Pioneer history of Ingham County, compiled and arranged by Mrs. Franc L. Adams, secretary of the Ingham County pioneer and historical society.

122

PIONEER HISTORY OF INGIAMI COUNTY

Until 1848 the county was obliged to transport all prisoners to
Jackson for safe keeping, but that year the county offices and a
jail were built at a cost of $2,000.
The first recorded action of the board in regard to the poor of
the county was in June, 1843, when $50 was appropriated for their
support. In 1844 the importance of having a home for this class
of people was seen, and 80 acres of land on section 21 in Alaiedon
was bought for $400. This was added to until the county owned
about 200 acres of land, which cost $3,858.72.
In 1873 a change in the location of the county farm was talked
of, and the question was agitated for several years, before the
three superintendents of the poor were instructed to try and find a
more desirable location, for which the farm then in use could be
exchanged. The main reason given for the change was to secure
some site on a line of railroad, where it would be good policy to
erect suitable permanent buildings.
In 1879 the front part of the present county home was constructed, and it was said that it could easily accommodate 100
people, though the total number cared for at that time was 48.
In the winter of 1879 the building caught fire and was badly damaged. There were 33 inmates, and all were taken from the
building to the home of John Hammond, where they stayed that
night. While repairs were being made places were found for 17.
Since the county was organized the amount appropriated has
increased from $50 in 1839 to $8,650 in 1879. The rapid increase
in the amount of funds needed was accounted for by the aftermath of the Civil War, so many helpless and needy veterans who
had little or no pension from the Government, and the widows and
children of those who died in the service who were left without
any means for their maintenance.
At the first general election in 1838 there were 260 votes polled
in the county.
In 1839 salaries were fixed for the county treasurer and the
prosecuting attorney, the former at $200 per year and the latter
at $150. By 1874 these salaries had increased until each received
$1,000, the probate judge $1,025, and the county clerk $800. The
school commissioner was paid by the day and received $4.50 for
each day's work.