The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1912-10-10
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER
Special Corr. of THE REPUBLICANI
THE UNITED STATES SOLDIERS
HOME.

Washington, u. c., Oct. /. 1912.
Few persons. even among those liv-
ing in Washington, know that the
United States Soldiers Home was
founded with money derived from the
sale of loot from the City of Mexico.
When General Winfield Scott return
ed from the Mexican war he brought
with his about 5000 600 worth Of silver
plate and other articles taken from the
captured city of Mexico, and suggested
that this loot be sold and the money de-
voted to starting a home near Washing
ton for Old Soldiers. His sugrestion
met with favor and 100 acres of gound
was purchased north of the city for this
purpose. Washington has since grown
until the Home is now nearly surround
ed by a thickly populated residence Sec
ton Of the city, and First street, N. W.,
nicelvPaved and asphaIted, leads direct
ly 10 frs main gate.
For some yeaI each soldier wa, taxed
twenty-five cents a month Tor the sup
port Of the Home bat this has now be-
come unnecessary as it has received in
this way and through many donations,
ample funds for endowment. It now
has over 4,00O,0 600, well invested suf-
fcient for all its needs. It is an ex-
tremely interesting place in three dis
tlnct and separate ways First, as q
socialologlc problem; secondly as an ex-
pertinent in high class farming: and,
thirdly from medical point of view.
Its hospital is model well worth study.
All Washingtonians are familiar with
the picturesque castle like building of
shining white marble, so beautifully
situated on a wooded hill at the end of
First street. This is now the Admins
tration building, and around it has been
erected group Of buildings tnat, for
their varied purposes, are the best
modern architects can furnish. Not
the least interesting of these are the
stables where one hundred and sixty
thorough bred cows, valued at 5000
apiece, are kept. These cows give an
average of nine gallons OF mill q day.
or over $500 pounds of butter a
week. The stables are concrete build
ings, well ventilated and lighted
throughout with electric-lights clean
enough for a ball room. The arrange
ments tor carrying feed and for the dis
posal of refuse are perfect and to each
COW Is assigned a small vacuum cleaner
worked by electricity. 1t is remarka-
bic how quickly and thoroughly these
cleaners do their work and what clean
shck coats the cows have.
Part Of the land has been brought in
to the highest state Of cultivation, deep
ravines having been filled in and COW
cred with rich soil hauled from other
places. On it are growing fine crops of
alfalfa, oats, silo corn and vegetables
of all kinds. A considerable stream of
water that ran through the grounds has
been buried in a large pipe and its bed
and ravines levelled and covered with
/ III sui VII ~ lIlCI4 al Z kiOhllG IIIdRIIIl-
cent crops. The rest of the grounds
have been left in.wood sand many long
and beautiful drives have been made
through and around groups of trees.
The roads are of finely crushed blue
stone and are perfect.
Certainly nothing that money can buy
or nature contribute in the way of
scenery is lacking for the comfort and
happiness Of these old Soldiers. A
theatre has been built for their enter
tainment and there numerous plays are
given and gatherings held. Their quar-
tiers are everything that could be desir-
ed surrounded by elegant, broad YER
andas. Games of many kinds are at
their disposal. But with it all, their
are two things lacking-the family, the
the real home life, and some
absorbing occupation.