In a message dated 3/2/02 2:20:38 PM Pacific Standard Time, vrw77@grm.net writes: << Yes, this is the picture of the Harrison County Home. I looked in the Harrison County History Book I have and the view is slightly different but it is obviously the same building. Here is an excerpt of the article in the history book. I can mail you a copy of the article and the picture if you will send an address. County Home. - Harrison County with her vigorous and industrious people has been no exception to the unvarying rule that no community is without its unfortunates and in common with the other states of the Nation, Missouri has kept pace with benevolent movements, and the making of provisions for the needy and those unable to earn a support. In common with the other counties of the state Harrison has done her part, under the enabling laws of the state which have shown great growth and development from our early days. Our early records contain announcements of doings under our early laws then rearded as helpful, but which now we would not feel proud of. For instance that the keep of the county's indigent were left to the lowest bidders. We find in the records of te June term, 1847, of the county courts that "Henry Fuller, Sheriff, lets John Richardson, a pauper, to the lowest bidder, and John Foster takes him at $38.00 per month," but later provisions enabled our people to suitably care for the unfortunate and pay the cost thereof, and not make the same a matter of auction. At the December term, 1866, John W. Brown, who had previously been appointed to purchase for the county land for a poor farm, reported a purchase of --- acres in section 9, township 64, range 27, which was adopted, and the land purchased by the county, and two years later the necessary buildings were erected thereon. This farm under the county management afforded a comfortable home for the poor of the county until about 1902. This property was sold by the county and in October, 1900, the county purchased from Campbell Crossan what had been the old fair ground in section 9, township 63, range 27, near Bethany, and later other tracts have been added until the farm now comprises 180 acres. On June 13, 1901, we find the following entry in the County Court Record of that date: "Whereas the county court contemplates erecting a county building on the county farm with modern improvements necessary to the sanitary condition of same, and whereas R. G. Hirsch, architect, of Macon, Missouri, and Joslyn, Taylor & Company, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, present plans and specifications, the county court doth find that the plans submitted by R. G. Hirsch are best adapted to their needs, and do hereby adopt the same for their use in constructing said county building, and hereby authorize said architect to prepare and file in this court not later than July 1, 1901, complete plans and specifications, when action will be taken threon." After due publication of notice for sealed bids, which were received on August 5, 1901, the contracts were let on August 6, 1901, as follows: To John Scott & Sons for $10,250.00 for the building, contractors to furnish all material, perform all the labor in accordance with the Hirsch plans and specifications on file. To Sodermann Heat and Power Company the contarct for heating for $1,978.00 according to plans and specifications. The county court entered an order of record appointing Andrew Cumming, of Bethany, Missouri, superintendent of construction of said county building, also one appointing A. S. Cumming, of Bethany, Missouri, to assist the prosecuting attorney in the matter of contarcts and bonds relating to same. At August term, 1901, John Scott & Sons present their bond in he sum of $20,500 to secure the performance of their contract, which was approved August 21, 1901. At the same time Soderman Heat and Power Company present their bond for $4,000 to secure the performance of their contract, which was approved. At the April term, 1902, Andrew Cumming reports completion of the building as per plans, spoecifications and contract, which report was received and adopted. >>