HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

435 CHAPTER XIV.

THE SOLDIERS HOME

IN the following sketch of the Soldiers' Home, it is not our intention to enter into an elaborate description of that institution, and the many blessings conferred upon the heroes of our country, who have there found a fitting tribute to the sacrifices undergone by them during the nation's peril, but to trace briefly its establishment, growth and present prosperity. The history of the home from its inception up to the year 1875 has been written " By a Veteran of the Home," and to that work we are indebted for the matter used in this article up to that date. At the close of the war, hospitals and soldiers homes were established in most of the loyal States, and everything that medical skill. care and comfort could suggest was done for the returned soldier. The gradual disappearance of hospitals and soldiers' retreats resulted in the creation of national homes. on a more substantial basis, the main object in view being to enlarge their usefulness and extend their benefits to the disabled Soldiers of the Union. To carry this purpose into effect, am act of Congress was obtained and approved March 31, 1865, and a Board of Managers appointed. The board, at its first meeting, elected Gen. B. F. Butler President, and Hon. L. B. Gunckel Secretary. The act of Congress authorized the Board of Managers to establish one or more homes, and under it the Central Home came into existence, besides three others in different parts of the Union.

In the selection of an eligible site for the Central Home, the attention of the Board of Managers was directed to the rich and fertile valley of the Miami, and, finding it admirably adapted to the purposes of a home, they at once entered into negotiations for the purchase of 540 acres of land, about three miles west of the city of Dayton, located principally in Section 1. Jefferson Township, with a small fraction in Section 36, Madison Township. The land, at the time of the purchase; was in the ordinary condition of farm lands throughout the State, possessing, however, natural beauty and great facilities of improvement; but above all. the supply of water was both abundant and excellent. On the grounds are several medicinal springs, two of which have rare mineral properties. At the request of the Board of Managers, Chaplain T. B. Van Horn, of the United States Army, was detailed by the Secretary of War to lay out the grounds. The site overlooks the city of Dayton and the beautiful scenery of the Miami Valley for miles around. The cost of this site was $46,800 and the board was influenced in its selection, as between other nearly equally eligible sites, by the munificent donation of $20,000 from the citizens of Dayton who, under the leadership of Hon. Lewis B. Gunckel. Secretary of the Board. evinced the liveliest interest in the success of the institution. Most vigorous measures were taken to get the necessary buildings ready for the accommodation of the disabled soldiers. Congress had given to the home the lumber composing the temporary buildings at Camp Chase, and, with the aid of this material, under the efficient and enthusiastic direction of Mr. Gunckel, buildings were most rapidly and economically constructed, which were filled as fast as they could be got ready. The organization of the Central Home as an institution dates from March 26, 1867, at which date the Hon. L. B. Gunckel, Resident Manager, took formal charge of the disabled soldiers then at the Ohio

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State Home and transferred them to the nation's care. We cannot do better here than to quote from a speech made by Mr. Gunckel in the presence of the officers, employes and veterans of the State Home upon the day of the transfer, there being also present Gens. Wright, Mitchell and Warner, Gov. Cox and Lieut. Gov. McBurney. Said he: "Although technically the national asylum, we wish you still to look upon it as the Soldiers' Home.

"We hope soon to furnish you one better deserving the name. Like the pioneer who first builds a log cabin, soon to be replaced by a larger and more comfortable mansion, so this, your first home, will soon give way to one much larger and better. We hope before long to give you one which, in beauty and healthfulness of situation, extent of grounds, and size and character of buildings, shall equal that of the richest and best of the land. In addition to chapel and school room, there will be workshops, where you may learn new and lighter trades. adapted to your several disabilities. We hope, by proper surgical care and nursing, to send many of you again into the world, healthy and able to take care of yourselves. and.. by suitable education. to prepare many of you for teachers. book-keepers, clerks, mechanics, etc., and so be able to enter the lists with the best. Whenever you think You can get along in the world. we prefer that you should try. If you succeed, we bid yon Godspeed. If you fail, we will welcome you back. For here, as long as you live, is your home, to which, if you have left with an honorable discharge, you will be ever welcome."

