Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-12-05
A VISIT TO Tocus.
sLoCUM sEEs THE SOLDIERS HOME
AND WRITES IT UP.
EAST SUMNER, Nov. 6, 30

4
EAST SUMNER, Nov. 6, Y9
Editor Democrat:
| Your reporter in the search for new,
abroad, recently happened at Gardiner
and IL occurred to him that at the Sol
diers' National Home ut "Togus", ther'
might be material for an item or two d
interest to the readers OF the Democrat
Accordingly we crossed the bridge oveI
TO Randolph and took the kennebe'
Central Railway for i've mile ride L
the home Of the invalid or feeble sol
diers so Familiarity known as "rogus.
Here Ia strikingly cxemplifed th'
~isdom, integrity and magnanimtty OF
the United States Government Ia provid
| Ing comfortable home for her veteran
vet loyal and patriotic defenders Of her
| fisg In the dirkest and most critics
period Of her history. Well, they saved
10 US a glorious country, and the same
country saves to them noble home.
No country on the face OF the eartf
has beeu, and Il, so liberal and mSgnsni
nous TO its gallant soldiers 1 "Uncl'
sam"
We're it not for the generous aid 81
forded by the honorable fulfllment ol
the pledges made during the wal
To protect and care for the aged and dis
abled patriot, many would now b
objects of charity and commiseration.
But we pass TO speak more dehnitel,
Of Togus and Its occupants. Q
The spot selected is nn admirable one,
beautiful, slightly, and healthful.
Immediately upon our arrival we visit
ed the governors headquarters and were
ut once introduced to Col s. IL. Allen
the efficient and genial governor OF Tn.
home. A more pleasant, afible ofiicia
We never interviewed. Learning oul
business there, he at once called In Capt
Jones to escort US TO every spot that We
desired to explore and aid Us 10 every
possible way TO see the inside working:
Of the gigantic Institution.
We were kindly shown by Capt
Jones who acted ss our pilot, all through
the immense plant, into the kitchens
store rooms, and also through the hos
pital wards where the sick and feeble ART
mos, tenderly cared for. The sanitary
arrangements are good aud cleanliness
Ia exscted Of all. There Is system and
| order In all the various departments, and
the men appeared cheerful and contentec
aud have only words OF commentator
for the managers.
On the grounds Is commodiou;
library building and reading room. The
library contains $3.50 volumes, about
900 OF which are utilized by the In
mates. There are las chairs In the read
Ing room and IL 10 designed TO add more
q. they are evidently required.
There are l76 copies OF dsilies and u
w,eklies 10 circulation, most OF which
are furnished free by the publishers
In the evening the rooms are crowded
by eager intelligent readers.
An excellent opera house is near by
that would honor any city by It's design
and beauty. Orchestral concerts nearly
every evening by skilled orchestra
under the direction OF Prof. Theme. IL
WAS our pleasure 10 listen TO the Wed
nesday evening performance which wss
Of highly skillful character aud In
tently listened 10 by nearly 1000 people
City gatherings could here learn usefu
lesson. No hoodlum element, but every
thing as orderly and quiet as at well
conducted prayer meeting. IL was
delightful study OF character and faces
Intelligent, sppreciative, manly.
For some statistical inform alton here
with appended, we are much indebted tc
Gov. Allen, Capt. Gallagher, Capt. Jones
Supt. williams OF the farm, Assistant
Clerk Bsgley at headquarters, the
| librarian and others, all OF whom cheer
fully answered our queries for informs'
ton.
Present members, October 25, 2,l49
Absent, 532. Sick, 297. On October O
1899, the total number present and
absent was 2,7o9, the largest number yet
reached la the records OF the Home.
From Capt. Gallsgher's records OF thu
commissary department We found thai
every 10 days IL required for subsistenc,
OF the inmstes, 1900 pounds coffee, la
pounds tes, 5000 pounds sugar. Mea'
snd fish about 100 pounds daily, white
bread, 1900 pounds daily; beans, l5O
pounds weekly. On Sunday IL requires
460 pounds OF bro wn bread. When ceres
foods are served IL takes about l3'
pounds at each meal; l40 gallons OF mill
are required daily; vegetables, about one
pound per day TO each msn. On Thanks
giving day understand there were ISSUED
$500 pounds turkey, 800 quarts crsuber
ries, 2,500 oranges and the same Of bsna
mas, $50 miuce pies, and other delicacies
The great diuing hall will seat about
| 200 at once, and IL WAS novel sight 10
see that number coming in quietly and
orderly snd take their places. When al
are seated, at stroke OF the bell all be-
gan 10 partake Of their repast which wa
simple, nutritious and neatly served.
The visitor to Togus will find much tc
interest him In the various departments
There are club rooms and places provid
ed for interesting gsmes like billiards
pool, whist and athletic sports. Th'
deer park contains 81 deer, 3 large, dn'
black bears, 2 oscelots, monkeys, dogs
eagles. ducks and other fowl. But ever,
one should visit the large, well equipped
stables and COW barns. Here we saw
the fiuest looking herd Of Holstein cow
that we ever saw, not excepting our stat
aud other fairs. At night one can SCI
in comfortable tie-ups 81 cows, nearl!
all In milk and noble class Of animals
Large, beautiful In color and conforms
ton. nicely cared for, and In excellen
condition, it makes one that loves nea
stock banker for samples to bring away
Just thjnt of three -year-old heifers girth
ing over 8 feet and giving over II quart
of milk at one milking. Most Of tn
cows are thoroughbreds and we notices
one 4 -year-old bull girthing probably
feet inches and weighing over lSO
pounds that was perfect In makeup. Al
! ideal living picture. Another one
-year-old, weighing about 600 pound
was also n beauty. Calves Of last Marcl
product, fat, sleek and probably girthtnI
4 feet inches and better. We saw onl.
3 animals OF the Jersey type, and Will
they were fine animals, they looked ou
of place In such fine aggregation 0
noble stock. Supt. E. s. Williams care
fully looks after the stock stables and !
evidently the man for the position.
Like all the varied departments OF tn
gigantic plant, everything Is kept nea
and tidy. All throughout the ground
the utmost cleanliness Is observed. Tn
sanitary measures are carefully looke'
, after and nearly every modern appliane
, essential is provided.
Il An excellent restaurant on the ground
Is managed by John Llewellyn, an oil
veteran, where visitors are well served
Also. q Home store where tobacco
fruits, confectionery and other comfort
are for sale to the men.
Religious services In the c0mmodiou
chapel every Sabbath. In short, every
, thing needed for the health and comfor
I of the veterans Is provided, and visitor
. are most cordially received by officer
D and the men.