The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-06-11
OLD SOLDIERS
Said to Be Constantly Abused
at the Tosus Home.
Men Have Been Killed According to
Statements OF an Inmate.

AUGUSTA, June 1l.-Much interest has
been aroused among Grand Army men OF
this city over a printed pamphlet oircu
culated among them, which attacks the
management OF the National Soldiers
home at Togus where 1909 veterans are
living. The pamphlet describes the treat
ment given an inmate Of the home as fol
lows:
"If he takes his chances and walks out
Of camp To visit friend, without IA pass
when he comes back he is arrested by the
police. locked up In the guardhouse, and
the next morning is given 30 or 60 days
punishment at labor without pay. Pen
sion day comes round during his term OF
punishment and he signs a slip for tl2
This slip goes to the governor OF the home
for his approval. He draws his per
through the sl2 and substitutes 81"
Regarding the food served TO the sol
diers, the pamphlet says: "Bcef Is kept
until IL is moldy, and then cleaned uI
and sent TO the home. The corned beef Ii
simply boiled fresh beef; the hash l,
nauseous and sour, 10 is unfit TO eat; souI
Is mado of refuse meat; the choicest
steaks go TO the officers and are sold tc
citizen employees; for lve meals. com
mencing Tuesday morning, Nov IL, 1894
no butter was served on the tables in the
main dining hall; the Kecley institute
there Is swindle."
The author OF the circular also says that
In February, 1894, one-armcd, one-leggec
and legless veterans were frequently dc
tailed to do duty as walters, and If they
were unable to perform the work they
were compelled TO pay sl.5o for subsu
tute for the week detailed.
What she Complainant Says.
John NJ. Batchelder Of this city, whs
says that he was an inmate of the home
for "A dozen years, admits having circu
lated the pamphlet, and declares that all
the allegations made In the pamphlet car
be proven. He said Ia relation to tn,
charges:
General Breckinridge, inspector gen
eral OF the National Soldiers home, wal
at Togus last October, and l told him OF
these things, and he promised 20 bring the
matter before the board OF managers, but
he has not as yet. The old fellows at the
home do not dare 20 do anything while
they are there" Batchelder also claimed
that the following events alleged in the
pamphlet To have occurred at tho home
are true
July 4, 1890, Charles ID. Fish, n mem
Der OF the home, went into the beer hall
and had an alteration with the man In
charge. Fish was knocked down, and, In
falling his head struck the floor heavily
He was rendered unconscious, and re-
mained so until death, which occurred
three days later. No inquiry or invcstiga
tion Of his death was held, and when the
headstone was prepared for his grave, II
was ordered placed at the head of another
mans grave II was known that an ex'
animation would have shown that his
skull was fractured
"Sept. 20, 1882 John Connolly was
locked up on the charge of being drunk
and disordcrly; was kept In confinement
for over 20 days and dropped dead on being
released; no inquiry or investigation was
held.
"Sept. 20, 1891, John Ftzgibbons was
knocked down and killed within the lin
F. tts of the home grounds, and there wns no
investigation"
Luther Stephenson, governor of the
home, was lieutenant colonel of the
Thirty-second Massachusetts, regiment Of
volunteers, and was breveted brigadiei
general at the close Of the war.
what stephenson Says
A reporter drove out 20 Togus yesterday
and called upon General Stephenson
When asked regarding the circular, no
said: II have had enough OF such scurril
Gus stuff called to my attention in the last
~ years, John NJ. Batcheldcr was dis
honorably discharged from this home II
Is all old matter, which has been satisfac
torily explained to the board OF managers
AS far as any charges are concerned, this
circular Is but the product of irresponsible
persons.
IF this thing was done by responsible
people 1 would give them all the fight