Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-02-19
THE INSANE ASYLUM.
A Visit by Members Of the LegisIa-
ture Yesterday.
What They Say and How They We're
Entertained.


Superintendent, suppOses that an ainveSti-
CATION" is necessary at any time, but it has
been the custom, since the founding of the
Asylum, for committees to visit it at some
time during each session of the Legisla-
ture.
The party were transported to the Asy-
lum in carriages and buses belonging to
the City Transfer Company, and were in
charge Of Mr.. John Leckey, and left the
city at p. NJ, reaching their eslinatiOn
an hour later, when they were heartily
welcomed by DR.. Calender. OvercOais
and wraps having been disposed of, the
party were first shown through the north
wing Of the building, occupied by the male
patients, with DR.. John A. Beauchamp,
one Of the assistant physicians, as guide.
Here were found patients in all the stages
Of insanity, from the mild type which
demonstrates its presence only at intervals, to
the most violent subjects who are kept with
in bounds by the exercise of the most
careful and unremitting vigilance on the
part Of their keepers and by the free use Of
the straight jacket and the solitary cell.
As the visitors passed down the spacious
halls Of the various wards, the patients
ranged on either side, seated on wooden
benches, greeted them with intelligent
smiles and mods or with imbecile tears, ac-
cOrding to the grade Of insanity of the I'M
fOrtunates who are thus shut or from in
tercOurse Of their fellows. Here and there
were patients with their hands and arms
confined in straight jackets, and, in general,
the faces of these were dark and scoWling,
and mutters of discomfort were heard as the
party passed by them. Ever and anon the
cry Of
"FIRE FIREw
was heard in a distant portion Of this part
Of the building, but the explanation given
by DR.. Beauchamp to the effect that the
cries we're made by one of the inmates,
resident Of Nashville, who was so violent
that he was kept in solitary confinement at
times, sufiiced to allay any fears which
might have otherwise been entertained by
the visitors. In one of the wards another
patient from this city was found, whose
insanity was of a milder form and who
readily recognized several members Of the
party, but made no inquiries whatever as to
matters going on in the outside world,
seeming to be content with his surround
ings, which were certainly as pleasant and
cheerful as they could be made to one in
his condition.
Various members of the party found old
time acquaintance among the inmates OF
the institution, and in one instance a rep
resentative from East Tennessee was OBJ
served by an attendant going up the stairs
leading from one ward 10 another with the
arm Of one of the patients comfortably
locked within his own. To the attendants
remOnstranceS, the gentleman from the
mountains explained that the other was an
old neighbOr with whom he wished TO
spend as much time as he could during his
stay, which explanation, however, was con-
sidered not quite sufficient, and the lunatic
was ordered back TO his ward. This order
he Obeyed with promptness which showed
that he was under good discipline.
One patient, who has in days gone by,
occupied an enviable position at the Mem
phis bar, soon gathered about him a group
of members Of the Legislature from thar
western portion Of the State, TO whom he
gleefully recited "reminiscences Of happier
days, when be was respected and admired
by hosts of friends for his talents and high
social qualities. Occasionally his CONVEX
satiOn was clear and connected, and then
be would drift of on new subjects in an
aimless way, but through it all ran a vein
Of humOr and sprightlineSs, which Drought
back to the minds of his sympathizing
listeners, memories Of scenes in other
DAYS. To question as to how he Occu-
pied his time, he responded promptly
"Oh practice my profession"
do you set much busineSs?" was
asked.
.Plenty Of it, said he, sand it's a good
paying business, too. Why, | received one
fee the other day Of STs4O0,0O0, and that's
what | call a very good fee, don't yOu?"
The person addressed was compelled TO
admit that it was very good fee indeed.
THE FEMALE WARDS
were visited after a thorough inspection of
the male wards, and here the party were
taken in charge by DR.. 4. A. East, first assist
ant physician, and Mrs. Vestal, tbs efiiciel.t
matron, who conducted the visitors over
the entire south wing of the building.
The rooms were found to be in perfect Or
der: as they also were in the part of the
building first visited, the floor being highly
polished with the numerous scOurings Of
years, the door and window castings limo
cent of a suspicion of dust, while the cots
in the sleeping rooms were ca h covered
with a snow white cOunteTpane. All the
inmates were neatly and comfortably clad,
and most Of them appeared cheerful and
as nearly cOntented as one could in their
Among the female patients
was one who had been something Of a
belle in the section in which she had lived,
and had been waited upon with matrimO-
NAL intentions By a member of the House
who was one Of the visitors, and who was
interested in seeing her and learning
whether or not he would be recognized by
her. He was permitted 10 see the patient,
but no look Of recognition passed over the
face which had possessed such charms for
him in his youth.
THE CONSERVATIVES AND GROUNDS
also came in for their share of attention,
and high praise was bestowed upon the
care and attention everywhere exhibited in
these departments. The shrubbery was
neatly trimmed, the graveled walks in ex-
cellent order, and the lighthouses presented
a bewildering profusiOn Of choice plants
and flowers Of almost every known variety.
An hour having been thus pleasantly and
prOfitably occupied, the visitors reaSsem-
bled in the parlOrs, and at o'clock were
invited to the dining room, where
A SUPERB SUPPER
had been prepared, under the skillful SUI
pervisiOn of Mrs. DR.. Calender and Mrs.
DR.. East. The tables were bOUntifully
laden with substantials, which were sue
ceeded by numerous courses of choicest /
delicacies, gracefully served. The tables
presented a brilliant appearance with their |
rich viands, handsome service and floral |
decorations, the latter being arranged with |
exquisite taste, the most charming feature |
of the entire entertainment being |
the unobtrusive, but genuine hospitality |
DISPLAYED by the host aud hostess. There |
was no tiresome and fulsome speech |
making, the oratMical display being con-
fined to the offering Of appropriate tOasts to |
the present Superintendent of the Asylum, |
DR.. Calender, and then to the former su-
DR. w. A. Cheatham and DIR. |
w. P. Jones, both of whom were present, |
adding much to the pleasure and infOrma- |
ton Of the party by their familiarity with |
the past and present history Of this institu- |
ton, which is at once an honor to our State |
and to the gentlemen who have had it in |
charge.
About seven o'clock the visitors returned |
to their carriages and were landed in the /
city by eight o'clock.
INCIDENTS OF THE VISIT.
Hon. Holmes Cummins and Maj. Kirby, |
editor of the Chattanooga Times made the |
trip TO the asylum and back behind Maj. /
ThOs. O'COnnOr's 2:4O nag.
a big omnibus, containing about twenty |
five Solons, broke down within mile and |
3 H. ont