The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-08-18
PLACE is KEPT NEAT AND
CLEAN, BUT MORE AND BET
TER EQUIPMENT AND NEW
BUILDINGS ARE NEEDED.
BY w. B. Mack.

Going without invitation and with
out notice, l called at the Escambia
county poor farm yesterday morning
and asked permission to visit the in
mates and make an inspection of the
grounds and buildings. A. T. Rice,
who is in charge of the farm, willingly
consented and expressed pleasure at
having the opportunity Of showing a
Rewspaperman just how the persons
who have to be cared for by the coun-
ty are treated.
Everything about the place Is clean,
the inmates said they are well treated
ard are happy. have all the attention
they desire and food in abundance,
Lut this is as far as I would care to
Praise the poor farm Of Escambia
county, and at the same thee this is
ret meant "a criticism.
Mr.. Rice Is interested in his work
and explained how he is gradually
Improving conditions there. In this
work he is being backed by the county
comm ,ssioners, all of whom nave the
welfare of the inmates at heart.
After going over the whole place, I
am convinced that the best way to
remedy the poor farm is to rub out
and start over again. The wards of
the rich and prosperous county of Es-
Gambia should have better quarters.
The poor farm is located several
hundred yards west of the Flomaton
road at a point just north of the fac
tory of the Goulding Fertilizer Com
pany. The farm comprises sixty acres
of land and where the buildings are
located there are a number of fine
shade trees, making the yards pleas
ant places for the inmates of the farm
to lounge about in if they so desire.
Today there are twenty-five inmates,
nine white ones. In nearly every case
the inmate is broken In body and
in mind as we'll in some instances, and
require the attention of a nurse al
most constantly, and in few cases are
they able to take care Of themselves.
For this reason they should be given
the best of attention, and I am sure
the taxpayers so desire 1T.
But this cannot be cone with the
present equipment and buildings. New
buildings should be provided and an
entirely new arrangement made in re-
gard to the management. Fruits of all
kinds ard more vegetables should be
Grown.
The county poor farm should be an
AGRICULTURAL demonstration farm, and
properly equipped and managed would
be more than self sustaining. Now
the farm is costing the county for it's
operation approximately $3.50 the
month, depending upon the season Of
the year and the number of patients
One thing which ought to be rene
died at once, and which the commits
sioners spoke of doing some time ago,
is the erection of a new dining room.
Now the kitchen is used as a dining
room, and while separate tables are
used. the negroes and whites eat in
the same room. Be it said to the
credit of the superintendent that this
building is faultlessly clean.
Located as It is in the city Of Pen
sacola, where lots across the street are
bringing high prices, the present poor
farm. it appears TO me, could be sold
for enough money to buy a better site.
with more room and equip It as It
Ehould be equipped.
In conclusion I wish to reiterate
what I said in the beginning. The
inmates are given good treatment, and
il was to ascertain this fact that
visited the farm. The criticisms I have
made was not intended in any way to
make II appear in a bad light, and
make them only as suggestions with a