The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1885-07-23
The Soldiers Home at Chelsea, Mass.


Chelsea.
The Home is delightfully."- situated on Powder
House hill, and was formerly the Highland
Park Hotel. After running the house two or
three seasons at a loss, the proprietors deter
mined to close it, and few years later the
trustees of the Soldiers Home of Massachusetts
bought the entire estate for twenty thousand
dollars and the taxes for three years. The
purchase included the elegant hotel building,
all furnished, four acres of land, IA cottage,
barn, stable, horse, COW, and the farming uten-
sils. After the necessary alterations were
made, the massive walnut bedsteads eXchang-
ed for light iron ones, and the house put into
complete repair, then began the work for our
disabled soldiers in earnest. From every poor
house in the State they came, the consumptiye,
the paralytc, and those who were homeless
and penness, and without friends to al them.
The man who draws pension cannot enter
there unless he relnqui>bes it in favor of the
National Government.
1t is the aim of the trustees to gather in those
who have no other resource: to take from the
brave old veterans who fought well the
stigma of pauper,-to place them where they
have every care and comfort, where warmth
good food, and tender nursing for the sick will
be theirs. And nobly have they fulfilled their
trust. The visitor who climbs the hundred and
more stairs to the top of Powder-hil, will be
more than repaid for his labor. Around us, as
far as the eye can see lies one of the fairest
scenes in old New England. The busy cities,
the blue bay, dotted with steamers, and all the
active signs of busy life beneath us, while
old Bunker Hill Monument stands out clear
and bright, as if to strengthen the feelings of
patriotism which must fill all hearts when they
see the honored flag floating from the Soldiers
Home, and reflect that those who are spending
the remainder of their shattered lives beneath
its starry folds, might now, but for the exigen-
cies of war, be strong and able men, graphing
for themselves the problem of life.
But here they are. The wards of the Grand
Army of the Republic and other interested
friends. About one hundred and twenty men
are here, an average. When one goes away
or is claimed by death another poor fellow is
ready to take the vacated place. They have
the kindest care Imaginable, Gen. James Cum
ningham and wife are the superintendent and
work, Mrs. Cunningham seems Indeed like Il
silver haired angel as She goes from one depart
ment to another, smoothing away all clouds by
her ready tact and kind heart. Let us 90
through the ward, of the neat little hospital
where many poor sufferers have drawn their
last breath Consumption and paralysis are
the principal causes of death, with other chronic
diseases caused by exposure Il score of years
ago. We next visit the kitchen. store rooms,
laundry, parlorS and sleeping rooms. The
work is entirely done by the men, under the
supervision of the Natron and Quartermaster.
Everything possible is done for the comfort of
the inmates. No nobIer cause ever occupied
the Time means and attention of the noble men
and women of Massachusetts than this work,
The absence Of all military rule i, especially
noticeable. The inmates are only required to
wear the blue, The Ladies Aid Association
connected with the House, freely rive their
tine, talents, and means and he Woman. Re
lief Corps Dept. of Massachusetts, in addition
TO their other charitable missions, enter heart
and soul into this work. Nearly all the sleeping
rooms are furnished and kept in repair by the
different corps OF the state, II Us relieving the
trustees and superintendent OF much expense
and trouble. The rooms since the ladies have
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