Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1909-07-01
COUNTY POOR FARM
Situated a Mile or More South OF
Ithaca a Model.
F. PRESLEY SUPERINT NTEMDEMT.
Buildings and Farm Lands Kept in a Highly
CredltabIe Condition,

Last Wednesday in response TO an
invitation from County Superinten
dent Of the poor. John L, Swigart,
the writer III company with Messrs.
j. T. Swigart Ely Brew baker and Ray
Swiaart left Alma in Mr.. Swgiart's
Buick No 10 and were soon speeding
away TO the southwark. Ithaca. the
county seat. was reached in twenty
tive minutes and here the company dis
persed while Mr.. Swigart attended a
meeting OF the county superintendents
of the poor At eleven o'clock we
again entered the auto and were speed
ing away "Over the Hills 10 the Poor
House. " While we hope il will never
be our misfortune or that of any of
our readers to become county charge
yet should misfortune come to any
one Of Us and it became necessary to
spend the closing years OF life as
public charge, there is no place where
one under these conditions would lind
heater, cleaner or more wholesome
surroundings than those provided for
Gratiot cou tvs unfortunate ones.
Upon our arrival we were met by
Mr. PRESLEY uad later joined by
Messrs Arnold ana Helm and stroll
over the 1870 acre farm began. Twen-
ty-th-ee acres OF the faIm is devoted to
wheat 28 acres 10 corn. - acres to
hay. ~ acres to beans, Il acres to
sugar heets and ga acres to potatoes.
Evevone of the above crops are in good
condition and show that plenty of
work and attention have been receiv-
al Tie garden which comprises
nearly TWO acres is a model iu Itself, a
weed n the Wol2sd rorion thereof
being rarely seen
Tine farm buildings are in excel
len. shape tue tools wen housed and
covered. while tls stock. which con-
sists o l5 brood ewes 20 lambs 10
mlea coas, u calves. ABB head of
hogs. A horsesan from 200 60 BOO head
Of poultry. all show ay their general
appearance that .leg have lhe best of
care ana close attention
After an inspection of the tarm
buildings ana stock tine dinner hour
bad arrived ana unon entering the
ainine room or the superintendents
side OF the house. we found the table
fairly groaning with good things
awaiting our arrival The Alma
bunch. like an others present. fell-to
and 1t diu not take Mrs PRESLEY long
to see that her guests were provided
with good appetites and knowledge
of how to dispose of good things.
During the dinner hour conversation
was at a lull. all heing bent on at least
sampliug the many things provided
hy their host and hostess, Mr. and
Mrs Presley Dinner over a tour
of the building was made. every room
was found a model OF neatness The
floor shining from the polishing
ltNNlNCu WnlAC NNttN AhibS
out the various departments was
found in apple Die-order
There are at the present time 33
inmates in the county house, % of
whom are men and II women. One
unfortunate. Ira Nichols. has been
coutuv charge for 81 years. W bile one
family from the south part of the
county has at different times furnish
ed nine unfortunate ones and at the
present time six brothers and sisters
are being cared for at the county's
expense.
That the unfortunate ones are ten
derlv cared for and receive courteous
treatment at the hands of the manager
was plainly shown by the pleasure
exhibited bv one and all alike, when
Mr. PRESLEY entered their midst.
1t would he a good thing-kif every
taxpayer in Gratiot county could visit
this county institution and in so doing
thew would better realize the charit.
able work being done in their midst.