Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1867-07-13

sisp lahsns Asginm, lsf HaTiisiIs, ~
Ia,sa, ~ II wight riih q Ffssi deal mofs
p,etNsiy he lsfesdl This las'lialloa 10
siiuaisi shout too miles aofih.sasi u the
sliy on Tho verge n the pfsiris, and IL sur
rounded by most beautiful grounds, hand.
somely laid out aud hboundlng In native
aud cultivated trees, aud shrubLery of all
kinds. Tho grounds around the Asylum,
are Tho most beautiful about Austin, and
have received more attention than any 9TH
or.
Only small part Of the structure, as the
original plan calls for Is yet finished, but
II Is already by far, the largest public
building here, aud Is capable, | should
judge Of accommodating perhaps 70 pa
tients. II IL built Of the hard stone, 40
common here for building, and the general
appearance Is handsome and IMPOSING
When the plan is fully carried out in oil It's
parts, the Asylum will be the largest and
most beautiful structure In tho State. The
interior arrangements are such 40 Is ordi-
nary in similar institutions, and under the
present management, the place is kept In
most perfect order.
We were very kindly received aud well
coined by the Superintendent, Dr. Dcall,
who, alIer dinner, accompanied us through
the three wards Of the Asylum, first through
the upper wards, which are occupied by the
female patients. There were several lady
visitors in our party. Tho patients were
called into tho attendants room, where
thoy conversed with tho visitors and the
Doctor, on ordinary subjects. The answers
of some were direct and connected, but
others could hardly he induced to utter a
word some were lively and cheerful, 9TH
crs moody and distracted, exhibiting their
peculiar alterations Of mind in various
ways; oil were comfortably clad and seem
ed in good bodily health. Tho wards arc
clearly and we'll ordered, but there was
that listless, mad-house air about the place,
that was very painful, and I cannot soy
tuuI L uCTlNCu huCu COuiloit rum thV
spection Of the wards and their occupants.
left there with saddoned, sober feeling ;
the scene was too distaetcful TO mo to dwell
upon, and I sought the pleasant grounds
around, hoping to forget the sight hidden
behind those walls.
Some of the male patients, tho most
harmless ones, are employed in various lit
tie duties around the promises, principally
in the garden where they are made some
what useful, while the exercise contributes
to their health, and serves to direct their
attention from the peculiarities Of their
insanity. One Of these attracted my at.
tention; he was employed in splitting up
wood was told that he would remain at
this the entire day, from one day to anoth'
err, and never leave it, except to 60 to his
room or to his meals, and It was frequently
the case that he had to DO sentfor, atnight.
He never, however. attempts to leave the
premises, and scarcely needs to be watched.
DR.. Beall, the superintendent, had but
recently returned from attendance on the
meeting Of the American Association Of Su-
perintendants Of Insane Hospitals, held in
Philadelphia, on the 21st of May. Ho in
formed me that there 35 Institutions repre-
scented in the meeting, most of them from
the Northern States. The Southern Asy-
lums represented were, the State Institu-
lions of Missouri, Mississippi, North Caro-
lima, Kentucky and Texas. The meeting
was very harmonious and much informs-
tion was impaired Of great value to the Su-
perintendants, and beneficial to the various
institutions represented. DR.. Beall, du-
ring his absence, visited and inspected sew
en- of the best and most reputable institu-
tons in the North, and returned with re.
newed energy and determination to make
his visit beneficial to the Texas Asylum and
| its unfortunate inmates.
| The number Of patients at this Asylum,
at present, is SO, three of whom are colored.
The building is very nearly full, and il
many more ore admitted, the premises will
have to be speedily enlarged. There are in
all, about 80 persons employed in the build
ing, all Of whom, are under the superin.
tendance Of DR.. Beall, and are attentive aud
praiseworthy in their efforts to allay the
suferings of their unfortunate charges.
A few days ago one Of the patients com.
mitted suicide, by hanging himself to the
grating in the window of his room, by his
drawers. His name was VIM. Dulaney, from
Fannin county. The act was committed o.
night after all the patients had retired tt
their rooms and was silently done, as moi
to be heard by the Waterman on duty in the
ward, and it was not known until after ay
light, WI en- Coroner's joy was summon
ed and rendered verdict in accordance
with the facts.
On our return from the Asylum, we, (tha
! is an agreeable, compan ionable lady FRIEND
and myself) drove out to the Blind Asylum
in the suburbs Of the city. We did not en-
ter the grounds, however, as 1t was already
growing late in the evening. This is I
handsome building, but much inferior il
size TO the Lunatic Asylum. 1t is situated
on pretty eminence, and seems to be neat
ly kept. There are but few patients Their
at present. Mr.. Thomas, the Superintend
ant, gives very general satisfaction be.
lieve.
In this, my first visit to the capital cit,
, Of the State, must confess to some disap
, pointment; not at its size, for taking in al
the hills and valleys it is quite as large q
expected find it; not at the beauty o
its public buildings, for these somewhat ex
coed my expectations; nor yet at the beau
ty of its location, for really it would be d il
icult to find spot more naturally attrac
tive, in any portion OF the State that hav
visited; but in the general appearance o
the business portion Of the city, and tn
neglect exhibited in rendering the street
5 passable or dehnable. Naturally, as hav
said, Austin is situated in lovely spot
the scenery all around it lie beautiful to tb