Contributed by our Regular Correspondents Local Brevities Our neighbors, J. HAWKINS and E. LEGGETT have been on the sick list for a few days. Hope to see them out again soon. The editor of the press put in an appearance at his home last Saturday evening, dividing his time like a Christian gentleman between that place and the church until Monday morning, when he again started for Madison. Read the report made by O. B. LAPHAM, Esq., concerning matters at the County Poor House. Adams county citizens will be interested in learning under what favorable conditions the new Overseer enters upon his duties. The winter term of Friendship village school has brought to a close on Tuesday last. We had no time to visit the school during the term, but we feel assured that Miss COLBY, who has been a successful teacher in other places, labored hard to be equally successful in Friendship. We have been asked to publish the opinion of Judge STEWART in the case of the town of Rome vs. W. A. HARRISON, tried at the last term of Adams County Circuit Court. We can't give it a place this week; but will try to find room of it erelong. B. S. WILBER writes us under date of February 25th that he intended to start the next day for Chicago to buy a general assortment of goods. We hope friend Wilber may receive a liberal patronage, and that his old customers in and around Big Spring will soon make up to him the serious loss he sustained in the recent fire. Those who met at the house of Elder STAPLES on Thursday of last week, in behalf of the Ladies' Aid Society, had a very pleasant time. There was no failure except on the part of those who stayed away. The occasion was so enjoyable that we intended to give it a spread-eagle notice, but have concluded to clip the old bird's wings. As will be seen b the Big Spring correspondence elsewhere the friends of Elder CAMPBELL made a donation party for him at the New Haven House. Lest some may get a wrong impression, we can state upon good authority that the New Haven House is run upon strictly temperance principles 365 days in the year. No compromise there-and no asking christians to vote for license in consideration of value received. Mr. J. BARTON, one of the old settlers of Leola, made the Press office a call on Monday last. He stated to us that he had pressed and shipped of last year's crop of tame hay, raise on his farm, nearly thirty-seven tons, for which he received $368, or $10 per ton. In addition to what he sold Mr. BARTON retained on his farm a still larger quantity to feed to his live stock. The amount he kept for home consumption will probably net him more money in the final result than the amount sold off. Mr. BARTON's land, we understand, was originally of the same quality as the average soil of Adams county-better than some, and not as good as thousands of acres which have never been under fence or had a furrow turned through them. But by judicious cropping, and a systematic use of fertilizers, he has brought his farm to its present profitable condition. COUNTY POOR HOUSE Our attention has been drawn to the "Seventh Annual Report of the State Board of Charities and Reform of the State of Wisconsin." It contains a brief detail of the condition of our insane and other Asylums, our Jails and County Poor Houses. We extract the report on the condition of our County Poor House and Farm, as follows. Adams County Poor-House, Jackson. Visited September 21. Number of inmates 18, of whom 8 are females, 2 males, and 2 females being insane, and 2 boys, aged 11 and 15, imbeciles. The average number of inmates for the past year has been about the same as at present. The farm consists of 180 acres, besides about 40 acres of wood land. The buildings are one story wooden cottages connected with each other. That used by the overseer and his help is 21 by 14 feet, with an addition 16 by 16. A cooking room back of this 12 by 20 feet, connects it with the two additions for pauper sleeping rooms, these additions being each 30 by 20 feet, at right angles with each other, but not touching. The female building has 2 cells, with wooden-grated fronts, and 4 other sleeping rooms, which may be used for 2 inmates each. The sleeping rooms open upon a corridor and eating room. The building is occupied by the pauper women and an old blind man, the husband of one of the women. The male building is similar, but three of the sleeping rooms have fronts of wooden grating. The cellar is small but clean and good. The farm borders on a small lake a mile long. There are no children in the institution except the two imbeciles above mentioned. Religious services are held once a month by a clergyman from Big Spring. Close confinement is used as a means of punishment. The cistern is not large enough to supply the house with water throughout the year. The well is poor and badly curbed. Water is obtained at less than 20 feet. The house is clean, and no vermin appears. Underclothing and bed covering is washed every week. The ceilings are bout 9 feet high, with ventilation at the top of the sleeping rooms. The privies have vaults. Soil, clay and sand. The pauper apartments are warmed by large box stoves for wood. During the administration of the present overseer the insane have been released from their former confinement, and are treated with humanity and wisdom. Unfortunately Mr. WRIGHT intends to leave the farm at the close of the present year. Overseer, J. B. WRIGHT, who receives $500 for the services of himself and wife, and $236 for a hired man and two female assistants. We have made a somewhat