Overseer's Report, Town of West Rutland, 1888   (year ending 2/1/1888)

In submitting you this report I ask from you a careful study of the same, feeling confident that I have performed my duties as your overseer to the best of my ability and judgement, and been ever anxious to curtail the running expenses of our new town.

The present winter has been exceptionally a severe one, which with the number of mills and quarries suspending operations, has largely increased the demand for aid.

I have drawn orders on your treasurer to date to the amount of $3,708.47. I have received and paid your treasurer, from all sources, $1,129.23 and there is still owning $72.15, making net amount of orders drawn for support of town poor $2,507.09. Of this amount, $2,077.68 was for aid to the outside poor, leaving total net expense of the poor farm and inmates $429.41.

In taking charge of the poor farm last March I found that there was insufficient fodder and grain to winter out the stock on the farm. This necessitated my purchasing quite a quantity of hay and grain as you will  find itemized in this report. I had also to employ choppers almost immediately to supply the house with fuel as little remained on hand when I took charge.

In the matter of assisting outside poor, while refusing aid to many  applicants who were not, in my judgement,  in such needy circumstances as to render necessary their becoming a charge on the town, yet I have endeavored to act so that no one really deserving of aid has suffered and have made myself acquainted with their personal needs in every case. [Note: Outside poor refers to those who were given some assistance while living outside the poorhouse.  PHL ]

In dispensing wood to outside poor I have, when possible to do so, purchased  the wood from farmers in the vicinity, and delivered it with town farm team thus saving from $2.00 to $2.50 per cord on wood so delivered.

Such groceries and provision as were used at town farm I have brought principally at wholesale, thereby saving considerably on the retail prices.

I believe all bills are paid to date and I have a detailed account of all orders drawn on the treasurer by me and vouchers for same, all of which are open at all times for inspection to all taxpayers of the town, who are cordially invited to examine the same by your obedient servant.

Mathew Quinlan, Overseer of Poor, West Rutland 
Feb 1, 1888

[Note: This was the first report after the towns split up. In 1887 the original "Rutland" split into parts -- West Rutland, Rutland Town, Proctor (also formerly known as Sutherland Falls) by an act of the legislature.]

Names and Ages of Inmates of Poorhouse

Patrick Coffee 87
Catherine Donnelly 62
Ann Gordon 55
Teddy Hogan 59
John Holleran 39
William Neary 82
William Pingen 35
Mary Robinson 34
Joseph Robinson 14
Charles Sawyer 84
Aunty Sheldon 77
Mary Teelon 89
Bridget Wallace 64
Silas Ward 60

Total 14

Ann Gordon belongs to town of Rutland for whose keeping said town of Rutland is indebted to town of West Rutland. Said town of Rutland is indebted to town of West Rutland to date in the sum of $67.66 as reported elsewhere.

Names and Ages of those who have died at Poorhouse From March 1, 1887 up to date

Johanna Collins 86
Patrick Frawley 81
John McCauley 62
Thomas Milan 89

Total 4

Discharged from Poorhouse during same time

William Valiquette

Although Johanna Collins died at the poorhouse, her keeping and funeral expenses were paid from her personal estate and not by the town.

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