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Within the next few weeks the St. Francois County Court will close an institution, the County Infirmary, which has been in continuous operation for seventy years this spring. On Saturday, February 3, the land and improvements and all of the household effects and supplies will be offered for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for cash.
The County Infirmary in St. Francois County was first begun in 1881 following the enactment of a law by the State Legislature in 1879 which provided that every county in the state must provide for the "support of the poor" which was interpreted to mean the aged, infirm, lame, blind and sick, who in their opinion were deemed entitled to public support.
At that time a tract of more than 300 acres of land was purchased about six miles southwest of Farmington and buildings considered adequate to care for the patients erected. Tillman Justice was named the first superintendent to operate the farm and care for the inmates. In 1904 the farm was sold and a 21-acre tract just north of Farmington purchased and on this tract a modern structure was erected and more improved methods of caring for the inmates were put into effect. George Frazer was named the first supintendent of the new home and the late O. J. Mayberry was named supervisor of the property.
The institution has over the years served a most worthy need in a county the size of St. Francois and at times the normal capacity of the home has been greatly taxed. The need has always been most acute in so called depression years.
With the passing of state and federal laws a few years ago granting old age assistance to needy and worthy people, the demands on the institution have gradually grown less. During the past year the average number of inmates has been about eight to ten and at the present time there are only eight being cared for at the infirmary.
The St. Francois County Infirmary has ranked as one of the best in the state and the manner in which in has been operated has always been praised by state and and county authorities. Mrs. Maude Bell is the present superintendent and has served in this capacity since the death of her husband, the late John E. Bell.
The decision of the County Court to close the institution and to sell the property and physical effect comes chiefly as a matter of practical economy in a changing age. This decision was not easily reached and not until after much investigation as to what was being done elsewhere and what proper provisions could be made for the continued support of those unfortunate enough not to be able to care for themselves.
A goodly number of those now being cared for and whom have been cared for in recent years can qualify for old age assistance and in these cases the allotment made to them under the law will go a long way toward the full cost of their care in a regularly established nursing home. Others not able to obtain assistance of one form or another, but deemed entitled to county support, which have and will likely continue to be a comparatively few, can be placed in homes that are being maintained for this purpose. The Court has determined that it can take of its poor and aged in this manner at a saving of several thousand dollars annually to the taxpayers of the county.
All of the land now owned, a part of the 21 acres having been sold a number of years ago, the improvements thereon, all of the household effects and supplies on hand will be offered for sale on Saturday, February 3, to the highest bidder for cash. The land embracing slightly more than 12 acres and all building and improvements thereon, will be sold first. Immediately following, all furniture, equipment, supplies, etc., will be sold. The sale will start promptly at ten o'clock and will be held under the supervision of the members of the county court.
A small portion of the land at the north boundary, known as the county cemetery, will be retained by the county.
A detailed announcement of the sale and description of the property to be offered will be published in the newspapers of the county both next week and the week following.
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