TexasCHLforum.com

The paper I work for runs a weekly feature called, "The Way It Was." It runs articles for the weeks of 100 years ago and 50 years ago. An October 22, 1914 article about Governor Colquitt wanting to clear every jail and poor farm notes that:

Figures from county authorities, just compiled in the executive department here, shows there are 1,042 persons of unsound mind in Texas including 415 idiots, 307 persons adjudged insane and being cared for by relatives; 209 in jails and 111 on county poor farms.

Wow! Only 415 idiots in Texas back in those days. I'm thinking things have gone down hill a little since then.

There were only 415 Democrats back then??

Not even enough to fill today's Congress.

Keith B wrote:There were only 415 Democrats back then??

Oh no you didn't!

Are you sure it isn't 435 idiots?

LDB415 wrote:Are you sure it isn't 435 idiots?

That's DC. This article is talking about Texas.

Wow! Only 415 idiots in Texas back in those days.

There's more than that just on the roads in Austin; ride a motorcycle through the city, then you'll see what I mean :-0

ghostrider wrote:

Wow! Only 415 idiots in Texas back in those days.

There's more than that just on the roads in Austin; ride a motorcycle through the city, then you'll see what I mean :-0

Are you trying to get people killed?

That's almost as bad as riding a motorcycle in El Paso!

Yeah, just making a joke that sadly isn't all that much of a joke.

Just curious, does anyone know exactly what "poor farms" were back then?

Here is a link with some info:

http://www.poorhousestory.com/poorhouses_in_texas.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There was one just outside the town where I grew up deep in the Piney Woods.

Randy

SawdustBytes wrote:Here is a link with some info:

http://www.poorhousestory.com/poorhouses_in_texas.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There was one just outside the town where I grew up deep in the Piney Woods.

Randy

There's more now...

Neat