Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1910-01-14
Report of the Rockville Union
Bible Class.

VIC WOuIu llTSl BTdlelully acknowledge
our Fathers guidance and blessings through
all the way and thank you for your SYM
pathy and support. Could we pass on to
you the grateful love of the inmates, you
would understand how richly we workers
are repaid.
By act of the Legislature of Maryland
the term Aims House" was changed to
County Home" which change we crate
fully accept.
Following our report of December, 1907,
Miss Martha Spencer and Miss Bessie Sias
carried on the work until in August, when
the then superintendent refused to allow
any religious services to be held by any
one. In January last Mr.. and Mrs. Philip
Case became superintendent and matron
a new order was established, and improve
ment is seen on every hand. Mr.. Case is
good farmer and has worked early and
late to make good crops, and the neat,
thrifty appearance of the farm, as well as
the good crops, are the best evidence that
he is the right man in the right place.
There are twenty-six inmates, five of
whom are children, to whom the matron
gives good care, requiring them to battle
once week, providing clean clothing and
good, nOurishing food. She is most ex-
cellent woman, and the county is fortunate
to have such a kind, watchful and gentle
matron. Mr.. and Mrs. Case cordially in
vited our committee to do any work we
wished to do, and we now pay lady to
hold services with the inmates every Sun
day, while they gather themselves to-
gether every evening for family worship,
when they sing hymns, repeat Scripture
verses and repeat the Lords prayer to-
gether. The house, though in bad repair,
is thoroughly clean, and the inmates en-
joy the two nice bath tubs. The beds are
clean. though in need of better blankets.
The house is warm and the food is good,
nourishing and plentiful. and the clothing
of the inmates is warm and clean. The
women take pride in ironing their clothes
and looking neat.
But there is dark side to this picture.
What can we say to emphasize the sad
fact that there is no separation of the
sexes, and the terrible fact that a girl baby
was born last August to one of the women
inmates, who has not left the farm for
over year, Both Mr.. and Mrs Case try
in every way to correct these conditions,
but they are practically helpless, the only
remedy being a new wing on the north
side of the superintendent's house, built
of concrete and by contract, and need not
cost over $4,000. The end rooms could
be fitted up as a hospital and thus fill a
great need.
Among the stumps in a corner Of the
woods, under unmarked mounds of yellow
earth, sleep those who have died in the
County Home. No fence protects this bar
rem spot, no blade of grass or kindly shrub
is there to take away the barren loneli-
ness of these paupers' graves. Tis a
gruesome place. Do you care2
No words of ours can add to the search
ing report of the grand jury made last
month, which plainly sets forth the condi-
tons and the remedy:
while in nowise censuring or rejecting
upon those having charge of these unfor.
Inmates, we cannot too strongly condemn
existing conditions, which we consider q
| disgrace to the county. There is no way
| nj m tho and
sequently the moral degradation is most
appalling. Children have been born there
whose fathers and mothers have not been
away from the institution since they came
there We saw one cOlored woman who
acknowledged having given birth to three
children since she had been an inmate
and we were told things which would al
most seem incredible.
THE result Of such immortality is that
the taxpayers not only have to pay for the
support Of these people, but of their lille
Ultimate offspring. who in all probability
will always be public charges. not having
the health and stamina TO successfully
fight their way through life.
TO terminate this state of affairs we
most earnestly recommend the erection OF
a separate building for women to prevent
the present promiscuOus intercourse be-
tween the men and women which cannot
now be done.
AT the Aims House, in addition TO the
recommendation already made. we recon-
mend that two piers be built under the
porch at the end Of the house. as one pier
is entirely gone and the corner one is in
very bad condition.
THE roof Of the porch also needs re-
pairing, and the plastering has fallen from
several places on the ceiling of different
rooms"
To summarize, in the past year we
have
LIST. Sustained weekly religious services
and daily worship
End. Arranged for placing in home in
Baltimore three children now in our County
Home.
3rd. Encouraged home industries, and
the inmates now mend some of their own
clothing. make simple new garments, piece
quilts. hem dish-cloths and sew carpet
rags, and we are now striving to have
teacher Of sewing teach them three times
a week
4th. We have secured donation of fine
house rolling chair for cripple, also good
square piano. pictures and ornaments for
sitting room. The singing Of these in
mates with the piano is inspiring.
5th. We have about ten rugs to sell,
made from rags sewed by the inmates,
ranging in price from $l.00 TO $3.50. The
proceeds are to be used for their comfort.
We solicit orders for making rugs Of any
size up to l4x20 feet, and we will be glad
to receive good rags in any quantity sent
TO Mrs. John b. Brewer, Rockville, Md.
9th. Found place where practically
blind man can learn useful trade and
become self-supporting.
Every year we have given them
Christmas tree.
Our needs are:
LIST. A new building for women. with
hospital accommodations.
End Means to pay a teacher Of sewing,
also to send man who Is blind TO home
for the blind, where he can be taught to
cane chairs, make brooms and mattresses
This will cost from $50 to SIS. When he
learns part Of the trade. probably in six
months. they will pay him So a week
10. "a Al T..