Home Visiting Committee01
Waupaca Record
Published Weekly at Waupaca By A.R. Carpenter
Subscription one dollar per year
REPORT OF HOME VISITING COMMITTEE
The Report as Adopted
at the State G.A.R. Encampment at
John
c. Martin, Dept. Comdr. G.A.R.
Dear Comrade: - we the members of your committee, appointed by yourself to visit the Wisconsin Veterans’ Home at Waupaca, beg to submit the following report. Each comrade has made two visits during the year past. The affairs of the Home were taken up and disposed of in a satisfactory manner. All things connected with finance and bookkeeping were found correct, beyond question.
Col. J.H. Woodnorth, Commandant, is certainly a model, painstaking official, and it does not seem possible that he can be excelled anywhere.
An Adjutant Major T.L. Jeffers has proven always that he is thoroughly capable to properly discharge the important duties of his office.
Many modern improvements have been made, given within the year now closed. Prominent among same may be seen additional cement walks and macadamized streets. We found the water system admirable, as also the drainage, boating, lighting, etc., all comparing favorably with the best in our larger cities. The cottages are homelike, and comfortable. For your committee to speak in detail of the many appointments of the Home, and of their faultless appearance would seem to be useless, and only to repeat what all have listened to before in reports of a like character. A leading feature of the Home is the Hospital, in charge of Major Barth Bantly, physician and surgeon, whose efficiency cannot be questioned. Miss Bacon as chief nurse, seems to be very popular. Everything connected with the Hospital is a marvel of neatness and good management. We doubt if there can be found in any institution of like character of a more pleasant place for any in need of medical attention. A visit of your committee to the several dormitories and their individual managements was very satisfactory, and to express to all concerned our delight, would occupy too much space, and certainly would be indulging in repetition, and is hence needless.
As Quartermaster, Capt. A.G. Dinsmore, proves himself thoroughly efficient, and his particular storehouse and headquarters is par excellence.
The
Home farm, netting a profit last year of $2,000, supplies the table with
practically all the vegetables. Milk and
cream is secured daily from farmers adjacent, and is nice and pure. Butter comes in, perfectly fresh, and nothing
better could be found anywhere. The
meats come from Government inspectors, bearing Uncle Sam’s tag of
approval. I wish it were possible to get
anything as good at our own several homes.
As to the various products of the bakery, nothing could be better. There is no such thing as second grade flour,
or anything else in the food line. If products of any sort delivered are not
found to be according to contract, there is a viligent eye ever present, and
the firm is notified to remove it without unnecessary delay and to fill the
contract aright. The fact stood out to
your committee that there was nothing too good for all so fortunate as to be an
inmate of the Wisconsin Veterans’ Home. At our own request, and without any
previous notice, the visiting committee were taken to
the dining hall at the
There seems to exist in some parts of the department that our state institution should care for imbeciles and the insane and the commandment was informed your committee that, at various times, he has had letters and request urging the acceptance of that class of unfortunates. To us this is altogether wrong. The State provides amply and satisfactorily for that class, and even for any to communicate along that line, for purposed stated is an error and committee a wrong.
We find another class whom are not entitled to a place at the Home, and although a few have been admitted, yet it has not been on account of the management. We allude to those possessed of means of their own sustenance, who by the act of perjury and falsity, gain admission. The blanks of application are regular and certainly the Home management is not in a position to question their proper execution or the recommending parties. Should there be a recurrence of such cases, this committee suggests that a reasonable charge be made for the care of the individual, and the same be placed to the credit of the institution.
In the matter of pensions, we think it is understood that the rules of the Home are such that single men may now retain $10.00 and married men $15.00. This has been made possible by the passage of the McCumber age pension bill. Added to this, when it is proven in any particular case that a rebate should be granted, the Board of Trustees suspend the rules and act accordingly. It must not, however be understood this is the rule, but an exception.
The Waupaca Home is strictly a place of sobriety, and although the old veteran can go to the city (four miles) at his pleasure, he does not return showing an effect, at least, of possible indulgence in strong drink. The Electric Railway Line, (which is first class), connects with all trains and the ride to the Home is exceedingly pleasant and inexpensive – ten cents.
The churches of the Home (Protestant and Catholic) are a pleasing feature, being presided over by popular ministers of the Gospel, Rev. and Comrade W.R. Brown, Home Chaplain for the former denomination, and Father William Mortell, for the latter. Added to the regular services, as stated, is that of several special meetings during the year by the pastors of Waupaca city.
Amusements of the Home are often and are varied. The City Band comes at least once each week during the summer to play two and three hours in an attractive band stand in the lovely lake park. We desire to say that this band is one of the best in the state and the applause given by the veterans and all listeners shows full appreciation.
The
well kept macadamized roads leading from the city to the Home, and the Home
itself, invites all in possession of automobiles or carriages, and we are
informed large numbers avail themselves of the opportunity of this drive and
trip, especially in pleasant weather. An
interurban line of electric railway from
Twenty-one
years have elapse since the establishment of the institution in question. Thousands of people from our own state, the
If there is anything wrong at the present time at the Wisconsin Veterans’ Home, your committee has not, after the best investigation possible, been able to discover it.
No
doubt a majority of the comrades present, and throughout the Department, have
at some time, seen the Home, and have remained long enough to receive
impressions that no doubt will remain with them until the time shall come for
the final muster out. We sincerely wish
all could behold its wondrous beauty, and witness for themselves
the unmistakable contentment shown everywhere by and among those who may be
seen spending their last days. Many in
Looking out upon Rainbow Lake one beautiful morning at sunrise quite recently the writer’s attention was directed to Old Glory being raised aloft at Headquarters, and in company with some other early risers among the veterans, we stood uncovered, and I could not refrain from saying, “Yea, it is the Star Spangled Banner”
Flag
of the
Long may it wave on the shore and the sea;
Foes shall not touch in … erent manner,
Our starry emblembthe home of the free.
….
Adopted by Department …ment G.A.R.,