West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1897-03-04
TaE rooR novSE AGAIN.
Preston County Denounced BY The
Newspapers

Ih" Vrcston County Poor House is as
wei. conducted as any such institution
ia West Virginia. The buildings may
not bc aS conmolious, nor fitted with
modern convcuicuceS. as are others hut
for an abundance OF wholesome food.
cleanliness and medical attention ours
rs mp with the average In 1850. the
writer was sent 10y the Wheeling Daily
InteHigenccr Co write special article
describing the Ohio County Infrma,v.
which was done. The Ohio County In
Urinary is a model institution. IL is
located upon rich farm the buildings
are brick aud amply large. with all
modern appliances and "a separate hos
pital for the sick. IL has water works
steam heat a fine laundry. ample
ventilation and a well stocked pantry
furnished hy the county. Not,yitb.
standing al these things. the inmate,
looked distressed, especially the i'm
beetles and the infira; there were
many dis,Erccable odors that % erected
the noStrils." 1t is SO in every such
place where IA number Of people live
ia close confinement. The clothing Of
the inmates was plain and some much
tattercd Poor house minutes are not
usually dressed in broad cloth. fed ON
l2h cent beef steak and kept in rooms
sprayed with violet perfumes
The attention OF THE ANGUS readers
is called To the fact that this county
and its public officials have been con
demucd and criticised by "a great many
OF the Wcst Virginia newspa pcrs ir the
past two weeks. aud accused Of "starv-
lag the poor and keeping them in rags
and filth Why? Because the Pres.
ton County Journal came outina lopg
article two weeks ago. which wus a
misleading and exaggerated account
OF the condition OF our iuhrmarv. DO
the cItizons OF good old Preston want
all West Virginia TO think we starvc
our poor and keep them rolling in hlth
and rags2 That is the reputation The
Journal.has given us. Not less than "A
dozen papers in various parts OF the
state have denounced in scathing terms.
something that does not exist and the
fair name OF this rich old county has
one moment, that all that The journal
has stated is true. Are the public
officials who are responsible for the
management OF our county affairs. and
the private citizens who put them in
Office, going TO uphold nowspaper
whose policy is to advertise our mis-
takes aud short comings as county.
aud send it broadcast all over the state q?
MIR Brand soon realized that while
tho journal writer was pretending to
give him complimentary notice for
his eight years satisfactory admins
tration as steward OF the infirmurv.
every other line was scathing
announcement OF the excellent manner
in which he and his family have man
aged things there. Mr. Brand is a
right smart man TO see through thiags
OF that kind and he paid the journal
Office little visit the other day. The
way he combcd the imported talent on
the Journal, would put the coming
prize-Gght i'm the shade. Mr.. Brand
used good old English language. and
from all reports the interview was one
sided and very warm These old sol
diers who have smelled powder, arc
awful when they try to teach young
editors about the Smells" 10 poor
houses. Mr.. Brand says that The
Journal has promised to retract its err
rors iu this weeks issue.
Now seriously, again, our reputs-
ton as a wealthy county has suffered.
Every conscientious man 10 tho county
knows that our poorarc well cared for.
The people of Preston county are large
hearted, generous and quick to help
the unfortunate Who wants our rer-
utation as a county to be that Of
heartloss, stiugy people The secret
Of The whole matter is, the writer OF
The journal article is inexperienced
and las. as Mr. Brand says, probably
never been inside Of poor house be.
fore, and the whole scene burned Itself
into his brain and left an uufavOra bile
im preston. Our poor house, as are
all poor houses, is a disanreCa bile
place 90 tarrY. Idiots, no more cap1 bla
OF Keeping themselves clean than
child; diseased persons, with face
partly eaten oft and feet SOuvhinv
away all combine To make dismai
picture but one that can not he rem.
edied OF helped. The county court can
not give back 90 those uufortunatcs
their miads. Preston county can not
keep an individual nurse and attendant
there for each suffering one Tits bad
enough, goodness knows. and the least
said about such miserable unfJr-
tuuatc humanity the better. This
article has the full endorsement of the
ditOr Of TIN ANGUS and there will be-
plenty more of it if necessary ~ may
see m strange that The journal is dee
nouucing tho management OF Re
publican county and Republican off
cials and 1uE AEaJs defending them
But 1UH ARGUS viii maintain the
cause OF right ard ever defend the
fair name and honor OF the county of
its birth. Whenever DO is necessary.
without Thought Of party or party
manage