The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1903-02-26

ministration.
Many of the inmates, even despite
their almost helplessness, are ambi-
tious and desire to be self supporting,
and for several of this kind Mr..
Kruyer has found homes for in diff
ferent parts of the county. Others
retain industrious qualities to the
extent Of their ability, and assist in a
small way in the work at the fran.
but the larger per cent are old, help
less and entirely dependent people,
mostly so from physical, mental or
financial misfortune.
One of the pathetic cases is that of
Mr.. and Mrs. Robert Huffer who were
committed last July. Mr.. Huffer has
since died and is buried in the infimary
cemetery. He was SO years old. Mrs.
Huffer is 95 years old, and perhaps
will not long survive her husband. and
a burial lot beside his has been reserved
for her, whenever she may be called to
her final rest.
Another old relic is Isaac Moricle,
known by almost every inhabitant of
Marshall county as "Old jack"
Isaac has been an inmate since 1868.
He is man of powerful physique, and
has always enjoyed the distinction of
being the John l.. Sullivan scrapper
OF the place. But with little chill
dren he is as gentle as a mothers
love, and is as safe a guardian for
them as a faithful Newfoundland
dog. Little Walter, Mr.. and Mrs.
Kruyer's three-years-old son, and
"Old Jack" are fast friends and woe
be to anyone who interiors in their
plays together. ''Old Jacks" princi-
pal affiiction, being unable to talk,
was causes from an accident when a
child. He is now about 6s years old.
Ronald Baker, an imported native
of the lnfirmary, and now only four
months old. is the youngest inmate,
while Grandma Huffer, aged 50, is the
Oldest.
A primitive record of this institu-
tfon was introduced in '6s, but was for
years very Abbreviated affair. Itcon-
tains the first recorded death, that of
Owen Clancy which occurred In
December. 1858. This record has
been improved on by succeeding
superintendents until, under the
present administration, most COM
plete record of every admission is
kept from time of entrance to date OF
transfer, discharge or death. 1t
carries the following information:
Number, name, color, nationality,
date of commitment, date of death or
discharge and final destination.
AS an evidence there is no imme-
diate danger of a famine at this in
stltution it might be mentioned that
36 head of cattle, 60 head of hogs, 500
bushels of wheat, 1900 bushels of corn,
100 bushels of oats, 20 tons of hay,
400 bushels of potatoes, 600 cans Of
fruit, 5000 pounds of pork and large
amounts of cabbages, turnipS, etc., are
at the farm. This season As acres of
wheat are sown, % acres of clover for
hay and 40 acres for spasture, 46 acres
will be in corn, and 25 acres in oats.
Supt. Kruger believes in rotation OF
crops, and has kept diagram, like
the accompanying one in this article,
which shows just how each field of the
farm has been cropped each year since
his control began. tits a valuable re-
cord, and every farmer could easily ar
range one for bis own farm.
Superintendent and Mrs. Kruyer
are both very estimable people, and
their home life is frightened and
made happier by five nice children.
Cletus, Wilford and Walter are the
boys and Teresa and Loretto the girls.
Mr.. Kruyer was born right here in
Plymouth, AZ years years ago, and is
well known and respected by every
oue who knows him. Governor Dur
bin appointed him as Indiana's dele
gate to the National Association Of
Charities and Corrections annual
meeting at Detroit last fall, but the
busy season prevented his attending.
May 2, 1882, be married Miss Jennie
M. Scboaer, daughter of Mr.. and Mrs.
Peter Schooner. Mrs. Kruger, as ma
tron OF the infirmary. renders her hus-
band valuable assistance, and is In no
small way entitled to credit for the
admirable administration the institu-
tion is now enjoying.
Frank Voreis is the efficient fore
man Of the infirmary, and he is ably
assisted by Ezra Close as engineer.
Miss bell Heeter, Miss Rena Rhodes
and Mrs. Retha Lowery, three estl-
mable ladies, are the extra women
help Iemployed in this benevolent in
stitutiOn.