Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-16
THE SOLDIERS HOME
IOWA HAS SPLENDID iNsTITu.
TON AT MARSHALLToWN.
LATE CAPTAIN EVANS A WORKER
ottumwa Well Represented at Home
Buildings Well Adapted to Purpose
Location and Grouping-Present
Handsome Appearance.

That the Iowa Soldiers Home, which
is located at Marshalltown, is so we'll
equipped in the way of proper build
ings is largely due to the efforts of the
late Captain Samuel B. Evans OF this
city, who was one of the three men,
bers of the building committee. OF
tumwa is well represented in the home
by number of old soldiers from this
vicinity.
Credit to Philip Grape.
To Philip M. Grape of burlington,
more than to any other one man is
due the existence of the Iowa Soldiers
Home at Marshalltown, although with
knowledge of lowas constant solicitude
for the welfare of her veterans
OF the Civil war as attested by Sc
ries of statutory enactments beginning
with the close of the civil war, it can
not but be believed the home was fore
ordained to existence regardless of the
efforts of any one man. Nevertheless
lit was Mr.. Grape, who, by his efforts
crystallized public and especially leg
islative sentiment in favor of dis
tinctively state home for old soldiers
at a time when many thought needy
veterans could be equally well cared
for by sending them to the National
home at Leavenworth Kan. Mr. Cra-
pos efforts were recognized by the
Grand Army of Iowa when in annual
encampment, April 81, 1887, the follow
ing resolutions were passed:
Resolutions.
Whereas, Comrade P. NJ Grape,
chairman of the Soldiers Home COM
mittee, appointed by Commander Man
ming, did through his untiring efforts
succeed in bringing the matter before
the last legislature, which established
a home for the homeless soldiers of
Iowa, where they may find rest
and comfort in their declining years,
and
Whereas, Comrade Grape spent
much time in said work of establishing
| the Home, now, therefore be it
Resolved, That this encampment eX.
tend to Comrade Grape the thanks OF
the comrades of Iowa for his noble eff
forts in thus looking after their inter
eSts, and
| Resolved, further, That this be made
a part of the records of this encamp-
ment.
Dedicated in 1887.
The home having been authorized
| by the previous general assembly and
funds for it's management provided
the main building was completed in
the fall of 1887, and dedicated on Nov
80 of that year. A vast concourse OF
old soldiers from all parts of the Uni
| ted States was present under the com
mand of General Byron A. Beeson
Dr. George Click was chairman of the
local celebration committee EX-Gov.
ernor Buren, R. Sherman was president
of the day and made an address and
other addresses were made by Cover
nor Larrabee, Philip NJ. Grape, Sidney
A. Foster and M. M. Baldwin. Rev. c.
! S. Percival read an original poem,
THE Invitation"
Immediately after it's dedication the
home was opened for occupancy by the
waiting soldiers, as rapidly as prepar
alton could be made for their accomo
dation On the first day, December
| 1, 1887, seven members were admitted
In his message to the twenty-seconc
general assembly on January 10, 1883
little more than month later, Gov
ernor Larrabee reported sixty inmates;
by the following June the number hat
increased to 1853 year later 258 were
in attendance; in June 1890, there were
$40 on the rolls; and by midsummer Of
4 1891 the enrolment was 432, and 3S:
were actually present. April Is, 1891
although the home was only intended
1 to accommodate 800 inmates. Accomoda
lions were improvised in every avail
able space, especially during the win
/ ter, and still the board of managers
were compelled to ignore petitions O
a very large number of applicants. New
/ buildings have been added and the &C
comodations enlargeG,until at the pres
ent time January 26, 1901,) there arr
at present in the various department.
of the home, 731 men and Sc women
and there is still waiting list of from
twenty-five to fifty unable to gain ad
| mittance because of lack of accomoda
tons. The total number of admissions
to the home from the date of establish
ment to January 26. 1901, is 2,305 o
1 which 103 are women.
The original building completed il
1887, is PIG feet long by 120 feet il
depth, with brick basement and super
structure of three stories built of brick