The paper I work for runs a weekly feature called, "The Way It Was." It runs articles for the weeks of 100 years ago and 50 years ago. An October 22, 1914 article about Governor Colquitt wanting to clear every jail and poor farm notes that:
Wow! Only 415 idiots in Texas back in those days. I'm thinking things have gone down hill a little since then.Figures from county authorities, just compiled in the executive department here, shows there are 1,042 persons of unsound mind in Texas including 415 idiots, 307 persons adjudged insane and being cared for by relatives; 209 in jails and 111 on county poor farms.