The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-09-08
OVER THE HILLS.
The Poor House and its
Present Condition.
Historical Sketch of that
County Institution.
Reasons assigned for its I'M
mediate Improvement.
OVER THE HILLS.

| An exchange publishes the following let
ter concerning the poor farm
| The care of the paupers, the idiotic and
| the insane has been a very material burded
upon the taxpayers of the county in the
past, and the burden is certain to increase
with the increase of population. But
while the hearts of the peolpe continue to
be moved by that spirit of practical hui
manity which is the outgrowth of Christ
ian civilization, the burden will be cheer
fully borne. The helpless and unfortunate,
the INDECENT and infirm win in some way
be provided for Want and sufferinff will
be relieved to the extent that is possible in
public institution. What the people
care especially to know is, that their con-
tributions through taxation are not vast
ed, but are scrupulously and Judiciously
applied to the purpose intended.
A correspondent visited the County Poor
Farm a few days ago, and from Mr.. Asa
Buttman, the steward, and Mr.. George
w Brown assistant, as we'll as from other
sources, gathered some facts which
may be of interest to the public.
HISTORICAL.
The county bought the present farm of
1771 acres of Jas. NJ Smith, in 1860. The
price paid was $50 an acre. The late
Judge Wilson, of Rural, then represented
his town in the Board of Supervisors, and
took an active interest in the matter
Steps were promptly taken for the erection
of the present poor house proper, and by
the Fall of 1861 the building was occupied,
with w. S. Bailey as steward.
Prior to this time the paupers were kept
in an old frame building on the north side
of Rock river, near Sears mill, the ruins
of which were still standing few years
ago. The paupers were removed to their
new quarters, their number during the
winter of 1861 being about 90.
IMPROVEMENTS
were needed to adapt the place TO its new
uses. There was scarcely tree on the
entire tract; few fences; no barn; but one
well and that not reliable in dry weather
and no outhouses nor stables. All these
followed each other as rapidly as possible
To-day the farm has about tour miles of
good hedge fence, good orchard. an
abundance of shade trees and all the nee
essary farm and outbuildings.
But persons seeking relief kept crowding
in until the original building, with com
Portable quarters for about fifty, became
too small In its construction no adequate
provision had been made for the proper
of the sick nor the proper care of the in
sane and idiotic. Hence in 1870 a scrarate
building, with twelve cells was erected for
the violent insane. This being soon found
too small, another story was added in 1876 |
with twelve additional cells.
In 1874 a dwelling for the stewards fam |
~ was erected Up to this time the family |
lad occupied portion of the same build
ng with the paupers. In the meantime
mother well was dug, furnishing an mex
laustible supply of water for all purposes.
windmill pumps the water through pipes
nto large tanks i'll the upper story of the
buildings, whence it is distributed to the
,itchen, wash room dormitories, etc. This |
veil has proved especially valuable during
he present dry season.
AN APPROXIMATE IDEA
nay be formed of the amount OF money ex-
'ended on the farm by the county from
he following figures: