Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1878-12-06

A HALF CENTURY OLD.

80 - -
A HALF CENTURY OLD.
THE FIFTIETH REPORT OF THE ". L.
AsYLUM-INTEREsT FiGUREs--WHc
OPENING.
&C., &C., &C.
Fifty years ago, the; oath Of last July
the very small and unpretentious building.
very unlike the pile of buildings now lying
on the Southern suburbs of the city, was
opened by the State under the title Of the
Western Lunatic Asylum. The Superin-
tendent was DR.. VIM. Boys who was ap-
pointed in the May before, and served un-
til June 80. 1886, when his place Was filled
by DIR. Francis I. StrlbIing, who in an
administration of thirty eight years gave
the institution national reputation His
service Was ended by death July 23d, 1874.
His successor, the present Superintendent
was elected Sept. 2Sth. 1874. In the early
> days of the Institution the Office of Steward
was unknown and the officer who per-
formed the duties Of that Office, as well as
others, was known as the Keeper Mr.
Samuel M. Woodward was appointed to
the position August Goth, 1927. and filled it
until July 1st, 1S40, when the increasing
duties of the institution called for Stew
ard. to which place he was appointed and
which he retained until he resigned, De-
cember 81, 1862, having been an officer for
thirty five years. Mr.. Samuel A. Hoshour
the present incumbent, was elected to fill
the vacancy. The position of Matron was
first filled Aug. 7th, 1928, by the appoint
ment of Mrs. Mary Woodward, a position
she held until she resigned in Dec, 81,
1916. On Jan. "A, 1916, Mrs. Frances A.
Douglas was appointed and served until
Dec. 81. 1s4S. She was succeeded by Mrs.
Sarah Dyer who served until June. 1852.
Her successor was Mrs. Eliza J. Tinsley,
who was appointed Aug. l, 1852, and
served until her death. Oct. oath, 1873.
She was succeeded by Mrs. Margaret
Johnston the present incumbent, who was
elected Nov. Goth. The dates of service
of the Assistant Physicians are as follows:
r. II. Gambill, Aug. 20, 1912, to Dec. 81 !,
1857; E. &. Fisher, Jan. l, 1850, to June
80, 1851; VIM. Hamilton, July 1, 1851, to
date; 7. V. L. LAWS, Jan. l, 1851, to
Dec. 81, 1854; r. II. Gambill Second term)
Jan. 1, 1865. to Dec. 10, 1865, (died); T. A.
Berkely, Jan. 5, 1866, to Dec. Is, 1871,
(died); E. c Fisher, Second term Jan.
5, 1872, to date.
An important Office for long time
existing at the, Institution was that of
Architect. 1t was filled by Mr.. Thomas
R. Blackburn, whose skill was exhibited
in the erection of all the buildings, save
the one recently added.
THE REPORT OF THE BOARD.
The report Of the Board Of Directors by
DIR. A. M. Fauntleroy, President, fol- the
siftieth year is brief and clear 1t says
that sat no time in the history of the
Asylum have the labors of year yielded
more success and prosperity" The ex-
penses have, as compared with 1876, been
reduced $5,2l0.34, in consequence of the
decline in the prices of articles of con-
sumption. Through the diligence of the
ttorney of the Board, Judge JnO. IL.
M, Cue. over 5000 have been realized
from, old claims for board of patients. The
nrice If board has been reduced from s25
to SIS pel month, and, as a result OF the
exercise of stern economy in the control
in public expenditures, the Asylum, if the
arrearages 1880. 0OO) due by the State be
naio can be carl led through the present
wear by an appropriation Of $50, 600, not
withstanding the addition to the number
of patients, and the necessary improve
menus and repairs that have been made.
THE SUPERINTENDENT REPORT.
The report of DIR. r. F. Baldwin. the
Superintendent, is very full and complete
He notes at length the various improve
ments that have been made IN the 1nStltu-
tion. in the matter of heating. ventlla-
tion. &c, He makes the recommendation
that the law be- changed so that patients
may be sent for from the ASy-
lum, instead Of being sent there by county
and CITY officials. The disbursements OF
the institution for 1878 were S64 ,248. OF
which $40, 536 was for provisions; $9, l5O
for salaries; $7.63S for wages; S3,92o fol
improvements, repairs, &c; s2,761 fol
clothing, &C., &c.
THE INMATES AND WHAT BROUGHT
THEM THERE.
During the year there have been 4s2 pa
a;e,nts treated there, and some of the causes
that brought them there are set forth II
the Superintendent's report, as follows
Disappcinted love, 8 males and females
excessive use of tobacco, &C.. males; do
nestle affection, males and II females
domestic troubles. 9 males and IA females
fright. ma les and females; intemper
ance. 10 males; overwork, 6 males and
females; underworld, (indolence) l NAL
and 2 females; pecuniary troubles, 2
males ard 10 females; religious excite
ment. S males and females; seduction
2 females, and war males and 2 Il males
Under the head Of unknown" causes II
men and women are put down.
THEIR FORMER RESIDENCES.
Augusta as usual stands well to tn
front. The number OF patients sh
sent during the year was and since IL
foundation 237. being one-tenth of tn
number sent by the whole state. Next t.
her comes Albemarle which the past yea
sent 6, then Spottsylvania and Shenando
;ah which sent each, and from there the
,awindle down to two, one and none. liner
are to-day 423 patients in the institution
of whom but 10 are set down as having
favorable prospect for recovery.
AN ARGUMENT FOR MARRIAGE.
OF the males treated during the year 10
we ve single, 70 married, Z widowers and
mix. eown; of the females 120 were single
81 ma -ried, % widows, 3 unknown ana
divorce 1, showing that fifty per cent NOR