New-York tribune., 1902-12-28
A MODEL POOR FARM.
BRO4DVIEW At D4NBURP
It's CUer the Hills to a Pretty Good
Place Contented Inmates.

r,s,hurv Conr Dec II (Spec.aD-It is a case of
s'over the hills the pooThouse for those who go
TO Broadview Farm, which the town of Danbury
has set aside for its poor. 1t Is very diherent
sort of poorhouse, however. from the one Of which
VIII Carietca wrote, and prospect.vs inmates. II
they have ever seen the place, do not have TO be
dragged there with tears and hair tearing protests
A week ago young man who has had
much hard luck was forced 10 bring his aged
mother TO tie poorhouse. They lived in a distant
mart OF the township and the Cd woman had neFer
seen Broadview, the place is rightly called. She
was heartbroken the idea Of going TO the poor
house and Giving the town" AS they trarnped
aiong the road she kept pleading with him, crying
al the while.
John she begged don't send your old mother
TO the poor farm"
1T can't be helped, mother" he returned sadly,
but with determination. 81 can't do for us both
this winter and I'll get you out when warm weather
comes"
Let US try a little longer" she said 'rn not
eat anything at all just know III die In that
dreadful place"
.ryou,u havo q warm and comfortable home,
mother" said the young fellow. and they say that
the house is as fine any about Danbury.
This did not lessen her sorrow. 1t was the IDEA
of going TO the poorhouSe that hurt She crleu
most Of the first day the farm. but before the
end Of the week she was happy and contentea
I'm so glad that they brought me here that /
don't know what TO do" she said to the superin-
tendent after her first big Sunday dinner This
amt poorhouse. It's away aheao OF any luihS :
ever knew in my whole life
Danbury is Justly proud Of Broadview, and 1t
Is known throughout Connecticut as the model
poor farm Of the State In the centre or ninety
acres Of fertile hilltop the town has erecteo d
handsome brick building a cost of about $fO.ooo
II is surrounded by orchard and behind II are
grouped the barns ice houses and other ouiioineS
that belong to a properly equipped farm.
There are quarters without crowding, for 10 per-
sons which is somewhat more room than Is nee
essary in this period of prosperity The inmates
average fifty in summer and seventy-hve IN the
winter months Superintendent George z. Foote
manages to feed and c1othe that number OF charges
on an annual expenditure Of 5000 which amount
includes his own salary.
The main building at Broadview IS planned so
that It is really three buildings in One section
is given over 10 the male paupers. another TO the
women and the third is the residence of the super
intendent There are iron doors on each floor e1-
cept the first separating the paupers quarters Ol
the first floor the kitchen is the dividing point The
men and women have separate dining rooms lead
ing off this kitchen The superintendent's quarters
are complete in every detail, and his dining taoe
Is supplied from a separate kitchen Ihere are
bathrooms on each floor and the tubs are much
IN demand. for cleanliness is a watchwero al
Brosd,iew The bath tub is the first thing 10
which a new arrival is introduced. and he uses 1t
al least once a week, whether ne likes IL or not
The Danbury paupers get three substantial meals
each day. and there can be no complaint over the
quality of me 1000 AltS nav ii'9'4 80 -
al least once dag. snd the choice OF coffee. tea
or milk at every meal. On Sundays they have pie
or ppd6ine as a weekly dessert The butter used
On the moor farm tables is made on Inc farm, and
il is better than many householders are able TO
buy Most Of the fruit and vegetables used are
home grown. There is always a supply of canned
goods 10 make Up meal in case OF emergency
and the larder is never permitted TO run short
Ore of the rules OF the institution is that every
inmate must do the work assigned by the super
intendent. This works out well in most cases. for
the paupers are glad to have some light task 10
occupy their time. There workers in this fam
fy of uslfortunates For instance, the two old men
who keep the big boilers going in the basement.
and the man and woman who do most OF the
cooking are really hard worked
In a little room IN the basement an unfortunate
who was once a prosperous and hardworking farm
er sDends his dsys chopping kindling wood. He Is
n>rably bent with age. but nothing can keep lin