Our County Poor House

We are often asked what is doing with regard to our County Poor House.  We can only answer that we have hardly heard a word on the subject since the Supervisors adjourned.  No ???? has yet been passed authorizing the selling of the present county property and there is little prospect that any will pass until the town elections.  So a new board will need to take the business in hand if the requisite authority is obtained.  We care little about what is done so long as the old concern is got rid of and the new institution is placed in the interior.
[Research and Transcription by Ginny]

New Poor House

We learn that the new county poor house, now in progress 3 miles east of Washington Hollow, will be two hundred feet in length, fifty in width, and three stories high.  This will be a noble building, much larger than the old house, but we learn, with much regret, that it is to be a  wooden building.  This is all wrong, on account of the danger to which so many inmates will be ex posed from fire, and the high rate of insurance that will be required to be paid.  All such buildings should be built of brick or stone, and be made as nearly as possible fire-proof.
[Research and Transcription by Ginny]

SEASONABLE

Every season has its reminder of social and public duties.  And thus reasoning of the present hour, an exchange suggestively remarks:  - - Soon, ah, too soon, will the snows come in all their might.  Soon will the wintry wind blow angrily around the hut and the hovel.  Soon will the wolf be standing at many door-sills.  Soon indeed, it will be winter.  But it need not be winter in our hearts.

Those to whom God has given, of that should they give.  The warmth of charity should thaw out much unhappiness, much misery -- See to it then all ye who sit down to well filled tables, who gather around the bright, warm fire, that within the sound of your voice, that with the reach of your arm, there be not those whom ye might comfort; and should there be such, see that they are aided, see that their sufferings are allayed so far as in your power. 

If you fail to do this you are unworthy of all things.
[Research and Transcription by Ginny]
 

Mr. Phillips offered a resolution that the support and expenses of the
vagrant poor of Dutchess county, charged to the respective towns of the
county under the present system, be charged hereafter to the county, and
that the members of this Board request the Members of Assembly and Senator
of this county to obtain a special act to legalize the same or repeal the
act now in force in the city of Poughkeepsie in reference to the above.
Adopted.

The committee appointed to visit the Lunatic Asylum at Utica reported that
they found patients from this county as well as from others, cared for and
attended to in the most judicious manner.  A committee consisting of Messrs.
Titus, Hopkins, and County Superintendent Vanderburgh, was appointed to
investigate the records of those confined in the Asylum at Utica, credited
to this county.  Fifty-two dollars was allowed the committee visiting the
Asylum, and ordered paid out of the Contingent Fund.
[Transcription Courtesy of J. C. Carlson]
 

New Years at the County Poor House

The Quakers of the Town of Washington gave the inmates of the County Poor House a sumptuous New Year's dinner, as an exhibition of their kindness, benevolence, and love.  Though the day was stormy, yet true to their purpose, they came trudging through the snow with huge baskets filled with "good things".  The whole house being immediately committed by the Superintendents and Assistants entirely to their charge and management, the table was soon spread with all the delicacies the appetite could crave, or the heart could wish.

The ringing of the bell summoned all to the feast, when the inmates proceded to the dining room and quietly took their seats, gazing upon the bountiful provisions with wonder and surprise.  Soon all were helped in the most quiet and friendly manner.  None were neglected or overlooked, the aged and infirm, who were not able to come to the table, were waited upon in their various rooms.  Even the lunatics were sharers in all the bounties of the occasion, and tried to show signs of thankfulness.  Though the luxuries disappeared with great rapidity, yet there was an abundance left, which fact is characteristic of these good people, called Quakers.

Dinner being over, the inmates listened to some good advice and appropriate remarks, concluded by wishing all a "Happy New Year", when they quietly separated, leaving an impression long to be remembered.

ONE WHO WAS PRESENT
[Research and Transcription by Ginny]
 

A MERRY OCCASION
The County Almshouse the Scene of Gaiety and Mirth

The present season of the year is one usually selected by our country cousins for giving friends a surprise party.  Friday evening about seventy friends of Mr. and Mrs. Jas. H. Russell, who have won new friends in every town in the county by their excellent management of the County Almshouse, assembled at the County House for the purpose of testifying their appreciation of Mr. and Mrs. Russell as townspeople and neighbors.  The affair had been kept a profound secret, the host and hostess being taken entirely unaware.  Imagine their surprise when about seventy walked into their residence with bundles and baskets filled with biscuits, boxes of fine cake, pails of oysters and jellies by the quantity.  It is unnecessary to say that they were nice, for any one who has ever visited the town of Washington knows that the good women of that splendid old town have learned the culinary art to perfection.

After the food had been partaken of there was enough left, we are informed, to keep the paupers in rich food for three months.  Supper concluded, Rorricks Band took possession of a corner of the large room and here the guests tripped joyously to the strains of the music until nearly four o'clock Saturday morning.  The affair was most enjoyable and after the superintendent and his wife had recovered from their surprise, they were unremitting in their attentions to the guests and there was no lack of genuine hospitality.

The party to whose enjoyment so much had been contributed, departed with reluctance.  It was a jolly good time, and that does not adequately express the enjoyment and merriment of the occasion.
Copyrighted Abstract and Transcription by Ginny Buechele - 2003 - All Rights Reserved 
[Research and Transcription by Ginny]
 

Christmas at the Almshouse

Christmas was a day deserving a long mark by the inmates of the county almshouse.  Superintendent Russell, departing from the ways of his predecessors, has each year given those under his charge a dinner that would do credit to a first-class hotel.  Being invited to witness the show, I was on hand.  As each one sat down to an overflowing plated a look of "ring up, ring that bell, Sam," was plainly seen.  When it did strike, how they went at it.  Only a few minutes passed when it looked as though fire had swept over their plates.  A second and third time the waiters fill them up.  A vote being taken, it was decided to let the pudding wait until the next day.     S.
[Research and Transcription by Ginny]
 

FED BY VASSAR GIRLS
Escaped Inmate of Almshouse, Starving in Barn, Saved by Student
Special to the New York Times

POUGHKEEPSIE, N. Y. June 7

Wandering away from the Dutchess County Almshouse a week ago, Margaret Mitchell, 71 years old, was found starving in an unused barn near Manchester Bridge, a mile from Vassar College, by a party of Vassar Students.

The girls, members of the sophomore class, were picking daisies for the daisy chain, which will be used on class day at the college next Tuesday, when they came across the helpless woman.  Mrs. Mitchell was fed for two days by the college girls because she told them that the barn was her home.

Carrying foood from the college they cared for her until Tuesday, when they realized that she was not able to care for herself. They notified Justice Hoppe of Arlington and officers brought Mrs. Mitchell to the county jail.
[Research and Transcription by Ginny]