The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1871-01-19

cular of Maj. Jed Hotchkiss, Acting County
Superintendent of Public Schools, published in
our adver Using columns oday. 1t will be seen
that the Text books for the Public Schools of
Augusta County, may be had at the Book store
of Hunter s. Co. 1t is indispensable that there
should be uniformity in the books, In order 10
facilitate CHASING the scholars and therefore
necessary that no time should be lost in procur-
ing them. ..ss--- --,..,r-
SAD OccuRENcE.-Mr. Mathew Cantwell' NV
ing in Elkton, Md, formerly in the employment
of Capt J. H. Waters, carriage maker OF this
place, met with fatal accident on the 18TH OF
December last 1t appears that he slipped on the
pavement, and was saved from fall by catching
on his hands. He walked home and spent the
evening in social pleasure. About two O'Clock
the next morning he 'awoke his sister, and re-
ouested that physician should be sent for, stat
ing that he believed he was dying. Inc Physl-
clan did not arrive for several hours, and when
he did come could discover no apparent cause LOT
the suffering the young man was undergoing
He fingered in great pain, until the morning Oh
the 1st inst, when he died. Mr.. Cantwell was
about 20 wears of age, and bore fine character.
His father was absent, having been summoned
to Indiana to attend younger son who was
dangerously i'll, caused by q cut on one OF MS
| fingers. 1'N
GEN. w. G. WIcKHAM.-One of the most pleas
ant gentlemen with whom BUSINESS has called us
! in contact is Gen w. G. Wickham, vice President
of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad. We had
seen him during the late civil war at the head OF
his brigade, when we thought he looked like
respectable sized thnnder-cloud. But when ap-
preached in his Office, although engrossed in ex-
amining maps, &c., pertaining to his Railroad,
and explaining to interested parties matters
Herewith connected, he is one of the most alta
BILE and courteous officials we have ever met. If
all public officers would exhibit like gentleman
ly department to those whose business requires
that they call on them, it would 60 far to faclll-
tate and render agreeable, intercourse, and give
US better opinion of that mysterious com
pound called man.
In this connection, we may mention, VIII ich
every body here knows, that Maj. Whiteomb is
another of those in official position whom it is q
pleasure to meet. The same may be said of Mr..
j. B. Gentry General ticket and freight agent Of
the Richmond, Frede ricksburg and Aqua Greek
Route and Maj. P. H. Woodward, the solicit
ing agent. .,-s...f
WESTERN LUNAT1c AsYLuM.-We have had laid
upon our table the report of the Board of Direc-
tors andiMedical Superintendent Of the Western
Lunatic Asylum, Staunton, Va, for the fiscal
years 1s69-7O. We learn from the report of the
Medical Superintendent, DR.. F. 7. Stribling, that
there were in thu Institution at the commence
ment of the year, 324 insane persons--male 176,
female 14S; subsequen ty admitted SO, of whom
38 are males and % females; the total number
cared for during the year was 3S6-males 2l2,
females Ill, and the number remaining Septem-
Der, 30th, 1870, was 335-males 1871 females
154. The Superintendent reports that the per-
centage Of recoveries, both admissions and
discharges, has been during the year consider ably
in excess of the average annual result, and that
the per centage of deaths falls materially below
the average. The number discharged, eloped
and died, during the fiscal year ending
September 30th $780, 48-male 81
leulHle A. Among Gue ulScHdfSeu, Wefo 20,
recoyered-s16 males and 10 females. Much i'm.
proved, 4-3 males and one female. Improved
I female. Not improved 8 males. Eloped, 1 male
Died 1873 males and 5 females. There were 13
patients whose chances for recovery were favor
able; doubtful, 10; decidedly unfavorable
304. The causes of deaths as stated in the re-
port were Pulmonary Consumption, Cerebal Di-
| sease Tvnhomonia Marasmus and PARALYSIS
Among those who died was one female, aged 10
who had been in the Asylum Al years. There
were 149 applicants for admission rejected-69
males; II females 8, sex not stated. The Su-
perintendent especially calls the attention of the
Board of Directors to these figures, as showing
the incapacity Of the Institution to accommodate
applicants for admission, and says: s'Could some
of the appeals, which reach me in my official ca
pacity but be addressed to those constituting the
General Assembly of the State, minds would be
| impressed, hearts would be touched, and the re-
suit necessarily follow-prompt and ample pro-
| vision for this class of sufferers" The sugges-
ton of DR.. Stribling, that commission be ap-
| pointed to ascertain the number of insane per-
| sons in Virginia. the probable number requiring
hospital accommodations, the number now proyi-
ded for in our Asylums, the expediency Of enarg-
ing the Western and Eastern Asylums, either ..
or if such enlargement be decided injudicious or
impracticable, to recommend suitable location
for another Asylum, and its probable cost, is well
worthy the attention of the Governor and the
Legislature of the State.
One of the most beautiful traits of our nature
"a lingering spark of the heavenly purity that
threw its charms around the garden of Eden be-
fore the fall-that teaches US that we are not
merely of the ''earth, earthly" but that there is
still implanted in us germ Of spiritual affinity
with higher and holier existence-is sympathy
| with the afflicted. And what class of QUO unfor-
tunate fellow citizens calls in such pathetic and
affecting strains for the exercise of that sympa-
thy, as those who have, by mysterious visi
tation Of Providence, been deprived of r.ason,
and to whom the beauties of nature aud the at
fractions of social existence have become sclos-
ed book Gratitude that we are not alike strick-
en- and afflicted, if other consideration, should
stimulate us te do all in our power to ameiorate
their condition. ''For inasmuch as We did it