The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-09-10

or the seven per0ns 1ouna theTe put one
an Irishman, who had lost his eyesight ap-
pears in full possession OF his mental facul-
ties.
A WOMAN WITH A SAD HISTORY.
Mrs. Gorrell, widow OF John g. Gorrell,
who was a prominent citizen OF the county
In his lie time, "a member OF the County
Court, and Board OF Supervisors, overseser
Of the county poor for Clay township, and
keeper OF the county poor farm, on Wheel
log Creek. although capable OF giving intel
ligent replies to inquiries as ID treatment
eta, was found to be evidently yerging upon
dotage, caused, no doubt, by intrm health,
her greatly changed condition IN lie and
advancing age. OF the remaining i've, Two
at least are bordering on idiocy, and the 9TH
ers OF very weak intellect.
Tie committee found that the greatest
number ever contained In the institution
was "a. The house contains but three rooms
allotted to paupers, so that 1t will be seen
that each OF the three rooms, which are
about Ia feet square, served for eight per-
SONS at the time "a inmates were accomc-
dated.
In reply to the inquiry as to whether they
were given enough 10 eat the Irishmsn said,
in a hesitsting sort OF manner, ayes, gen.
erally; some times meat is pretty scarce, and
we never get any butter. We could some
times eat more than is furnished us.n
When asked what mode OF punishment
was employed to enforce obedience to the
rules OF the institution, the witness said,
THAT fellow" pointing TO q young man Of
about Is years OF age. who Is about equally
distant between an idiot and a lunatic, got
a good switching one day for biting 'Lizs,."
"L'zs'i is a simple woman who has been
49, E,rtntn ~ tha p1aca for many yaaFa
ONE OF THE SERIOUS CHARGES.
After close questioning, the Irishpan at
last admitted that he lad himself bsen the
recipient OF q whipping, and proceeded to de-
tail In an amusing manner the circumstances
which led TO the disoiplinihg. he said he
was making up his bed, when several OF the
female inmates, who were sweeping and
cleaning the room, persisted In "tszing'
him, when he caught one Of them around
the waist and gave her q good square hug
adding by way OF apology for his unseemly
conduct, that he was q "stout, hearty Irish
imam, and, barring thu loss OF his eye-sight, In
fall possession OF all his natural faculties.
faults, ~frailtles and proolivities, and, air, divil
the bit av me could resist 1t" This, he as
serted, was the full extent Of his demonstrn.
ton, and he meant no harm TO the gurrul
atal, at all.n
Mr., Riggs, the keeper, had been notified,
|howeyer,of the proceedings goingo or, and arm'
ing himself with the whip, came into the
room and surpri:ed Pat by applying 1t Wis
orously to his back.
Mrs. Gorrell did not complain Of the treat
ment received, or the fare and clothing fur
| nished her, yet her manner OF replyingto in-
%0uiries on the subject impressed the commit
| lee with the conviction that her answers were
prompted by a Christian resignation TO meek
" accent whatever was rendered her. Mr..
Ewing thinks that the keeper Is somewhat to
blame for not keeping Mrs. GorrelPs bed
and bedding in better condition, as thestraw
lick contains but very little filling, sAd be-
sides the clothes were far from being clean.
The committee saw but six beds in the house
for the use OF paupers, and scarcely any
furniture OF any description whatever:
In regard to the absence Of the keeper and
family on the Sunday that Mr.. Evans visited
the place, 1t was developed that the family
| did 70 to o church In the morning, leaving
no person except the paupers In charge OF
the house, but that the keepers daughter,
oil woman's age, returned and prepared din
ner for the inmates. Mr.. Riggs and his
wife did not return until evening. This, Of
course, was a very reprehensible thing for
the keeper 10 do, as owing 10 the mental COZ
| ultlOH OF mOSt VI tut iuulatest aau htS w.
CURED at the house during the absence Of
the family, II certainly would have been
destroyed, as they are incapable OF making
the least effort toward extinguishing a fire.
NO IMMORTALITY RECENTLY.
Investigation shows that Of the several
cases OF iilegitinate births that have occurred
at the farm, in every case, with one exception,
the mothers were sent there to be provided
with a home during confinement. The ex'
ceptional case occurred years ago.
The committee will unanimously recon-
mend that the farm be sold, and that another
and more suitable place. and one easier OF
access, be purchased, having buildings better
calculated for the purpose.
They are OF the opinion that the poor oil
| the county have Jared Just about as well IN.
der the management Of the present keeper
as possible with the means Of biz disposal,
and that oil fault 10 chargeable to the county
authorities for falling to supply suitable
buildingL
Nj. Ewing attributes this more to careless
ness on the part Of the authorities than to
any other cause, and to the fact that the mat.
ter was never brought to their attention In