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If you have articles you would like to submit for posting please email me. Return to news article Index Return to homepage Copyright © 2000-2011 Paula Vaughan HOME FOR THE VETERANS To the eleven comfortable cottages now completed on the beautiful grounds selected near Waupaca as the site for the Wisconsin Veterans' Home, arrangements have been completed within the past few days which will add 10 more cozy dwellings for the comfort of waiting veterans. Six of the new cottages will be built through funds contributed by Milwaukee business men; the seventh is the gift of Senator Ed. Schofield of Marinette-a "patent cottage" manufactured in Chicago and shipped to Waupaca ready for putting together; Senator Sawyer and Congressman Stephenson contribute each a cottage, and the survivors of the 28th regiment are to build one. Concerning the home a Milwaukee paper says: Gen. Wm. W. Averell, of Bath, N.Y. the famous Union cavalry raider, visited department headquarters, G.A.R., yesterday afternoon, in company with John L. Mitchell and Gen. Know, to consult with Commander Weissert in regard to the Waupaca Home. Gen. Averell is on a tour on inspection comprising the various State homes, for the purpose of securing the necessary data in comformity with which the national government in to reimburse the carious states $100 per capita of indigent veteran dependents under the law as passed by this congress at its last session. It will prove a nice question in law, whether the Waupaca home can be construed into a "state" institution-being wholly and solely in charge of the Wisconsin department G. A. R., though the state contributes $3 per inmate per week to defray in part its running expenses. Another question that has already come up is this-are the county dependents, under a general state law such as that of Wisconsin, properly charges to the national account? Gen. Averell goes on to Waupaca today. He expresses himself as greatly astonished and correspondingly pleased over the true "home" idea as humanely conceived and practically carried out at Waupaca. "Wisconsin's Grand Army and, through it, the Badger state," said the general, "has thus earned a unique distinction among the veterans."
Growth of the Waupaca Home Mr. A. O. Wright delivered a lengthy report of the trustees of the Wisconsin Veterans' Home at Waupaca, in which he said that the year past has been one of rapid growth in the Home attended by a large amount of additional labor and anxiety to the officers, and by some unavoidable discomforts to the inmates, arising from overcrowding. Both the pressure of applications for admission to the Home and the readiness of the public to aid our enterprise were greater than could have been anticipated. Owing to rapid growth the Home has been under the burden of a debt and the trustees have felt obliged to economize in help while unable to economize in purchasing by paying cash. They hope to be able soon to place the purchasing on a cash basis, as well as to provide for a larger number of inmates, and to equip the institution better in every way, if plans for the future succeed. The expenses of the Home during the two years ending Dec. 31, 1888, have been $39,346.88, receipts $313,815.68; owed by the Home to date $7,531.20. In addition to the cottages erected in 1887 cottages have been built during the past year by the kindness of the following organizations-and individuals. Women's Relief Corps, department of Wisconsin; Women's Relief Corps, Wolcott Post; ladies of Waupaca; Wilson McPherson Post, No.38, LaCrosse; J. B. McPherseon Post, No. 27, Lake Geneva; Geo. D. Eggleston Women's Relief Corps, Appleton and comrades in Oshkosh. Each of the cottages are valued at $350, a total of $2,450. Among others who have contributed to the cottage fund are Philetus Sawyer, Isaac W. Van Schaick, John C. Spooner, Henry C. Payne, Phil Best Brewing Co., Jos. Schlitz, Plankington Bank, First National Bank, Milwaukee, N. B. Erskine, Stephen Bull, W. H. Bradley, Edward Schofield, Gabe Bouck, F. F. Adams Tobacco Co., E. P. Allis & Co., Oberman Brewing Co., citizens of Baraboo, Woman's Relief Corps, Monroe, citizens of Juneau county; Women's Relief Corps, department of Wisconsin. There has been expended this year $2,450 for additional cottages, and there has been pledged $4,480 additional for cottages that are now under way or will be built in the spring. These cottages when completed will accommodate twenty couples or forty persons. During the year the trustees have also completed an assembly room for men, and have nearly completed a hospital building at a cost of $5,000. The report says. We need additional dining room, kitchen and laundry, to accommodate our increased number of inmates. We also greatly need water supply for fire protection. The frame buildings which we occupy are exposed to much danger from fire and if a fire should occur, serious loss of property and probably of life would result. Owing to the pressure for accommodation at the Home, beyond what we could seasonably hope to provide by private contributions we have felt called upon to ask of the legislature an appropriation for buildings, fire protection and to provide for debts already incurred. After consultation with various members of the legislature it was concluded to ask for $50,000 for these purposes. The bill appropriating this sum was introduced by Comrade Edward Schofield and has been reported favorably from the joint Committee of Claims and, we believe, will not meet with any serious difficulty in the legislature. This appropriation is asked for with a view to enlarging the Home to 200 inmates, with the proper appliances for an institution that size. In case it should be found hereafter that more accommodations are needed for soldiers and then wives or widows, we believe they should be provided for by another Veteran's Home in another part of the state, instead of enlarging this Home beyond a limit of 200.
Extension of Veterans' Home A bill has been introduced in the state senate, calling for an appropriation of fifty thousand dollars in favor of the regard to the matter Capt. J. H. Marston had the following to say to a representative of the press: "Fifty thousand dollars is a big sum, yet no larger than can be utilized with great benefit. When the directors went down to Madison last week, they called on Senator Scofield - of Marinette, and asked him to get together Senators Pond and Kidd that the plans and purposes of the directors for the home might be laid before them. It was done and after the senators had examined into the matter they expressed themselves as convinced that the amount asked was none to much, and pledged their best endeavors in aid of the passage of the measure. It will probably be a month before the fate of the bill is settled. In the event that the bill passes and the fifty thousand dollars are appropriated the directors intend to exactly treble the capacity of the home. There are now seventy-six inmates and the home is full. We propose to make the institution large enough to accommodate two hundred and twenty-five inmates. Not only this, but we have to see about providing some system of water supply and of sewerage. The water of the lake upon which the home is situated comes from springs and is excellent and will probably be utilized through the aid of steam or wind pumping and a large tank on the hill above. The sewerage can be run off in a direction opposite to the lake, so there need be no contamination of the water. The main building at present is used as a Men's Hall. Now we propose to build a Women's Hall of about the same capacity; to cost not over $4,000. The cottage system will also be encouraged. The old people are always much pleased with a cottage. We shall build several but of larger capacity than the present ones, suited to accommodate three or four families each. We expect soon to visit the home at Quincy, Illinois, where the State has expended $600,000. It is entirely a State institution, under State control. We expect to get some valuable information there. When in Madison, continued the Captain, we also asked to have a portion of the law changed in regard to the admission of candidates to the home. At present the women admitted are those who were the wives of soldiers before or during the war. We asked to have the rods "before or during the war" stricken out so that any soldier's wife or widow may be eligible to the comforts of the home.
