Rapid City Journal from Rapid City, South Dakota • 21

FEATURES FEATURES HH KAPID vjITY UAIIA' OURNAL CLASSIFIED ADS "The Ncusfavr Western Somfi DaLotu" I1APID CITY. S. D. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 33. 1353 PAGE 21 1 0 a a irx BY JACK CANNON Journal Sunday Editor I) HOT SPRINGS They say ''Old soldiers never die, they fade away," but hero at he South Dakota State Sol-liers Homo the majority of 220 old soldiers, their wives and widows don't seem to be fading but rather blooming in on atmosphere jf hi.Lh moral not expected in a public institution devoted to the care of the ncd or infirmod.

Throughout the well-kept grounds pen-hed hih on a hill above the Picture City of the Black Hills or inside lie throe buildings winch bouse members you find cheerful smiles ind conversation which belies the iaet that these people bridge four or more generations. Numbered among members of ihe home are five of the richt widows of Civil War veterans in ho slate 1 1 here pre no Civil War veterans still alive'; one of the two Indian War veterans in the state and veterans of the Spanish-American War and World Wars I ami II. Living without regimentation and with mementos of family and home around them, members of the Soldiers Home have, almost without exception, adopted the philosophy "This is (he place for me." Kligiblo for admission to the home is any veteran of the Civil War, Mexican War, Spanish American Wars, Indian Wars, Philippine Insurrection, all American Kxpedi- shop buildings. To the right of the men's old building is the women's building housing married couples and widows. The building to the right and rear of the women's building is the old tuberculosis hospital and the building at extreme right is the old hospital building which is to be converted into employes housing.

Several smaller cottages hidden by trees are also used for employe housing. (Photo Courtesy Don Muller) IX A riCTCRESQl SETTING on a hill above the Fall River valley, is the South Dakota State Soldier Home. Large building at left is the new men's building: which also houses the administrative offices. Directly behind is a large house used for employes housing then the central heating plant. The light building at left center is the original building built in 1X8!) which houses male members, behind it are the laundry and I OLDEST MEMBER of the South tiaMn State Soldiers Home is Mrs.

Isabel Ware who will celebrate her Jilllth birthday next April II. She chats in her room with Loyd Ballard, superintendent of the home lor the past lliree and a half years. Widow of a Civil War veteran, Mrs. Ware and her husband fanned near Clark but lost their farm during (be dry years. Three yearn after her husband died, Mrs.

Ware entered the home. "I tlmi-ght I would try it for a year. That was 19 year ago." Mrs. Ware describes her stay at the home as 'comfortable' Commenting on condition at the home she says, "Of course, some people would growl if they were in heaven" but a majority of the members are happy and contented. In good health except for weak limbs which require her to use a walker lo travel any distance, Mrs.

Ware is an avid reader, enjoys listening to her radio and keeps up with current events as evidenced by her remark, "I've never lived here under a Democratic administration." She's looking forward to an automobile trip through the Black Hills on her 100th birthday. 4 I tionary Forces nn the Mexican border and in Mexico. World War 1, World War II and the Korean conflict who has an honorable discharge, has been a resident of the state for six years preceding application, who is incapacitated from earning a livelihood or who is totally disabled. A wife of a veteran eligible to enler the homo may be admitted with her husband providing she has been married to and living with her husband for 10 years immediately preceding the date of application and has attained the ago of til) years. Widows of eligible veterans who have attained the age of Ml and do not have siilficeut means of income to support herself is also eligible lor membership.

The board may, if there is room, admit persons who have sufficient funds for their own support but otherwise eligible for on payment of cost of their support Application blanks furnished by Hie Hoard of Managers of the home are filled out by the applicant, investigated by the county Judge nnd submitted to the Board of Managers of the home for final approval. South Dakota is one of 28 slates, nil of (hem north of the Mason-Dixon with the exception of Georgia and Oklahoma, with a state soldiers home. In IfKSO the Territorial Legislature, in session at IJismarck, Da It 1 I 'i HIGH MORALE characterizes atmosphere of the Soldiers Home and some of the rea-; sons are shown above, at left, and below. In the top photo food is served family style at tables for six in the men's building. Tastily prepared and served in quantity, the food gives no cause for complaint.

