St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1889-03-14
A VISIT TO THE ALMSHOUSE.
An oyster Supper by the Overseer.

self some of the ins and outs of said
institution under the present man
agement l have taken pains to visit
it at various times in the past two
years, and from once to twice a year
for the past twenty years. And prior
to March 1, 1888, it has, in my opin-
ion, been treated as an institution
that was made never to wear out,
and never to be repaired, for the
carpenter hammer and the painters
brush were things almost wholly un-
known in and about these premises.
One barn and one shed broke down
a few years ago; cause, old age and
want of care. And they were not re-
built until within the past six months,
thus leaving a scanty supply for the
storage of crops and farming tools.
1Tilc fences were in had condition,
the farm run down in places, and the
banks of the river had grown up to
poplar, cherry and alders. The soil,
though naturally poor, had become a
poor quality of dirt. Now l find by
observation that the farm Welded
the past year good reward for la
Dor done, the barns have been well
filled, the poplar, cherry and alders
that grew thereon have been cut
down and fitted for the stove The
stone have been picked up, rough
places have been SmOOthed, some fence
has been built, and timber has been
cut on the farm the present winter
and sawed for fencing and for other
much needed repairs. l learn that
one sill to the hay barn has rotted
away. This barn also needs new
shingles, and some rafters heightened
to bring up one end that slopes off
like horses hip. One half of the
horse barn, so called, though un-
worthy of the name by outward APP
pearance, l noticed has been put in
good shape so far as the inside is
concerned.
l will now invite you to come with
me into the house We must go in
under an old fashioned shed that re-
sembles in appearance the old dance
hall at Passumpsic or the Center
village with big archways, and,
suppose, once small windows over
them, but for years they have been
broken out The door to the man
sion, though quite unfit for stable,
is made by mailing together two
thicknesses of wide boards, thus
making the general doorway to the
st. Johnsbury almshouse. This ad-
mits you to a large kitchen about
seven feet high. It's ceiling is black
ened far beyond the painters skill to
whiten. Its furniture consists of a
nice new cooking range, new sink,
three or four old chairs and n few
thousand of brick in the center. On
inquiry l was told that thirty years
ago that pile of brick was used as
an oven This is of no earthly use
now except to make the kitchen more
close and dismal There is no water
in or about this mansion save at the
barn yard, and if there is enough
after the stock have drank it is car
ried in pals to the house. OF course
this is very handy for our poor old
people and also for the lady in charge
There is no pantry that joins the
kitchen but you can get to one by
going through two doors and a mar
row walk. The pantry is scarcely
large enough for a cheap tenement
house. l believe there is not a tax
payer in town but would say if he
should examine these premises that
the overseer would not only be justi-
fed in fixing it in good shape but
thatit was his duty to do so as soon
as possible.
On going into the main part of the
house was most highly pleased with
the way it is kept. The dust, the
dirt and the filthy corners, that on
former visit were almost sickening,
have been removed. Mrs. Pierce and
some helpers have, to my surprise,
found q pretty fair coat of paint be-
meath the surface and it is now sweet
and clean from cellar to attic The
vermin that have so long thrived
here are as scarce as hens teeth. All
the inmates now speak in highest
praise of the present management.
They have enough to eat and good
clothes to wear. l was told by one
of the inmates that they had a sur
prise party last Thursday night in the
form of an oyster supper provided
by their host Mr.. Randall and Mrs
Pierce the mistress of the house |
it was done in honor of his
reelection. Leslie says he likes oys-
ters if he is town pauper, and says
they shall all vote for "Si"; and |
am inclined to think they cannot do |
better.
| believe it is not only a privilege |
but duty of the taxpayers and the
ladies of st. Johnsbury to visit the
A TAXPAYER
ON THE PA SSUMPSIC.
An extra freight on the Passump-
sic was thrown over the turn table |
L. l..