Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1909-10-21
ERS HOME
SHORT SKETCH OF STATES RE.
TREAT FOR WORTHY
VETERANS
UNCLE Sam HELPS SOME
AND THE LEGISLATIVE APPRO-
PRIATloN MEETS eFiNAN-
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 l, 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 business like man
ner, which is out Of the ordinary in
institutions of this kind. Colonel Ged-
des enlisted as a 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 fill the
Offices of Commandant~ and Matron.
The officers of the institution are as
follows:
Col. j. B. Gcddes, Commandant.
Mrs ]. B. Geddes, Matron,
Major L. d. Smith, Adjutant.
H. H. 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 members.
This number has been added to each
year until the present enrolment, pre-
sent and absent is 215 members.
The main building VS. erected at a
cost of $45,0OO.00, while the old hospi-
tai building which was erected two
years later cost $4,000, and is now be-
ing used as quarters for married people,
each having assigned to them room
as quarters. Here also live the Chief
Engineer and clerk. The new hospital
building which was constructed in 1907
at cost of $4,000, is model hospi-
tai building to say the least. All
members as soon as reported sick are
transferred from the home building,
for treatment, to the hospital which
is in charge of DR.. H. H. Wilcox, Sur
geon, who has occupied the position of
surgeon of the home since 1904, sue
ceeding DR.. W. S. Bentley, the pre-
sent mayor of Hot Springs.
The state legislature at the last SEES
sion appropriated $4,000 per year for
the next two fiscal years for main
tenance Of the institution, they also
at this time appropriated $4,000 for
the reconstruction of the engine room,
in which new boilers and equipment
are being installed throughout, under
the able direction and supervision of
Chief Engineer, Banj. ]. Cowles, who
was formerly connected with the firm
of Simms Powers Company Of this city
It is needless to say, the construction
of a plant such as that which is being
at present installed in the state home,
calls for more than average ability on
the part Of the man in charge. That
Mr.. Cowles is the man for the posi-
ton has been demonstrated in his
work of installing plants of this ma
ture among the various state istitn.
tons, and mis- present position is partly
due to his expert ability in this line
of work, which has been brought Out
and called to the attention of the board
of managers from his efficient work in
this line in the past. The board Of
Governor Appoints
sT, ~,