The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1908-05-27
WITH INVALID SOLDIERS
Newsy Letter as to Soldiers sanitar
ium at Hot Springs, S. D.

MEs a. u. OCIOHk u OcNlSOu WHO
was a Union soldier and who was
wounded in the Wilderness, has gone
out to Hot Springs, S. D. to take adj
vantage of the kindness of the gov
eminent IN providing a Sanitarium
for the use of the veterans of all
wars. One of his letters home to
his family is of such general interest
that we have obtained permission to
print it in part AS follows:
81 am wishing that former comrades
could know more of the magnificent
sanitarium which the government has
built on Battle Mountain here at Hot
Springs. S. D. The hot springs have
been noted for many years for their
healing powers, particularly for rheu-
matism, and our Uncle Sam decided
that the boys who fought to make the
nation what it is. should have the
benefit of the springs. when sick and
disabled and so the big santarium was
built. One thinks that tie govern
ment has not been ungrateful by any
means. when he sees what is given
free. for time at least to ex soldiers
of the Civil war, and the Spanish
American also.
The building is commandirgly sit
uated. built Of stone. has cement
floors throughout and designed in ev-
cry way for the comfort of the in
mates. The leading feature of the
construction of the sanitarium is the
great center court. This is in the
form of circle about 200 feet across.
The land in this court is ten feet
above the level of the ground on the
outside Of the building. and is laid
out in flower beds.
Around this court there is en- arcade
or walk fifteen feet wide. This is the
means of communication between the
wards. Built out from the inner cir
Gle are eight wings. The one at the
front or to the south has the enter
ance and the headqusr ters. The wing
on the opposite side or at the north
contains the dining room and kitchen
Projecting out on the east and west
side of the court are six wings. one
hundred and twenty-five feet long.
These are the wards where the sick
soldiers sleep and. room. There are
no stairs to climb. in reaching either
of the two floors of the ward wings.
There ID an easy incline going down
to the ward below, or to q ward
above. Underneath the wards are
basement rooms and passages OF halls
leading all around under the arcade
to different parts of the building.
This arrangements seems ideal to me.
There are several buildings outside
officials residences etc.. belonging to
this institution and am told the
total cost of ground and buildings is
something over million dollars.
The running expense is s37. 600. per
quarter. There are now about l6C
invalid soldiers here. Among these
are quite a number Of Spanish Ameri-
can soldiers. A few .'lung patients
are in Ward E but nearly all the in
valio are in the LIST and I'd stories OF
the fret and third wards. This San.
tarium was completed about q year
ago and was four years IN building.
The State Home is about mile west
on the hillside. They have about
200 inmates. Tuesday is the day TO,
drawing clothing and next week
shall have to don the "Blues. -
They furnish hat OF cap. suit. shirt,
underwear and shoes and do your
laundry work if you wear their suits,
underwear etc. If not. you have to
send out your laundry. At IL O'Clock
the bugle blew in the arcade and there
was gathering at the dining hal
door. The bugler blew his horn out.
side the building. then returned tt
the arcade and once more sounded the
dinner call. At this last call the
stream of blue coats poured into the
hall. Each one has his own seat and
the Steward gave me mine with half
dozen other new ones. When all
were seated the Steward rang . bell.
the signal for attack. and you ought
to have seen the charge Of the 600"
(16O. On each plate was bowl Of
coffee. and on big dishes were the
meat and vegetables, roast beef.
canned peas, lima beans, plate Of
bread. bowl of gravy and dish Of
pudding. We could not complain Of
stale butter. for butter there wal
none. l looked up and down the
tables but Uncle Sam bad entirely
forgotten the grease. ! felt like
asking him to visit 1.-THE Boys" store
and call on Jake Shirk for supplies.
The food WIS we'll cooked and there
was plenty of it. There were twelve
seated on stools at each table which
was without table cloth. Six con
stiture mess. and two 1nesses set a
each table. There were fourteen ta.