The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-10-01
Pure and Sweet

active exercise. The regulations provide
that one person may play but three games
in succession should others be waiting.
Lectures and various entertainments are
frequently given, while church service is
held every Sabbath in the chapel and prayer
meeting through the week. Organizations
of the Grand Army Of the Republic and
Good Templars have been formed, each with
a large membership. During the past sum-
mer an entertainment was given by the
ladies of the home, the proceeds OF which
were used to purchase scenery for the
chapel and assembly hall.
Perhaps no place attracts more general
attention than The dining hall. 1t is one of
the sights the visitor must see. Here all
the members of the home, except the sick
and the infirm, assemble three times each
day. At the proper signal they all march
to this immense dining room, with perfect
order and system. Each knows his place
and there Is not the slightest confusion.
Men who have wives accompany them and
they are seated together at table. The food
was substantial and we'll prepared. From
lack Of time we were denied the privilege
of eating a meal with these veterans-a
pleasure we had promised ourselves.
Every moment of the time at our COM
mand was well spent, but still there were
places of interest that we did not reach,
but the kitchen, the laundry, the adjutant's
quarters, the commissary department were
in turn visited. Especial attention was Civ
en- to the poultry yard. which was filled
with well-bred fowls. chickens. ducks. etc.
More than 1000 young chickens were raised
during the season.; these are principally
used for the sick.
QUAD OuvEDTCrTHC ON YNyNr ATEC
But what of the lives OF the members of
the home? Are they happy and contented?
are the questions that confront the visitor.
We would answer by another question: Are
the people who live outside this institution
happy and contented? Individuality and dis
positions do not change with a change of
environments. Especially is this true of
elderly people. 1t is presumed that there
are those living who will not be contented
this side the pearly gates. and we have rea-
son to believe that they will ~criticise the
golden streets" on the ground of economy
a mere waste Of material. Would 1t be
strange If some of these should find their
way into the Indiana State Soldiers Home?
There are grumblers here as elsewhere; they
find fault here, just as they have found
fault all tteir lives; they gossip and Islander
each other here, just as they gossiped and
slandered their %neighbors outside; they criti-
else the management just as they criticised
public officers and private individuals before
coming here. Perhaps these characteristic
have become intensified, since everything is
provided for them, and they have little else
TO DO. Inconsistent as it may seem, those
who had the least when at home, those who
were the poorest and the men who saw the
least service in the war, are the greatest
f~ault-fnders. And they tell all their
troubles. make all their complaints, relate
all their woes to such visitors as will listen
to them. But the lives of some of these old
people are most sweet and lovable. One
old man followed US about to tell how kind
and good everyone is and how comfortably
they are situated.
The new commandment is very much liked
by the members Of the home. He is gentle
and kind and in every way considerable
of the veterans, visits them when sick and
looks after their general welfare in every
way possible. Both men and women are
occasionally detailed for light work; the
| men are employed about the grounds and
buildings, the women in the kitchen, IRON
ing room or in other light duties. Among
so many these details do not come often
to any one individual: but 1t sometimes
brings trouble, for many. especially the
women. seriously object to this rule, and
evade il whenever possible.
The rules and restrictions governing the
members OF the home are reasonable. Any
enc may, without a pass. go any place with
in a radius of one mile. Any one. for good
behavior, may procure a continuous pass to
Lafayette and the country around within
reasonable distance. This may be taken
from them for i'll behavior.
In the evening General Packard had his
staff at his residence to meet his visitors
1t was a happy thought. because 1t gave US
an opportunity TO see and speak with most
of those who are officially connected with
the home. Capt. ID. B. keller is a gentle.
man who seems TO be admirably fitted fol
his responsible duties Capt w. r. Ruby