The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-18
THE DISABLED VETERANS
LIFE IN ONE OF THE NATIONAL
HOMES PROVIDED As A REFUGE.
How the 1,7O0 Old Soldiers Live, ana
the Devices which Enable Them
to Pass the Time Pleasantly.

CcAACSt'AutAtC
NATIONAL SOLDIERS HOME Marion,
Ind. Sept 16.-The home, according to re-
port of Surgeon Kimball, is in an excellent
condition in every respect. The total NUM-
Der of men in barracks is close to 1.700 ana
upwards of $50 are absent on furlough or
pass The members enjoy comparative good
health. especially when advanced age and
ills germane to the same are taken into con-
sideration. The sanitary condition of the
home and it's environs is almost perfect,
and what defects in this particular exist
are being rapidly overcome
While the provender furnished the men Is
all that could be desired and in plenitude,
the menu has just been added to, and now
water melon, cantaloupe and raw tomatoes
are occasionally served. These dainties are
much appreciated.
What is considered an excellent rule in
the conduct of the home is the manner IN
which furloughs are issued. All comrades
in good standing are eligible to receive such
courtesy, and to obviate the going and COM
ing at will of those who make a habit or
frequently absenting themselves and re-
turning prior to the expiration of the privi-
lege an order is in vogue that all who ae-
cept the furlough and who return within the
time allowed. viii be placed on the dump
until the whole time of such furlough runs
out. This means the performance of very
unpleasant work about the camp. Many OF
these men leave the home after receiving
their pension. and in numerous cases when
the money is gone they return for food and
shelter long before their furlough expires.
The old boys take much pleasure in jolx-
ing with new conner. If he becomes angry
at little nonsense his infection is in
creased. This week a German Of immense
rotundity became a member Of Barracks 6
The boys Immediately dubbed him Bis
marck, and made it so warm that in sheer
disgust he was transferred to other quar-
ters. He disliked to be called after the de-
fEnct statesman, and would say, II be only
a tailor once" He was fond of flowers, and
in his own way would frequently say, HE
promised myself some flowers. and take
me to dot glass houses and got him once"
There are a large contingent here Of men
who have but one arm. They manage to
cut their food almost equally as we'll as
their more fortunate brothers. They never
complain and seldom ask for aid at the
table. Among the worst crippled in this re-
spect is Patrick Golden, Of Indianapolis.
His right arm is off above the elbow and
but two fingers remain on his left hand.
He is wonderfully expert, not only at the
table, but in making his bed, and arranging
his toilet. He is genial good natured
sen of the Emerald Isle, served four years
in the war and has a splendid record as an
artilleryman. 49,
New members for time experience some
difficulty in securing permanent seat at the
table. TO attain this one must hold the
place three successive times after that it
belongs to him for all meals. All are treated
alike in this respect, and the rule is consid-
cred an excellent one.
The home has become Mecca for visit
ors from the surrounding towns. and every
day brings hundreds of men. women and
children as sightseers. All have q penchant
to visit the great dining hall to note the
men at meals. Commissary Sergeant Stone
is kept busy pointing out the Details and in
this he takes evident PRIDE The room ac-
commodities 1,01 at single sitting, and a
second table is necessary before all are sup
pied. AT this season it requires the follow
ing quantities for single meal: 1900
pounds of cabbage, 300 dozen corn, 30 BUSH
els of string beans, 800 pounds of rhubarb,
20 bushels of beets 80 bushels of onions. %
bushels of potatoes, 20 bushels of tomatoes,
$50 watermelons and 600 cantaloupes. 1t re-
quires 800 pounds of butter and 200 pounds
of bread to fill out three meals.
The bed-bug man is a fixture. His weekly
trips at all barracks. while beneficial In a
general sense, are not hailed with that ur-
banity and warmth of feeling that is COM
mensurate with the services he renders. The
men detest these highly-perfumed midnight
visitors that it is the bed-bug" mans duty
to destroy, and they equally abhor the un-
pleasant flavor the fatal elixir is scented
with. However, the odor disappears in a
few hours. Up to date there has not been
a bed-bug reported in any of the barracks.
If No. 10 is criterion: this is no joke.
The water supply has been perfected. and
by the aid of stand pipe 1876 feet in height
the home is supplied with daily flow of
1000 900 gallons of water Of excellent quail
ty.
Affectation with many is a pardonable
fault, and perhaps the old soldier may be
excused for an indulgence. We have num-
Der of men here who are affected in this
way. They love to follow after the manner
of dress and especially of wearing the hair
Of successful prize fighters. The famous
Jim Corbett attained the sobriquet of
"Pompadour jim" from the style in which
he dressed his hair. while those of his con-
sorts resorted to the pug cut Both styles
are followed here but that of the ex-cham-
pion predominates.
Time hangs heavy on those who are not
employed. The older Of the idle ones kill
time in sleeping between meals, others walk
about the groves pitch horse shoes, or pay
visits to the nearby towns. The more studi-
Gus spend their time in the library delving
into books, newspapers and magazines.
Those fond of pool and billiards have several
tables in which to display their skill There
is always a large cotcrie playing checkers.
dominoes and chess. Cards. of course. is the
principal pastime. All games. with the exc
ception of poker or it's like. are in opera
ton from morn till eve. The home store ID
a general rendezvous; here the men can
secure fruit, soft drinks, stationery and
odds and ends Of almost every conceivable
kind Pensioners are given credit to a lin
tied amount. The receipts of the store over
actual expenditures are utilized for paying
salaries of the permanent band and buying
books for the library. The sum total Of earn
ings will average $50 month. Those who
are religiously inclined are also looked aft
er. The Catholics have their own chapel and
Memorial Hall is used by the Professionals.
Rivalry, personal efforts of the members
to make their individual surroundings in
barracks presentable, brings much good to