The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1895-05-04
yoa 4 soLprrxs. HONE.
The .. Ar. Want. Iert sbsrnaa for tAas
Purpose. 49,

The .. Ar. Wants Fort Sherman for tAas
EuSposes
An organized effort h being made by
the q. A. II. to have Fort Sherman con-
verted into q branch home for disabled
soldiers In case IL is abandoned az a
regular army garrison. The matter
will be fully discussed at the coming
meeting of the state encampments OF
Idaho and Washington. The question
has been under consideration for
some time and the committees
appointed TO take charge OF 1t have
held several meetings, and at . meeting
in Spokane Last Tuesday the following
address TO the veterans Of two encamp-
ments was issued:
To the department commanders and
comrades Of the departments Of Wash
ington and Alaska and Idaho, Grand
Army Of the Republic:
We, the undersigned, committees ap-
pointed by Sedgwick and Reno posts of
the lirst named department. and Gen.
Wright post and A. 7. McReynolds
posts of the last named department,
for the purpose Of considering the i'd
visibility of taking action in the mat
ter of establishing . branch national
home for disabled volunteer soldiers At
the place and including the pemises
now occupied by Fort Sherman. Ceur
d'Alene, Idaho. providing the same shall
be abandoned by the government as Q
military post, and believing that the
present annual encampments Of said
departments are propitious occasions
for proper beginning Of this great en-
terprise and the adoption Of the best
means for its accomplishment. If
thought advisable, beg leave to lay be-
fore said encampments and call their
attention to the following facts:
First-There are q great many of the
old union soldiers 10 this great north
west, embracing Washington, Idaho,
Montana, Utah, Oregon and Alaska,
many of whom are disabled and de-
pendent. and many, on account Of age
and adverse circumstances, are unable
TO earn their support.
Second-There is no such home es-
tablished In this northwest part Of the
United States, the nearest TO the east
being at Leaveworth and the nearest
TO the south being at Santa Monica
Cal, and the beneficent precedents OF
our government In establishing such
homes at Ohio. Indiana, Wisconsin, Cal.
ifornia, Maine. Virginia. makes our
claim TO one here undeniable.
Third-The government will in all
probability abandon Fort Sherman al
C9ur d'Alene, Idaho, as military post
within the coming year, leaving a large
and valuable tract of land having there
on many buildings and other improve
menis well adapted TO the uses Of such
home, either to become a part Of the
general public domain or TO be turned
to some other government use.
fourth-The locality is pleasant Al
could be imagined, being located on a
beautiful lake in the foothills Of the
CGur d'Alene mountains, has a pleas
ant eQuable climate, is centrally 10
Gated for all those states named and
easy OF access.
fifth-The whole premises now con
shutting the present Fort Sherman. its
grounds, buildings, gardens, improve
ments and location make it the mos
desirable OF any place that could bs
selected for such soldiers home, ant
could be changed to that use with yer,
little expense.
Wherefore, we take the liberty, unde,
the instruction OF our several posts, Il
! lay these matters and facts before yol
for your consideration and determine
ton. with the hope that this great en-
,erprise may receive your hearty en-
dorsement and that you may take sucl
steps as you may deem fit for the &C
complishment which 1t is believed W,
all desire.
Sedgwick POST. NJ. Comstock, L
/ II. Prather, W. A. Cannon.
Reno Post-W. II. Wiscombe, Thos
Lavery, +. =. Weymouth.
Geo. Wright Post-Monroe Dagget,
II. W. Gable. J. A. Fisher, J. W. Poison
A. T. McReynolds Post-C. ID. Warn
er, II. +. Myrick, ID. II. Budlong.
l.. II. PRATHER,
Chairman of Committee