The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-03-13

and genial Surroundings. TIE diseases are
mainly chronic in character. many I'm
proving. but few recovering. as may be
easily understood when considering aSe
disease. decrep!su6s. and IN many cases
lifelong exposure 10 hardships and 6epri-
vatfons. Many are deaf. ar Unusual pro-
portion. traced often 10 Tre excessive use
o. tobacco. as vel as 20 the military ssrv-
ice-the rafting % ruskstry. booming ~
cannon. bursting CO shells ard other noises
% battle. shaking and shastering the deli
cate nerve structures Of the ears
Nearly all are afflicted with rheuuas-
tism, indigestion. constipation. piles and
enlarged veins. all ailments increasing
with age. SO that in a very few years all
must succumh 20 disease and natural de-
tcriora;ion. There are good many cases
OF personal injuries. received in the serv-
Ice. many much crippled thereby for life
One crippled veteran boasts tina; he car
rses eleven bullets in his body. which IS
also Scared by sabre cuts Among the
unfortunate are several captains. one OF
whom raised and equipped a company AZ
Newburg n. Y. The rvster further IN
cludes two full colonels commanding New
York and Pennsylvania regiments. two
lawyers. one OF whom was on the bench
in Pennsylvania for fifteen years; several
good mechanics. who do all the mechanical
work at the home, besides several car
penters. a tailor. shoemaker, watch
maker, etc.
"Bsa. few deaths have happened at the
home during the last tel, or eleven months.
the number being seven. About sixty rest
In their narrow graves out there in the
cemetery.
In few years every soldier now at this
home VIII be numbered with the dead and
It becomes all citizens who are in the en-
joyuent OF the fruits of their valor TO
make their remaining days days of happi-
ness and comfort. This much AT least is
due In return for a preserved Union. The
personal and political freedom or 4oo0. 600
unshackled slaves and the opening up 70
free labor OF the best and most sllubrious
region of our country, and the presenta-
ton TO all mankind OF an illustration of
the oft-disputed claim that private citi-
zen can be a sovereign"
VIVA, do We do 10 pass the time? Is
your question: said an old. grizzled war
rior. Some read and write. others smoke.
and very many veterans play cards or
checkers. Cribbage. pedro and whist are
the standard games and many fierce en-
counters daily occur at the round tables.
About noon the Post-1ntenigencer reaches
the ground and thenceforth the news of
the day is the absorbing topic. Every
crumb of news concerning the prospect of
war with Spain is eagerly devoured. and
every old fellow. whether he be able TO
walk or hobbie. is for war. The Maine in
ciaent has fired the old blood and the en-
thusiasm is equal to that displayed in war
tines Every veteran. in the event of
clash of arms will be found at his post In
some capacity. especially in defense of our
homes on the Sound for Old Glory is
just as precious TO the old defenders today
as when they carried the dag or followed
II amid carnage to victory"
The Washington Soldiers Home is a
home In every sense of the word. 1t is
governed by Capt. Allen in kindly spirit
and In the join. interests of the men and
the state, and the old wards of the state
feel grateful that their lines have fallen In
such a pleasant place.