Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1909-10-21
HOME
SHORT SKETCH OF STATES RE-
TREAT FOR WOTHY VET.
ERANs OF WARS
UNCLE SAM HELPS SOME
AND THE LEGISLATIVE APPRO-
PRiATloN MEETS FINAN.
GAL DEMANDS


The State Soldiers Home is situat-
ed at Hot Springs, s. D., and occupies
high and prominent sight overlooking
the vale of Minnekata. To the east is
the beautiful scenery of the Catholican
Hill while to the north it overlooks the
government sanitarium with Battle
Mountain in the background. The site
of the home, which was presented to
the state by Mr.. Evans is certainly the
most beautiful which could have been
selected in and around the city of
Hot Springs.
The Commandant, Colonel J. B.
Geddes, was resident of Huron prior
to his taking charge of the institution,
May !, the present year. Too much
cannot be said in praise of the able
management under his charge. The in
mates all seem to be satisfied with his
administration, while the executive
part of running the institution has
been increased in efficiency, which en-
ables all business of the institution to
be dispatched in a business like man
ner, which is out of the ordinary in
institutions of this kind. Colonel Ged-
des enlisted as private in the Civil
War, rising from the rank of 1t. Col
onel. He has a pleasing personality,
and is honored and respected by all
who come in contact with this amiable
gentleman.
While the running Of an Institution
of this kind, where every other mem
Der is laboring under the opinion that
his political influence should entitle
him to better treatment than others,
is no easy matter, under any condi-
tions, and we do not think it could be
improved, as every one is accorded the
same kind and courteous treatment by
both Mr.. and Mrs. Geddes, who I'LL the
Offices Of Commandant and Matron.
The officers of the institution are as
follows:
Col. J. B. Geddes, Commandant.
Mrs. j. B. Geddes, Matron,
Major L. D. Smith, Adjutant.
II. II. Wilcox, M. D., Surgeon.
Benjamin J. Cowles, Chief Engineer.
H. J. Hoskins, Quartermaster.
Orville Guard, Clerk.
Richard Huck, Sergeant Major.
William Lehan, Sergeant.
The Home proper was opened in
November 1889, with ten membdrs.
This number has been added to- each
yea. until the present enrolment, pre-.
sent and absent is 215 members.
The main building VS. erected at .
cost Of 100000, while the old hospi.
tai building which was erected two
years later cost tlo, 1000, and is now be-
ing used as quarters for married people,
each having assigned to them . room
~ quarters. Here also live the Chief
Engineer and clerk. The new hospital
building which was constructed in 1907
At cost Of $25, 900, is model hospi-
tai building to say the least. All
members - soon as reported sick are
transferred from the home building,
for treatpent, to the hospital which
il IN charge Of DR.. H. H. Wilcox, Sur.
geon, who has occupied the position Of
surgeon Of the home since 1904, sue
ceeding pr. w. s. Bentley, the pre-
sent mayor Of Hot Springs.
The state legislature 1t the last zee.
sion appropriated $55,ooo per, year for
the next two fiscal years for main
tenance Of she institution, they also
# this time appropriated $4,000 for
the reconstruction Of the engine room,
IA which new boilers and equipment
ars being installed throughout, under
ths abba direction and supervision 81
Chief Engineer, Banj. ]. Cowles, who
was formerly connected with the firm
~ simms-P Powers Company Of this city.
4 y needless % ~, the construction
of ! plant such ~ that which III being
II present Installed in the state home,
calls Tor more than average ability on
ths paxt " the man IN charge. That
Nj. Cowles u the man Tor the posi-
tion has been demonstrated in his
work of inxtallinr plants II this ma