How thoroughly these noble promises have been fulfilled and carried out to the letter, a visit to the home will answer: for it would not be an exaggeration to say that it is now one of the most beautiful spots on God's green footstool. The grounds where this institution now stands were taken possession of early in August, 1867, and the first men were sheltered here September 2, 1867; but it was not until the latter part of that year that the final transfer of all the disabled soldiers from the Ohio State Home took place. Day by day this institution has grown larger, until it has assumed immense proportions, furnishing a comfortable, and, in some respects, luxurious home to 4,000 disabled veterans, supplying them with amusements. entertainments, literature. education, moral and religious instruction. light and suitable employment, clean clothing and linen. and excellent food. To the casual observer who saw this place in 1868; and did not again behold it until 1832, the rapid growth of the buildings, and the vast improvement and ornamentation of the grounds seems a grandeur of design and a miracle of execution. Indeed, to the constant observer of this work, it seemed to progress with unexampled rapidity.

To Lewis B. Gunckel, and to his zeal and energy in the cause, more than to any other man, is attributable this wonderful advancement. The work of improvement has been prosecuted most vigorously, and alterations and additions are being made continually. Although but a few years have elapsed since its commencement, the Central Branch may be regarded as the largest and most flourishing institution of its class in the world.

As an item of history, we append the following official statements relating to the appointment of the Board of Managers:

[Public Resolution. No. 24.]

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States in Congress assembled, That the following persons be and they are hereby appointed Managers of the National Asylum for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. under the provisions and conditions of the third section of the act approved March twenty-third, eighteen hundred and sixty-six: Richard J. Oglesby, of Illinois, Benjamin F. Butler, of Massachusetts, and Frederick Smythe, of New Hampshire, of the first class, to serve six years; Lewis B. Gunckel, of Ohio, Jay Cooke, of Pennsylvania, and P. Joseph Osterhaus, of Missouri, of the second class. to serve four years; John H. Martindale, of New York, Horatio G. Stebbins, of California, and George H. Walker. of Wisconsin, of the third class. to serve two years.

Approved, April 21, 1866.

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By a joint resolution approved December 7, 1866, Erastus B. Wolcott of Wisconsin, was appointed to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of George H. Walker; and John S. Cavender, of Missouri, was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of P. Joseph Osterhaus.

By a joint resolution approved June 9, 18 70, Lewis B. Gunckel, Jay Cooke and John S. Cavender, whose terms expired April 21, 1870, were re-appointed as managers of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. At the same time Erastus B. Wolcott and John H. Martindale were re-appointed on the Board of Managers, and Hugh L. Bond, of Maryland, was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Horatio G. Stebbins. Maj. Gen. Thomas O. Osborn, of Chicago, Ill., and Maj. Gen. James S. Negley, of Pittsburgh, Penn., became members of the Board of Managers, in place of Richard J. Oglesby and Jay Cooke. Thus in 1876, the following constituted the regular Board of Managers:

The President of the United States, ex officio; the Chief Justice, exofficio: the Secretary of War ex officio; Maj. Gen. B. F. Butler, President; Maj. Gen. J. H. Martindale, First Vice President; Gov. Frederick Smythe, Second Vice-President; Hon. Lewis B. Gunckel, Secretary, Brig. Gen. John S. Cavender. Hon. Hugh L. Bond, Dr. Erastus B. Wolcott, Maj. Gen. Thomas O. Osborn, Maj. Gen. James S. Negley.

Since the above date a complete change has taken place in the Board of Managers, on account of the change in the political complexion of Congress, which controls the appointments. On the 20th of June, 1878, Col. Leonard A. Harris, of Ohio, Gen. Richard Coulter, of Pennsylvania, and Col. John A. Martin, of Kansas, were appointed Managers to fill vacancies occasioned by the expirations of the terms of office April 21, 1876, of Hon. Lewis B. Gunckel, Gen. James S. Negley and Gen. John S. Cavender. By an act approved June 16, 1880, six new members of the Board were appointed, viz.: John M. Palmer, of Illinois; William B. Franklin, of Connecticut; and Charles W. Roberts, of Maine, to fill vacancies which occurred April 21, 1878; and Martin T. McMahon, of New York: John Love, of Indiana; and David C. Fulton, of Wisconsin, to fill vacancies which occurred April 21, 1880. The six retiring members were: Benjamin F. Butler, J. H. Martindale, Frederick Smythe, Hugh L. Bond, Erastus B. Wolcott and James S. Negley. By the death of Gen. John Love, January 29, 1881, a vacancy occurred in the board, and Gen. George B. McClellan, of New Jersey. was appointed to fill said vacancy. The following are the gentlemen who now constitute the Board of Managers:

The President of the United States, exofficio; Chief Justice ex officio; the Secretary of War ex officio.- Gen. William B. Franklin, President; Col. Leonard A. Harris, First Vice President: Gen. Richard Coulter, Second Vice-President: Gen. Martin T. McMahon, Secretary; Col. John A. Martin, Maj. David C. Fulton, Gen George B. McClellan, Gen. John M. Palmer, Gen. Charles W. Roberts.

