WAUPACA POST

August 4, 1887

 

THE VETERANS HOME.

Waupaca Gets It.

 

            Two weeks ago last Monday the committee appointed to select a site for the State Veterans Home commenced to make the rounds of the state to visit the different sites offered, commencing at Waupaca.  A delegation of citizens entertained the committee handsomely during its stay in the city. From the expressions of approval made by different members of the committee during their visit, it was evident that Waupaca stood a good chance of getting the Home from the start, some of the members saying that Baraboo would be its only probable rival. Sheboygan, Watertown, Evansville, Baraboo and New Lisbon all made handsome offers, that of Baraboo, being the best of the five.  The unquestioned superiority of Greenwood Park for the purpose designed won the day for Waupaca and last Thursday afternoon the committee came to the city and announced its determination, and Saturday was given a deed of the property.

            The committee or Board of Control consists of the following gentlemen:  Dr. F.A. Marden, of Milwaukee, Chairman; A. O. Wright, New London, Sec.; Benj. F. Bryant, LaCrosse, Treas.; J.H. Mareten, Appleton; Jos. Cumberlidge, Sheboygan.  These gentlemen have only the interest and future comfort of the old soldiers and their wives in view and being men of undoubted integrity and honesty of purpose, there isn’t the shadow of a doubt but the selection was made on the merits of the place only, Baraboo kickers to the contrary, not withstanding.

            In a recent interview Dr. Marden the chairman of the board stated in substance: After visiting the six sites offered we went into conference at Kilbourn city, although we kept the fact a secret to that we could not be reached by telegrams of amended proposition from any of the competing points as we wished to try all applicants fairly.  We went to Kilbourn City and remained in almost continuous session for eighteen hours before a decision was reached which was finally done after many ballots by the selection of Waupaca’s proposition.  This embraces Greenwood Park and other property to the amount of $20,000. On the grounds there is a large main building which is now in use as a hotel and which accommodates about fifty persons, and eight cottages which are located about the main building in the park.  These cottages, it is intended, shall be occupied by a man and his wife and are large enough to supply them with a neat sitting room and a sleeping apartment off from the sitting room.  Meals will be served at the main building.  The park proper contains 43 acres and the citizens offer to secure 40 acres additional adjoining the park, making 83 acres in all, 30 of which is woodland.  The building facilities on the ground already will accommodate sixty-five or seventy people, and, by Oct. 15, it is anticipated that that number will be there.

            “The grounds are located about two and a half miles southwest of Waupaca on the bank of a beautiful lake which is connected with a chain of thirteen lakes.  The scenery is very fine.  There is an amusement hall on the grounds and this is to be remodeled and used as a chapel, the ministers of Waupaca agreeing to hold service there.  The citizens of Waupaca have agreed to provide medical care free for the inmates of the Home for one year; that no saloon shall be located within a mile and a half of the grounds and that the roads from the home to the city shall be kept in as good condition as are the streets in the city of Waupaca.

            “A local visiting committee has been appointed from the leading citizens of Waupaca and is composed of J.H. Woodnorth, Mayor R.N. Roberts, and E.M. Palmer.  This board assumes the responsibility of visiting the home and having general care over its necessity.

CAP LANGWORTH TO BE SUPERINTENDENT

            “The superintendency and matronship of the home will be offered to Capt. A.J. Langworth and his wife.  He is a member of Robert Chivas Post, and at present at Jefferson, editing a paper devoted to work connected with the order of Odd Fellows.  The park is at present used as a summer resort and possession will not be obtained until Sept. 1.

            “What is the general plan on which the home will be conducted.

            “Well the management will be under the direction of the Grand Army of the Republic of this state.  The home will be the first one in this country which will provide for the veteran and his wife, or his widow.  The object is to overcome the hardship that results from separating a man from his wife.  Often the veteran goes into a home and the wife finally to the poor house, or the Lord only knows where.  The Grand Army of this state feels that no veteran should be separated from his wife until death.  It also believes that the widow who is left helpless by the death of her veteran husband is entitled to protection and care, and it was in furtherance of these ideas that the erection of a State Solders’ home was under-taken.  The state will appropriate $3 a week for the car of each inmate in the home, while the Grand Army will meet all other expenses.  The building will have to be furnished and within the next sixty days about $5,000 from the different posts and friends of the soldiers will have [to] be raised.  The home will be conducted under no military discipline, but of course there will be some rules; nothing, however, that will interfere with making life there entirely home-like, with all that the word implies.

            “Married veterans, who are in National homes can gain admittance with their wives, but only those who are married or widows of veterans will be admitted.

            “Will the demand for admission be greater than the accommodations.

            “I fear it will, but the anticipation is that the home will be enlarged by the addition of cottages. The money for this, of course, the Grand Army and benevolently inclined people will supply.  Already there are applications for admission, and many more will follow. It is expected the demand will continually increase for the next fifteen years at least, and that the home will be in use for twenty or twenty-five years to come.

            The deed of the site selected is made to the Grand Army of this state and is absolute as long as used for a home or some home of a benevolent character.  If it failed to be used for such a purpose it will revert to the citizens of Waupaca.

            “When will the dedication occur?”

            “Nothing has been finally settled in reference to that yet, but it is anticipated that it will occur about Oct. 1.  There will be appropriate ceremonies, it is anticipated, in which the officers of the state, of the Grand Army and others will be invited to participate.”