Veterans' Home Items The old boarding shanties are now being torn down and the lumber will be used to build a few sheds on the home grounds. The married veterans are all busy preparing their gardens and cleaning house, so the veterans' home will soon look more bright and cheerful when the flowers are blooming again and shedding their fragrance. Captain Cook and three or four of his comrades from Appleton paid us a visit the other day, and they were all heartily welcomed by us. Capt. Caldwell showed them over the grounds and took them out for a ride on the lakes in our little steamer, the "Veteran". They enjoyed themselves royally, and said that we old vets have a beautiful home here. Generally speaking, we old vets here all enjoy pretty fair degree of health, and our appetites are about as good as when we ate out hard-tack down in Georgia, when the rebels bid us good-morning by sending us a shell with a shriek and a crash. While we enjoy our meals while seated around the table we sometimes think of the south, where the persimmons grow and the razor-back hog used to furnish us with spare-ribs of those swine were so sparingly covered with flesh that they often called forth a remark that did not sound very much like a blessing upon his long-snouted hogship. For the meat had a pungent flavor that reminded us very strongly of the taste of a half-ripe persimmon, which, when eaten, will fix a man's mouth in such a manner that he can whistle-Hail Columbia, Yankee Doodle, and the Star Spangled Banner without stopping to get a fresh hold. By Louis Peisker Waupaca Republican - Waupaca, WI - January 6, 1899 Need of Veterans' Home Col. Charles J. Ellis, commandant of the Wisconsin Veterans' home, was at the Plankinton house yesterday. To a Sentinel reporter he said; "The Board of Trustees of the home has made extensive improvements during the past year, and have expended in round numbers the sum of $40,000. Among the improvements may be mentioned a cold storage building, adjutant's residence, a new engine and dynamos, and a complete reconstruction of the electric light plant, an addition to Marston Hall, the extension and perfection of the sewerage system, an addition to the main kitchen and laundry, besides various other improvements and repairs. The burning of the hospital building in October will necessitate the erection of a new hospital, and the trustees will probably ask the incoming legislature for an appropriation sufficient for that purpose. Plans for a new building have already been accepted. It is proposed also to erect another building to accommodate the hundreds of deserving applicants who are now seeking admission but for whom we have not room. Our membership is now 540. There is no institution in the state that has stronger claims upon the people for a liberal support the Wisconsin Veterans' Home."
Col. C. J. Ellis went to Marinetter the first part of the week, returning home Saturday. Fifty two accepted applications on file at the adjutant's office. Sixty three members out on furlough Feb. 24. Mrs. Henry G. Rogers of Milwaukee, chairman visiting committee Wisconsin Veterans' Home, is expected at the Home March 12. Mrs. C. J. Ellis and Mrs. T. L. Jeffers attended the Waupaca W. R. C. meeting Thursday afternoon. We are glad to note that Mrs. Jeffers has almost entirely recovered from the effects of a sprained ankle which laid her up for many months. She is a lady of culture and refinement and possesses gentle, wining ways which endears her to all in the Home. The family are very happily settled in their elegant new residence overlooking Rainbow Lake and a most delightful spot in summer.
The members of the state board of control recommended that $70,000 be appropriated for necessary improvements and new buildings at the Home instead of $40,000. If the appropriation is granted by legislature this will greatly enlarge the capacity of the Home and enable all the soldiers and their wives and widows to come to the Home, which for want of room are crowded out. Mrs. V. Leeson, matron at the hospital, returned from her visit at Green Bay Saturday. The patients at the hospital were all glad to see her home. The Marden G. A. R. Post of the Home presented Chas. Beadleston and his wife with $15. Collected as subscription on account of loss of their clothing by fire in the burned hospital.
Pres. Thomas, Sec'y Woodnorth, and Treas. Roberts will appear before the committee of claims at Madison on the 22d to explain the necessity buildings and improvements at the Home. Com Ellis and Adjt. Jeffers have been busy for several days preparing statements showing the necessity of the improvements asked, for. A printed circular, containing the information in committee and members of the legislature. Waupaca Republican - Waupaca, WI - March 3, 1893 We are enjoying a short season of sleighing. Mrs. Wilbur, a member of the Home, accidentally tripped in the matting on the hall floor, last Sunday morning, falling forward, striking against a door easing, breaking her right arm above the elbow. Dr. Manchester was summoned and set the arm. She is improving Comrade Henry Blodgett is now running a bus from the House to Waupaca, twice daily, leaving the Home at 9 o'clock a. m. and 1:30 p.m. It would seem that he ought to receive the entire patronage of the old veterans, if for no other reason, that he is one of us. We wish him success. Mr. and Mrs. Skeels of Menominee, Dunn Co., prominent in G. A. R. and W. R. C. circles were the guests, of Superintendent Caldwell and wife, during Sunday and Monday. Rev. Wolf of Oshkosh favored the Home with one of his characteristic, lively soul stirring sermons last Wednesday evening. We like Mr. Wolf as a man, and we admire a great many of the good things he says, but he might as well understand one thing first as last, and that he cannot scare an old soldier into joining his church by preaching eternal Hell fire and everlasting damnation to those who do not think as he thinks. That theory has been discarded years ago by the more eminent divines of the country-in fact by all preachers who keep abreast the times. Comrade Wilcox of Parfreyville came over to visit the boys last Sunday. Call again Wilcox. Mrs. Richardson and Mrs. Blodgett were called to Plover by telegram last Friday on account of the serious illness of a relative. J. M. Nostrand was summoned to Oshkosh Tuesday on account of the serious illness of his youngest son.
