Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1911-04-14

COl. ,. oCuSAlcS "AAO
Commandant of the State SoldlefS
Home on the first of the month, was
rendered a magnificent farewell re-
ception at the Home and Mrs. Geddls
and Ouartermaster HoSkins and wife
were included in this pleasant event.
Upon the death of Colonel Dudley,
over Two wears ago, the Soldiers Home
board appointed Col. Geddis comman-
dant, believing him the most compe-
tent man in sight to take up ana
straigbten out the affairs OF the Home
which were badly mixed by the death
of Col. Dudley. and Col. Geddls more
than justified the expectations OF the
board and proved himself able, honest,
and fearless in the discharge OF duty,
cleaning out grafters and putting the
affairs of the Home on a thorough
business basis through which the
state was saved several thousand dol
lars. and his economical methods
made the former grafters squeal, hnal-
ay eliminating in bogus charges
which an incom petent and stupid leg-
islative committee bungled splte1ully
into a farce. 1t satisfied the governor
and that was all that was necessary,
and gave him chance to let the old
board out, whom he did not support IN
their efforts to maintain decent
Home.
The members of the board had large
experience in Soldiers Home matters
and firmly sustained the commandant
In his work and stitfened his discipline
which was never severe or too strict;
in fact the board regarded his dlscl-
pline as too lenient at times. Ihe
Home management soon became per-
feet and everything running ike a
charm, and this condition continued
until Col. Tom Orr took command on
the first of the month, notwithstano-
ing the terrific efforts OF gra1ters
and a stupid legislative committee 10
create trouble and misrepresent facts.
Col. Orr takes up the work with a
thorough knowledge of the condition
of the Home and what is neeoeo anu
as a member of the board for the past
two years, is in good shape to carry on
the splendid work of Col. Geddis, and
we have every reason to believe that
he will make an able and successful
commandant if properly sustained oy
the board, and no commandant can
succeed unless firmly sustained by the
board of comm isSioners. The writer
supported Col. Orr for commandant
and we shall watch his admin1stra-
tion with pride and pleasure, belieV-
ing he will make good in every partic-
ular.
The foregoing remarks are necessary
to introduce the farewell reception
rendered Col. Geddis and staff, de-
scription of which a member OF the
Home wrote for the LEADER. Col.
Geddis has had to face as fine bunch
of liars as ever assailed an honest
man, and the honors paid him on the
eve of his departure proves how ne
was loved by the members of the
Home and honored by all good people
in Hot Springs
Hot Springs, April 3rd, 1911.
Editor LEADER: Members of the
Soldiers Home made up purse and
gave a farewell entertainment and
lunch to Col. J. B. Geddis, Comman-
dant, Matron Mrs. J. b. Geddis, Major
II. ]. Hoskins, @. M. and wife, retir-
ing officers. which was attended by a
large gathering of the best society
people of Hot Springs, Governor
James Miller and stats of the Battle
Mountain Sanitarium, olo soldiers
and their wives and members of the
State Home. The music for the oc.
casion was furnished by Professor Nc
Gees Battle Mountain Sanitarium
Band, famous as the finest band In the
state. The program consisted OF
vocal and instrumental music, recita-
tions and speeches. The presentation
speeches were made by the Rev. Thos
b. Willber of the M. e. church and
the farewell speech was made by Hon.
VIM. Dudley, one of the states most
prominent lawyers. His speech spark
led with wit, pathos and 'humor and
his tributes to the outgoing board
was greeted with hearty applause and
one of the old boys said "Bill knows
what he is talking about" Itshowed
without doubt that 95 per cent. OF
the members were In hearty accord
with the outgoing management from
president down to the petty officers and
his remarks were highly appreciated.
The crowd was SO large there wasn't
standing room in the chapel; recep-
tion room, windows and doors
were thrown open and the porch on
the outside was thronged while halls
on the inside and the stairs leading to
the third story were one big jam.
The chapel was SO crowded that we
had to place the orchestra in the Hall
between the doors of the chapel and
adjutant's room.
The cane presented to Col. Geddis
was large ebony stick with gold
head with this inscription: Present
ed to Col. ]. B. Geddis by inmates OF
South Dakota Soldiers Home, April
lst, 1911. The cost of the cane was
S35. An exact duplicate of the cane