The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-06-19
PROVIDING FOR THE INSANE.
The Accommodations Being Built BY the
State for Her Unfortunates.
A Thorough Inspection of the New Build
ings, with Description OF the
work Thus Far Accom-
plished.

A party consisting of the state house com.
missioners, DIR. Jameson, Superintendent
Evarts, George w. Ryer, Architect May and
several representatives of the city press in
spected the new insane asylum yesterday
afternoon. Peter Reuter-, John Martin an
G. w. Griffith. contractors of different parts
of the building. were on hand and explained
the work and the kind of material used in
the structure.
The building is the largest one in the state
being over 900 feet in length and from IS
tn 100 feet in width. 1t is composed of six
wings, three on each side of the central build
ing, and connected with each other by square
towers. Each tower contains stairway
leading to its wing, made of brick and slate
and the towers are so arranged that in case
of fire or other accident the wings can be
completely shut off from each other The
buildings are each four stories in height.
exclusive of the mansard roof and each floor
contains "a wards besides a dining room and
water closets. Each dining room is con-
nected with an elevator which runs from the
cellar to the roof, and on which the inmates
meals are to be brought from the kitchen,
which is in the basement in the rear of the
central building. Closets are also con-
structed, in which steam pipes are so ar
ranged that the provisions may be kept warm
while the inmates are preparing to eat them
The floors are laid with ash, and the doors
and wood work are of pine. Between the
floors "deadening" is placed which not only
kills the sound, but renders the building
more fire proof.
The roof is of slate, and the cornices are
made of galvanized iron. The building is to
be heated throughout with steam which
Will also be utilized in cooking There are
| in the engine room ten immense boilers
which will supply the steam, and 1T requires
several miles OF pipe to convey it to the diff
| ferent rooms and wards in the building.
| Water will be pumped into tanks, which
have been placed in the towers and roof,
from the engine room; from them the build
ing will be supplied.
The ventilation of the building Is in &C
cordance with Mays patents, and is as thor.
ough as it possibly can be made. Large ven
| tila'ing shafts are placed in the attic through
which constant supply of fresh air is con-
tinually rushing TO all parts of the building
Besides this plenty of fresh air is obtained
| through shafts which have been constructed
in the large chimney.
The building the outside presents a
plain but substantial appearance, and is
| finished in a workmaulike manner The
| brick used are the best, and have been laid
with care. The walls, both on the inside and
outside, present the same solid appearance
and not the slightest crack or flaw can be
noticed in the whole structure. Mr.. John
Martin, who had the contract for this part of
4 TIC NOIh, las lulnllcu III completely. anu
| when person considers the number of
bricks that are in the building over 10000
| 600, they can imagine that the task of super
| intending the work was no easy one. Mr..
| Martin worked 85 brick masons most of the
time, and with that great number of men
to watch he has not allowed q soft brick to
| be put in the building.
The plastering is being done by Griffith &
Williams, and they are performing their
work in q fine manner. No private house
was ever finished with better material than
they have put in their portion of the work.
Mr. Peter Reuter-, one of the city's Oldest
and best known contractors is doing the
wood work on the building, and his name
used in connection with that portion of the
work is a guarantee that 1t will be well done.
| The floors in one wing of the building
have most all been put down, and
those who inspected the building yes
terday spoke with the highest praise
Of the excellent manner in which the work
was being done. The pieces are Joined
closely together and present a smooth and
beautiful surface, not the slightest warp or
elevation being noticeable. The window and
door castings are also being furnished in the
same excellent way, and speak well of his
workmanship.
This portion OF the work will stand as a
| monument to Mr.. Reuters proficiency as a
contractor, and will be the source of many
well deserved compliments Over 100000
feet OF flooring will be required in the build
| ing.
The other contractors have also done their
work well, and no fault can be found with
| them.
Mr.. May, the architect of the building.
estimated its cost at $3.50, 0OO but this esti-
mate was afterwards reduced to $3.50 900 on
account of the fall in the price of materials.
and the board of trustees are confident that
they can complete the structure within the
last estimate.
They take great interest in the work, and
point to the asylum proof that public
buildings can be built without the formation
/ of rings.
The visitors were well satisfied with their
visit, and the state house board received
many valuble hints as to the best manner of
putting up large buildings.
DR.. Everts, who has had entire supervision
over the work, is certainly deserving of
much praise for the care and watchfulness
he has exercised in its construction, and for
the persistency with which he has protected
the interests of the state.
From the asylum the party went to
! Haughs iron works and took look through
that Institution. They constructing the
iron work for the roof of the Iowa state
capitol, and the commissioners bad chance
| of inc Sha.r IN hot line