The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-08-25
to feed the entire body OF inmates IN
less than TWO hours.
Ifptx urfcrnn. Ava t.urc,i ITnr a55 II


less than TWO hours.
How Veterans Are Cared For.
a veteran entering the home leaves
care behind. lilo is allowed to want for
Ri nothing; even fair allowance for to
bscco Is made. Practically all of the
inmates 1iavc i,pnthiy PENSIONS
amounting TO from 81 TO ST2, but they
3 spend this money or save 1t, as they
may desire, for they are ut no eX-
pense TO live and be comfortable. Every
man who does work Of any chnraoter,
from the one who cuts grass and at
tends to the flowers to the one who acts
as clerk or accountant, receives liberal
scmpensation for his services.
The government appropriates 100000
annually for the maintenance of tho
hcne This, of course, does not in
Clnde the 100000 which is paid out
In pensions to tho inmates every three
months.
Free Theatre Provided.
a pretty little theatre is one of tho
Z attractive features OF the home. Here
number OF excellent dramatic attrac-t
items are presented every season. q
substantial guarantee being furnished
b. the government Veterans are ad-
United % the performances free Of
charge, and outsiders are permitted to
buy seats at regular theatre prices,
When there is nothing else in sight,
the veterans can always manage to-
while away their time pleasantly, with
the aid of newspapers, books and pipes,
cards. chess checkers or dominoes.
Every walk of life is represented in
this cosmopolitan gathering. Strolling
across the campus together often may
brilliant lawyer or doctor, and one
who served as n private in the arms
and never rose higher than the rank
swap campfire yarns smoke pipes or
peace md usually are contented With
their lot.
Many Answer Vast Rollcall.
Death is a daily visitor at tho home,
number of aged men gathered together
IS considered. Every mark OF respect
is shown the dead soldier, but tho
authorities endeavor to have this grim
feature of the home life attract as
little attention as possible.
tna Seryf1s AR h
deceased and others who may desire to
attend present in tho chapel. Then,
unless relatives desire the body sent
elsewhere, 1t Is borne out to the Ma
tional Cemetery, and there laid to rest
in grave marked by small marble
headstone.
Officers of tho Home
The present governor Of tho home is Col
onel Thomas T. Knox who succeeded Col
onel William Thompson January 6, 1906,
The other principal officers are Major B. A,
sary: Major John H. Johnston, chief sur,
gem; Captain Skinner quartermaster, and
Rev. T. Martin Niefert, chaplain.
Colonel Knox gave up a brilliant career
in the army on account of permanent in.
4 iuries received in tho battle of San Juan
Hill. For months after the battle the Off
Ger was at the point of death, and when no
iihally succeeded in winning the fight for
life his physical condition was such that
he asked to be retired from active ser:lcc.
The governor Is directly responsible for
the conduct OF the home to the board OF
managers of the National Home for Disabled
Volunteer Soldiers. For each home local
manager IS designated from the membership
Q: the board and Mr.. Franklin Murphy Is
tho local manager for Virginia.
Buildings OF tic Home.
The principal building on the grounds was
built years before the Civil War. aAd was
used until a short time after the war as
female college Other buildings for bar
racks, Offices. hospital. etc. have been erect
ed from time to time. Congress at the last
session, as q result Of the efforts OF Con-
gresham William A. Jones, of the First
District, appropriated $3.50, 900 for improve
incnts at the home ana this money Is to
be spent Immediately
Special private quarters provided for
the blind inmates and conservatives Tho
buildings in which the consumptives 1.-Two ars
so constructed to put the patient pract.
caly out of doors
This is the largest soldiers homo in tho
country, and 1t gets fair share Of atten-
ton from the government.
Veterans Love Sports
1t would never do to close a description
of the home and The life there without men-
ticning the delight the veterans find in
athletic sports, On the campus there Is an
Il excellent baseball diamond. and IN the WIN
te the Mace Is turned into a sridiron.
Games are furnished by teams and elcvens
nom Fort Monroe and the surrounding cites
and as rooters' the enthusiastic crowds
furnished by tho grizzled old soldiers can
hold their own with any crowd OF college
youngsters ever gathered together.
4 s ".