Report of County Home Fire at Commissioners Meeting, Dec. 5, 1919

From the Franklin Times, Louisburg, N.C., Dec. 5, 1919

Fire At County Home. . . Supt. Holden Reports Near $2,000. . . J.P. Timberlake Re-elected Chairman and Ben T. Holden Re-elected Attorney. . . Other Routine Business

The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday with all members present. Business was transacted as follows after approving the minutes of the previous meeting:

--Miss Pauline Smith was before the Board and read her report which was received.

--C.H. Roe was allowed his regular pension as an Old Veteran.

--I.N. Tucker was relived of poll tax on account of an afflicted foot.

--Report of J.C. Jones, Superintendent of Public Welfare in regard to Deaf and Dumb mutes was received and filed.

--The new Board met and proceeded to reorganize. Upon motion of W.D. Fuller, former chairman J.P. Timberlake was unanimously re-elected Chairman for the ensuing year.

--The election of an attorney being in order Commissioner Sykes placed the name of Mr. Ben T. Holden before the Board to succeed himself for the ensuing year. The election was unanimous.

--H.C. Taylor was allowed to keep the Taylor Shop at a rent of $10 per month and all repairs until further notice.

--Wash Perry and wife were placed on outside pauper list at $2 each per month.

--Lou Davis was ordered to be sent to County Home.

--Report of Dr. J.E. Malone, County Health Officer, was received and filed.

--W.N. Hight was relived of poll tax for 1919 on account of his physical condition—Sandy Creek township.

--Chairman Timberlake was authorized to draw voucher to take up the $15,000 bond which will be due soon.

--D.G. Pearce, cotton weigher for Louisburg, was before the board with his bond which was ordered recorded and took the oath of office.

--Report of J.J. Holden, Superintendent of County Home, was received and filed. He reports inmates as follows: White, 4 women, 3 men; colored, 4 women, 5 men. He also turned over check for $275.13 to cover crops marketed since last report. He further reported that one stable or barn was burned on Sunday, November 30^th, at 3 p.m., a complete loss of barn and a lot of dry feed stored therein. Fire must have originated from flying sparks from chimney of inmates house. (In his report for November 1^st, he turned in to the Commissioners $1,566.94 from crops marketed, which was inadvertently omitted).

--Sheriff H.A. Kearney assisted the Board to draw the jurors for January term of Franklin Superior Court.

After allowing a number of accounts the Board adjourned to next regular meeting.