Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-03-08
The National Home for Disabled Sol.
diers.


Washington, &.
The board CT managers Of the National
Home for Disabled Soldiers met to-day and
elected as officers for the ensuing year Gen.
B. F. Butler, president; Gen. J. II. Martin
dale and Gov. Frederick Smyth, vice presi-
dents, and Gen. l.. b. Gunckel secretary.
From the reports presented it appears that
there were 4130 disabled soldiers and sailors
supported by the National home during the
past year, 1911 of whom were at the Eastern
branch near Augusta, Me.
Of the total number, 401 were from Mass
achusetts, 81 from Maine, 50 from New
Hampshire, q from Vermont, 40 from Rhode
Island, Al from Connecticut, 9S8 from New
York, 1875 from Ohio, and G22 from Pennsyl-
-vania. OF the 1870 cared for at the four
homes during the year, . had lost both arms,
) both legs, each an arm and leg, 2IO each
an arm, 2o3 each a leg, and 2769 were disa-
bied by other wounds received in the service !;
81 were totally blind, G2 partially blind, 81
totally insane and So partially insane. All
the remainder we're disabled by sickness con-
tracted in the service. There were l.9 deaths
during the year.
/ Workshops have been established at the
different homes with more or lees success.
At the Eastern home, rear Augusta, Maine,
a shoe iDanutact3ry with the lates. improve
ments in tie way OF machinery was estab-
lshed two and half years ago, which has
since that time given employment to 29o dis
a6lea soldiers; % sewing machines and 80
machines for other work have been used, and
/ 1926 eases Of shoes, 2ie, SO pairs, have been
made, which were sold for e249,243.62,
! The business has not yet been made peca-
MARTY profitable. but il 10 believed it can be
made 30 eventually. It has done much good
however in giving employment TO the men
ard helping them TO support their families.
Besides, il has been school in which &C
are known TO have already learned TO earn q
living outside Of the home.
Gen. 'Giiton of tie Eastern branch says in
report: "No,hing would induce Us to aban-
don the business, as it has been moral
agent Of the greatest influence to the well be.
ing and happiness of the soldiers. Since we
have had this shop running, the proportion Of
troubles such as naturally arise among body
of men living in idleness has decreased at
least three quarters. Ii is doing an immense
good.
The farm products at the Eastern home
amounted to S92S4.25, with net profit to the
home of s260o.32. They comprise among
other things 40 tons English hay, is tons
swamp hay, 20 tons sheai oats, 1885 pounds
Of dressed pork, Is tons corn fodder, 1900
bushels of potatoes, $50 bushels OF oats, 1888
gallons OF mix, ooo POUNDS OF WOOL, oO
lambs, etc. There was also large quantity
of lumber cut and sawed Ht the home saw
mill.
The total annual cost of keeping man
at the different homes was, at Dayton, Sl56;
at Milwaukee, $3.50: at Augusta, 1928, and
at Hampton, 1886. The total running ex-
penses were S437 OF, of which SS7 oS4 we're
expended ut the Eastern branch, near Au-
gusta.
After the transaction Of business the Board
adjourned to meet on the 10Th Of July at the
residence Of Gov. Smyth, at Manchester, n.
II. The ex-otficio members, President Grant
Secretary Belknap and Chief Justice Chase,
are expected to be present and go with the
board TO Augusta, Me-, to visit the Eastern
asylum near that city, Boston Journal.