Mexico weekly ledger., 1905-01-26
GRAND JURY REPORTS BUILD
IEGs AT POOR FARM IN BAD
CONDITION.
SANITARY FEATURES ARE AWFUL.
The Grand Jury Finds Conditions at
Poor Farm Such That Their Re
Communications to County Court
is to the Point-Jail and
Court House Visited.


ference to their investigation OF the
County Poor Farm, the Court House
and Jail was filed Monday afternoon.
The report as compiled by the jurors
contains many recommendations for
the betterment Of conditions at these
Audrain County institutions.
The report 10 regard to the Poor
Farm is set forth In the following
manner "We found at the Poor
House twelve persons, one a bright
little white boy Of thirteen, two white
men Of eighty years, and several more
as old or older; besides two negroes; all
twelve being males. And let us say
here, that 1t was an incongruous sight
to see this little boy at one time
possibly some mothers precious child
among such Surroundings, innocent Of
wrong doing, who had no part In his
sad pitable condition, so thoroughly
Handicapped in this rac OF life, being
largely prevented by environment be-
come a useful citizen"
The report Of the condition Of the
houses was such that they had no
ventilation or sanitary features, and
says they are wholly unfit for the pur-
poses intended.
or the furnishings OF the houses
some Of the inmates say that the bed
ding is individually theirs. One Of
these inmates was formerly a citizen
Of considerable wealth and repute.
With this exception the un~fortunates
were found to be ina "horribly, filthy"
condition, and the beds and furnishing
Of some Of them reek with human ex-
rument. "We mean, the report
reads, shat this is literally a state
ment Of facts, and repeat 1t lest its
sad and horrible state be not fixed in
your mind; that some OF these beds
and rooms, occupied by these poor
creatures, are befouled as no hog would
do in like circumstance.
"To say, How come you SOP is not
applicable. tits the duty, W. think,
of the people Of our rich and prosper
oas county to arise, and by their vote
authorize the erection of a new and
up-to-date home, adequate for the pur-
pose Of caring properly for its unfor-
Inmates. We feel satisfied that our
people would, II rightly Informed Of
the conditions existing, take steps to
right the matters we here enumerate."
or Mr.. Rutter, the late superintend-
ant, the report has this addinda:
"Within f%orty-eight hours after our
visit to the County Farm, Mr.. Rutter,
the Superintendent, suddenly depart
ed this life, and we take pleasure In
saying that private interviews with all
inmates, Of the Farm, capable Of Civ
ing Ineligible expression, revealed
the fact that Mr.. Rutter was kind to
them, and gave them rs much and
substantial food as could have been
expected or given for the ear at
his command
OF the county Jail the Grand Jury's
report stated that that body was
shown every courtesy and facility for
its inspection by the genial and COM
petent sheriff, Price johnson, and his
amiable wife. Here to conditions were
found that need the attention Of the
county court. 1t vas recommended
that provisions be made for the care
of female prisoners, other than afforded
males: a crate placed to separate one
sex from the other, as there being no
privacy whatever existing there now.
The Jury would also recommend that
something be done to enable these law
breakers to pass their time to more adj
vantage to themselves; that they be
put to hard labor on the highways of
the county. "We are of the opinion
that many of these vagabondage gen.
try will give our county little Of their
presence, or else be law abiding as the
statues contemplate"
The sanitary conditions of the Jail
was found to be very bad, and, owing
the nearness Of a foul sink, want of
closets, etc, Sheriff johnson was
commended for recent improvements
made on the living apartments OF the
jail, as well as outside additions Of a
pleasing and needed character.