hasty examination of Reports concerning the Poor and Poor Houses in other counties, and are satisfied that in the matter of economy, combined with the genuine comfort of the inmates, Adams County Poor House is conducted in a manner that equals any of the others, and far excels many of them. For this our County Board, Poor Superintendents, and Overseer, all deserve praise. We believe, however, that still more could be done of practical benefit to the farm and buildings, and that the people of the County would gladly sustain the expense were the matter properly placed before them. More about the County House Editor of the Press-Thinking it might be of interest to the readers of the Press to know what amount of provisions there is on hand at the Poor House, which was raised on the Poor Farm the last year, I take the liberty to send you the following statement compiled from an inventory made by the Superintendents on the 23d day of February, 1878: 150 bushels wheat; 200 bushels oats; 600 bushels corn in the ear; 10 bushels buckwheat; 150 bushels potatoes; 10 bushels turnips; 6 bushels beets; 6 bags wheat flour; 250 lbs. buckwheat flour; 700 lbs. side pork; 220 lbs. hams and shoulders; 150 lbs. butter; 100 lbs. lard; 1 barrel soft soap made on place; 25 tons hay. We found in addition to the above products, 21 head of cattle, 2 horses, 20 fowls, and 9 hogs, all in good condition; a good supply of groceries, 20 inmates besides the hired help, good clean beds and bedding to lodge them all comfortably, five stoves, cooking utensils and household furniture sufficient to do all the necessary work for so large a family with convenience and dispatch; a limited supply of farming implements for use of the farm, &c. Yours truly, O. B. LAPHAM Big Spring Items On the evening of Wednesday the friends of the Rev. D. A. CAMPBELL held a donation visit at the New Haven House. They had a good time among themselves, and left the Elder $59.50 as a token of love. He will remain at Big Spring another year. The fire fiend visited this town again on the morning of the 22d. The house of Mr. Rufus MONTGOMERY, on section 16 was discovered to be on fire, and before assistance arrived it was consumed with all the contents. Fully insured. Mr. B. S. WILBER has two carpenters at work fitting up the old store, so as to put in a full line of goods. The Temple of Honor lost every thing by the fire. The talk is of letting them have the church to meet in for the present. We are having another mud blockade. J. R. [In addition to the foregoing another Big Spring correspondent sends the following]: We had the opportunity of enjoying ourselves on last Wednesday evening at the donation held at the New Haven House for Rev. D. A. CAMPBELL. There was a goodly attendance, and over one hundred partook of supper. Oysters were our main stand-by, and thanks are rendered to Mr. MORSE for kindly taking upon himself the task of preparing them for the table. The guests were entertained with vocal and instrumental music, performed by Mrs. CLARK, Miss CAMPBELL, and others. We were indeed glad to see the people of this locality meet together in harmony to pay due respect to their pastor who has been so instrumental in bringing souls to Christ. God has been smiling on this vicinity. Last Sabbath some nineteen entered their names on the records of the Methodist church. Those we thought would be last were first, and still there are more waiting to be blest. We hope the good work will go on. L. Village School Report Report of the Higher Department of the Friendship Village School for the month ending February 26, 1878. Enrollment for the month, 26 Per cent of attendance, 88 Per cent of attendance for the term, 83 Number of visitors during the month, 14 Number of visitors during the term, 39. Five cases of tardiness during the month. Scholars not absent during the month: Leafy FANSLER, Jennie WISE, Helen TARBOX, Henry L. WARNER, Eddie NEWTON, Stanley HAMILTON, George STOWELL. Average standing of scholars at last examination: No's 10, 11, 15, 20, received 10. No's 2, 4, 7, 19, received 9. No's 1, 8, 14, 16, 18, 22, 28, 29, received 8. Those below 8 not reported. Angela COLBY, Teacher The following is the report of the Primary Department for the month and term ending February 26, 1878: Those neither absent nor tardy during the month, John PERKINS, Joseph MINOVSKY, Eugene HAMILTON, John GARDNER, Nellie GARDNER, Cretia PERKINS, Addie WAIT, May PIERCE, Kittie CROSBY, Eva WALKER, Lula and Lola WALKER, Clara HOLM, and Flora WALKER. No. enrolled 31. Average attendance, 27 Number of visits to the school during the month, 14. Those neither absent nor tardy during the term: John PERKINS, Nellie GARDNER, Cretia PERKINS, and Addie WAITE. John CROSBY, Teacher Transcribers Note: Addie Wait and Addie WAITE is how they were spelled in the paper. For Sale, or to Trade at a Bargain.-I have a large lot of second hand Furniture, Bedding and Carpets which I will sell to newly married people, and others, at great bargains during the next sixty days, or will trade for cattle, horses, or farming tools. The furniture consists of tables, bedsteads, stands, chairs, dishes, carpets, stoves &c. In fact everything and anything wanted for house keeping purposes. Now is your time to buy cheap! Call at the Hotel at White Creek, and examine the goods and make me an offer. This chance will remain open for sixty days if not taken before; but don't delay or you may lose it. Chas. REINHEIMER White Creek, Feb. 25th, 1878.
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