Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-05-05
Report of Last In
spection of Halo
well City Farm


The State Board Of Charities and
Corrections has made public its report
Of the last inspection Of the Hallowell
town farm, of which Mr.. and Mrs. G.
A. Rock are superintendent and ma
iron. They began the work in April,
1917 and have $500 salary per year
A maid Is employed for SO weekly
and paid by the city. The overseer of
the poor visits the farm often. The
report says:
Inmates: There are three male in
mates under 60 years of age. four
over SO years of age. One female in
mate over so. Total number of in
mates eight. One cripple and one in
valid are among the present number.
! Three are feeble minded, one requiring
help in dressing. Largest number at
any one time since last inspection,
eight. Smallest number present since
last inspection. seven. but IA could be
comfortably cared for at one time.
| Daily papers are supplied and some
of the inmates read aloud often. Mr..
and Mrs. Rock take some time to be
, with them telling them of recent hap
penings. Only three of the inmates
are able to read for themselves. Each
| inmate has his special assignment of
work each day, helping with chores,
etc.
Sanitation: The matron states that
inmates do not have separate drinking
cups but do have separate towels.
There is no bath room so inmates use
the store room for bathing. One toilet
is focated in shed and one up stairs and
are in good condition. Matron states
that she considers the house free from
vermin.
/, Buildings and Grounds: The build
, ings are in good condition and kept up
well both inside and out. The floors
; Gown stairs are washed three times
each week. those up stairs once week.
The dining table was clean and set
orderly with ordinary white dishes and
plated silver. Oil cloth was USED. The
living room has three rocking chairs
and few straight chairs. Plants
add much to the room which is light
and has a very pleasant outlook. The
sleeping rooms are kept clean and all
| rooms have iron bedsteads with good
mattresses and springs. Inmates
rooms have painted floors and no rugs
Stairs used by inmates are supplied
with railing.
Heat. Water-supply and Fire Pro-
; lection: The house is heated by a
furnace. All windows on west side
OF the house have double windows: the
water supply comes from a spring 700
1eet away, and the water has been
tested. There is a pressure tank in
the cellar. The sink drain is under
ground and carried a good distance
from the house into the orchard
ihere are two chemical fire extireuish-
ers In house and one in the barn.
Inc stock consists of % head of cat.
tie' three horses, and nine hogs and
auout 20 tons of hay are cut yearly.
The house has two store rooms
winch are well supplied with prov;-
SONS including home canned fruits
ana vegetables. There is one refrig-
orator. The inmates dining room is
separate from that Of the superinten-
oeht and matron's but all food is
cooked IN the matron's kitchen.
since the present matron has heen
a. the farm there has not been any re-
ils1oas services OF any kind. None of
the townspeople ever call bu. coca.
sionally relatives of inmates do.
mis- farm is pleasant and well kent
recommendations: Hot water in
SINK. The work could be much more
easily and efficiently done with this
improvement.
1T is further recommended that the
use OF separate drinking cups be re-
CURED; that since there is running
water IN the house. bath tubs and flush
closets be installed. Such convenience,
are desirable. wherever possible. in an
institution for the care of the sick
the aged and the infrm.