Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-06-11

Col. William P. Hurley, governor of
the National Soldiers Home at Togus,
has enrolled in the navy and states
that he is at the service of his coun-
try. He is willing to command a ship
going across the broad Atlantic with
grain or anything, for Col. Hurley is
an old time sea captain, having been
a commander in the merchant marine
during which he encircled the globe
seven times, retiring in 1889. Gov.
Hurley served for three years in the
navy during the Civil war.
Col. Hurley was appointed governor
, of the Togus Home two years ago, re-
signing the judgeship Of the Rockland
municipal court to accept the position.
"Oh, yes, l have been around the
world seven times" said Governor
Hurley. in a reminiscent mood today.
I'VE would go by way of Cape Horn
and return by way Of the Cape of Good
Hope. 1t was a long and dreary voy-
age. 1t would have shortened the
route to have gone through the Straits
of Magellan, but that channel was too
dangerous. The passage through is
very narrow with frowning cliffs on
each side and the vessel is liable to be
knocked to pieces before getting
through to the Pacific.
Around the Horn it is always
stormy and the seas run high but by
beating far from shore there is but
little danger" continued Governor
Hurley.
The great bird known as the alba
tross frequently came around the ship
and were looked upon more or less as
! company. The wilder the storm and
the rougher the sea the more happy
they seemed to he.
after rounding the. Horn it was a
rough and tedious voyage to the ORR j.
ent. China was usually made first and
at Shanghai we would take cargo
of rice or something else. Hong Kong
was always interesting as that was
more English than Chinese.
"On the whole I always liked the
Japanese ports the best, as the people
were more courteous and more easily
approached than the Chinese. You can
get nearer to the japanese than to any
l-other Oriental people. l always found
Calcutta in India extremely interesting,
as it is the most beautiful of all the
cities in that part of the world. The
public buildings are very fine and there
, is a, touch of Eastern extravaganza in
everything. Now and then you will
run against some splendid temple and
then you have realizing sense of
the mystery of the East Indian life In
fact. there is a mystery about India
which you can always feel, although
you cannot hthom or explain the
cause, Calcutta is City of prea
wealth and splendid and its mysti-
cism you enjoy"
Col. Hurley has seen that some Gus
toms have been changed since he be-
came the governor of the Home. For
instance, formerly the soldiers were
compelled to go TO their dinners in full
uniform even in the hottest summer
days, but now they may go in their
shirtsleeves when the thermometer is
dancing around the COS
What is the use of making those
men suffer on hot day with heavy
wooden clothes on their bodies" said
Governor Hurley. 1T is nonsense. At
night when they go to the theatre l
have them neatly dressed as in the
evening it is apt to be chilly. My am
bition is to make these old soldiers as
comfortable as possible in their de-
clining years. l want no foolish frills
around me-"