The Women of Olympia Furnish a Home Away from Home for Old Soldiers

Geo. H. Thomas Woman’s Relief Corps No. 34 of the Grand Army of the Republic of this city met at Odd Fellows’ Temple this afternoon and received the report of the committee appointed to solicit subscriptions to furnish “the Olympia room” at the Soldiers’ Home at Orting. Mesdames Barton, Cowles and Kaufman were the committee. Mrs. Barton returned from Orting last evening, having completed all arrangements for furnishing the room, which is pleasantly located on the third floor. The committee met with entire success, and “the Olympia room” will be far more cozy and comfortable than any room in the house at present. Among the many fine articles contributed for the ease and comfort of the old veterans occupying this room was a large dressed fur rug containing sixteen large coon skins, the gift of Mrs. McMicken. The coons were all “brought down” by the general in his hunting expeditions.

THE CONTRIBUTIONS. Twenty-eight dollars and the following named articles were contributed: pair of portieres, two rocking chairs, two large fur rugs, two carpet rugs, eight pictures, including two finely framed battle scenes of the war, Bibles, about sixty books, papers, stationery, bureau scarf, hanging lamp, head rest, silk curtains for door, drapery for windows, matting for floor, table scarfs, cushions for chairs, toilet set, table, etc.

The contributors were Mesdames Kaufman, Adams, Cowles, Skillman, Gowey, Reyelon, O’Brien, Turner, Hutchinson, Elliott, Forbes, Harris, Laughton, McMicken, Burntrager, Ferry, McKenny, Fitch, McNair, Roberts, Tweed, Deming, Giles, Van Eaton, Barton, Hartman, Crawford, Hiltz, Lamont, Savidge, Rogers, Stevens, Dobbins, Bowen, Smith, (F. M.) Chambers and Messrs. McMicken, O’Connor, Barton, Roberts, Riley, Sabin and McReynolds.

The state government furnishes the beds, bedding, chairs and bureaus. The room is 15x10 with an alcove, and two of the forty-six veterans of the home will occupy it. The ladies of Relief Corps of Tacoma, Dayton, Goldendale, Seattle and other towns have furnished rooms at the home, and the ladies of Reno Relief Corps of the city of Spokane have agreed to furnish one of the cottages if it is called Reno Cottage. Commandant S. F. Street and his pleasant wife, who is the matron, are doing all that is possible to smooth the pathway of the veterans. There are four cottages besides the main building, and at the rate the soldiers are taking advantage of the home, there will probably be a hundred guests a year hence.