The Republican journal., 1911-09-14
A Trip to Togus.

proved an ideal one for travelling.
AS We pulled out of the station there was an
air of prosperity on all sides: the sardne fac
tory in full operation, three masted schooner
discharging at the Coe-Mortimer fertilizer
pier, and smoke was seen issuing from the
chimney of the corn canning factory.
A few minutes ride brought US to Citypoint,
and as we sped farther on either hand Oak
Hill and Mt Waldo doomed up impressively
against the sky. The tinge of fall was marked
in the tinted leaves in the lowlands, and fields
of goldenrod had taken the place of the
daisies seen on former trip in June.
Around about Waldo Station we noticed a
large extent of young orchards in thrifty
state
On nearing the Brooks station small black
dog gave the passengers much amusement by
trying to race with the train. On our return
home at night he was at the same spot ready
for another rum
The broad, placid waters of Unity Lake were
undisturbed by motor sail boat.
After a ten-minute wait at Burnham juno
ton we were on our way to Gardiner Quite
large acreage of corn and buckwheat and also
"eIl-SlOCheU SESep pastures were SSSH III LILLE
vicinity.
AT the station in Clinton we noticed tan
merry in operation, and across the Kennebec
from Benton in Fairfield we noted few man
ufactories.
The sun began to show forth as we drew
into Waterville, where fifteen minute stop
was made. All through the section about
Vassaboro and Riverside the rolling uplands
along the river gave evidences of well-culti-
waited section.
AS we neared Augusta several drives of logs
were observed in the kennebec river, and the
plant of the Edwards Mfg Co. later attracted
our attention.
At Gardiner evidences of navigation became
more apparent. schooner was lying at the
American Ice Co.'S wharf; several harges and
lighter were nearby. and the steamer City of
Bangor was at her pier.
We walked across the bridge the Ken
nebec from Gardiner to Randolph, and after an
half hours wait at the little station of the
Kenrehsc Central R. R. took the narrow
guage for Togus.
About II a. M, we arrived on the grounds of
the National Soldiers Home at Togus, one of
ten like homes established by the United States
government IN different parts of the country.
1t was established in 1866, on what was then
known as the Togus Springs estate. The home
has an average membership of 1886 men and
covers an area of 1894 acres. The grounds
are made attractive by the artistic arrange
ment Of beds of bright, beautiful flowers, and
the light yellow of the buildings harmonic
with their surroundings. We first visited the
commissary storehouse, where all the apparel
worn by the soldiers is made Soldiers were
at work in the laundry, receiving pay for their
labor 4 few women are also employed there.
At the Home Store we bought some views as
souvenirs of the trip. The soldiers are pro-
vded with fine theater. AL old soldier at
the door welcomed US into the building, threw
the lights on from the stage, and displayed
some of the scenery which had lately ar
rived An admission fee of five and ten cents
is charg d at the door, so that the crippled and
older soldiers may obtain seats without incon-
venience On leaving here the can
teen, discontinued through the efforts of the W.
C.T.U.
We visited the barracks of Co. E., quarters
being provided for each company. Each SOL
der is provided with an iron bed, table and
chair. A soldiers absence is indicated by up
turning chair on his bed. At bugle call
dinner was announced in the general mess hall,
which has seating capacity for 91z persons,
and long before the dinner hour a crowd of
soldiers was assembled outside waiting for the
doors to be opened. Admission is not allowed
to visitors and we were told it was because at
some former time articles had been taken from
the tables to carry away as souvenirs.
We visited the Ward memorial chapel, from
which many Of the old soldiers have been
buried. Three forms of service are conducted
there The janitor of the building, an old vel
eran, showed US the electric air machine used
as the motive power for working the chapel
organ. A button pressed near the organ sets
the machine to pumping.
At the library were given opportunity
to register In the newspaper room many
old soldiers reading the current news of
the day, papers being received there from all
parts of the world.
In the club house some of the old vets
enjoying themselves at game of billiards or
ers in the gallery above.
We left the club house to visit the park
short distance away, passing the Governors
headquarters on our way down. There were
two bears, one in cage, the other asleep in an
enclosure, awaiting their turns when fat
enough to be killed for food. Some remark
ed that bear meat might have tendency to
make the soldiers cross grained. An elk and
several deer were nearby land bison were roam
ing about within their bounds.
We dined at the Togus Hotel and later went
up the wooded hill to the little cemetery, the
last resting place of many of our soldier dead,
the small white headstones, each with its wav-
ing flag making pretty and impressive sight
Besides the places mentioned the Home has
is ice house and reservoir, greenhouses and
hospital, its fire engine house and power and
heating plant, its printing Office and postoffice.
At the Home barns large herd of thorough
bred Holsteins supply the dairy products of
the Home and large areas are cultivated to
vegetables.
The soldiers do not lack for recreation, for in
addition to their club-ho and theater and
other indoor aInusements, afternoon concerts