Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1909-12-31
JONES GETS REAL BUSY
Granville Jones, Formerly of Rapid City,
Now Stirring Up Matters Connected
With The State Home.
Wrote Long Letter to Governor Ve.sev
criticising State Home Management
And Commandant.

AAesvO OOOAA oOlA lCo up OtcI hl 6ulJOrlAl
in the Aberdeen Democrat written by
its editor, Granville Jones, in which
he criticises the management of the
State Soldiers Home and calls for the
resignation of Colonel Geddis, the
present commandant.
The object of thus making charges
in cases that have been settled by the
proper authorities is merely political
one on the part of Jones to create
break in the ranks of the republican
party in order to gain votes at the
coming election in which he is men.
toned as likely candidate for govern.
or on the democrat ticket.
AS this Is not a political deal, the
facts in the case, as presented by Jones,
in his letter to Governor Vessey and
Colonel Geddis' reply, will probably,
in measure let the public draw their
own conclusions. At Hot Springs,
Jones' argument sounds rather redio-
ulous. The old saying tho, that
cattle good distance away have
long horns," might apply to some of
the people in the eastern part of the
state getting their wires crossed in
this matter. The Argus Leader of
December Goth makes some statements
upholding Jones and is answered by
Colonel Linn of the Canton Farmers
Leader in very forceful manner in
which he, to use slang phrase, sshands
Jones package" that is rather con-
vincing. The Weekly State Spirit at
Huron, Colonel Geddjs' home town,
also makes a short statement in its
last issue. AS the State Home matter
is rather delicate one it is not cur no.
licy to take sides until something more
tangible has developed. This matter.
thus far, appears to be only political
pot boiler and will be labeled as such
until convincing evidence has been
produced. Following is Jones' letter
to Governor Vessey:
Rapid City, S. D., Oct. l8, 1909.
Governor r. 8. Vessey, Pierre, 9. D.
Dear Sir:-As a citizen of South
Dakota, and one who takes special
interest and pride in all the public in.
stitutions Of the state, desire to call
your attention to a condition of affairs
which exists at the State Soldiers
Home at Hot Springs.
l had been receiving from time to
time, personal letters asking me to
look into affairs there, but knowing
the untrustworthy nature of rumors [
determined to pay the Home a visit
and ascertain the facts for myself.
After brief investigation in which |
enjoyed every facility for acquiring
information, found this state of
affairs to exist:
AS you know, there was some COM
plants made last May, and meeting
of the board was called for the purpose
OF investigating these charges. The
commandant, Colonel Geddis, presided
at this meeting of the board and asked
questions for himself, but requested
the attendance of five of the inmates
OF the home namely: F. A. Fassett,
Captain IS. Munger, DR.. N. A. Smith,
j. c. Horner and Mr.. Culberson,
whose initials do not know.
He asked these parties if the con-
duct of the Home had been satisfactory,
especially with reference to the table
service. They united in saying that
they we're not satisfied with the table
service prior to the meeting of the
board and some of them presented
other complaints.
1t seems that the board exhonerated
Col. Geddis of the charges and shortly
after their adjournment four of these
men who had testified, namely: Fas-
sett. Horner, Smith and Culberson we're
dishonarbly discharged from the home.
They are still in this relation, and Col.
Geddis assured me that they could
never re-enter while he was command.
ant. In addition to being dishonorably
discharged, l wish to call your atten-
ton to the fact, that in making out
their discharge the commandant
falsitied the records of his Office in
two instances at least.
The blank provided by the state for
discharges requires the discharges to
state the occupation of the inmate as
given at the time Of his entry into the
Home. We find from the records that
MT. aorner was entered on the books
as being without occupation," while
MS discharge states that at the time
of his entry his occupation was that Of
saloon keeper" l personally know
this to be untrue. having known Mr.
HOrner before his entry into the Home.
and know that for snma uaa.a .a.A 10