The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1917-03-30
THE STATES SOLDIERS HOMES
The Confederate Soldiers Home.

State Board of Charities contains the
following in regard to the Missouri
Confederate Home at Higginsville.
The Home was originally conceived
and built through the efforts of phil
anthropic men and women of the
State who were identified with the
Lost Cause, but was subsequently
taken over by the State and is sup
ported by the State government. The
State Board of Charities in its reprt
says:
"0n November /, 1916, population
consisted of 238 men and so women;
total, 28S. There were received dur
ing the biennium 83 men, Is women,
total SO. Number died during the
biennium, 20. Average number of
different officers and employees, 81.
Conditions in general at the Confed-
crate Home are satisfactory. In ad-
dition to four main buildings in which
old soldiers and their wives live, there
are eleven small cottages, each ac-
commodating two old couples. Cot
tages, with few exceptions, have been
repainted and refurnished during the
biennium, presenting a very pleasing
appearance. Housekeepers are tidy,
the yard is well cared for and condi-
tons of real home life approach as
nearly as may be expected Each of
the twenty-one families thus housed,
receive rations once a week, obtain
ing practically all they desire. At the
beginning of each week, different fam
lilies send in acquisitions, indicating
what they will need for the next week
and supplies are received. A pound
of butter is given to each couple once
a week, and meat and ice every other
day. One of the inmates in speaking
of supplies said, eve are just get
ting along fine, we have plenty to eat
and plenty to wear, all the butter and
eggs we need, nothing to do but sleep
and work in the garden when we feel
like it and doctor to wait on US when
we are sick. We are Just getting
along fine" Each family is permit
ted to have its own garden and chick
ems.
zone of the best features noticed
at the Confederate Home, strange as
it may seem, is the general content
ment and satisfaction of inmates. AL
most without exception all of the six
ty or seventy people interviewed dur
ing recent visits of representative
of the Board, praised the manage
ment. This is unusual, considering
the various kinds of men and women
living at the institution who have lit
tie to do but visit and talk. The man.
agement of the institution is quite lib
eral. Men and women are permitted
to go and come without restriction.
Visitors from the different cottages
may be found at almost any time.
Recreation consists in playing cards,
checkers, chess, fishing, lounging un-
der the shade trees in summer, re-
viewing past experiences, etc. For
those who desire work, employment is |
furnished by the superintendent"
Federal Soldiers Home.
The report also gives the following
in regard to the Federal |
Soldiers Home, at St. James, Mo-, an
other State institution:
On January l, 1915, population con-
sisted of 1913 men, 103 women, total
296. There were received during the |
biennium 85 men and 38 women, to-
tai 1913. Number discharged, 81 men,
"a women, total rs. Number died, |
AZ men and IL women, total So. Num-
Der on parole January /, 1917, "A;
remaining January 1, 1917, |
149 men, SO women, total 242. Num- |
Der remaining in the institution, men,
14S, women, SO, total ZAP. The av-
erage daily attendance for biennium,
265. Average plumber of officers and
a..
"The Soldiers Home is especially
favored because of its excellent loca-
ton. The population during the last
two years has remained about 300,
which is as many as the institution
can accommodate. There are, how
ever, about fifty on the waiting list
for whom provision can be made if
the new hospital is secured.
Buildings at the institution are
badly in need of repair, especially
painting and papering. The original
building, the mansion, might well be
abandoned as soon as possible, es-
pecially the upper floors for use of
old soldiers. 1t is old, dark, not we'll
equipped for the care of old and dis
crepit invalids. Inmates are now be-
ing kept on the third floor which may
be used by attendants and employees
as soon as room is made for inmates
in other quarters.
zone of the important needs at the
hospital is better facilities for hospi-
tai accommodations. Practically all
the inmates are hospital cases and
should be given the advantages, at
least, of occasional treatment. Be-
cause of inadequate room, only about
one~fifth o fthe hospital wards are in
the hospital. There are two day
nurses and one night nurse who are
on duty in the hospital all the time.
DR.. Fulbright, the institution physi-
clan, visits the home every morning
and at other times, if necessary"