The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-04-22
RUTLAND,s PAUPERs HOME.
IT'S COnditiOn----Its Inmatcs----its
Disgracc---The Duty of the Peo-
nle

prOprlety OF the SAFE VI tnc pIcseut, anu
purchase of a new farm in some more ac-
cessible location, and provide more suitable
buildings. A just and accurate statement
of the condition OF its affairs was presented
by John A. Sheldon, chairman of the board
of selectmen. A partial denial of the act
ual state of affairs was made by Mr. r. G..
Thrall, and the farm and house were rep
resented as ample and In very good condi-
ton, and that with little expenditure 1t
could be refltted into most tidy and CON-
modious paupers home, after which the
suggestions of the selectmen were ignored.
A recent examination of the premises
shows that Mr.. Sheldon's statements were
literally and strictly correct in every par
ticular. Subsequently, however, an order
was adopted at the same meeting on the
motion of DR.. Charles Woodhouse, refer
ing the whole matter to the overseer of the
poor, board of selectmen, joined with Sc
lect committee consisting of Jesse l.. Bill
lngs, Moses Hayward and Franklin Bill
lings, with full power to act in the prem
ises
A meeting Of the committee took place
on Wednesday at the town farm for the
purpose of examining the condition of the
buildings, its Accommodations and the feast
bility of remodeling the present structure
Or the erection of new buildings. At the
invitation of the committee, representa-
tive of the GLOBE was present at the ex-
animation.
We have reason to believe that few of
our citizens have visited the Rutland poor
farm; il they had it would not so long have
stood a disgrace to the town. Its location
is inaccessible by any direct route or pub
lie highway. 1t is located about four miles
from this village, on the high range of hills
north of West Rutland aud nearly mile
and half from the latter village. 1t is APP
preached from the east by leaving the
highway to West Rutland, half mile
beyond Center Rutland, taking a northerly
road for a quarter of mile, from thence
westerly, pent road is followed up very
steep hill, over rough rugged track almost
impossible at this season of the year. No
load of any amount can be drawn over
it at any season, and it is dangerous for
one to ride in an ordinary vehicle; there
fore most people are compelled to walk,
guiding the horse as best they can, and
holding the carriage to keep it from over
turning, and after mile of thus roughng
it, Rutland's poor house is reached. And
this is the road which was so glowingly
pictured to the voters of Rutland as capa-
bic of being made model highway for the
sum of seventy-ive dollars. On approach
ing it from West Rutland, good road
continues for mile, when, on turning to
the east, another pent road through gates,
over rocks and through slough holes, lead
to the poor house. 1t is not of so great
ascent, but nearly as rugged as the APP
proach from the east. Both of these roads
are impossible in winter. Such are the
highways which lead to Rutland's town
farm. We have been thus minute in de-
scription because of the reported easy route
to this location.
The location Of the buildings commands a
fine view to the east, north and west, but
the immediate surroundings are barren and
desolate. The house is built of cobble
stone, through which the wind has easy
access, and affords good ventilation. A
portion of the windows are broken, some
of which are closed up with rough boards,
others filled with rags and newspapers to
keep out this raw April atmosphere.
Let us now enter this abode of unfortu-
mates whom disease, accident, and decripi-
tude have compelled to seek shelter from
the worlds cold frown. A narrow passage
way, scarcely three feet in width, leads TO
the rooms where the superintendent FAM.
ly reside. Here is kitchen with a floor
upon which the occupants have to step
lightly. as it creaks under their tread, and
when washed the water goes through like
a seive into the cellar below. The present
occupants have recently whitened the walls
aud fitted two rooms with their own furni-
ture as comfortably as the surroundings
would admit.
We pass next up one flight Of stairs,
here is found narrow hall running the
whole length of the building, upon either
side of which are small narrow rooms, in
which the paupers sleep at night. The
| furniture of these rooms consists of a chair
a rickety bedstead and a straw bed, scanty
covering of not an inviting character, to
| appearance hardly sufficient to protect one
from the chilling blasts even of the presen,
month, much less adequate, to keep then
comfortable during the extreme cold of the
past winter, especially with the fierce
winds seeking entrance through the all
holes in the walls. Ascending another
flight OF stairs, we are in the garrett, in
which are two large rooms, one finished
which is decidedly the best room in thu
house, and another unfinished. In the lattel
room one has glimpses of the sky through
the roof-which in rain storm affords al
|
ample supply of water for washing pur
poses.
On descending to the lower, narrow
passage way, at the foot of the stairs is {
front door, through which one has gooc
view of the surrounding country, withou
opening it, but unfortunately it could no
be opened for it had been nailed up t
prevent its falling down. A turn to tn,
right is made and we enter room abou
sixteen feet square. Here were ten per
sons around single stove. This room il
occupied as sitting, cooking, washing
eating and smoking room. This is
squalid appearing room, out of which ar
two small bedrooms, in which lay tw
| CRIPPLED inyalids who have remained il