Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-09-14
The True Facts About Pur-
chase of the Site.
False Stories About Late Gen. Buffers
Connection Herewith Pefuted.
New Boiler House Nearly Comprehension.
did concert-Ihe Excursionists.

imag.nes that the members of Il Home are
! lrcifferent as to what is tram piring in the
outside world they should have been here
Tuesday morning, when the Journal
arrived. The post office was bestiged by
crowd every bit ss anxious and interested
as you will find anywhere. They wanted
to know how Maine had gone. And finally
when the newspaper man showed up with
| the JOURNALS, how they went for the IN ,snd
| then how they chuckled and laughed when
hey saw the figures announcing the glo-
rious result Their exultation was as great
as yours. They had figured the thing all
out, but the result was more than they
expected.
Here is bit of early history connected
18th the purchase of this property, that
may not be uninterestng, and the state
ments here made are facts. had heard
many times here, and even in Boston, be-
fore | came here, that Gen. Butler made
mighty good thing when the United States
Government bought this property for
sOldiers' home. Now, these are the facts
in the case.
When the act of Congress was passed,
establishing national military system for
disabled volunteer soldiers, and board of
managers selected, Gen. Benz. F. Butler of
Massachusetts was chosen as the president
of said board. An executive committee
was appointed and given authority to nego-
tiate the purchase of suitable site for such
asylum. Several sites were visited by this
committee, and among them this property,
which had been advertised for sale, was
visited and looked over. The owner was
Mrs. Beals, the widow of Mr.. Beals, who
had built large and expensive hotel here
and made extensive improvements in the
property, involving an expense of over
5000 600.
The active members of this executive
committee were Msjor-General Edward w.
Hincks of Massachusetts, and Hon. Fred
erick Smythe of New Hampshire, and asso-
ciated with them as an authority as to the
necessary sanitary condition of the site to be
selected, was DR.. B. B. Breed of Lynn.
Mass.
General Hincks. making report to Gen
Butler, dated Dec. l, 1866, Gays, substan-
tally, as follows: Il have, in pursuance
with the instructions of the board of man
ayers, continued my negotiations, and have
finally concluded the purchase of the prop
erty known as 'Togus Spring subj~ct t.
the approval Of the board of managers, this
purchase to be fully completed when geo
and sufficient warranty can be given and
jurisdiction ceded by tie State of Maine II
the United States"
The warranty was given and jurisdiction
duly ceded by the State of Maine to the
United States, and the only connection, II
any manner or form whatever, that Genera
Butler had, was the fact that he was presi
dent of the board of managers
the time the purchase was made
And when YOU consider how values were in
the days right after the war, the price wa
txtremely moderate.
The new boiler house IS being rapid
pushed forward toward completion. Som
idea nav be f,rmed of the magnitude Of
the plant when it is known that over 500'
feet of piping will be required in this con-
nection alone.
The fire department received 800 feet OF
new hose, yesterday, and this with the hos
already on hand, will make an ample sup
ply in case of an EN-, rgency.
Tuesday, we had a large excursion from
Bangor and intervening towns. They looktd
the institution over thoroughly, and after
listening to Prof. Themes concert, wen
away much pleased with their visit. Nov
is the beet time of year to visit the Hom'
an there are parties here almost every day
have an apology to make. do moi
profess to be an agricultural writer and !
rather guess the JOURNAL readers will no
dispute it. The fact is, did not really
know whether they put the silo int
the building or the building int
the silo, and so l 60
mixed, but anyhow they said it was oil
right, for those that did know about such
matters would know Whist meant and thos'
who did not know would think it was al
right.
The concert, yesterday, needs especia'
mention for one number in particular, "Th'
p, stillion in the Forest" Sci a fer. .a-ranr''
bv Theme. with fugelhorn solo by Mr..
Theime. The arrangement was be-utIf.
and the rendering was Excellent. Prot
Tn ime received very generous applause.
The governor returned from Gettysburg
Yesterday, apparently none the worse TO
his fatiguing journey. ooo