The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1899-12-08
MIR. -PONTIUS
is DEPOSED
And John Yarger Succeeds Him
as Workhouse Superintendent.
FIVE YEARS OF GOOD SERVICE.
Political Arrangements Result In Choice
of a Successor to n Most Cap
able and Efacient
Odicial,

An adjourned meeting of the work.
house directors was held at $3.50 o'clock
Tuesday evening in the county insti-
tuition. The session was to have been
held on Tuesday morning or afternoon
but was postponed until evening on ac-
count Of the absence of Director George
Baldwin, who was attending q case in
court.
Bills were allowed and other routine
business was attended to and the direc-
tors then proceeded to the election of
a superintendent and matron for the
workhouse. Mr.. Jackson Pontius, who
has so ably served as superintendent
since February 1st 1894, will leave that
institution on the first Monday in jan
! uary, 1900, and Mr.. John Yarger, of
waynesburg, formerly the marshal in
\ that village, will be installed in his
place. Mrs. Yarger, naturally, will sue
\ coed Mrs. Pontius as matron.
{ u Mr.. Pontius will engage in various
o hsiness interests to which small por-
>IGton of his time has been attached since
perving as superintendent of the work.
house, and it is with feeling of con-
J summate pleasure, he states, that he
can now attend to his business interests
as they ought to be attended to. Since
his installation as superintendent many
improvements of valuable and con-
venient nature have been effected at the
workhouse, and his successor may step
in without going through the ardous
work which Mr.. Pontius was required
to do. 1t was through his efforts that
the boiler house was rebuilt, the burned
down shop was restored and all the
most modern machinery adapted to the
employment of the prisoners, a conse-
quent source of profit to the county.
Numerous suggestions which have been
made by Mr.. Pontius have been acted
upon by the directors which have placed
the institution in decidedly flourishing
condition. His attention has always
been vested in the welfare of the pris-
oners and their health, and though his
rigid rules were always observed the
prisoners never became refractory dur
ing his superintendency, always appear
ing well satisfied.
AN EXCELLENT OFFICIAL.
1t was a matter Of disappointment to
1r1enQS ana cltlZenS generally lnaL MT.
Pontius was not reelected, but 1t ap-
pears that some other man was want
ed and he was voted into the office.
Messrs. Baldwin and Loeffler cast their
votes for Mr.. Pontius, while Messrs.
Hake Williams and Love voted for
Mr.. Yarger Messrs. Hake and Loef-
fler are Democratic members of the
board, while Messrs. Baldwin, Williams
and Love are Republicans. There were
quite number of applicants for the po-
sition of superintendent, and it is sug
gested that w. II. Reed, formerly a
marshal of this city, will be appointed
captain of the workhouse guards, under
Mr.. Yarger.
A prominent and wealthy citizen said
Wednesday morning, regarding Mr..
Pontius:
II am sorry to learn that Mr.. Pom
titus was defeated. He has successfully
managed the institution and should
have been reappointed regardless of po-
litical Affiliations. He has served
faithfully and just; the interests of the
taxpayers were well cared for down
there; he was man fitted for the place
through many years experience. 1 do
not know the new man, and hope that
he will do well. Mr.. Pontius has made
improvements which enhanced the value
of the workhouse many thousands of
dollars, and his absence will be noticed"