The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-03-23
REPORT OF THE
DIRECTORS OF THE POOR
H0USE OF EMPLOYMENT
Somerset County, Pa.
For the Year Ending December 81,
1897.

and Grand Jury o. NyntcFsot tV~'tsS-
In compliance with the sixth section
of the Act Of Assembly approved toe
18th day of April, 1915. providing Tor
ssiha erection OF a House Of Employ
ment and support OF the Poor oi SAID
COUNTY, the undersigned DireC .ors
herewith respectfully submit and lay
before YOU their report for the year enc
inc December 81, 1897, showing the
nutnIser and sex Of all persons main
tanned and employed in said House OF
Employment and supported or assisted
elsewhere, as well as the names OF those
who have died at said House OF I'm
ployment during the year, and OF the
childrea by them indentured, WITH the
names Of their masters, their occupa-
tions and callings.
We also herewith submit an account
of all sales, donations, devises and be
quests. and moneys received by or for
them.
In addition 10 the information requi-
red bv the Act of Assembly, the Board
of Directors herewith furnish under
suitable headings the names OF those
who have been assisted elsewhere, ana
also the children who were maintained
in private families under the Act oi
Assembly, approved June i, 1875, ana
those placed with the Children 5 Ald
Society for maintenance and placing IN
homes, and the amounts paid for their
maintenance; also the names OF all per-
sons removed 10 other institutions for
medical treatment and teaching.
We also submit an account Of the re-
pairs made during the year, condition
of the farm, products of the same, ma
ttrials mad and manufactured, I'M
provemrnts made or added, together
with such other items as may be OF in
terest to the Court, Grand jury and
public.
All of which is respectfully submit
ted and certified this 3lst day Of De
cember, 4. d. 1857.
Attest William Dull,
l.. &. Colborn, Harrison GOhn,
Zeal Clerk. J. w. Peck,
Directors of the Po and House OF
Employment of fSOmerset County.
With the constantly rolling wheel of
Time we lay before you our lifty-sec0nd
annual report, with another years eX-
perience Of the best institution of the
county, one ia which all should be in
terested.
How well and efficiently We have
fulfilled the trust and managed the
business affairs Of the institution, after
a reading of this report, you must
Judge. The Office of Director Of the
Poor is one Of the most responsible OF
any in the county. As well as being
an honorable one, it is an office that re-
quires a wise judgment and brings out
the noblest pTomptings of the heart.
1t calls on one to decide the difference
between giving and charity, between
truth and error, and judge of the ca
pacity of one by the surroundings.
Ii is not always charity to give, or be
moved by the tale of woes and stories
of wrongs sympathetieally related; yet,
withal, Lave heart that can be touch
ed by the feeling of anotheT's infirmi-
ties and whose tenderest sympathy is
enlisted to all deserving and honest
Door. The Directors of the Poor are
the dispensers of the cOunty's charity,
having both the keys of office and the
office.
To us the law commits the care, well.
being and happiness Of our unfortu'
nate, aged and infirm poor, those whose
condition must excite yopr sympathy
on every visit YOU make 10 the home,
those 10 whom pity gave ere charity
began" To US is also committed the
distribution and use Of the funds sc
generously provided 10y the laws Of The
Commonwealth to the greatest advan-
tage of those whose comfort, health
and happiness the law makes il oui
especial duty 10 provide.
W. a 20 a sn-ar.a hat IL = nwr1arsf rf fhai
the Director Of the Poor should have
al tear for pity and hand open as day
for meeting charity" aud it is also ex-
peeted that he should keep an eagle eye
upon every department of the institu-
tion to detect and prevent extravaganza
and waste The duties are numerous
and onerous, and in the performance OF
them we have made il point Of honor.
We do not claim perfection, nor do we
think the Home has reached the stand
ard that the citizens desire il should
have. yet we can say without boas'ing
that the Poor Home Of Somerset Coun-
", and the inmates thereof, are better
kept, more comforts with less expense,
in proportion 10 the number of in
mates, than any other in the State.
This assertion Is made upon the author
ity of the Secretary of the Board Of
Public Charities.
The public is invited to visit the
Home and make such criticisms as viii
be beneficial 10 it. The Grand Inquest
of the county made two special vista
tions 10 the Home during the year, be-
sides a large number of taxpayers, and
the encouragement given us and the
favorable comments made were greatly
appreciated.
During the year no contagious dis
eases or accidents were visited upon the
Home, for which all should be thank
full.
THE FARN-In all the history of the
Poor House. never before has the farm
produced so sbUndantly As last year. il
Is in fine state of cultivation. aud will
soon rank among the model farms Of the
county. the earnings of the farm alone
amounting 10 S2,si9S0, with a cost OF
Ss92 - for the entire year.
THE BULDINGs.-Duringt the year the
large frame white house was thoroughly
renovated, painted nicely inside ard out.
and pspered throughout. The buildings
were never in better repair, or presented
finer appearance.
FURNTTURE-There We're thirty two
iron beGsteads placed in the mems de-
partment to take the place of the old
wooden ones that were worn out long
ago, and were simply disgrace TO the
Home, besides being a rendezvous for
vermin and bugs II is needless to say
they are enjoyed by the occupants. We
also placed one dozen large rockers and
two dozen good su'eisl ilal chairs for the
use OF the occupants These We're badly
needed, and are comfort to the old in
their feeble condition.
Lightning rods were placed on two of
the buildings; whether this Was essen
iial or not, you must decide: yet. in our
judgment, we deemed il our duty to pro-
vide all protection for the safety OF our
charge, and If there is any virtue in them,
we were desirOus that the Home should
have the benefit Of is. We hope in this
our action mag have your approval.
A telephone was also recently placed in
the Home. necessity that has been long
felt We feel that the saving by il, on ac-
count of transporting persons 10 the Home
from the station al Somerset, viii repay
the cost. A glance at the costs of COnsia-
bies' bills will convince ali of the neces-
sity. And notice is given to all Consta-
bles and others bringing inmates to the
Home-instead OF mourning a bill for 4
canTeyance 70 the Home. telephone 10 the
Steward Of the Home. aud he will meet
you with the teams Of thc county aud
convey them out.
A new wash stove was also placed in
the house. the old one being com
pleteiy worn ont.
iNMATES.-There was an average of IS
inmates at the Home during the wear, ali
ot whom were well cared for, comfortably
clad oud housed.
There were ninel9} deaths AT the Home,
mostly OF those who had passed their al
lcted time. and bad been great sufferers
for years, andhFFhen death came il was a
reiief
DIVINE WORSHIP. - Divine worship
was held at the Home once es.ch month.
and at each funeral, by Rev J. :. Hark-
ey. up 10 October lst, and since then bv