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Site of Wise County Poor Farm & Cemetery

Decatur, Wise County

Marker Text

Operated 1885-1962 to support and employ dependent or needy citizens and as place for county convicts to work out fines. First superintendent of the 320-acre farm, R. Suffert, managed all land and activities and his wife cooked, washed, and sewed for both inmates and guards. Of inmates buried in the now-leveled cemetery at bend of Center Creek, only names known are Steve Abbey, Sarah McCain, Jim Wilson, Jim M. Goodner, Bill Hodge; Rankin, Owens (surnames); Della, Edna, Ike, and Mariah. In 1969 county sold buildings and 12 acres of farm at auction. (1971)

Marker Details

Address Old Reunion Road, S. of Decatur
Location Description From Decatur, take FM 730 south about 2 miles to CR 4181; head west on CR 4181 about .5 mile to Old Reunion Road; head orth about 1.3 miles north on Old Reunion Road to marker.
Marker # 4916
Dedicated 1971
Size, Type 28" x 18"
Code cemetery; poor farms
Latitude, Longitude 33.208779, -97.594974

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