Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1884-04-12
The County Poor House.

February term of the Criminal
Court made report concerning the
condition of the County poor-house
which was far from satisfactory and
savored somewhat of the report
made by the Kentucky. legislative
committee of the condition OF An
chorage Asylum. Among other
things the Grand Jury charged that
some of the female inmates of the
poor-house didn't have sufficient
undcrclothing "for comfort or de-
cency." That one of them hadn't
had but one cotton dress for several
years." that the bedding of the in
mates was all furnished by their
relatives, that there was only one
blanket on each bed, that "the un-
der beds of those two females and
one other inmate is worn out and in
pieces, we don't think they would
bear ToatIng out the appear to be
rotten" The report further char
ges that two of the houses are in a
bad condition; that shade trees
have been cut down that the for
mer keeper, Powell, was very cruel
to inmates; that beans were furnish
ed the paupers for food instead of
Irish potatoes which they prefer,
and that the commissioners paid
Is cents for Tneat when it could be
bought cheaper. The report con-
cludes: "We think the County
Court should look well into the mat
ter fully at its next term as 10 would
have been indicted by the Grand
Jury but for the fact that they think
the County Court is not advised as
to the proceedings" The report is
signed "B. w. Herring, foreman
for the Grand jury"
The Poor House commissioners
made report to the April term OF
the County Court in which they
substantially deny all the above
charges. The Commissioners state
"That since we have been in Office,
the inmates of the Poor House have
been humanely treated and COM
fortably clad, and fed, and that the
premises have not been neglected in
any way, and we defy any one to
prove to the contrary" In proof OF
this they offer the reports of former
Grand Juries, especially one made
Nov. q, 1882, and signed by B. W.
Herring. This report says 1--WE
find the house and premises in good
order and that the inmates are well
kept and we'll provided for" An
other Grand Jury report at the JAN
uary term of that year, which is
referred to, states that the Poor
House inmates were "loud in their
praises of the manner in which they
were treated by the keeper, Mr.. Pow
ell, and his family" their food was
good and that they were "well
clothed, had plenty of bed clothing
and good cabins to live in" The
commissioners further state that
they have examined into the matter
and find that one of the females
who was said to have insufficient
clothing has three dresses and four
underskirts, and five blankets on
her bed. That the other woman,
who is partially insane, and was
sent to the Poor House because her
relatives could not control her, has
three dresses and four more ready
to make, twelve underskirts and
five or six blankets on her bed and
a lot of quilts. That her sister, who
is well able, has made her some
presents since she has been an in
mate. The Commissioners affirm
that "the inmates of the Poor
House, have always had good,
wholesome food, and plenty of it."
That potatoes were not purchased
during January because they would
freeze and rot; but during all the
balance of the winter they have
been supplied. That the reason
they have paid Is cents for meat
was because they made contract
with certain parties to furnish the
meat for the Poor House for six
months at that price, when meat
was worth fifteen cents. They state
that there has been no waste on the
premises, that four trees were cut
down because they were dead that
there are now standing within so
feet of the houses, 5 white oaks, 2
Spanish oaks, "a inches in diameter,
One large box elder, large cedars
and some apple and peach trees.
In conclusion, the Commissioners
invite full and thorough investi-
cation of the Poor House, and of
their management of it, and say
"We care not from what source this
investigation comes, so that it be
fair and impartial"
A number of citizens who live
near the Poor House and who have
frequently visited the paupers for
the last several years fully endorse
the commissioners report.
The County Court referred these
reports to a special committee, to
investigate and report at the July
term.
THE following dispatch is SAM
pie of the news that frequently
comes from the peaceful and law
abiding North:
CUMBERLAND, MD, April e.
A prize fight came off at Hynd-
man, Pa, yesterday morning, be-
tween Hungarian named Nick
T