THE ATTRACTIONS OF THE HOME.

To attempt a minute description of this institution, with its intricate interior workings, is foreign to this article, and the reader will bear in mind that much might be written which would be unimportant from a historical standpoint. and therefore outside the scope of this work. The Home has two, railroads running into its grounds. viz.: The Home Avenue, and the T. D. and B. Railroad, the former coming in on the east side, and the latter entering from the north, and being but recently constructed. Both roads afford ample facilities for reaching the Home, and are well patronized, paying institutions;. but the Home Avenue Road, being the older one, we will start from its depot in our description of this beautiful tribute to the Nation's defenders. On

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reaching the Home. the visitor alights at a handsome depot, constructed in the Gothic style of architecture, with balconies on each side, supplied with comfortable seats. The interior is fitted up with counter and refreshment tables, and attended by veterans of the Home. To the right is a commodious hotel, erected in 1878, and paid for by the institution itself; where visitors will find good, comfortable accommodations at reasonable prices. Passing through the rear entrance of the depot, we reach, by means of rough-hewn stone steps. a broad and sloping avenue, and proceeding farther on arrive at an open space, from where a magnificent picture presents itself to the view. At the right is a beautiful flagstaff, with the starry banner unfurled to the breezes of heaven. The siege guns and mortars, with pyramids of shot and shell (the gift of a loving Government), and a battery in position as in battle. fill the thoughtful beholder with thrilling memories.

Standing almost directly in front is the Headquarters Building, located on the main avenue an imposing brick structure 130x41 feet, three stories, the third being a mansard, surrounded by broad verandas that completely embrace the building, the first story of which is used for the offices of the Governor. Treasurer and Secretary of the Home. The second and third stories are used for a library and reading room is 104x41 feet, and nineteen feet From floor to ceiling lighted by ten windows each on the north and south side making it light. airy and cheerful. while at night a cone reflector sheds its brilliant rays over all. This room contains the noted Putnam Library," contributed by Mrs. Mary Lowell Putnam, of Boston, Mass., as a memorial of her son. William Lowell Putnam, who fell at the battle of Ball's Bluff. This library now contains 5,000 volumes of well selected and valuable books, At the opposite end of the room is the " Thomas Library." containing some 7,000 volumes, contributed by the old soldiers and admirers of the lamented Gen. George H. Thomas, and named in his honor. Besides the books; there are regularly received most of the leading magazines, reviews, etc., and some 300 daily ;and weekly newspapers. he formal opening of this library took place in April, 1871. The room is large and beautiful, the ceiling handsomely frescoed, the walls hung with several hundred pictures. while .strewn around the walls on tables and in cases are: exhibited many interesting relics of the great battles of the war.

Upon leaving the library and looking to the right, the beautiful " Memorial Hall " and Home Church is in full view: and beyond, on a knoll, shaded by forest trees, stands the Chaplain's residence, Still farther to the right the magnificent and commodious hospital charms the beholder; and a little farther on the neat cottage of the Resident Surgeon. surrounded by a lovely lawn, completes the picture in that direction. As we look to the northwest ward, we behold the Soldier's Monument, rising from a hill-top in the distance, which marks the place where the heroes sleep. Keeping,, the same position. we now tern to the left and observe a rustic arbor. the spring:, the flower garden, the fountain. the conservatory and the lakes, upon which are numerous swans and other water fowl: and still letting the eve sweep onward, we behold the rustic bridges, the beautiful groves of forest trees, the deer park, with more than fifty deer, elk. antelopes, buffaloes, etc.. the Veteran Spring, the Governor's residence, embowered in trees and flowers, the residences of the Treasurer, the Secretary and the Steward, all located on the borders of the grove, To the west is the long line of neat and comfortable bar. racks where 4,000 veterans rest from the fight; the large and comfortable dining hall. kitchen. bakery. laundry, workshops. the Home store building;, the Quartermaster and Commissary store-building, the tasteful band pagoda. surrounded by a charming lawn, while the whole grounds are interspersed with broad,

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well paved avenues and shaded paths, combining to make this splendid picture complete, Strolling beyond the woods and immediate confines of the institution. we come to the farmer's residence, the vegetable garden, the barn, the stable and the well-fed stock that. graze upon the broad acres of the Home farm. From the Headquarters Building, which we have already described, we will now go on to give a brief description of the principal buildings of the Home.

