37. Notes From The Randolph County Infirmary

1907

The Grand Jury for the November term of the Randolph Circuit Court visited the county infirmary and found it in excellent condition except, as follows: We find that there are two incurable patients suffering from a loathsome disease who are quartered in the infirmary and from whom there is a very bad stench, which unavoidably pervaded the entire building: we think there should be a separate building provided where these incurables can be properly cared for outside the main building, as we consider their continued presence in the infirmary a menace to the health of the other inmates and the Superintendent and his family. We recommend that such quarters be provided for these patients without delay. We also advise the installation of a laundry in the basement, where the clothes from the inmates may be washed without danger of contagion and injury to the health of the wife of the Superintendent and the inmates who assist in this work. We consider the equipping of a suitable laundry to be a matter that should be attended to without delay. Respectfully submitted, J.W. Ruby, Foreman.

1915

 The Board of County Commissioners and County Council met last week and decided that the antiquated and dangerous system of lighting the county infirmary by natural gas is at last to be done away with, and the up-to-date mode of lighting by electricity is to be substituted. Current will be furnished by the Citizens Heat, light & Power Company, the lines of which already run along the road in front of the building. An electric motor is to be put in so that water can be pumped when the present gasoline engine is out of repair, which is frequently. The State Board of Fire Inspection has ordered four additional fire escapes placed on the building and the improvement has been directed to be made. Since the recent deadly fire in the Delaware County infirmary public authority has awakened to the necessity of additional protection of their wards.

1942

  It cost taxpayers of Randolph county just $8,855.52 to operate the infirmary located south of Winchester on state road 27 during 1941, according to figures of Superintendent Roy Thornburg.
  With an average of 76 inmates-high as 93, low as 73- the per capita cost per inmate was $113 for 1941.
  Spending $12,450.41 from the allotted appropriation, Superintendent Thornburg turned back to the county revenue fund a sum of $3,594.89, this amount being from sales of livestock, vegetables and other farm produce during the year.
  At the present time there are 82 inmates at the infirmary.
  Questioned about the work during the year, it was ascertained that the superintendent, other than supervising the average of 76 inmates, did the following (of course with the help of Mrs. Thornburg):  60 acres of corn (3000 bushels), 35 acres of wheat (1000 bushels), 26 acres of oats (1200 bushels), put up 40 tons of hay, has on hand 52 head of cattle, raised 96 head of hogs, has five horses, has butchered 50 hogs and will slaughter 20 more soon, raised 500 chickens, netted 500 bushels of potatoes, 40 bushels of sweet potatoes, canned 75 gallons of pickles and 1200 cans of tomatoes, rhubarb, beans, greens, apples, beets, peas and corn.
  One bushel of dried corn was canned, in addition to 300 cans of meat.
  Here is what was expended: salary of superintendent, $1500: salary of attendants, $1082: physician and medicine, $1284.47: operating expense, $6663.50; building and fixed equipment, $409.25; repair of buildings, $227.15: livestock $227.; manure spreader, $145.64; ensilage cutter, $87.50; refrigerator, $495; stove, $306.50; spruce trees, $22.40.

1950

  An 82-year-old inmate of the Randolph county home, south of Winchester on U.S. 27, was hospitalized after he had been found crawling on his hands and knees in the snow on the highway.
  He is Alec Goff, home inmate for the past two years, who hospital attaches said at noon was "in pretty good shape" despite his harrowing experience. One foot, it is reported, was frozen.
  Goff was discovered crawling along the road about 5 a.m. by four occupants of an automobile returning to Winchester from work at Richmond. One was identified as Don Wells.
  The aged man was brought into Winchester and taken to the Randolph County hospital by city police. Mr. Goff was wearing light clothing and was carrying his shoes.
  Mrs. Roy Thornburg, matron of the home, said Mr. Goff, as usual, had been locked in his room, but got out into the bitter morning cold by going down a fire escape. The Police report did not show how far Mr. Goff had crawled before being picked up.