The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1867-10-15
The West virginia sponginy House.

4
Under the above caption, we publish
ed few days ago, burlesque commu
nication in relation to the management
of the West Virginia Lunatic Asylum
The article was devoted to description
of meeting of the Board of Director
of that institution and the proceeding
were shown to be of disorderly ant
disreputable character. Our correspon
dents letter has called forth further ex
positition Of ugly facts in the same con
nection, from a pointed writer, ant
both his article and that first published
in the REGISTER have been published
and circulated in a single pamphlet. We
append some extracts from the addi
tional letter. Referring to some of the
characters mentioned in the original
"Sponging House" article, it says:
Mr. Blarnforth, no doubt, is the gal.
liant Mai. d. ID. I. Farnsworth, of Up.
shur: who, although sporting a militia.
~ title, never to our knowledge, expos.
ed that distinguished "ninth part of a
man" to the careless fire of the enemy
preferring the quiet Quaker City as q
field for the exhibition Of his ability
(not military in securing stock for bo-
gus oil wells from the poor and ignor-
ant, and lining his own pockets with
greenbacks; and, if Madame Rumor can
be relied upon, his desire for ''filthy lu-
ere" has led him into other and less re-
putable fields in the train of the fickle
goddess; and that recently he has be-
come quite as skillful with the knife in
cutting out pork marks as he was with
shears in following chalk lines on his
patrons cloth.
In the person of DR.. Bills we clearly
see our imported and digniiied Medical
Superintendent, DR.. Ralph Hills, whose
valuable services and distinguished
ability the great State of Ohio (ungen-
erous and unappreciative sister that she
is failed to recognize above $1,000 q
year; and with which he was content
for eight long years, and until n difficult
ty arose betwaa~ h;''' ""h ~" 7 ~.,;.',
ture of the State on accouat OF the DOC.
tors improper use and squanderlng OF
the public money in his charge. For
tune, however, at this period presented
to DIR. Hills the opening of the Western
Virginia Asylum, and in due time he
was installed as Medical Supcrintend-
ent, at a salary of $4,000 year, includ-
ing quarters, domestics and outdoor
servants, fuel, lights, provisions, horses
and carriage for himself, family, reldtircs
and visiting friends, some of whom take
il for granted the Doctors services en-
title them to almost constant board at
the EXPENSE of the State; these items
added to the $4,000 will swell the cost
of Medical Superintendent to nearly, II
not quite, $1,000 year.
We think DR.. Hills has been with us
about year, and has really exhibited
a strong desire to monopolize and con-
troll not only the Medical Department
of this Institution, but everything con-
nected with it; all of which may ap-
pear very proper to the Doctor and those
he has promised positions if he succeeds
in his designs: yet those who pay the
taxes for the construction and support
of the ASYLUM, claim some little right to
have a representative man there, one
whose interests are identified with
theirs, whether he holds Office or not in
this Institution. What tax does DIR.
Hills payi What property has he with
in our bordersf None. He is O leeeh
upon our very vitals, sucking the very
| life-blood of our infant State; with de-
sires and aspirations showing clearly
that self is the "ruling passion of his
soul" and so completely absorbed is he
in these aspirations for aggrandize-
mcnt, that days and weeks pass with
out his visiting the inmates of the
Asylum, or administering to theiI
wants. Had he been half as solic'
itous for the welfare of his patients, as
he has been officious in the exhibition
of his desire to get exclusive control
the poor, unfortunate daughter of Sam
uel Chilters, of this city, sent there fol
treatment, would have been spared the
heart-rending spectacle, and her almost
distracted father and mother saved the
disgrace of the seduction of an insane
daughter by q petted employe OF the
Medical Superintendent.
When the condition of this pool
creature was too apparent for turthel
disguise, DR.. Hills sent for the mother
of this outraged lunatic. and intornee
her of the deplorable condition OF hel
afflicted daughter. Words are made
ouate to describe the scene. Without
authority of law, or consulting the res
ident Directors, DR.. Hills forced TINS
now doubly unfortunate girl upon th'
heart broken mother, and out OF an IN
stitutioA created for the protection a
we'll as medical treatment of the insane
of our State.
Through inattention, and usurpdtio'
of authority, this truly unfortunate
female is now n wanderer and an eNll'
from benevolent home, and q yer!
moor man and father burthened with th'
Iillegitimate offspring of a lunati'
daughter; yet all is not told.
The vile miscreant and finished de
mon, whose crime the eternal singing
soaring flames Of an endless and ever
lasting hell are Inadequate to Justl.
punish, was continued in the employ o
Dr. Hills, in the Institution, after re
peated protestations by Mr.. Hale, ant
until the latter gentleman peremptorll,
demanded the immediate and final dis
charge of this wretch from the Asylum
The unprincipled villain was discharg
ed. Still, with all the facts known t
DIR. Hills, he is permitted to pay week.,
visits to the Asylum to DIR. ii. and hi
family, with the appearance of being i
3 full communion with them.
Is it not time, the authorities of Wes
Virginia Investigated the conduct 9
this officialf Is 1t possible the peopl
can be longer 50 blinded as To plac
themselves and unfortunate daughter
Tin the hands Of such meni God forbi
that he should should have anotht
: victim rr.-af,e5 A TAX PAYER.