THE COUNTY HOME

CLOUSE, BARRY, GROGAN, ERB

Posted By: Nancee Seifert (email)
Date: 7/23/2005 at 19:29:50

The Chariton Leader, Chariton, Iowa
Thursday, June 10, 1909

The board of supervisors, John Norman, T. Hogue Roberts and J.A. White,
visited the County Home, on Friday, and by invitation the writer was pleased
to accompany them. The inmates under Superintendent John Clouse and his
good wife are faring well. The farm is well kept, the grounds and stock
showing painstaking care and the quarters occupied by the inmates are kept
tidy and clean, and this has shown upon the unfortunates in praiseworthy
contagion, as they have become accustomed to this method and are more
careful in their personal habits than they otherwise would be. At present
there are 18 inmates in the home. At one time since Mr. and Mrs. Clouse
took charge of the work there were 24, which taxed the establishment to
about the full capacity. No one can realize the work entailed to care for so
many people, without visiting the place, and surely the present management
is to be commended for the patience and personal attention given, as there
are invalids and individuals in the various degrees of mental balance, so it
is anything but an easy task.

Year after year many of the same faces are beheld. Occasionally one passes
out into eternity and another takes his place, thus Lucas County's Charity
Hospital is depleted and replenished from the busy struggling world.

Not only do the inmates receive watchful care but they also enjoy wholesome
food and plenty of it, which speaks well for local humanity.

In passing we cannot refrain from adding one or two observations. Seldom is
an inmate without hope, although temporarily vanquished in life's struggle.
One young lady, mentally incapacitated, sat at the head of the stairway
reading one of America's popular magazines and another, an elder lady was in
her room perusing the standard fashion book, with all the evident interest
of a Chariton belle, in contemplation of a new gown. All who are so
inclined are provided with sufficient literature as a healthy stimulus for
the mind.

Uncle Jackson Barry is enjoying fairly good health and is glad to see his
old friends. Mother Grogan, who has been bed ridden for a year, is as
courteous and precise in her address as though she were in court
presentation, and while sad yet seems grateful. Will Erb, who is a
paralytic, owing to a spinal injury, thinks his condition is improving and
looks forward to the day when he will be able to walk about the green earth
once more.

There are several incurable insane being cared for at the home. Their lot
is a drear waste.
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Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
July 13, 2005
iggy29@rnetinc.net