The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-06-22
GLORY AND HAPPINESS
THIS VETERAN FINDS A HAVEN AT LAST.
Scared Thomas Brown Finds Generous Friend and Comes Into a Home for His
 old Age. --

Thomas Brown, an aged Confederate sol dier. yesterday afternoon when he. for the first time in many years, found surcease | from the adversities of poverty, and lone | Illness which bore heavily upon him in his declining years. After many weeks of | weary walking his tired body found rest and his aching heart was filled with joy
 when he reached the old soldiers refuge
 at Mountain Creek
 | Thomas Brown is 1 years old. He was
 a gallant soldier of the 17th Alabama | regiment throughout the war. Many
 years he has been a citizen of Mobile When the news came to him In his
 humble Gulf City home that, through
 the generosity of Captain J. M. Falkner
 of Montgomery, d home for indlgent Con-
 federate soldiers was building at Noun tain Creek. the true-hearted old soldier l resolved that he would spend his last days in that home, surrounded by com
 rades who. with him. had heard the sul- len roar of cannon and had, in their younger manhood wrested victories from
 such overwhelming armies that their achievements made the whole world ap- plaud their heroism.
 Like so many heroic Confederate sol- dfers. Thomas Brown had not been able | to recuperate from the ravages of war He was bereft of kindred. but he was nor without friends Securing endorse ments from Hon. Prince Williams. Jr.. Judge of Probate of Montgomery County
 and other citizens of Mobile this age | bowed veteran of the South quietly left Mobile for Montgomery.
 How did you travel to Montgomery? ?" | MT. Brown was asked yesterday morn-
 ing.
 T just came along by easy stages" re-
 piled the old man. His face was radiant | With happiness he told of the long | Journey in which he had displayed the | same courage and perseverance shown by him in the. great war between the
 States. Fl just came along by easy
 stages, Part of the way l rode; part of
 the way l walked. Every one was good
 to me and l am glad to be here"
 Thomas Brown had heard of the great l heartedness of Captain J. NJ. Falkner
 Arriving in Montgomery he sought Cap
 tain Falkner and made himself known | The letters from citizens of Mobile were
 produced. He bore certificates that | cleared up any doubt as to his war record
 and Captain Falkner received the veteran | with the utmost cordiality. He was
 traveled-stained and his clothes were well | worn.
 | You come with me-" said Captain | Falkner. and we'll fix up a bit" Then Captain Falkner led the way to | Montgomery furnishing stores. | These two war veterans made a happy picture as they went from store to store | One wore the garb of prosperity and
 was high in the esteem of his fellow | citizens; the other was poorly clad and l conscious of dependence upon his bene-
 factor. They had fought together in a
 common cause. This time they stood on | common ground. The heroism displayed
 by the unfortunate soldier in the golden | years had raised him to the level of his | more fortunate comrade.
 Tears were in the eyes of Mir Brown | and gratitude was in his heart when | dressed in his new clothes. he was ready
 to leave for the Soldiers Home at Moun-
 tain Creek. A committee of Camp Jeff | FaAkner, United Confederate Veterans
 had passed favorably upon his applica
 tion for admission to the home and the
 cup of joy held out to the old man was | was fairly bubbling to the brim. Cap
 tain Falkner entered into the spirit of
 the occasion with great relish. At {
 o'clock he went to Mountain Creek with
 MT. Brown. who Is the fifth old soldier
 to be admitted to this haven of heroes
 who fought for Alabama in the days of | '61-65
 The four old soldiers already at the | home had been advised of the coming of | Captain Falkner and his comrade. They | had prepared a welcome for MT. Brown
 and it was welcome that went straight
 to his tired heart
 "It was one of the happiest scenes ever witnessed" said Captain Falkner, who
 returned from Mountain Creek last night ''I he four old fellows already at the | Home were happy over the newest ar.
 rival and made him feel perfectly at | home. We have impressed upon them
 that they are responsible to us for the care of the place and for good feeling | and harmony between themselves. and | they have started out well.'
 At the outbreak of the war between the | into the Mountain Creek home yesterday y afternoon, was a member of the crew of
 a steamboat on the Alabama River. He | ran on the same boat with Captain Owen | Finnegan. who was popular in the ante | belum days as a steamboat master MT.
 Brown left the steamboat crew at Mont
 gomery and enlisted with the 17th Ala
 bama Regiment.
 | Several brothers of Mir. Brown were | Confederate soldiers but they were killed
 in battles. The old man has lived many the Mountain Creek home and it's en-
 vironment Is truly a happy home. | Incidentally Captain Falkner said in | speaking of the home yesterday, that one | of the latest and most highly appreci- ated contributions to the home was a
 fine Jersey COW and calf recently sent to
 Mountain Creek by w. D. McCurdy of | LoWnde sboro.