The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1876-08-25
Correspondence.
THE SOLDIERS HOME,
fiic tat" fXcHTs:en Oh the L. E.SL. Ry.

1t having been announced. that on
August 9th an excursion train would
leave Fremont and the different towns
situated on the l.. E & L. RR., for the
National Home for disabled volunteer
soldiers, located near Dayton, o., a
large multitude of people prepared to
take advantage OF the remarkably low
lare' and the fine opportunity presented
lor seeing such an immense Institution.
oI course with so delightful a prospect
before US, we retired the night before
in a happy frame of mind, and almost
te!t Ike bidding farewell to every
fear. y Fast the hours of darkness
sped along, and Just as a very ro-
mantle dream was nearing the most
interesting part, We We're summoned,
rudely. rs it seemed then, to arise and
arrange CIR laborious toilet for the
Journey as well as also to take
little nOurishment in the way of a
nicely prepared breakfast. The
weather seemed very auspicious for the
excursion, and all fears of an unpleas-
ant day which we had entertained the
night previous were happily disSipated.
BY the time we arrived at the depot
q large number had congregated, most
of them carrying boxes and baskets,
well filled with provisions. The time
stated for the arrival of the train was
7:15 \. Ii, but it was almost eight
o'clock before the iron horse came
putting III. After attaching two extra
coaches the eXcursiopists mere permit
ted to enter, aud such rush and tussle
to obtain seats was seldom seen before
Soon We were saluted with the familiar
toOt-tcot, and then the long train,
composed of twelve cars, loaded with
its precious freight, commenced NOV
ing with great rapidity, and almost be-
fore we were resigned with the inten-
tion of taking it comfortably, we found
ourselves at stand still in the thriving
city of Willow Creek. After stopping
at the various towns along the rail road
and receiving from each one goodly
number of exeursionists, we soon per-
ceived that the train was nearing Lima
and without single adventure either.
ThereupOn Il young gentleman with a
political turn of mind, seeking to dis
turb the monotOny of the journey,
took Il ballot of the predictions of
the male passengers. On account of the
breaking of Il spring on one car he was
unable to canvass that one, but the re-
suit as far as me went was whole number
of votes, 2S8; Hayes $50; Tilden 10S;
majority for Hayes ~. | suppose our
Republican friends will claim the result
as very significant straw, etc ;" es-
pecialIy as the excuTsionists were most
ly from Democratic strongholds. We
soon reached Lima, but were delayed
there about iifteer minutes on account
of switching certain cars. After Ieav-
ing Lima, the first place OF any impOr-
tanca We passed through was WapakO
META. tha county seat of AugIaize Co. a
rather tiiaaila;cd looking place alto
gether. The next town was Sidney,
Shelby Co, located in u deep valley,
and appeared from the train TO be
beautiful town. Here We crossed the
y. c. s, st. L ER After leaving
Piqua the rail road track runs along
side OF the Miami river and the Miami
and Erie canal, and as we hurIiedly
rush by, the landscape presents very
pietureSqe appearance. Troy is the
next place we come to, and we judge
it to be II very patriotic town by the
number of tall tiagstaffS towering tow
ard the heavens. All along through
this section the corn ard other crops
seemed in Il very good state. Ia few
minutes more the train arrived at it's
destination, Dayton, and stopped at
3rd street to enable tie passengers to
take the 3rd street horse cars. After
quite a long ride we reached the depot
Of the Home Avenue RR. Co, where
we were transferred 20 Il spacious and
comfortable car. Having experienced
n safe and pieasG'st ride on this rail
road in which Sc were obliged 20 stand
up all the way and terribly crowded too
and had the grim satisfaction of know
ing that the engine came very near
blowing up, we gladly took leave of
the cars. Ascending broad stairway
from the platform we reached the Dor
tico OF a beautiful depot, built in
the Gothic style of architecture. Here
we stood perfectly charm d by the
beauty and grandeur of the prospect.
No pen can DO Justice to il in descrip-
ton i short distance beyond is a
rustic Summer house, and farther at
the right TAIL flag staff is observed
with the dear Ole flag floating high in
the breezes of heaven Batteries of
siege guns and mortars aud the accom-
panying pyramids of shot and shell
thrill the behOller with military remi-
niscences. In front is the head quarters
building, which contains the various
Offices on the first iloor, and above is
located the large library aud reading
room. At one end OF this spacious
room is the Putnam Library and at
the other end tile Thomas Library
Between are stands, which are used to
held the daily papers and other peri
odicaIs Still farther to the right the
beautiful Home ch,srcii is in full view.
This edifice is neatly built after the
Gothic style and has an excellent effect
- it'll the American ivy growing upon
the walls. The windows are of stain
ed glass and the interior is elegantly
fr-scord. The next building which
attracts the attention of the visitor is
the magnificent and cOmmodious hos
pital. It's constructed Of brick, three
stories high, and is the finest and larg-
@st ed.iice at the tl!e Home. Within,
all the sick and afflicted are kindly
cared for, and those who are infirm
from age and other causes have their
abode here. We saw many veterans
Of the war OF 1872 in this department.
The grounds are covered eith beauti-