The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-09
Captain {, W, Thompson Forced to Accept Aims from
 the County
HAS TRIED ID GET IN
 MOUNTAIN CREEK HOME
In the Same Ward With Him Is Fed eraI Soldier Who Holds Discharge Papers, But Has Never Se-
 cured a Pension.

What shame it is upon the great state of Alabama for a confederate sol- dier to be sent to the county poor house" said Captain C. W. Thompson, an ex- officer in the confederate states army, who was yesterday morning sent to the Jefferson county aims house at Wood lawn.
 Captain Thompson has, according to his story, for years been permanently diseased For the past few weeks he has been totally disabled. He has made ap- plication for admission to the confederate soldiers home at Mountain Creek. accord ing to the regulations, but has not as yet been notified that his application for ad- mission has been passed upon.
 He is a member of Camp Bedford For rest No 1887, United Confederate Veter- ans of Woodlawn, and through the efforts of Commander A. W. Keys and several local veterans, place was obtained for him in the aims house on yesterday. There he will remain until he secures ad- mission to the soldiers home.
 Tears streamed Down His Face.
 Captain Thompson is well educated man. With tears streaming down his wrinked cheeks he told his story. Pinned upon his threadbare coat is a Cross of Honor presented to him by the Daughters of the Confederacy. This he has worn Ioe I fra than my life," said the old soldier, plac- ing his hand upon the emblem of true service to his state.
 Colonel J. w. Bush, commander of the Fourth brigade of the Alabama Division of the United Confederate Veterans made out my application some time ago for ad- mission to the soldiers home l took the required affidavit before justice of the peace, but have never heard from it."
 q served in Landers' battery, Third Missouri division of the Trans Mississippi department of the Confederate States army. I was taken prisoner at the last siege of Vicksburg. on July 4, 1863, and was sent to the military prison at Indian apois where I remained sixteen long weary months. My papers here show my war record.
 Holds BrickIayer's Card.
 q am brick mason by trade. and hold a card in the International Bricklayers' union No. 1 of America" said the old soldier. He produced his card showing that his assessments, ex- cept regular dues, had been paid up. Across the face of his card are the words Exempt from dues'' Continuing. he said q am entirely too old to follow my trade now, however. I have several grown up children residing in Texas but I do not know where they are now.
 'I do not want to remain in the poor house. I feel sure that if I could get to Mountain Creek, the fresh air would have a wonderfully good effect upon me.
 Wont you help me get there?" was his pathetic appeal.
 q understand the appropriation made by the last legislature for the Mountain Creek Soldiers Home is not available just at this time, and perhaps that is the reason it is taking such a long time to hear from my petition
 q resided in Birmingham, boarding at No. 1916 Avenue B. When I prepared to leave there yesterday I bundled up what few old clothes I possess and told them was going out in the country to see some friends. Here I am, in the poor house.
 Has No Protest to Make.
 q have no protest to raise over the treatment I have thus far received here. Anyone who for sixteen days lived upon mule meat, broiled upon oak ashes, and black peas. can stand for most anything"
 In the same ward with Capt. Thompson is Joseph Nickles. federal soldier
 Do you think the confederate soldiers home would receive a yankee soldier ?' he asked T am sure they should, for we are now very close together"
 MT. Nickles. who has been in the Aims house for several weeks is probably eighty years of age. He can neither read nor write. In an old leather wallet he has his discharge from the United States army, it being dated Nashville, Tenn, June 30. 1865. He was a private in Go. c, Sixth Tennessee, Mounted Infantry, U S. A. For many years he resided in Bre-