Poor residents used to be kept at farm

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Aside from marking the resting place of the two Civil War soldiers - John Thoroughman and James Johnson - the headstones in Fuji Park also serve as reminders of the location of the Ormsby County Poor Farm.

The farm was started in the 1860s on the south side of Clear Creek for the less fortunate members of society. It served as a temporary place to live and work for residents of Eagle Valley.

In 1956, a jury issued a preliminary report recommending the farm be closed and its 18 residents be put in private facilities.

The county commission fired the farm's manager in January 1965 and closed the farm later that year, according to newspaper articles.

When it closed, the farm was home to four residents.

Johnson arrived at the farm in February of 1909, left in March and returned in June. He left again in September and returned in January 1910. He died April 13, 1910 at the age of 74.

Thoroughman arrived at the farm before February of 1907, left in February and returned in March.

He left again in May and returned in December, shortly before his death Dec. 19, 1909, at the age of 71.

During their time at the farm, the men paid $10 a month.

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