The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-01-26
MUNICIPAL FARM
A MAN RE-BUILDER

- At44 ~ ktS DCkA> Inv
Dallas. Jan 26.-The remanufacture
OF broken stamina and ,he building
up of both physical and moral power
IN men and women comprising all
the types of persons in the down-and
out category, is the nature Of work
nicipal farm, owned and operated by
the c.ty of Dallas, according to Com
missioner J.. L. McGee, under whose
indirect supervision the rescue work
is carried on.
Started firs, as an experiment the
city farm institution has proven such
an effective aid to those in charge
OF all classes Of rescue work in Dali
las as well as TO officials in the ctty
and county law enforcement depart
ments, that i, has become perhaps
The greatest means for starting er-
ring or unfortunate persons again on
the road TO success and happiness,
Commissioner MCGEE declared
The city commissioner told a man.
who was recently sent 10 the city
farm 10 work out 4 fine imposed by
local authorities. This man" said
Mr.. McGee, was an avowed COM
munist and had become hardened TO
the belief that the world owed him
a living. without display of his own
energies or talents. He was never
known to even attempt 10 obtain em-
ployment, but went from house to
house demanding food. He was nui-
sance wherever he went. Finally ap-
pretended for crime with which he
was charged 4-by city police, he was
fined and sent to the municipal farm
10 work .out the money. When he ar
rived at the reservation, he was still
a yagabond, early proving prob
lem TO those in charge Of activities
there
shortly after he arrived at the
city's man building plant, he became
the inStigator of an attempted delivery
OF prisoners at the institution More
exacting duties were imposed on him,
although there was no attempt on the
part OF the farm authorities TO har-
rass the prisoner with any unkind
treatment. As he became more occu-
pied with the pleasant farm life and
took on increased vigor in the open air,
the troubles and sordbd life he had
been wont TO lead in congested cities
were soon forgotten. We were sur
prised to observe in this former Grim
inal at the end Of only few weeks,
the qualities of a regenerated man,
and such he has proven TO be since
his release. The prisoner was released
from the city reservation as soon as
his obligation 10 The municipality had
been worked out. The authorities aided
him in securing position and his
present employer reports that the
former vagabond is working with
will and has new IDEAS of life"
Mr.. McGee said this was only one
instance out Of many, where both men
and women had been lifted from the
depths in which they had lost them
selves, into sphere of regeneration
through aid OF the city farm.
The farm is located on the slopes
of White Rock Lake. which serves
as a reservoir for the city water sup
ply. The lake and the farm land
surrounding il are the property OF the
city of Dallas The lake environs are
conducive of healthful living and are
considered IDEAL for agricultural and
livestock raising purposes, the com
missioner pointed out.
A director, who has direct super
vision of the farm activities. resides
on the reservation and is constantly
in touch with the progress made and
suggests needed Improvements as they
come to his attention. The work car
ried on at the reservation covers al
phases OF modern farm operations. as
well as ,he breeding Of fine live
stock. Thus the Institution is main
tained by its own funds. derived from
the sale OF farm produce and livestock.
Commissioner McGee said the farm
began operations ou funds borrowed
several years ago hut due 10 Us sue
cess financially. has almost paid itself
on, OF debt.
va Aiif hAttA FAffIi'H NhNAIA NHtit@ Ni'
farm site az White Rock Lake are
herds OF fine livestock of all descrp-
tions. The commissioner said. Even
poultry in large numbers is raised by
the inmates there.
All the phases of work done at me
farm. including domestic household
duties. are accomplished by inmates
there. Negroes are also sent 20 the
farm. Both men and women are
confined on the reservation but are
segregated In such manner as 10 pro-
Guce best results.
The farm supervisor said that the
matter OF caring FOR the various peo-
pie that are sent TO White Rock
farm has been solved by discreet su-
pervision OF all activities maintained.
\ resident matron looks after the
welfare Of an women inmates. he
said, while any and an prisoners de-
tailed FOR duty on the farm are given
every possible aid and encouragement
IN their fisht for renewed manhood
and womanhood