Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-05
A VISIT TO THE COUNTY POOR FARM.

VISIT TO THE COUNTY POOR FARM.
To the Editor OF the Eagle.
The ladies of the Central w. G. L. o., OF
Wichita were recently reminded that they
had heretofore neglected to visit the home
of the wards of the county-the poor farm
and true to their policy of informing
themselves on all subjects which pertain
to the comfort and the happiness OF the
home, Immediately made arrangements for
supplying the deficiency. Accordingly, on
one of our balmy winter days one OF their
number brought out her carriage and TAX
ing three others with her, drove some hive
miles over the beautiful rolling prairies OF
the city and suburbs out to the poor farm.
They were cordially received by the matron
and ushered into the family sitting room.
After chattering awhile and admlring the
thrifty house plants in the windows they
were shown over the commodious build
ing. Though taken unawares everything
was clean and in good order. The bare
floors were as white as the old time floors
of our grandmothers'. but suggested at
once to the housekeeperlY eyes OF the ladies'
that great deal of time and
strength must be consumed in keep
ing them So while some PLAIN car
peting or mating would be much
more comfortable and homelike as well as
more easily cared for; and certainly
Sedgwick county would not feel the eX-
pense.
In the sleeping rooms. which were large
and airy, the beds were neatly made and
the matron informed them that each occu-
pant attended to the making of his own
bed This certainly creditable to the oc-
cnpants In the dining room the inmates
were just finishing their dinner, which
Judging by what was left, must have been
substantial and palatable and the men
and women did not have any of the woe,
begone. disconsolate look which we read
of in books, as belonging to paupers.
A peep into the medicine closet gave AS
surance that emergencies were provided
against
From the house the visitors were shown
the cave cellar, safe refuge from the cy-
clone aud now furnished with rows upon
rows of pans Of rich milk from six cows;
there were also two or three jars OF sur
plus butter ready for market.
The poultry house was the next object OF
interest, comfortable roosting place for
the turkeys, chickens and guinea fowls;
Four hundred young chicks were raised
last year, and thirty eggs day the present
returns from the fiOcs
In the barn were horses and mules, and
in an adjoining shed stalls for the cattle,
in the lot were the calves and pigs and
pigs far over the hills.
Every thing on the place Detokens thrift
and careful supervision. The greatest
wonder in the minds of the visitors was
the cause of the small number of inmates,
there being only nine who are receiving
the benefit of all this provision for the
poor, while there are SO frequent reports
in the papers of the extreme suffering.
Why do not the needy ones go and receive
the comforts provided for them.
Another thing which struck the ladies
as peculiar was that while the overseer of
the farm receives four hundred dollars q
year salary, which no doubt fully earns,
his wife the matron receives neught, but
her board 1t occurred to them that if the
matron were to leave there would proba-
bly, be something missed besides her board.
Arrangements were made for the w. G.
T. U. to hold gospel services with them on
a sabbath in the near future, and they
took their leave well pleased with their
visit. >. a L.