Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1878-01-23
County House and Farm.

Thinking that our readers might
desire to learn how matters were
being conducted ut the county
farm, and knowing that every citi-
zen of this county had perfect
right to know how all public mat
tiers were being carried on, last
week we took occasion TO visit the
poor house and county farm for
the purpose of telling our readers
what was going on there, and how
the place was managed.
Arriving at the premises, we
could not refrain from remarking
that the appearance of the grounds
surrounding the house had under
gone a great change in the past
year, about all Of the old land
marks (mostly burnt stumps and
old log heaps), had entirely dis
appeared, and the general appear
ance from the outside looked home
like, neat and comfortable.
Passing to the right Of the house,
we took a survey of the original
grounds, and then sauntered over
the forty acres purchased by the
county last year. The former five
acres as we have said, bore very
neat and thrifty appearance, while
the latter is being cleared up as fast
as possible Ivy G. N. Benton, who
has charge of the premises. Mr..
Benton seems determined to bring
the forty to state of cultivation
as soon as the circumstances will
admit, exerting every available
means TO accomplish that end, and
we are pleased to notice that he is
making commendable progress in
that direction. While looking over
the land now under cultivation, Mr..
Benton informs us that the past
season he raised three tons of hay,
about one hundred bushels of grain,
put one hundred and thirty BUSH
els of potatoes in the cellar, to-
gether with other vegetables suffi-
cient to supply the house till vege-
tables come again this season. This
we consider very good showing,
when we take into the account the
fact that the amount Of land under
state of cultivation at present is
quite small; and the produce thus
raised will go very far toward light
ening the expenses connected with
taking care of the county poor.
Proceeding to the house we were
soon ushered into the presence of
Mrs. Benton, who gave us an invi-
tation to visit the inmates of the
house and see them as they were
located in their respective rooms.
In passing from room to room, we
could not desist from noticing that
everything in the house, las was
the case out of doors), was in the
best of order, and seemed to be
presided over by one fully equal to
the task.
In the main part of building
there are eight rooms, and in the
wing four, the building being two
stories high; and it is in the main
building that the paupers, eleven
in number, have their rooms.
John Potvin. an old and infirm
man, 81 years of age, occupies one
of the front rooms on the second
floor. lie is unable to do any work,
and will probably remain county
charge during the remainder of his
life. We learn that he has no rel
atives in this section.
On the same floor in another
room we found Edward s. Wait, a
man So years of age. The reason
for him being at the county house
is on account of having his leg
broken at McElroy's camp nearly
six weeks since. Although so far
advanced in years, he is getting
along much better than would
naturally be supposed, and will soon
be able to be about again. In fact
he is able to hobble about some on
crutches now,
Pbineas Haw, aged 67, is anoth-
or of the inmates, and he is not
able to be of much service about
the premises, and prospects not
very favorable for him ever being
taken from the county house.
William s. Hill, is also well adj
vanced in years, and unable to do
but very little labor.
Ignace Corlen, German, aged
65, is very industrious man, and
always wants to be doing some
thing. clearing M. pilinP wood. |