MEMORIAL HALL.

The first " Memorial Half" was built without cost to the Government, the money coming from the disabled veterans themselves, through what is called the " store and posthumous fund." It was a large, splendid brick building, 129x75 feet. and sixty-five feet high, designed for all classes of literary, dramatic and musical entertainments, military drills, etc. It was erected in 1878, and destroyed by fire in May, 1880. Congress soon afterward made an appropriation of $30,000 toward replacing it, and in October, 1881, the new hall was finished, and opened daring the winter of 1881 and 1882. It is a magnificent structure, with a seating capacity of 1,600 beautifully painted and frescoed, and possessing all the latest improvements in hall architecture, We doubt if there is a hall in the Union that surpasses it, in comfort, elegance, acoustic properties. beauty of design and finish. The stage is fitted up with beautiful scenery and all other appliances sufficient to produce any piece performed at first.-class places of amusement.

THE CHURCH.

This is a fine Gothic structure, built of stone, eighty-nine feet long by fifty-four wide with beautiful windows of stained glass. In the tower is a large clock with tho dial visible from all parts of the Home: also a large clear-toned bell, cast from brass cannon. captured from the enemy during the war of the rebellion. The auditorium is handsomely frescoed and furnished, and will comfortably seat nearly 1,000 persons. The national colors are draped across the ceiling. while back of the pulpit near the ceiling is the seal of the institution wrought in stained glass. with the inscription "The Nation to her Defenders." While the Rev. William Earnshaw. who is chaplain, holds services every Sunday, attendance is entirely voluntary, and the church is equally open and free to all denominations. The basement of the church. now fitted up for a Catholic chapel, was formerly used each evening by one of the associations of the Home, among which are the " Grand Army of the Republic." " Good Templars," " Hibernian Society." " German Veteran Society," etc. The view of this church, as we saw it one beautiful summer evening with the creeping ivy covering its walls, will not soon be forgotten, as it was one of the most charming sights it has ever been our good fortune to behold.

THE HOSPITAL.

This is the largest single building of the Home, is built of brick, three stories high, with basement and rear building for kitchen, dining-room, etc. The main structure is 293 feet long, composed of a center or administration building 41x131, and two wings for wards for the sick, each of the six wards being 101x28, with two rooms in the tower, twelve feet square, attached to each ward and fitted up for bath-room, water-closets, etc. The wards are perfectly ventilated and heated, and are beautifully furnished with everything which could possibly add to the comfort of the patients. The building stands immediately north of the church on an open ground a little declining from the latter. The position, though somewhat lower, is conspicuous and convenient. and Mr. Gunckel did not fall into the error of hiding the

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hospital in some obscure place. Approaching from the main entrance to the grounds, it stands the first important edifice of the Home. It is the prominent object. The building cost over $200,000, accommodates 300 patients, and is believed to be one of the bast-constructed, best-furnished and best-kept hospitals in the country.

CEMETERY AND MONUMENT.

More than 2,100 of the disabled veterans who were residents of the Central Home since its establishment, have died and been buried with military honors in the beautiful grove, west of the Hospital, which has been tastefully laid out for a cemetery. Their comrades desiring to manifest their respect and love for these fallen heroes, have erected to their memory a beautiful monument of pure white marble, fifty feet high, and surmounted with a splendid figure of a private soldier. It was unveiled on the 12th day of September. 1877, by the President of the United States, with grand ceremonies and in the presence of 25,000 people. On the pedestal are the words, "To our fallen Comrades," and "These were honorable men in their generation." On the base are four figures, representing the four arms of the service. viz.. Artillery. Infantry. Cavalry and Navy. These figures were carved in Italy, at, great expense.. The base is surrounded by tablets. on which are engraved the names of all the veterans who are buried in the cemetery. The entire cost of this beau tiful monument was $16,000. each veteran voluntarily paving : l toward its erection, which was in charge of the "Monumental and Historical Society " of the Home, Rev. William Earnshaw has been President of this society since its organization, and to his efforts much of the success attained is justly due. Several donations helped on the worthy object, but it will ever stand as the tribute of the living veterans to their deceased brothers.

DINING ROOM, KITCHEN AND OTHER BUILDINGS.

