The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-11-13

rug PLAS-ExrEST Of Tug BUILDING.
The plan pursued calls tor II building
over l2U0 feet, Or nearly one fourth VI
q mile in front. The extreme eastern
aud western wings are one story III
height the sections between these aud
The centre building are three stories
high, aud the crutre building it eli has
i've stories, ani is surmouricd by u
cupola. From the ends aud from the
eastern aud western sections, portions
Of the building run back about $40
feet. 1t is very difficult from reading
q statement Of the dimensions. to form
any adequate idea of the extent of such
a Guiding, aud nearly every Ienou
who visits the Asy lum for the fist time
is asiuun1yd By the magnitude Of the
structure. 1t may aid farmer to un.
dcrstahd It's size when it is stated that
the quadrangle formed by the front aud
side walls of the Asylum would ea-
brace nrOrly nine acres Of land. Vi
course this is not all COVERED Sy the
building, nor will it be even when
completed, but it will all be enclosed
in II l;nc drawn around the foundation.
At present. the building is about two.
thirds Completed, A part Of the ex-
tTeme ives, wing was built before the
war. aud was opened for hospital pur.
poses in October, 1864 The entire
section west Of the centre building was
finished aud occupied in 1857. and the
centre building ilSelrhas been completed
during the past summer aud is now in
use. In III" meantime number Of
necessary out. buildings have been
erected. An engine house and laun
dry, gas house, meat house, barn
aud various olner structures have been
built, aud it is estimated that the con-
,rruclion of the east wing Of the A.y.
lum on u plan corresponding with the
west, and the subsequent grazing and
ornameniaion ofthc grounds, will cost
about one half az much rs has been al
ready expended, or $3.50, 900.
MATERIAL AND INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT.
The walls are built Of very com.
pac, aud beautiful blurish gray sand.
stone, which is quarried On the Asylum
grounds, not more than one hundred
yards from the building. The work.
mauship is excellent. and tie whole
structure bids fair to endure as long us
it may BE- needed The foundations are
laid upon rock. about fifteen feet below
the surface, and are a substantial US
could be desired. The most complete
mud commodiouS arrangements that in.
gcuuity eau devise or experience sug.
gost for the internal economy If the
Asylum. the cOmfort aud convenience
Of It's inmates. have been adopted A
runway 10 tue cellar carries food from
the cOumnn kitchen. where it i, pre-.
pared. to dumb waters that take il up
10 the dining rooms Of the patients
Hot aud cold water nre ahundnnlly
supplied oil through the building. and
i good quality Of gas. manufactured on
.hc Asylum grounds, furnishes safe
aud convenient light to every portion
Of the structure. Speaking tubes AMI
bells communicate III all parts Of the
building, aud nothing is wamiin. that
can contribute n the complete adop.
alton nf the structure tO the purpose
for which i, is designed.
NrMnER Of PATlESrE
Notwithstanding tho building when
completed was. as | have already stated,
designated for the accommodation OF
only 25O patients. yet nov. when ouly
one half Of the rooms originally in.
tended fol the Insane have been finished,
tie Asylum has 2i4 insane inmates
Yielding 10 the demands OF humanity,
unable to resist the appeals that have
bOcn mals from all quarters OF the
State to remove tho insane from the
jails where they are daily growing
worse aud becoming incura6lc. the oil.
ctts Of the asylum have surrendered
some Of the ROOMS originally intended
tor their own use, aud abridged their
individual comfort 10 provide places for
the Insane. Ia this way rooms have
been prepared IN the c.u,re building
for the accommodation Of lhirty.tuO
patients, and, BY slight alteration in
the upper -tJry Of the west section, ut
a total cost Vi only ABOUT thousand
dollars, rooms are provided for 81
more. 1t is thus hoped that III new
patients may iud suitable quarters i'll
the Asylum during tho pre,cst mouth
Of October, The credit Of uifectiug
lirsc changes belongs to the present
Board Ul Directors. who have been *.
ceedimgly careful, energetic and PROMPT
in guarding the interests Of the insti,u.
ii"m. aud consequently discllarging the
duties Of their appointment. by their
direction, also, an attic is being flushed
over the cOntro of the building. which
will, when completed, be invaluable US
place Of amusement for portion Of
tue pati,nts Of the institution
The Asylum is divided Into eight
halls or wards, in each of which there
reabOui thirty patients and two attend.
ants Tue bedrooms of the patients
all open on these halls, and are nine
feet BY twelve in size. Esch ward has
a sort fparlOr or common sitting room,
a dining.room aud a BATHROOM The
Paticn.s are required to wash every day