Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-05-18
The Insane Asylum Investigates.
THE TESTIMONY TO-DAY,


DR.. Andrety McFdland testified that he has
been engaged In the treatment of the insane
In the state of Illinois for over 20 years Four
years ago founded q private asylum called
sides. Young Van Kewan was patient at
the state insane asylum while witness was
In charge OF It The patient was ct times
ceesively Troublesome and annoying. instead
OF being quiet and peaceful, as represented
Dy his mother, who when she placed him
there complained Of the treatment that had
been given him In the U. 8. Insane asylum
and an asylum In st. Louis. Thinking that
MS mother might In time complain about his
treatment while under witness charge, wit
ness mad decided TO remove him from the
asylum. Soon Afterwards and before the de-
cision was acted upon the mother did COM
plain very severely, upon the statements OF
planned several times, and to get rid Of 1t
witness placed the patient Van Kewan I'm q
carriage and sent him to his mother, whom
The state asylum is In Jacksonville, iii.
Heard that she remained there three DAYS
afterwards before she returned to Chi
cago, TO which place she took her son.
DR.. Mcfarland said the most excessive dill
gence and care would not prevent the intro
duction OF vermin in an asylum. They creep
covered. His rule is that all patients shall
oe bathed twice week, and when suspected
oihaVing vermfn on them they are carefully
inspected. Thought that there should be
large farms attached to every asylum, so as
u get the dairy products. Several years ago
the practice was to require no patients to do
out-doGr work unless they desired to do 1t,
but of late the practice has changed. Open
air labor is the very best agency of health;
~ Is be tier than checkers. or billiard play
ing, or book reading. When patients are
duced TO do some work, not only as recuper-
alive for the body, but as a mental stimu-
liant. An acre of land for every patient in
an asylum is not too much.
By Judge Boone:--TOok charge of the Jack
sonvtlle asylum In June, 1855. Was relieved
voluntarily. There was no difficulty be-
tween the trustees and himself Was not re-
quested or forced TO resign. Retired in 1870
Do not Tecollect whether young Van Kewan
was received as an INDECENT or pay patient.
are charged more than IS per week at the
state asylum. Incurable patients were not
received unless for special reasons.
this witness was cross-examined at great
length In regard to his reasons for turning
out the patient Van Kewan from the state
asylrm, and also In regard to his ideas of the
management OF an insane asylum. He
thought that so per cent of all male patients
should be required to work at manual labor.
DO not think that they should be forced 10
admitted that he was charged with abusing
patients; that they were covered with YER
min, &C.. In 1866, and that he was investi-
gated, and that the report of the committee
on his case and management was cOndemna-
tory. The committee reported that the
charges were sustained. Gov. Oglesby set
the charges aside, and continued him in
Charge of the asylum. He remained there
until $50, when he resigned. The investiga-
ton ofthe asy lum was made by committee
appointed by the Illinois legislature.
Inc committee then adjourned until to-
morrow morning.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.-The Board of
Ire commissioners met last night; present,
Messrs: Morgan, (president,) Reed, (secre.
tary,l TAFT, Bacon, Thomas, and Collins;
Chief Engineer Cronin ana Assistant Engi-
neer Drew. A communication was received
from the Board OF Fire Underwriters Inclos-
ing check for $50 to be expended in the In
terest of the fremen's library, under tho
direction of the Fire Commissioners. and
also Informing the board that Mrs. p. ID.
GuTley had contributed a number of books
Tor The same purpose. The president and
have charge of the matter. A communica-
ton was received from Mr.. Birney, attorney
Jor the District, in regard TO the case OF ex-
bremen Meredith and Chinn, who are suing
,or Two norths' wages; referred to the chief
and assistant chief engineers. A KEY was
granted TO Mr.. Thorn, and application for a
position In the department. was received
from Thomas Baer. Chief Cronin made a
short report in reference to the alterations
made on No. l engine, which has been in
McClellaud's shop for several weeks. He
stalled that the alterations amounted to re-
const uciiOn of the machinery, and that at a
private trial the engine, with one hundred
and thirty pounds OF pressure, had thrown
Wa,eT 20 tne great distance oftwo hundred
the engine viii be two hundred and sixty
ponnTs. Commissioner Thomas, acting sec
Ietary, real the record of the Seibold exami-
nation prepared to be submitted to the Dis
tr1ct Commits sIoneTs; which was approved
by the board. There was q short discussion
concerning the time and place of holding the
annual parade and inspection of the depart
ment. IL was decided to hold the Inspection
a. the Scott statue Friday, June 2, at 6 o. no.
SHOT HIS FATHER.-About 9 O'Clock this
morning Rev. Samuel Scott, q colored min
lister, residing on G street, near 14th south
east, was shot in the cheek by his son John.
1t appears that the boy had been forbidden
the house by the father, and he hearing of
DIS mothers illness, went to see her. While
mere the rather caught him, and proceeded
TO whip him, and during the fracas the SON.
smarttng under the blows, drew pistol and
nred, the ball taking effect as stated above
rather and son were taken to the Sth pre-
cinet station, and DIR. Mccoy dressed the
fathers wound.
Cr-rrC