The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-04
CONFEDERATE VETERANS.
HOW THE HOME AT AUSTIN, TEX,
WAS ESTABLISHED.
Asylum For Brave Men--Private Gen.
crosby Provides For the Worn
out Heroes Of the
Lost Cause.

those which the citizens OF the Southern
States had to encounter at the close OF the
late unpleasantness,' says an Austin
(Tcxas) special to the st. Louis Globe
Democrat The desolaton found by the
Confederate soldiers on their return home
is then described, and the growth OF the
New South is pictured, full credit being
pathy and aid extended, which have been
renewed as earthquake, drought and yell
low fever have caused q setback in one
part or another OF the Southern States.
All this is by way OF introduction to the
following account Of the Confederate
Home, at Austin, the idea OF which insti-
tuition was conceived by gentlemen OF
that city, TO whom its necessity was made
manifest by the number OF MANNED and
INDECENT ex-Coniederate soldiers who
were suffering Tor the bare necessaries of
life, dependent on uncertain charity or the
oxertions Of impoverished friends.
Believing that more good could be ac-
complished by organized effort and the
establishment OF refuge for those who
were INDECENT and physically incapable TO
labor, committees were appointed aud The
work began. Successive failures of crops
had embarrassed the people, but mindful
Of the fact that this stringency OF resources
was felt most by the class whose necessities
were to be relieved, the response was lib
eral and encouraging. With the funds
collected, piece OF prope 'ty, some fifteen
acres on Pecan street, about one mile west
of Congress avenue, was purchased for
$4,000. On this land was Il two-story
frame house of seven rooms, with cellar,
cistern, stable, barns, poultry yards, etc.
ave had, said Col Lambert, who nc
companied the correspondent on visit to
the Home, "between $500 and 81 900
when We purchased the site. About hall
OF this had been obtained through Contri-
buttons raised by Mrs. Val Giles, OF this
city, who was very energetic in the work,
Mai. Shelley, Capt Walsh myself aud
others, laborcd hard TO keep up the enter
prise. Major-General Stanley and staff, OF
San Antonio, and their wives, were also
instrumental in its success. The General
has all along been great friend Of the
Home.
"Aiter purchasing the property, paving
81, 600 cash down and giving note for the
balance, we settled upon the plan Of the
grand prize gift concert at Austin TO raise
money for the Homes support aud 10 meet
his note. All the prizes, except the 500
capital prize in gold, were contributions by
friends OF the movement from all over the
country, embracing furniture aud other
valuable articles from merchants and other
liberal gentlemen in Northern cities, IA
well as from our own cities and the bust.
ness men OF the State. Dr. Frank Rainey,
Major IL. T. Shelley and Capt A. J. Jer-
nigan were appointed managers Of the con-
cert, tickets for which were largely dir-
tributed for sale in nearly every Southern
city. Over 700 were sold in Arkansas and
many in Missouri and other States, and
after paying Mrs Giles $1,000 for her trav-
cling expenses and about eighteen months
work W. realized and turned into the treas
ury about Sill 900 for the benefit Of the
Home"
- Anticipating the result OF the concert,
the home was opened November !, 1856,
by the admission OF three inmates, one Of
whom had enlisted from Alabama. one
Louisiana and one from Texas. During
the winter the number increased 10 six
teen, representing the States Of Texas,
Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, Mary land
and Virginia, aud subsequently the in
mates increased 10 the utmost capacity OF
the building. The number has been
huciuatng, as many have been cured and
discharged and others have taken their
places, 40 that about fifty OF these worthy
men have received food, lodging, clothing.
medicine aud medical aid. Seven have
died, one was sent TO friends in Virginia,
one TO Arkansas, one TO Alabama and one
TO Louisiana. Several who came 10 the
home almost blind from the effects Of dis
ease have had their sight restored and re-
turned TO the business Of life.
Tho Home u really the result Of the or.
ganizalion OF the John u. Hood Camp oI
Confederate Veterans, which is conse'
qnonlly the father Of the enterprise. In
the tall OF 1885 meeting Of ex-Conicdcr-
atcs was called here, a Committee on Or
ganizaiion was appointed, aud soon after
the camp was established and chartered
Mai. John II. Stewart. who has recently
been canynssing pa earnestly for the Home
in Boston, New York aud Brooklyn, wa
elected president aud Capt Charles H.
Powell secretary. The following camp Of
Rccrs were elected: Gen. X. l.. Walker com
mander; Wm. NJ. Browdy, irsl lieutenant
commander; lsalc stein, second lieutenant
commander; Charles III. Powell, adiuiant
joel II. b. Miller, quartofnnsieri Franz
Mcclure, officer Of the day, Val. q. Giles
- idetle; the Rev. X. X. smoot chaplain
The present camp officers, elected last
month 10 serve one year, are: Vol. Free
Carleton, commander Frank u Roche
first neuicuant-commandrr Michael j
DOYLE second icuicnanl-commandcr Il
@. Shelley, third icuienant.c0mmander
Will lambert, ndjunnt; A. ]. Jernigan
treasurer: q. NJ. Tate, quariormaslcr J. u
Robcrlcau, officer Of tho day; j. VI. Nor
phis. yidulte; the Rev. r. l. Dabncy
rhaplain. The chaplain was assistant al
iutaut.general on the siaii Of Gen. Stone
wall jackson, aud IL now professor OF phi
Ioaophy In the Texas State University.
Mai. stewart has raised 5000 cash u
Boston and reports recent subscriptions u
New York about q 900 mp 10 this time
exclusive OF the Academy oi Music meet
Ing. The Home las also $4,000 loaned q
interest,
There are about 900 members on the ro
OF the camp.
Formerly the affairs Of the Home wei
controlled by a board Of regents and
board Of trustees, but these two were I
nally combined In a single board OF d
nc,ors. Gen. George w. Russ, a populi
Federal officer, aud then OF Dallas, bt
now OF san Antonio, was at one time on
Of the regents, aud u now one OF the d
nc,ory OF the Home. The enterprise III
,lso tho indorscment Of the Grand Arm
OF the Republic, Department OF lcNa
which, at H. last encampmcnt, held
Austin, adopted resolutions requesting u
Legislature TO cndow the Home, but th
body could not do 20 ON account OF Consl
lutional grounds.
Thc pfrsrnt directory Of tho Home