ANNUAL REPORT
OF
THOMAS
C. GRADEN, PRESIDENT
THE COLORADO SOLDIERS’ AND SAILORS HOME AT MONTE VISTA
For
the Fiscal Year Ending November 30, 1900
Of
the
COLORADO
SOLDIERS’ AND SAILORS’ HOME 1900
Colorado Soldiers and Sailors Home,
Monte Vista, Colo., December 15, 1900
HIS EXCELLENCY, CHARLES S. THOMAS
Governor
of Colorado, Denver, Colo.:
Dear Sir—I have the honor to submit the annual
report of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home for the fiscal year ending November
30, 1900, as required by statutes.
The only change in the membership commission since my last report, dated November 30, 1899, is in the retirement of Andrew Royal, late department commander, G. A. R., and the introduction to the board of his successor, the new department commander, Harper M. Orahood.
At a
meeting of the board, held at the home, May 31, 1899, the commission organized
as follows:
T. C.
Graden, of Durango, President
H. M. Orawood, of
Denver, Vice President.
H. V. Smith, of Monte
Vista, Secretary and Treasurer.
By resolution, the
election of officers of the home was deferred to a later and up to this date
the former officers are retained, to wit:
John H. Shaw, commander; Samuel West, adjutant and bookkeeper; H. W.
Green, quartermaster and commissary, and W. M. Parrish, M.D., surgeon.
In my last annual report I referred with gratitude to your
excellency’s executive order, of October 6, 1899, authorizing an emergency
indebtedness of $20,000.00 by this institution, for the fiscal year of 1900,
and also to your personal efforts in securing the funds to that amount for us.
The vouchers for October 1899, were drawn against this fund
and we entered this fiscal year with a credit balance of $17,049.01 in said
fund and $201.19 in our United States cash fund. During the year this institution has received aid from the
general government in the amount of $14,066.78, and from counties interested
$105.57; making a total of cash assets of $31,422.55. The expenditures for the year amount to $31,415.35, leaving an
unexpended balance of $7.19
We are stocked with supplies and clothing, provisions, coal,
etc., sufficient to last us for two months.
I greatly desire to call your attention to the need of an
appropriation of a least $5,000.00 for the enlargement and improvement of the
hospital facilities. The increasing age
and infirmities of the members, will, ere long, result in the need of hospital
care for all.
The only permanent improvements undertaken during the year
have been the completion of a dike ditch to carry water to a higher level, and
the construction of a root cellar, the work on which has been done almost
entirely by the members of the home.
The reports of the commander and of other officers are
appended hereto and set forth the conditions of the home, its affairs and
finances, in detail.
The population is steadily increasing from year to year and
our roll shows a gain over last year of nearly six percent.
I have the honor to be,
Your most
obedient servant,
T.C. Graden
President.
Soldiers’ and Sailors’
Home,
Monte Vista, Colo.,
December 12, 1900
HON. T. C. GRADEN,
President Board of Commissioners.
Dear Sir—I beg leave to
submit the following report, including a partial summary of the wok and improvements
carried into effect during my administration of the affairs of the Home.
During the first six months of my command the work was not
satisfactory to myself and probably less so to the board.
This institution is a peculiar one to manage, and which, to
manage successfully, one must not only become acquainted with the details of
the work, but with the different dispositions and temperaments of those with
whom he has to deal, as well.
The action of the board in relieving the adjutant of the
detail work has operated successfully, as it not only places the responsibility
where it belongs, but also relieves of the busiest officers of the Home of much
labor and worry.
I am pleased to be able to report that for the last six
months the behavior has been almost universally good; no carousing, boisterous
drunkenness for the last three pension days, while a very good feeling seems to
prevail in the camp. I attribute this
to the very zealous co-operation of all the subordinate officers.
The adjutant is painstaking and pleasant with the men and
efficient in his office work. The
quartermaster is obligating, systematic and economical in the administration of
the affairs of his department. I
reappointed the old steward, Putnam, increasing his wages to $30.00 and his
work has been exceedingly satisfactory; I would recommend the increase to be
made permanent. This orderly sergeant
is active and prompt in the discharge of his duties. His wages should be raised to $15.00 per month, which he richly
earns. I could not recommend any change
in these officers that I think would be beneficial to the Home.
Where possible, expenses have been cut down, but in the
hospital they have been increased necessarily, because of the increase of the
helpless among our invalids.
The new physician has not been long enough installed for me
to make an intelligent report of his work or efficiency.
Outside of the ordinary expenses of the home, we have, within
the last year, paid bills as follows:
For insurance - $693.75
For land - $175.00
For material for extra work (estimated) $200.00
For incubator and brooder - $35.00
For new machinery, yet on hand - $117.00
Total - $1,220.75
All supplies have advanced materially, yet, as will be seen by our quartermaster’s report, our expense per capita has been reduced.
