Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1909-04-30
State Soldiers Home.


The first meeting of the Soldiers
Home board since the death of Col.
Dudley, was held at the Home last
week and presided over by Col. j. B.
Geddes, who has been acting Comman.
dant since February.
There was considerable unfinished"
work for the board to consider owing
to the death of Col. Dudley and by
Thursday night everything needing
attention was disposed of.
There were thirteen candidates for
the position Of Commandment which
did not include the gentleman select
ed for the responsible and difficult
position. Col. Geddes, who had charge
of the construction Of buildings on
the home grounds for some time, and
who was placed in command by the
board last winter, was deemed the
best man for the place and he was
elected. His thorough knowledge of
the work and his splendid ability as
an executive officer made his election
an absolute necessity under existing
conditions. Few men are qualified to
successfully manage a soldiers home.
1t requires qualities Of the highest
order and as Col. Geddes is by far the
the best posted man for the position
the board thought they were fortunate
in securing his services. Those who
were candidates are all good men but
have no experience and experience is
necessary to a successful administra.
tion.
Col. Geddes enlisted as a private in
the 126th New York Infantry and
came out of the service as Lieutenant
Colonel in command of the regiment
and his five commissions to show
his qualities as a soldier fit to COM
mand. He had passed through the
war without a scratch until the 3lst
day of March 1865 when swinging his
sabre in leading a charge on Lees
works a rebel bullet plowed through
his right hand cutting off the second
finger. He has been a resident Of
Huron for 25 years, has been very sue
in business and brings to the
home ripe experience and fine bust
ness qualification.
A splendid new hospital building
has been recently finished and is now
occupied by grand old veterans who
are on the final march in life's jour-
ney. Four of them were members of
the home when the writer was in
ten years ago. 1t is the.
best appointed hospital in the state
and has all modern c~Onveniences for
the work required and is presided
over by Major Hamilton Fl. Wilcox, a
surgeon of experience and gentle
man who has won the love and re-
spect of the veterans. He is by temp
erament and experience we'll fitted for
the work and the service required
among 2SO old veterans brings a sur
geon face to face with conditions not
found in a hospital full of civilians.
Mrs. Wilcox is a charming lady and
is matron Of the hospital and is
especially we'll qualified for the duties
of the position, having graduated for
a trained nurse before marriage.
The home hospital is a model insti-
and the board found it in per-
feet condition.
The adjutant Of the home is Major
Henry W. Corl of Salem. He is an
accomplished gentleman and a splen-
did soldier, but his disabilities result
ing from army service will compel
his retirement from the position be-
fore long. He was clerk of courts in
McCook county for many years before
his appointment by Col. Dudley and
be enjoys the confidence of the people
Of his home county.
Major w. H. Reed is quartermas-
ter and has filled the position for sew
eral years being appointed by Col.
Goddard. His continuation as quar-
of the home will depend on
the new commandment as he selects
his own staff on approval of the board.
The minor officers are all compe-
tent men and the oldest in line of
continuous service is Captain Allison
who was appointed postmaster by the
writer II years ago.
The home grounds are in good con-
and under Col. Geddes' admin
istration will be improved and made
more beautiful. Aside from the cot
tages and new hospital, the grounds
are in the same condition as when
the writer retired eight years ago.
The South Dakota soldiers home Is
one of the best in the nation and un-
der the new administration will con-
tinue to be a credit to the state and a
comfort to those grand old men who
in youth marched proudly forth in
defense of country and flag.
Don't compel your wife to prepare
Sunday dinner when you can drop
in the Soule restaurant and secure an