Los Angeles County CA Archives History - Books .....Pacific Branch National Home For Disabled Veterans 1908
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Book Title: Ingersoll's Century History, Santa Monica Bay Cities

CHAPTER XII.

PACIFIC BRANCH NATIONAL HOME FOR DISABLED VETERANS.

THE United States has made liberal provision for the support and care of her
volunteer soldiers. After allowing them pensions and land bounties, it became
evident as early as 1865 that a large class of disabled and elderly veterans
required care and attention which could only be given in an institution
especially adapted to the purpose. In consequence of this demand, Congress
passed an act establishing a National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, in
1865. Later branches of this home were established in various parts of the
United States. These establishments are governed by a Board of Managers, subject
to the supervision of the War Department. There are now ten Homes in the United
States.

    In March, 1887, an act authorizing the establishment of the Pacific Coast
branch was passed by congress and in November of that year a commission of which
Gen. William B. Franklin, president of the National Board of Managers: Col.
William Blanding, of San Francisco; Col. E. P. Brown, Gen. James S. Negley and
six other members of the National Board, were members, met in San Francisco to
consider the several propositions which had been made for sites for the new
branch. A large number of propositions were submitted from every section of the
state. Many of these were generous in providing free land and other inducements
to secure the Home; but only two offers were made of a free site and also a cash
bonus.

    The commissioners, after a careful consideration of the proposals, visited
the various localities selected as worthy of serious consideration. A number of
offers had been made from Southern California localities. One which presented
many favorable points was near San Diego. Another very generous offer was that
of the Inglewood-Centinella people. The choice in Southern California, however,
soon narrowed down to two proposals,—that of the Hesperia Land and Water Co., of
San Bernardino county, offering 500 acres of land, with water, and $250,000
cash; and that of Messrs. Jones, Baker and Wolfskill, offering 300 acres of
land, a supply of water equal to 120,000 gallons per day, and $100,000 in
cash—to be expended in improving the grounds.

    The commission after going carefully over the land, investigating the
sources of water supply and the conditions generally, were banqueted at the
hotel Arcadia and left for the north. They left California without announcing a
decision; but before reaching Washington, they decided by a vote of eight to
two, to accept the Santa Monica proposition. In December, 1887, Col. Charles
Treichel, of Philadelphia, was appointed governor of the new branch and in
January, 1888, he arrived on the ground and took charge of the preparations for
the establishment of the institution.

    The branches are all under the management of the National Board of Managers,
with a local manager and a corps of officers. The officials are always men who
have served with honor as officers of the United States Army. Colonel Treichel,
the first governor of the Pacific Branch, made a brilliant record with the Army
of the Potomac. He was several time wounded, and the end of the war found him
Major of the Third Pennsylvania Cavalry and Brevet Colonel of the U. S.
Volunteers. Under his direction work was begun to supply the grounds selected as
the site of the buildings with a sufficient amount of water from temporary
wells, while the survey for a pipe line and reservoirs was made under the
supervision of Col. Mendell, of the U. S. Survey force. By July 4th, the first
building on the grounds, "Junipero cottage" was nearly ready for use by the
governor and the flag pole was in place for the raising of the flag which marked
the occupancy of the grounds by the U. S. government.

    The location of this branch has proved to be almost ideal. Owing to the
failure of "boom" laid plans, the cash bonus was not paid to the government by
the Wolfskill ranch owners, but in lieu of this they placed at the disposal of
the Home a tract of 330 acres, thus giving the government over 600 acres of
land, a large part of which was tillable. The site chosen for the buildings was
a gently sloping elevation, commanding a fine view, sheltered from winds of the
north by mountains and open to the ocean breezes. It was planned to distribute
the buildings in the form of a crescent, facing the south, and this general plan
has been followed. The early appropriations were not large and at first the
buildings were very simple in design and structure. The first barracks were
completed in December, 1888, and were at once filled, a number of old soldiers
having collected about the Home and been accommodated in camps until the
buildings were ready. The dining hall and hospital were also built this year.

    Up to the present, eleven barracks have been put up. Each is two stories,
surrounded on three sides by verandas and equipped with all modern conveniences.
From 150 to 200 men are accommodated in each, under the government of one of
their own number who is known as "Captain." who is responsible for the conduct
and order of his building.

