The New York herald., 1879-10-16
STAR VATI0N!
How the Poor Are Treated by
Tompkins County.
SALT PORK HOU s SE.
Sick and Dying Paupers FED on
Hog Blubber.
FRESH MEAT ONCE A SEASON.
SALT PORK HOU s E.


ITHACA, N. " Oct. 2. 1S79
I have now reached tho saddest chapter of my
tale. TompKins county. the seat Of great univer-
sity. with all its evidences of mans munihcence for
the cause education. furnishes the most lamenta-
BILE example OF the Indifference Of society to the
sufferings of the It's paupers' "home is IN
nearly rs bad condition the house at schohsre.
but even the old brick structure which spoke OF IN
my first letter has attractions which are want
ing in this case. It is true that the
poor and the imbecile were fed on mush py
Mr. spickerman and that the establishment was
without any adequate provision for the gooo
care OF the sick. but at the Alinshouse Oh
the shores of Cayuga Lake. which we are
about to visit the aged ana the dyinR
have been fed many long months on salt pork OF
the most unpalarable and unwholesome Kind. Inc
facts which are about to be stated were gatherod In
most careful and business-iike way We will enter
q carriage and drive to tho province OF poverty
WHERE 1T?
Tbe poorhouse is situated about miles to the
northward of Ithaca. on the Trumansburg road
which follows the western shore of Cayuga Lake.
As an evidence OF public sentiment here in regard to
the condition OF the poor. two incidents may be
stated. The first Is that few persons knew
the exact location of the county buildings
and no two OF them gave the distance alike. The
prcpondcrating opinion seemed to be that the farm
was located ten twelve miles from town In some
direction. The second incident occurred during q
conversation with we'll known lthacan on the po-
Iitical situation. In lull in the talk asked:-
swho is the keeper Of the AlmshouseT
'Tom Bower said he.
"what sort of place is it?"
"a very comfortable one"
s'Have you ever been there?"
"No."
"IIow does he feed them?"
''very well; good enough for paupers."
-s'Have you ever asked?'
"No."
..How many have they out thereY'
81 don't know"
'.where is the poor house?"
.I haven't any idea. But. as was about to say.
John Kelly will deieat--"
THE SALT PORK PRISON.
The ride is beautiful one. From the road the
lake often be seen and the hills rising gracefully
even majestically beyond. This lake possesses q
greater interest when discover that it is hardly
mile from its shores to the County Aims
house, and that. hled with fish, rs its waters are
nished to the starving poor for many months-if
not years. Indeed. salt bacon has become tho
% meth not tt to the contrary" About mile this sido
of Jacksonville a lane leads off the main road
to the right and short ,.t driys ", brings
M. Bower Il particular to give his full name for.
as think all will agree when am done. he needs
gagged in political work for his brother-in-law, Mr..
Smith. who is a candidate for Superntendent OF the
Poor. Mercy wait when the glorious cause of
ones relations involved
ToMPKINs TREATS HER POOR
A young lady, doubtless belonging to the keeper 3
family. kindly offered to show mo into the main
building, and after visit to the old ladies' domice
Twas left to pursue my investigations alone The
below-where 1t will be seen the keeper gets the
ions share or the house room:-