The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1900-192?, 1901-02-14
STATE SOLDIERS HOME.
Description of the Column
ba Falls institution.

One of the most beautiful sites in
the state of Montana, a lofty knoll
overlooking the Flathead river at its
prettiest point, near Columbia Falls
was selected as the location for the
soldiers home of Montana. l; is one
of the institutions of which the pee
pie of the state are Justly proud. 1t
is built close to the river, and the
view obtained from any part of me
home is grand one.
For number of years before it
was erected there was crying need
of such an institution, but the
cry was not loud enough or strong
enough until 1895, when some of the
influential Grand Arm of the Repub-
lie men took up the project, and the
result was the work of raising money
commenced. A bill was put through
the legislature appropriating $4,000
towards the building of the home and
$4,000 per year for its maintenance.
Then the site, 100 acres, was donated
The citizens of Columbia Falls donat-
ed $500, and from various other
sources money in various sums was
donated until there was enough to
go ahead and build the home. The
cost of the home including pumping
and heating plant was $4,000, $14,-
600 of which went into the building.
The building is an imposing structure
of red brick, with stone trimmings
AS yet the grounds give no concep-
ton Of what they will be in very few
years, trees have been planted at adj
vantageous spots, and a thrifty young
orchard gives promise Of soon sup
plying all the fruits needed for the
inmates Of the home. .........
There is only one thing against the
location, the tedious journey to reach
it. The site was selected by those
who looked forward to the time when
direct connection could be had with
the home by means of a railroad from
Butte by way of Missoula and Flat
head lake. The ground is now worth
$4,000 and increases in value every
year. 1t is just one mile and half
from the busy little town of Columbia
Falls, every inhabit..A; III which is as
proud of the institution as if they
owned it individually.
The first flag raised in Montana
with As stars was donated by d. j.
Hennessy, and floats from the flag
staff 1870 feet high, a staff that grew
near the place. 1t is the law that
any additional star must be added to
the flag before the 4th of July of the
flag was raised on Decoration Day
through the efforts of Colonel Dol
man.
The basement of the home is de-
voted to the laundry, heating plant
and different storerooms. The appoint
ments are modern and up to date
The first floor contains the offices, IN
immense dining room, kitchen and Ii
brary, and the hospital ward. The
latter is to be removed in a few days
to the new hospital building just com
pleted. The fine piano in the home
was given by the energetic members
of Lincoln Relief Corps, No. 6, of
Butte. On this commodious floor are
also commodious baths.
The dormitories are on the second
floor, and they are furnished in man.
ner far above the average in such in
situations. The beds are all furnish
blankets and p.enty of good quilts
and linen. The inmates of the home
are really in far better position than
the old soldiers in many similar
homes in the United States. The gov
ernment allows them 800, each II
mate, per year, and nearly all of them
are the Recipients of pensions. The
state provides them with tobacco. Pa
triOtic people from all over the state
send donations of every conceivable
article they think would be of service
to the men who fought in the days
gone by. Slippers, clothing, any and
everything is at all times acceptable
for there never can be too many do
nations made. Patriotism does not
| find such a useful outlet with most
people. Donations to the library OF
books of any and all kinds and maya
zines, subscriptions to papers, all are
eagerly hailed by the soldiers. The
one thing to complain of there is the
deadly monotony and for this reason
the library is one of the joys of the
lonely men.
When the home opened it opened
with only %, and there have been /.
all about 80 inmates. OF these
number now rest in the little cemeter,
attached tothehome's grounds; other.