The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-28
Among the Forsaken Poor
Of Essex County.
DIETING THE STATE LAWS
Children Growing Up in a School
of Pauperism.
PERSECUTION OF A MADMAN.

WHALLoNsBURG. N. T., Oct. "a. 1879.
Considered as a whole. for its inadequacy OF &C
commodations. the number and condition OF its IN
mates and the large proportion of children kept
within it's walls in sheer defiance of the law. have
no hesitation saying that the Essex County Aims
house ut this place is decidedly the worst in the
State Of New York. There some unimportant
features about the establishment that not OBJ
jectionable as they at the Schoharie Otsego
county institutions and. indeed. doubt il they
fed as badly as at Jacksonville lin Tompkins), but
nowhere have l such exhibitions of inhumanity
and lack of care here The buildings situated
about half mile from the village. on Q farm of
ninety odd acres The road leads out past the
church already mentioned and u few squalid dwell
ings. the inmates Of which seem. literally. ION the
way" to the paupers purgatory.
VIEWED FROM WITHOUT.
As the main edfce is constructed OF brick the in
stitution presented q rather favorable appearance
from the exterior. The promise better, how
ever. than the fulflment Several inmates OF the
establishment ut the large barn the left
of the road. as approached. occupied in storing
large wagon loads Of the stalk. Entering
the gate and ascending the steps leading to the porch
which extends along the front of the house. rang
the bell have often had queer fancies about door
bells and the different ways in which people draw
and tweak heIa. It is not difficult thing tell the
mission Of the visitor if the inmate of the house
schools his to the tanstre of the bell. Ny ring
meant only one thing-"Somebody wants to speak
with the head Of the house." had been knocking
at the doors Of almshouses for nearly two weeks.
or. may be, pulling smshouse door bells. One
becomes accustomed to anything and now awaited
the appearance of the keeper with the utmost self
possession; prepared for any emergency ready with
answers for all possible questions. defed alike his
curiosity his Immature.
A CURT RECEPTION.
Mr.. Howard, the keeper. made his appearance.
He is q man of medium height and almost repelling
visage. He grufiy replied to my request to see his
institution by saying that the hour was too early.
Surprising that in the country nine O'Clock not
unreasonable time to make the visit I had
hoped to complete my inspection soon enough to
leave the miserable little village the train.
This wish did not consider it necessary to explain
to him. Affecting the utmost Indifference. there
FORE took seat and replied that was in no hurry
whatever. A moment later. from remark of his
toanother person. discovered that he expecting
to GO to the town and, after brief interval. buggy
brought to the front door by of the paupers
whom the county permitted him to utilize
hostler. may be inferred that did not interpose
any obstacles to his departure.
THE GROUND PLAN.
No sooner. however. had seen the horse and his
driver disappear the brow of the first hill than
pulled the bell again and urged q plump young
woman who answered the call TO procure me the
services Of guide that might be conducted over
the buildings. I represented matters to her in SO
satisfactory light that was speedily on my way.
The general shape OF the buildings. old and new.
will be seen by the annexed diAgrsm:-