The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1870-09-22
Ga
TIE NATIONAL ASYLUM.
From the Wisconsin.

A few days ago we LOOK lHIenu TO see
the grounds and buildings of the Soldiers
Home. The grounds arc laid out with as
much skill and taste in landscape garden.
ing as any other country park. Entering
the hall of the Asylum we were struck
with the beautiful suites of business Of
fees on the right and left. At first sight
one would imagine he was entering the
counting rooms of some large commercial
house instead of Soldiers ASYLUM.
When we made our wishes known to one
of the polite soldier boys in blue, who
occupied one of the desks-that we de-
sired to look through the buildings
young Sergeant was detached to pilot us
through the establishment. Decsending,to
the front basement, we found it occupied
with commissary stores, carpenter shops,
and workshops for BARRIERS, tailors and
shoemakers, we'll arranged machine
shop, gas-Iighter's room, "a bath rooms
and 80 closets all fitted up in the most
approved style. 7a ieb
The extreme length of the building is
$40 feet north, and the same length east
and west, and with the north and south
wings in form of a Grecian cross. The
west wing is fitted up below with laun-
dries, wash-rooms sculleries, and butch
er shop with first class double action
chopping machine, fitted up by their en-
gineer, and is in reality novelty in itself.
A first-class bakery is in this department,
the welcome odors of which, and stocks
Of splendid looking ioaves Of bread, are q
strong temptation to any visitor to be
hungry. Refrigerators, milk rooms and
store rooms make up the balance of the
conVeniences in this wing.
The first story is fitted up with ample
Longing, smoking, reading rooms and
library, also the private rooms of the
Deputy Governor. The offices, which we
before noticed, are supplied with fire.
proof vaults for the safe keeping of the
books and archives. Besides the Dep.
Governors rooms, there are rooms for
the Treasurer, non commissioned staff
and clerks. The west wing has a splen.
did dining room, 40x1O0 feet in dimen
sion and 10 feet in height, for the officers
China closets, firstclass kitchen, fitted
up with the latest improvements. and
with large steam tables and sinks, are fit
for first class hotel. A capacious hall
II feet in width runs the length of the
whole building. The second story is fit
ted up with clean and we'll furnished
dOrmitOries, and each man has an iron
cot and neat wardrobe to himself.
These dormitories are well ventilated by
Ventiducts under the floor, and every con
Venience attached to make them healthy
and comfortable. On this floor is a LARGE
chapel and concert room capable of hold
ms and seating 500 persons 1t is light
ed like the whole building with gas, with
a stage, footlights and neat cabinet or |
gan
The 3D. and 4th stories are fitted up in
the same style as the I'd The 5Gh story
IS fitted up as amusement rooms, with
bowling alleys, bagatelle tables, card TIA
bles, &c, which the men appear to appre-
Ciate much.
The tower on the roof is 40 feet and
is fitted up with rooms for various uses
IN the different stories, sach as music /
rooms. telegraph rooms,and sitting rooms
On the topis a balustrade and flag staff
In the centre, and from this standpoint
the eye meets one of the most magnificent
views we ever witnessed beautiful Lake
Michigan with its shipping, the surround
ing country and villages, the birds eye
view ofour own city, the outbuildings of
the Asylum, and the beautiful grounds
laid out like a map beneath you, it is
panoramic view well worth going to see.
But let US go down and inspect the out
houses. The engine room and boiler
room are all detached from the Asylum.
The engine room IS one of the neatest,
cleanest and best arranged and kept rooms
In the West, and the engineer in charge,
Mr.. ]. Morris, is apractical mechanic, and
a very great acquisition to the establish
ment, for the officials and inmates of the
Asylum may sleep and feel easy, knowing
that their lives and property are safe in
the hands of man like him. af
The gas house is as neat as a pin, and
the gasometer, capable of holding 1000
feet of gas, supplies 1900 feet daily to
the establishment.
The old Asylum has been converted in |
to an hospital, which the close observance
OF Dr. Thompson of the wants and re
quirements of the veterans has brought 7
to perfection Aea' at
The farm buildings consist of neat
farm house, horse barn, carriage house, ,
corn cribs, cow barn, and model aviarv +
accommodating 600 hens, fitted no in a
style that does credit to the builder.l
And here we cannot but compliment the
of construction, Manoah
Morris, for the skill and perfection dis
played on the entire carpenter work in
and about the Asylum and its outworks,
as the whole work is credit to his iude
ment in designing, and to the skill Of
the workmen he employed to do the
work
THE MANAGEMENT OF THE ASYLUM
is conducted on MILITARY system. The
soldiers are mustered into companies,
with their non commissioned officers, as
In tn ar,nnr Dntnilc = re NJ 6n fnr nxtr.