The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1884-09-10

racks. The hospital is indeed O sorrowfu
place to visit, but everything is made ns
comfortable and cheerful as possible. Here
many cases Of insanity are treated the en-.
tire number Of that class treated in 1882
amounting to So, and the blind and helpless
3G7. In the same year those who had suf-
fered loss of limbs numbered POS.
Having seen enough of the reflected
scenes Of the cruel realities of war i'm this
one place, we will turn our steps until we
come to
THE FLAGSTAFF,
Around which are mounted quite number
Of the instruments Of wars bloody drama.
in the shape Of field guns, mortars, large
cannon, etcn surrounded by the real balls,
and bombs in sufficient quantities to trans
act little.war By asking that old gunner
perched on top Of one Of the largest guns,
he will tell us that a few men could destroy
Dayton, situated at a distance Of from two
to five miles to the east. CThe writer talk.
ed for some time to a gunner there who
told him this, and explained the power of
the various guns, how used, and some of
the terrible sights he had seen as the effects
Of the monstrous engines.)
Continuing our stroll up Pennsylvania
Avenue, we will come to
THE CHURCH,
One Of the first buildings erected on the
grounds. 1t is a beautiful ivy-mantled
stone structure, having upon its exterior
pleasing lookof antiquity. It is built after
the old Gothic style of architecture, and
seems out Of ITS place here, so much does
it look like the pictures of ancient Roman
buildings. We call it tile cHurch be-
cause both Catholic and Protestant services
are regularly held within its walls by the
resident ministers.
We will take New York Avenue until we
come to a two-story brick building with
Mansard roof This is
HEADQUARTERS BUILDING.
So called because the different offices of the
Home are here on the first floor. After
viewing ,ho beautiful exterior and hand
somely-Gtted offices, we will take the broad
stairway leading to the second floor. Here
are numerous relies of war and photograph
ic views of Dayton and the Home. To the
rights
THE LIBRARY.
One of the grandest possessions of the
Home, and one of which it may well be
proud to boast. Spacious as it is, every
nook possesses some treasure. The room is
divided ntotwo parts, known as the George
II. Thomas Library" and the putnam Ii
brary." The former, occupying the western
portion Of the room, was so called in honor
of the brave and gallant George II. Thomas.
The Putnam Library was founded, and is
still partly sustained, by Mrs. Mary Lowell
Putnam, Of Boston, whose son, Lieutenant
Putnam, lost his life in defense Of his coup-
try. This library, as well as the former.
forms one Of the most valuable collections
Of books anywhere in the country, many of
which can not be duplicated at any price.
Thousands Of them are protected by paper
covers, so costly is the binding. Mrs. Put
nam sends her greeting to the soldiers on
five anniversaries, viz: Washington's birth
day, Memorial Day, anniversary Of Lieu
tenant Putnam's death, Thanksgiving and
Christmas. On these days she sendsa great
quantity Of books and other gifts to the
Home. Besides the 13, 900 volumes of books
there are hundreds Of other things to at
tract the attention-to omnse and interest.
Relics from battle-felds across the ocean,
around which hovers a strangely fascinating
spirit. Foreign countries are represented
in donations. AChinese man-of-war, made
in China and presented to theD.V. S., may
be viewed with interest When visiting
the library you should not forget to take a
look at Gen. Grants saddle, also Gen. Hook
er's, for they are both there. To tell what
may be seen and learned by visit to this
one place would fill a volume, so we will
pass on to
MEMORIAL HALL,
Approached from Pennsylvania Avenue by
one Of the most attractive walks on the
grounds, fringed on either side with flow
ers of various hues. These flowers are
products of the propagating house, which
we will visit in our next letter. This hall
is furnished and equipped very handsomely,
and is surpassed by few in the country
First-class actors, culled from the best CD
theaters Of New York, during the summer
seasons deIiueate the lotest popular produc-
tion in society dramas A large number of
free plays are given. Seating capacity of
this hall, 1900.