The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-06-14
Excursion to
Soldiers Home

church of this place in connection
with the III. E. church of Huntsville {
had an excursion to the Soldiers Home
at Dayton on Wednesday. The day
was an ideal one and very happy
party of 269 persons was carried in
safety to the beautiful home provided
for the defenders of our glorious
country. There were 81 tickets sold at
this place and the number reached 200
by the time the train reached Bellefon-
taine. Rev. and Mrs. Crider. of
enjoyed the lovely scenery to the full
lest extent Some of the ladies ex-
claimed, " never saw go many flowers
in all my life" The roses were just |
like pictures and the plants in the |
greenhouse were lovely and were from
almost every cline on the face of the |
globe. The old soldiers We're busy
transplanting the cannas and other
bulbous plants and one reInsrke that
the weather had been so COLI and rainy
that the work of transplanting had
been retarded on that account. but
remarked: Everything will be at its
lovliest about July 4th." The beauti-
full morning and the delightful ride
was enjoyed by all We stopped only
at Urbans and springfield after leav
ing Bellefontsine. We passed by some
very good fields of wheat in Cham
paign county. The farmers were busy
blowing their corn. In some fields
were three teams at work cultivating
corn. We noticed large herds of cattle
grazing in immense pasture fields with
grass almost up to their knees In
one field we counted 75 and in another
40 head. Almost all of them were ly-
ing down contentedly in the morning
and in the evening they were busils
engaged resping the grass. Besides
lour excursion there was large excur-
sion from Indiana swelling the num-
ber 10 800. Three teachers from Day
ton brought their CLASSES ont in the
afternoon and the children certainly
did enjoy the ride ON the merry 60
round and also the ride on the scenic
railway to the fullest extent. We saw
a number of animals among which
were a large black bear, squirrels,
alligators and some swans and those
who visited the deer park enjoyed
seeing the pretty creatures. In bar
racks No. were some aged and al
; most blind soldiers engaged in making
bead work and other fancy articles
for sale. The dining hall seemed to
be the center of attraction at the noon
r hour and it was pretty sight to see
the dexterity with which the white
capped and white-aproned walters
, placed the dishes and provisions from
the wheel cars to the tables. There
are between 1000 and 5000 soldiers il
the Home There are 30 tables in each
q dining hall and each table seats somt
40 or so persons. Thus there are about
, 1900 persons eating dinner at one time
, in each hall When the hour of II a.
IN. arrived the walters ate their din
!, lners. Then the tables were cleared
and when all was in readiness agaiI
the bugle sounded and the soldiers
gathered around the dining hall
. ready to come in from all directions
and each one take his seat at tie table
This was sight that was much en-
joyed by all spectators. Then tn
3 guests repaired to the grove to picnic
r The soldiers dinner consisted of
o good supply of meat. bread, butter
d potatoes. rice pudding or oat mea
r pudding and coffee. We visited tn
/ library and saw the old soldiers in tn
n reading room enjoying their dailies
,s On the second floor we saw the lon
e rows of books. On tine third floor W
IS "a " two army saddles fully equipped
Il One was the saddle Of Gen. Joseph 4
n Hooker and a soldier in the compan
y from Huntsville remarked: Il hav
Al seen that saddle one thousand times o.
n the field Of battle.
,t We saw quite a number of war relic
IA and paper money. One bill of confed
N crate money was a note of 500 an
At one of 100 dollars. We saw the GENE
" terry containing the long rows of sIat
.r marking the resting places of the dc
n parted. The vases of lovely flower
and the monument are an honor to th
state of Ohio. We visited the laundr
1t and found that the soldiers had Ju:
Z, finished their washing. Some of til
clothes were soon dried by hot air an
they were busily engaged folding th
l. clothes ready to be iroRed by machin
cry. The bakery was also place Q
interest as was also the fire depart
D. ment. The train left Dayton at I
l. m. for home.
The Missionary convention of tn
United Presbyterian women at Find
lay closed last evening with an addres
by Miss Anderson, of India. upo
Of "Open Gates in the East. :" The VIC
men of the convention presented Mis-
Anderson with handsome copy of tn
Topical Bible. The officers electe'
for the coming year are: President
'i Mrs. o. L. D. Cooke, of Bellefontaine
Vice President, Mrs. Jennie Ryan
Huntsville; Recording Secretary, Mis-
Al Ida Cooke. Huntsville; Corresponding
E. Secretary, Mrs. J. X. MiIligan, of Belle
r fontaine; T. o. Secretary, Mrs. Jane
= Stewart, Bellecenter; Treasurer, Mrs
II Dickinson, of Piqua. The next meet