The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-09-04

LEWIS County, W. Va, Aug, 7.
Perhaps a short letter from young |
friend iu Lewis may not DO uuwelcOmc.
We did not cross the A!lcghaniGS with
journalistic intentions, but we may be
able to send you some interesting items
for al that. When We left the South
Branch everything was suffering ter
rib!y from drought; but hero they have
a splendid season. 1t is something re
markab!e that this country never suffers
from drought; but rather from too much
rain, The grain crops this year are
very fue, especially the corn.
The people of this and adjoining
counties seem to be very anxious for
the construction of the Washington y
Ohio Railroad but are slow to give the
company any substantial encourage
mcnt BY subscribing to the stock. 1t
is thought very doubtful by emincn,
men in this county, whether it will
vote any subscription to the stock or
not. The people expect the Road to
be constructed, and believe it will in.
crease very materially the value of
their property but they thiuk it will
be- built whether they advance any
thing or not; and if so, what they
subscribe would be unnecessarily
.gircu away. Such is the selfish view
great many take Of it. There are
many, heweyer. more libcral.miHded,
and we nope may iuau.ncc Lewis to
add liberal Increase to the stock Of
the road
The chief object Of interest in Yves.
ton is the Lunatic Asylum, which,
though not completed, is u magnificent
building. The rock, Of which it is
constructed, cannot be surpassed any
where for elegance and durability,
We passed through the Asylum, aud
observed with curious interest the pc.
culiarities of arrangement there mani
tested When you enter til" building
you are both amused aud saddeued at
Witnessing the singular looks aud nc
tons Of many Of the patients, You
cannot help commissioning their woe.
ful condition. Still there is something
in their ridiculous manner and incO.
herence Of speech that cannot fail to
amuse you. You may hear one poor
fellow, who was derangcd by religious
matters, cxhortiGg vigorously on the
subject Of prayer. In one of the outer
wards you will see young fellow
walking to and fro us il very intent
upsn finding something. His story i,
a sad one. lie was a very promising
young lawyer in Marion county, aud
being employed 10 defend young
man accased::of horse. stealing, he Ia.
bored so unrcmittingly in the case as
to disorder his mind. The man con.
Quoting US through the Asylum, called
to him Ond asked him il be could not
clear him Of horse.stGaling ? to whom,
after looking around vaclntly for some
time. he replied that he could DO moth.
ing for him.
Another patient. an old and white.
headed man, assured US that be was
three hundred and uiucty.six years Of
age, and had but short time to re.
main in this world. Upon being asked
where be expected to 60 when be died,
he promptly answered, ITO the old
country" Every thing seems to be
very neat aud orderly throughout the
Asylum. Dr.. Camden bus superseded
DR., Hills, and is now the presiding
physician. The number of patients Is
about two hundred and sixteen, cn.
bracing persons of every age and coudi
ton In lie. We believe they expect lc
complete the building in four or Eve
years, 1t will doubtless be tue larg.
est and most elegant building in TIC
State. D.