Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-02-08
AMONG THE LUNATICS.

Members of the Legislature Inspect Rev.
Kerr's Elegant Caravansary-Appeara
of the Patients-A Member Invades the
Sacred Precincts Of Theatrical Dressing
Room.
Special Telegram, to tho Globe.
sr. PETER, Feb. THE members of the
standing c"nmittee on hospital for the insane,
together with the visiting representatives. were
astir hctimes this morning. and after partaking
of an early breakfast, served In excellent style
by mine host Carpenter, the main body of the
members started from the office of the Nicollet
in the direction of the temporary building,
situated near the limits of the town, about one
mile from the asylum proper.
A rather good story concerning the adven-
lures of a whole-souled but inquisitive mem
Der last night was told at the breakfast table
this morning, which may be worth relating.
| showing, as is does the intense fondness of
the average Representative for an entertain
| ment, and the manner in which one of these
distinguished gentlemen came very near spoil
ing show.
During the performance of tho "Octoroon,"
by a travelling combination. at the principal
hall In st. Peter, last evening, certain mem
Der, while passing, became impressed with the
idea that he would like to see the show. OBJ
serving two doors at the head of the STAIRS the
member took the one leading into the ladies'
d essing room (Which happened to be un-
locked), instead of the door to the right which
opened into the auditorium of the hall. No.
ticing dim light in the distance, the gay
lothario followed the corridor until he was sud-
denly introduced into room filled with half
clothed and by this time shrieking females,
whose fright lat the appearance of so unex-
peoted visitor) can be readily imagined
The intruder made the best of the dilemma by
beating very preoipitate retreat, followed by
an exceedingly lavish explanation. The men,
bers got the story, however, and it il. safe to
say that the little affair cost the pric6f full
weeks board.
The visitors reached the temporary buildings
at O clock, consisting of a substantial stone
building, and a two story frame house, and
containing in all eighty-nine patients.
The party were shown over the building
by DR.. James and the Rev. Dr. Kerr.
At $3.50 o'clock the members took carriages
and were driven to the hospital proper. It was
deemed expedient to divide the members into
two parties, as the appearance of so many per-
sons at once was calculated to have an exciting
effect upon the patients, and the wisdom of the
plan was afterwards abundantly demonstrated.
party of about twenty-five members started
in one direction, while the committee proper,
accompanied by the GLOBE representative, were
conducted over the building by Messrs. Bart
lett, James and Kerr, from another. It may
be proper to state before proceeding, that the
hospital at present contains 233 males, and 301
female inmates, making total (aside from the
inmates at the temporary buildings) of 534 pa
tients, 81 patients having been taken to the
branch institution at Rochester.
The party at first visited the basement, en-
bracing the laundries, drying houses, kitchen,
etc.
In answer to question, it was stated that the
wants of the inmates absorbed three barrels of
floor per diem, and the hugh stock of tempting
nut-brown loaves indicated that the variety of
bread, at least, was of no mean order. The
sewing room was next visited, where dozen
of the least demonstrative patients were found
deity plying the needle. Attention was then
directed to the clothing room, which was found
in cleanly and apparently well-conducted con-
After clambering short flight Of stairs the
visitors were conducted into the north wing
dormatory, the first floor of which contained
about one hundred patients, who were stand
ing in rows on either side of the corridors.
After being introduced to President Lincoln,
Marshal McMahon and few other dignitaries,
and not without noticing the melancholy
wrecks of humanity to whom the presence of
visitors though they had never been
born, the parties proceeded to the dornaatory
containing the convalescents and those afflicted
with insanity in its milder forms. This de-
partment proved the most interesting of any
visited, as several of the members were heartily
greeted by former politician, and we'll known
citizen of Minneapolis, who went stark crazy
over an election. This patient grew quite
poetical at parting, and the manner in which
he referred to the graces gave rise to a regret
full pang that So bright a mind should
be made to suffer such fatal eclipse.
The aspirant for ministerial honors was also
met, and an invitation to preaching cordial
extended. the poor fellow seeming quite chop
fallen at the apparent Indifference with which
the offer was received. The committee were
II, ,lol Nv,
formerly read law in the office OF of TIE
! members. The peadings of this patient to be
released were sad beyond descript The
chapel was next visited, and the party were
here edited with very entertaining piano
performance by one of the patients, whose re.
markable Instrumentation evinced evidence OF
much culture.
The female department was next visited and
the spectacle presented was pitiable in the OK.
IRENE. A few there were whose neat personal
appearance indicated that buried reason was
still no match for innate good breeding
One poor wretch, with her arms locked in 4
leather muff: Ito prevent injuring herself or at
tendants) made such grimaces at >the visitors
that were alone enough to dismay the stout
| est heart and SO violent is her insanity that
she gnaws at the arm of her chair in the same
manner as a horse is frequently observed to de
at post.
In this department. was also seen the Wright
all appearances is as sound of mind any OF
her visitors. She expressed regret at the
murder, appeared neatly attired and in fai
spirits, but manifested desire to leave tn.
| asylum soon possible.
| After further Investigations the party retired
to the Office, from whence they repaired to tn
ordinary, where lunch served, quite
number of the members having ir the mean
time returned to the depot, about thirty mem
bers taking the o'clock train for St. Paul
After lunch the committee returned to tn
office, where an informal conference was hell
with the trustees concerning the wants and re
quirements of the hospital. The committee
left St. Peter at P. NJ, this afternoon, for tn
branch hospital at Rochester.
| PERSONAL.
E. G. Ault, ESQ.,, Dundas, at the Merchants
+. A. Darlington, ESQ.,, Fort A. Lincoln, a
| the Merchants.