The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1876-08-24
Excursion to the Soldiers
Home.

got aboard tue Excursloh train urine ooioieI
Home, near Dayton, at the early houro ocloc
last Thursday morning, ana were soon steamih
away westward AT every sta'ion passengers wei
added to the train, and by the time " reached IN
junction OF the Dayton snort Line road' ten pa
senger cars were pretty wen nieu.
AFTER peasant rue over 'ne pay'on ohort LII
road' tnrough the rlch 'ah0s VI 'ic .;rea' mlali
teemng with lts aoundah' ofops Vi corn ana tooa'
CO, we reached DaSton apou' pcioch' Al
other EXCURSION tram lrom 'oiunh',s snau arrive
ABOUT III minutes aneau oi ouis anu ~ passengs'
hau nionopoI%eu ai 'ne ST. - VI 'n9 IL"
running 10 tne ooiuiers i'''ne' eousequen'iy I"
hau 10 await 'nei .e'uin' .N.ope :. ~" y. -
srowd VINO were 700 inipa''en' " ea's anu 'oo
passage ny hacks. Inc care run aoou. inlies ou
OF the ci'y' Wnere 'ney cohheot WIN VI s'e'i
cars, propeheu py mummy eneine'' Hii y
uiariy every Zo minutes 70 .ne i'ohge
aoou' ini'es Aur'uei' i"e 'ip 49, ~
10 hiiiu'es anu wouih We pie"san' e''Sn' :. ''io
"e'e 'iofe a'"po p'o'is'on -
'no ioui e,,'" .",s "eie ND.,,n e'',,rs
anu "io'o ina" u"'. I'll"
" s'"nu up. 'no'.u .i'''A .H' y, '-"'
- U'ei .lie IN. "o1'a 49, - p,o
-''"s W. y, ' y -a.' - -Oi 1
ION VI ia,So ,-N.iOu , pa- ,,..,
ana our party were soon scattered about the spa
cious grounds. comprising over 700 acres visiting
the various objects OF interest. The first grea
point of attraction after entering the grounds Il
the lake and gardens adjacent, which lie at thu
~ '"o . ",9'' u'l
full spot and is alone sufficient TO repay lovers of the
beautiful for the trouble of a visit. The garden:
are kept in the most perfect order, and are laid ou
with rare taste. Here are numerous beds of fol
iage plants and flowers, of rare and beautiful varie
ties, and an extensive greenhouse close by.
Ascending from the level OF the lake and gar
dens ny steps cut out OF the rock, we come to two
large springs, gushing forth from natural grottoes
overhung with ferns and climbing plants, and al
tording water of excellent quality, cool and re-
freshlng' one OF the springs Is strongly lmpreg-
mated with iron.
in the shady hooks and recesses near the springs,
Is the favorlte place Tor visitors taxing lunch, and
the grassy slopes under the trees were soon cover
ed with groups discussing the contents OF their
well-hled baskets.
Dinner over, the remainder OF the time was in
dustrlousy spent IN visiting the various buildings
belonging to the Heme, and roaming over the ex-
tensive and beautiful grounds.
The Soldiers Home, as no doubt most of our
readers know, is United States institution, main
tanned by the Government, as an asylum for disa-
bled Union soldiers. 1t is the largest of four SINH
lar Homes, the others being located at Albany,
Fortress Monroe and Milwaukee. The inmate-
are subject to the regulations of the u s. military
service, as far they are applicable. They can
leave the Home whenever they choose, by obtain
ing furlolgh, but must return when it expires or
get it renewed. Many of the less disabled men
frequently get tired of the rules, and leave for
time, but they are generally glad to return where
they are provided with everything to make them as
comfortable and contented as men in their condi
ton can be. Those who are able to work. as mauy
do, in taking care of the grounds, and other en-
ployments are paid regular wages, but none are
obliged to work unless they are able
One of the first buildings we come to on as
cending to the broad plateau, on which the various
edifices are scattered about, is the Governors
headquarters, handsome brick, two stories high,
in the upper story of which is the LIBRARY and
Reading Room. This is spacious andlpfty room,
handsomely frohcood and furnished, and contains
quite large library with tables foi reading, stands
for newspapers, pictures, statues, &c consider
BILE number of the books were donated to the libra
ry by Mrs. Putnam, of Massachusetts,, in memory
of her son, who was killed in the war.
Near the Library building on the left, is row of
detached frame buildings, neatly fitted up as bar
racks and sleeping rooms for the inmates of the
Home. In the rear of these is the large brick
Dining Hall, where all the men who are able to
walk take their meals together. We saw here over
1000 men at dinner which consisted of good. plain
food, well cooked, with tea, coffee, and all the usu
al accompaniments, in abundance.
In the rear of the Dining Hall is the kitchen
and bakery, where are the large ranges, iron ket-
ties, steam boilers, ovens and other cooking ar
rangements necessary in preparing the daily food
for about 24gO men, the number now in the Home.
About IL barrels of four are used every day. Every
thing here was neat and clean, although all the
work is done by men belonging to the Home.
Next to the Dining Hall is the Fire Engine and
Hose building and scattered at intervals about the
grounds large cisterns, which are kept filled in
readiness for any emergency.
At the end of the row of barracks, infront OF the
Dining Hail. is the Music Hall, large twO-stOry
building where are several pianos and other music
Instruments for the use of the soldiers and Wis
tors. Opposite Music Hall is another large build
ing, fitted up as an Amusement Hall and Band
Room. Here are several billiard tables, checkers,
chess, dominoes, &C.
To the right of the Governors Headquarters is
the Church, beautiful Gothic stone building, with
1 variegatcd slate roof, and spire, in which is
clock.