INFIRMARY WAS EARLY INSTITUTION OF COUNTY

August 30, 1935 -- Moundsville Echo

Submitted by Colette Trader.

The early history of the Infirmary poor farm is very vague. County records 
show that a farm of 212 acres on Wheeling Creek near to the present Camp 
Agaming, was bought in 1859 from James Holliday for $8, 742.56 and used as a 
poor farm till in 1866 it was sold to Henry Keltz for $9,900. 

It is in the memory of some men today that there was a poor farm at its 
present location more than sixty years ago, which would be by 1875, but no 
order or discussion to purchase such land is found in the court records. We do 
see in 1882 where the sheriff is authorized to purchase a horse or mare for 
the use of the poor farm. 

And then in October of 1883, a committee was appointed to look around and 
select a poor farm. The committee; J. A. Ewing, V. L. Cockayne, T. B. 
McFarland, John Ingram, C. C. McMechen, J. G. Phillips, E. R. Harris, Samuel 
Riggs, S. R. Davis and J. F. V. Kelley. 

In March of 1884 the overseer of the poor in Washington district, E. B. 
Francis, was directed to make such change in the superintendent and keeper of 
the poor farm “as he may deem best for the county.”

In May of 1884 the committee reported back, recommending the L. T. Gray farm 
in Round Bottom, 100 acres, which could be bought for $100 an acre. (This is 
now the Lemley farm). Second choice was the G. W. Evans farm “near Easton.” A 
minority report filed by John Ingram recommended the Peter Crow farm on Fork 
Ridge, 280 acres for $14,000. A few days later the court went down to Round 
Bottom, looked the land over, and refused it. 

Next year, we find a note that Revd. Father Boutlou appeared to prefer charges 
of cruelty against the keeper and his wife. A committee was appointed to 
investigate. Next year we find W. L. Edwards made “agent in charge of the poor 
farm and county infirmary.” 

In April of 1889, Edwards was allowed a coal house, and that August a dining 
room, to cost not more than $300. In 1893 the coal under the farm was ordered 
sold, but we could not locate the deed, tho it does exist. 

In 1898, bids for the completion of a frame dwelling house were advertised. T. 
F. Clark and E. N. Weekly got it at $1,595, and before the year was out, the 
building was completed. 

The early farm had 76 acres. In 1899 it was augmented by the purchase of 55 
acres on the east side of the road (where the sanatorium now stands) from W. 
C. Riggs for $2,757.56. The present farm includes about 137 acres. 

Till recently, the layout comprised a group of several dwelling houses, and 
several small buildings in which men were housed: a group that had grown by 
additions. An overhauling of the place had been going on for the past two 
years with relief labor: one of the larger projects in the county. Houses have 
been joined together and revised to make a single large building; 
modernization has been done. 

Even with the increase thus gained, the place is filled to capacity, with 41 
or 42 inmates. Roy Hill is present Superintendent of the Infirmary.