Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-09-29

their last days with every pleasure and
convenience that can be furnished. the
National Soldiers Home will offer
an interesting place for the veterans
of the Grand Army now In the evening
of life who are attending the present
encampment. 1t will be the point of
rendezvous for hundreds of visiting
veterans. many Of whom fought side by
side with the inmates of the home.
1t Is located about three miles direct
ly north of the Capitol and covers about
500 acres of ground. improved by mar
BILE buildings, macadamized roads, beau
tiful lakes and scenery hard to sur
pass. There the old soldier inmates
may loll away their time or work, as
they see fit-for the latter they re-
ceive pay. The building is located in
the territory made historic by the de-
Tense of Washington, for nearby are
Fort Stevens and the defenses of Wash
1ngton where Lincoln was under fire.
The battle-ground cemetery, where are
buried some of those who fell in the
battles there, is not far distant.
Home Founded in 1851.
The Soldiers Home was founded In
1851 as a military asylum, after Gen.
winfield Scott had made repeated ef-
forts to have Congress provide such an
asylum. The name was later changed
to Soldiers Home. Congress appro-
prfated about $11s.000-the balance of
.ne indemnity paid by the City OF
mexico to ransom the city from pillage
Tor violation of truce-as a fund to-
ward the establishment and mainte-
nance of the institution Gen. Scott, in
lS4s. transmitted to the Secretary of
War a draft for 100000, as part of the
tribute levied by him on the City of
Mexico for the benefit of the army, and
he expressed the hope that it might
be allowed to go to the credit of an
army asylum. Again, in 1s49, referring
to the matter. he said: 1.-THE draft was
made payable to me, and in order to
place the deposit beyond the control of
any individual functionary whatever,
indorsed 1.-THE Bank of America will
place within amount to the credit Of
the army asylum, subject to the order
OF Congress- The funds were at first
turned into the public treasury, and,
subsequently, . in the act to found the
asylum. were. with balance of SIs,-
tSl.l? remaining from the same levy,
stitution.
This has been augmented by a tax
OF l2R cents on the pay of priyates
optional with the soldier: the money
received for fines. forfeiture of pay. un-
claimed pay Of deceased soldiers Sol
diers from the regular army who have
served faithfully for twenty years or
VINO nave become disabled during serv-
ice are entitled to a residence in the
nome for the remainder of their lives
SOO ""o"'
Under Mild Discipline.
They are under a mild discipline, are
generously provided for when we'll and
tenderly nursed when sick. The greater
part of the work about the home is
done by the more ablebodied inmates,
liberal compensation being paid for
their services
The main building is Of white marble
and has tall central clock tower On
the grounds are several handsome mar
BILE cottages occupied by the officials,
a pretty church of Seneca stone, where
services Of all denominations arc held.
Near the main building is a large cot
tage that was used as a summer home
by Presidents Buchanan. Lincoln, Hayes
and Arthur. The southern part of the
main building is named after Gen VIM
field Scott. The eastern building was
the first erected especially for inmates,
and Is called the King building, after
Surgeon B. King. for thirteen years the
treasurer of the home
The brick quarters northeast of the
Sherman building, erected in 1888, is
named the Sheridan building in honor
of the late Gen Philip H. Sheridan, who
was president of the board of COM
misstoners when 1.-THE building was
erected.
There is handsome bandstand
where the Soldiers Home Band in the
summer months renders concerts every
evening Ia SIM do
for one hour before retreat. There is
fine amusement hall, model dairy,
greenhouses, a complete hospital, etc.
About fifty acres of ground are under
cultivation.
Excellent Library Provided.
There is a fine library for the inmates
well stocked with the hest books and
any number of newspapers and peri
odicals. In addition there are all kinds
of games and amusements provided. in
cludig pool. billiards. chess. checkers.
theatrical performances, lectures and
concerts.
Nearly $50 of the inmates are en-
ployed on extra duty as non-commts-
stoned officers. clerks, janitors. cleo
tricians, kitchen and dining room at
tedants. ward masters. walters and
nurses in hospital, carpenters, painters.
assistant plumbers, assistant black
smiths, stablemen, teamsters, gate
keepers, upholsterers. saddlers, florists
and as laborers on the roads and
grounds and on the farm. All inmates
competent and willing to work are
given extra duty pay. Non-pensioned
Inmates receive 81 per month pocket
money.
Located on the most prominent point
in the grounds is statue of Gen. VIM
field Scott, executed by Launt Thomp-