The Indianapolis journal., 1903-11-12
BOARD CHANGES ITS Mind
RECOMMENDATION THAT POOR
FARM BE SOLD WITHDRAWN.
New Interurban Road Will Furnish
Transportation Facilities - Farm
Productive-Some Untidiness.

The County Board OF Charities and Cor
rection yesterday submitted 10 the County
Commissioners the result of a visit TO the
poor farm on Oct. %. The report in full
follows:
I'VE are very much pleased to report to
you that since the organization of this
board (now in its fifth year, the county
poor farm and buildings have never been
in such good condition as now The main
building, which is occupied by the inmates
and the officers, shows a very great i'm
provement in cleanliness. neatness and
order. The number of inmates was 1872
126 men and thirty-six women. There was
one colored boy seventeen years old. There
were eight inmates who were feeble-minded
five men and three women. Forty of the
inmates are able to do light work. There
were few in the hospital, but none serious
ly Ill. The floors above the third are not
ent. Informed US that he would be obliged
TO use them If there was much of an in
crease In the number of inmates. We
four beds. which shows that the building
is somewhat crowded on the three floors.
Above the third floor the building should
never be used as apartments for the in
mates.
1.-The laundry presents the same untidy
appearance 1t always has. In this room
are the bath tubs for the mems use for
purposes. The bath tubs are all exposed
and there is no privacy for those using
them. Inc ola One-StGfy Drlck DullQlnS mas
received coat OF whitewash on it's ex-
terror, but the interior needs publication
which can be made successful only by
fire., The engine and boiler rooms are in
good condition. The stable shows good
care, but could be better. Notwithstanding
the better showing as alluded to above, we
wish to emphasize the fact that there is
an imperative need of new buildings and
more especially of one to take the place
OF the main building. We suggest that
three buildings be erected in the stead of
one main building.
THE FARM PRODUCTIVE.
1.-THE farm has been very productive this
season. Over 100 bushels of potatoes have
been raised and an unusual amount of corn
and wheat. We noticed a large field of
cabbage which looked very fine. In the
cellar of the main building there were hun
dreds Of cans of tomatoes and many jugs OF
catsup. There were also a large number OF
| Jars of preserves of various kinds. All OF
the above were the products of the farm
There seemed to be showing Of thrift
which we have never noticed before and
which we believe is evidence that the farm
| Is very good one. Heretofore We have
recommended the sale of this property be-
| cause of it's having such poor facilities fol
| communication and transporta ton. We
| have learned that an interurban line is
| soon to pass very near, and II this Is So
would IT be possible for your honorable
| company as would give the desired facil-
| tiles for transportation? We call your at
| tention TO the fact that there Is some very
| good farming land to the south of the poor
farm, which extends to the CrawfOrdsville
pike, a portion OF which would make ar
| Ideal site for the workhouse, which, in ouI
| present location. With the facilities which
| an interurban car line could furnish, we be-
| lieye II would be advisable to retain the
| present farm and purchase a portion of the
| land at the south for the workhouse.
I'VE recommend that In your negotiation
| with the interurban company you take into
consideration the need of communication
| and transportation for the poor farm and
| secure such facilities shall be for its
| interest. If the needed facilities for com
munication and transportation can be Sc
cured, then recommend that the farm
| be retained and new buildings be erected
and such changes made as you may deem
| wise. The old buildings can be utilized as
far as possible and such cannot be
made available should be taken down."
John MeGregor, of the Board of Com
missioners, said yesterday that the com
| missioners were in favor OF buying the
ground but that he was opposed to the ust
\ of il for workhouse site as he believed the
| civil and criminal institutions should bt
separated Mr. McGregor thought that tn,
| county could issue bonds in order to buy tn,
4 property. He further said, however, tha
| the objection to buying the ground at pres
ent was the fact that the commissioner
| are required by law to purchase number
| of voting machines for use at elections an(
| this will take large amount of money.