting to see so many people laying the loun.
dalton Of SO many dinners. Chickens dressed
and ready to cook, twenty cents. Peaches, AZ.