Canadian Pacific 8953 and 8831 lead empty potash train B244, as they pass the pond around the location known as poorhouse on the railroad, as it heads north on the Henderson Subdivision at Madisonville, Ky at sunset on August 15th, 2023.
This location is right around MP 279 on the Henderson Subdivision and got its name from the Louisville and Nashville Railway days when the Hopkins County Poorhouse stood near this location.
According to the Kentucky Historic Institutions website: In 1910 there were more than 84 thousand paupers that were enumerated in poorhouses in the United States; this was a marked increase of 3 percent compared to 1904. In Kentucky, the number of enumerated people in poorhouses in 1910 were 1,522; 871 being male and 651 being female. Of that population, 1,044 were native born, 167 were foreign born, 27 have unknown nativity, and 284 were colored, Irish and Swiss immigrants had a much high ratio of pauperism in 1910 than any other nationality.
According to the occupations of individuals admitted into poorhouses, unskilled laborers made up the highest number. Skilled trades also held a relatively considerable number as well. Women frequently were domestic servants prior to admission. A relatively large number of about two filths reported being unable to do any work of any kind. A statistically significant number of paupers during the year 1910 were consider physically or mentally defective though the number of insane and feeble-minded almshouses was on the decline in 1910. Three fourths of discharges were done so as self-supporting. Approximately 17,000 paupers died in poorhouses during 1910 a rate of 207.7 paupers per 1,000. The most common cause of death at that time was tuberculosis of the lungs.
In earlier days, poorhouses were sometimes used as temporary shelters for vagrants as well as a place of detention for petty criminals. This was often due to poorhouses being the only public agency available to offer relief, even to those who were insane, feeble-minded, or epileptic. Some communities combined poorhouses with free hospitals or infirmaries that catered to the poor.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 390.