Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1874-09-11
IN MENEORIAM.

1874, the following paper was, on motion o
DR. S. H. Moffett, unanimously adopted
1t having pleased our Heavenly Father, since
the las formatnieeting Of this Board to remove
from the theatre of his usefulness, our fslend
DR. FRANCIS TAMAFERRo STRIBL!NG, late Super
intcndent of the Western Lunatic Asylum
while We the Directors, bow in reverent sub
mission 10 this dispen saton of His Providence
we are impciled, alike by feelings of privat,
friendship, and a Sc nse of public duty, to place
on the records of the institution, which, or
more than thirty eight years, he managed with
such signal skill and success, III enduring testi
monial of our attachment to him as a man, and
orr profound respect and esteem fer him as Il
public officer
Dr. Strihliug was known to most of US for
many years, and we can testify, from our per
[sonal acquaintance with him, that he possess 9
many of the nobesl qualities which serve to
adorn the human character To talents Of a
high order, he united unblemished integrity
and warm and generous feelings: While in tn,
discharge of his esponsible duties, he exhibited
innexibe firmness, yet he manifested so much
tenderness and sympathy, and so much gentle
ness and grace and suavi1y of manner, as TO
win the confidence and affection ofail who were
brought into association with him. Ia his So
cal and domestic relations, his life was besu-
tiful illustration of his Christian profession. In
the conduct of this noble Institution, over which
he presided for so many years. he displayed d
rare combination of all those traits Of character,
which were necessary for the successful admin
istration offs high public trust With mind
vigorous and comprehensive enough to embrace
every great interest in the Asylum, he prosesscd
The faculty of attending to every detail of It's
cement His perceptions we've almost ia
tuitive, and his judgement was rarely at fault.
Possessing great equanimity of temper, he was
always calm, patient and fGfaear!ng, and
while he governed with firm hand, the charm
of his manner Invested authority of all seu,-
blancz OF harshness
DR.. Strbling was born, and received his ru-
dimantary education in Stanton. When a
YOUTH he was employed Tor some years in the
Office of his father, who was then Clerk Of the
County Court of Augusta. 1t was, probably,
in this position, that-he acquired those habits OF
neatness, method, and order, for which ne was
50 much distinguished in after life. Having de-
termined to adopt the medical profession, after
some preparatory reading. under the advice OF
a distinguished physician Of Stanton, he spent
q session At the medical school of the University
of Virginia, and in the following year took his
degree in PHILADELPHIA He then commenced
the practice of his profession in Staunton, and
soon won the confidence Of the public.
In $780, at the early age of twenty SIX years,
be was elected, by the distinguished gentlemen
Physician of the Western Lunatic Asylum.
At the date of his appointment, but little was
known III many of the States, as to the proper
treatment Of the insane. Most Of the Asy1ums
were but little more thanAIell regulated prisons
The physician made his daily visits, enquired
into The physical condition of his patients, and
prescribed for their bodily diseases The SYSTEM
of moral treatment Was unknown, and there
was an entire absence of those means and appli-
ances which are addressed to the restoration OF
reason. Asylums in those daAs seened to be
designed rather for the safe keeping, than the
cure, of this unfortunate class OF Gu people.
Fortunately, in some of the Northern Institu
tons especially those in OF neat Philadelpha,
and in the Mclean Asylum near Boston, more
enlightened views Of the purposes of such Asy-
lums prevailed The experienced and ineli-
gent Gentlemen in charge of those institutions,
while they gave all proper attention to the safe
keeping and restraint Of The inmates directed
their efforts more especially to the improvement
of the men ta faculties.
Within a few days after his election, Dr..
Stribing went On a tour of observation through
the Middle and Northern States, to inspect the
best regulated Institutions for the insane, and
to gather, by observations and Intercourse with
those in charge, all the informa ton necessary
to guide him in the discharge OF his responsible
duties. He returned from that tour, with ex-
banded views and possessed Of much useful in
formation. By personal association with such
men as DE-. Kirk bride, of Philadelphia, and DR..
Luther Y. Bell, of Boston, he became indoctri-
mated with their advanced opinions of the cara
bility Of insanity in large proportion Of the
cases. when the disease proceeded from func-
tional causes and he came home, an enthusiast
in the great work to which his future life was to
be dedicated.
In the autumn of 1885, he made known to the
Board of Directors his. views of the proper
management of the Institution, and invoked
their assistance in appealing to the Legislature
for the means to carry them into effect. The
Board promptly and cheerfulIy acceded to his
request, The appeal was made to the General
Assembly in December 1896, and was generously
responded to by that body at that and subse-
quent sessions.
reference 10 the reports of Dr.. Striblng,
and of the Board of Directors, for the ear 1886,
will supply full Information in. regard to the
introduction Of the moral treatment system int o
the Institution.
In latter reports, DR.. Stribling pointed out
many mperfections in the laws regulating the
Asylums for the insane During the Session of
1901, the Committee of the Legislature TO
whom his recon nendations had been referred
feeling their inc0mpetency TO deal diligently
with the subject summoned the Physicians OF
the two syluuIs, and member of the Board
of Directors of each, to appear before TIL Com
mittee, to give their assistance in maklcg a
thorough revision of all the laws relating to the
Asylums. Upon receiving this summons Dr..
Strbing, with the aid of the member of the
Board who had been desiguHted to accompany
him, before leaving home, prepared bill which
covered the whole subject, This bill was pre-
sented to the Committee, and without material
amendment, was reported by this COMMITTEE,
and soon afterwards received the sanction OF
both houses, and still remains in force. Or
Stribling may, therefore, be regarded as the
author of that law
From that time 10 the commencement OF his
last illness, Dr. Stribling devoted himself assld-
| uonsly to the enlargement of the capacities o!
| his Institutions for usefulness And it must
have been source of heartfelt pleasure to his
noble nature to receive the glowing tributes oil
gratitude which were constantly offered to him,
oy hundreds, who felt that they were indebted,
under God, to his kind and skllful ministra.
tons for their restoration to sanity
He has now gone from amongst US forever,
crowned with years and we'll deserved honors
gone, we rcverently believe to enjoy the reward
| which awaits those who, Ike him, have faith
fully discharged every duty oflife, and walked
| humbly with their God
While we NOUN the loss which We in com
mon with the public have sustained, in hi:
| death. we console ourselves with the though
that it is his gain, and as we pause to bestoW
the merited ,ribute, "Well done, good ant
faithful servant,' we feel that we do but echo
the plaudit which has been awarded by Him te
whom the secrets Of all hearts are open.
Reso1oed, That a copy of this paper be sent l'
the family ofo our late Superintendent, and als'
that copy be furnished the city papers 10
publication.
M RETT.