Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-09-02
The Soldiers Home at Lisbon!
BY Arnold Michaelson.

Few, perhaps but 10 per cent Of the
people Of North Dakota are aware Of
what really exists at the N. D. Sold
iers' Home at Lisbon. Visits TO this
splendid institution have been sour.
ces Of great surprise to our present
state executive, Governor L. B. Han
ma, and likewise to his predeces,
sOr, the Hon. John Burke.
AS the "Ovcrlanders" make It a
special point to visit each state In
stitution, eight -horsemen galloped out
to inspect the home Of u reverea
veterans.
The drive, about a mile southwark
from Lisbon, turns to the right attthe
city's edge, and winds among stately
naples and broad green stretches of
grass. A lagoon of the Sheyanne
lends that inimitable touch that wat
er gives q landscape and the picture
Is hard to surpass.
The buildings all face south, with
the exception of the commandments
quarters, and, all overlook the artistic
.cally arranged beds Of flowers that
break the lawn Of wnat would cores
pond to a parade ground This part
Of the gorgeous blossoms, velyety
lawn, and clean graveled drives is as
we'll kept UP, as any city park we
have had the pleasure Of visiting and
is the neatest Of anything visited in
this state.
We were met gby Sergeant Charles
Smith, the Hoiaes' oldest veteran.
Sergeant Smith has been there nine
teen years and under his eyes the
place has undergone many changes,
until it is now the best institution of
It's nature in any state. We
cordially taken through the main
building first. This resembles a mod
ern hotel, and is as clean as a New
England Puritan's home. The first
floor has a large reading room, full
OF comfortable chairs, and long tables.
Green plants decorate the broad win
dows and framed pictures Of illustri-
Gus veterans, state officers, presi-
dents and famous documents cover
the walls. On the same floor is the
dining room, a large airy room, with
several tables seating from six to
twelve men each. The snowy linen
and white china showed that things
were being made as inviting as care
and cleanliness could make them. The
kitchen was again a reflection of the
cleanliness" motto, and "a in
charge Of a Spanish war veteran, so
that old army tastes were looked af-
ter In the best way possible, by an
experienced, hand.
The dormitories, or barracks, were
on the second floor, each man had
his W little nook, and in each nook
we saw a reflection of the good old
veterans individuality in the way
things We're arranged and what he
used to pass away the lingering hours
of his life. Cleanliness is a de.
cidedly pronounced feature .ev'
erywhere, and the old veterans take
Individual nride in keeping up the
high standard.
The hospital, in a separate build
ing. is under the efficient charge OF
Hospital Stewart Harry Weiland. and
q trained London nurse. The least
symptoms Of sickness displayed are
speedily attended to and in this way
the dread consequences of disease OF
old age are thWarted. Unfortunately
there were, several occupants Of cots
In the hospital wards, but they were
al cheerful, and seemed to be pa.
tiently awaiting recovery.
Leaving the hospital, after chatting
with the interesting old men there,
we met Colonel J.. w. Carroll, officer
In charge. Colonel Carroll had Just
returned from Denver and Gettysburs
where he had been attending con.
Ions pertaining to his functions as
officer Of the home. The colonel is an
exceedingly pleasant and interesting
man to meet, and he explained many