Daily Kennebec journal., 1894-09-10
FACTS AND FIGURES
On the Various Branches of the
Soldiers National Home.
Where Thsy Are Loca.ed-Who Govern and
Number Of Inmates.


few facts and figures in relation to the Ma
,ional Home that may not be uninterestipg.
The first Home established was the one
now known as the Eastern Branch, Nh.
d. Y. S. II was opened for members in
October, 1866 The total number of men
who have been here as members is 94ll.
The totsl number of members now here is
22G4, and the number now present is 1910.
The different branches Of the National
Home, location, ETC., are as follows:
Central Branch, Dayton, Ohio. Gov
ernor, Col. J. B. Thomas. Number of
members, 5543.
Northwestern Branch, Milwaukee, Wis.
Governor, Col. Cornelius Wheeler. Num-
Der of members, 253l.
Western Branch, Leavenworth, Kan.
Governor, Col. Andrew j. Smith. Num-
Der of members, 2174.
Southern Branch, Hampton, Va. Gov
ernor, Col. p. 7. Woodtn. Number of
members, $685..
Eastern Branch, Togus, Me. Governor,
General Luther Stephenson. Number of
members 2264.
Pacific Branch, Los Angeles, Cal. Gov
ernor, Major j. G. Rowland. Number of
members, 1897.
Marion Branch, Marion, Ind Governor,
Col. Justin II. Chapman. Number of mem
bers, 1888.
1t will be seen thatth largest number is
at the Dayton, Ohio, Branch. The smallest
number is at the Pacific Branch, and the
total number at all the Homes is 1927.
The increase of membership has been
especially large for the past two years.
The great depression in business has very
materially served to make this large in
crease. 1t is estimated upon good author
ity, that it will be at least five years, if not
a year or two longer, before very notice
oble decrease in the membership of these
Homes will occur.
Here are some more interesting facts {:
The oldest man in this Home is George
Drew-90 next Christmas; was in the 7th
Maine. The youngest is Benz. F. Hawes,
q veteran of Co. B, Sd Mass. Heavy Artil-
lery. He is As years and a few months
old; was large enough to pass muster at II
years, and has grown some since. He is
the heaviest man here, weighing 265.
The hghtest man is bashful and does not
want to give his name, but he is feet, 10
inches in height, and weighs about 100
pounds. The tallest man is Daniel Gould,
a veteran Of the United States navy. He
is 6 feet inches in bis stocking feet.
The member who has been here the
longest is John Hopewoo1, lst Penn. Re-
serves. He came here in April, 1867.
The first man who came here was Free
man of the 10Th Mass, who was admitted
in October, 1866 The first man to die
here was jos. c. Foster, Co. l, 18th Penn.
He died April co. 1867, aged %.
The handsomest man is John Webb, who
holds somewhat important position. The
homeliest maxwell, just wait till look
in the glass. The biggest eater-I am
little delicate about that. Sergt. Jones of
the dining room says the competition is
quite close among three or four. The big
gest kicker-that will have to remain open
till decision is reached by the judges.
The contest is close one, and no vacancies
on the list. The LATEST MAXWELL, he is
out on furlough, so | won't tell.
Daniel A. Mullet, a member of the
Home, spoke on the pension question, at A.
GARDENERS residence, Saturday afternoon,
to quite good crowd, and the speech was
a very sharp arraignment of President
Cleyeland's veto pension policy.
Capt. o. w. Sims, veteran of Co. ID,
lst California Cavalry, who is in business
in Hallowell, visited the home few days
since, and in going through the hospital
found there member of his old regiment,
VIM, Bolan, whom he had not seen since
the close of the war. The meeting was an
affecting one as these war worn veterans
grasped each other by the hand and gazed
upon each others faces. What change
2S wears had wrought
/ was in error as to the date of the ball to
be given here by Kelley League No. g at
the new club house. 1t is to be Sept. II,
aud entirely select. Tickets will not
be transferable and will bear the
name of purchaser. A limited
number will be on sale at F. NJ. Noyes &
Co.'S. drug store, Gardiner. With Themes
Orchestra to furnish the music. and the beau
ii 'ul rooms of the new club house as the
p ace, the committee feel assured that the
affair cannot be otherwise than pleasant.
The crowd here, today, at the concert
was very large, and the numbers on the
programme were all of high order. The
second number, Overture from VIM.
Tell" was finely rendered. and the fourth
number, selections from "Yeoman of the
Guard" !" was beautiful. Mr.. Porter, as
piccolo solist in the polka Gem" was very
good indeed.
Died, Sunday, Sept. 8, John Stark,
Co. G, I'd Conn. and Hugh Mcintyre, Co.
c. Sth n H.