Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1878-10-31
MONTANA HERDS, FLoCKs, FARMS AND
MINES.

ritorial Insane Asylum-and the Prince ly
Farms Surrounding Them.
Out upon the level plain a mile west OF
Deer Lodge river and near the banks OF
Warm Spring creek, the point reached IN
my letter a month ago, is the location OF
the Warm Springs Asylum, and the home
for the decrepid. About two years ago
this property was purchased by Drs. Mitch
ell & Musickbrode, of Deer Lodge, who
took the contract for the care of the Terri
torial insane. They had at the starting ~
incurable insane persons, and to this time
have received halt as many more. OF these
seven Nave already been cured and liberat-
ed, and there are four others who are soon
to be discharged. The patients are treated
like guests at a fashionable Inn, where good
meals are served and every want is sup
piled. They are furnished medicines and
waited upon by skilled physicians. They
battle and sport about the grounds, the
weller ones passing much of their time in
fishing, hunting and cultivating the gar
dens. Since purchasing the premises the
proprietors have increased its value nLateri-
ally by the erection of new buildings, and
the addition of land. The tract now num-
bers 500 acres, 400 of which are enclosed by
good fences. The already commodious
house has received a number of neat bed
rooms, state rooms, and a dining room, all
of which are furnished in excellent style.
Besides these there has been added four
large bath rooms and one plunge bath, all
well arranged with conveniencies, and are
superior to any in the Territory. There are
about % small warm springs whose water
is collected and conveyed to the baths. The
water contains iron, sulphur, and some 9TH
er medical qualities. AT the Springs it has
a temperature of about $50 degrers, and
reaches the baths at l25 degrees. The land
surrounding the Springs is level, the, soil
! deep, black, rich, and produces well. This
season several acres have been cultivated,
the work being performed by patients,
many Of whom tor pastime and the novelty
of the thing, take much satisfaction in hoe
tatoes, squashes and melons are produced.
The land does not require irrigation. The
seapage from the Springs is sufficient for
this, and at the same time keeps the earth
warm, causing an early and quick growth
of vegetation. So warm is the soil that it
only freezes a few inches in winter. Fruit
trees, vines and small plants set out last sea-
son, were, at the time Of my visit, looking
exceedingly we'll. 1t is designed to plant
an orchard of several acres and raise a large
amount Of vegetables also. / see nothing
to prevent making this a perfect Eden in
this respect, tor in the warm earth every va
riety of vegetation will grow. and as it is
fine for the patients to cultivate the gardens
experiments on an enlarged scale, can hard.
ly fail to be profitable. One very pleasant
attraction at the place is the round grassy
mound that stands alone on the plain,
and i'll whose bowl-shaped summit centre
40 feet above the level, there is a boiling
spring. Not many years ago this spring
used to continually boil over, but of late
the bubling waters only rise to within a few
inches OF the rim. Around this spring the
proprietors have erected a neat observatory
which is provided with seats and railing sc
that the sojourner may rest and take com
fort in viewing the rich flowing waters, the
grand mountains and the lovely valley sur
rounding and at their feet. This mound is
much cherished by the patients. They
go there and lounge for hours. At the
time of my visit, Jackson Green, a coloret
man, Who tor a number OF years was a raw
ing maniac, and when brought here was
/ hound Ia ctrnnnr al,n:,n I,&. il L.. -.