The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1900-06-29
THE HOME OF OUR POOR
In Very Excellent Condition and Con-
Quoted in Modern Style.

The county court, including Presi-
dent S. S. Faris, Commissioners +. w.
Cunningham and Captain Quinn
Minter and County Clerk v. L. High
land, accompanied by newspaper
representatives of this city, made an
official visit TO the county farm and
intirmary "Wednesday. The "Trip
proved very pleasant and interesting,
and the workings Of the institution
were Inspected with degree of
minuteness as to result in betterment
for the county paupers. The present
court has manifested very commend
able interest in the Institution and It's
inmates, providing all the comforts
and conveniences exigencies demanded
and consistent with an economical
administration. They have carefully
looked after welfare ofour unfortunate
poor and judiciously protected the
county and taxpayers In the conduct
and expenses OF the Institution.
The visiting party arrived Mt the
poor farm at ll:3O and were given q
cordial and courteous reception by
Superintendent b. S. Davis and his
cstimable wife. AT noon they were
ushered into dinner and partook OF an
elegant meal. the superior OF which
would tax to the very uttermost
professional culinary knowledge and
skill. We all ate with epicurian de.
light and to the full satisfaction OF our
appetiteS Stepping into an adjoining
room we beheld long tables loaded
with the same kind OF eatables we had
Just enjoyed and watched the inmates
file in and seat themselves at their ac'
c,istomed places to eat their midday
meal. Surrounding the festal board
was heterogeneous conglomeration
OF humanity, old men and old women,
middle-aged men and middle-aged
women, young men and young women,
boys and girls, babies intelligence and
idiocy, sanity and insanity, goodness
and ungodlincss, righteousness and
wlckedneSs. Notwithstanding the un'
certain constituency Of this calkRf;1aep
OF human beings, the decorutn observed
at the table was not by any means
perfunctory but was remarkably adj
mirable and perfect. They ate with q
surprising relish but did not gorge
themselves To the contrary they ate
in a way and manner Indicative OF the
fact that the big spread before
them was not unusual. Their ap
petities fully appeased, they repaired
to their respective quarters In ap
parent contentment. Their dining
room was in charge Of two of the
women, whose work is ever under the
personal supervision Of Mrs. Davis
who spares no pains in looking afteI
the wants and welfare ofthe county''
big family.
In an exploration of the grounds and
a thorough investigation and examina
tion Of tho various hospital wards
rooms, beds, cellars, stables, wells
springs and out houses, we found
everything in fine shape, far better
indeed, than is the average impression
OF that place so much discussed by
people ignonnt of the true status OF
affairs. The farm OF a hundred acres
much worn In former years, is in q
high state Of resuscitation and has
been transformed from wilderness oi
briars, brush and filth into healthy
looking grazing lands. The gardens
are in a high state OF cultivation and
the truck patches are productive,
Eight acres are planted in corn, a hall
acre is growing nice potatoes and al
acre OF garden has all manner OF vege
tables. There are $500 thrifty cab
bage plants and $50 tomato plants
there, besides beans, onions, lettuce
and other garden truck, with not
weed TO be seen.
In the residential and sleeping
apartments very nice, clean and com
Portable surroundings and beds ART
found. The men are separated from
the women, having apartments IL
houses some distance apart. In thest
houses Consultations are made in re
Spect TO mind, character and habits Of
the occupants. The sensible are put
together, the half witted are assigned
to special quarters and the lowest
types have still another place
Among the men four divisions are
made in this respect. The same prac
tice is observed among the women and
children, the latter being cared for by
the former as a mother cares for hel
own offspring.
Among the men we found three OF
the famous Cross brothers whose
childish clatter amuses for the mo
ment, but soon creates disgust. Then
there was "Laly," the aged lrishmar
imbecile, wearing long gown. He
employs hImselfiu no other way than
to eat and sleep. He is really lit
subject for the home of incurables and