The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1871-11-23
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POOR FARM,
The County Poor Farm-Its Condi
ton, Cost and Operation.

II II generally known that within a
year past Cedar County has purchased
and improved property at considerable
outlay for the purpose Of County Poor
House. Thinking that many Of our
readers might be interested to know
precisely what tho county has acquired,
how much it has cost and what it ID do.
ing, We have gathered the following
facts by visit to the Farm and to the
records Of the Auditors office. In Oh
tanning them We were put under many
obligations to the Superintendent Of the
Farm. Mr.. Tower. Auditor Brink, and to
s. l.. Smith Esq. who being just put
ting some insurance in tho old Etna
upon the property, gave ua u seat out
there and return in such a nice new
buggy as country editors seldom sec more
than the outside Of
In the first place, then, a. to
WHAT THE POOR FARM Is.
One hundred and sixty acres Of first
class prairie land. all fenced and all the
available portions under cultivation,
situated on the west Red Oak road. lust
two miles north Of Upton, were pur.
chased last April Of Mr.. Edmund Smith
for the purposes Of a County Poor
Farm.
The only building Of any value on the
farm at time Of purchase was tho house,
a comfortable story aud half struc ture,
4sx2o feet, on the ground. which Is now
used for kitchen, store rooms, pantry,
etc. Against this, fronting the road and
the west. has been erected a two story
building 1922 feet. The plans contem.
plate further addition, when more
room is necessary, making the whole
new building a 7, the part now built
being the top. The interior Of the new
building il divided, on tho frat floor,
into wide hall in the middle, contains
ing the stairs and running clear Trough
to the old house, = large sitting room,
l4x2l. on the south. and 2 pleasant
rooms, respectively IL and 9 by IA on
the north. Above stairs il another hall,
and four roo,As. 2 Of them l4xl2 and
l4x9. This gives accommodations, a.
was calculated. for eighteen paupers, Of
course several Of them being Obliged to
occupy the same room. 1t would seem
more appropriate for tho purpose in
tended IL the rooms had been smaller
and more numerous.
The barn just completed. is All admi-
rahle building for the purposes intend
ed 1t is 34x46 feet on the ground.
Thirteen feet of the south side is divi.
ded into stalls for ten horsss. Next to |
thi" is the feed room. six feet in width,
running tho entire length Of the barn
aid containing the grain bins aud stair.
to the NOW. Eight feet in width is
next allotted to drive way, and the re-
five feet is a most excellent
corn crib, now filled with about 1000
bushels Of corn. The NOW holds 80
tons OF hay, and like the corn crib is
now filled with the products OF the
farm.
The total yield OF tho farm this year
has been about 90 tons OF hay, $500
bushels OF corn. 300 bushels Of oats, a
small quantity Of barley, 100 bushels. Of
good apples Of different varieties, and
endless quantities OF small fruit.
The county now owns. in the way Of
.tock, 6 cows. 5 yearIings, 7 fat hogs, l6
pigs, and numberless chickens The
cattle aud hogs are fine We are not =
Judge u chickens in tho feathered state.
An old log house, in which are stored
he farm impliments and machinery,
the enumeration Of what may
be found ut the farm, aud We now take
glance at
WHAT IT HAS COST.
This branch OF the subject though
quite important, will lie soon exhausted.
From reference to the Auditors books
We find the following to be the amounts
expended by the county - indicated,
and to be the entire cost Of the farm and
not including. Of course,
that paid for farm labor, salary OF su-
for provisions, or any
thing other than permanent improve
ments or fixtures:
Original cost Of propsrty.......$ 6,433 IS
Cost Of house aud outbui:dings l $50 %
Cost Of barn, including some
fencing and other lumber. 1909 90
Stock, grain, etc. 56l 65
Furniture, including bedding
and ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 324 -
inpliments and
hard ware, including stoves,