The New York herald., 1879-10-15
LIFE IN . UTICA CRIB.
Comforts for the Old Women that
Deserve Commendation.
A SCENE OF AGONY AND SORROW.
Squalid Quarters for the Male
Insane and IdiOtic.

mouse. especially SO after repeated inquiry n"o
assured me that it is of the best in the State.
1t is in decided contrast to the wretched structures
at schoharie and Cooperstown. which have already
described. but there are even here things which
should not be. made q careful and thorough in
spection of the entire series Of buildings this after
noon and will tell just what saw.
The road to the Poor Farm follows the west bank
of the river up stream from the Main street bridge
past the Dwight Park and cottages. 1t is located
about three miles from the city, and lies at the
base Of the range of hills which mark out the
limits of the valley. The drive is pleasant to
such persons making the journey with the
pectation OF speedily returning. guided the
head into the lane leading up to the houses
and before reaching the yard had time sufficient to
take good look at the place. The main building,
of red brick is two stories in height and possibly
eighty feet long, The large and comfortable barn is
placed to the right of the lane by which reach
the buildings. have already believe. noticed the
fact that the barns attached to the poor farms
generally very good In the rear of the principal
building is row Of wooden cottages. ending in a
brick house Of two stories. which learn is the
ward where the insane women are kept.
VALUABLE GUIDE.
Having hitched my horse sought the keeper DIR.
Hall, whose had learned ut the livery stable,
and without telling him who was. expressed q
desire to the institution. Fortunately he
very busy. and at my suggestion handed me to
young attendant, very pleasant and intelligent
assistant in the insane ward It is very safe to say
that saw much more than would have succeeded
in seeing had been hastily shown through the
establishment by the keeper himself We will go
right through with HIM and let him tell the story
"This wing of the main building is devoted to the
women" said my cicerone, as he led me into the
large brick structure adjoining the keepers resi-
dence. " On tho ground floor we keep the very old
ladies' This is their sitting room, leading me into
an apartment about Is by 25 at the end Of the build
ing. 1--WE think 1t right to give the old women the
best the place affords in the way of quarters and
provisions You will they have tablecloth.
OF course, to some of them a tabecloth means very
little. but to the majority it recalls other days. and
makes them think that the world has not entirely
forgotten them. They have plates. even. you will
sec Real plates. too." taking badly chipped piece
OF old white up and showing it to mel "In
some parts of the establishment we give them tin
dishes because you see, they would not appreciate
china and would break it out Of sheer wantonness.
CARE OF THE OLD WOMEN.
"You find six old ladies here. There some
others. but they are out taking the air and
shine. The room is well warmed, as you observe,
and pipe from this large supplies hot air to
the above. The beds are no better and no
than those provided by other counties.
They have iron strips instead Of cording. which
conduces to cleanliness. great deal depends upon
the person who occupies the bed regards its
appearance. See the contrast: that one in the COR
ner is smooth and we'll arranged. while this one
here, near the door. is hastily and careessly made
up. We bring their dinner here to them. aud it is
real delight to them eat" He ratified that
feared to interrupt him with questions.
THE IDIOT CHILDREN.
Thence he led the way into room where there
we're several little children. some OF them very
in sewing and o third was rocking cradle. Two
other rooms on the same floor revealed nothing.
one below. with rooms opening of each side.
large sitting room at the end Of the hall, over the
old women's eating apartment, Is occupied by sew
eral men. The smell is intolerable; but the room
looks moderately clean. My guide conducted me to
. room where two idiot children. Several women
in the room. and all had something to say
about the two wan and helpless dwarfs. On the
floor. in the shape OF horseshoe. lay the elder
child. boy. His feet were in the air. Indeed, the
weight of his body rested on the small OF his
back and, ever and anon seizing his feet
with his hands. he converted his spinal
column into a rocker upon which he swayed back
and forth. to his apparent amusement. His limbs
were much emaciated. the bones Of the thighs and
transparent skin The other child, girl, rested ON
the bed. Her face pale and SO old looking
should have thought her an old woman. The flu
sion perfected by the appearance of her hair.
which was snowy white and very thin. Meanwhile
cause of the children's imbecility. One asserted
that the mother fell of house forty feet high
tho other maintained that her husband kicked her.
Tho fact is beyond dispute that tho mother per-
OF sound mind. for was introduced to her few
THE OLD MEMS HOW'LL
This completed our view OF the main building and
all that had seen was worthy Of commendation
wooden building where the old men lived. Here
was contrast. The house in state of wretched
decay. The basement in which the meals were
served was the most comfortable part OF the estab-
lishment. Up stars the same bleak walls. the
where the utter absence Of ventilation. We de-
,ended the yard again and crossed to the insane
ard. On tho left we passed small shanty in which
ere several old women. moro or less helpless from
/, smselvcs. wondered il they made confdants OF
With all the happy and unhappy incidents. We had
now reached the shanty devoted to the insane men |
aad my cicorone began again.
INSANE BRooME COUNTY.
''This first apartment Is used rs reception room
FOR the visitors, and is also occupied by the man
In neat enough here. but not gaudy. We will now
walk back through the main corridor. past the cells.
This to the loft, quiet as he appears" The was
sitting on q chair reading old newspaper), ''is
very dangerous at times. We have to keep him
locked up all the while we even serve his meals IN
his cage. The other doors open, you Will OBJ |
serve. and the inmates in the lunatics' sit
ting room back of this. The beds are hard. as you
the dementcd should sleep on hard mattresses. |
There may bo something IN 1t. Othors have doubted
ROOM rThrowing open a door.j ..IIoro you SEQ
About dozen men in all conditions of mind. Some
are convaloscent; others hopelessly mad. None are
dangerous to themselves Others, the war.
rant reads. SO far as we know.
WHAT NEEDED.
Here. as you rightly observe, Is where reading
matter is wanted. More thun ono-haf of the people
you In this room sensible enough and have
education sufficient TO read. but they have neither
papers nor books they only sit and worry and
curse their fate You have several papers? Thanks
Bee how grateful the poor fellows are In the yard
without, rs you will SEQ from this door, 1--WE stood
ut an open door from which a few wooden
steps led down into q dusty enclosure). "a
few of the taking the sun. You
wonder that of them do not no out
perhaps, when this room is warm and the air
so bad? Well the truth is that they do not appear
to care much for health pu-o air. Open q win
dow there, Johnnie That's better. (Iiesumingl \
Tho fact IL they get careless of lifeand, after all
why shouldn' { they? Pears to me should. TLey
will close the window just rs soon go out, and
the door also. That IL all there is to sec here
Not word had been uttered by patient in the
d Nhile wa I cnuld clnarIu do.