As the time draws near for the holding of
the encampment of the department of Wisconsin, and as speculation as to
the course which will be pursued by that body toward the inmates of this
home, is running high, a few words in relation to the taking away of
pensions from the old veterans may not be out of place. In the first
place, it is generally believed by the masses of the people that the
patriotic people of Wisconsin, desiring to show their gratitude to the
old veterans, voted money to build buildings, voted money to pay board
of inmates, the state paying about one-third and the United States the
other two-thirds. The amount received is $3.00 per week per capita.
Reports at hand informs us that the entire cost of maintaining the Home
is $2.78 per capita leaving a surplus of 22 cents per week per
capita or figuring on a basis of 240 members, a surplus of $52.80. The
pensions are now furnishing revenue for the Home at the rate of $100 per
month in round numbers, but probably exceeds that figure. The state for
the past two years has donated $1000 each year, to purchase clothing;
this clothing is sold to the pensioners at $10.75 per suit of coat,
pants and vest. Now we do not think it would be fair to charge the
managers of this home with selling clothing at a loss to the Home. Here
must be a surplus, which with the excess of pension, added to $52.80
gives us $74.80. Where is the necessity of taking more money from the
pensioner? We can only give one answer: We want to humiliate them; we
want to make them understand that they have lost their identity, we want
them to understand that they have no voice or mind of their own, but
they must submit to the dictum on those having control of this
institution. They may discover however, when it is too late that they
only hold a kingful while we stand pat on four aces. We have recently
had a practical demonstration of the working of the rule to take all
pensions from single men except $6 per month. A man comes to the House
the 1st of December, he has $12 per month pension. He is not expected to
pay over any excess until he draws pension in March. During his three
months sojourn he finds that he must have under clothing, tobacco etc.
and he gets it. When his check arrives he quietly folds his tent and
steals away, muttering as he goes, you tried to play hog with me, but
now I'll fool you. The Home not only loses the excess of pension but are
also out from $5 t $8 for goods furnished. This very thing has occurred,
and we dare say will occur again. Where is the justice in taking excess
of pension from a man drawing more than a certain sum and not taking it
from those who draw within that sum. Does the $12 pension receive any
better food than the $6 pension? Any better beds. Is he exempt from the
duty any more than the $6 man? By no means. Some people say that $6 per
month is enough for them, we say no. Some people say this Home treats
its inmates better than any other state in the union, and to this we say
no. It is true that in Minnesota they take all pension but $4; and in
Iowa all but $6, but if we remember rightly both of these states furnish
clothing, tobacco, etc. free, while in our Home you must pay for
everything even to a clay pipe and a box of matches. It is argued
that $6 per month ought to be enough for the members of the Home. Now
Let's see; A man must have at least two suits of clothes a year worth
say, $25.00, four suits of underwear, two for winter and two for summer
worth $6, two hats $2, two pair of shoes $5, pair socks $1.50, tobacco
$7 pipes and matches $1, postage and incidental expenses $10, making a
total of $55.50 leaving the enormous sum of $3.50 for the
pensioner to go and see his relatives when sick unto death, something
which has occurred twice within the past few days. The only way we can
see out of this $6 rule is to make a condition precedent to any man
becoming an inmate of the Home to put up $20 as a forfeiture in case he
runs away without paying his debts. We are dead in earnest about it too.
But in all candor we cannot see, with the resources which this Home has
from the government, the state and the pensioner, why they should seek
to press the noses of these poor D--l's any harder against the grind
stone. MORE ANON. |