The Topeka State Journal

JAIL AND POOR HOUSE O. K.
State Board of Charities Commends Those in Shawnee County.

The county commissioners this morning received the report of Edwin Snyder, of the board of state charities and corrections, on the Shawnee county poor farm and county jail.

In his report Mr. Snyder said: "On October 28 I visited your poor house, situated in Shawnee county. I suppose you understand that by the law passed by the legislature of 1901, the board of charities is directed to visit all jails and poor houses in the state and report their condition. It is in compliance with this law that the visit was made. I am glad to report that your poor house is in better condition than the average and appears to be well managed by your superintendent, S. F. Joy. Like nearly all of the other poor houses of the state, your institution consists of several buildings, built at different times, and without any very comprehensive plan of construction and as you doubtless understand are not well adapted for the purpose for which they are used. However, I am very glad to find that your superintendent is making the most of his circumstances, and that the inmates are all made very comfortable. I desire to suggest that there is very great danger from fire and that some better fire protection should be had. I also visited your jail in the city of Topeka. Am glad to report that we found it in very good condition. Have no suggestions to make."