The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-03-15

for about one hundred people. The second
floor contains fosr rooms for the physician
and his family and the matron of the build
ing. In planning this building great care
was taken to so arrange IL as to make
every part bright and CHEEKY. The wards
have windows ON three sides. while the pri-
vate rooms each nave two windows.
DR.. T. c. Sargent. of Garrett. the assist
ant surgeon. is in charge Of the health
of the home at present. DR.. Sargent is a
veteran. having served as a private in the
acknowledgements Indiana
from the time OF its organization until
the close of the war. Trouble with his
eyes has made him almost blind and in
capacitated him for the regular practice Of
medicine.
ERECTION OF COTTAGES.
1t is expected that the cottages which
will be erected by the counties and individ-
uals. or organizations, will provide accom-
mediation for two hundred 10 three hun
dred people. The act OF the Legislature.
providing for the home gave County Com
missioners authority to appropriate money
for the erection Of cottages at the home. In
many instances this power has already
been exercised. There has now been pro-
vision made for twenty-three cottages. The
money for these has been donated by the
following counties and organizations: G. A.
r., Department of Indiana, 5000; Ladies
of the G.. A. r., Lafayette, 500; w. r. c.,
Department of Indiana, 500; Marsh B.
Taylor, w. r. c., Lafayette. 500; Logan
Post. w. r. c., 500; Wabash, Spencer,
Montgomery. Marion, Clinton, Lawrence,
Porter, Jay and Randolph counties 500
each: Tippecanoe county, 5000; Lake coun-
ty, $500, and Vanderburg county, 5000.
There have also been assurances from
many other counties that similar amounts
would be appropriated.
1t is also expected that several more of
the G. A. r. posts will contribute for cot
tages. There has been some little talk
among the veterans who are blessed with
an abundance Of this worlds goods OF
building cottages at the home to take their
names. There are two OF three men in this
city who have already talked favorably Of
this plan, and will probably make the first
gift Of this kind some time during the sum-
mer. There are ninety lots which have
been reserved for cottages within the orig
inal circle, but the number is not limited by
the circle. for the grounds are so arranged
that the lots for cottages may be extended
almost indefinitely. The trustees do not
have any doubt that the entire circle will
be filed with cottages before the end of the
summer of 1897, and hope to see at least
fifty cottages before the close of the pres
ent year.
The home was opened for the reception OF
the veterans jar. /, but its formal opening
and dedication will not take place until the
Fourth of July, when there will be imposing
ceremonies. A large number of the lead
ing G.. A. r. men OF the country will be
present, also Governor Matthews and others
of the State officers. 1t is proposed to make
that a gala day for the home. The grounds
will be cleared to a much greater extent
than at present, and will be in a condi-
ton to make a picnic grounds for the citi-
zens Of the county. 1t is also expected that
there will be a. street-car line to the home
by that time. 1t was announced a few
days ago by the owners of the lafayette
car lines that the line to the home would
be built this summer. The people of La
fayette and Tippecanoe county are very
proud of the home. and will turn out in
large numbers to the formal dedication.
They nave done much more for it than
any other twenty counties in the State.
The first donation was all OF the land the
home occupies and more than 5000 in cash.
More recently the county has supplemented
this with another gift of 5000. The soldier
organizations Of the county have contrib
uted $500.
The opening of the home in just ten
months after the appointment of the board
of trustees is looked upon as something re-
markable. The board was appointed Feb. q,
1895, and the home was opened the first day
of the following year.. The board consists
80 Io-oa- Carpahop rraci1ont. naxyfd ~
secretary; James B. Wallace. treas
urer; Isaiah B. Mcdonald and c. J. Muir
ply.
The home has now about 15 members in ii,
but the applications of 40 have been IA
vorably acted upon by the board, and they
are arriving at the home at the rate of four
or five a day. With the present buildings
the home cannot accommodate more than
about two hundred people. and it is feared
the applications may accumulate faster than
cottages can be built for the soldiers.
This article would scarcely be complete
without a word in regard to- the people who
have the direct supervision of the affairs
atsthe home. The commandant is Capt. ].
p. McGrew, of this city. He served through
the entire civil war, having enlisted as a
private in the Eleventh Indiana when it was
organized. He was in the service ifty-one
months. -Four years ago he was appointed
to a position in the National Soldiers Home
in South Dakota. Later he was made COM
mandant of that home. After two years.
service, the change in politics dropped him
from the roll. He then returned to his home
here, and was selected for the executive Of
ficer of the Indiana home on account of his
experience and ability Captain McGrew has
a rebel flag which his company captured at
Fort Donelson. 1t is made of silk and duck.
and is a handsome piece of handiwork. The
words ''Fowler Guards are at the top, while
in the middle are the pillars of justice. with
the words Constitution, Justice, Wisdom,
Moderation He prizes the flag highly.
Capt. w. f. Havens, of this city, is adju-
tant and quartermaster. Captain Havens
was one of Indiana's youngest soldiers. He
was not fifteen years of age when he en-
listed in the Seventeenth Indiana as a pri-
vate in 1851. He served until the close of
the war without having a Through or being
wounded. He was in Wilder's Brigade the
entire time.
Mrs. Laura E. Ingersoll. of this city. widow
of Charles Ingersoll, is the matron of the
home. Her husband was a member OF the
Indiana and served throuoh the