Widows, married couples and those on special diets eat in another dining room which has hern renovated into a bright, cheery place. At left, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Gitchell, who entered the home from Sturgis seven years ago, are shown in the living room of their two-room suite which they furnished themselves as do many members. I'p to two years ago, married couples lived in a single room.

In the lower photo, the recreation room on the ground floor of the men's old building gets a considerable use. I'ntil a couple of years ago, recreation facilities consisted of a couple of rard tables. Additional recreation facilities are included in present remodeling. COI.ORH I. ROOM is that of Ambrose Jaques ho entered (he home from Elk Toint.

Walls ara covered with colored photos crt from calendars, magazines and other sources while knick knack shelves decorate the corners. Members are allowed to choose paint colors for their rooms and to have their own furniture. Some male members have single rooms, others are In doubles and the largest rooms of the men's old building bouse three members. Despite close association, petty bickering is at a minimum and steps are taken to eliminate those conditions and situations which could cause friction. Ihere is considerable jokimr, kidding and horseplay anions members.

Establishment of more adequate recreation facilities have eliminated some problems as members are not forced to seek recreation in the town of Hot Springs. Some members carry on handicraft hobbies in their rooms including leaiherwork, weaving and wood rarving. kota Territory, passed a bill establishing a soldier's home at Hot Springs and appropriated )'0. The bill was vetoed by Governor L. K.

Church but. was passed over the governor's veto. Watertown, Jamestown and Pierre were contenders for the home but medicinal properties of the hot springs and salubrious climate of the vallev in the Southern Hills decided in favor of the Hot Springs site. Cornerstone of the main building was laid in a hlinding snow storm on Nov. II.

lssn with Masonic ceremonies officiated over by Grand Master George V. Ayres. Dcadviood. In October of the following year (he Soldiers' Home Hoard accepted the building and on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 13, lS'il) the first JO Civil War veterans were accepted Into (he home as members.

In 1007 a two-story brick hospital was built. Recently, a modern infirmary was installed in another building and the hospital is being renovated into rooms and apartments for employes. In 1:12.3 a four-story with basement, brick and cement building was constructed to house women members and married couples. In 11102 the third unit for member housing was completed. Capacity of the three dormitory biiildimis is and while facilities are not tael at present, il is expected they Will be within several vein's as the number of World War I veterans eligible for and requiring the facilities increases.

While there were never over Civil War veterans in South Dakota, at one lime early in this emlmy (here Here 27 Civil War vets living at the home. While the number represented about per cent of Ihe total Civil War veterans in Ihe stale they overtaxed the facilities of the one original building and It was necessary to house some, of them in tents. While there were never out U-'ib Spanbh-Ameriean derails in the slate, at one time there were titl of 1 hem, or ti per cent in the home plus wives and widows, If ihe same percentages of the 17. (KHt World War 1 veteran, Al.U'HI World War II veterans nnd 20 Korean war veterans of South Dakota applied for membership the load would be impos- ilile to handle. It i mil likely this ill happen ill view of higher pensions and the Social Security program.

Kouever. studies have shown that in recent years llios applying for admission aie older and in poorer physical condition than in previous and roomie inure caie. A vera ol women member, is 7.) and avciaeo of men is Page Column li J. I "1 1 I "i i i I IS is another popular facility at the Sobl.ers Home, Open from ti a.m. to p.m.

It serves as a place for between meals snack and a place In purchase items for personal rare. Seated at tk bun counter are, lc It to ristbt, Mrs, George Spimib r. Aberdeen: Oljf Carl on. Sionn I-alls; Oln I lliiutson. Canton and "II mest John" ll.illcr.

Mom I alls. Also located In the recreation area Is a bailor shop. I ntd several jear ago, military titles were used tor officials at the home but (her have been done aw av with. Only sis members of the in residence at the l.irili'v do not hava a siikiII income cadi month and the state provides ilothini; and other items, Ihe rrst of tha incmhri rur base tlieir ow lotlilii'i and incidentals from their monthly income from pensions, couip' nsation and social security. Those with an income over f'H a month must pay part ol Ibetr care, (Journul Photos).