The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-05-04
ODD WESTERN COLONY.
HOW TusERcuLosIs IS BEING
FOUGHT AT A "HEALTH FARM"

Colonists Live In Common.
Away out in that wonderful state,
Colorado, there is most unique little
settlement In which the requirement
for admission Is that any newcomer
should be a consumptive.
One would almost be tempted to
take chances against the dread dis
ease in order to live in such an en-
chanted place. This coloay Is the AS
sociation Health Farm, under the aus
pices of the Denver Young Mems
Christian association. If. when one
gets to Denver. he goes FIVE miles to
the northwest, on a straight road, he
will strike a beautiful white City"
There on high ridge in the rich fruit
growing district he will see row after
row Of small white houses or rather
tents, and for a background a pano-
ram of snow.capped mountain peaks,
stretching from Pixies Peak in the
south TO Longs Peak in the west.
The story of the origin of the Asso-
ciated Health Farm Is interesting
When the furor of excitement in the
literary world caused by Charles
Sheldon's book. an His Steps," was
at its height, the editor of the Topeka
Capital, a daily paper, offered him the
entire management of the paper for
an allotted time. to be run upon his
peculiar principles. One of the first
things that interested Mr.. Sheldon
was the health farm project. And so
public appeal was made in the initial
Sheldon edition CT the Topeka Capital.
An editorial in the outlook, quoting
from this article, interested DR.. Edward
p. George Of Hanover. Germany, who
gave the first $4,000. Following this.
| association friends in the east gave an
other $4,000, and a G0.acre tract was
purchased Mr.. and Mrs. David Broth
ers of Denver then rendered their fruit
farm as gift, with q small annuity.
The establishment of the health
farm marks the latest development in
Young Mems Christian association
work.
1t was formally opened last May,
though for long time before then the
Denver association had been interest
ed in the project andpropagatingpl plans
for It's furtherance. The idea was
first suggested by the crying needs of
a multitude of young men seeking
the Colorado climate for physical rea-
sons, and II had come to pass where
w. NJ. Danner, secretary of the Denver
Young Mems Christian association,
coupld no longer aid young men finan-
cially who went to him for help.
The colony in some respects recalls
the Brooks farm experiment. for to a
certain extent the residents live in
common, and they have one central
idea-to be restored to health.
In all there are about 80 tents, big
brick house for Offices, dining rooms,
parlors, and reading room. Each res
| ident is given the exclusive use of
one tent. 1t is thought best that
each should live practically isolated,
though all eat together in large din.
ing room. The cottage tents are
| foored, have three-foot wainscoting,
with canvas sides, and double venti-
lated roof. An iron bedstead, with
|
washstand, and stove, with rocker and
rugs. are the complete furnishings Of
each tent. Last month there were 2S
men on the farm, most of them max
ing splendid improvement.
The conditions which make neces.
sary an association health farm are
challenging the attention of the whole
earth. Deep thinkers on the contiu.
ent and the most intelligent men in
| this country are interested in the
| problem Of fighting tuberculosis.
More than 10000 persons die every
year in our country Of consumption.
| A very large number of them are
young men, away from home and with
out any care. The health farm guar
antees good care and all the comforts
of home.
A young man may stay there at the
rate of $40 or SIS month, which
covers his entire expenses. II he is
able to work 1t is secured for him on
an adjoining nursery and vegetable
farm.
4 All ultt, CAtIClot,
rest of each resident is under the
direct supervision of the resident ply
sician, who himself has been restored
to health by the Colorado climate, and
is glad to volunteer his services in
such a cause.
In no way does the little colony
smirk of the home with a capital III"
There are no gruesome dissecting
rooms, no darkened sick rooms, surgi-
cal instruments, or stiff, uniformed
| figures TO be seen on the health farm.
Each little cottage tent is cozy and
homelike. There is a reading tent
we'll supplied with ell sorts Of litera-
ture, an organ, and with wholesome
games. The large dining room is
! airy and surshiny. Never is there q
cause for solitude or Inconsistencies on
the health farm, for isolation there
only appertains to sleeping quarters,
and IN the daytime there is work and
recreation, with always joviel com