It has been our privilege to conduct services in the County
Home of Watauga County several times during the past few months. The Home, as
it now stands, is made up of four old buildings. They are small and
weather-beaten by many severe winters. Fourteen people, the most of them
apparently as old as the buildings, are now in the Home.
One of them is a colored man, nearly 100 years old. Another
is a blind woman who reads the Bible with the touch of her fingers. Another
woman is so drawn by rheumatism that her feet are nearer her face than her
elbows. She is moved from place to place in a wheelbarrow. Another is a
fine-looking, intelligent man who for 30 years has been an invalid by reason of
his lower limbs being paralyzed. Another is a woman of feeble mind with three
children, two of whom we have recently taken in the Grandfather Orphans Home.
So far as we could see, these unfortunate people are as well
cared for as it is possible under the conditions that exist. But it will not be
long until their earthly conditions will be very much improved, for Watauga
County is erecting a beautiful, up-to-date brick Home for her unfortunate poor.
This building is close to the road, where the inmates can see people coming and
going to the county seat. And no doubt many friends will stop by to see them
who would never visit the Home where it is now situated.
The example that Watauga County has set in providing a
comfortable home for people who are not able to provide for themselves is one
that every county in the state has not done so, ought to follow. We would love
especially to see Avery County take this question up and provide a large
comfortable brick Home for her unfortunate poor citizens.
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