The Penn's Grove record., 1888-04-07


performs, and, rs far AS possible, every
thing necessary to make the place com.
/ Portable and attractive to the mem
beers has been done.
The grounds are ample and spacious,
i%ntersected by broad walls and drive
ways, which are lined on either side
with beautiful trees and shrubbery.
AT the different corners of these walks
are placed very beautifully and artisti-
cally designed pieces of statuary which
adds greatly to the beautiful scenery.
Upon a fine day, hundreds of the old
veterans may be seen, some walking
about the beautiful grounds, while 9TH
ers are seated III groups talking over
experiences of combat, capture, and
| prison life.
Since the organization of this insti-
tuition, nearly four thousand veterans
have been admitted and cared for ;
number of members at present 1,jUO..
To meet the demand for the constant
iy increasing number of applicants,
the main building has ieen remodeled
and enlarged; broad piazzas, on each Of
the four floors, II the whole length
of the front of the building; and every
convenience and accommodation nee
essary for the members have been add
ed. But with all the improvement
made, the accommodations are still ill.,
sufficient.
Upon entering the main building a
look through company quarters reveals
a picture of cleanliness. The men are Sit
ting down or lying on tlleIr cots read
ing. All seem cunteiited and happy.
Passing to the next floor the scene is
but II duplicate Of the first: and 50 on
all the way up. On every floor are
wash aud bath rooms, while All eleya-
tor is running at all times for the ac-
c~ummodatiOn of those veterans who
are afi .cted, OF too old to walk up and
down the stairway. From the fifth
floor piazza, Il beautiful view Of tile
Hampton Roads, Old Point. Newport
News. and Hampton can be obtained,
and the eyer-Cllanging panorama %
passing boats is one that must he seen
to be appreciated.
The mex place of interest is a beau
tiful pressed brick structure which re-
| fleets great credit alike on the archi-
tect and builder. 1t was huiit by funds
bequeathed for that purpose by MIR.
Horatio Wald of London, England.
The original amount lett was 100000
which with interest, up to the time it
was applied, amounted to Sill, 900. 1t
is known as the ''Ward Home for Dis
abled Soldiers"
Upon entering the spacious dining
room, everything is in perfect order.
: Sixteen tables, the entire length of the
room. are set ready for the next meal,
900 men can be accommodated at II
sitting. In the adjoining room is the
kitchen, with its mamlnuuth boilers,
coffee pots, &c. As else where, every
thing is neat, clean and in perfect or
der. 1t may he of interest to some of
your readers, TO know that it takes
over 81 900 lbs. of beet ut one meal,
and about 1000 loaves of bread daily.
The latter is all baked IN the preInis-
es. The bill of fare changes daily, and
varies with the seasons.
In the same building is also a billiard
room, when those of the members
who delight in that interesting amuse-
ment, can while away many al hour.
On the floor above is the theatre. This
is Il beautiful room and perfect in all
its apart ments. Its seating capacity is
80. Entertainments by theatrical
companies are given every week for
the amusement of the veterans, who
are admitted free. There is also IA
minstrel troupe connected with the
home which gives frequent p%erforman-
ces. The offices Of the Governor and
Treasurer are in the neat brick build
ing neal the "Ward Memorial Hail."
Passing out Of this building the visitor
can SEE on either side of the broad
walk, tasteIy arranged flower beds,
statuary and shining brass ordnance,
till the conservatory is reached. Here
the lover Of the beautiful in nature
can enjoy the beauty and fragrance of
the many choice and rare plants here
to be found. Leaving the cOnServa-
tory, the Hospital is next entered,
which is near the main building. How
striking the contrast irom life and
beauty to sickness and suffering, Here
are many poor fellows whose mwritten
lives aIe full of The patients
treated average about eighty-f0ur daily.
They have the best Of care and the
most skilifulI treatment.
The next building il the library and
reading room, which is situated on
the second ilooi of the brick building
in the rear of the main building. The
llrSt contribution wa made ny The
Ladies Union" Of New York Cry, in
1871. Many contributions have since
been made, tn it now numbers over
-four Thousand yOiumts-Americau,
German, and French. There are one
hundred and seventy papers taken,
thirty of them being daily. fifteen TIL
weekly, and one hundred and twenty
five weekly; besides twenty magazines
and periodicals. The library is open
daily from S a. m. to ) p. M. The
buildings are not the only attractions.
The drive along the water front is de-
lighlful, Il ID the view beautiful.
There is II well organized steam fire
department connected with the inStitn-
H