Outside ordinary free work of the Home, the following voluntary work has been done by the inmates:
Building dike, ditch and flume - $250.00
Setting and tending 3,000 willows, 1,000 small fruit – $40.00
Building hitching posts and railing - $5.00
Sixty-five-foot flagstaff, above ground, brought from the mountains, planed, painted and raised - $40.00
Cross ditches, culverts and headgate - $25.00
Building root cellar, 18x24, hauling materials from mountains - $100.00
Hauling 375 loads of manure from town - $187.50
Cutting and stacking sixty tons of hay - $60.00
Building coal houses and platforms - $35.00
Flume over Lariat canal - $15.00
Bridge over Lariat canal - $12.00
Syphon and grading main road - $20.00
Irrigating farm and campus - $60.00
Building on-half mile new fence and rebuilding 150 rods old fence $30.00
Painting water closets, dead-house and coal sheds - $20.00
Total - $918.50
Quartermaster’s report of farm credits - $1,137.35
To this should be added the following:
Six hundred cabbages, buried - $42
Two thousand pounds parsnips, in the ground $25
Two hundred bunches celery - $17.50
Twenty-three hogs and shoats - $125.00
Chickens and turkeys - $50.00
Difference between market price and credit on garden products - $125.00
Total - $1,521.85
Former yearly credits to the farm have averaged about - $400.00
Showing a credit balance over former years of - $1,121.85
The inmates of the home are entitled, in addition to the above, for volunteer work - $918.50
Total - $2,040.35
Estimate for maintenance for 1901 - $20,000.00
Estimate for maintenance for 1902 - $25,000.00
For essentially necessary improvements –
Five brick four-room cottages, 24x32 - $6,000.00
Additional hospital dining room facilities - $5,000.00
Moving present encumbrances across road and building barn - $2,500.00
Painting, calcimining and repairing present buildings - $1,200.00
Improving grounds and repairing sewers - $1,000.00
Plumbing and new hot-water heaters - $500.00
Fencing campus, $450.00
Fencing alfalfa hog pasture, and artesian well - $750.00
Pipe line from river to lake, and repairing levee $4,000.00
Fencing and beautifying cemetery - $350.00
Evergreens, shrubbery and fruit $300.00
Building chapel and concert room - $1,800.00
Total - $23,850.00
SUMMARY
We have paid bills outside of ordinary expenses - $1,220.75
Have performed free labor outside of ordinary free labor $918.50
Have raised the average product of the farm - $1,121.85
Total - $3,261.10
All of which is respectfully submitted.
JOHN H. SHAW
Commander
REPORT
OF THE QUARTERMASTER AND COMMISSARY
Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home,
Monte Vista, Colo., December 12, 1900
COMMANDER JOHN H. SHAW,
Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home
Dear Sir—I have the honor to submit my annual report, for the fiscal year, ending November 30, 1900, as follows:
Clothing and subsistence issued during the fiscal year ending November 30, 1900:
50 pairs overalls @.50 - $25.00
79 coats @6.75 - $533.25
38 jumpers @ .50 - $19.00
90 vests @2.00 - $180.00
148 pairs pants @4.25 - $629.00
336 shirts @1.00 - $336.00
306 pairs drawers @.50 - $153.00
570 pairs socks @16 ˝ - $94.05
89 pairs shoes @2.00 - $178.00
70 hats @1.00 - $70.00
119 suspenders @22 ˝ - $26.77
204 handerkerchiefs @.05 - $10.20
94 neckties @ 22 ˝ $21.15
83 pairs slippers @82 ˝ - $68.47
240 undershirts @.50 - $120.00
Cost of repairs - $255.00
Total - $2,718.89
Total number of men supplies with clothing - $189
Average cost of clothing per man per annum - $14.38
SUBSISTENCE
Total cost of subsistence issued - $11,558.79
Wages of cooks and waiters - $1,260.00
Total - $12,818.79
Daily average of persons supplied – 145
Average cost per man per month - $7.36
Average cost per capita per day - $.24
PRODUCTS OF HOME FARM
Vegetables - $431.95
Eggs and poultry - $35.90
Hogs - $149.59
Hay and grain - $520.00
Total - $1,137.35
Respectfully submitted as correct.
HARVEY W. GREEN
Quartermaster and Commissary
REPORT
OF THE ADJUTANT AND BOOKKEEPER
Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home,
Monte Vista, Colo., December 12, 1900
COMMANDER JOHN H. SHAE,
Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home.
Dear Sir—I have the honor to submit, herewith, my annual report for the fiscal year, ending November 30, 1900, consisting of a statement of cash assets and expenditures, a list of counties contributing to maintenance, a list of all donations received, a summary of population, a muster roll of the present membership of the Home, a descriptive list of members admitted, discharged and deceased during the year.
