Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-12-11

VINO helpeo
subdue the fierce Redskins of the
70's; a group which did its lit to-
ward disciplinirg the defiant Span
lard; Z hundred or SO Of the mill
lions who hearkened to the call to
arms in the great World War-rep-
resentatives of four periods of strife
in the history OF the United States
all are at Tosus where a grateful
government has established a home,
the eastern branch Of several scat
tered over the country.
In Ease and Comfort
A home where these men who gave
freely Of some of the best years of
their lives may pass their declining
days in ease and comfort A home
where solictude is the first thought;
where camaradie is paramount, des-
pite the apparent stern military at
mosphere which pervades the insti-
tuition.
An empty sleeve, a palsied hand.
and other evidences of the ravages OF
war, may be met with as one wends
his way about the grounds; yet
these men are still brave in their in
frmitcs and old age. ready with a
friendly smile and CHEEKY nod Of
greeting Men of all ages, of diff
ferent nationalt;es. of different tenn
pefaments, daily touching elbows
with the minimum of friction.
Established in 1866
The Eastern Branch of the Ma
tional Home for Disabled Volunteer
Soldiers was established by act OF
Congress March u, 1866, on what
was then known as the Togus Springs
Estate, and tie first member was
admitted October 6, 1866 1t is a
tract of 1894 acrcs which is flngcd
by he cities 81 Augusta. Hallowell
and Gardiner. Membership III the
home since It's establishment has
varied with the passing years. DIR
ing the 90's the maximum number
was reached when over 5000 were
enrolled. Th's number has been
3radually lcssonod as death Trimmed
the ranks of ,hc Civil War veterans,
though somcWi at halted by the adj
mission of Spanish War and World
War veterans. I The present men,
bership is about Il thousand, u por-
ton of which is constantly on fur
Tough.
Grounds Kept Beautiful
The original barracks were four
in number built in the form of a
hollow square. Other buildings were
gradually grouped about these to
meet the demand for more room and
equipment necessary to adequately
care for the veterans. During all
these years of building there has
never been a lessening of effort to-
ward identifying the grounds sur
rounding the institution and while
the winter season necessarily halts
and hides IT'S beauty, there is Won
derOl metamorphosis with the com
dering praise from visitors. Shrubs
OF divers kind take on their summer
garb Of green, early spring flowers
bloom and in turn are succeeded by
later varieties: lawns and terraces
Of remarkable texture are in evil
dence; a harmonious whole that must
prove edifying and soothing to these
pain Tracked men.
Ideal Little City
The home as now laid out resem-
bles small city with all the requis-
ties of a modern municipality. Every
thing conducive to the health, well
fare and comfort Of its inhabitants
Is at hand. Wholesome food and
plenty of 1t; sanitation in all of its
the form Of a large club house: a
fine library: band concerts, movies
and baseball; q splendid hospital with
modern equipment and appoint
nents: an efficient dre department.
and Police force.
Enormous Quantities Food
Some idea Of the amount of food
required at the home in the course
OF year may be had from the fol-
lowing: 7s4 barrels Of flour. ASSOC J
pounds of potatoes. 5000 pounds OF I
bacon, $4,000 pounds Of dressed
beef. $4,000 pounds Of corned beef,
$4,000 dozen Of eggs. 30,7oO pounds
OF fish. $4,000 pounds of ham. 16 900
pounds of mutton, $500 pounds OF
fresh pork ribs. 10,400 pounds Of salt
pork. 1860 pounds Of frankfurters,
pork sausages and bologna, 5000