Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-08-22
T0GUS HOME LETTER.
Facts and Figures on Electric Lights,
Paints and Oil.
Everything About The Great Insiitu:ion Is Done
on a Large Scale.

ToGus, Aug. 21.-(SpeciaD In the
spring of 1888, electricity was introduced
here, for lighting purposes. Previous to
tina. gasoline was used. Very little trouble
was experienced with this and it did very
well, but since the Introduction of electrical
lighting it is wondered how they ever sue
ceeded in getting along without it. In the
fall of 1887, think, contract was made
with the Kennebec Light and Heating Co.
Of Augusts, and, as before stated, in the
spring of 1888, electricity became factor
of the Home. The number of lights used
here would 20 far toward the illumination
of quite city.
In the main buildings where Cos. A, B.
D and are quartered, there are are 1S5
| incandescent lights, of l6 candle
power each. In the hospital there
are 325 of the same power.
| In the Opera house there are 250, and of
these 70 are in the chandelier and about 100
are used for the stage. In the chapel there
| -re As; in Co. G's quarters, 81; at head
quarters, 50 in the library. 65; governors
house, so; treasurer's house. 26; commits
sary of subsistence, "a; surgeons, 80; en-
gineer and chief musicians house, so;
| nurses house, 80; assistant surgeons
| house, 30 Co. C's quarters, 40; Keeley
| Club house, so; and other places, depot
restaurant guard house, bakery, ETC., over
| 100 more, making total of about 400.
| There are nine arc lights for street light
| ing, and all, both indoors and out, are an
| all, night service. 1t took over 10 tons of
copper wire to complete the circuit from
| Augusta, and over 400 poles were used.
So you see, that in the matter of "more
| light for the Home, it is of considerable
| Importance.
hoped to be able TO give you an account
If the sewerage of the Home aud the water
supply, ETC., but was disappointed in getting
| he facts. 1t will appear in my next.
Among the provisions used here meat is
me of the most important, and if you will
step into the meat shop, you will be sur
9rised when John Copeland of Boston,
veteran of the lst Massachusetts battery,
| begins to sling figures at you. For instance,
he, with only one assistant, cut up into
roasts and for soups, stews. etc., about
seven tons of beef per month; of corned
| beef .about six tons; of mutton over three
tons; besides the large amount of hams,
shoulders, ETC., that passes under the
| cleaver.
Quite a meat shop, isn't it? And the
work done here is done in a business-like
manner. Roasts are fitted for the oven in
is fine shape as you will see them any
where. Why not? Copeland has had years
IF experience.
Work on the new boiler house is being
pushed forward rapidly, all the boilers ex-
cept two being in position and the building
i'll ready for roofing in. The Kelley Club
house is practically completed. 1t takes
considerable paint to keep all these build
| ings looking fresh and neat outside and in.
| From to 10 tons of white lead is used per
year; about 800 gallons of oil, four barrels
# spirits and about ton of kslsomine. 1t
iook seven tons of lead for the Opera house
md between eight and nine tons for the
new hospital
BY the way, the work on the interior of
The Opera house, all except the scenery and
| he proscenium arch, was done by Home
| labor. Thomas F. Carney of Boston, a
veteran of the oath Massachusetts, has had
ntire charge of this department for eight
years, and anything from fine gilt sign to
| church steeple, he with his crew can do.
| All the ornamental work is attended to by
himself personally.
All the quarters are gone over on the IN
terror each year and all the fountains are
| regilded The band stands and other
prominent places receive fresh coat of
paint and gliding every spring, and the ex-
| rerior of all buildings as often as necessary.
| Also the houses of officials, barns, etc
| Quite business is done here yearly, you
| yill thus see, in painting.
A new bridge With granite abutments on
| Rockland street is nearly completed. 1t is
| good solid piece of work and the granite
eas quarried from the Home quarry by
| Home labor. This bridge was built under
| he immediate supervision of Mr.. Lynn, w ho
| has charge of the farm work, roads, ETC.,
connected with the Home.
There were over 200 teams of all kinds
lere, Sunday afternoon, to attend the con-
cert, and fl We cars packed came over the
| Kennebec Central. Take your best girl
| and come out next Sunday.
Miss Gertrude Morgan the popular violin
| ist of Gardner, who has played first violin
| in the Home orchestra for the past two sea-
IONS, was here, last Sunday. Miss Morgan
is deseryedly great favorite here, and all
we're sorry to learn that she was obliged to
| give up fine position as soloist in West
| srn orchestra on account of illness. She
is rapidly recovering, but will not return
| West this season.
Number on morning report, 1881; mum"
Der Of patients in hospital, 262.
Died, Aug. 10. Ezra W. Higgins, Co. H.
| tth New York infantry; Aug. 20, Lawrence
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