Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 11 June 1950 — Page 25

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Features

lovely, modem ith plenty of large lot ated, 5. rooms, 46.

Poorhouse inmate.

stone, OPEN with fireplace, in cedar-lined heat. See ad

Grand 5-room rge bedrooms, windows and appointment

d 2-bedroom netian blinds, ed corner lot. reduced price!

The day is done.

how this cory s all modem, sure to see ortable home.

fistrict, brick ; 2 bedrooms ch, oll rooms ily with cel cation 42.

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UNE 11, 1950

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By EDWIN CO. HEINKE Photos by Lloyd B. Walton, Times Staff Photographes

UTSIDE of Cannelton, Ind., there stands an old red brick building. The wind off the nearby Ohio sends river mists swirling through the firs that guard the 83-year-old structure. It is the Perry County Home. And it is labeled in Department of Public Welfare files as Indiana worst poorhouse, Perry County commissioners face a problem. Shall they abandon the poorhouse and .farm.out-the inmates to-other ine the community put up money to repair the ‘buildings and keep the old place going? Which will cost less? But for three years the commissioners have been aware of

the problem. In the meantime, the “inmates” as they are called, continue to exist, not live.

» » » n ” ” SOME OF the inmates, in the 70's and 80's, do not know thelr. names or ages or where they came from. There are no records for the majority of these people. They have been forgotten by their families in most cases, forgotten by the world Some of them are so ill they must remain in bed. There is no doctor. There is one at Tell City, but on emergency call only, Dressed in overalls or cast-off clothing, they shainble in to meals, go back to their dungeon-like rooms, stare into nothingness and await the day when théy may leave this world. Dirt is everywhere. There is no way to keep things clean in this dilapidated structure. There is no inside plumbing, no running water—but few of the-inmates-have the ambition to Kéep clean. ® Ld » ® » nu DEBRIS, piles of ashes fill the courtyard outside where the inmates who are able to walk or crawl, sun themselves in good weather, Otherwise they sit motionless or lie in their beds. Supt. William McFarling and his wife, Stella, are powerless to do mueh.

It is the problem of the community. of..Cannelton—and

"other counties in Indiana that have allowed their poorhouses to run down and become relics of 100 years ago.

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recreation

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