The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1872-12-19
Editorial CorrespOndencc.
GERMANTOWN, Quo, December z, 1879.

1.-THE West tuIt uScu 10 Dc.l tuc Nd.iohaA DoA
diers' Home, NEAR Dayton. 1t is a resort for tens
of thousands of visitors every year. from all parts
of the world, who put in n full day there, ana
then not see all that is to be seen. 1t is a con-
siderable village Of ITSELF containing all that
yves to make mp regular village, with much
more elegance and comfort than can he found III
any village in the land.
The Soldiers Home embraces about a section Of
land, some three miles west of Dayton proper. IL
was projected soon after the close of the war; ana
the funds used i'm its establishment was the money
belonging to soldiers that remained uncalled for
by themselves or heirs. vast amount of money
Cf this kind accumulated, aud the project was
started of erecting with it home for the disabled
and infirm soldiers who had fought to suppress
the rebellion 1t is free to all soldiers, from any
part Of the Union, who are fed and clothed out
of the fund mentioned, aud who can come and go
when they choose. They can work or rest, as suits
them; can go anywhere in the neighborhood and
work for wages; or can get employment on the
various improvements geing on about the grounds,
for which they receive 40 cents per day.
The largest and finest building Oh the grounds
is the hospital, three stories in height, aud divid
cd into wards The Mind ward B, occupied by
those who have totally or partially lost their eye
sight the paralytc ward, by those who are eth
or paralyzcd, rheumatic, or have lost their limbs,
or been otherwise rendered helpless; the insane
ward, by those whose reason is impaired; and so
on. There are separate rooms for those suffering
with ordinary diseases. A great many deaths
occur here, as may reasonably be expected among
such vast number of persons, all of whom are
unsound, and fit subjects for disease.
The church is magnificent structure, and is
surpassed by but few churches anywhere.
The quarters or residences of the inmates CON-
pose small village of large and comfortable hous-
es, built in square, and fitted mp with all the mod
ern conveniences. The buildings all heated
by steam or furnaces; water is supplied by pipes;
and the houses and grounds are lighted with gas.
There are on the grounds Workshops for most of
the mechanic arts, where The veterans are priv
ileged to go and manufacture anything they de-
sire, and to sell and receive the money for it-be-
ing required only to pay for the raw material
used. Among other things, they have printing
Office in operation, supplied with great variety
of type, and large sized Gordon jobber.
There is an amusement hall, fitted up with bill
lizard tables, &c, and is well patronizcd. Also a
music hall, with theatrical stage, and capable
Of holdiding large audience. A brass band is
employed exclusively for the Home-n fact, the
commanders, surgeons, chaplains, and all other
officers, always on duty or held ready for
service. The veterans are all keen to get hold of
newspapers and other reading matter. A reader
is employed to read to the blind and those not
able to read. One building is occupied by IL |
brary, containing large number of valuable |
volumes. Most of these books were the gift of
Mrs. Mary Lowell Putnam, who annually makes |
additions to IT. The Library of the
late Gen. Thomas now belongs to the Home, and
is found in this room. Newspapers from nearly |
all the States, sent free, are also kept on file.
Gravel roads and walks lead to all parts of the
grounds. At various points, siege guns, mortars
md brass field pieces are kept in position, with
piles of ball and shell close by, in genuine mill
tary style.
Springs are abundant on the premises, and a
number of fountains and artificial fish ponds have
been created. On one of those ponds were two
large swans. The flower garden is in this vicin-
ty, where, during the Summer season, every va
ricty Of flower may he seen, in the greatest per
lection. At present. the extensive green house is
Tiled with plants, placed there for wintering.
There is a considerable body of woods belong
ing to the Home. These are filed with deer and
Fix, which may be seen in every direction. The
keeper has a huge black bear in a cage, and has
perfect control of the animal. The keeper is the
larger and uglier of the two; but he is not ugly
in his nature, for he will do all in his power to
visitors. These woods arc kept re-
markably clean, not a chunk twig being allow
ID to remain on the ground. Even when tree
tops break of, the stumps trimmed up, and
the tops ornamented with bird houses or fancy
work.
All the inmates of the Home are remarkably
and like to show strangers about
he premises, answer questions concerning
themselves and their army experiences. We met
me old fellow, nearly 7s years of age, who had
srved in the last war with England, and had
erved out two enlistments on his own account
md one q substitute during the rebellion; said
hat when last discharged, the surgeon reported,
no cause why he may not enlist again." which
sbars him from a pension. But he intends, next
summer, to work and earn money enough to take
i'm to Omaha, where he will hunt him home
tead! Il,
There is no drunkenness about these premises, !,
nd rude or boisterous conduct. When we
aw these men, from almost every nation, and
rofsssing almost every religion-men with one !;
rm, or no arms; with one leg, or no legs; with ,
ne eye or no eyes; manned, disfguFd, and man
led in every manner and form; aud all made so
! fighting to preserve the nation-we could not {
ut remember that Democratic Court decided r
lat these men had right to vote; and that t
lat sw.ct-scented Democratic God, of infamous d
emory, c. l.. vallandigham, made it q special 8
,int on election days, to stand at the polls and
lallenge their votes, on the ground that the '
ounds which compelled thein to live here, rem
,red them panpers, without fixed residence! d
line of street cars to the corporate limits
Dayton; and from there, railw ay has been N
to the Home, the cars on which are G.
opelled by dummy" engine. n
In the streets of Dayton, it was common tc see v
ws harnessed to milk and coal wagons. Ol.e
In had little red bnll harnessed TO a sewing
lchne wagon; aud a milkman had a set of ol
rness rugged mp for himself, and was trotting al
,ng in the shafts of his wagon. The railroad pi
pots and wholesale houses are piled full of er
light that cannot be hanled away, for want of m
inns. ."
The epizootic bids fair to test the wisdom of
3 of Horace Greeley's theories. advanced in his ma
ch ridiculed aWhat know about Farming" ~