The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1869-05-29
Northern Insane Asylum.


Northern Insane Asylum. a'
The commissioners to locate the Northern
Insane Asylum, authorized to be erected by
an act of the late legislature of this state,
visited Ottawa on Friday OF last week in pur-
suance of an invitation extended to them by
the City Council, and remained until Saturday
evening. On their arrival on Friday they
were met at the depot by the Mayor. Commit
tee Of the Common Council and sundry lead
ing citizens, and escorted to the Clifton Hotel,
where they were entertained Turing their stay.
OF the nine commissioners appointed by the
Governor under the legislative act. the follow
ing were present Hon. John H. Bryant, of
Princeton, Bureau Co., Chairman W. r.
Brown, of Metropolis City, Massac. A. Adams,
Sandwich, DeKalb; Al Natson, Whiteside;
VIM, Adams Joliet, Will; D. S. Hammond,
Cook; ii. L. Joslyn, McHenry. Judge Lock
wood, Of Kane, and Mr.. Shaw, We're not able
to attend.
Tho Commissioners on Friday first visited
the Rugg farm on the south side OF the river,
and gave it a thorough examination. They
were taken here first, because although there
are many other localities around Ottawa that
would answer the bill, this farm is believed to
possess features that render it pre-eminently
adapted for such an institution. 1t is located
in the edge of the city--not over mile and
a half from the court house, yet in so retired
a situation as to placejt as ctlectually outside
of the noise and hustle of the city as if half
a dozen miles away. Then the site is indis-
putably splendid, commanding view of the
Illinois valley and the rolling prairies beyond
as far as the eye can reach. The soil is un-
surpassed, the drainage unequalled, and
through the centre of the farm runs stream
Of the prrest water of capacity almost suffi-
cient to run MILL The commissioners are
understood to have assented unanimously that
the location answered every conceivable re-
quirement.
After examining the Rugg farm, the prem
Uses Of d. F. HIT were visited, and here an
other site was found answering every require
ment. Thence returning to the north side,
the farm of r. Thorne, ESQ.,, on the Dayton
road, was examined, the Lyman farm, &C.,
and thence the party returned to the hotel
tor the evening. 1. u .esass.g sr45 Ets. y
Next day was spent in examining various
sites on the north bluff, from the residence Of
Y. NJ Wade, Esq, to Judge Cations, the COM
missioners in all cases expressing themselves
delighted with the splendid prospect, and ln-
stead Of experiencing any difficulty in finding
an eligible Site confessed that their chief
embarrassment would we to choose from the
many presented. Hating on their return at
the residence of Judge Cation on the north
bluff, the party not only found the Judge at
home, but themselves also, in short time,
very much at home in his hOspitable mansion.
They were shown over his beautiful grounds
and through his parks, flied with elk, deer,
antelopcs, &c and then sumptuously enter
tanned at o. mahogany. On their return to
the city. the party took a look through the
glass WORKS, and afterwards through the
starch factory. which ended the tour of obser-
walton.
OF course beyond that the commissioners
expressed themselves in the highest degree
pleased with the city of Ottawa and its sur
roundings we have no means of even guessing
at what may be their ultimate decision. We
are satisfied, however, from the high tone and
Bearing of the men on the commission, that
they intend to give Ottawa fair and honest
consideration, and while this is all we can
Justly ask, it is also the source of our strong
confidence that the ultimate decision will be
favorable. N C