    The dining hall and kitchen have been several times enlarged. The kitchen is
provided with every convenience for facilitating the work of preparing three
meals a day for from 1,000 to 1,500 people. The dining hall will now seat nearly
a thousand men at a time. As the appropriations have come in from year to year,
new buildings which provide for the comfort and happiness of the old soldiers
have been erected. For many years the library was located in the Headquarters
building; but in 1906 Markham Hall, a handsome structure was erected. On the
lower floor is a beautiful and well appointed library and reading room. Above is
an assembly room for the use of various societies and public meetings. In 1900
the chapel was erected. This is a pretty building, unique in that under one roof
is a Protestant and a Catholic church—separated by a thick wall. The organ in
the Protestant chapel was-prestend by T. H. Hatch, a member of the home—a
musician and composer. The new hospital, built in 1904, is most complete. Here
the old veterans receive every attention that can be given in the best equipped
of private hospitals. A corps of nurses is employed. Ward Memorial Hall, built
in 1898, provides a fully equipped stage and a pleasant gathering place for
amusements, concerts, and so on.

    The buildings are all surrounded by carefully kept grounds, which are
adorned 'with trees and flowers. This is one of the most beautifully arranged
and kept parks in the country, and the climate gives perpetual bloom and
greenness, making it a perennial garden of beauty. The many trees which have
been set out on the Home grounds have now attained a fine growth and some of the
long avenues through the reservation are delightful and enticing drives and walks.

    A large amount of hay and grain are raised on the place each year, beside
all the vegetables and most of the fruit required for the table. Now the citrus
fruit orchards are coming into bearing and considerable shipments of fruit are
made beside supplying the Home. Fine stock—cattle, horses and hogs, are kept and
thus the Home is in part self-supporting. In 1903-4 the farm is reported as
netting $25,069 to the institution.

    The postoffice at the Home was established October 1st, 1889, with Henry T.
Lenty as postmaster. In 1895 & was made a money order office with all the
facilities of a city office. A large amount of business is transacted yearly
through this office, the money order department especially handling an unusual
volume of business as many of the members send a portion, at least, of their
pension funds to families.

    The Home is abundantly supplied with water for domestic use and for
irrigation. The first arrangement was a series of reservoirs in Rustic canyon
with a pipe line to the grounds. During the dry seasons of 1898-1900 this source
of water supply proved insufficient and wells were put down. Later arrangements
were made with the West Los Angeles Water Company to supply water and in 1905
the government made an appropriation for a storage reservoir to hold a million
gallons of water. This is located on the Home grounds. An electric light and
power plant was erected on the grounds and furnished the needed "juice" for the
Home until 1902 when contracts were made with the Edison company to supply the
service.

    Since the establishment of the Pacific Branch about $800,000 has been
expended by the government in permanent improvements. The annual expenditures of
the institution average about $350,000. Between $200,000 and $300,000 is paid
annually as pensions to the members of the Home. It will be seen that this means
a large amount of money which is annually expended largely in Southern
California and much of which is turned into local channels. Beside this, the
beautiful grounds and the whole institution is a great attraction and one in
which the people of Southern California and particularly of the Santa Monica Bay
Region take great pride.

    The first governor of the Pacific Branch, Col. Treichel, died March 28th,
1894, having always suffered from the effect of the wounds received during the
war. He had shown himself an able man and had brought the institution safely
through the most critical years of its existence and created a beautiful and
orderly home, well managed and popular among the veterans of the west, for whose
benefit it was intended. Col. Treichel had contended with many difficulties and
obstacles in laying the foundations of so large an establishment; but he had
given himself to the work with great devotion.

    Governor Treichel was succeeded by Col. J. G. Rowland, who remained in
charge of the Pacific Branch until April, 1897, when he was transferred to the
Leavenworth Branch and Col. A. G. Smith, of the Leavenworth Home, was brought
here. Governor Smith was a strict disciplinarian and made many new rules and
regulations which were intended for the general good; but which some of the
veterans felt were infringements of their personal liberty. The feeling against
him was strong among a few of the members, although the majority believed that
he had only the best good of the institution in view. On September 26th, 1898,
Albert Bradley, who had previously shown symptoms of insanity, shot Governor
Smith as he was passing through the grounds. It was feared at first that the
wound would prove fatal; but no vital point had been touched and Governor Smith
recovered although never entirely restored to health again. After this
unfortunate affair, he resigned and retired January 1st, 1899. He was succeeded
by the present incumbent, General O. H. La Grange.

