Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1899-11-17
ASST sEC'Y OF WAR.

ASST SEC'Y OF WAR.
Hon. George ID. Meike.iohn Visits Hot
Springs. This is the Place for IL
National Sanitari,lm.
Sunday, Hot Springs was honored by
short visit from the Assistant Secre-
tary of War, G. ID. Meikeljohn and
party. The party was composed of
Assistant Secretary of War, G. ID.
Meikeljohn; Gen. Manager Bidwell, of
the Elkhorn; Major b. ID. Slaughter,
of the Paymaster's Department; Capt.
G. Hutchinson, of the Adiutant Gener-
ais office, Department of Missouri and
Major F. w. Witherald, banker of
Hebron, Nebraska. The special train
bearing the party arrived about 500 p.
m. and was met by Mr.. S. T.. Wilson
and Chris Jensen. The Secretary has
be;n making u tour of the western
states and inspecting the forts between
Washington ID. G. and here. Saturday
he was at Ft. Meade and after inspect
ing that fort he went to Deadwood and
Lead. The party drove to the Grantz
mine and saw the small hole from which
over hundred thousand dollars has
been removed. After seeing the sights
in the upper Hills Mr.. Bidwell suggest
ed they make Hot Springs short visit
between trains and acting on the sug-
gestion, the special was brought over.
MIR. Jensen furnished a three seated
carriage and the party made hurried
tour of the city. They visited the
Minnekahta and Plunge Bath, the
Soldiers Home and took supper at the
Evans. AT the Soldiers Home the
Secretary was shown the dining room
which was being prepared for supper
He made favorable comments ON the
appearance of the home
In an interview Mr.. Meikeljohn said:
II have been away from Washington
three weeks and will have to be back a
week from tomorrow This is my first
trip west and north of Chadron and
the development of the Hills was a
great deal of this country but had new
er thought there was such we'll settl-
ed district as we found between here
and Sturgis. 1t surpasses all my en-
pections." When asked about the
condition of the reservation at TT.
Meade he said it was in good condition
and seemed to be much pleased with
the location. There was no special
significance attached to his visit but
when asked about it he said: II did not
come here with any thought of the
National Home. 1t was simply to see
town and make the tour more complete
Your little city has very picturesque
location and the air is delightful
There is no doubt, l think, but that
this place will become the leading re
sort of the United States. / thinl
I there will be action taken in the Nat
ional Home matter the next session of
congress and it would not surprise me
to see it located here. One thing il
sure we will have to have new hom,
some place as the other homes are full
to over flowing. Since this city is sit
uated i'll district with forts all arount
it and the climate and baths are S,
beneficial l have good reasons to thinl
as do with regard to the location
In fact know no place more suitabl
for the location of a sanitarium.'
Before supper the party took swim
in the Plunge. All were delighted
with the temperature of the water an,
felt greatly refreshed after their da,
of riding through the Hills.
Every one who met the Secretar
was favorably impressed with the ap
pearance and actions of our worth
guest. He is a tall, heavy set man wit
dignified bearing and good feature.
His voice is deep but very pleasing an
when introduced his hand shake make
you understand he is pleased to NEE
you. His powers of conversatio
cause one to be at home when in his,pre
ence. for though he has splendid cor
troll of the language, he does not fl
to convey that idea to the listener; hi
speech is very plain and simple. II
special car in which the eSecretary mad
mis- tour was the North Western Gener
Managers. 1t was attached to IL
regular night train on the Elkhor
Before leaving, Mr. Meikeljohn shoe
hands with the several friends he ha
made during the four hours stay in o,
little city and expressed much pleasul
in having made the visit, although
was short one.
SOLDIERS HOME NOTES.
There have been three new arr;va