OF THE
1899
Colorado Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home,
Monte Vista, December 15, 1899.
HIS EXCELLENCY,
CHARLES
S. THOMAS,
Governor
of the State of Colorado, Denver, Colorado
Dear Sir—I have the
honor to submit the annual report of the Colorado Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home
for the fiscal year ending November 30, 1899, as required by the statute.
The
membership of the commission has changed since my last report through the
expiration of the terms of service of J. D. Lewis and A. M. Sawyer, and by the
retirement of W. T. S. May, ex-officio commissioner, and by the appointment by
your Excellency of M. J. Hogarty and H. V. Smith as commissioners; Andrew
Royal, being elected department commander, G. A. R., received his commission as
ex-officio commissioner.
At
the meeting of the commission, May 17, 1899, it was organized as follows:
T. C.
Graden, president, Durango.
Andrew
Royal, vice-president, Pueblo.
H. V.
Smith, secretary, Monte Vista.
M. J.
Hogarty, treasurer, Greeley.
At
the same meeting the officers of the home were elected as follows:
John
H. Shaw, commander.
Samuel
West, adjutant and bookkeeper.
G. S.
Hazen, quartermaster
Dr.
W. M. Parrish, surgeon
Owing
to the deficiency of the state revenues, this has been a year of great anxiety
in regard to the finances of the institution in our care. For a time it seemed as though nothing could
prevent the necessity of closing the home for lack of funds to sustain it.
To
avoid such a calamity the commission memorialized the boards of commissioners
of the counties from which members were admitted to the home, asking them to
aid us to the extent of $8.33 per month per man. This action was taken in June last. Thirty-nine counties were appealed to; thirty of them responded
heartily to our call for aid. They are
enumerated in our report of the receipts for the year, appended hereto. There has been received from that source
$3,524.52, and there is still due under their pledges $205.32. Four counties formally refused to assist us,
to-wit: Huerfano, Logan, San Juan and
Prowers. Five counties failed to reply
to our requests in any manner, to-wit:
Gilpin, Las Animas, Kiowa, Pitkin and Rio Blanco. The total amount lost to us by the counties
refusing for failing to give aid has been $435.06.
The
amount received, as set forth, with the usual aid from the general government
of $25.00 per quarter per man, tided us over the months of June, July, August,
September and October.
We
received, early in October, your Excellency’s executive order, authorizing us
to incur, if necessary, an emergency indebtedness of $20,000 for the period
ending with the fiscal year of 1900, accompanied by a letter that funds to that
amount had secured for our use to draw upon; and the said fund has been drawn
upon for payment of the indebtedness incurred in November.
I
take pleasure, in this connection, in presenting to your notice a resolution
passed at the last session of the commission, held in Denver, November 11,
1899, expressive of our appreciation of your hearty interest and earnest
efforts in behalf of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home. It is as follows:
“Whereas,
His Excellency, Charles S. Thomas, has issued an executive order, as Governor
of the State of Colorado, authorizing the contraction of an indebtedness for
the period ending with the fiscal year of 1900, not to exceed the sum of
$20,000, for the maintenance and support of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home,
and has assured the management of said home that he has secured the amount of
funds for said purpose; therefore be it
“Resolved,
by the Board of Commissioners of said Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home, at a regular
meeting held in the Capitol Building, Denver, on the 10th day of
November, 1899, that on behalf of the old veterans, now comfortably cared for
in said Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home, the thanks of this board are extended to
His Excellency, the Governor, Charles S. Thomas, for the interest he has taken
in the welfare, and the vigorous efforts he has made on behalf of said home, in
authorizing the said indebtedness by executive order, and in securing the
necessary funds for maintaining the home until the next general assembly meets,
thereby relieving the counties from further contributions after October first.”
The
only permanent improvement undertaken during the year has been a partly
completed construction of a dike on which to convey water to a portion of the
land heretofore unavailable for agriculture on account of being above the water
grade. The expense of the same has been
very light, the work having been done almost entirely by the members of the
home.
