Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1907-09-28
NationaI solaler., Homes.

am uSepiy luteresteu III the OH!I-
ed States soldiers homes" writes a
veteran reader. "will you please tell
something about tlt national homes,
how many there are and where they
are. and how many soldiers they ac-
commodate? 1t seems as II, the war
being so long past, the homes must
begin 10 be thinning out in popula-
ton"
March 3, 1865, Congress established
the National Home for Disabled Vol
unteer Soldiers, with provisions allow
ing for branches In different parts of
the country as they should be needed.
There was already the Soldiers Home
In Washington, founded under the lead
of Gen. Scott, for soldiers OF the regu-
lar army.
The eastern branch at Togus, near
Augusta, Me-, was the first branch OF
the national home for volunteers 10 be
opened. 1t was opened for use in 1866.
1t has 1884 acres of land and can ac-
commodate $500 members.
Central branch. at Columbus, Ohio,
was the next put into use, III 1867, aud
was Immediately removed TO Dayton,
Ohio. This became the largest Of all
the homes. Its cost was over a mill
lion and a. half dollars, and il can take
care of 5000 men.
The same year northwestern branch,
at Milwaukee, Wis. was dedicated, and
within its beautiful precincts are hous-
ed In comfort, at times. $3.50 members.
Southern branch, at Hampton, Va,
was the next home opened, IN 1870, ac-
commodating 3.2S0. Western branch,
near Leavenworth. Kan, followed in
1886, with room for $500. The land
for this home was donated, with char
acteristic Western generosity. 1t has
2,S56 members.
In 1855 the government showed its
care for the health OF the veterans by
opening the Pacific branch, near Santa
Monica Cal. The $50 acres OF this
branch were donated This home can
take care Of 1909 members, The
Marion home. near Marion, Ind, was
opened in 1890. II can house ana care
for 1870 members. The Danvllle, H.,
home was opened In 1898, and has room
for 2,450 men. Mountain home, near
Johnson City, Tenn, is now under con
structlon. II is in use and has been
in use since 1908, though not entirely
| finished.
In addition TO these nine branches
there is now being built. at cost Of
a million dollars Battle Mountain san.
itarium, at Hot Springs, S. ID. Already
| patients are received at this sanitarl-
um, which Is run as one of the nd
| iuncts, II not as one of the regular
branches. of the national system Of
homes for disabled volunteer sol
| diers.
The officers Of the national homes are
the following
Manageable President OF the
United States. the chief justice, the
secretary of war, ex-ofllclis; Gen. Mar
tin T. Mcmahon, president OF the board
Of managers, New York City; Col John
1 J. Mitchell, first vice president. Mil.
waukee, Wis; Gen. Thomas ]. Hender-
son, second vice president. Princeton,
| H.. Col George w. Steele, secretary,
| Marion, Ind. Gen. Charles NJ. Ander-
son, Greenyille, Ohio Col Sidney q.
Cooke, Harrington, Kan; Maj. William
H. Bonsall, Los Angeles, Cal Gen. j.
Marshall Brown, Portland, Me-; col.
Walter r. Brownlow, Jonesboro, Tenn. f:
Capt. Henry i. Palmer, Omaha, Neb.
General Treasurer Maj Moses Har-
ris, r. $. A., New York city.
Assistant Inspectors General Gen.
| ~ NJ. Curtis and Gen. J. Il. Richards.
New York City.
Assistant General Treasurer and AS
sistant Inspector Generai--George b.
Patrick, New York City Chicago
| Journal.