Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-08-31
EARNED MORE THAN HE GETS.
Monticello Express.l

He was a battered old veteran OF
the war, 80 years of age, who limped
and tottered UP the west hill leading
out Of town. last Monday forenoon.
When he reached the summit with
| his old valise in hand he fell from
sheer exhaustion and pain. His tired
old body could go no farther The
woman of nearby house saw him
fall. few minutes after he was help
ed into the house where he had the
sympathetic attention OF four women.
They dressed his sore feet. washed
his face and hands, called doctor
to dress his wounds and gave him
food and a place to rest.
This old man. who bore the wounds
of the civil war. was w. H. Barker, of
Comapny H, Fifty seventh Ohio In
fantry. He was painfully making his
way on foot from Green Island to the
soldierE home at Marshalltown. for
he had no money to pay his fare on the
railway trains or buy food enroute. He
was too proud to ask for food, and
subsisted upon the corn he might gath
err from the fields. He. protested
against the kindness shown him. be-
cause he feared to make somebody
! trouble" He is the recipient OF a pen
sion. but the most of his last voucher
went to pay hospital expenses at
Dubuque.
Monday night was spent under a
tree this side OF Cascade. II did ask
! o farmer" he said, "a farmer who is
| building a new silo at his barn across
| the road from his house for the privi-
| lege Of the shelter of one of his sheds
| during the night, but he denied me
| that little. 1t was cold on the grass
| and my foot panied me greatly
Were you not given lift on the
road to Monticello from Cascade? %
was asked him. mo, sir, dozens OF
/ almost empty automobiles passed by
me but an automobile is in a hurry
and It's occupants do not have time
/ to notice an old man. But why should
/ ! ask them for a ride? ! have nc
claims on them" "My but that dinner
tastes good" the old man said. When
did you eat last" Nothing since yes
terday noon" was the reply.
| This old veteran Is native of Yer
mont. The most of his time since
coming out Of the army has been spent
along the Mississippi in eastern Iowa
as a woodchopper. His wife died sew
| en- years ago. He has two daughters
one resident of Chicago, and the 9TH
er residing at .Postville. They have al
! they should do caring for their owr
| families. and that is why do not e
to Them explained the veteran. g
knew they are worrying about me
| now
If I can only get to Cedar Rapids
said the old soldier, will find a COM
! rade there who will let me rest and
| give me lift to Marshalltown. The
| post commander at Green Island has
| applied for my admission to the sol
1 diers home, and / am sure the COM
mandant will give me good care Wher
| / get there. do not drink; none of my
money goes for liquor. Hospital ex-
| penses and the doctoring OF this injured
foot has taken much of my pension"
This old man who had fought his
country's battle: and who deserved
| better care than a colo night under q
tree with an aching foot, at the age OF
80, had grateful heart when placed
aboard the train with ticket In hii
pocket bound for the soldiers home
Wont you give me the names OF those
who helped me when / could go no far.
Their, that may recompense them from
my next pension money" was his las
request. as the train started to tht
home where an old soldier is helped
and where his patriotic services arr
honored by the state.