The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1871-05-27
QUIZ COUNTY pooR HOUSE.

AT the recent session Of the Board of Su
pervisors OF Rock Island county, an invita-
ton was extended to the Scott county Board,
and also the Poor Directors, TO accompany
them on their visit to the above institution.
The Davenport Democrat, of the 26th inst,
whose editor was one of she visitors, in
speaking of the affair, says:
THE Supervisors of Rock Island county,
in the lsudable effort to be neighboriy, aud
to promote mutual interests, as all classes of
people on either side of the river should
ever strive to DO, extended a polite invita-
ton to the Supervisors of Scott county and
the Poor House Directors thereof TO join
them In their stated visit TO the county Poor
House of our sister county yesterday. 1t Is
to be regretted that the invitation was not
fully accepted, yet on the part OF the Diree-
tors there was full delegstiou-consissing
Of Messrs. Meyers, Murray and Blood, who
we're greeted on the other side al en- early
hour, and through the courtesy OF President
Cable, of the Rockford Road, the party was
taken to Coal Valley, where conveyance
es we're in waiting to take them to the Poor
Farm, some two miles distant.
Rock Island county has been providing
for its poor on the Poor Farm system about
nine years. In 1861 a ttaot of about us
acres of excellent land was purchased, and
the building erected upon a liberal scale,
consisting of large three story house I'm
GLIDING basement with such barns and out
buildings as we're necessary. The esta blish-
ment was then placed in the hands of Mr..
William Bailey, who, with the exception of a
single year. h@s been the superintendent.
He has the place under excellent cultivation
and so conducts the business that the pre-
ducts tend largely to defrsy the curren.
expenses.
Rock Island county ia certainly well
represented in the pauper line. At roll
call on Monday last we believe there were
fifty one inmates present. Judging by
comparison with the number in the Scott
county institution, which is thirteen, il
would seem that our sister county has
really more than its share. The list is
made up of the aged, inGrm, deranged
i'm beetle, and other misfortunates, embrac-
ing all sges and many infrmsties. The
system of management seems unobiectlon
able as far as the Superintendent is con-
cerned, vet 1t really seems that through
some lack of attention or otherwise, the
burden is numerically heavier than it ought
10 be. Fifty psupers at the farm, besides
numerous others that draw partial support,
is a good many, 10 say the least
The provision made for the incurably in
sane is excellent. Last year an independent
building was erected, 81 by % feet-base.
ment and ons story. The main floor is di.
vided into eommodious cells, with wooden
grating strapped across with strap iron,
bolted to the wood work. These cells are
very strong, neat, clean, and provided with
fixed bedstesds and closets, all thoroughly
ventilated and so provided with water as 10
render them clean aud wholesome. In the
basement is large furnace, which furnishes
abundant warmth in winter also with a
force pump which supplies large tank in
the attic, from which the closets are kept
clean The building, which cost $1,000, is
model in it's way, and in thus providing
| for its insane it is claimed that large say.
| ing will be made.
| In it's arrangements for providing for the
reasonable wants of these unfortunate PEG
| pie, Rock Island county, far in the advance
of ours, while on the other hand in point o.
numbers and consequent expense, il mus
be admitted that Scott county is for some
good reason, much more fortunate
The delegation spent several hours abou
the institution, was handsomely entertained
and it is to be hoped, gained valuable infor
nation upon the subject of public benevo
lence. TWAS a day well spent. and on tbs
part of the officials from the county, VT
tender hearty thanks to the gentIemauly
Supervisors of Rock Island county for the
invitation and polite attention shown"