Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1861-02-28
For the Republican.
The County Poor House Question.

winch, rs ~ refers 10 me personally, shai
briefly notice. First. 1t is entirely with
ont any foundation in truth that .sneaket
around the neighborhood stating that al
the Editor of the Democrat said concernin,
the condition of the poor house was false
such course on my part was -entircl,
unnecessary, from the fact that the editor
Of tho Democrat has so invariably misrep
resented and falsifed every subject he Ia.
alluded to in his paper. his reputation has
become so infamous that his statement.
now have no material effect. have beer
around over the neighborhood but very lit
tie since ! visited the poor house, and then
only where business called me. have
talked with but few of the citizens Of
Union township concerning the poor house
since visited il. and then generally only
answered questions. | do not recolleci
talking with but two of said editors rcla-
tions about the asylum, and will briefly
state here what / did say in regard to Its
condition to those whom l talked with
As / intend this statement to answer two
fold purpose, first, report OF the condi-
ton of the poor house and inmates. and.
secondly, an answer to the editor Of the
Democrat and his lick spittcs, shall first
give description Of the house and inmates
as / found them. and secondly. their con-
dition when visited by the editor of the
Democrat.
The house is long one story building
and divided into three rooms or apart
ments, warmed by two large shcet-iron
stoves. and can easily be kept comfortably
warm q, all times. There are seven beds
in the establishment; the bedding was
principally new and consisted in most part
of cotton comfolters, that is. that portion
furnished by Mr.. Baker; some Of the in
mates had bedding of their own; the bed
ding was passably clean. and in sufficient
quantity to keep the inmates comfortable,
with one exception, which was promised
to be remedied. There were twelve in
mates, two Of whom were away at the
time visited the establishment; they were
itolerably well clothed and passably clean,
and so of every thing else about the house
The inmates were all we'll, with the excep-
ton of one very old man, who had his hip
put out of joint some twenty-five years
ago; he appeared to be in very feeble
condition. AS far as could see the in.
mates appeared to be as we'll cared for as
their condition admitted of
will now give brief description o.
the house and its inmates as near as
cosld ascertain. when visited by the editor
The house was in an UNI finished condition
had but one stove in it; workmen wer,
ceiling the rooms; two or three of the in
mates were slightly indisposea; Of course
as a natural result in such a state Of at
fairs every thing was more or less in con
fusion. That The inmates did suffer som,
in consequence of the ra6nishcd condition
Of the building may be true. The lrisl
, girl. described By the editor. had the drop
sy, and her feet were swollen to such de
gree that she could wear neither shoes no
stockings; she had at that time two pal
Of shoes. Gan. old pair and large pair o
new ones, purchased with reference to TIL
: condition of her feet. also. two pair o
; stockings. She had so far recovered as t.
{ be able to walk to Plymouth the Satur
day previous to my visiting the institution
shall not give a detailed description Q
each individual, but will give a genera
description Of their clothing and treatment
They all have q change of clothes whic
are kept washed, so they can have chang
of clean clothes once week, and oftene
if necessary, and al,rays hare had sine
living at the institution, If not it was thei
J own fanlt. Several of the paupers wen
there without change of clothing. an
' that in very dilapidatcd condition; S
they say themselves. The bedding ha
! likewise been kept as clean as could rea
sonably be expected considering the condi
J ton of the inmates They, lave thre
meals per day. and all admitted that the
had plenty to eat Of good wholesome food
The individual had the most talk wit
said the most fault he had to the insti,u
ton was, being crowded in with so man
different diseases and characters; the nois'
0 he said, confused him, and he would ratl
er live more retired life. Every institr
Ition Of the kind is liable to the same oil
8 fjections. ~ f 5.
:, Mr.. Baker said his not having the build
ing completed sooner was his fault in ii
inst place, in not providing the lumbt
e sooner. nsring waited until he started h
: own saw mlll before doing so; but ther
2 soon enough TO have had it completed b
fore winter sat in. had the workman b
employed to erect it, went at it as soon
the lumber was ready. but he had taken
q Job of building school house and woul
!, not quit until he had completed it.
II did state the condition Of the paupe'