The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-07-14
New BUILDING At HOME
1t Was Inspected Yesterday by Members Of
The Poor Board
ONE OF The BEST IN The State
Contract for Remodelling the Old
Women's Building Awarded to John
Benore & Son and Hunt & ConneIl.
When Completed It Will Be Used as
a Home for Old and lnfirm Men.
Structures Credit to the City.

was held Yesterday afternoon Mt
the Hillside hOma, overlooking the
picturesque Newton valley, which
just now wears its most becoming
garb. After the meeting the mbers
inspected the new women's building,
which is the most complete of the
kind in the state
The meeting was called to order by
President W. l.. Langstaif; the other
directors present being: Mrs Frances
b. Swan. and Messrs. Gibbons, Will
liams, Shotten and Murphy
The question of awarding the con.
tract for the remodelling of the build
ing formerly used by women WAS the
matter that engaged the attention of
the board. Tne bids were received ut
the last meeting but were referred to
tho home committee TO ascertain IL the
district could not have the building re-
modelled better and cheaper by having
the work done by the day and employ
ing such inmates Of the home as could
be utilized on the work
BENoRE AWARDED CONTRACT.
After fully considering the matter
the home committee and Architect
Amsden came to the conclusion that
the district would not make anything
by undertaking the reconstruction of
the building itself, and so reported to
the meeting yesterday.
Mr.. Gibbons inclined to the belief
that it would he cheaper for the dis
trict to have the work done by the day
and employ as much Of its own help as
possible, until he heard Architect Ans
den's opinion and those Of the mem
bers of the home committee. He
then agreed with the other members
to have the work done by contract
and John Benore q Son being the low
est bidders were awarded the contract
for $S, 200 The contract for steam and
gas fitting. plumbing, etc. was award.
ed 10 Hunt & Connell for s.. 400 Work
on the remodelling Of the building will
commence at once and it will probably
be ready for occupancy by winter.
Secretary Lynett reported that the
board Of underwriters had reconsidered
the adverse report of Mr. Bradell, the
electrical expert who examined the
wiring Of the new building, and were
anxious to have the policies stand as
originally issued On motion of MIR.
Gibbons the action of the board in or
dering the policies cancelled was re.
cinded.
The house committee was directed to
have the electric lights taken out of
the octagou barn to prevent the posi-
bility of fire.
NEW BUILDING INSPECTED.
After the business meeting adjourned
the members proceeded to the new
women's building and inspected it. 1t
was first occupied last Monday. The
building is an imposing brick structure
with stone trimmings, and is the first
one that greets the eve as the visitor ap.
proaches the farm. 1t is tireprOof, hol
low firehricks and steel girders form
ing the floors, and the walls are also Of
hollow friedrich. All of the floors are
covered with slate tiles
The very latest sanitary ideas were
employed in it's construction, and it is
as nearly perfect building for the use
of old and infrm women as could be
imagined, The dormitories are we'll
lighted, cheerful and comfortable. The
building is 5Ox100 feet in size, with a
wing 2Ox9O feet. and is three stories in
height, Its total cost was about
$40 000
The new building and its appoint
ments met the entire approval of the
members, who proceeded to make n
general inspection Of the other build
ing, which they found neat and we'll
kept, showing that Mr.. Beemer and
his wife, who is matron of the institu-
ton, give unceasing care and attention
to the proper management of the home
and the care OF the 300 inmates they
have in charge
NEW MEMS BUILDING.
The building which is about to be re.
modelled will when completed, be
used as home for old and infirmed
men. At present the men are quar-
tered in a frame building, which was
the first building at the farm used as
an nlmshouse, and in the first floor OF
the insane building
The plans contemplate thorough
change in the interior of the building
and also radical change in the exte =
rior. When completed it will bear ia.
vorable comparison with the admins
tration building, women's building and
insane buildings. 1t is doubtful if there
is another city in the country Of the
size of Scranton that so we'll and hu
namely cares for its insane as does
Scranton
The work of tearing out partitions
grading about the building and laying
foundations for the additions will be
done by the inmates under the drec-
ton of Superintendent Baemer.