Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1874-05-02
OLYMPIA. SATURDAY MORNING. NAY 2, ISL.
WHAT WE SAW.
VISIT TO THE INsAS, AsyI.t'';

the Territorial Auditor, III IEen olH'la!
capacity, visited the Insane Asylum and
Penitentiary Tor Pierce county jail, IN
which Territorial prisoners are con
fned,) at Steilacoom. The weather
was suspicious, the atmosphere clear,
and balmy breeze enhanced the pleas
ures of a drive over one of the most
charming thoroughfares in the Terri
tory. Those who have not made the
journey to Steilacoom by land, can
scarcely realize the beautiful scenery
which lies within SO short distance
from their doors. The broad, undulat-
ing prairies, studded at irregular inter
walls with groves Of evergreen trees, the
clear lakes and silvery streams with slop-
ing banks OF gravel, the rugged noun
tains defined against background OF
azure blue, and Rainier towering above
the clouds in his hoary majesty, pre-
scented spectacle of beauty and gran
deur that must be seen to be appreciated,
and once viewed remains craven on the
memory of the beholder. Probably no
spot on the coast presents SO many OBJ
jects of quiet beauty grouped in such
picturesque order, as the plains of MIS-
.qually, which lie in close proximity to
the thriving town of Steilacoom.
Arriving at the Asylum, we were hos
pitably received by Mr.. Harmon, the
contractor, and his estimablo family.
Accompanied by him, we made the
round of inspection. We were first
introduced to the male ward, which
comprises the greater portion of the
largest building of the garrison. 1t
is about $50 feet in length and of cor
responding width. Entering wide
corridor, through an anti-chambcr oc-
cupied by the warden, we found our
selves in the presence of the unfortun-
ate inmates of the institution, who
appeared to be engaged in occupations
as varied as the different phases of ma
nia under which they labored. One
patient crouched at door, with his ear
at the key-hole, apparently listening
intently for sounds beyond. Another
paced the floor, with quick, nervous
tread, his eyes fixed ON vacancy, as if
bordering some subject of deep i'm
portance. Others, however, We're d.
yerted for time from their melancholy
pastimes, and crowded around the Wis
itors manifesting an interest in all that
TRANSFERRED. Passing into the spacious
yard, surrounded by high board fence,
we found dozen or more of the pa
tients exercising in the open air. One
of these stood in the foreground, in a
bent attitude, with clasped hands,
watching the proceedings. Another
walked continually with firm but rapid
strides, head erect, shoulders thrown
back, and cast of countenance which
indicated palmer than words that he
imagined himself the "lord of the
manor" Some were led about by the
more convalescent patients, who ap.
peared to take as lively an interest in
their self-imposed tasks as any of the
officers of the institution. In this yard
is situated the building used for refrac-
tory patients, of which there are fortu-
nately but few. Returning to the ward,
the domatories were next visited, where
everything appeared as clean and tidy
IS constant attention and labor can
make them. Some of the patients evil
IDENTITY anticipated this inspection, and
in one of the rooms the comfortable
bed and bedding had been removed,
and the blankets rolled into thin, mar
now pallet, which was placed on the
iron bedstead. This was evidently
done to tome doun Mr.. Harmon's feel
ings, who they evidently saw took
very pardonable pride in exhibiting the
excellent appointments of the institution.
The ward is warmed by large stove
surmounted by drum, the whole en-
cased in an iron cage, willie ample at
tention has been bestowed upon pro-
viding means of ventilation. In this,
as we'll as the female ward, the apart
ments are lofty, spacious and we'll
lighted, and as clean and neat as scrub
bing-brush, white wash and paint can
make them.
Passing out through the warden's
room we entera hall which leads to the
kitchen and dining-hall, two spacious
apartments, furnished with every neces-
sary article for preparing and dispens-
ing the food of the inmates. A laroa