Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-04-14

ance of others, laid the foundation for
the present home. 1t was but a small
affair in its early years, and it occu-
pied humble location on the west
side in Chicago. Later on 1t was moved
to the south side, and several years
ago a site was obtained in Highland
park, and some frame buildings were
put into shape for housing the small
number of disabled veterans.
Year by year the demand has been
growing for more space, and last year
it was decided to erect new and suit
able home. The fruits of this effort
are now realized after much hard work
on the part of a few men, and among
the hardest workers has been P. h
Morrissey of Chicago, a resident trus-
tee.
Voluntarily Supported.
This home for aged and disabled
railroad employees is maintained by
the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engi
neers, the Brotherhood of Locomotive
Firemen and Enginemen, the Order of
Railway Conductors and the Brother
hood of Railroad Trainmen and their
ladies' auxiliaries.
The officers of the organizations are
as follows: L. S. Coffin, president,
Fort Dodge, Iowa; Warren S. Stone,
first vice president, Cleveland. Ohio;
Mrs. w. A. Murdoch, second vice pres
ident. Chicago; John O'Keefe, secre-
tary. treasurer and manager. Highland
Park The board of trustees is as fol
lows: William Fitzpatrick, chairman.
Springfield, III; Lewis ]. Ziegenfus,
secretary, Clinton, Iowa; P. H. Nor
rissey, past grand master P. r. T, Chi
cago. and George Cooling, Chicago.
These officers with the earnest CO
operation of the organizations men
toned, have succeeded in erecting
100000 structure. The home occu-
pies a tract of five acres worth $15, 900.
The asylum consists of two buildings,
the administration and home occupy
ing one. and the other containing the
power plant and the laundry. The
main structure, which is of brick and
stucco, is in the form of letter ct"
the front being $50 feet long by AZ
feet wide, and the center extension
40 feet wide by CO feet long. 1t is of
modern style of architecture,
and is provided with ample porches
for the inmates.
The interior woodwork Is OF birch,
finished in dull mahogany, and the fur
niture. which cost $4,000, is elegant
and in the best of taste. One of the
finest features for the comfort of the
inmates is the elevator service. An
system has been installed,
so that each patient may wheel his
chair into a lift, and by pressing an
electric button may stop at any desired
floor.
Get Handsome sum.
The main building has a capacity of
Sc beds besides the hospital, which
will accommodate a dozen more, and
there is room also for six men and
six women attendants, besides the sup
quarters, the kitchen.
dining rooms, entertainment rooms and
a chapel There are SO inmates at
present, but many applications have
been made for entrance, and 1t is
thought that within a year the new
home will be filed to overlooking !
Provisions have been made for en-
agreements at any time, and the pro
noters have much larger institution |
n view
The home is supported and main !
aimed by voluntary contributions of |
he four big railroad orders. At their |
national convention last year the |
of Railway Trainmen |
made a contribution of $4,000 in |
imp sum. AT the meeting of the |
of Locomotive Engineers !
o be held in May it is hoped that this |
,Tder will contribute a like sum.
The inmates of the home have all |
een active service, and some of them |
lave met with accidents that have in
,apacitated them from further useful
less. Some are the victims of dis
ase, and six or seven have locomotor
taxa and are helpless. A few are
bile to get about and others are con-
med to their beds. There are not 4
many very old men in the institution.
or the very simple reason that rail
DAD men do not last long The hard
fe, the exposure, and all, soon wears
hem out. Most of them are of middle
ge. A few have reached three-score
ears.
Every effort is made to ameIiorate
he condition of these men. Those who
eed medical attendance are given the
cry best. Operations are performed
hen necessary, and from time to time
eterans are so much helped that they
re enabled to leave the home and go
ut and take positions as f1agmen or
o work of a light nature.
Incorporated Under State Law.
The organization is incorporated I'M
er the laws of the state of Illinois,
nd the constitution and bylaws set
birth that the object of the society is
D provide home for worthy, aged
nd disabled, helpless and destitute
abroad men who are no longer able
} provide for themselves; and to aid |
UGH who, by accident or from other {
auses, are permanently incapacitated
Or railroad work; to qualify them for !