County Poor Farm Sold 1961
The County’s Poor – 1894
A Recent Visit To The Rattlesnake Farm
A Word About The Inmates
Interesting Peculiarities of Some of the Dependents Upon Public Charity.
Through the courtesy of County Auditor Angevine, a Missoulian reporter was recently enabled to make a tour of inspection of the county poor farm and hospital, situated about two miles from the city, along the Rattlesnake river.
The county’s property, consisting of 40 acres of excellent farming land, lies directly opposite the productive ranch property of H. C. Hollenbeck, and is one of the most picturesque spots in the entire Rattlesnake valley.
Back form the road, a distance of about forty yards, stands the main building, a large and very roomy two-story brick structure, where are housed the county’s seventeen unfortunate charges. Here are the sleeping apartments, some containing one patient; others two. The rooms are fairly large, light and airy, and furnished in a decidedly comfortable manner. The dining room and kitchen are both on the ground floor and are presided over by Mrs. J. L. Chapman, wife of the warden of the farm. This department of the establishment receives the utmost care, only the best quality of food obtainable being served to the boarders, who, having outlived their usefulness, are forced to depend upon the charity of the county for sustenance in their declining years.
Evidences of thrift are everywhere to be seen about the farm. The warden is an incessant worker and many of his patients take great delight in assisting him to the extent of their capabilities. Little patches of grain, a few acres of potatoes and rows of various kinds of vegetables are already in condition, and the grounds and shady nooks are rapidly being cleaned up for the summer’s comfort.
Among the residents of the farm are many old-timers in Western Montana, who have been compelled by force of circumstances to take up their abode at the public home. The oldest boarder on the place is Pat Sage, who some six or seven years ago, suffered a paralytic stroke and has ever since had no control over his lower limbs. Owing to his helpless condition Sage requires the most constant attention, both medical and nursing, but, notwithstanding that everything possible is done for his comfort, he is invariably complaining of his treatment and is consequently a source of much annoyance to the managers and other inmates of the farm.
Another well-known old gentleman who is also a sufferer from paralysis is W. A. Clark, whose body, in consequence of his distressing ailment, has wasted away to a mere shadow.
Among the recent arrivals is Fred Nelson, a man well-known about certain portions of the city, who was admitted to the institution last December as a consumptive. The disease had secured a strong hold on the unfortunate man before his removal to the farm and there is little hope of his ultimate recovery.
Peter Thomas, a restaurant cook and waiter, better known as “Scotty,” was also recently sent to the farm as a sufferer with consumption and whose chances of recovery are not considered very flattering.
About the most thoroughly contented of all the inmates is Erick Lundgreen, a Swedish gentleman who is completely blind as the result of a surgical operation performed about three years ago. Mr. Erickson goes about the place easily and rapidly and is a great assistance to others who are totally incapable of assisting themselves.
The genius of the place is Martin Arnold, generally known by his associates as “Shorty.” Arnold’s hobby is sawing wood and it is with the greatest reluctance that he ever consents to any of the other boarders assisting him in his work. He will saw away from early morning until late in the day, keeping up a continual conversation with himself, which is generally of a very uncomplimentary nature.
Old Morris Farley, a former case-keeper at the Exchange gambling room, was admitted to the farm a few months ago a sufferer from general debility and rheumatism. Morris speaks in the highest terms of the treatment received at the hands of Warden and Mrs. Chapman and Doctor Fitzgerald, the new county physician.
The other inmates of the county hotel are: Noah J. Hamilton, paralytic, admitted 5 years ago; Wm. McDowell, old age, 1 year; J. Miller, paralytic, 4 years; Geo. Rubb, lame hand, 1 year; Mrs. F. L. Pelcher and two children, chronic illness, 2 years; C. Parmenter, frozen feet. 5 months; J. W. Brown, general debility, 4 months.
The sick are under the direct supervision of Dr. T. A. Fitzgerald who was appointed by the county commissioners early last month, and who is fulfilling his trust in a manner entirely satisfactory to all concerned.
The above article appeared in the Evening Missoulian on April 25, 1894.
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Missoula author Steve Smith wrote about the poor farm in his book “Pineview,” published by Pictorial Histories Publishing in 1999.
By 1961, forty-two lots had been platted in the new, County owned Pineview addition, where the poor farm was originally located.
After much controversy, the Hospital was closed in the spring of 1963.
The Poor Farm was the subject of a long Missoulian article on April 7, 1963.
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