The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-10-23
ABOUT SOLDIERS HOME
COmrAde Pratt. of Mitchell, Sends an
Interesting Letter to His
Comrades Here.

dierS' home, writes d very interesting
letter, addressed to lis comrades in
the city through S. Cattrell. 1t is
in part as follows:
NY Dear Friend and Comrades In
compliance with your request for Il
brief history of this institution and
its management | now take great
pleasure in giving such information
as zones to my notice. On my ar
rival here | was conducted to the ad-
%jutant's Office. where | handed in my
vouchers, thus supplying the last link
in the chain admitting me to the
home. | was then conducted to the
desk of the Commandant. that |
might get an order for a suit Of the
regulation blue. In conversation
with him | was given to understand
that l had all the liberty here | en-
jOyed in my own home, to do as |
pleased, 20 when and where ! desired
and return at my leisure.
AS to the management of the
home, the following will give a fair
idea Of how it is conducted:, Each
inmate is supplied with an iron cot,
with mattress, woven springs, two
pillows. two sheets, and an abund-
towels, a commode. a spittoon, and a
rocking chair with a pillow for a
cushion. The entire building is sup
piled with electric lights, which burn
all night in all the halls and closets
in the building. The table is sup
piled with an abundance of whole
some and delicious edibles. The
cooking is in charge Of a Philippine
soldier, an inmate of the home, as
sisted by another man not an inmate.
and their work is fauitless The old
STYLED army coffee comes to the table
morning and noon, with plenty of
milk and sugar. and tea is furnished
for supper.
/ am informed, and | believe it is
true, that the matron has forbidden
anything being taken to her table
that was placed o. the others.
When a man enters this home as an
inmate no restraint is placed on him.
He is merely expected to know what
is right and to do it. No drunken
ness is tolerated in the home. | new
er expected to see so much content
ment, so many smiling faces among
] Ci1Nh q fhrNnT ne , .1lproot %l1
zenith of life. With a great majority
OF the Inmates a mar would be in
poor business to say anything against
the institution and it is clear to me
that If any old soldier in South Da-
kota is without a good home it is alb
solutely his own fault. | do not be.
lieve that another state in the union
has made such generous provision for
the welfare--and comfort ...of her old
and disabled soldiers. In the build
ing is the. home p%ostotfice, Ia reading
room, library. which contains many
valuable books, all free to the in
mates, ana a barber shop. where a
good shave can be secured for ten
cents and hair cutting at regular
rates.
In the chapel, whe1e..yesterday the
writer sat for an hour under the drip
pings Of the holy sanctuary, is the
picture Of Old Abe, the famous wal
eagle, perched on the American flag,
the eagle that followed bis regiment
in all it's marches and battles, and
who, when the storm of battle ragged,
! rose high above the tumult and re-
NAMED there until the battle ceased,
when he would rejoin his regiment,
never having been known to make a
mistake.
| In viewing the outside surround
ings Of the home many pleasing
things are seen. On a pole, IS feet
high, surrounded by a platform, -
feet square, floats Old Glory, directly
under whose protecting folds stand
two steel rifles. 10 feet long, as a gen.
tie reminder that when the American
Eagle speaks the rest of the world
Ill uot ouoP IN llolCil. Anu ldSI. blO
not least, directly in front OF and
facing the building. standing on a
block Of masonry, IS a life-siZc statue
Of a man, the very mention of whose
name sends d thrill of patriotism to
the heart Of every loyal man: a man
wEo was the Joy and pride Of the
volunteer soldier, the lifelong friend
Of the union soldier, the fearless
fighter, the hero Of many battles,
the noble citizen. the wise statesman,
the immortal John A. Logan, of H.
inois. Sincerely yours,
j. W. Pratt.
=
Notice to Take Deposition.
State of South Dakota, Fourth Judicial Circuit,
SIS. In the Circuit Court in and for Dawson
county. Mable Morgan. plaintiff, VS.. Charles
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