The National tribune., 1889-08-29


town, and called Donelson Park. This park Is
laid out in pleasant drives, cool walks and
pathways, and is dotted here and there with
flower gardens of fanciful designs, while some
hundred feet southeast of the building sparkle
the cool waters Of an artificial lake, now just
being perfected.
East of the lake about 300 yards, in the shell
ter Of tho trees ncosed with neat fence, lies
the Home Cemetery. The white stones stand
" shoulder to shoulder" and the birds sing over
the graves of the Is who. having ut last re-
ceived their honorable discharge, lie sleeping
there.
In tho rear Of the building Is natural
grove extending northward to the brow of q
bluff overlooking the peaceful little stream
called the Iowa River. The building itself Cor
buildings, properly speaking, for there arc two,
while not being handsome. are massive. The
main building is three stories and basement
in hight. surmounted by o tower rising 100
feet. The central portion of the building is
PIG feet in length. and two stories high. Two
wings project from either end Ii feet in front
of the central portion, leaving recess Ii feet
wide aud l59 feet long, which is filed by
veranda
Upon this roomy veranda all the inmates OF
the Home can at tho sarsA time enjoy the
warmth of the Iowa sunshine, or can sit of
Summer evenings and smoke and gaze into the
distance over green landscapes to where tho
city nestles among her abundant shade trees.
Over the central porch is balcony, designed
for band Pavilion, which will accommodate
about so people.
Entering the building we find on one side Of
the main entrance the parlors; on the other side
the COMMANDMENTS private office On the first
floor is n corridor I2 feet wide running the en-
tire length of tho building On this floor, in
the southeast corner, Is tho library and read
ing.ro0m. Next to this is the Adjutants Of
fee. On the north side is located large and
pleasant chapel-room. In the west end is the
Surgeons office. filed with meteorological and
geological specimens while the next door north
opens into the hospital-room. The remainder
Of this floor, as well as the greater portion of
the second and third floors. are devoted 10 large
we'll lighted and well-yentilated sleeping
rooms, OF which there are at present IL occu-
pied. while several are still empty. In these
rooms each man has bed and washstand to
himself, and he Is required to make his own
bed daily.
In the basement are located the dining
rooms-three in number, with a capacity for
300 kitchen, pantry, bakery, laundry, iron
ing room, mendng and distribution room,
smoking room, barber aud shoeshop, billiard
room. aud general bathroom. To the lat
ter each man is required 20 make personal
visit at, least once a week.
Above the third story Ia the cupola, from
surrounding country, from the winding valley
of the river on the north aud west, to the gilt
tering walls of the city on the south and east,
This main building was completed in 1857,
aud In the Summer OF 1888 second large brick
building was erected for the accommodation of
the Quartermastcr's Department.
The officers of the Home arc as follows:
Commandment Col. Milo Smith. who took the
18th Iowa into the field; Adj't, Capt. A. ID.
CASTOR. Co. A, Doth Iowa; q. NJ, Il. L. Eber-
hart, of tho 1st Iowa, 9th Iowa Cav, and 18th
Iowa; Surg, DR.. w. b. Waters. Surgeon of the
22d Iowa.
For the Home the State appropriated $75,-
600, which was expended the buildings
alone, while the city of Marshalltown donated
the 100 acres and $4,000, which amount was
used in identifying the grounds.
The inmates have GAR. Post-Phil Sheri-
dan Post, No. 452 founded iii July, lSSS-with
a membership of about TO- and regular meet
ings are held in the reading-room. The Off
GERS of the Post are Capt. A. ID. CASTOR, Com
mander, and III. j. Barrett, tho artist soldier of
tho 37th Mass, Senior Viee-Commander.
All those who do the work about the Home
are inmates, with the single exception of the
head cook. These are allowed 50 month ex-
ira for their services. Any inmate who is able
and disposed to do light work in the buildings
or grounds Ks allowed 30 cents day for such
work.
The regulations for the government of the
inmates are anything but severe. They per-
tain mainly TO uncleaniness and intemper-
anee. neither of which .is tolerated in the
Home. aud the continuation of which is con-
sidered sufficient grounds for expulsion and
any inmate once expelled cannot DO readmit-
ted except through an application TO, and
permit from, the Board OF Commissioners.
An inmate may ut any time receive an hon.
orable discharge from the Home, provided his
conduct has been meritorous. All inmates
who receive no pension and those who do re-
ceive pensions, but who have families dependent
upon them, are furnished with all supplies, in
Guiding tobacco free of cost. Those without
families, who receive pensions, must pay for u
certain portion of their clothing, according to
the amount of their pension. Those who have
families, aud are drawing pensions, are required
TO deposit the same with the Commandant
whose duty 1t is to see that the money is ex-
pended for the support of said family,
Contrary To various reports, the Home has
still room for good many. All that is 70.
qured for admission is that the applicant must
hold iii his possession an honorable discharge
from his regiment, which document together
with an affidavit, or voucher, rs it is called,
from Some prominent resident of his locality,
that he is the identical party named in the
discharge, which he must bring with him and
present to the Commandant. This will admit
him. provided, of course that his physical con-
dition is such as TO prevent his providing for
himself Soldiers from other States are admit
ted on the same terms, provided they have re-
sided in the State three years prior to their
observation-disclosures WELLToN COOLEY, Mar
shalltown, Iowa.
Read Better than Pension on page 8.
IA XTnR1 INTE