New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-08-22
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.


On the corner of Marigny street and Levee,
in an old but once stately mansion occu'
pied by Governor Murphy, and place once
familiar to the present Emperor Of France,
Louis Napoleon, is now situated the Insane
Asylum of New Orleans. The building has
stood in its present position for over half a
century, and its marble flags have been
the scene of very many happy reunions
and grand festivities.
The building was leased for the purpose
for which it is now occupied about three
years ago, and has been under the superin-
tendence Of several gentlemen during that
period, who have generally given good sat
isfaction so far as is known to the outside
world. r..
The asylum is ct present under the super
intendence of Mr.. J. G. Logan, who with
the assistance of his amiable lady, DR.. P. 5.
Pastel, chief clerk, H. CLARK, day officer,
Eugene Tholoyan, night officer, and John
Brown, nurse and ianitor, certainly are de.
serving OF large share of public gratitude
for theuntiring efforts made to render the
condition Of the one hundred and
thirty.two unfortunates as comfortable as
circumstances will admit Of. Mr.. Logan
has just completed arrangements to have
the asylum supplied with five of each of the
daily papers in the city for the exclusive
use Of the inmates many of whom are suffi
GENTLY sane to have desire to read the
current events of the hour.
The sanitary condition of the asylum il
excellent, far beyond the expectation of the
most sanguine. Every thing is neat ant
clean; and although there are many in
mates whose insanity seems to delight il
unneatness, they are kept perfectly clean
The health Of the unfortunates is excellent
None at the present time are suffering from
any other than men al affections.
Through the courtesy of Mr.. Logan this
reporter was shown the different depart
ments connected with the asylum. In the
male department there are some desperate
characters. One man has mania for being
baked, it being impossible to keep stitch
Of clothing on him. He is kept constantly
secured by handouts to which is tied a strone
rope. Another one is similarly afflicted, ant
is constantly changing MS clothes. ne i
also secured by strong rope, and is very
dangerous man when let loose.
In the female department we find the
majority to be colored. One old colored
woman imagines herself to be Christ, and
gave the reporter quite theoreyj zeal history
of The world to come. There are several
white women who are only partially insane,
and at times are rs rational as any one.
One old lady, Mrs. Winters, imagines herself
the owner OF a vast amount of property, Of
which she has been defrauded. Another
seems to be laboring under the impression
that her daughter has been killed, and is
continually giving utterance to sorrowful
and pitiful EXPLANATIONS. There are but
one or two desperate characters, who, how
ever, are quite easily managed BY Mr.. Logan.
Several women of considerable property are
now inmates OF the Asylum, but are not Sc
riously insane, and their recovery is ex-
pected.
1t Is the intention Of the Superintendent
to remove the Asylum to the old police jail
on Orleans street as soon as arrangements
can be made with the proper authorities,
who are nov looking into the matter.