Annual Report

of

Thomas C. Graden

Vice-President and

Acting President of

The

Colorado Soldiers’ and Sailors’

Home

Monte Vista, Colorado

Fiscal Year EndingNovember 30, 1898

Officers of the Home

S. M. French, Commander

Samuel West, Adjutant and Accountant

H. W. Green, Quartermaster and Commissary

W. A. Packard, M.D., Home Physician
William Keiry, Chaplain

Mrs. Hattie French, Matron

Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home,

Monte Vista, Colorado, December 9, 1898

His Excellency,

HON. ALVA ADAMS,

Governor of Colorado:

Sir--I have the honor to submit herewith the annual report of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home for the fiscal year ending November 30, 1898.

The membership of the board of commissioners has been changed since last report, by the resignation of George H. Adams, president, and by the retiring of U. S. Hollister, ex officio member of the board; leaving the board at the present time, as follows:

T. C. Graden, vice president, Durango.

A. M. Sawyer, treasurer, Boulder.

J. D. Lewis, secretary, Monte Vista.

W. T. S. May, ex officio commissioner, Denver

It appears by the report of the Commander, that the average number present, during the past year, has not been materially changed, the figures being one hundred and twenty for 1897 and one hundred and twenty-one for 1898.

The anticipated shortage in our state appropriation which was predicted by our state auditor, in May last, is responsible for this small increase, and not the number of applicants, as the Commander was instructed to admit no new members and to reduce the membership of the Home as much as possible. It was ascertained, however, about October 1, that the appropriation would be paid in full and orders were given to admit the most needy applicants.

I wish to call your attention to the quartermaster’s report, which shows a great reduction in the cost of clothing, and as compared with reports from other Homes, is a very favorable showing.

No permanent improvements have been made during the year, and the figures given last year for the permanent improvements are repeated, viz.: $52,144.80.

A total of twenty thousand dollars insurance is carried on the buildings equally divided between the Royal, the German American and Hartford, which policies are on file with the secretary of state.

The necessities of the Home for the next two years depend in a great measure, upon the action of the incoming legislature; should the Home be removed to some other location, a much larger expenditure of money would evidently be necessary; but as this report is made under existing condition, my recommendations presume a continuance of these conditions. We should have an appropriation of not less than twenty-five thousand dollars for permanent improvements, to be expended in enlarging the hospital and putting in a heating and lighting plant. With such increased capacity in our hospital, we could increase our population, and would need at least fifty thousand dollars, for maintenance, from the state, which, with the amount received from the United States government, would provide for a total membership of two hundred men.

The removal of the Home is a question we do not wish to discuss, but we do insist that, for the good of the institution, this question should be finally settled this winter.

The demands for accommodations at the Home are steadily increasing; many who, though broken in health, have been able to care for themselves since the war closed, will soon have to surrender and will necessarily become a burden upon the counties in which they live, unless an increased capacity of the home is speedily provided. Whatever is don for these our unfortunate comrades, must be done quickly, ere the bugle sound of “Lights out” shall make it possible to say of him: “He was an old soldier but died in want.:

Very respectfully,

T. C. GRADEN,

Vice President

Report of the Board Secretary

For the Year ending November 30, 1898

Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home,

Monte Vista, Colorado, December 9, 1898

To the Board of Commissioners, Colorado Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home:

Gentlemen--I have the honor to submit herewith my report as secretary of the board, for the fiscal year ending November 30, 1898, and in doing so, will invite your attention to the reports of the officers of the Home, which show the condition of the Home so fully that anything I might say would be superfluous.

From my personal observation, being a resident of Monte Vista, and having visited the Home often, I find that the members generally are contented and appreciate the comforts they enjoy.

The board has held six meetings during the year, two at the Home and four in Denver. There seems to be no reasons for holding meetings any oftener thant his, and saving in commissioners’ expenses thus, has been in line with the policy of economy which was adopted by the board two years ago.

Very respectfully yours,

J. D. LEWIS,

Secretary of the Board.

Treasure’s Report

For the Fiscal Year ending November 30, 1898

1897

November 30, Balances on hand

Pension fund $2,135.50

Contingent fund 206.95

Donation fund 83.79

$2,426.24

Receipts

Dec. 30 Contingent 182.10

March 17, Pension fund, S. M. French 300.00

Disbursements.

Dec. 8 S. M. French, pension fund $300.00

Oct. 3 S. M, French, pension fund $300.00

Nov. 30 Balances on hand

Pension fund $1,835.50

Contingent fund 389.05

Donation fund 83.79

$2,308.34

Total $2,908.34 $2,908.34

Respectfully,

A.M. SAWYER,

Treasurer.

