Untitled Document

THE COUNTY POOR.

The poor ye have with you always," was was spoken by the Savior of the world more than 1800 years ago. It is as true today as then, and doubtless will be till the end of time. The first order in relation to this class was made in October, 1835. It appears that Wm. Brewster was thrown upon the county for support, and Michael Bartlett was authorized to contract with some person to take care of him. Mr. Brewster survived but a few months and was buried by the county,—"only a pauper that nobody owns."

In 1839, the County Commissioners thought it advisable to appoint an overseer of the poor for the entire county, the number of persons requiring assistance from the county being on the increase. Joseph R. Taylor was appointed by the Board at its December term.

In September, 1841, Miles W. Conway was appointed to succeed Mr. Taylor. He served until December, 1844, when he resigned and Thomas Bidderson was appointed his successor. Mr. Bidderson was empowered to enforce the vagrant act against all those who were liable to become a county charge. In September, 1850, Marcus B. Osborn was appointed to succeed Mr. Bidderson. Mr. Osborn was succeeded by C. B. Knox, who in turn gave place to S. S. Guyer, in December, 1852.

In January, 1853, the County Court purchased of the heirs of Rinnah Wells a house and tract of land in and near the city of Rock Island, to be used for paupers, paying therefor the sum of $1,200. Jonathan Whitman was appointed agent to keep the poor-house, at a salary of $150 per year, with $1.25 per week for each pauper.

In June, 1854, B. I. Cobb was appointed Overseer of the Poor. In March, 1855, Drs. Bracket and Bulkley made a proposition to give medical attendance to all paupers within eight miles of the city of Rock Island for $100 per year, which proposition was accepted. Heretofore any physician who might be called attended to the wants of the poor.

Wm. Sanderson was appointed in March, 1856, at a salary of $150 per year for services in keeping the poor-house, and allowed $1.50 per week for boarding paupers. Dr. Samuel K. Sharp was appointed County Physician.

In January, 1858, a resolution was adopted, setting forth that the county had been wronged by persons presenting bills for the care of paupers ; and as a county poor-house had been purchased and was sustained at considerable cost, and which was large enough to hold all the paupers of the county, therefore no bills of like character would hereafter be paid, unless accompanied by an affidavit that the poor relieved could not be sent to the poor-house at the lime such assistance was rendered.

To prevent non-resident paupers from becoming a permanent charge on the county, it was unanimously resolved at the June term of the Board of Supervis ors in 1858, to authorize their being sent to their friends, wherever they might reside. The sum of $100 was appropriated for that purpose. This action has generally been continued year by year.

In June, 1860, T. J. Robinson, J. A. Boyer and John M. Wilson were appointed a committee to make inquiries and report upon the pauper question. They reported that the expense of keeping the paupers of the county was constantly on the increase; that in 1859 they had cost upwards of $6,000; that the county poor-house was too limited; and recommended the sale of the house and the purchase of a farm of not less than 120 acres, to be known as the poor farm, where the paupers of the county could be kept and where they could assist in their own support. John M. Wilson, M. A. Swiler, Wesley Hanna and Peter Demoss were appointed a committee to exam ine different localities for a farm and to ascertain on what terms the property then owned could be sold.

The committee, at the September session of the Board, reported that they had arranged to purchase a farm in Coal Valley [now Rural], consisting of 180 acres, for $3,000. The old poor-house they recommended to be sold at public auction. The re port was adopted and recommendation concurred in. At the March term, in 1861, the Board authorized the construction of a house at a cost not exceeding $3,000.

Wm. Sanderson served as Superintendent of the County Poor-House until September, 1864, when Wm. S. Bailey was appointed, at a salary of $800 per year. In September, 1869, the Board passed a very complimentary resolution with reference to Mr. Bailey for his kind treatment of the poor placed under his care, artd for his excellent management of the farm.

At the August, 1873, term of the Board, the committee on poor-farm were instructed to erect a building adjoining the one in use, for the use of the warden, the cost of the building not to exceed $3.500. The building authorized was constructed, but still there was not room. On the 5th.of May, 1880, a committee was appointed to ascertain what more should be done. At the July term, in 1880, the committee reported, recommending the erection of a two story and basement brick building, together with a boiler house. These were completed in 1881.

At this meeting, a memorial was adopted, praying the State to make provisions for the incurable insane at the expense of the county. The co-operation of other counties was asked for to procure the passage of an act of the General Assembly to this end.

Asa Butman succeeded Mr. Bailey as Superintendent of the farm. In April, 1883, James Robertson was appointed and yet controls the farm.

The average number of inmates has been about 100 for some years past.

Footnote: Oak Glen Nursing Home now sits here and is still owned by Rock Island County. There is a small burying ground on the property with a few stones there. Burials are listed at the Rock Island County Historical Society. Although the county home was established in 1839, the earliest burials shown on this list begin in 1887. Location: Section 3 Rural Township. Directly behind the Oak Glen Home in a little grove.

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