Taylor County, Iowa 1881 History: pp484

POOR FARM

(Page 484)

Charitable institutions, ever since the earliest dawn of history, have existed in some form to ameliorate the unhappy and sorrowful phases of human life. With the advance in knowledge, and the increased duty thereby resting on men to care for their fellows, there has resulted a better understanding of the needs of humanity and better methods of meeting them. Institutions of a charitable nature have sprung up in every clime, more or less perfect in their organization and administration; all of which are doing a noble work for humanity. But, as is more interesting to us, our own land is in no respect behind other lands in its care for the sick and sore, the poor and the unfortunate. In every State there are numerous institutions cared for at its expense, and in nearly every county the same feeling of kindness finds expression in the maintenance of a home for the same classes. The care of this county for the unfortunate in life has ever been most kind. Busied with individual cares and necessities, as its inhabitants have been, they nevertheless found opportunity to pause and inquire into the condition of the poor of the county. It was the custom in the earlier days to place a family in charge of one or more unfortunates, paying them a stated sum in consideration for which they were to provide certain articles both of clothing and food, and were required to give bonds for the faithful performance of their duty. A case in point, serving to illustrate all these particulars is found on the records of this county affecting, however, Ringgold county, then under the jurisdiction of Taylor. The entry is transcribed verbatim et literatim.

(Page 435)

October 18 Day 1852

Know all men by these presents that i, Jerry Harper of the county of Ringgold, and the State of Iowa for and in ConsidEration of the sum of one Hundred dollars to Me in hand paide is held and firmly Bound unto Sarey Ann - of the County and State a fore Said to furnish the said Sarey Ann - all the nesesary provisions and Clothing for her self and her foure Children and all Necessary fuel for the fire and all the Nesesary midisens and Employ all phisians and pay all Reasonable Doctrs bills and log all the heavy Wood for the fire for the termination of foure years from this present date for the payment of the above obligation I have Executed my Note. Jery Harper Attes: Lott Hobs

Private families often cared for persons in this way, and this is but one of the numerous instances of the past. The attention of the county was aroused to the matter, and the first official action relative to providing a home for this class was in the year 1868. At the September session of that year Supervisor Hamblin offered the following, which was adopted:

Resolved; That the committee on paupers be and hereby is requested to take the necessary steps to find suitable location for a farm of not less than 160 acres, upon which to build a county poor-house and report at the next session o this board.

This committee reported in the November session of the board, and recommended the purchase of the sw 1/4 of section 29, township 69, range 33. This report was accepted and a committee appointed to make the purchase of this land "or other suitable premises for a poor-farm, and report at the next meeting." The record of the January session of 1869 contains the following entry:

The special committee on poor-farm report that they have purchased the sw 1/4 of Sec. 29, township 69, range 33, for $960 cash, or $1,000 in county warrants, and recommend to purchase the same for $980; $490 cash, and $490 in warrants. Adopted.

The records show no further action relative to this matter until the June session of 1878. The following entry was then made, from which it is gathered that more land had been required and its purchase authorized by the supervisors:

Comes now W. D. Blackburn, committee on poor-farm, and reports that on April 23, 1878, he purchased of John S. Boyd, for Taylor county, to be added to the poor-farm of said county, the northeast quarter of section 29, township 69, range 33, containing 173.51 acres at $15.00 per acre. Adopted.

It subsequently became necessary to add to the buildings on the poor-farm, and the proper committee was appointed, which reported in the January term of 1881 as follows:

To the honorable board of supervisors of Taylor county, Iowa:

Gentlemen - I have the honor to submit the following report, as chairman of the building committee appointed by the board of supervisors for the purpose of building a house and barn on the Taylor county poor-farm, and a jail in the town of Bedford:

(Page 436)

On August 14, 1880, the committee contracted with R. H. Delmege to build a house and barn, to correspond with plans and specifications submitted by W. K. Ball, for the sum of $4,917, the house to cost $4,127, and barn to cost $790. On December 14 the committee accepted the house and barn and paid the contract price, $4,917, and $260.51 for additional work done on house and barn not specified in plans and specifications, making a total cost of both buildings of $5,177.51

W. P. Sherwood

Chairman Building Committee

The founding of the poor-farm ought always to be a source of congratulation to the citizens of the county. With one of the finest farms within its limits, and under able management, the institution is nearly or quite self-sustaining, a circumstance calling for renewed self-approval. The inmates have a comfortable and pleasant home, and the county the consciousness of justly and fully caring for those who need its care, and aiding those on whom affliction has laid a heavy hand.