The
average membership present has increased ten percent over last year,
demonstrating that additional accommodations must be provided soon, as our
facilities are now utilized to their full extent consistent with proper comfort
and sanitary conditions.
It is
unnecessary for me to go into details, as the appended reports of the executive
officers of the home contain the required information.
Very respectfully
T.C. GRADEN.
President of the Commission
Monte Vista, Colorado, December 15, 1899.
HON. T.C. GRADEN<
President Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home
Commission.
Dear
Sir—The annual report of the affairs of the home required by the statute,
would, so far as my administration is concerned, cover a period of five months
and eleven days.
My
written reports, heretofore submitted to you nearly cover that period. I will, therefore, refer you to the complete
and exhaustive reports of the adjutant and quartermaster, herewith submitted,
from which to make up the annual report for the fiscal year ending November 30,
1899
Upon
the adjutant and quartermaster falls the duty of performing most of the
clerical work of this institution. An
examination of their reports will convince you that they are competent for the
work, as well as conscientious and painstaking in its performance.
They
physician’s report should be as flattering to himself as satisfactory to the
board; for while the adjutant’s report shows an increase in membership, the
physician’s report shows a decrease, not only in mortality, but in numbers and
cases treated, both in the hospital and wards.
The management of the hospital by Dr. Parrish has been successful and
satisfactory.
The
legislature, for whose acts no party is responsible, failed to provide means
whereby the annual appropriation for the support of the home could be made
available, left us to fight our way as best we could for a mere existence. Many much-needed repairs and improvements
have had to be delayed or left undone, although, as shown by my former reports,
over $400.00 worth of improvements have been made by voluntary labor of the
members of the home.
An
appeal to the several counties of the state for assistance, made in early July,
brought forth ready responses from all but nine. These advanced for our support $8.33 per month per capita, until
October 1, when through the personal efforts of his Excellency, Governor
Charles S. Thomas, the sum of $20,000 was raised, which, by the very closest
economy, will tide us over until the next meeting of the legislature, which, in
all justice, can not fail to reimburse all moneys advanced for the maintenance
of this institution. I desire, through
you, not only for myself, but for all the members of the home, to extend our
sincere thanks not only to the several counties which came so nobly to our
assistance, but especially to Governor Thomas, through whose persistent and
untiring efforts we have been able to keep a home still running for over 150 of
the worthy veterans of the war of the rebellion.
Very respectfully,
JOHN H. SHAW
Commander.
Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home,
Monte Vista, Colo., Nov. 15, 1899.
HON. T. C. GRADEN,
President
Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home Commission.
Dear
Sir—I take pleasure in presenting herewith my first annual report as surgeon of
the home. It will of necessity be
short, as I have had control of the hospital only since the 3d of June last up
to the close of the fiscal year ending November 30, 1899.
The
adjutant’s report shows that there were eight deaths during the period of said
year previous to my taking charge.
Since I took charge there have been six deaths, enumerated as follows:
On
June 13, 1899, Eli Irvin dropped dead, in quarters, not having been a patient
in the hospital; cause, heart failure; age, 59 years.
Virgil
Helms died suddenly, in quarters, of hemorrhage of lungs, on July 24, 1899;
aged 59. He had not been a patient in the
hospital.
George
S. Hill was admitted to the hospital July 18 on account of age and
feebleness. He died of an overdose of
morphine, administered by himself, July 19, 1899; aged 74 years.
Robert
B. Nelson, who was in the hospital when I took charge, with pulmonary
tuberculosis and chronic ulcer of stomach, died August 18, 1899, aged 57 years.
Charles
O. Brown, in hospital when I took charge, with consumption, died August 27,
1899, aged 57 years.
David
Morrell, in hospital when I took charge, with paralysis, died of the same
September 16, 1899, aged 82 years
Total Number of treatments or prescriptions since
June 3 – 399
Number of members treated in hospital since June 3
– 41
Number of members treated as sick call, counting a
man only once since June 3 – 84
Total – 125
Number of deaths during said period – 6
Average age at death, years – 63.66
Impaired cerebration, not classed as insane – 5
Totally blind – 2
Partially blind – 2
I
have pleasure in reporting the health of the home good and hygiene excellent.
