Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-08-14
Annual Report Of Commandant
Horton Indicates Gratifying
Results and Little Needed
APPROPRIATION ASKED
Additions Now Planned Believed to Be
Adequate for All Time, Except Quar-
termaster's Building Interesting
Figures Pertaining to the Veterans
and to the Conduct of the Home.

Commandant G. c. Horton OF the
Iowa Soldiers Home, has transmitted
to the state board of control, his an
nual report for the year ending juno
80, 1906. The. reports of Adjutant 6.
f. A. Walker, Surgeon H. p. Duffield.
and Chaplain Jesse Cole are included
and are made part of the command
ants report. While the reports are
largely of statistical nature, there is
much in them of interest to the people
of the city and state.
Commandant Horton calls the
boards attention TO the fact that the
general condition and discipline of the
Home are good I'VE have few dis
gruntled, unhappy members he says,
but as they are, as rule, wholly I'M
reliable, little attention is paid by any
one to their complaining, so long as
they obey orders and do not disturb
others. The great majority of the men
were good soldiers, as well as good cit
liens, whom we are proud to hail rs
comrades"
Col. Horton expresses to the board
his belief that there will be an in
creased demand for admission to the
Home during The next six or
eight years, but with the addition TO
the hospital, the womens dormitory
and womens hall provided for by the
last general assembly, it is hoped to
care for all eligible applicants. Inc
average daily membership for the year
shows an increase of eighty over ire
preceding year.
Among the permanent improvements
recommended by Col. Horton is an iron
gateway to admit teams hauling loads;
a ouartermaster'.s building, an addition
to the pump room: an appropriation OIL
So, 600 for improving the grounds ana
laying new walks; the laying of a wa
ter main from the new extension on
Thirteenth street, eliminating the ne
cessity of a reservoir; and the pur-
chase of two hose carts and the erec-
ton of house in which to store
them.
Reference is l1ldue W tlie
in the future of securing an ice supply
for the Home, because of the destrue-
ton of the mill dam. which Col. Hor-
ton says, has destroyed all prospect OF
securing ice from the river. lie rec
ommends that if the city wins its SUIT
and decides to construct new daili.
the state contribute a just proportion
of the cost otherwise he recommends
the erection Of AN artificial plant For
the erection OF the artermastefs
building, coal house and other I'M
nrovements the sum of $20,05O is asked
for
Adjutant Walkers Report.
Adiutant Walkers report is COM
pilation of figures relative to attend
ance. ages at time of admission, con-
iugal condition. nativity, occupation
etc. During the year 236 members
have been admitted for the first time
and 221 have been readmltted. Two
hundred thirty two were honorary
discharged, sixteen were summary
discharged and fifty were dropped
Deaths for the year were slxty-elght
at the Home and five died while on
furlough. Since the opening of the IN
SC1CuIlOH O,fot pClSOiAs' 49,
mitted o6S Of whom were women ana
twenty four of whom were coloreo.
The average age OF the men at the
time of admission was 66.S years, anu
of the women 1914.
Marshall county has furnished a
greater number of members to the IN
stitution than any other county OF the
state. with one exception, showing that
the veterans here appreciate the ben
cts of the institution and the manner
in which it is conduted. The number
a admitted from this county since the
home was opened is 191. Polk county
heads the list in this regard, having
sent 297 men and women. Worth
county has sent only three.
There were in the institution at the
close of the year men who are over ~
wears of age, and two who are under
40 wears, the latter having served in
the Spanish american war or the PhM-
ippines. During the year three Span
ish- American war veterans were ad-
mitted. The health of the home has
improved. Last year the average age
of members who died was 70 years,
while the average age of deceased
members during the past year has been
T3 years.
The number who drew pensions dur
ing the year was 725, and the average
amount drawn was $11.44 per month,
or total of SS9,662.27. or this sum,
s69142.S4 was paid to the pensioners,
and s2O,519.43 was paid to dependent
relatives.
From the Soldiers Home farm there
was produced the past year fruits,
vegetables and meats of value of So
1857 the value of the products per
acre having been $685.. The manu-
featuring done at the institution is no
small item. as during the year the
sewing room turned out articles to the
value of $2,2GS .01-dresses, bed cloth
ing. womens apparel, etc. The prod
ucts of the bakery were valued at ST.
243S1
The average expense per capita for
the year was $1S971.
Other Reports.
The report of Surgeon Duffield,
among other matters, shows that fifty
five union ard two Spanish-Amercan
soldiers died during the year, and that
five died while on furlough The sur
geon expresses the hope that he will
be enabled to organize a training
school for nurses during the coming
fall, for which a course will be ar
ranged that will entitle graduates to
diplomas. There were treated in the