Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1872-02-02


WESTERN LUNAqgo ASYLUM From the report
Of the Superintendent of this Institution. laid on
our table by our friend S. A. Hoshour, Steward,
we CLEAN the following interesting particulars,
of the early history Of the Asylum {: -.~
The General Assembly Of Virginia passed an
act dated January 23rd, 1925, to authorize the
establishment of "W estern Hospital for the
maintenance and cure of persons OF unsound
mind" "Jno. S. Barnes, Of Monongolia Joel
Shrewsbury, Sr of Kanawha; Briscoe u.
Baldwin, of Augusta; Jno. B. George, OF Taze-
well. and Allen Taylor, of Botetourt, were
named as Commissioners to select site west Of
CHE Eiue Ridge. otaunIoH WIS scfected' ana
the following persons were commissioned as
Directors Jno. H. Peyton, B. G. Baldwin, VIM.
Kinney, Jr, Nicho. G. Kinney, Samuel Clarke,
wm. S. Eskridge, James Crawford, VIM. Bel,
Joseph Brown, Chas. A Stuart, Ly'telton Wad-
dell and John Wayt, who were authorized TO
purchase not exceeding four acres OF land and
erect suitable buildings, the whole not to ex'
coed, in COST $10 900, the original design being
to furnish accommodations for only 81 insane
persons-(6 of each sex.) This Board held Its
first meeting April 2sth 1925, and appointed
committee to examine proposed sites, procure
plan or plans, and receive proposals for erecting
buildings. On the sth of July, 1925, four acres
of land were purchased of John Wayt Esq, for
the SUM of $500. Soon thereafter, a plan fur
nished by Mr.. Small, Architect Of Baltimore,
was adopted, and contracts for the work entered
into. 70 80 11y ai c9
In November 1925, the Directors reported to
the Legislature that the appropriation was e1-
hausted a considerable debt had been incur
red, and nothing was completed. $l2, 600 more
was appropriated at the session of ls26-'27.-
Other appropriations were made from time to
time and buildings erected &C, to furnish &C.
commodation for the insane, who,- during the
two fiscal years ending September Both 1871,
treated in this Institution, numbered AL. The
Superintendent also states that the present
capacity is inadequate to accommodate the many
applicants for admission, and that he is COM
PEELED to discriminate in favor Of recent over
chronic cases, and, where equal benefit is likely
to, be derived the poor are taken in preference
to those who are pecuniarily able to obtain Hos.
pital accommodations elsewhere ~
From the Recaptulation of expenditures for
Land, Buildings &c, from the foundation of the
Institution, we copy as follows: For land
$s,5O5 10 for buildings, $l35, l77.3O; for
covered ways, S., 1875 10; for enclosures, $2o,-
s52 %; for water works, $le,743 "a for steam
works. $2l, 1863 80; and for gas works, 81, e9s. :
81 total of $2le, 3o2.4e.
The per centage of deaths during the past two
years has been less than in any two successive
years since the establishment of the Asylum, and
she per ceptage of those discharged as recovered,
much improved and improved very large.
DR.. VIM. Boys occupied the chair of Physi-
clan and superintendent from May goth 1928 to
June 3Oth 1896, when Dr.. F. 7. Strblipg was
called to the position, which he has continued to
occupy till the present time. and with what
great efficiency may be judged, when we state
that from 1928 to 1886 the number of patients
ranged from Is to 4S, and from 1886 to 1871 it
gradually increased to AL, and, during this
time, such has been the success of the treatment
of the patients, the care taken of them. the many
improvements made for their comfort, and the
economy in costs, that the W L. Asylum ranks
second to nc like Institution in this country,
This has besn accomplished by the watchful
care of the Superintendent, ably aided by skill
full Assistant Physicians, m est competent Stew
ard, and number of self-denying attendants,
employees, &c.
The Directors ask for the usual appropriation
of $4,000 to meet the wants of the Institution
for the fiscal year ls7l-l812.
They also concur in the recommendation of
the Superintendent, that the Legislature modify
the law, SO SIS to allow Circuit, County and City
Judges concurrent jurisdiction with Magistrates
in examining and committing patients to the In
stitution, il being very difficult often to procure
the converting of three Magistrates to commit
patieats, as now required.
The Superintendent returns his acknowledg.
Raents to all who have assisted in religious
services at the Institution, delivered Lectures,
and Readings, made contributions of Books &C.,
and to many proprietors of papers, in and out
Of the State, for copies of their papers regularly
received and which we trust they may continue
to send regularly in the future.
The Report is embeliished with beautiful
fronts plate, representing the Institution and
grounds, from a photograph by our talented