Short, W. N., Mrs. "County Poor Asylum and Jail," taken from the Salem Democrat, October 17, 1914, and reprinted in the WASHINGTON COUNTY HISTORIAN, (Salem, Indiana: Washington County Historical Society, Fall 2010), pp. 28-29. NOTE: The information noted below was abstracted by Randi Richardson from material that is copyright protected. For more information, contact the John Hay Center at 812-883-6495. The article is accompanied by a number of pictures. In 1914, Mrs. W. N. Short, Secretary for the Board of Charities, wrote a report on the conditions of the poor farm and jail based upon her findings. A majority of the article focused on the poor farm. The farm, reportedly consisting of 240 acres, was located six miles east of Salem. It was managed by the unnamed superintendent, his wife, adopted daughter, and two hired men. There were 37 inmates at the time of the report. Five were senile, 1 was blind, 1 deaf and dumb, and 2 epileptic. Others were "mentally weak" or insane. Short reported on the condition of the inmates' food, clothing and living quarters, the separation of the sexes, and the facility itself. For example, it was reportedly that the buildings were "lighted by coal oil lamps fastened to the wall, heated by steam and ventilated by large and numerous windows." Ultimately, she reported that the institution and farm was in "flourishing" condition and the inmates well provided for. The jail reportedly had a capacity of eight but there were no inmates at the time of her inspection. The "cell house" was described as a stone construction with iron gratings. Her findings included the condition of the jail as well as the type of hygiene and religious opportunities typically provided for the prisoners.