Commander’s Report

For the Fiscal Year ending November 30, 1898

HON. T. C. GRADEN,

Vice President Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home Commission,

Durango, Colorado

Dear Sir--I have the honor to submit herewith my fourth annual report as Commander of the Home, together with the reports of the adjutant and quartermaster. The reports of these officers are so full in detail, that very little is left for me to say, and I call your attention to them, believing the information therein contained sufficient to show the condition of the Home. I shall therefore confine my report to what I consider its immediate necessities. And first of all, is an increased capacity of the hospital. The very cases which are the most pressing on account of the physical condition of the applicant, are the very ones we are least prepared to take care of. We are receiving applications every day from old soldiers, or their friends, who, if admitted, would become hospital patients, and with every bed in the hospital occupied, what is to become of members of the Home who at present are able to be around, should they be taken suddenly ill? Or what a serious condition would exist if we should be afflicted with an epidemic. Some steps should be taken at once to increase our hospital capacity, without waiting for the action of the legislature on the removal question.

The discipline of the Home has been much better for the past year than for the years preceding, and there have been very few cases of infraction of rules. I cannot refrain from commending the faithful and efficient work of the adjutant, Captain Samuel West, and of the quartermaster, Lieutenant H. W. Green, who have labored faithfully for the good name and continued success of the Home. To Dr. Packard is due the thanks of all who are interested in the physical condition of the members of the Home, as he has sought diligently to secure the best results, in every case which has been submitted to his care. Were I to mention in this report all who are deserving of thanks, it would include the entire membership of the Home, together with a host of loyal men and women all over the state, therefore I will only say that their efforts, one and all, to make the Home a “home” indeed, have been appreciated. Hoping that the pleasant relations which have existed between your board and myself may continue, I am,

Very respectfully yours,

S. M. FRENCH,
Commander.

Adjutant’s and Accountant’s Report

For the Fiscal Year ending November 30, 1898

Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home,

Monte Vista, Colorado, December 9, 1898.

Colonel S. M. FRENCH,

Commander Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home:

Dear Sir--I have the honor to submit herewith, my annual report for the fiscal year ending November 30, 1898, relating to the membership of the Home and its finances; consisting of a full roster of all who have been members of the Home during the year; a statement of the social condition, employment and movement of the population of the Home; a report of donations of literature and miscellaneous articles; including a list of magazines and newspapers regularly received; an abstract of all vouchers issued for expenditures during the year, with a summary of the same and a statement of their distribution to their respective accounts; and a statement of appropriations and balances. All of which are appended hereto.

Respectfully,

SAMUEL WEST,

Adjutant and Accountant

Social Conditions

Married (wives now living) ............................ 32

Married (widowers)........................................ 37

Single............................................................. 83

Total number of members now on rolls 152

Employment

Officers

Commander.............................Yearly Salary..........................$ 900.00

Adjutant...................................Yearly Salary........................... 900.00

Surgeon...................................Yearly Salary........................... 1,140.00

Matron.....................................No Salary................................ ----------------

Chaplain..................................No Salary................................ ---------------

25 members employed............Aggregate monthly wages....... 268.00

2 civilians employed.................Aggregate monthly wages....... 55.00

Population

Members present for duty................................................... 115

Members sick in hospital.................................................... 26

Total number of members present............................ 136

Members absent on furlough............................................... 16

Total present & absent, Nov. 30, 1898...................... 152

Total present & absent, Nov. 30, 1897................................. 135

New members admitted during the year.............................. 56

Former members readmitted during the year....................... 22

213

Honorably discharged during the year............................38

Summarily discharged during the year........................... 7

Dropped from rolls during the year................................. 7

Died during the year....................................................... 9

61

Total present and absent, November 30, 1898............152

Average present during the year ..............................121

Average present and absent during the year.............140

Highest number present during the year...................142

Lowest number present during the year....................101

Number of deaths during the year............................. 9

Number of deaths since Home has opened.............. 63

Donations

to

Colorado Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home

at

Monte Vista

During the Fiscal Year Ending November 30, 1898

December 20, 1897--From Logan circle, Pueblo county, one case of books, containing nineteen volumes and five magazines.

December 8, 1897--By Mrs. L. S. Carpenter, New Castle, Colorado, from the children of her Sunday school, one volume Science and Health, with Key to the Scriptures.

December 16, 1897--From Nathaniel Lyon Woman’s Relief Corps No. 27 by its secretary, Mrs. Ira D. Arnett, $5.00, sent to Mrs. Clara Rapp for literature, for the Soldiers’ and Sailors Home.

