The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-10-28
FOR THE VETERANS.
Illinois Home for Disabled Soldiers
and Sailors.
Dedicated by GOV. 0gleSby. Gen. Logan, Gen. Fair.
child, aud Others.

The Illinois Soldiers and Sailors Home, at
Quincy, was dedicated last week. The bill Tor
the creation aud establishing of the Home was
introduced into the 3fth General Assembly by
Senator Evans. of Aurora on April ,, lso5, and
after passing the Senate was reported 20 the
House on May D. and was IN due course passed
by that body. Gov Oglcsby approved the act
on June 20, the day the LEGISLATURE adjourned.
The sum appropriated by the State for estab-
fishing the soldiers and Sailors Home was
100000. IL was stipulated by the act that the
ground or site Tor tins institution should be not
less than 40 acres nor more than 80. The Gov
ernor WAS empowered aud directed 10 appoint
seven commissioners, not more than four OF
whom should belong 20 the same political party,
aud no two of whom should belong 20 the same
Congressional District and that these Commits
s0ners should select a suitable site Tor the
Home The commissioners were Messrs. White,
ot Aurora; Berry. of Quincy; Noble, OF Dixon /;
Hall. OF Springfield Bryant, of Decatur; Craw-
ford of Joaesboro, and NJ. II. NJ Wallace, of Chi
cago. These gentlemen made visits officially TO
ABOUT 40 PLACES
that had offered sites which were deemed eli
gihle. The time which they devoted 10 this
arduous service was wholly without compenss-
ton, AS, under the provisions OF this act, they
could not receive any remuneration. The
actual necessary expenses incident 10 the loca-
tiOn OF the Home were, however paid by the
State. The commissioners found the rivalry
between competing towns very great and, what
with the personal inspection, etc. IL was over
four months before the site of Quincy WAS
finally decided upon. That decision was reach
ed alter 500 ballots had been taken, the final
and deciding vote having been had on Dec. >,
less.
The dedieatory exercises took place last week,
occupying in all three days. There was an
enormous outpourng of people. Veterans Of
the war locked TO Quincy from all parts of the
State, individuals aud tions-Cirand
Army Posts aud Regimental Associations.
Camp Oglesby was alive with old soldiers.
There never were together in the State SO
many veterans OF the late war since the mem
orable meeting of the Army of the Tennessee
in Chicago in 1879,
WHEN GEN. GRANT
was welcomed home. There never was so large
al encampment of soldiery, either veterans or
militia, in the State rs pitched its tents on the
hills surrounding the Soldiers Home. 1t was
almost impossible TO get through the down
town streets. The sidewalks were jammed TO
the curb, and even the muddy streets were
filled with crowds of men, women and children.
The committees had arranged everything adj
miraby, but IL was impossible 10 take care of
such a crowd and carry out any program with
dispatch.
When Gen Logan was discovered in a car
riage the old veterans crowded about him TO
shake hands. Ii was impossible for the car
riage TO move more than few rods at time
because OF the crush. The Senator looked re-
markably well and was accompanied by Coils.
Sexton and Swain, of Chicago. Gen. FalTchlld,
ofMlsconsin, COMMANDMENTS Chief ofthe Grand
Army of the Republic was also parsonage to
whom every veteran wished 10 pay his respects.
4 he empty sleeve Of the Commander was an
object of devotion TO tine veterans, for il spoke
I. sr,.r .,lc, H.. Ia.
stands at The head Of the GAR. The carriage
with Gen. Fairchild found about as much
trouble in passing the crowds as did Gen. Lo-
gans.
The regular ceremonies Of dedication took
place on the second day. At the grounds the
speakers stand had been placed in a beautiful
ravine, where the steep banks rising on all
sides formed q natural amphitheater where
all Quincy might be seated, and see, if not
hear. The stand was tastefully decorated
with flags and bunting, and when the exercises
opened iuly 10000 people were there, eagerly
waiting for the music to begin. The arrivals
of Logan, Cullom, Oglesby aud Fairchild were
signals for lOosening the safety valve and allow
ing the enthusiasm TO escape and reverberate
through the rayine and then roll over the bluff
across the Father of Waters
GEN. PHILIP SIDNEY POST,
Department Commander, GAR, who had gen.
GRAZ IAdlEC "a Aht S4ClCiSCst liduC llC lOllOMlnE
address OF welcOme
Rising in the center of Paris aud visible from
every part of II, IL the lofty dome of the Hotel d
lnvalides, Soldiers Home ID Is at once "A refuge
for disabled veterans and an architectural orna-
ment 10 that beautiful city For two centuries il
has been the fountainhead of French patriotism.
We are here 10 dedicate like institution for the
State OF Illinois. Our Legislature has deoreed that
It's disabled or unfortunate soldiers are entitled TO
q refuge for the services they have rendered their
country, and has made generous appropriation
IN F.tsg
Eens testify their approval Of that act-not merely
because the Home IL designed for the relief of those
who deserve we'll of the State, but because IL will be
monument 10 the patriotism aud liberalily Of the
State. Let the Soldiers Home at Quincy stand for
ever, that the young patriots of future generations
who may be called upon 10 defend their country
may know that even after the danger has passed
the people do not forget.
The Rev. L. w. wilkins, Chaplain of the De-
partmcnt Of Illinois, GAR, made the opening
prayer, after which a chorus Of 100 ladies and
gentlemen of Quincy sang thatgrand old hymn,
America"
was then introduced, and was greeted as Uncle
Dick is always greeted by an Illinois audience.
He delivered an eloquent address. which was
greeted with great applause. Speaking of
Illinois soldiers he said that at the close of the
war there were people who bad an unreasonable
s0lioitude as 70 what was TO become of the great
army Of volunteer soldiers about 10 be mustered
out Of the service. This was unnecessary as
the volunteer army was made up of grand men.
The statistics Of the Nation showed that there
had been $50 ,4Ol men enrolled in the volunteer
army, and OF these H. 100000 were mustered out
at the close Of the war. Illinois was credited
with l49 regiments of infantry and four indie.
pendent companies Of infantry; ~ regiments
OF cavalry; two regiments of artillery, and
eight independent companies of artillery Here
WAS a total Of l6s complete regiments and IL
independent companies, composed Of a total OF
RJ6,291 men and boys sent out from the homes
Of this Prairie State. These were the men
credited 10 the State of Illinois by the Nation,
but they did not include the great overflow OF
men who went into Missouri Indiana and
other States, and there enlisted in the army.
lie then called the attention 10 the Homes
that had been established for the care OF the
poor Old soldiers no longer able TO care for
themselves. The National Government had
established a Home which cost 81 ,000, 600 and
furnished accommodations for 400 men at one
time. Since lis opening this Home had cared
for 22,639 old soldiers OF this number 49l
were credited 10 Illinois. The National Home
at Milwaukee, Wis. cost 81 100000 and fur.
nished accommodations for LBS men Since
its opening 1929 soldiers had been cared foi
there, and OF these 333 were from Illinois. The
National Home at Hampton, Va, cost 500 600
aud furnished accommodation Tor 200 men
There had been treated there 1874 soldieTs o.
whom % were from Illinois. The Home al
LeayenwOrth, Kan, cost 8250000 and although
not completed, had already received g55 men
157 OF whom were from Illinois The Home al
Jogus, Me, cost S243300, and furnished ac
cOmmodatiOns for $50 men. There had beer
cared for there 6GG9 men. The General Gov
emment bad five Soldiers Homes with tota