Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-07-16
GOODBY AND WELCOME
The Outgoing and Incoming Cemman-
tlants and MatrOns of Soldiers
Home Given n RecentiOn

Last Thursday night the opera house
was we'll filled with residents of the
city who had gathered to say goodby
to Captain and Mrs. Lucas as com
mandant and matron of the Soldiers
Home, and to bid welcome to their
successors, Captain and Mrs. Linn
Mayor Anderson called the meeting to
order and nominated DIR. A. s. Stewart
for chairman, and he was unanimous.
ly elected. DIR. Stewart made a few
remarks concerning the location of the
home here. He said there were three
men to whom Hot Springs was especial
ly indebted for their efforts to locate
the Home here and those we're Cap
tain Lucas, Judge Frank r. Aiken and
Col. NJ. NJ. Price.
Then the chorus, consisting of Mes
danes A. G. Cleveland, A. s. Stewart,
Edith Cleveland, Bessie Ames, Prof.
Moore, DIR. Hoenes and Rev. Long,
with Mrs. Boomer, organist, sang a
song that pleased the audience so
much that the singers were recalled.
Chairman Stewart then introduced
Mayor Anderson, who spoke of the i'm
portance of the Soldiers Home to
Hot Springs He said that while we
/! were no doubt indebted to number of
persons for their individual efforts to
secure the home for Hot Springs, we
are most largely indebted to Capt.
Lucas. for the reason that his position
at that time, being commander of the
state G. A. r., made it possible for him
to be of invaluable service-and his
whole effort and energy were bent in
this direction until his hopes we're con-
summated and he was privileged to
throw the first shovel of dirt that
marked the sight where the beautiful
Home now stands, and he became it's
first commandant. He held the po-
sition until the people called him to
represent them in the halls of con-
gress, after which he was again placed
| in command of the Home, holding the
position until now. having made typi-
cal commandant and making the insti-
tuition model home. But now,
changes in the political situation are
come and we are gathered to say good
by to Conirade Lucas and bis worthy
wife, for they are about to leave us.
We reluctantly part with them, but can
congratulate ourselves in the appoint
ment of such worthy successor as
Maj. Linn which no mistake was
made. Maj. Linn will doubtless fully
maintain the high standard of the
Home. And while we are so reluctant
ly parting with Captain Lucas and wife,
we are most heartily welcoming Major
Linn and his good wife. Such was the
substance of the remarks of Major An.
derson and he paid a most eloquent
tribute to the guests in whose honor
the assemblage met.
Judge Cleveland next spoke and said
he most heartily seconded the tribute
of regard that had been spoken. but he
had observed that when people leave
Hot Springs. after once residing here,
they nearly always return. And that
isn't surprising for we have the best
climate. best water, finest scenery, and
all that tends to make life pleasant, of
any other place in the United States.
The Jugde was enthusiastic in his
praise of the Home and regretted the
dep !rture of Captain and Mrs Lucas,
but extended whole-souled and
hearty welcome to their successors
and was confident that the same warm
friendship would continue between the
townspeople and the Home that had al
ways existed.
After the chorus again sang. Captain
Lucas was called upon and most feel
ingly recalled the many happy days he
had spent in Hot Springs, of the un-
broken kindnesses that had been en-
4eDded to him, making an ind ebted.
-ess on his part that he could never
irepay. Time could never efface from
memory the joys and the sorrows that
| AhN SoAAA0 W Alul Wullc mere, ana III
which the good people of Hot Springs
had always been SO thoughtful and So
kind. He loved Hot Springs and its
people and he hoped prosperity and
happiness might bless every resident
He hoped to visit the city in the future
and if at any time he might be of ser.
vice to any one he was most cheerfully
at their service.
He said that SO far as the Home was
concerned he was satisfied that his
successor was competent and qualified
in every way and that he knew the
same friendly relations would exist be-
tween that institution and t he city that
had always existed. He knew that the
people would enjoy the acquaintance
of Captain Linn aud that the Home
was in the best of hands. The cap.
tain's remarks were sincerely touching
aa ha hado hiS friondo ooo1 hv