Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-11-10
THE COUNTY
POOR FARM
Fergus Institution That Serves a. Z
Model Of lts Kind for the
Whole state.
MOST CAREFULLY CONDUCTED
Management Reflects Great Credit
Upon Board Of County commis-
sioners-Some Of lts Features.

The Fergus county poor farm is
generally considered to be the finest
institution of the kind in the state,
and it is one in which all citizens
take great interest. While the com.
fort Of the inmates is the essential
thing aimed at, this is accomplished
with due regard to strict economy.
10 Fine Tract.
The poor farm comprises 100 acres
of the finest land in this vicinity.
The tract was purchased by the coun-
ty several years ago from Messrs.
Moe and Wright. 1t is 2h miles from
the city and is easily reached by
good road running directly to it. Prac.
tically all of the tract can be cultt
waited, but large part of it is still
under brush, as it has not been re-
Quired for farming purposes. About
65 acres of the tract is now under or
ready for cultivation. Big Spring
creek runs directly through it, so the
water problem does not exist on this
farm.
The lnfirmary.
The infirmary, pest house and 9th
er buildings are situated in the Gene
ter of smiling tract of meadow land,
and are protected by rising land on
all sides. The view from the inf1rm-
ary is an inspiring one, and the whole
situation is ideal for such an insti-
tuition. The infirmary is large, we'll
built frame structure, and is divided
by hall running it's entire length.
It contains seven small rooms and
two large wards. At the end is the
kitchen, which contains everything
necessary for perfectly equipped
culinary department. A vapor heating
plant is located in the cellar, and the
building is kept comfortably warm
without the least trouble. The build
ing is furnished with toilet rooms and
neat bath room is now being finish
Gu. In the front part of the build
ing is located the office, which is al
SO used at present as the operating
room. Later on it is proposed to equip
the building with separate operating
room.
The Pest House.
The pest house, which was former.
ly the infirmary, is large roomy and
airy building, we'll lighted and heat.
ed, and perfectly adapted for the pur.
pose of housing cases of infectious
diseases. There has not been a pa.
tient there since last April, case OF
measles being the last one treated in
this institution. The largest number
of inmates ever registered there al
one time was seven. They were all
breeds and all had small pox. It is oi
immense advantage to the county tC
have separate house of this kind
for cases of contagious disease, and
though not often needed, it is very
necessary to safeguard the public
health. There are accommodations ir
this building for as many as 25 patti
ents, should 1t ever be taxed to its
full capacity, which is not at all likely
to occur.
Nearly all of the other building:
were on the tract when it was known
as the Clegg ranch. They are not o.
much value, and yet are useful in {
number of ways.
Improvements Being Made.
A wind pump has just been in
stalled, and this will force water tt
large supply tank in the upper stor,
OF the infirmary building. This, ant
the new bath room, with some mino
improvements, will be completed IL
few days. The buildings are con
nected with sewer, and the sanitar!
conditions are about as perfect as ev
erything else at the poor farm. Will
plenty of land and water, the manage
ment has been able to gradually brin,
the whole institution up to a stag
of perfection that makes it model ii
every way, and has won for it tn
~ oil yh4 T.
An Emergency Hospital.
The institution serves the addition
al purpose of an emergency hospital
in the case of strangers withou
means who have become ILL., as wei
as those similarly situated who hav
been the victims of accidents. DR.. H
H Wilson is the physician in charg
and gives the poor farm much of hi
attention.
Is Well Managed.
The contract for the care of the il
mates during the present year is hel
by William Medigar, who owns
large ranch in the vicinity. Mr.. Med
gar first undertook this work in 189
and except for few years. has ha
the contract ever since. The imm'
diate charge of the place devolves VI
on Mr.. and Mrs. Cloes, who understan
every detail of the place, and wh
truly give the inmates "all the con
forts of a home" The rooms an
wards are neatly and comfortably fu
nishesl. and the table is equal to tn;
found in the ordinary country hote
The food is varied. substantial, Who'll
some and exceedingly well cooke
The writer, having called withol
appointment and taken pot luck wit
the regular boarders, can testify
these facts.
Who the Inmates Are.
Taking it the year round, the lar
er number of the inmates are age
sheep herders, who have outlive
their usefulness on the range.
few old-time miners are general
found occupying quarters at the farl
and coupled with these are aged al
feeble men and women who do n
fall into any class. For the mo
part, the inmates are physically U
able to do any work at all, and spel
the time in conversation among the
selves. reading. walking about L
grounds. and in argument amol