The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1861-03-09


States Of America"
The Iowa Lunatic Asylum.-.Formal
Opening, March 9Th.
Wednesday last, being remarkably pleasant
day, we took the early train West and visited the
beautiful town of Mt Pleasant, putting in the
time until 4:S0 in the town, and at the Lunatic
Asylum
Mt. Pleasant has improved greatly since we
last saw it, Notwithstanding the hard times, and
we are entirely safe in saying, that it is the most
beautiful town in Iowa, and one of the most at
tractiye as place of residence. We noticed
large number of new and really fine residences,
put up since we were there, several new business
houses, and new school house, probably the
largest and finest in Iowa. Eight hundred chill
dren are in attendance in its walls, upon the
public schools, which are said to be unsurpassed
We yesterday, for the first time, visited our
State Lunatic Asylum, one and half mile East
Of Mt Pleasant. We had never before been
nearer it than the Railroad, which passes about
one mile North. 1t is built of brown stone, pro-
cured near Mt. Pleasant, which looks remarkably
we'll and is believed to be as durable and as little
affected by frost or moisture as the best quality
Of Limestone. So far as we can see, it is just as
good as granite, and looks about as we'll
This is the first permanent public building
erected in the State. 1t is of large size. We
have not the exact dimensions before US, but it
is sufficient to say that when fully completed it
win accommodate between 800 and 400 patients
and will compare creditably with similar struc-
lures in other States. Accommodations are now
provided for one hundred patients, and the other
portions of the. building will be got in readiness
and furnished as fast as needed. Dr. Patterson,
formerly Of Ohio, assisted by DR.. Dewey, of Iowa
City, take charge Of it. DR.. Patterson has had
much experience in other States, in the treat
ment of this class of persons. and comes among
us with an excellent reputation. We think We
can venture to promise to the people of this
State that under his management the Iowa Hos
pital for Insane persons will become one Of the
best in the country. Mr.. Winslow remains as
Steward. He has also had experience, and is en-
tirely at home in his department.
Before Diminishing the subject, We think sim
pie justice to the Directors and builder, and
to all parties concerned, under the circumstances,
renders it proper for us to say something further
in regard to this building and the manner in
which the public moneys have been expended
upon it. When we looked at its extent, at its
massive walls and firm foundations that nothing
short Of an earthquake could move, at its innu-
merable rooms and dormitores, all the partition
walls being of brick-at its miles Of iron pipe
for heating purposes, hot and cold water and
gas-at its pipes and fues in every part Of the
building for purposes of ventlation-at its en-
CINE and boilers, kitchen and laundry, ct cetera,
ct ceters, our wonder was that SO much had
been done for the sums appropriated BY the
State. The Institution is an honor to the State,
and will stand an imperishable monument to the
skill, business capacity, faithfulness and probi-
ty Of Mr.. Wilslow. Every possible contingsn-
cy seems to have entered into the account and
been amply provided for. For instance, al
though it would seem hardly possible for it to
occur, as there is little that can burn in the
building and no FIRE used, yet if fire should
occur, sufficient hose is provided in every suit
Of apartments and upon every floor, connecting
with cisterns in the garnet, holding $4,000 bar
rels of water, while egress from the building is
provided for by two different stairways. But
we have not room for specifications. 1t would
take up half our paper to describe all we saw
noteworthy, and then we should fail We hope,
now that it is open and receiving patients, that all
citizens of the State who can make it conve-
nient to do so, will visit the Asylum. They will
find it very pleasant place to spend an hour or
two, and, Notwithstanding its grated windows,
and unfortunate inmates, having a cheerful, Or
derby and happy look. .
There was quite large attendance upon the
Inauguration ceremonies. A largenumber came
in from the west, mostly from Fairfield, while
few attended from Burlington. Mt Pleasant
turned out en- masse, including the children from
She Public Schools. The Mt Pleasant Greys
were out. A Brass Band from Fairfield and
Choir from the Churches in Mt. Pleasant gayc
us excellent vocal and instrumental music At
I o'clock the chapel and halls adjoining we're
crowded. We found it impracticable getting
within hearing distance and did not hear the
speeches. Gov. Kirkwood did not attend, as
expected. Dr.. McGugin. of keokuk, spoke at
some length, giving an interesting account of
the treatment of insane persons at different Pc
RODS and the progress which had of late years
been made in; effecting cures of large numbers
and greatly ameliorating the condition Of the
hopelesssly incurable DR., Patterson made