The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1898-02-25
SOUTHERN SOLDIERS.
Interesting Facts Regarding
Their Pensions.
Cen. Marcus J. Wright, in Nashville Banner.I

federate states are doing for the
support of their INDECENT soldiers
and their widows.
1t is not necessary to repeat what
is so well and generally known of
the almost pOverty-stricken condi-
ton of the Southern people at the
close of the war, for it is fact that
while the war really added prosper
ity to many Of the Northern states,
it left the people of the South in a
seemingly hopeless condition. As
soon, however, as they resumed con-
troll of their own state governments,
they were confronted with the alb
sOlute helpless condition of many
Confederate soldiers and their wild
ows and children. Private charities
sprung up throughout the country,
but these were soon found made
quate to relieve the widespread dis
tress, and appeals were made to the
state governments for aid, with what
success will appear from what fol-
lows. | will take the Southern
states in alphabetical order and give
briefly an account of the provisions
made by each for its soldiers.
BY an act of the legislature of
Alabama, of February Is, 1891,
amended by a subsequent act of
February Is, 1895, any soldier or
sailor being a resident of the state,
is entitled to receive a pension, if
be has lost an arm or leg, or receiv-
ed such wound in the service of the
Confederate states as to render him
unable physically to procure live
lihood by labor, or from any other
cause, such as prOtracted illness or
old age, is rendered unable to make
a living. Proof of service and ina
bility is made before the Probate
Judge of the county in which the
applicant resides. A widow may
also receive a pension whose hus-
band was killed or died of disease
during the war. or within five years
after the close of the war, provided
she has not since remarked. Those
owning property exceeding the val
ne of $500. or an income Of that
amount, or wives having a separate
estate of $500 are not entitled to
receive pensions. To carry out the
provisions of the law a special tax
of one-half of one mill on each dol
lar of taxable property is assessed,
and collected as other taxes, and
the total amount thus collected is
prorated among the total number of
applicants passed upon, and $1,000
OF the tax Is set apart for blind pen
sioners. For the year 1892, 1856
soldiers and widows received 500. so
each per annUm, and thirty eight
blind S3I.57 each. In 1898 there
were 5.2OI pensioners, including
widows. In 1898 the number had
increased to 5000.
For Arkansas the provisions are
very similar to those of Alabama,
aud there are now l,l3O pensioners
on the list, including widows. On
the death of a pensioner, the widow
succeeds to the pension, during her
widowhOOd. The amount of pen
sions range from $25 to 800 per
annum according to the disability.
Arkansas also has a home for dis
abled and INDECENT Confederate sol
diers, which is located at Little
Rock. 1t is supported by the state,
and has now in it thirty-fve sol
diers.
The Georgia pension law is very
similar to that of Arkansas. In
1897 there were 3, 36I names on the
roll, and the sum of $1,000 was
paid for pensions and artificial limbs.
The laws relating to widows are
similar to those of Arkansas.
Florida gives pensions, averaging
about 500 per annum, to $50 per-
sons. and also has a home at Jack
sonville, supported by the state, an
allowance of 500 each being given
to each occupant. The widows of
Confederate soldiers get $50 per
annum, while the widow of a pen
siOner receives the sum to which
the pensioner was entitled.
Louisiana gives no pension, but
furnishes artificial limbs. and pays
FOR their repair, and has home at
New Orleans, which is supported by
the state, which now has $50 in
mates. The state also donates one
quarter section of her public lands
to any soldier making application
or to the widow of a soldier if she
be unmarried.
Maryland grants no pensions, but
has a home at Pikeville supported |
by the state in part, and also by !
private contributions. The home |
now has IOl inmates.
Mississippi pensions her Confed-
crate soldiers and their widows and |
INDECENT servants of soldiers. For
1897, there were on the list 4,4OO
pensioners, for whom $500 was
Missouri gives no pension, but
has a home at Higginsville, for the
of which the state grants
sl2, 600 per annum. 1t now has
l5S inmates.
NorthCarolina gives pensions rang
ing from $25 to 800 per annum to
soldiers and their
widows and there are now on the
rolls 5,42O names, and the total
for pensions since