The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-04-02
VETS IN POOR HOUSE
EIGHTEEN IN STATE REPORTED
 TO CAPT. FALKNER-
Pathetic Letters from Old Soldiers Show the Necessity of Home
 For old and Needy Con- federates.

than eighteen Confederate veterans are in different county poor houses of Ala bama. A much larger number are eo- jects of charity and are being cared for by private contributions and by allow ances from county funds. How many of these helpless soldiers are in Alabama cannot be told with certainty.
 But eighteen are in the poor house and some counties have not been heard from. Capt. J. M. Falkner, who inaugurated the movement for a Soldiers Home. and who gave the land for the buildings. has received answers from over half the Probate Judges of the counties to his re- cent circular letter asking for informa- ton as to the number of old soldiers in the poor houses. While no greA number of counties have Confederate soldiers oc- cupying qusrttrs in the poor house. per haps every county in the State has vete- rans who are helpless apd indigent, and who would gladly avail themselves of the opportunity of going to home built and run for Confedei ate Veterans.
 In their letters to Captain Falkner, the Judges of Probate reflect the sentiment of the State in lauding the movement of Colonel Falkner and his associates for the soldiers Home and giving assurance of support when it was wanted.
 Some of the letters. In slight allusion tell the pathetic story of veteran soldiers utpcHudHt upoIi tut CfldIitN Oi StIdHetIS for their daily bread. In the letter from Judge Blanton of Winston County. one Confederate soldier is named as being in the poorhouse. However" says Judge B1anton's letter The is very frail and could hardly be moved. to the new home. It is only a question of a few months with him at best"
 And In these letters are recounted in- stances of old Confederate soldiers who rlys .<,t ~-,tx at,la proud to go to the poorhouse but who l would gladly go to the Soldiers Home. Captian Falkner has received letters | from some of the needy veterans that | tell their own pathetic story.
 l Here's letter with heartache" |" said Captain Falkner, handing out the following from an old soldier in the poor house at Gadsden:
 | Capt Falkner:. My Dear Sir-I want te l say to you that l am so glad that you | have thought so much of We old soldiers. I am here in the poorhouse at Gadsden. I am an old broken down Confederate sol- | dier. 69 years old I was raised at Eu- faula. Ala. I belonged tp Colonel Mitch | els 34th Alabama, Company l.
 | I want to be the first one to go in the | home. My name is on the pension roll at | Montgomery.
 Can bring my bedding with me- Plea SC | ltt the nave d Dtu. anu USt 1 clothes. Please write me and let mt know. I don't want to be buried in a pauper's grave. May God bless you.
 From another Confederate veteran the following touching letter has been re. eeived by Captain Falkner:
 Lafayette, Ala.
 Capt. J. NJ. Falkner-Will you accept the small sum of one dollar from an olt one-legged Confederate soldier who fol | Inn l.. Ioa 4aAtJ J. of Sharpsburg and Richmond, as toker of love and respect for the maimed ant disabled soldiers of the Lost Cause Place to my credit one plank in the me morial building, which is to be a hom, for my failing comrades in Alabama. My eyes are so dim with tears that I car hardly see how to write. Please accep my heartfelt thanks for your efforts il behalf of my comrades many of whom suffered the same agony as your humbl, servant. If the Lord wills. I will atten, General Lees address on the 9th O. April. Yours truly,
 Generous offerts of assistance for tn, Home are daily received An example O these offers is shown by the followin. communication from a prominent Mont gomery matron:
 Montgomery Ala. March 18th, 1902
 Capt. J. M. Falkner:
 Dear Sir-Feeling that I want to dt something for the worthy cause that vol have so nobly started for the comfort O the old veterans in their last days
 would like to furnish room in the build ing. and when it is ready for occupancy Eff you will kindly let me know l vii gladly give 1t my prompt attention.
 Very respectfully, Mrs. T. H. Mabson.
 Captain Falkner has also received fo
 the Home a barrel of lime for the build
 ing, given by the Annston Lime an,
 Stone Company.