Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 May 1912 — STATE BOARD OF CHARITIES [ARTICLE]

STATE BOARD OF CHARITIES

Says Newton County Got Soaked on New Poor Asylum. In the twenty-second annual report of the Indiana Board of State Charities for the year ending Sept. 30, 1911, which recently came from press, we find the following mention of Jasper county’s jail and poor asylum: “A small jail, strong, and well kept. There are 'few prisoners in thia county.” Of the poor asylum: "There is much room for improvement both in the buildings and administration. The custodial building is a disgrace, yet it was occupied at the time of our visit by four men.” Of Newton’ county’s new poor asylum the report says: “This is a new building only recently occupied. Its plan is satisfactory, but it was not built according to contract, and should not have beem accepted. ,An inferior grade of material was used and the work was poorly done. The interior walls are of soft, rough brick and many of them are already crumbling. The cracks and rough places in the walls afford hiding places for ve,rmin. The wood work was finished With a cheap grade of paint instead of varnish. The sewer is defective and a part of the basement floor was covered with water on the day of this visit. The laundry work is done in the basement to the detriment o's the building.”