Newspaper clipping, no date or source noted (appears to be from a date earlier than 1900), attached to a poor farm article written by James P. Root, title not legible, published in the Bloomington (IN) Herald Telephone, July 10, 1969, available on Reel 12, Local History Microfilm Collection, Monroe County Public Library, Bloomington, Indiana. Abstracted by below by Randi Richardson. In 1838, agitation was started for the establishment of a poor farm in Monroe County. Action was postponed until 1846. After considering several sites, John Acuff property on the Bloomington and Spencer Road was chosen and he became the first superintendent of the farm. At the time of purchase, these was already an existing home on the property and the erection of a log house was ordered by the commissioners. Acuff was paid $100 for his services as superintendent. In order to meet the growing needs of the county, a new farm was purchased in 1862. Samuel A. Smith was the owner, and the property consisted of 168 acres. It was quickly determined that the property was not well suited for the purpose, and in 1865 it was sold to John F. May who became the second superintendent of the poor farm. Plans were immediately put in place to purchase another property. In 1866, the county purchased six Seminary lots, known as the Cuff farm (consider Acuff a spelling variant) from Peter Bollenbacher. In 1867, Samuel A. Smith built a new poor farm on the property.