December 25, 1897--From Mrs. E. Cole and Mrs. Mollie Ryan, Aspen, a collection of framed pictures.

December 23, 1897--From Denver Circle No. 1, by Mrs. Clarisa M. Baker, for the committee, one barrel of apples, eight packages of books and pictures.

January 6, 1898--From Pfeiffer Woman’s Relief Corps, Alamosa, one year’s subscription to the Strand Magazine.

January 1, 1898--From Mr. George S. Hill, one mirror.

January 3, 1898--From scholars of Christian Science Sunday school, Creede, one volume Christian Science and Key to Scriptures.

January 3, 1898--From Silver Circle No. 3, by Ruth E. Foot, Aspen, one box of apples.

January 6, 1898--From Mr. John G. Fleming, Denver, twenty-three magazines, nine volumes of Dickens’ works, paper covers.

January 6, 1898--From W. T. Sherman Woman’s Relief Corps No. 24, Evans, one year’s subscription to the Christian Herald.

January 15, 1898--From Colorado Springs Woman’s Relief Corps, one year subscription to each of the following magazines, viz.: the Cosmopolitan, Munsey’s and McClure’s.

February 7, 1898--Through the good offices of Mrs. Fannie D. Hardin, The Rocky Mountain News.

February 10, 1898--From Jim Bowie Woman’s Relief Corps, Amethyst, by Francis M. Boucher, one year’s subscription to Scribner’s Magazine.

April 11, 1898--From Mrs. Major Mann, Denver, “Soldiers in the Civil War”, two volumes.

April 11, 1898--From the Woman’s Relief Corps of Denver, through Mrs. Clara Rapp, department treasurer, one year’s subscription, from April 1, 1898, for the following magazines, viz.: Self-Culture, Harper’s Weekly, Leslie’s Weekly, Leslie’s Monthly, Judge, and a German newspaper; also forty-four volumes new and well-bound books, being well selected novels mostly recent publications.

June 4, 1898--From Grant Circle No. 10 of Cripple Creek, one coy of “Washington and the Generals of the American Revolution”, ten novels of recent date and five magazines.

June 9, 1898--From Mr. H. A. Jones of Cripple Creek, one invalid wheel-chair, costing $32.00.

July 22, 1898--From the Denver City Library, by Charles R. Dudley, librarian, one hundred and forty-seven volumes of novels, somewhat damaged by use, but still serviceable.

September 15, 1898--From the Woman’s Relief Corps, Joe Hook Post No. 16, of Monte Vista, one framed steel engraving, “The Soldiers Return”, one framed chromo, “A Snow Scene”.

October 13, 1898--From Mrs. Shields, of the Victor Hotel, Alamosa, eighty-five magazines, Century, Munsey’s, McClure’s, Recreation, and others.

November 21, 1898--From Cameron Woman’s Relief Corps No. 18, Fort Morgan, two bed-comforts.

November 22, 1898--From Leadville Circle No. 2, Ladies of G. A. R., one dozen chair cushions, one barrel of apples, one lot of books and magazines.

November 23, 1898--From Golden Circle No. 8, Victor, one barrel of apples.

List of Newspapers and Periodicals

Donated to the Home.

