The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-14
OTSEGO COUNTY's pAUPERs.
Realities in the Glowing
~ Land Of Romance.
DAMPNEOS, DIRT And DIPHTHERlA.
Studies of Character and Scenes
of Misery.
us LIFE WORTH LIVING 2"

COOPERsTCwN, N. T., Sept ~, 1873.
Cooperstown IL pretty village. fondly loved by
those who have left it and extolled by those
seekers of country comfort who during the summer
season venture to make the journey a very
rough railroad in order to reach it, The visitor Is
reminded on every hand Of tho great story writer
whose name the village bears. Indeed the name Of
Fenimore Cooper has been carefully divided IN order
that it may supply names to two hotels. and his
tales Of the forest have been grossly twisted out of
shape that they may furnish interesting localities
which oblging hotel clerks and no less willing hack
men anxious every should see 1t is the land
Of romance prominently. and this may account for
the fact that few Of the dwelers the southern
shores Of Otsego Lake comprehend the reality that
stares them in the face they approach the town
the railroad from the south-the reality that exists
at the Otsego County Foorhouse Here again found
the contrast that referred to in my letter ut
Schoharie. In walking down from the depot to the
hotel passed the village green on which stood the
Court House and various offices OF record The lawn
carefully trimmed and the walks were In most
orderly condition. saw two signs painted on sep
arate boards fastened to tree. Prompted by Idle
curiosity read them. One set forth the hours ut
which prisoners in the County Jail might receive
their friends. The other read:-"Positively no per-
mits given to visit Buell." had to think moment
before could recall the identity of this criminal In
itself. Who was he? condemned murderer-ad-
judged guilty of dastardly crime. might have
looked in vain for another signboard bearing the
words:-"Four miles from this place are seventy Of
our fellow citizens. innocent Of crime. who are
dying in squalor and misery" As matter Of fact
asked four intelligent residents Of Cooperstown be-
fore could find one who knew where the Aims
house was located The common answer was. 'It's
out OF town somewhere" OF course it was out of
town; knew that such always the case. Such
disagreeable objects always placed where the
eyes of selfcontented people will not be offended by
them. We will do what not one person in q hundred
in any county town does-we will 60 to the
Almshouse.
ON THE ROAD.
The road runs almost due south from the main
street of the town and is in much better condition
than was to be expected. knowing whence it leads.
Inquiry satisfies me that it is not smoothly worn
by the travel Of sympathizing visitors. but that
large cotton mill and village beyond is the OF
the travel the thoroughfarc. The best face of
the buildings is shown to the public that passes
daily on the railway. In this the overseers of tho
poor only follow an old adage about putting the
best face possible toward the world. The nest OF
buildings are perched on the brow OF small
hill and overlook miles OF the surrounding country
The lane, after leave the main road, docs not
approach the Poorhouse in alluring manner.
True. it does not take us through the potters field;
Ill praise 1t is good building. well ventilated.
raised high above the dampness OF the ground free
from vermin and bad smells-everything. in fact
which the quarters inhabited by the paupers
not. II were going to the Otsego Poorhouse to
live should either want to be horse to have
tho privilege of sleeping in one of the stalls of the
stable.
FEW IMPROVEMENTS.
1.-THE old stone house," as it is Familiarity called
is two stories high with a basement. 1t forms the
front of quadrangle OF buildings. the three other
sides being completed by wooden structures OF
more or less antiquity which contain most of the
distressing features OF the institution. The central
through the woodshed by walk leading from the
barnyard. I made myself known to the keeper,
MI. Andrew Spencer. rs visitor to Cooperstown,
Interested in the work in which he was engaged,
who had come out to his institution. He
rather anxious. fanced, to know whether was a
citizen OF the county, so l had to keep
the entire establishment and all
its good and bad features In order that may do
full justice to the keeper will speak of addition
to the buildings which he has just completed. 1t Is
bathroom. washhouse. with stationary
tubs. has been finished. and in one wing has been
placed bathing apartment. in which the inmates
are required to wash themselves once q week. New
arrivals he declares resolutey object to the bath.
but land he described it carefully to mel couple of
mon strip the newcomer and. each taking stiff
desh brush, scrub him so vigorously that forever
after he prefers to rub himself. This may not be
positively cruel and as the end seems to justify the
means, 1t Is, perhaps, well to commend it. If five
persons washed IN the same water, am informed,
doubt II the benefit is very great
Pushing from these new quarters-where, by the
way. are no dormitories--we emerged into the
open square, around which tho buildings
ranged and from which all are entered. The theory
would seem to be that 1t is purely the mechanical
departments that need Improvement. What matters
good wash house and satisfactory ironing room?
Once in the central court the realities the place
appear. All that is new has vanished, all that Is old
and worthless in the eyes of society is seen, The
ah