New York Street Scene, 1903

Life was difficult around the turn of the twentieth century. A simple scratch or sore throat that developed into strep could still cause death since there were no effective antibiotics, most homes had no indoor plumbing, and heating fuel was dirty and inconvenient.

Feeding Chickens in Montana, 1908

Though most women no longer had to weave their own cloth, many were still cutting out patterns and sewing their family’s clothes.

Farming was labor-intensive, with a lot of human-power to supplement whatever farm animals were available for plowing, planting, and other tasks. Canning food for the winter was hot, exhausting, and seemingly endless when the crops came in and food had to be processed right away.

Farm House in Nebraska, 1903, courtesy Library of Congress

It is little wonder that the townspeople in Canton, South Dakota were so proud and impressed with the new Canton Asylum for Insane Indians,with its electric lights and indoor plumbing. (The asylum had range toilets; these flushed at intervals rather than after each individual use, but were still a great convenience.)

In an age when even very young children worked hard on farms or in dangerous factory and mining jobs, the public could feel gratified that an institution existed which could provide food, shelter, and medical care to people who were struggling to get through life.