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Archiver > WAWHATCO > 2010-04 > 1271886212


From: "" <>
Subject: Re: [WA-Whatcom Co] Whatcom County Farm
Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2010 22:05:15 -0000


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Author: aaronbrand09
Surnames: Cline, Mitchell, Gibbons
Classification: queries

Message Board URL:

http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.washington.counties.whatcom/2630.3/mb.ashx

Message Board Post:

I have a little information to add, as I have taken an interest in this subject after finding that my great-great-grandfather was the superintendent of the poor farm (according to the 1900-1901 Whatcom Directory). I don't know if you'll find it useful, but I happened across an article in the May 6, 1911 Bellingham Herald, which I will transcribe below.

Headline: Grange Committee Views Poor Farm
Believing that the members of the Pomona grange of the county are laboring under a false impression regarding conditions at the county farm, the three county commissioners are this afternoon showing a committee from the grange over the property. Complaint has been made by the grangers that the county is converting the county home into a "mad house" and a prison for criminals. The commissioners are showing the committee how the prisoners at the farm are kept separate from the old folks there, how they have their own building in which they eat and sleep. So far as sending insane people to the county home, the commissioners maintain that they have nothing to do with this, that the patients of this kind are sent to the home by the courts.
The committee appointed by Pomona grange to carry their resolution of protest to the county commissioners consists of Mrs. C. E. Cline, E. W. Mitchell and Ben Gibbons. Mr. Gibbons was unable to come to the city with the other members of the committee today.

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