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         Ever since the organization of the county, the unfortunate, the infirm and the poor have been generously and humanely cared for by the county authorities. July 2, 1850, the following order was made, which shows the method of securing care and attention for the poor in early times:

         Ordered, That the Clerk give notice of the time and place, and proceed to make inquiry of public outcry, who will keep William Brown for the least sum per week for the next three . . .

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. . . months, and that the person who will keep the said William Brown, shall have him and shall have the benefit of his labor.

         Under the management and direction of the County Commissioners and County Judge, the care and sustenance of the unfortunate was secured by appropriations. Those having the care of the poor would present their accounts, and they would be audited and ordered paid. When the management of county affairs passed under the direction of a Board of Supervisors, a change in the care of the county poor was inaugurated.

         April 4, 1871, a farm of 160 acres, being the northeast quarter of Section 25, township 82, Range 3 west, was purchased by the county from E. C. Smith and Mary E. Smith, his wife, at $40 per acre, amounting in all to $6,400.

         At a session of the Board of Supervisors, April 3, 1871, a resolution was passed declaring that County Bonds be issued to the amount of $10,000, bearing ten per cent interest, the interest payable semi-annually, to cancel the debt contracted in the purchase of the above farm, the purchase of farming implements, etc., providing also that the bonds should not be sold for less than par value and accrued interest on said bonds, payable on or before five years from date.

         Proposals were invited for the erection of a suitable building, and the contract was awarded to J. E. Coudry, of Stanwood, for $1,750. A barn and other outbuildings have been built since.

STATEMENT OF THE PURCHASE OF THE POOR FARM.

E. C. Smith, Dr.
To cash	$2,023.75
Bonds to E. Smith	2,500.00
Bonds to E. C. Smith	1,500.00
	$6,023.75
CONTRA, Cr.
By 160 acres of land, $40 per acre	$6,400.00
By interest on same for 19 days	33.75
	$6,433.75
Cedar School Fund Mortgage	410.00
	$6,023.75

         There are at present 14 persons on the county farm, which is in charge of Walter Jeffries.