Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1913-01-16
THE COUNTY'S FARM
Tidings Representative Visits Conn
ty Farm and Talks With Its
Well-Kept Inmates.

Tidings city editor had to come to
it and go to the poorhouse. The in
mates, however, 3trenuously object
to that cognomen, one very bright
old lady declaring that it should be
called the county's palace, rather.
There certainly is no trace of the
poorhouse of the nineteenth century
in Jackson county's well-kept home
for the aged, as this institution
might more properly be called, all
but two or three Of the 25 inmates
being over so years young, as Oliver
Wendell Holmes was wont to say.
The writer, happening in the vi
cinity of the county farm Tuesday,
stopped to make some inquiries, and
the steward, Mr.. j. n. Pace, made
him welcome and insisted upon his
remaining to dinner, inspecting the
place and visiting the inmates.
Jackson county has a well-built,
well-equipped institution, the main
building being equipped with steam
| heat, electric light and an up-to-date
, sewer system with closets on each
floor.
The superintendent is furnished
with house for the use of his fam
lily, but they eat in the main build
ing, though not in the same room
with the inmates.
After partaking of substantial
and appetizing dinner which remind
ed the writer of his boyhood's visits
to the homes of prosperous farmers
in the Mississippi valley, an inspec-
tion of the building was made, many
of the inmates seeming much pleased
to have someone visit them.
The rooms were all we'll though
plainly, furnished, comfortably heat
ed and well kept, most of the in
mates taking care of their own
rooms and taking pride in keeping
them neat.
There were a number of very in
teresting characters among the old
gentlemen and ladies who are hap
PLY awaiting the call of the ALL
Father and stories that would rival
Ile strangeness OF fiction could be
gathered had one the time to visit
extensively with them.
Among the inmates was Uncle
Bill' Willis, for many years a we'll
known figure on the streets Of Ash
land. Mr.. Willis owns a little place
| in Talent, but because of being near
! ly blind and feeble with age, he pre-
fers the pleasant home and compan-
ionship of the county farm.
! Another interesting character is
Bill Hargreaves, for over 20 years
an inmate of the home. Mr. Har-
greaves struck San Francisco in
! 1850, when it was a mere hamlet,
( having come from the east in the
| first gold rush. He came to south
ern Oregon almost Immediately and
! lived the rough outdoor life of a
miner and prospector until about 20
! years ago, when the advance of years
and ill health compelled him to seek
the refuge of the county farm, where
he has since lived, being now bedrid-
den. He is over 81 years of age.
j. R. Davis, another inmate, who
lost the sight of one eye when a
baby, and of the other some years
ago by cataract and other troubles,
is rejoicing in the recovery of the
sight of that eye through the remov-
al of the cataract and another opera
| tion by DR.. Emmens of Medford. Mr..
| Davis is now able to read and enjoys
life much better because of the priv
! ilege.
! Mr.. Pace, the steward or superin-
tendent, whatever his official title is,
thanks the people of the county,
especially of Ashland and Medford,
| iOl IhC many DOOho anu pei
| furnished the inmates, and says that
| they cannot get too many.
Mr.. Pace and his estimaDle help
meet take great interest in the farm
and in the welfare of it's inmates,
and seem indeed to be ideally adapt
ed to the work. One lady who is
over 80 years of age, and whose
daughter, with whom she lived, re-
Gently died at Gold Hill, and who has
sons living in Missouri, remains at
the farm in preference to going to
them
The material welfare of the farm
is not neglected in caring for the in
mates, to judge from appearances.
There is some fine stock, and when
the scribe arrived the steward was
engaged in dressing some as fine
looking porkers as we're ever mar
keted in the country.
The farm originally consisted of
so acres, but Is has been cut off for
the state experimental farm, leaving
only 20 acres Thare 10 conSidara hla