It is no small matter to bake the bread and cook and serve the food for 4,000 men, and no ordinary building will answer for all these purposes at the Central Home; but the great structure immediately west, of the frame barracks was specially designed to meet these requirements. All the baking. cooking and serving is done by the veterans. and although the food is all of the best quality, comprising anabundance of the best meats. vegetables. fruits, etc., the average daily ration of each man for 1880 was only 16 2/3 cents. This building,, is of brick. 97x131 feet, three stories high, and finished in first-class style, the top story being a mansard The Central Home buildings comprise 140 in number, and altogether make a pleasant looking city. The most of then) were designed for and are used as barracks. the older ones being of wood, largely constructed from lumber taken from "Camp Chase, " They are large, three storied structures. 30x100 feet, with mansard roofs, and are uniform in size and appearance, The new barracks are of brick. three stories high, 34x141 feet, and the interiors of all are nicely furnished and supplied with everything necessary for the health and comfort of their occupants. All these buildings have large windows on four sides, with no partitions. affording perfect ventilation and making them admirable for sitting and sleeping apartments. Between each row of barracks is a wide. well-paved avenue, or a space of from fifty to sixty feet, laid out and kept as lawns. Many other large and substantial buildings, some of fine and imposing appearance, and all tasteful and well adapted to the purposes for which they are used. are scattered over the grounds. South of the dining hall is a large brick building used exclusively for bathing. and the men are not only furnished with hot or cold baths without price, but every man in the institution is required to take one bath each week. Just west of the bath-house is another large brick building. devoted wholly to the

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steam laundry at which the washing of all the men is done. West of this are the carpenter and cabinet shops, and near by are the workshops for the shoemakers, tailors, tinners, saddlers, blacksmiths, broom-makers, cigar-makers, plumbers, stocking-knitters, wagon-makers, painters, etc. Then there is a large, three-storied brick building for amusements. Upon the first floor are bowling alleys; upon the second, billiard and bagatelle tables, and the third was used as the armory of the Brown Guard, a splendid volunteer military company, belonging to the Home, composed entirely of disabled veterans. We understand that this company has disbanded on account of the many restrictions thrown in its way by the present unpopular Governor of the Home, who, no doubt, disliked the honor paid to his predecessor, through this organization, after whom it was called. There are also half a dozen pretty cottages for officers' residences, and still other buildings for the school, restaurant, hotel, steam fire engine, for quartermaster and commissary stores, for post office, printing office, and for the manufacture of gas, with which all the buildings are lighted.

SCHOOLS AND LABOR.

Another excellent feature of the Institution is a school, where veterans are instructed in useful callings. Here men who lost their right arms are taught to write with the left hand, while instruction is given in book-keeping, wood-carving, telegraphy, as well as all the common school branches. Any sort of a trade may be thoroughly learned here, the object being for each veteran to acquire that calling best suited to his disability. Believing that men everywhere are more healthy, contented and happy when they have something to do, it has been the steady policy of the management to encourage labor by establishing workshops of every suitable kind, and by making the cultivation of flowers, fruits, etc., features of the institution. It is an imperative order of the Board of Managers that. all labor and service in and about the Home, shall, in so far as possible, be performed by the disabled soldiers themselves, for which they receive a reasonable compensation.

NUMBER OF VETERANS CARED FOR.

The Central Home cared for 616 disabled soldiers during the year 1867: 1,320 in 1868; 1,793 in 1869; 1,954 in 1870; 2,255 in 1871: 2,426 in 1872: 2,664 in 1873: 3,255 in 1874; 3,769 in 1875; 4,184 in 1876: 4,523 in 1877 5,098 in 1878: 4,596 in 1879: 5,304 in 1880; and 5,552 in 1881, showing a great increase yearly, thereby demonstrating that the " Nation's defenders" appreciate the Nation's efforts to provide with a worthy Home those gallant boys in blue who freely shed their blood that freedom and liberty might live.

COST OF RUNNING THE HOME, ETC.

We have heard it freely asserted that the Government could support the veterans of the National Homes in the first-class hotels of the country at less expense than the same cost at said Homes. This is a mistake as a glance at the expenses of the Central Home will prove. The total current or running expenses of this institution, including subsistence, clothing, fuel, lights, medicine, officers' salaries, employes' pay roll, transportation, and all other expenses, except only those for construction and repairs, during the year 1880, was $399,791.54. The average number of men present during the year was 3,399, making the average yearly cost of keeping each man $117.32, which is actually less than at any other of the public institutions of the United States, although, the veterans of the Central Home are better and more generously provided for than those of any other public institution.

