Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-12-04
THE POOR FARM.
A Visit to the Home Of the POor-A Neat an
Comfortable Residence and Flourish
ING Farm.

affording ample and ideal shelter for
stock. For agricultural purposes the farm
has not the best possible location, but 1t Is
well adapted to stock raising and fruit
trees and what is most important more
healthful spot could not have been found
in Sedgwick county. 1t is full quarter
section of 166 acres completely surrounded
by a wire fence and divided into fields of
convenient size The land was first pur
chased by the county nearly four years ago
and at that time had no Improvements
save small two roomed house. 1t is the
property known as the Cohn farm. In
February, 1887 DIR, Durand was appointed
commissioner of the poor and assumed
control of the farm which has fourished
since that date until it is now a credit to
the county. 1t is but the question of a few
years when it will be more than
self sustaining The approach to the farm
from the city is over new bridge which
spans the Gypsum creek and more pros
porous and hospita bic establishment in ap-
pearance could not be imagined. This
first impression is only heightened and
substantiated 10y visit and close in
spection.
THE HOUSE.
The house is two-stOry frame having
down stairs a hall and four large rooms,
and up stairs wide hall and nine sleep
ing rooms. Under the house is large
cellar we'll filled with winter stores, fuel,
all the necessities and many of the COM
forts of life. Every room in the house
was as clean as new pin, and the beos
and furnishings were as good as may be
found in an ordinary country hotel. Inc
south front room has sewing machine
amongst it's furnishings and is used as a
work room. About this room were rag
carpet of unique design nearly finished
and other evidences of industry. The OPP
posite room is used as a reception room
aud is completely and tastefully furnished.
The two back rooms serve the
purpose of dining room and kitchen. The
kitchen is a model ana appetizing place IN
every particular, and a glance i'll the larder
would do the heart of d hungry man good.
One of the larger rooms up stairs Is fur
nished with hard coal base burner, which
room is set aside for invalid ladies' The
other rooms are also furnished with stoves
as occasion demands.
THE FARM.
Out of doors presents every appearance
of we'll managed farm. just IN the rear
of the house is small two room house
furnishing extra sleeping rooms and
sitting room for the men. This place Is
also supplied with stoves and every COM
fort. To the south of this is cyclone
cellar. built of brick, which is also used
for milk butter, ETC., being very cool yet
at the same time well ventilated. The
barn is large and roomy and contains
winters supply of hay and corn, in addl-
ton to the stock. In the breeding pens
are four sows with host of little ones,
who evidently think of nothing but some
thing to eat There are six head of horses
and a span of mules, with wagon and har-
ness. la the tool house are the various
necessary farm implements. In the out
door runs there are about seventy pigs, for
the most part pure bred Poland China's.
In the feed lot are about forty-flye head OF
stock and fat cattle. These with abont
two hundred hens and ducks complete the
list of stock
There are forty acres of rye and twenty
of wheat In and all parts of the farm are
being rapidly brought into condition for
thorough cultivation. There Is ample
shade on the place, young orchard of two
hundred and forty fruit trees and SIX hun
dred grape vines
OVERSEER AND MATRON.
Mr.. William Dudley the overseer is a
practical farmer, and on every hand may
be seen evidences of his industry and good
management. The charges all respect him
and lend what assistance they can under
Ia IF no
farm is due to him, His wife Mrs. Dudley
acts as matron and is beyound question
the right woman in the right place. Her
duties are arduous and responsible yet
everything points to the fact that they are
faithfully executed. Besides her ability
to manage and control she has
a sympathetic nature being fully sensible
of the misfortunes of her charges, and thus
can often tighten their depressed spirits
In answer to the question. she said: Yes
they have pleanty to eat and TO wear, and
but little work to do; In fact, all OF their
physical wants are supplied, but there Is
something lacking which cannot be sup
piled and excuses any little fretfulness or
discomfort on their part" For the most
part the inmates of a poor farm have no
living relatives, and the love of kindred so
strong in the human breast is with them
only memory of the long ago past.
THE INMATES.
There are five old ladies, six old men and
two children. Nothing but the hghtest
kind of work is exacted from them, and
none of them had any complaint to make
on any account. Several of them took
pains to state that they were contented
and happy. One old lady is past 90. and is
patiently waiting for the doctor to come
to cure her arm, which IS paralyzed. Poor
old soul. she will not have to wait
many years for the Great Physician,
who can cure all ills. Another
lady has a young son with her whom the
overseer sends to school with his own
children, Old Mr.. Sergeant an English
man by birth has taken charge of the
woodpile and is perfectly happy so long as
no one interferes with his work, as he
terms it. 1t is only necessary for the
overseer occasionally to restrain him from
doing more that his strength Will allow
for he faithfully supplies all the stoves
with wood He Is a bachelor of a genial
disposition, only 81. and thinks he may get
married yet and commence new life.
All Of the inmates try TO be cheerful and
arouse ones sympathy. Doubtless some
of them have friends and even relatives
who ought TO stand between
them and the poor house, while
others have seen the grave close over
the last of their kith and kin. Under such
circumstances one cannot expect much
cheerfulness
| For the names they loved TO hear