The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1904-09-29
NATIONAL SOLDIERS HOME.
Coioaei Prather Ieiis How uncIe Sam Pro-
,ides. for Ms Wards

and maintained By the United States.
It's official title IL: Western Branch Of
Soldiers Homo for Disabled Volunteer
Soldiers, Leayenworth County, Kansas.
The other principal homes are al
Dayton, Ohio, in Indiana, in Cali
forria, and 10 Tennessee. Leayen-
worth ranks next 10 Dayton 10 member
ship. Any hOnorably discharged soldier
Of the volunteer army, including those
Of the Spanish and Philippine wars,
are admitted 90 a proper showing, but
no one whO is receiving over sl5
month pension is eligible unless he en-
ters the hospital for treatment No
one is turned away II be is sick or needs
medical or surgical treatment.
The applicant for admission writes a
letter TO the adiuiant or governor oithe
home asking for a form OF application,
enclosing his discharge, pension Ger.
tifcale aud voucher, whereupOn an
application blank will be sent 10 be
filed by the applicant, who gives his
nearest railroad station. II the appli-
cation is approved full transportation
will be sent him. After admission he
is given half rates II he desires fur
lough, which will be extended iBdefn-
itely on proper showing.
When admitted the member is as
signed 10 a company aud furnished a
full suit OF uniform, and all necessary
clothing, shoes, hat and underwear.
He has the freedom Of the grounds, $40
acres, and can come and 90 at will,
passing in and out Of the main gate or
entrance.
He must conduct himself properly,
obey all the rules and regulations pre-
scribed by the management, or he is
liable 10 be put on the dump" or extra
duty for an indefinite time and work
out his sentence around the home.
Those who are able TO work can
obtain employment in various capaci-
ties, working on the farm, driving
team, in the mess-room, waiting on the
| table, in the guarternaster's and COLI
missary department. 10 the laundry, at
rOad-making, gardening, etcetera, re-
ceiving ten TO fifteen dollars mouth.
But labor is not obligatory, and one can
quit work by giving ten days notice or
on surgeons certificate OF disability.
There is place they call the 'crank
shop" where the old fellows who want
10 make things" can work II they de-
sire. All kinds Of tools are at their
service, and many useful things. boxes,
canes, iewelry, and other things too
numerous TO mention, are turned out
by these old "cranks" who would 90
crazy il they were not busy.
The buildings are all equipped with
steam heat, electric lights and hot and
cold water, with modern sanitary
appliances The drainage is perfect,
and the sewerage system is all that
could be desired. There is Gne library
with an excellent selection Of books,
modern, up-tO-date, which any member
can read who desires, taking out two
volumes at a time and keeping them
two weeks. He can 90 TO the library
and read all the late magazines and
papers and keep informed on current
news and literature. There Is q fue
theatre building where travelling COM
panies are engaged TO play during the
winter months at the expense Of the
management which the inmates can
attend without cost. There are two
churches, a catholic priest and prot.
estant minister In charge.
A large percentage Of the iDmates
are foreigners. with liberal sprinkling
Of colored soldiers. besides over a
hundred men who we're wounded OF
disabled 10 the Philippine service.
This letter seems to be getting rath
er long, 50 will close for the present
. but will from time TO time seLd 10 tbs
b Republican letters descriptive OF th'
home and its great army Of disabled
veterans who are passing the few re
ma lining days Of their lives in comfor
well won on the battlefield in defens'
OF that glorious emblem, the starr.