Volume 17 , Issue 18

100 Years Ago, 8 June 1915, Tuesday

One hundred years ago today we look at the Chickasha Daily Express front page to see what is happening in the world and in Oklahoma. some of the headlines read: "Trial of Taylor Is Under Way," "Propose To Aid Women On Farms," "Tuxpam Is Taken By Villistas," "Poor Farm For County Proposed," and "Ready For Meeting of Board." Let us look at the "Poor Farm For County Proposed."

Commissioners were considering plans but no definite decision was reached with estimated cost of $15,000 to $20,000. There was a friendly suit in the Kilgore case, and county attorney was to start action to settle dispute. Dr. Dawson asked lake East of City be drained.

As the story goes "shall or shall not the county buy and maintain a county poor farm and county convict farm, was one of the questions discussed at some length by the county commissioners in session yesterday and today. No action was taken in the matter, but investigations were being made.

It was stated that while the purchase and equipment of a poor farm would incur the expenditure of some $15,000 to $20,000, the county would eventually be the winner, as several thousand dollars were spent annually for the maintenance of the poor in Grady county, with no chance of being in any way reimbursed.

With a county poor farm in operation, the county charges could in most cases assist in their maintenance by raising food and salable crops on the farm and could be cared for to a far greater advantage and convenience to all parties concerned than under the present system, were some of the arguments for the proposition.

Also, some discussion was evident regarding a tract of land to be farmed by the convicts of the county for the county's profit instead of the prisoners being a dead expense to the county as prisoners in the county jail where their board costs in the neighborhood of 50 cents per day per man. A suggestion that funds for the purchase of two teams, wagons and scrapers for road building, be included in the estimate was made, with the idea of putting the county convicts on the roads instead of holding them in the county jail in absolute idleness.

Kilgore Matter Up

The controversy between the present commissioners and W. S. Kilgore, former county treasurer, was up for discussion at the meeting, the ultimate action being the instruction of the county attorney's office to proceed with a suit against Mr. Kilgore for the collection of $198, which claim the county commissioners made against him.

The action, however, was to be strictly a friendly one, as the former county treasurer does not deny the debt, but in turn had a claim of $121 against the county. He offered to pay the county the difference between the two amounts, but upon the advice of Allan K. Swan, assistant county attorney, the commissioners refused on the grounds that his claim against the county was thrown out under the statute of limitations, which in turn had no effect on the claim held by the county.

As brought out at the meeting, the facts were substantially as follows: When Mr. Kilgore was county treasurer he collected $198 form the Pullman company as taxes, receipting the company for that amount, but upon investigation, found that no tax assessment had been made against the company. He stated that he deposited the money in his name as trustee, pending a final settlement of the matter.

Later, upon an order of the state examiner and inspector, a man twas hired to revise the system of bookkeeping in the treasurer's office. This was done by the county commissioners,a nd the charges, $121, were deducted from the salary of Mr. Kilgore, without his consent. He claims that they had no right to appropriate this amount from his salary and stated that when the county refunded him the $121 he would make the settlement on the $198. Mr. Swan advised the commissioners that, however unjust the action of the former county commissioners might have been the present board, according to law, could not settle with Mr. Kilgore except by accepting the full amount, thereby rejecting his offer to pay the difference of the amounts. The friendly suit will terminate the affair.

Aska Draining For Lake

Stating that it was a breeding place for mosquitoes and malaria, Dr. E. L. Dawson asked that the commissioners take steps toward the drainage of the lake that by connived rains had formed east of the city. The commissioners would investigate and hope by the co-oertaing of the Rock Island railroad and the citizens to be able to successfully reach the desired results.

Bonds of the following county and township officials were approved: M. H. Shepard, county superintendent-elect; J. T. Colleps, justice of the peace, Alex; H. K. Elliott, constable, Middleberg. Nim Wyatt was appointed constable of RushSprings.

Mrs. Anna B. Crouch made application for appointment as woman demonstrator of Grady county, to work in connection with he club and community work with Mr. Cooper, county farm demonstrator. Mr. Bradley was instructed to write Mr. Bentley, state agricultural agent, regarding the proposition. The commissioners were in session today, taking up bridge matters and completing the routine work.

All members of the board, Messrs. Corzine, Robinson and Bryant, were attending the meeting.
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