The twice-a-week Twin Falls times. (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1916-1918, 1917-02-27
PRESIDENT PLANS ACTING
ALONE AS RESULT or
SINKING OF THE LACONIA
TWIN FALLS GETS BIG
STATE APPOINTMENTS
DIR. Pike RecOnsiders DecIinatiOn and
Takes BlackfOot POsitiOn-R. H.
Barnes in Charge of Soldiers Home.

Twin Falls county came in for
share of the big patronage of the state
this week when Dr.. w. f. Pike recon
sidered his declination to accept the
superintendency of the Blackfoot home
for the insane and r.. II. Barnes, de-
partmental commander of the G. A. r.
of Idaho, received an appointment as
commandant of the soldiers home
at Boise. The position of superin-
tendent of the Blackfoot institution
carries a salary of $4,000 a year, with
expenses, and is generally considered
to be worth $4,000. A bill is pending
for the erection of a private home for
the superintendent. The position is
considered the best in the state. DR..
Pike was rendered this position witr-
out his previous knowledge shortly af-
ter election and at once declined On
being urged to reconsider by Governor
Alexander and others he did so and
will leave as soon as he can arrange
his affairs. Dr.. Pike said yesterday
that the thing which finally determin-
ed his course when urged to reconsid-
ed was the opportunity for mental
growth which the place, with it's re-
sponsibilities, afforded. There are
thirty employees, 300 inmates and 1900
acres of land to look after.
DR.. Walter f. Pike, who at the earn
est solicitation of Governor Alexander
and other prominent man in this state
gives up the large and lucrative prac-
tice which he has enjoyed ever since
coming to Twin Falls, twelve years
ago, to take the superintendency of the
! BlackfOOt institution was born and
raised on an Illinois farm. He re-
ceived an excellent literary education
at the Denver University from which
he received the degrees Of A. b. and
A. nj. He is a graduate of the medical
department of the University Of Col
Orado at Denver After completing
his medical course he spent year as
house physician in the Denver City
and County hospital, from which in
stitutiOn he came to Twin Falls at the
time that the town was laid out and
Immediately acquired a large practice
He has always been active in Demo
cratic and Masonic circles DR.. Pike
has proven himself a good business
man and now has 250 acres of fine
land on the Twin Falls tract He has
taken several post graduate courses
since coming to this city. Many in
ducements were offered by the state
II. L Inc Will nave regular meulCal
assistant at BlackfOot, something nc
previous superintendent has had, an
inducement offered to get him to ac-
cept the place.
Captain r. II. Barnes enlisted in
August, 1862, in Co. "a" S5th Illinois
Volunteer Infantry and served hi.
county throughout the Civil Wal
faithfully and honorably. He has beer
{ active in all matters affecting the in
terests of old soldiers, serving severa
terms as Commander of the Twin Fall.
Post of the Grand Army, and being
last spring, elected commander of tha
organization for the Department o.
idaho-a position which he still holds
His recognition in the manner here in
dicated is wOrthily bestowed.
The superintendency of the soldier,
home carries a salary of 500 a montl
and expenses. 1T is understood tha
Mrs. Barnes will be appointed ma
tron and this carries a salary of S4
: a month. Mr. Barnes will leave OF
! March IA to take the place. He say
that he wants all those who assiste,
him to his efforts to secure the ap
, pointment to remember that he i
grateful.