Any soldier during the late war for the preservation of the Union, who

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was honorably discharged and disabled by wounds received or sickness contracted in the service, can gain free transportation and admission to the Home. By a recent act of Congress, soldiers of the war of 1812, and Mexican war, are also included. Thus does a thankful Government provide for those war-worn veterans. filling their last days with peace. contentment and happiness.

RECENT IMPROVEMENTS, FLOWERS, ETC.

Besides the new brick barracks, the monument, hotel and "Memorial Hall," many other improvements have recently been made, or are in process of construction. A new lake. covering ten acres, has been built, large ice houses erected, and an extensive water-works system is now being put in at an outlay of about $30,000. The Board of Managers have appropriated $3,000 for the purpose of constructing an avenue 100 feet wide, in conjunction with certain citizens of Dayton, beginning at the western terminus of Fifth street, and terminating at the new lake on the Home ground.

It would be utterly impossible to attempt in this brief article anything like a description of the magnificent beauty of the garden. conservatories and flower beds. Entering a lovely dell where the art of tho florist and botanist has been brought into requisition. a landscape garden, with nature's choicest flowers of beauty and fragrance delights the eve and charm the senses. the conservatory and greenhouse, with plants from the tropics. and trees bearing their delicious fruits. Creeping vines adorn the rock work, and rustic seats are conveniently placed for rest and pleasure. Three mineral springs are converted into drinking fountains; and it is not too much to say that nature and art combined have succeeded in creating a little paradise of beauty and grace. To Mr. Frank Mundt, the florist and gardner, to Mrs. Elizabeth Rohrer. of Germantown, and to Mr. Davis, the architect, assisted by the veterans of the Home, the whole under the personal supervision of Col. E. F. Brown. is due the honor of creating this garden of Eden. which to-day is the wonder and admiration of the 100,000 persons who annually come from all over the world to feast their eyes and record their tributes of praise.

OFFICERS AND EX-OFFICERS OF THE HOME

In closing this sketch the want of space will prevent us from recording more than the names of those who have held official positions in the Central Home, leaving to some future writer the duty of ;,riving to each a generous biography.

Governors. -Maj. E. E. Tracy was appointed Deputy Governor in March, 1867, and died in June, 1868. Gen. Timothy Ingrain was appointed Governor in December, 1867, and served until January l. 1869, on which date Col. E. F. Brown relieved him. The latter was commissioned Deputy Governor in November, 1868, confirmed in July. 1,869, and was appointed Governor September 6, 1873. On September 23. 1880. Col. Brown was appointed, by the Board of Managers. Inspector General of the National Homes, and Gon. M. R. Patrick appointed Governor of the Central Home, which offIce he now occupies.

Treasurer. . -Col. Jerome B. Thomas has served as Treasurer of the Con ral Home since its establishment, in 1867.

Secretaries.-In 1867, Capt. A. P. Woodruff was appointed Secretary, serving until September, 1870, when he was succeeded by Capt. William H. Lough, who served until September, 1873. Capt. E. E. Fleming then became Secretary, and occupied that position until May 14, 1880, when Maj. Lough again became Secretary, and now occupies that position.

Surgeons.-Dr. C. McDermont served as Surgeon of the Central Home from its organization until August, 1874. with the exception of fourteen months

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spent as the surgeon of the Southern Home. Dr. S. K. Towle was transferred from the Northwestern Home to the Central in April, 1872, and served until July, 1873, when he resigned. In November, I874, Dr. James M. Weaver became Surgeon, and was succeeded by Dr. A. H. Stephens October 1, 1880, who is the present Surgeon of the Home. The following physicians have served as Assistant Surgeons in the Central Home: Drs. J. W. Stewart. George G. Hopkins, T. F. Price, J. K. Evans and A. S. Dunlap.

Chaplain, - Rev. William Earnshaw, D. D., has occupied the position of Chaplain since the organization of the Central Home, and his labors have been invaluable to the institution. A brave soldier, an earnest student, and a kind hearted, Christian gentleman, his chaplaincy has been a constant blessing to the Home.

Stewards. -Capt. A. P. Woodruff served as Steward in connection with the Secretaryship. He occupied the latter position until September, 1870, and the Stewardship until December. 4, 1872, when he resigned and was succeeded by Capt. William Thompson. who served in that capacity for nearly ten years. Capt. Thompson then resigned. and on the 1 st of March, 1882, Maj. AL F. Watson began his duties as Steward of the Central Home.

Matron - Mrs. E. L. Miller has been Matron of the Home since its inception. and too much praise cannot he accorded her for the indefatigable energy she has always displayed in the performance of her arduous duties.