    October 2Oth, 1899, another tragedy startled and saddened Home circles.
Major F. K. Upham had served as quartermaster and treasurer of the Pacific
Branch since April 20th, 1895. He was genial, kind and lovable and most popular
with the officers and the members. On this morning as he was preparing to go to
the railroad station for money to pay the employees, he accidentally struck one
of his pistols in such a manner as to discharge the contents into his body and
cause instant death. Great sorrow was felt by members of the Home, by officials
and the public generally at this untimely loss. Major T. J. Cochran was
appointed to fill the vacant place and still remains in the position.

    One of the best-known officers of the Home was Major H. G. Hasse, who for
eighteen years filled the office of chief surgeon of the Home. In 1905 he
resigned and his place was filled by the appointment of Dr. O. C. McNary,
formerly of the Leavenworth Home.

    The first member admitted to the Pacific Branch was George Davis, late of
Company B, 14th N. Y. Cavalry. He was transferred from the Dayton, Ohio, Home
and came with Col. Treichel as his clerk. In December, 1888, a number of
veterans who had gathered on the grounds in anticipation of the opening of the
Home, were received into the barracks. In March, 1889, one hundred members of
the Yountville, Cal., Home were brought to the new Home. The Yountville Home had
been established in 1883 by private contributions from the G. A. R. and Mexican
Veterans' societies. The next year the state adopted it, allowing $150 for each
veteran cared for by the institution. Later it passed under control of the
United States government, and is still maintained as a home for members of the
G. A. R.

    Applications for quarters in the Pacific Branch are always far in advance of
the room, for the advantages of climate and favorable location attract many of
the "old boys" from other parts of the United States. There are at present 3,619
members, of whom 2,088 are present. The death rate among these old men is, of
course large, yet it is small in this Home, when the age of the men is
considered and also the fact that a large proportion of them have been in some
manner disabled. At first the National Home was intended only for those veterans
who had been so disabled that they were unable to earn a living, and who were
dependent. The rules for admission have been gradually broadened until now any
veteran who can show an honorable discharge can be received into the Home. Many
avail themselves of the privilege temporarily or for only part of the time, thus
receiving the benefits of hospital treatment and care when ill.

    Everything is done to make the institution as homelike as possible and to
interfere with the personal liberty of the members as little as possible. Only
such discipline as is absolutely necessary to obtain order in a large body of
men is enforced. Members of the Home receive pensions, when entitled to them;
and as many as are able or desire it, receive employment about the Home, being
paid for their services. A number of them have homes at Sawtelle and reside with
their families, while receiving the benefits of membership in the Home.

    Two Grand Army Posts are maintained, the John A. Martin Post and the Uncle
Sam Post. A Masonic society and various other organizations are sustained by the
members. Frequent entertainments are given for their benefit in the theater,
assembly hall and churches, and the men entertain themselves with tales of their
fighting and active days as they sit about the parks and the verandas of their
barracks. An abundance of reading matter is supplied by the library and the
members are many of them regular subscribers for magazines and daily papers.

    In 1898, during the Spanish war excitement, a company of 500 was organized
by the old soldiers and volunteered its services in case of need. Had this
company of veterans been called into the field, it would have undoubtedly
acquitted itself with credit beside younger men.

    After "pension day" a large number usually go out on furlough, and some of
them spend their money foolishly. Every effort is made to protect them by the
Home management and by the city and county officials, yet "blind pigs" and
disreputable places exist and the soldiers find them. The arrest of veterans are
made much of by the newspapers and the public, yet the proportion of disorder is
small and crimes are seldom committed by members of the Home.

    The passing of the veterans of the civil war is only a question of a
comparatively few years now, and it is only just that every effort should be
made by the government and the citizens of the United States to make these
remaining years pleasant—at least to provide all possible comforts and care,
when necessary, for these heroes of the past.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

Ingersoll's century history, Santa Monica Bay cities: prefaced with a brief
history of the state of California, a condensed history of Los Angeles County,
1542 to 1908: supplemented with an encyclopedia of local biography and
embellished with views of historic landmarks and portraits of representative
people.

Los Angeles: Luther A. Ingersoll (1908)


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