Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-10-22
CORRESPONDENTS.

| EDITOR BANNER: During the recent
trip of Governor U. A. Woodbury. and
party to the South, they were present at
the Reunion of the Blue and the Gray,
| Sept I'd, at the Exposition Grounds,
Atlanta, Ga. The closing exercise of
| the day was the ringing of the New Lib
erty Bell three times three strokes.
Two Union and two Confederate veter-
ans were asked to assist in doing it,.
| Col. George w. DOty of Vermont and
myself responded for the Union Soldiers
and one of the ex-Confederates was T..
| W. Cassell, Supt of the Confederate
Home of Missouri, who was opposite to
me, and the following interesting letter
| from him will show what the Southern
as well as tho Northern states are try
veterans. Il. j. COffey.
Bennington, Vt. Oct. 18th, 1895.
HIGGINsvILLE, Mo-, Oct. Sth, 1895.
Col. Robert }. COffey, Bennington, Vt.
DEAR SIR: You will doubtless remem-
ber me as the person who joined you in
ringing the New Liberty Bell at Atlanta,
| September Dist and now have the pleas.
ure of writing you few lines per prom
| Use.
The dedication of the National Mill
tary Park at ChiCamauga was com.
mendable affair and complete success.
and the meeting and mingling of Ameri.
cas- Veterans upon that memorable oc-
casion will 90 Il long wGys toward ce-
menting the existing ties between the
North and South.
| am glad to say so far as my obser-
vation goes, with only two important
exceptions, the meetings and greetings
| nf tha vol INF frinnIlxy
and chivalrous, and will no doubt result
in great good.
SuppOsing that brief history of our
| Home might be of some interest to you,
l will begin by saying that the growing
needs for such an institution began to
take form during the summer of 1899.
An appeal was made to the citizens of
the State for aid, and they responded so
promptly and literally in a short time
nearly one hundred thousand dollars in
cash and good subscriptions had been
contributed.
The Executive Committe after due
deliberation purchased fine farm con-
sisting of three hundred and sixty-twO
acres, one and one half miles from
Higginsville, and began Immediately to
erect suitable buildings. and by the 1st
of April 1891 everything was in readi-
ness for the admission of the needy
veterans and those dependent upon
them. Up to date two hundred and
sixty persons have been admitted. Our
Improvements in buildings consist of
one main brick building two story with
basement, 100X120 feet. This building
is complete in all its appointments
| lighted by gas and heated with steam,
has bath rooms and wash rooms. closets,
etc. with hot and cold water on each
| floor: Superintendants ten room resi-
dence; eleven room hospital building;
fourteen cottages for men with families
and two farm houses, barn and all nee.
es>ary Outbuildngs.
The people who occupy cottages are
furnished with gardens, poultry and
cows. All the benficlaries are fur
nished with food, clothing, medical
treatment and in fact everything neces-
sary to make them comfortable, free of
charge.
The home was built and is being
maintained by private contributions and
we are glad to note that valuable aid
has been received from quite a number
of Union Veterans and their friends.
Upon finding at the beginning of the
present year that our Frances were get
ting low our wants were made known
to the public, and the good people in
the State responded with about $4,000
in cash.
For further particulars l refer you to
copy Of annual report sent under anOth-
er cover.
l promised to send photograph to the
gentleman in charge of the new Liberty
bell at Atlanta, but failed to take his
address, and would thank you to give
me his address if you can do so.
Hoping to have the pleasure of meet.
ing you again, l am yours respectfully,
F. W. CAssELL, Supt.