The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1867-01-18

EDITOR OF THE Rock ISLAND AReus, =Sir:-In
the DAILY ARGUS of the I'd inst, an account was
given, purporting to be history of the suferings
and death of a eolOred girl who had lived in this
city, became county charge and was taken to the
poor house by the overseer of the poor. and who
went by the name of Nancy Bell. The story, as is
forth, told by cnlnred girl who knew Non
cy and it is believed that this girl received her in
formation from Nancy, concerning the treatment
she received while at the county poor house. The
day after the appearance of the article in the ARGUS
one of the members of the board of supervisors OF
this county. who is also one of the committee on
poor farm and paupers, called at your once anu
promised an investigation Of the matter. by the
committee and the following is the result oftheir
examination after visiting the county house for that
purpose:
The principal witnesses were Mr.. and Mrs. Bal
lev: Jane Williams, girl employed in the house,
and not pauper; and Jane Smith, pauper.
Mr. Bailev's register shows that Nancy Bell was
admitted to the poor house Dec. 18th and left on
the 18th of the same month. Mr. Bailey stated that
he was not at home when Nancy left the poor house
did not know why she left until he saw the account
in the ARGUS Nancy told him she was born in
Texas: had been married seven months; her bus
band had abandoned her and ou steamboat
and that she expected to be confined in about four
weeks Mr. Bailey says he did not tell her TO scrub
the ioor do any other work while there.
Mrs Bailey stated that she never asked told
Nancy Bell TO do any work, and when told by Nancy
that she was going to Rock Island asked if she felt
able TO walk. She replied that she did and wanted
To get things she left there that she liked the
poor house, except the fussng Of the women. Nam
cy did not work while there, except of her own
choice.
Jane Smiths statement was that, she was an in
mate of the poor house when Nancy Bell came there
that she {Jane) worked about the house; slept with
Nancy; did not know if Mr.. Bailey ordered her Il
do any work; but that Nancy did, Of her own ac-
cord. help make beds two days; wipe dishes and dc
II, 10 thn
ache and wanted a room by herself. Jane says she
went to Rock Island on foot the same day Nancy
did and, her way back, met her, and Nancy said
she left because Mr.. Bailey away, as he would
not let her 60 if he was at home.
Jane Williams, who worked for Mr.. Bailey, and
is not pauper at the poor house at the tim,
Nancy Bell came there. She says Nancy was no
told to do any work, and that she requested Nancy
not to do any work. Nancy said she feit wei
enough to do some work and did perform some ligh
work When about to start for Rock Island, sh'
said she felt well, and said she was going to lool
after her things. Witness gave her some biscuit t
take with her.
Thomas Dun stated that Nancy Bell told him sh
was born slave, in Virginia, and raised about 81
miles from Nashville Tennessee.
A number of other inmates of the establishment
were questioned by the committee, regarding tin
treatment of Nancy, and no evidence could be Oh
tanned showing that any but kind treatment was he
lot while there. IS
From the evidence obtained by the commute
| land they think they obtained all the importan
facts relating to the subect) they believe that Name
| Bell kindly treated by Mr.. Bailey, warden o
the poor house. and that the article published in til
AneUs in regard to her treatment at poor house
| was without foundation in fact. The eommitte
know nothing of the matter of the girls sufern,
after she entered the stone house Dock street,
| Rock Island.
&. S. b. SToDBARp,
THOs. KERR,
JOHN MCCANDLEss.
Dated at the Poor Farm, Jan'y II, 1867.