The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-08-01
AN OPEN AIR REFUGE.
Sketch of the Fraternal Societies
Las Vegas Sanitarium.

Las Vegas, N. M, Aug. William
E. Curtis has sent the following let
ter to the Chicago Record-H Herald:
This city has been a health resort
for &, century or more. A number of
hot springs about six miles from the
city have been famous for their me-
dicinal qualities for many generations,
and with its pure. stimulating atmos-
phere and perpetual sunshine this has
always been an attractive place for
invalids. 1t is therefore natural that
the great tuberculosis sanitariun to be
esta blished by the benevolent orders
of the United States should be To-
Gated here. This enterprise is a new
form of insurance against tubercu-
losis adopted by sixty-three fraterni-
ties which represent a membership OF
more than five and a half million per-
sons, and it is proposed to take care
of as many as 5000 patients-none
but members of the cooperating fra
| ternities being eligible. The institu-
| ton is to be self-supporting; the
charges are to be a little above the
to accumulate a repair extension
| fund. The rates have not yet been
fixed, but will probably be $40 or SIS
| per month. 9SThe institution will be
| nonsectarian - Protestants, Roman
| Catholics, Jews. Buddhists, pagans
| and men of any religion or no re-
| ligion are equally welcome if their ap-
piications are Endorsed by the proper
! Off1c1aIS OF the IrdIe1QltleS lss WHICH
| they belong; but each denomination
will be encouraged to have regular re-
1 iigious services and appoint chaplains
and build chapels, for which ground
| will be furnished
The plant consists of about Is square
miles of land, much of it under .cultiva-
| ton, six miles from Las Vegas, at an
| average elevation of $500 feet. In the
| center is the much advertised MonteZu-
| ma hotel entirely modern, built of stone
.hrin stories HIGH with 26l
| rooms which was erected few years
| ago by the Santa F'e Railroad company
| at a cost of $500, 600. There is a smaller
hotel, built of stone, with about. 40
| rooms, which was used as a resort be-
| fore the larger hotel was erected; a
complete bath house and swimming
pool; an electric light and steam heat
| ing plant; a hospital; club house; a
| livery stable and cattle barns; a chicken
ranch; a large garden; well equipped
dairy farm; golf links; tennis courts;
| baseball grounds; crOQuet grounds; a
| casino with reading room attached; a
theater, with stage and scenery, and
| other facilities for amusement and COM
| fort, which are exceedingly valuable be-
| cause the victims of tuberculosis re-
| quire diversion. Around the place are
| many picturesque walks and drives.
| About two miles from the hotel, reach
| ed by trolley cars, is Gallinas park, a
| race course and in the other direction
| the beginning of the scenic driveway,
| which the government or New MeXlcO
| is constructing over the mountains. The
| scenery is superb. 1t would be difficult
| to find place where there are so many
| of the essentials for a sanitarium.
The Santa Fe Railroad company has
| transferred the title to all of this to a
| board of trustees representing the fra
| ternal societies of the United States,
without consideration, upon the condi-
ton that a tuberculosis sanitarium
shall be established and permanently
maintained here. If the plan should
| be abandoned or the property used for
any other purpose it is to revert to the
| railroad company. The gift Of the
Santa F'e company includes 1000 acres
| of land, which, with the improvements
| described, is appraised at $1,O0O,0OO.
! In addition to this, and on the same
| conditions, the citizens of Las Vegas
present 10000 acres of land adjoining
the railroad property for the use of the
sanitarium.
In the neighborhood of the Monte
yuma hotel, upon these lands, Will be
erected series of camps, with SAM
tary tents of the most improved pat
| terms at attitudes varying from 5000
| to 1000 feet, so that the patients may
have the benefit of the elevation best
suited to their needs. This city OF
tents, accommodating about 5000 peo-
pie, is now being laid out by Colonel
F. H Buzzacott of the United States