Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-08-01
SOLDIERS HOME, TOGUS.
Mems Health i Good In Spite of
Terribly Hot Weather.
Something About the improvements and Husi
ness al tbs Institution.

ToGUs, July Especial. For these
small favors, brethren, let lis be duly thank
ful. The weather this morning is cooler
For the past few days it has been terrible,
even here, especially to the sick. The
death rate, however, considering the age of
the men, is exceedingly small, only one
death in the past 10 days, that of VIM
Jones, late or Co. G. lst Rhode Island
Light Artillery, July 2S.
People who come here sometimes make
the remark that it must be unhealthy, stu
ated as the Home is, but it is not so. There
is absolutely 10 malaria, and men who
come here suffering 9 from other diseases,
including even rheumatic troubles, are no.
ticeably benefited BY their stay here.
The cleanliness maintained has no doubt,
something to do with the general health.
The entire grounds are carefully ard thor
oughly poiiced every morning, under the
supervision of the sergeant of police. There
is no dirt or filth al lowed.
The Improvements going on this season
are many and important. Over 1900 piles
were driven this spring for new buildings,
he new Kelley building taking part and
the new boiler house, coal shed and ele
vated railway the balance. The new boiler
house will be fully equipped with all con-
veniences necessary for the large amount
of business depending upon it. The steam
for heating the main building, running all
the machinery, the big laundry and the
bath rooms, ETC., will all come from this
plant. The Kennebec Central has a track
running up an incline to about 10 feet in
reight, directly into the new coal shed,
connected with the boiler house, where the
large amount of coal used can be rapidly
md easily unloaded.
The work upon all these Improvements is
under the daily personal supervision of the
Governor of the Home, and is performed by
citizens and some members of the Home
Who are able to do work of this kind. The
postoffice has received q much needed addi-
lion and when completed will be very
comfortable and convenient place for the
transaction of the business of this depart
nent. The amount of business done at this
offce is larger than most persons would
suppose.
The total number of pieces of mail mat
ter handled during the year is about as fo,-
lows: Letters and postals received. TO-
coo; seDt, 10000; newspapers received,
Is 900; sent away, 1000, making totsl
If about POP 900 pieces handled by an office
force of two, both of whom are veterans,
John McKenna, chief clerk, and Perle,
Hardy, assistant.
Cash received for money orders sold,
,bout $500; cash paid cut, for money or
iers, about $500; showing good balance
ia favor of the veterans. A large sum of
money IN the aggregate is also sent away
by the American Express Company, which
has an office here.
In fact the amount of business in every
department. is quite extensive. For In
tance the Home store does business of
tbout $500 per month, the stock compris
ng very large and well assorted supply
# tobacco and cigars, canned goods in vari-
.ty, underclothing, hats and caps, jewelry
watches, fruits and nuts in their season
nd general supply of goods needed an
used at the Home.
Persons coming here need have no feaI
# going away hungty, for the restaurant
It the depot under the management OF
Commssary Captain A. L. Swift can fur
,ish as appetizing lunch as YOU can find
my where. The culinary department, un-
ler the supervision of Mrs. Purcell of Bos-
cd, is fine and the best the market affords
8 served up in manner to tempt the appe-
tite of any one ,and the prices are very mod
rate. 1t is neat, clean and nice, and the
business is constantly increasing under tht
present management.
The governor returned this morning
from a short business trip to Boston.
The number of men shown on the morn
ing report, today, was 1901.