Monte Vista Journal

Del Norte Inquirer

Rocky Mountain Herald

Aspen Daily Times

Colorado Springs Gazette

Pueblo Chieftain

Denver Times

Denver News

Alamosa Independent

Christian Science Journal

Grand Army Sentinel

Christian Herald

Mosca Herald

National Standard

Sign of the Times

Frank Leslie’s Weekly

Judge

Munsey’s Magazine

Self-Culture

W. C. T. U. Messenger

San Louis Graphic

Colorado Journal

Durango Semi-Weekly Herald

Boulder Herald

Saguache Crescent

Denver Republican

Denver Post

Colorado Journal

Newcastle Nonpareil

New York Clipper

Illinois Staats Zeitung

Golden Trasncript

Reform Press

San Louis Prospector

Cincinnati Enquirer

Harper’s Weekly

Cosmopolitan

McClure’s Magazine

Frank Leslie’s Monthly

Scribner’s Magazine

Report of the Quartermaster and

Commissary

For the Year Ending November 30, 1898

96 Coats...................................................................$ 446.30

120 Vests.................................................................. 168.00

151 Trousers............................................................. 385.05

310 Shirts................................................................. 310.00

210 Undershirts........................................................ 110.25

268 Drawers............................................................. 140.70

550 Pairs socks........................................................ 90.75

91 Pairs shoes.......................................................... 182.00

126 Hats................................................................... 110.00

59 Pairs slippers....................................................... 48.75

91 Pairs suspenders.................................................. 40.47

147 Handerkerchiefs................................................. 8.82

91 Neckties............................................................... 19.11

12 Jumpers............................................................... 7.80

25 Pairs overalls........................................................ 12.25

Special clothing for hospital inmates......................... 97.35

Repairs to clothing..................................................... 51.25

Buttons, shoe strings, etc.......................................... 11.20

Total...............................................................$ 2,219.97

Average on roll........................................139

Average per capita.................................$15.93

Report of the Home Physician

For the Year Ending November 30, 1898

Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home,

Monte Vista, Colorado, November 30, 1898

HON. T. C. GRADEN,

Vice President Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home Commission:

Sir--I take pleasure in presenting you with my seventh annual report of the medical department of the Home, for the fiscal year ending November 30, 1898, which is as follows:

Number treated in the hospital during the year, counting one man but once: 75

Number treated at sick call, counting one man but once:146

Total: 221

Number of deaths during the year: 9

Average age at death: 61.66

Total number cared for in the Home during the year: 206

Average of membership: 60.97

Ratio of deaths per 1,000, for whole numbers treated in hospital and at sick call: 40.72

Total attendance at sick call: 546

Number of prescriptions compounded at sick call and in the hospital: 2,649

Number of totally insane and sent to State Insane Asylum: 2

Number impaired by cerebration(not classed as insane): 14

Number totally blind: 2

Number totally deaf: 1

The following is the death record for the year:

Henry Stewart, admitted November 22, 1897, suffering from a compound comminuted fracture of the right leg below the knee. On November 25, I called in Dr. J. A. Gale, of Alamosa, and after a careful examination, amputation was decided upon as being the only means of saving his life, because of the extensive sloughing which had already begun. Amputation was performed that day, and on December 6, tetanus began to develop, from which he died December 9, 1897, aged 52 years.

Adelbert Aldrich, admitted February 27, 1897; died May 20, 1898; cause of death, consumption; age 70 years.

William Marlott, admitted April 21, 1898; died May 2, 1898; cause of death, dropsy, due to disease of the heart; age 62 years.

Henry A. Coleman, admitted November 24, 1897; died May 20, 1898; cause of death, dropsy; age, 66 years.

Benjamin Jones, admitted May 30, 1896; died June 9, 1898; cause of death, cerebral softening; age, 68 years.

John Coughlin, admitted August 24, 1897; died August 25, 1898; cause of death, carcinoma of bowels; age, 65 years.

Austin M. Atherton, admitted to Home and taken into the hospital for treatment, August 22, 1894; died September 28, 1898; cause of death, cerebral softening; age, 61 years.

George W. Sheirbon, admitted November 3, 1898, and taken into the hospital for treatment. He was totally blind and completely paralyzed. Died November 22, 1898; cause of death, cerebral softening; age, 61 years.

Charles M. Mauck, admitted October 16, 1898; died November 27, 1898; cause of death, general paresis; age, 50 years.

Considering their age, their general disabilities and infirmities of the membership of the home, I a gratified in calling your attention to the small percentage of deaths. I can account for it by saying the hygienic surroundings of the home are as nearly perfect as can be. While touching on the hygiene of the Home, I wish to call your attention to the fact that since this institution has been opened there has not been a single case of typhoid fever; and while there have been epidemics of the so-called la grippe, or influenza, at various times throughout the state, we have in a large measure escaped it. We have had a few cases, but not a sufficient number at any one time to call it an epidemic. The above statement is, or ought to be, good proof of the healthfulness of the present location.

During the past year the work in the hospital, with the exception of the cook for a short time, has been performed by members of the Home. I am proud to report that the hospital steward, Mr. Rufus Putnam, and his assistant, Mr. Peter Budrow, are doing excellent work; everything moving like clockwork, from morning until night, every day the same. Am also proud to say that the discipline of the Home is so much better than formerly, and that it is a pleasure to visit and prescribe for the sick, whereas in the past it was not. This is due to your upholding Colonel French in enforcing the rules of the institution. I do sincerely hope that at convening of the legislature, that the location of the Home will be settled forever. We do need, and need it badly, more hospital room. It is certainly an injustice to the old veterans who need the proper care and attention during their few remaining days, to be overcrowded, as we are, in the present building.

Should the Home remain here, with but little expense the present hospital building could be duplicated and accommodate all who would need admission for some time. True, it is only a question of a few years when it will be one general hospital.

Through you, thanking the members of the board for the many kind courtesies shown me during the past year, I remain,

Yours respectfully,

DR. W. A. PACKARD,

Home Physician