I
gladly acknowledge the constant and hearty support of Commander Shaw and his
staff of officers in all my endeavors for the health and welfare of the
hospital and home.
There
are some greatly needed improvements I should much like to urge in a very
positive manner, but deem it as useless to do so under our present financial
strain.
Heartily
thanking the board for the courtesies shown me during my term of management
thus far, I am,
Very respectfully yours,
W. M. PARRISH,
Surgeon
in Charge.
REPORT
OF ADJUTANT AND BOOKKEEPER.
Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home,
Monte Vista, Colorado,
November 30, 1899.
HON. T. C. GRADEN,
President
Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home Commission:
Dear
Sir—I have the honor to submit herewith my annual report, for the fiscal year
ending November 30, 1899, consisting of a muster roll of all the members
maintained in the home during said year, narrating the date of discharge and
the cause of such as have been discharged and the date and cause of death of
those who have died; a statement of receipts, balances and expenditures, with a
detailed statement of receipts from counties and a detailed statement of
expenditures; also a list of all donations made to the home during the year.
Very respectfully,
SAMUEL WEST,
Adjutant and Bookkeeper.
STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS, BALANCES AND EXPENDITURES
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING NOVEMBER 30,
1899
Nov. 30, 1898 – Balance in state fund (unexpended)
- $41.58
Nov. 30, 1898 – Balance in special contingent fund
- $246.15
TOTAL $2,986.91
Received from the United States -
$12,648.75
Received from counties interested -
$3,524.52
Received from excess balance in the state
treasury –
$7.35
Received from emergency fund as per
executive order of Governor Thomas - $20,000.00
TOTAL
$36,180.62
$
41.58
Total of vouchers issued during the year
$21,869.40
Nov. 30, 1899 – Credit balance
$17,256.55
TOTAL
$39,167.53
The appropriation of $20,000, made by
the last General Assembly has been entirely unavailable on account of lack of
funds in the State Treasury.
DETAILED STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS FROM COUNTIES
Boulder - 67.18
Chaffee - 298.60
Clear Creek - 92.78
Costilla – 50.52
Custer – 25.28
Douglas – 37.36
Eagle – 33.26
El Paso – 99.16
Fremont – 55.23
Garfield – 4.70
Gunnison – 68.05
Lake – 26.93
La Plata – 142.77
Montezuma – 26.65
Montrose – 33.88
Mineral – 96.67
Otero – 32.75
Ouray – 32.22
Park – 65.25
Pueblo – 318.75
Routt – 68.60
Rio Grande – 171.63
Saguache – 67.72
San Miguel – 112.49
Summit – 36.36
Teller – 206.07
Weld – 54.43
TOTAL
$3,524.52
I certify the
above statements as correct.
SAMUEL WEST,
Adjutant
and Bookkeeper.
DONATIONS TO COLORADO SOLDIERS’ AND SAILORS’ HOME AT MONTE VISTA
During
the Fiscal Year Ending November 30, 1899.
December 17, 1899—Through Mrs. Clara Rapp, department treasurer, W. R. C.: Jas. W. Anderson Post No. 23, the Century Magazine for one year; W. T. Sherman Post No. 24, Success, Cosmopolitan and Christian Herald, one year; Geo. H. Thomas Post No. 26, Weekly Inter Ocean, Chicago, one year.
December
21, 1899—From Mrs. Alexander Cocran, Victor, Colorado: One years subscription for ten copies of the
National Tribune, Washington, D. C., and twenty-four volumes books published by
the National Tribune Company.
January
5, 1899—From Sedgwick W. R. C. No. 3, Durango, through Mrs. Clara Rapp,
department treasurer: One volume Round
the World With Eyes Wide Open, and subscriptions to the Black Cat/
January
30, 1899—From Mrs. Shields, Victor Hotel, Alamosa: Eighteen copies of monthly magazines.
