West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1897-02-18

Think So-Some Think Not-rhe
Argus Man Visits the slmshouss.
There is n great deal of talk these
days in the places of business about
town, at the treside. and i'm fact all
over the county, about the recent ac-
ton of the county court in changing
the system of caring for the poor OF the
county. The action OF the court has
caused some favorable comment and
some that Is uafavorable. As the new
method is only an experiment, and the
experiment as yet entirely uutried, il
is therefore hardly fair To either COM
mesd or condemn 1t. The opinius offer
ed by men of business experience are
varied The strongest criticism seems
to be concerning the appointment OF
tho Steward, and it emauates, of course.
more OF less from persons whose appii-
cations and bids were declined by the
court. 1t is true that there were some
very good men turned down by the
coart, men whose bids were lower, and
some whose bids were higher. Men
who wero also known to- be capable
aud well fitted for the important place.
Some persons go so far as to say that
MIR. Johnson is not the proper person
tor the place for various reasons, and
make vague charges of unproficiency,
etc, against him. MIR. Johnson comes
To the court highly recommended and
endorsed by Mr. L, NJ. Hartley, man
whose opinion is worth something, and
who represents one Of the best districts
in the county, on the court
The ARGUS does not propose to put
MIR. johnson on trial before his term
begins. IL is but fair TO SEQ what he
will do, and how he will do IL. Mr..
Johnson may make one of the very best
of Stewards. or the very poorest. Give
hin an opportunity to try. and his
methods will soon speak for them
selves. Another criticism that has
been brought forward is that two
superiatendents have been appointed.
instead of one as formerly. IL Mr.
Hartley, who has been appointed gem
cral superintendent had been so APP
pointed with salary, then criticism
would have been pertinent at this
time. AS it is. Mr.. Hartley probably
expects to look after the almshouse in
general way, without pay, and the
county will be the better off for his
wise and judicious business like man
agement IL he should ask for extrav-
agent allowances for his services, then
he is open for adverse criticism. so the
matter stands, and Mr.. Brand will soon
hand over the keys to the new manage
ment, and few more weeks will open
up Mr.. Johnson's administration of
affairs down in Poor Mans Hollow"
The present almshouse stands as a
monument TO the biggest piece OF pub
lie folly and error In judgement that
there is in this entire county. When
the new building was erected, in 1877,
the county should have then selected a
more favorable place, but against the
wise counseis of loRg-headed and FAR
seeing citizens, the new building was
placed on the original farm down IN
the hollow on what was once known as
the John Il. Stone farm. There it is
to-day, down under the hill. inaccess-
ible and Improbable. There are 30
acres In the farm, and il is poor until
liable soil, so poor that the poor est of
farmers would hardly want TO pay
taxes on it. Instead of purchasing n
good level farm that could have been
self sustaining for the poor fund. the
board selected the present site, as an
old citizen says, ION account of the
fine spring Of water so near by"
The erection of the present building
on the poor farm was first proposed
early in 1877, and at that time all such
business was usually transacted by
what was known as the Board OF Over
seers OF the poor" At that time the
Board was composed Of the following
members: John J. Cooke, President;
ID. Stempls, Jr., Secretary; John T.
Liston, Jonas Frankhouser, James NJ
Carroll, John v. Fortney and Jonathan
Smith
committee appointed by the board
examined the following properties,
with view Of purchasing one for the
poor farm: The property known as
the Howe property now owned by j.
L. Mckenzie. at townsville; the VIM
Elliott farm, near Resdsville; the
Brown farm, near KingwoOd; the j. N.
Feather farm, on Brandonville Pike,
If miles from Kingwood; the Jared
Rodebeaver farm, at Albrigh tsville; the
Jordan farm, near King wood and the
Potter farm also near town. The com.
mittee recommended in favor Of the
Elliott and Rodeheaver farns. but the
board failed 80 agree, "a they turned
the matter over TO the county court.
/ Their decision was for a aew building
not 20 exceed In cost 81. 900. on the old
farm. The present building did cost
few hundred dollars more thar
that, however. The moncy for the
building Of the new poor house wa,
raised by the issuing and sale Of bond,
Of 800 each.
The present building has never beer
enlarged and is good frame structure
with a foe cut stone foundation. Tn,
residence part consists Of eight gOoC