OUTLAWS-OF-THE-OLD-WEST-L Archives

From: "Fran Warren" <>
Subject: [OUTLAWS] May 31, 1890 Van Buren Press
Date: Thu, 29 Nov 2001 14:16:26 -0800

Van Buren Press
Van Buren, Arkansas (Crawford County)

May 31, 1890

HELP THE "HOME"
An Address From the Ex-Confederate Association of Arkansas.

To the Ex-Confederates of Arkansas and all others who feel friendly to and
wish to contribute something for the relief of the poor, dependent
ex-Confederates, their widows and orphans:

Nearly a year ago some 2,000 or more survivors of the Confederate War met at
the city of Little Rock,and organized an Ex-Confederate Association, adopted
a constitution and by-laws. The object of such association cannot be better
stated than the following language which appears in said constitution:

1. To relieve and assist as far as practicable all needy and worthy
ex-Confederate Soldiers and to aid the worthy and needy widows of deceased
Confederates.
2. To maintain and perpetuate that spirit of friendship and fraternity which
comes from the recollection of common dangers, hardships and trials, shared
on the march, in the camp, and on the field of battle.
3. To fraternize on every fitting occasion with our late adversaries
extending to them those courtesies which are due from one soldier to
another, and which a common citizenship in a common Government demands at
our hand.
4. To commemorate in a suitable manner and on proper occasions the valor and
heroism of our fallen comrades.
5. To inculcate at all times the duties incumbent on us as good citizens and
to avoid, as an association, everything which partakes of partisanship in
either religion or politics.

At said meeting the undersigned were appointed to locate a home for such
needy and worthy Confederate soldiers, and the worthy and needy widows and
orphans of deceased Confederates. Quite a number of cities in the State
offered very liberal bids in the way of money and real estate as an
inducement to have the Home located in their respective communities, thus
showing their willingness to aid in the noble cause. But at a meeting of the
Board in November last, it was determined that as Little Rock was the most
accessible to all parts of the State and centrally located and that her
citizens had contributed liberally, the Home should be located at or in the
vicinity of said city. A committee was appointed to advertise for offers for
a suitable place for the Home, and to make a purchase subject to the
approval of the Board. This was done and on the 20th inst., at a called
meeting of the Board, the contract was ratified and a place for the Home
purchased. It is fifty-four acres of land within two mile of the city
limits, beautifully located, about thirty acres in good state of
cultivation, a very good orchard and vineyard on it and a neat cottage
building of nine rooms, sufficient to accommodate a dozen or more. This was
bought at the price of $3,000, and has been paid for from the funds already
in hand. Now, in order to make the Home a success, it will be necessary to
have money to do it with. Many local ex-Confederate associations in this
State have indicated that as soon as needed they would pay the amounts
subscribed by them respectively. This address is intended to notify not only
local associations, but everyone else who feels interested in the cause,
that the Home is now located. And that all contributions to the same should
be sent as soon as practicable. Remittances should be sent to W. P.
Campbell, Secretary of the Ex-Confederate Association, Little Rock, Ark. It
is the purpose of the Board to add such improvements as will be necessary
for the comfort of those who may be admitted to the Home upon business
principles and not involve it in debt. Hence the necessity of speedy action
upon the part of those who wish to make contributions. The Home will be
opened for applicants and admissions on the 1st day of September, 1890. A
personal appeal upon ou part is not necessary to arouse all ex-confederates
to act in so important a matter. Other states have long since done so. So we
take it now that a bare mention of the fact that the home is located will be
sufficient. It has been often said that "no ex-Confederate has ever been
seen begging or in the poor house." This is to their credit, and it can be
truthfully said that they have rarely been before the courts of the country
charged with crime. Those who left their homes, families, and firesides to
fight for what they conceived to be right, are not likely to be found
begging or committing crime. But we must remember that the war closed
twenty-five years ago, and that those who had then reached the meridian of
life, if living, are now in and old age. And some of them or their widows
and orphans may be dependent and helpless. To those and all other worthy and
needy ex-Confederate, and the worthy and needy widows and orphans of
deceased Confederates, the Home is free; it is not a charity, but that which
is due them and should have been tendered long ago.

Blank forms for application tot he Home will be furnished upon application
to W. P. Campbell, Secretary of the Ex-Confederate Association, Little Rock,
Ark.

All papers friendly to the cause will please publish this address.

Very respectively,
John G. Fletcher,
Dave Dixon,
W. F. Housely,
John D. Adams,
L. Minor,
J. W. House,
L. C. Lincoln,
R. A. Little, Board of Directors, W. P. Campbell, Secretary.

Fran Alverson Warren

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• [OUTLAWS] May 31, 1890 Van Buren Press by "Fran Warren" <>