The Paupers.—The care of the poor began with the organization of Perry county. Overseers of the poor were appointed in every township, who saw that the indigent were cared for, and who presented an account of the expense periodically to the county board for allowance. In 1835 the paupers cost $159.91; in 1837, $128; in 1840-41, $245.56; in 1842-43, $705.64; in 1845-46, $356.53; and in 1847-48, $319.72. In June, 1847, William Hatfield, Jehu Hardy and Taylor Basye were appointed a special committee to select and buy a poor farm. In September they reported that they had bought 180 acres of Terrence Connor, en Section 33, Township 6, Range 1, for $900. Joshua B. Huckaby, James Boyle and Samuel T. Groves were appointed to erect the necessary buildings and make the necessary repairs on those standing, which they did at a cost of about $216. This made the farm cost the county $1,116. In 1848, however, a new frame asylum was built by Allen M. Ferguson for $650. In September, Jonathan McMillan became poor superintendent. In March, 1849, there were five inmates. In 1849-50 the poor cost $329.45. In September, 1851, there were three inmates as reported by McMillan, “one being unable to do anything on account of laziness.” In about 1853 the board decided that the asylum was too expensive for only three or four paupers, and discontinued it, renting the place for a farm, and sending the poor back to the townships. In 1855-56 the poor cost $1,232.62. In 1857 the farm was again used for the poor, Cornelius Markim being superintendent. In 1860 the farm was again given up to renters. In December, 1860, Michael Dusch was appointed to rent a suitable house in Cannelton to be used as a temporary poor house, and engage a superintendent. A house owned by Richardsom was finally rented, and the old farm at Rome was rented to John K. Groves for three years, at $45 a year. August 18, 1863, was set as the day the poor-farm was to be sold at public auction. It was bought by Elijah Huckaby for $1,525, one-fourth down, and the balance within five years, with six per cent interest. The one-fourth was paid, and in 1864 an addition of $244 was paid. The property was then transferred to Felicite Longeinore, who failed to make additional payments until 1871, when she asked for an extension of five years’ time. At this time there was due $1,308.08. Soon after this Samuel T. Whitmarsh bought the property, and in December, 1876, secured another five years’ extension of the payment. In December, 1878, the auditor was directed to collect by law, or otherwise, the amount due. In March, 1879, Whitmarsh gave up the farm to the county board, who advertised it for sale at public auction. Mrs. Ann Fuche bought it for $1,466, one-third down, and the remainder in installments. She finished the payments, and now owns the property.

In March, 1866, proposals were called for of a tract of from five to twenty acres near Cannelton, Tell City or Troy, to be used as a poor farm. In August twenty-three acres near Cannelton were bought of L. Richardson for $1,265. In June, 1867, the contract for erecting a brick poorhouse was let to B. F. Rounds and J. A. Brinkett for $8,948.45. December 3, 1867, the house was completed and accepted. Mrs. Sarah Dwyer and others had been keeping the paupers at Cannelton on contract, at about 45 cents each per day, since 1861. Patrick Lahey became first superintendin the new house, at $300 per year. John C. Wade was his successor in 1869. There were then about thirty-five inmates. Samuel King was superintendent in 1871. There were forty-five paupers in June, 1873, and at this time there was talk of having them uniformed. August Nettlebeck was superintendent in 1875, W. W. Scott in 1876, Wesley C. Reed in 1881, H. M. Howard in 1884. The number of inmates range from twenty-five to fifty. In 1864-65 the paupers cost $4,524.41; in 1869-70, $4,115.58; in 1874-75, $6,332.57; in 1879-80, $5,711.16, ind in 1884, $4,494. In 1875 a wing was built to the asylum.

1880 United States Federal Census shows a number of people living in the Poor Assylum: Mary Frickes 74, Jacob Frickes 56, Minor Goatley 52, Ann Hardy 64, Sally Connor 75, Wm. Anthony 28, Sarah Artman 24, Anna Shutler 74, Willie Huff 18, Mary Miller 26, Mary Dedieyon 50, John Warrior 52, Lucus Boyd 24, James Baker 32, Lena Poehlein 48, Fred Schneider 52, Sarah Wheatley 80, Polly Graybill 55, Wm. Allenn 38, Catherine Laurence 46, Maria Harper 28, John Reisch 66, Dora Reisch 53, Casper Schniber 62, Riley Tenant 28, Catherine Weber 55, John Conklin 10, Sarah Hog 16.