Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1909-07-02
THE STATE SOLDIERS HOME.
a Report to the Governor OF it's
Condition by Hon. II. v. FitZ-
patrick of Rapid City.


this class. We have them in civil
life, we have them even in the church
and we had them in ever company
of soldiers during the civil war.
Asa member of the state soldiers
home board Of commissioners and as
former commandant of the home,
the writer speaks from knowledge
when he states that the South Dakota
home is one of the best in the United
States so far as home comforts and
home privileges are concerned.
Everything that any reasonable man
could wish for is provided and the bill
of fare is much better than the average
citizen Of the state provides for his
own home. The taxpayers provide
literally for the old veterans and 10
out of every 20 are pleased, happy and
contented.
When COL Dudley died last winter
the board of commissioners placed
Col. Geddis in command until such
time as the board could meet and
this period of temporary command a
few got into their heads that they
didn't like the temporary command
ant because he enforced the rules and
required obedience to orders, and
these few also formed an opinion
that the home was not run as they
thought it ought to be run, and they
had opinions that were in conflict
with discipline and good order, and
seemed to think soldier home ought
to be run for there special benefit.
There were just six in the unhappy
state of mind out of 200 men and 20
woman. These six had made up
their minds singly and collectively
that they would have things to suit
them or raise hell so to speak.
They began writing letters to the
governor telling OF nothing to eat, and
mismanagement and other things
their fancy had conjured in falsehood.
The Governor takes great pride in the
home and is anxious that the veterans
shall receive every comfort and the
best of care, and for this reason asked
Mr.. Fitzpatrick to visit the home
and report. His report is given below.
The board of commissioners in
regular session in June investigated
all alleged complaints and heard ever
kicker in his own de Tense and when
all had testified not one had a single
bit of foundation for complaint.
Such men are unworthily protected by
the state. Thousands who pay taxes
TO support them do not live near so
we'll as they do. Everything is provid-
ed free that any man could wish for
or get in a 50 day hotel. They are
furnished with plenty to eat, we II
cooked and we'll served. Good beds
and bedding and washing free as we'll
as free clothing. Nothing to do but
look after their own room and keep
them clean, and one fellow from
Rapid City didn't want TO do that
because he had been a gambler and
was above work.
FITZPATRICK REPORT.
arrived at the Home at 1850 p.
m. May oath, at 6:3O. ! was in the
dining hail. examined the tables, food
and surroundings, including the
kitchen: all appeared in good condi-
tion; tables, dishes and equipment |
clean, good and substantial food and |
plenty of it.
l had breakfast with the Command |
ant and the Matron in their rooms |
upstairs The same kind Of food was
on the table as was served in the |
large dining room down stairs,
cooked in the same kettles and served |
upstairs instead Of downstairs, that
was the only difference. The food is
well cooked and there is plenty of it
for all-in fact no limit, but, OF
course, served in such quantities so
as to prevent waste: recorders are
filled without question. | was pres
ent at all meals but two, served dur
ing my stay OF three days. The bill
of fare is changed as often as is
done in good hotels of the better
class, say the $500 or $500 a day
grade.
The Soldiers Home in this state is
much like big hotel: steam heat.
electric-l lights, bathrooms, hot and
and cold water, and regular meals,
and tirst-class hospital. There is a
laundry, bake-house and warehouse
which contain supplies Of clothing
and food Of various kinds; there are
thirteen COWS and eight more are to
be added, to give a full supply OF milk
to all members of the Home who de-
sire it, The food Is changed from
time to time, according to the season
Of the year-in fact everything in sea-
son that can be reasonably expected
in such a place is supplied.
1t Is utterly impossible to suit each
and every person, the Home is not a
restaurant, where each order is filled
to suit the individual taste; but more
like large hotel, where the food is
cooked in large quantities and served
to all alike-and as much as desired
by each person. Adam and Eve had