The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-30
STATE SOLDIERS HOME.
Comforts and COnveniences of the La
fayette Institution.

To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal
Comparatively few people realize what the
State of Indiana has done in providing a
home for the veterans At a point about
midway between Lafayette and Battle
Ground, upon the historic Tecumseh trail,
and upon a high, broadtop hill in a beauti-
full grove of red oak, ash and hickory, with
an occasional sturdy oak, beech and syca-
more. this home is situated 1t overlooks
the Wabash river, about eighty RODS dis
tant, while Lafayette, with its car shops
and factories may be seen four or five
miles down the stream The view is lovely
and worthy of a sketcher's pencil. The spot
is ideal for the purpose intended Thirty
two counties and some Grand Army posts
and relief corps have erected cottages of
more or less pretensions which are very
completely furnished being supplied with
electric lights, baths, laVatories, etc.. Those
OF recent construction will not suffer by
comparison with those of any city or town
in the State. The headquarters, hospital,
old peoples home, widows home, old men >
home eectric-light plant and laundry are
constructed of brick with stone trimmings.
They are heated by steam or furnaces,
while in the cottages stoves are used, except
those of Delaware and Marion, which have
furnaces. The amusement hall is of brick
construction. 1t has small stage and
pretty drop curtain. The auditorium and
gallery are furnished with wooden folding
opera chairs, capable of seating five hun
dred or more people, and 1t is a very at
tractiVe little theater, which Is also used
as the chapel, the pulpit being filled each
Sunday afternoon by ministers from Lafay-
cite or other places who kindly volunteer
their services. The library is in the base
ment of this building, as are the pool, Dll-
Hard, and card tables, chess checkers, etc.
This room probably receives larger patron
age than any In the grounds except the
dining hall, which is on the lower floor of
the Widows Home. Here nearly 300 persons
assemble at the sound of the bugle, and eat
IN way that dyspeptic would envy.
There is an abundance of good, wholesome
food, with enough variety to prevent one
from firing of 1t, and 1t is well cooked when
the number to be served is taken into con-
sideration. The coffee and tea are excellent,
far superior to those of the average cafe.
The beds could not be better; iron bedstoads,
white enameied with brass trimmings are
spring, cotton-top mattresses, and feather
pillows. The clean linen and abundance
of bedding complete beds that only first
class hotels can equal. The home has its
own water works and fire department The
water IS pumped into d large, high tank,
thereby furnishing the pressure needed.
This pressure is said to be equal to any
emergency that may arise.
There are al present about 500 members at
the nome, with accommodations for about
fifty more. There are three new double cot
tages about completed, which will increase
the capacity nifty people. l suppose 1t is
generally known that soldiers who are res
idents of the State, the wives unless the
wife is of to recent acquisition, and sol
diers widows are eligible to the home. The
Anyone who tries can make this the pleas
ATTEST institution Of the kind in the coun-
try. The commandant, Col. J. p, MegreW,
is an eX-captain Of the Eleventh Indiana
He is kind, popular and well equipped in
every way for the position he occupies and
is ably assisted by Capt. D. 3. Keller, adiu-
tant and quartermaster; Capt. w. f. Ruby
commissary; Lieut. Richard Fossett and Or
derby Sergeant w. +. Wells. The hospital is
competently managed by Surgeon H. G. Sar-
gent and Assistant Surgeon Ethan Allen.
Nurses are provided by permanent detail
who receive compensation for their services
and have become very efficient in their du-
ties. The matron is Mrs. Laura E. Inger-
soil, formerly of Indianapolis. Her selection
was happy for she is competent and has the
respect of all. She is the only person Of
whom have heard no complaint. This is
remarkable record, for the kicker abides
with us always.
The grounds are easily accessible by trolley
line from Lafayette which winds around
hills and through dales, presenting scenery
which would agreeably surprise our friends
at home. There is also an excellent pike
running along the river bank, which de-
lights the hearts of wheelmen and wheel
women, as well as the possessors of other
vehicles MEMBER OF THE HOME
Lafayette, Ind, Jan. IS.