Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1868-05-13


Editors Wig II reached this place this morn
ing By rail from Cincinnati, Mrs. r. and myself be-
ing the guests of p r Kessler, Steward Of the
Southern Ohio Insane Asylum. This institution is
one Of the finest Of The kind in the country It is
about two miles from Dayton, on eminenee over
looking the beautiful Miami valley and the city,
Il has about two hundred or less inmates IN all the
various stages and conditions Of insanity The
convenience for promoting the comfort and improve
ment Of the invalids are we'll adapted and ample.
DR.. Guntry, who has been in charge Of the Asylum
for some twelve years, s ominently skilled in the
treatment Of this unfortunate class Of persons and
succeeds admirably in their management, DR.. Bell
is the assistant physician. Mrs. Sylvia Kessler is
the matroh. In company with Mr.. and Mrs. Kess-
Ter, visit was paid TO the Ma tioitGL AsytaDt for
Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, which interested US
much This institution ia situated some FIVE miles
from Dayton, and consists Of farm Of some four
or i've hundred acres Of land, seven or eight large
buildings, used for quarters Offices Sc
The soldiers gathered in the chapel 10 listen
To lecture from Rev. Mr.. Bogden, a HISTORIAN
preacher, which gave ps 6ne opportunity to see
the noble veterans who rece we'd wounds and scars
10 defend the nations imperilled life. We were
drafted for an impromptu talk 70 the soldiers.
The following statistics were gathered from the
clerk Or book keeper Of the Asylum: In barracks,
sss; in hospital 1871 absent on furlough lo4; alb
sent without leave, le Total 67s now in the inst-
tuition. The whole number admitted, since the
Asylum was opened is se5.
The Asylum has several branches, viz: one near
Augusta, Maine, another near Milsaukie Wis
4
Columbus, Ohio. Hon. Benjamin f. Butler ia Pres
ldent Of the Board Of Managers and Hon. Lewis
Gunckel, Of Dayton, is the Secretary. From Mr.
Gunekel tho following statement of the branch near
Dayton has been received:
DAYTON, April 2slb, 1868.
Rec Dr. Pearse:
DEAR SIR:-Ii gives me pleasure to comply With
your request. send herewith circular, explain.
ing requisites Of admission &C. also last report
TO Congress, made January lst since which time our
numbers have largely increased. We had 500 in
crates in February, but only about 700 now. We
encourages al who can TO 90 out in the summer and
make their own living. We shall be prepared for
900 this winter, and be filed to utmost capac-
ity. OF the number here in Fetruary 90 had one
leg only, IS one arm only, and few with both
of, and few others with hath legs Off
Very many men come to US sick, and after re-
naming awhile are cured and able TO 60 back into
the NCTlQ. Many OL0efb come 70 learn new trades,
Or get an education intending, when prepared to go
back into The world again and earn their own liv-
ng.
@ Out door relief" is relief given TO men with
families, whom we deem il best TO help at their
homes rather than separate from their families.
Our buildings here were only commented about
tx months ago, and We have bad the severe winter
70 contend against. The outlay for buildings, i'm
prOvement Of grounds, (which includes the making
Of the avenues lakes, &C. and much of The inside
furniture, does not exceed one hundred thousand
dollars. This is owing, in part to the fact that
much Of the work has been done by the disabled
soldiers themselves. All the printing, for instance,
has been done by one-armed men, many of whom
learned their trades with
These men have been gathered up from the aims
houses Of the country often taken from the cutters
and station houses Of our cities long neglected and
of course much demoralized. But we feel that a
Uery great 0ork has been accomplished In making
men Of them. We wash them, put new, clean
clothing on them, feed them well, and then CON-
mence with all the moral and religious influences
which we can possibly throw around them, TO make
good men and christians out of them. Our success
has been more than was ever anticipated by the
most sangune among US. Chaplain Esrnshsw de-
serves especial mention for bis untiriug labors in
this behalf I think Il would be difficult 70 get
better man for tho place.
Excuse. l write in very great haste. If you
wish any further information viii gladly furnish
10. Yours truly,
LEWIS 3. GUNCKEL
What glorious monument is this Of the liberal
ty of the people who founded, and Of Congress
which sustains, this great bene6cient agency for
disabled soldiers. The requirements for admission
are: drsL An honorable discharge frsm the volun-
toer service. Second Disability by wounds received
or Sickness contracted in the line Of duty.
Chaplain Earnshaw, well-known to Tennesseeans,
is on duty st this post.
CHICAGO, Ill., AIay 2, 1868
The General Conferences Of the Methodist Epis
oopa Church commenced It's dfteenth session in this
city to-day. All the bishops are present except
Rev. Bishop Baker, who has been detained by sick
ness. Two hundred and twenty four delegates re-
spondod 10 the roll call on the 6rst day the whole
number being some two hundred and thirty. Bishop
Morris remarked that this was the twelfth delegated
Conference he had attended four Of them as a mean-
Der and eight as q bishop and he had never known
so full az attendance on the first day The admis-
sion of tho representatives from the new Southern
Conference has been referred TO a Committee.
THOMAS II. PEARNE.
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