The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1875-05-20
Our County Inhrmary.

for the maintenance and support OF
those who are compelled, from Que
cause and another, to rely on their be-
nevolcnce and charity. Through the
kindness of Mr.. LEVI RIsINGER, one
of the present Directors of this insti-
tuition, we were shown through every
department of its buildings, which
consists Of three brick and one frame
structure, surrounded by N hun
bred and ninety-three acres of well
cultivated and productive land.
The earliest records that VIC could
find of this institution, bears the date
of Sept. Is, 1888, and gives the pro-
ceedings of a meeting of the Direc-
tors, which consisted of Peter Van
ausdal, William Rossman and John
NJ. Gray; the latter gentleman being
Clerk. We have not taken the pains
to hunt up when the institution was
first organized in The county, nor have
VIC the space or time to give the par
ticuIars of its early condition and
struggles, and the comparative num-
Der Of inmates who were accommo-
dated in those days. Coming down
to the present day, we fiud the Board
is composed ofJohn L. Quinn, Levi
Risinger and BENZ. Homan, and so far
as We know, arc regarded as fully
possessing the requisite fitness for the
discharge of their important duties.
The expenses of the concern, of
course, vary according to the number
of inmates, and other shifting circum-
stances during the year. For instance,
the expenses for the year ending
March, 1874, were $5,O23,52; for the
year ending March 1875, $5,256,50, a
difference of $235,O7 in favor OF the
year 1875. As far. as practicable, a
full account OF. all the proceeds of the
farm are kept by the Superintendent,
and reported twice a year, but it
would lie too-much to give here. We
might state however, that the sale of
the products ofthe farm for 1874, over
and above what was used for tile
maintenance of the paupers, amount
ed to $40j,28. The proceeds of these
sales goes to dcffay such expenses, as
every one kpows must be incurredin
the conduct of affairs of the institu-
ton, 3 strict account of which is kept
by Mr.. Risinger, the present Clerk OF
the Board.
The number of inmates at the last
report were ffty-tivc, but eight or ten
children among them. The names OF
a few, with the characters of their Pc
culiar infirmities may be g~iyen-iA Or
der to show the amount of care aid
attention required in. such an institu-
ton. Only one. William Thompson,
requires watching and most Of the
time close confinement. Ie is.about
so years of age, and the character OF
his insanity ST times is violent and
dangerous. Louisa Smith is idiotic,
and about 80 years of age. Hannah
Thompkins, imbecilc, aged about 90
years. Elizabeth Wilkins, ~subiect.to
fits, aged sb0ut % years. EInelinc
Babcock, idiolic, aged about % years.
Stephen Parker, idiotic, aged about &C
years. Joseph Borden, imbcciIity,
aged SO years. The most pitiful OBJ
ject is a young man, PIT there in l545.
and is now about SO years of age, by
the name Of Wright, a d%windling i'd
OF, without array ofin'clligence, know,
ing no more of his existence than one
of the lower animals, and requiring a:
much attention as an infant, Many
of the others are little better than
these instances given. The oldest in
mates of the institution are DR.. John
Wolfe, well known in this communi-
ty, and jesse Peters. The DR.. and
Peters have been there since 1888,
neither of whom have now any use Of
their lower limbs. The DR.. used to
make regular visits to some of our
citizens and prescribe for them, but
he is now unable TO leave his room.
Not much reliance can be placed on
the labor PERSISTENCE ofany portion
of the inmates. ~Imbccility Of mind
and infirmities o fboly, from diseases
or old age, or both, are what have
driven them to the protection OF this
institution, otherwise they would not
be retained at the expense ofthe pub
lie. To look at the comforts and con-
veniences of the improvements, with
the necessary arrangements and i'm.
plements for carrying on the farm, is
the bright side of the picture, but
when the diseased aud dilapidated
pauperism Of distressed humanity
there collected together,i is We've then
other feelings and thoughts prevail.
To ameliorate the poverty and con,
dition of helpless humanity in oul
midst, is tho benevolent object of oul
Poor House, and we believe that the
sanitary condition of this institution
can and should be improved, by the
erection of a ventilator in the centre
o fthe main building, so that the sleep,
ing departments Of the inmates.could
be thoroughly purified. 1t can be
done with but little expense, and the
Improvement in the health of those
confined to close rooms would be SC
much better, that in one. years time
the cost would be more than made
up. There is one other. matter we
noticed in this institution, which
common humanity demands should
he avoided. We allude to the indis-
I. - a..