New-York tribune., 1900-08-19
FOR THOSE WITHOUT HOMES
HOW THE PoORHOUsE IN FLATBUsH
CARES FOR ITS WOMEN INMATES.

The pedestrian who passes along maple shaded
Clarkson-st in the F1atbush section of Brooklyn
discovers, when just beyond Nostrand-ave.. beau
tlfuIly trimmed hedge grown about high as the
eye line, and beyond It, in landscape garden sit
ting in the shade of grand trees and flower beds
and blossoms. few hundreds OF old women.
The sight is rather curious one, for the grounds
might well grace millionaire's summer home,
and it Is only after consulting the sign that adorns
the entrance to the large building just within the
gate made by a division In the hedge, that one
becomes that the property belongs to the
county and that the institution is none other than
the PoorhOuse.
OF there is certain prejudice against
the Almshouse which would take than the
gracious favors of Dame Nature to dspel
but she certainly does her best TO cheer the aged
inmates of this particular institution. Never was
grass more green, never flowers more fragrant, no
whore such wilderness OF blossoms, and never
birds sang cheery than in this park, where
the choicest elms. naples and magnolias cast their
friendly shade the hundreds OF poor old
There keep-of- e-grass signs in
the park belonging to the Almshouse. There are
plenty Of park benches to sit on. and there are
cosey seats under the trees.
There at present nearly seven hundred old
women al the Brooklyn Almshouse They a
kind OF grotesque assembly for they are scarcely
in garden party attire. and do not exactly harmo-
nize with Nature smiling all around them, they
gather in circles and punches OF twOs and threes
in the park these summer afternoons. Some knit
and read and and then has a bit of
sewing Others talk some smoke. while another
sits by herself and thinks her thoughts or
counts her beads In silent meditation. But they
old, all old and wrinked and gray; yes md
hard and unreconced. the most of them with
their life stories written in their faces by the pen
Of Time.
WHEN THEY RUN AWAY.
The old women that have garden party every
afternoon out IN those beautiful grounds not
an inspiring sight. Their gowns are not much to
clean. The female garb of the institution consists
of a skirt and waist OF blue denim and gngham
apron, a shoulder shawl if desired, and a black
straw hat. The latter is not much in the line Of
millinery. for the shape Is usually a sailor. and it
has 1ippant air mounted on the gray heads.
Some wear hat all, and others little
shawl pinned about the head. making the wearer
look like a regular hickory nut Sometimes
the aged women run away but the teale garb in
their speedy return. and the officer the
beat conducts them back home"
There is a sort Of etiquette that holds at these
daily garden parties. No one is permitted to lie on
the grass or on the benches. No is allowed to
comb her hair while oSt the lawn. and one is
permitted to spread her apparel the grass to
dry. for the frequently notional, and
like to do their own laundry work when one Is
looking, in which the clothing must be dried.
1t is offence TO spread gingham apron on the
grass to dry, and the aged owner must report to
the Office If caught breaking the rule On Wednes-
days and Sundays many of them entertain friends.
who have not forgotten that they have an old ac-
quantance in the Poorhouse, and frequently dur
ing the week neighboring baker dispenses his
through the grounds. and the old folks spend
the pennies that have been given them. exchanging
them for toothsOme gingerbread and sugar cookies.
NOT ON FRIENDLY TERMS WITH WATER.
But there are other phases of life within the bor-
der of the green hedge besides that in view Of the
public from the outside. First. there is the wagon
or great stage that conducts the inmates thither.
stage q office
OF the Charities Commissioner
1t is not pleasant sight. this stage load of the
aged, lame. halt and blind. it goes "over the
hill to the pOorhouse." There is little red tape
connected with being committed this institution.
The Court sends them to the Board of Charities,
and the admission blank is filed out and they
assisted into the equipage that bears them to the
Almshouse. The chance IS that the poor old things
are surprised when they alight in the park sur
rounding their home. The first shock comes
when they conducted TO the bath, for few new
corners on friendly terms with water. The lat
ter prejudice is doubtless overcome later to
extent for every guest of the county is kept clean,
whether 1t is her desire or not After the bath the
new arrival is assigned TO a ward and a particular
bed named in her honor. and her further possess
sions consist of a rocking chair. comb and hat.
She may sit in the chair at the head OF her bed
she may don the hat and sit IN the park She has
responsibilities If she is not able to bear them,
and in any she has nothing to worry about.
She has plenty Of food to eat. all prepared In
sleep on and is comfortable far as creature
comforts concerned, Probably she has not IN
years. perhaps in her life, been so
Portable Surely never can her life have been more
completely organized.
Superintendent Madden has instituted many
New white enanelled beds have replaced common
iron ones. and rocking chairs have been substi-
only seats in the various wards. Steam fittings
and various improvements In the line of plumbing
that Brooklyn has the finest Almshouse in the
United States There is separate bathhouse in
tubs for those who not able go to the shower
baths.
cARETAKER'S DUTIES.
Very few people employed in the institution,
and all the work is done by the inmates Those
who are able work expected do So Among
the in twelve fifteen Is caretaker.
She IS expected to look after a certain number OF
old women, their beds, the securing OF the small
area Of floor space occupied by each OF her charges
when they not able TO do 1t, and wait upon
them if they udispOsed Judging from the ap-
pearance of her tasks it looks though she earned
her living and lived a life of usefulness, even
though she has been committed to the Poorhouse.
Many of these capable caretakers Old servants
who are broken down and mentally disorganized
through Incompetence. A few months of regular
institution and try life outside but it Is
usually only short time before they again
oughly demoralized condition. Any one can leave
the AmShouse when she desires TO do so, and there
is scarcely day when there are not from to
dozen discharged. This keeps the average at
tendance about the same
All the clothing and bed linen OF the institution
are MADE by the inmates, ana the sewing room lS
busy place all the year round. The women who
seem reconciled TO their situation than
the Others and their work seems less distasteful
than that done in the kitchen and dining room
Some Of the inmates have been there for and
rendered faithful service until the place seems
10 naDpV @