Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1879-02-01
MEETING AT THE COURTHOUSE.
Efforts made to secure the Location
OF the state Luna tic Asylum.

An impromptu meeting was held At the court
house 1t 2 O'Clock Monday evening to take &C.
tion to secure the location OF the state lunatic
asylum at this place. DR.. W. A. Gordon was
called to the chair, and W. G. Musgrove made
secretary.
Capt. A. A. Lssueur being called on to state
the object Of the Meeting, made q brief speech,
setting forth the TACT that the insane asylum At
st. Joseph was destroyed by fire on Saturday,
January 25th. and that now tue inmates of that
institution, about $50 in number, were huddled
together in the st. Joseph courthouse, without
any of the comforts or convsniences to which
they were accustomed. The state IL In embar-
rassed circumstances, there being . deficiency
of about $500, 900 in the treasurer's Office. II
there were no such deficit. the state would un-
doubtedly replace the institution where it stood;
but the state is in debt, and will have to borrow
money, and members Of the legislature will be
chsry Of going in debt. Some members from
the north side Of the river had stated that If
Lexington had any suitable thing to offer, they
would be in favor Of locating the asylum here.
Hearing Of the fire, I came home to consult our
people, to sec what offer We could make. The
state will 60 to no large expense; il Lexington
makes an Offer. we will have as good q chance to
secure the asylum as any other place in the state.
A COMMITTEES should be appointed to ind out
what can be done Immediately; prompt action is
necessary. Other places will make offers to Sc
cure the institutions; we have ~ many advan-
taEes US any place, beside having buildings al
ready prepared to receive these unfortunates.
Whatever We dc must be done without loss of
time.
DR.. Russell wished to know the probable ben
eft our town would receive by securing the
asylum.
Capt. Lesueur replied that there were $50 per-
sons who must be fed and clothed. Every IN
stitution which brings population would benefit
US, and be q material benefit to our business
men.
Mr.. W. II. Chiles wished to hear from Col.
Reid. who was we'll posted in regard to "Lim-
rick Lawn" and could inform the meeting at
what price it could be bought, &c.
Col. Reid stated that be represented 'sLim-
rick LAWN and knew OF no better way to
place Its condition before the meeting than to
read the report OF the legislative committee,
which committee was here, and Investigated the
property in February, 1878. After reading the
report. he stated that he had q direct interest in
the property. 1t can be ready for use in twenty
four hours; with little work its present capacity
can be greatly increased, and it is capable of
being in creased an hundred fold at an i~nsignia-
cant cost. The expense OF keeping the patients
had been greatly reduced, and Ii now brought
down to so or 60 cents per day each; at 60 cents
u DAY each, $50 persons would require an ex-
penditure OF el30 . day., which would benefit
our people to that extent.
Mr.. Limrick inquired II Col. Reid could state
at what price the property could be bought.
Col. Reid replied that he would sell 1t for
$50. 00o-perhsps q thousand or fifteen hundred
dollars less but certainly at $50. 900 at outside.
and he authorised our member Of the legislature
to SO state. He bad advanced money on the prop
erty, and wished to save himself, but did not de.
sire to make q dollar; the state could have all
the time 1t wanted. at reduced interest. The
report of the committee, which he had just read,
covered only 100 acres Of land. with about so
acres Of fruit trees, but he proposed to sell 800
acres of land, and 800 or 3 900 trees. Tho land
not included In the report, but which would be
included in the sale, was we'll improved, had q
good house. which had lately received q new
floor and roof. The overseer's house contains
ave rooms; there is = fine stable; the servants
house could accommodate q dozen persons, and
the premises could be made to accommodate a
the report. He would be glad to make q sale Of
the place, but would also cooperate in any
movement for the public good.
Mr.. ]. e. McGrew inquired II any one could
tell what the new hotel would cost. No one
pressnt could give the Information.
Judge VIM. Young thought that We should
make some proposition to the Legislature; to ex-
pedlte business he asked that the chairman ap-
point . committee to report on so me property to
he offered, setting forth terms, &C.; then our
representative will have some ground OF action.
The asylum at st. Joseph cost the state s33O, 600,
and 1t will take more than 500, 200 to replace il.
We can offer one for one-fourth of the sum. Do
We want the asylumP II so, we must act. He
then offered q verbal resolution to the effect that
''it is the sense Of this meeting that Lafayette
county would be benefited by securing the loca-
ton Of the asylum at this place"
Mr.. Chiies said the st. Joe. asylum had cost
$50 900, and q small expenditure would make
''Llmrick Lawn better than that ever was
There was about 10 acres Of land on which the
asylum was situated, but it WAS Of insignificant
value.
Mr.. Jno. E. hyland thought 1t probable tina,
the brick in the walls Of the burned building
could be sold for enough to pay for the property
which we proposed to offer.
Mr.. H. c.. Wallace wished to suggest N
amendment to Judge Young's resolution. to the
sfec. that 1t would be to the interest OF the state
to locate the asylum here.
Judge Young opposed the amendment. HI
wanted to know if It was the sense OF the meet.
ing that 1t would be to our tnterest. We must
find out whether or not tDe " ant 1t.
Capt. Lesueur favored Judge Young's resolu-
ton. 1t would make q difference with him tc
know whether or not we wanted the institution
1t Is one OF benefit for US, and We can make 8
proposition that will be of benefit to the state.
Mr.. A. j.. Hall opposed the amendment; b,
thought it necessary to say whether or not We
wanted it.
The resolution, as offered by Judge Young wat
then adopted unanimously.
The CHAIR then asked Col. Reid to state how
many persons ''Limrick Lawn could accom-.
nodate.
DIR. Russell thought it not necessary to 90 into
minutis. The report OF the committee would
be presented to the legislature. and would be
fnality.
Mr. Chiles msved that the chair appoint q
committee of dve, to report on the advantages o.
the Two different locations suggested. the com
mlttee to retire and report to the meeting as soor
as possible.
Mr.. QuArlss thought the committee should b,