Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-12-11
JONES COUNTY INSANE.
What Ex-Governor Larrabee Fount
at the County Poor Farm.

What Ex-Govcrnor Larrabee Found
at the County Poor Farm.
Special to Times Republican.
Des Moines, Dec. 1.-THE board of
control has made public its report on
the investigation OF the Jones county
insane asylum by Ex-Governor Larra-
bee, as follows:
On Oct. IL visited the poor farm of
Jones county where the paupers and
insane are kept. It's located about ten
miles from Anamosa. Mr.. Peet is SUI
perintendent. and is paid 500 per year
and living for his family. He has care
of both insane and paupers He has
had very little training or previous eex-
perience to fit him to care for insane
patients.
The county physician, d. b. Kent,
comes when called; visits both paupers
and insane, who are kept together. The
girls are paid So per week for their
services, and one man $50 per month
and board. The physician is paid about
one-half the regular rates for his Wis
it's. No supply of medical stores; only
a few common remedies are on hand.
No record is kept of cases, prescrip-
tions or changed condition of patients.
They have dark room to Keep pa
tients in when necessary. No record,
however, is kept of restraints. The
physician does not supervise the dieta-
ry. Have fresh meat once a week
Good quality Of flour. Creamery butter
Is used once day. Iron bedsteads
mattresses only, fair. some straw ticks
gray blankets, common quilts and
feather pillows. Bedding, it is claimed
is changed once a week. From appear
ances, some of 1T probably once a
month. In some cases more than ons
patient occupies a bed. No watchmar
at night. no night attendants.
Water supply is good; some little
precautions taken against fire. Cloth.
ing is common, food we'll cooked ant
we'll served; good dishes of china ane
tin. oil cloth tablecloths, three meals {
day. No case of abuse reported
No epileptics nor violent patients, al
though Joe Ebers gets mad occasional
ly. and makes some disturbance Som,
of the patients are very filthy. The.
have n pest house, as they call it, a lit
tie distance from the main building
Found three men in it, and in a fearful
condition thought | was accustomed
to hospital smells, but found some nev
ones here Was invited to stay t,
dinner, but several gentlemen VIII
were with me said after visiting tina
house theft appetties We're spoiled TO
dinner. Ordinary farmers pigs hay
little better accommodations than ar
found in that house.
The men work on the farm and abou
the house: women assist a little abou
the house.
There is yard fenced In with a higl
fence. where the women are pernitte
to go out and exercise in the open al
frequently. No amusements are pre-
vided. No opportunity for religion
worship; no library, but a good man
papers. No cases of recovery. Did no
learn what the cost was for support
Have a good farm of 200 acres: build
ings heated by steam, and lighted wit
oil Buildings all wood, but are keT
in fair condition. They keep abou
twenty-five cows and five horses. an
lot of fine pigs. all of which looked !
much better condition than the In
mates of the institution.
One old man is sick With typhoid fe
yer, and evidently in dangerous cor
dition. but has poor attention.; ma
without feet is caring for him
Respectfully submitted
WILLIAM I4ARRABEE,