Tuesday, May 25, 2010

First Death

The first arrivals at the Confederate soldier’s homes were often the frailest. They were the men who had greatest need for the homes, men whose care had been delayed or non-existent prior to the opening of the soldier’s home in their state. (I’ve read of a few men who were accepted to the home but were too ill to make the journey there for admission.)

The Oklahoma veteran described below died on August 11, 1911, just two days after his arrival at the Oklahoma Confederate Home.

“The first death in the State Confederate Home occurred here today. Capt. Guy Smith of Edmond died this morning. Several other aged veterans are ill.”

(See Dallas News, August 12, 1911.)

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