Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-11-07
NATIONAL HOME NOTES.
Some Notable improvements, Present
and Prospective.
Dr.. Butler Succeeds Or. Borden Man of ,he
Grounds. The Liquor Raids.

| When one thinks of the improvements
and changes that have been made at the
National Home during the past season.
and are still being made, the Thought
suggests itself as to whether or not thev
Will ever cease. To the casual visitor the
arrangements AT the home heretofore
appeared to be about as they should be.
put now that so many improvements
nave been made-and essential ones-b,;r
one conclusion can be drawn
Ever since Governor Allen assumed the
duties of his office it is apparent that he
mas made special study of the comfort
and convenience of his charges, with the
pleasing result that he is held. in the
highest estimation of every man in camp.
| The coming winter will find a large
population at the home. There have been
many applications for admission the past
season, and the quarters are now full to
oVerfiowlng. The number on the rolls at
present Us almost 23C0 souls, there being,
22so veterans and so civilians.
In view of the constantly increasing
membership an appropriation will be
asked for next year for the purpose or
erecting two barracks at "a cost of about
$15,00 each OF course, there is a possi-
billty connected with the matter. but the
doubt that exists is TOO infinitesimal for
notice. The new buildings will be situated
either between the barracks of Co. III and
the deer park. or on the opposite side of
Co. III. They will be large frame build
ings thoroughly modern, with capacity
OF $50 each, and will be much better, fha,,
any barracks yet built. In appointments
they will be of the same high grade Of
other departments ait the home
Another appropria ton will be asked for
a large coal building, with an estimated
cost of $4,000. It will be built near the
present one, and will have an elevated
track.
Quite bit of work has been done late
~, in moving some of the smaller build.
ings on The grounds. The engine house
has been moved Ito a position just east of
the greenhouse, and win thus be handler
IN case of fire, and the upholsterers
shop now occupies a position between the
greenhouse and the engine house The
ladies' pavilion, which used to set just be-
low Co. G barracks on the main avenue
has been moved ito a position between
the club house and the opera house on
the walk leading to the spring house.
And last Of all, the soap house has been
transferred TO a more Isolated location in
field between the HallowelI ana Gar.
diner roads, thereby eliminating from
the home the unpleasant doors that hav,
occasionally heretofore been waited 10
the olfactories.
Work on The hospital addition goes mer-
riiy on, and the building shows to a con-
siderable extent what it will be when
completed, 1t Us all closed in, and the
fathers have Their part of the work we'll
along. Work on the heating arrange
ments is being pushed as that part of
the buildings equipment must be COM
pleted before the interior is plastere I.
DIR. Elwell, the chief of the medical star.
is much pleased with, the progress of the
work, and also the first class appoins-
ment of THE new addition to his depart
ment.
And, by the way, that gentleman. has
lately become the incumbent of an office
that materially increases the already
large business that he has to look after.
In July he was elected recorder of the
council of administration, an office that
entails a variety of Duties, among them
pCiiiS uif.lt vi lLSsill1tdI manager. IL Is
his duty to book all the attractions at the
opera house, weed out the desirable ones
from the others, and in fact to keep IN
close touch with everything of a theatre
cal and operate nature. Mr. Mitchell,
formerly Ex-Governor Stephensons pri-
waite secretary. ATTENDED Ito that Business
heretofore but the great amount of work
resulting from his duties as chief clerk
in the treasurers office necessitated
change DR. Elwen has already booked
many first-class entertainments for the
coming season, that cannot fail to meet
the approval of the old soldiers and the
fortunate few civilians whose good luck
it will be to see them.
Everyone who has seen the interior of
the opera house since it's completion, IS
in love with it. Aside from the fact that
IL is thing of beauty, it possesses every
requisite essential to a theatre. In con-
versation with the Journal reporter, Ma
jor Smith said that the acoustics were
perfect and that whisper from the
stage cou4t be heard in any part of the
hall Prof. Theme was also enthusiastic
in his commentator of the theatre.
Among the many improvements that
have been inaugurated within a few
weeks is the work now being done on the
fight of steps adjoining tho library and
leading down Ito the basement. They
have been taken away and {: new figh,
will be built, occupying the entire space
between the library and the mess hall.
Which will be a change for the better
that needs no comment. Another feature
of the fail work is the improved appear
ance of the barracks, which are bright
with new paint.
Governor Allen has a crew of men on
a piece of land belonging to the home,
between the SNOW pillow so called, and
the home ground. The bushes are being
cut and burned and when cleared, the