March
15, 1899—From Edwin M. Stanton Post No. 37:
A colored framed lithograph entitled, “A Labor of Love—Mending the Old
Flag.”
January
30, 1899—From Mrs. Clara Rapp, department treasurer, and her husband: One silk United States Flag.
April
24, 1899—Through Mrs. Clara Rapp, department treasurer: Fifty-six new, handsomely bound books, a
year’s subscription for eighteen of the leading periodicals, paid for by the
following Woman’s Relief Corps: Veteran
No. 14, $!0; T. H. Dodd, No. 5, $3; J. W. Anderson, No. 23, $4; M. M. Crocker,
No. 40, $4; G. H. Thomas, No. 26, $1; W. T. Sherman, No. 24, $2; Farragut, No.
1, $2; Reno, No. 21, $3; Grand Junction, No. 17, $2; Geo. Washington, No. 42,
$3; J. H. Garfield, No. 8, $10; Nathl. Lyon, No. 27, $5; Sedgwick, No. 3,
$1.50; Pfeiffer, No. 25, $1.25; M. M. Crocker, No. 40, $1; U. S. Grant, No. 15,
$5; Richardson, No. 33, $1.50; J. C. Fremont, No. 45, $2; R. A. Cameron, No.
18, $2.50; The National Standard, 50 cents; S. M. French, $1; Mrs. Clara Rapp,
$1; total, $66.25
June
25, 1899-- Denver Circle No. 1, Ladies of G. A. R.: Twenty-three magazines.
July
29, 1899 –- Pfeiffer, No. --, W. R. C., Alamosa: Fifty-two magazines.
November
23, 1899—Mrs. Ada B. Hanna, president, for Victor Circle, Ladies of G. A. R.
: Three boxes of apples for
Thanksgiving.
November
25, 1899—Leadville Circle, Ladies of G. A. R.:
Three boxes bellflower apples for Thanksgiving.
LIST OF NEWSPAPERS DONATED TO THE SOLDIERS’ AND SAILORS’ HOME BY THE PUBLISHERS
Alamosa Independent
Boulder Herald
Colorado Springs Gazette
Christian Science Journal
Christian Herald
Colorado Journal
Cincinnati Enquirer
Del Norte Enquirer
Denver News
Denver Post
Denver Times
Denver Republican
Durango Semi-Weekly Herald
Grand Army Sentinel
Golden Transcript
Illinois Staats Zeitung
Monte Vista Journal
Mosca Herald
National Standard
Newcastle Nonpareil
New York Clipper
Rocky Mountain Herald
Reform Press
Signs of the Times
San Luis Graphic
Saguache Crescent
San Luis Prospector
Pueblo Chieftain
W. C. T. U. Messenger
CLOTHING
ISSUED
Vests, 181, $268.10
Pants, 216, $626.40
Shirts, undershirts, 359, $359.00
Undershirts, 262, $131.00
Drawers, 326, $163.00
Socks, pairs, 442, $59.20
Shoes, pairs, 124, $251.60
Hats, 132, $132.00
Slippers, pairs, 62, $49.00
Suspenders, 110, $27.00
Handkerchiefs, 220, $11.00
Neckties, 126, $31.50
Jumpers, 5, $2.50
Overalls, 29, $14.50
Repairs to clothing, $50.00
Buttons, shoestrings, etc., $10.00
TOTAL $2,985.05
Daily average of members on roll – 162
Average cost of clothing per capital per annum -
$18.42
Total cost of provisions - $7,801.92
Total cost of cooks and attendance - $1,200.00
TOTAL $9,001.92
Average cost per man per annum - $67.18
Average cost per man per diem - $.18.3
153 dozen eggs - $28.40
315 pounds chickens - $31.60
1,300 pounds pork - $56.10
Garden vegetables - $177.36
TOTAL
$303.46
Respectfully
submitted,
GEORGE S. HAZEN,
Quartermaster.