Very respectfully,
SAMUEL WEST
Adjutant and Bookkeeper
LIST OF DONATIONS DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING NOVEMBER 30,1900
December 22, 1899—From Circle No. 10, L. of G. A. R., Victor, one case of delicacies for the hospital, also twenty popular magazines
December 25, 1899—From Circle No. 14, Monte Vista, L. of G. A. R., by their president, Mrs. Anson, two chair cushions
December 30, 1899—From U. S. Grant Circle No. 10, by its president, Mrs. M. Gladden, one case of delicacies and fruit for the hospital.
January 8, 1900—From Peiffer Corps No. 2, W. R. C., Alamosa, one case of delicacies for use n hospital
January 9, 1900—Unknown donor, thirty second-hand magazines, one pair woolen socks, two chair cushions
January 9, 1900—Unknown donor, fifty second-hand magazines, and fort second-hand miscellaneous books
January 10, 1900—From Clara Rapp, department treasurer W. R. C., for the Woman’s Relief Corps enumerated below and subscribing as follows: J. W. Anderson Corps No. 23, $5.0; Peiffer Corps No. 25, $26.25, G. H. Thomas Corps No. 26, $2.50, Jim Bowie Corps No. 30, $2.70; Geo G. Meade Corps No. 6, $2.00; Grand Junction Corps No. 17, $2.00; North Fork Corps No. 11, $10.00; Reno Corps No. 21, $3.00; G. Washington Corps No. 42, $3.00; Sedgwick Corps No. 3, $1.50; G. H. Thomas Corps no. 26, $8.33; J. W. Anderson Corps No. 23, $4.00; W. T. Sherman Corps No. 24, $2.00; Upton Corps No. 2, $3.00; J. A. Garfield Corps No. 8, $5.00; Gunnison Corps No. 12, $2.00; M. M. Crocker Corps No. 40, $4.00; one game (Archarena star); sixteen new, handsomely bound and well selected books; one year’s subscription to each of the following magazines: Cosmopolitan, Munsey’s, Strand, Lippincott’s, Ainslie’s, Review of Reviews, Saturday Evening Post, Christian Herald, Harper’s Monthly, Leslie’s Monthly, The Humorist, Chicago Inter-Ocean, McClure’s Century, Scribner, Atlantic Monthly, Pearson’s, Success, Self Culture, Harper’s Weekly, Leslie’s Weekly, The Black Cat, Judge’s Library of Fun; one nine-foot bunting Red Cross flag; one adjustable hospital bed-table; two hospital reclining chairs.
May 16, 1900—From same parties, one United States sixteen-foot bunting flag; two sets of covers for hospital chairs; one handsome bed quilt (from M. M. Crocker Corps No. 40); one set of chess-men; two engraved silver plates for hospital chairs, from Comrade Kauffman, of Washington Post, Denver; eleven new handsomely bound, well selected books.
By hands of Miss Grace Newton, from friends, a lot of second-hand periodicals.
From Major Anderson Corps No. 25, Harris, by Mrs. Della Johnson, $2.00, to be expended for the benefit of the members of the Home.
November 1—From Kit Carson Circle No. 9, L. of G. A. R., Colorado Springs, two bed quilts.
November 30, 1900—From Circle No. 2, L. of G. A. R. Leadville, two boxes of apples, one year’s subscription to each McClure’s and Munsey’s magazines.
LIST OF NEWSPAPERS AND PERIODICALS DONATED BY THEIR PUBLISHER.
Rocky Mountain News, daily
Denver Times, daily
Denver Republican, daily
Denver Evening Post, daily
Durango Democrat, daily
Aspen Times, daily
Colorado Springs Gazette, daily
Pueblo Chieftain, daily
Citizen’s Times, Cripple Creek, daily
Durango Herald, semi-weekly
Army and Navy Journal, weekly
New York Clipper, weekly
Alamosa Journal, weekly
Monte Vista Journal, weekly
Sentinel of Liberty, weekly
Colorado Transcript, weekly
Saguache Crescent, weekly
Hooper Press, weekly
Mosca Herald, weekly
SUMMARY OF POPULATION
DURING
THE FISCHAL YEAR ENDING NOVEMBER 30, 1900
Present, non-commissioned officers Nov. 30, 1899 – 4; Nov. 30, 1900 – 4
Present, members on extra duty with pay Nov. 30, 1899 – 27; Nov. 30, 1900 – 31
Present, members sick in hospital Nov. 30, 1899 – 30; Nov. 30, 1900 – 19
Present, members for duty Nov. 30, 1899 – 76; Nov. 30, 1900 – 87
Total Present Nov. 30, 1899 – 164; Nov. 30, 1900 – 141
Members absent with leave – Nov. 30, 1899 – 27; Nov. 30, 1900 – 32
Total Present and absent Nov. 30, 1899 – 164; Nov. 30, 1900 – 173
Daily average of members present during the year – 135
Daily average of members absent during the year – 32
Daily average of members present and absent during the year – 167
Average number of members cared for each month – 161
Members admitted or readmitted during the year – 52
Members discharged during the year – 30
Number of deaths during the year – 13
Total 43
Net gain during the year – 9