COUNTY POOR FARM
AN ARTICLE EXTRACTED FROM THE PEABODY NEWS 1901
Contributed by Charmaine Keith (charmain@southwind.net) 13 October 1998

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Peabody News
1901

	One of the unique features of Marion county is its poor farm, 9 miles north of town, 
an institution that is not only self supporting, but which pays into the county treasury an 
average of $200 per year, besides cost of maintaining. Many counties support a poor farm, 
but this is one of the rare instances where the poor farm helps support the county.

	The building was put up in 1889 by the board of county commissioners, of which Thos. 
Osborne was chairman. There was $10,000 appropriated to buy the ground and erect the 
building, but it was not all used.

	W. K. Palmer, the present Superintendent, took charge in 1893 and has made a glowing 
success of his charge. It takes tact, patience and good, sound judgment to conduct a poor 
farm and get the best work out of the inmates, but under Mr. Palmer's able management it has 
been a self sustaining money making institution. Each person is given such work as he can do 
and required to do it. He has had an average of 12 inmates, about evenly divided. Men and 
women. By their work with the aid of one hired man, he has farmed 160 acres of ground and 
made many improvements on the farm. The women do the cooking, sewing, mending and housework 
and the men help on the garden and field, as they are able. Every move is made to count and 
it takes very shrewd management and careful planning to accomplish much with the help Mr. 
Palmer has at his command. Most of the inmates are incompetent to a degree and must be 
handled as little children.

	They are governed by strict rules laid down by the county commissioners and 
Superintendent of the poor farm. The men and women are divided, and never meet except at 
meals. All are required to raise at a certain hour and do the duties assigned them. Care is 
taken of the sick and everything furnished them. Their bedrooms, dining room and setting 
room are furnished better than half the private families of the United States and they are 
treated like American citizens rather than like paupers. Every improvement and modern 
machinery is furnished the place to make labor easy and advantageous. Life is the Marion 
county poor house is not what it is in many of the poor houses in the east.