Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1876-06-15
The County Infirmary.

By the kindly invitation of Mr.. John
Lowe, Superintendent of 1nfirmary,
and the courtesy of the Board of Coun-
ty Commissioners, we visited the
County Infirmary last week. A visit
from the Board of Commissioners Oi
Guernsey county was anticipated but
they failed to appear. There was also
a full Board of Infirmary Directors
present, who with the Commissioners
and visitors made a thorough inspec-
ton of the entire premises, and it is
but just to say all were fully satisfied.
In no way do the people exhibit more
benevolence-a divine attribute, than
in the provision made for the poor that
''ye always have with you;" and es-
pecially is it a source of genuine pleas
ure and profound gratitude to the hu-
manitarian, to witness the ample pro-
vision made for the comfort of the in
mates of our County Infirmary, and
how carefully, studiously and kindly
their every necessity is looked after by
the efficient overseers of this model
institution. 1t is an honor to our race
and age that mercy and goodness fol-
low those whose loIs are cast in our
modern, we'll conducted county in
firmaries-all the days of their sojourn
ia them. "All these but the greatest
of all is charity"-the crowning virtue
was so pronounced by Him who
"went about doing good" We hesi-
tate not to say, our Infirmary is an or
nament and honor to the county, and
reflects, under its able management,
the highest degree of credit upon all
connected with it, for here, most eff
ciently and tenderly, like the dews of
heaven, do the influences of public
charity descend on and bless the Wards
of the county.
All honor then to the men who pro-
Jected and have provided so well for
this public blessing. The present Coun-
ty Commissioners are men of exalted
motives and honest purposes, and are
willing to do all for the convenience
and good OF the Institution. The Board
of Directors ara men in every way
worthy the confidence reposed in them
men of singleness of purpose to dc
honestly their earnest best for the
work in their hands, and we are sure
they are doing much better service
than the people may credit them with.
With sincere desire to do their whole
duty they act unitedly and harmoni-
ously for the accomplishment of all the
good attainatle. The immediate su-
pervision of the house is in John Lowe
"a most efficient, careful, vigilant and
courteous gentleman, assisted by bis
sister Mrs. Powell, than whom we
have failed to find an equal for her
position, possessing in large degree
the essential requisites with her broth
er, for the arduous and responsible du-
ties devolved upon them.
There are 132 inmates at present in
the InfirmaIy, and with the exception
of about six, are helpless, or at least
can do but little else than eat, sleep,
and attend to few wants.
The crop prospects are good. The
farm well managed. Water abundant
under ingenious contrivances to bring
it from a distance. Health of inmates
excellent. House clean as new pin
from garret to cellar. Every depart
ment is decent and in order. A good
stable is badly needed-huild one Mr..
Commissioners provide scaling lad
ders. There should be no crazy de-
partment, and we hope the State will
abolish this feature of every Infirmary
in the State. Let the incurable insane
be so isolated that they will not annoy
or distress those about them. This is
essential to a thoroughly weA arranged
Infirmary, and should be done
promptly. VISITOR.