OF LANCASTER COUNTY. 443 



which times the water-wheels were insufficient for the purpose. The expense of pump- 

 ing by this means being very great, in tlie years 1864 and '65, the old undershot water- 

 wheels were removed, and two of Kraat's turbine wheels substituted, with the expec- 

 tation that the use of the steam engine might be dispensed with. These wheels, al- 

 though using considerably less water, and being more clfective than undershot wlieels, 

 yet have not at all times accomplished what was anticipated, and the engine is koj)! on 

 hand as a resource in such periods. 



The east basin receives the water from the creek. By means of a pipe, acting on a 

 movable joint and attached to a buoy in order that it may rise and fall with the vary- 

 ing depth, the water is conveyed, from a point two feet below the surface, and above 

 all sediment, into the west basin from which the city is supplied. 



The sum of $16,903, the proceeds of 171 acres of land sold, forming part of the prop- 

 erty acquired for the water works, should be deducted from the cost of said works. 1 



THE POOR HOUSE AND HOSPITAL. 



The buildings of the county for charitable purposes are situated in Lancaster town- 

 ship, just without the eastern boundary of the city. A house of employment and 

 SUPPORT FOR THE POOR was established by legislative enactment February 27, 1798. 

 Under that authority a large stone building, 150 feet in length, 43 feet in breadth and 

 two stories in height, was erected and continues to be used in accordance with its 

 original design. Internally, it is conveniently arranged for the boarding and lodging of 

 the himates and for their appropriate distribution according to sex, age and i)hysical 

 condition. Provision is made for such poor and impotent persons as have gained a 

 legal settlement in the county, and for strangers, who are suddenly taken ill, or other- 

 Avise become indigent and must be relieved, until they can be removed to their proper 

 place of settlement. Wandering paupers are also temporarily accommodated. 



The erection of the present Hospital and Insane Asylum was authorized by acts 

 of Legislature of March 9, 1865, and April 4, 1866. The building is an extensive brick 

 structure, its main portion 125 feet in length, 33 feet in breadth and three stories in 

 height; and an adjoining wing— the old Hospital building refitted— 100 feet in length, 

 40 feet in breadth, and two stories in height. It was fully completed in tlie fall of 

 1868, at a cost of $55,000. The hiterior of the principal part— exclusive of aitartmcnts 

 occupied by the Superintendent— is divided into six wards for the reception of sick and 

 infirm and mild lunatics, properly assorted and classiticd according to sex and physical 

 and mental condition. In the wing are the male and female wards for the hopelcs-sly 

 and violently insane. Each ward is furnished with a bath room and other conveniences 

 for the comfort and cleanliness of the occupants. The buildings are heated by fur- 

 naces and supplied with water from the city reservoir. 



In the year 1868, orders were paid for the current expenses amounting to $31,318.oG. 

 The average number of inmates in that year was 265. 8.210 were admitted as way- 

 farers and furnished with supper, lodging and breakfost. 



The county is also the proprietor of a tract of land containing 197 acres, on which 

 the buildings described are erected. The land is of excellent quality, and is farmed by 

 the inmates of the Poor House, under the supervision of a manager employed for tlic 

 purpose. The farm has a barn and other suitable buildings on it, and is lully stocked. 



The Hospital is under the immediate control of a Su])crintendent, and the Poor 



• House under that of a Steward. The general government of the Institutions is vested 



by law in six men, known as "Directors of the Poor," who are elected by the «iualilied 



voters of the county. They have power to appoint all inferior officers, and, witli the 



1. Contributed by AVilliam Leaman, Esq. 



