Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-07-19
THE BROWNSVILLE SITE.
As at Present offered ii win Not Do.
The Question of Locating Che West
Tennessee Insane Asylum RENTED
% aha Nloard Of directors.

The Question of Locating Che West
Tennessee Insane Asy ium RENTED
20 the Board of Directors.
A decision was reached by Gov. Brown
Yesterday in regard 10 locating the West
Tennessee Hospital for the Insane at
Brownsville. As the problem of selecting
a suitable site for the institution has crea-
ted great deal of interest, we present be-
low the full text Of the Governors letter to
the Board Of Directors appointed to select
the Locations:
EXECUTIVE OFFICE, NASHVILLE
Tenn, July Is, 1S75.-Gentlemen: Your
report signed absolutely by one Of your
body, cOnditionally by another and pro-
tested against by the third, bringing TO my
attention 'eThe Sheppard Springs tract Of
land two miles from Brownsville, as site
for the West Tennessee Insane Asylum,
was received several days after its date.
Although clearly not my duty under the
statute TO consider this recommendation,
inasmuch as il did not have the
unconditional concurrence of a
majority of the Board, yet prompted by a
strong desire TO make a finality of this
quesison for the benefit Of the large num-
Der Of insane of the State, who are unprO-
vided for, in conjunction with DIS. Callen-
der, Cheatham and Jones, l examined the
site the 23d day Of June, 1874, (the earliest
day other duties permitted). After care
full inspection of the premises, was inn
pressed with the necessity of sending a
civil engineer TO demonstrate by
| practical tests the water supply and
facilities for drainage. And, be-
fore that was completed, one of your BODY
.fanN
made of the Humboldt site already rejected.
Yielding, under just sense of duty, TO this
request, final determination of the ques-
ton has, until now, been unavOidably de-
layed.
Under the intelligent and active assist
ance Of the gentlemen who accompanied
me, and the report Of the civil engineer,
Mai. w. C.. Foster, which is here
conclusion about the sheppard Springs
Place" as the proposed site for the Asylum,
to-wit:
j. Its healthfulneSs is as free from ex-
| ceptiOn as any point in West Tennessee.
,. The daily water supply, as measured
| by the civil engineer, is 1921 gallons.
| This is deemed sufficient for ordinary pur-
poses. But experience has demonstrated
that larger supply is most desirable, and
| probably it may be obtained at this pro-
posed site. The drainage facilities are
ample.
8 The site proposed on the Sheppard
| Springs track is not desirable for the
erection of the necessary buildings for an
| insane asylum. Some of the most import
ant essentials for commodious and we'll
appointed retreat for the insane are want
ing. The "Currey Homestead" lies imme-
diately between the proposed site and the
Brownsville Landing road, which is the
thOrOugfare of approach from Brownsville
and the railroad depot, and lies also immedi-
ately trent of, and within an EXCEPTIONALLY
short distance of, what would necessarily
be the front of the buildings, and is nearly
ten feet more elevated. The only easy aId
natural approach to the buildings would
| lead across that part of the "Currey Home
stead" Situated Immediately in 'front.'
which is not rendered with the sheppard
Springs tract" and would trench 50
much upon the cuTtilage Of the "Cuney
Homestead as to render it probably unat-
tainable without the purchase Of the entire
| place.
The close proximity of the re,idence and
Out-buildings of the ''CurTey Homestead, -
| situated Immediately in front Of the pro-
posed site, together with the objections sta
ted, render the sheppard Springs tract
without the "CurTey Homestead" so unde-
sirable, that / cannot approve it as now Of
fered.
4. In view Of the fact that only on,
OF the Board of Directors La
actually and Internationally re
ported FIR approval the ''Sheppar,
| Springs SITE and only one has inspected
the "Cuuey homestead" as an addition 1,
the place recommended, or examined is
fitness for the building site; and in view o
the further consideration that the law de
| wolves upon the board the duty Of selecting
a site, and an UmlUeStiOned majority ne
commentator being desirable as well a
necessary, under the statute; therefore,
without announcing a final decision
upon the report, / think il
eminentiy proper to remit the entire ques
tion to the Board Of Directors, and request
| their examination OF the ..Currey Home
| stead and that they make such additional
report as their Judgment may dictate. II
their recommendation should be favorable
TO the location with that addition to the
lands already propOsed), it is most desira-
bic that they should report the terms upon
which the whole properly could be obtained
the number of acres, and whether the title
is perfect.
If, however, they reject the location alto
getber, then it will be their province to
take such further action as their official re
latiOns to TO State and their duty tC
Shis charity may demand.
l am, gentlemen, most respectfully, YOU
Obedient servant, JEO. G. Brown,
(.OyprDOr