Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-06-18

20 street northeast; 8, 600. Church or Eplp-
hany, repair church edifice on G street 5000.
The District Aims House and Work
House.
long NEEDED IMPROVEMENTS FINISHED OR UNDER
WAY.
Among the valuable Improvements made
within the past two years 10 the Washington
Asylum and grounds connected Herewith. that
of renovating the old building which for the
past thirty years has been used aS a w0rkhouSe
and almshouse combined is not the least impor-
tant. The north wing OF the new workh0use
as heretofore stated IN THE STAR, has been
completed and occupied for about three months
past by men and boys sentenced 10 the work.
mousse. This new structure was built or the
old bricks and other material taken from the
old jail on Judiciary square and with its rough
cast outside pebble dashed walls. presents an
attractive and substantial appearance.
The necessity for separation OF the sexes IN
this institution has long been felt. and thus
far the difficulty has been but partially over
come for although the male Inmates OF the
Old WOrkhOuSe have been removed 10 the new
building, the female inmates OF the wOrkhOuse.
generally OF the most deprayed character, are
OF necessity mingled with the poor, unfortu-
nate Yet frequently decent persons. who by
adverse circumstances find their way 10 the
almShouSe. For many years this has been a
matter or regret to our District authorities,
and none can fully comprehend the enormity
OF this evil without personal observation.
The worst feature OF this condition OF things
is, perhaps, the association OF young and
tender youth with hardened and abandoned
criminals OF older years.
Ii is gratifying TO know that these evils are
soon TO be corrected, and that the south wing
OF the new workhouse, for female criminals,
Is 10 lie speedily erected, When they Will De
separated from the inmates OF the almshouse
composed of unfortunates OF both sexes and
OF all ages. In anticipation OF this change,
through the earnest efforts OF Mr. CasVel
the fntendant, Mr.. Entwise. inspector of
buildings, and Health officer Townshend
the District Commissioners have directed a
thorough
RENOVATION OF THE OLD woRKHousE BUILDING
SO as TO make il tenable and healthy place for
the almshouse for which purpose II Will here
.ffer be exclusively used This work OF renova-
tton Was commenced some three months ago.
ana has been progressing steadily, most OF the
labor necessary, being that OF the inmates
which has been utilized under the direction of
Skilled mechanics. some OF the latter also among
the inmates The plan OF this old building was
Fever well adapted TO the requirements of
work and almShouSe. The kitchen, bake house
wash-room. store house, aud closets were
located on the basement floor from which the
VdporS and foul air rose through large open
stairway, extending from basement to The top
story, ana communicating with the halls and
ever loom In the upper stories, which were
al witt out any means at all OF ventilation
Those who have visited this building Will re.
member the sickening atmosphere which per-
Vaded the whole premises. No flueS or ducts
Dor even transom window, was prepared for
ventilation, the whole forming a pest-h house
rather than house for correction and car.
lty;" the manner OF making this old tuiiding
suitable for this new service without denoiisb
lbs II was Tor some time problem, which has
now been most effectually solved. and at a
nominal expense considering what has been
kntwisle for erecting plain, substantial build
ing for kitchen and wash house some afty
ieet east of the main building was
done and da'0Ge0 tSe OaEe Elcn house, has keSsa Sssn
wash room and laundry have ali been removed
lnto II, the old rooms heretofore used for such
purposes being reInodelled and cleaned up for
other purposes. The male prisoners have been
SET 10 work scraping down the walls for white
WaShlng, and the partitions wash-boards
and all woodwork are being buffed and sand
transoms have been cut over the doors. Old doors
walled up, new doors and windows cut, addi-
lonal water closets put In, and many other al
,eratlons made, so that the old structure looks
IKE new house inside. A tank has been con.
sIructed On top OF the house holding 2 600 gallons
OF water. with pipes leading 10 the closets.
Mushrooms boilers. kitchen and all parts Of
ne premises needing water. with cocks In each
hall, and a supply OF hose In case OF fire. A
store room has been made OF the old Kitchen
me OLD bake-room has been converted into
oatn-room for women, the old male prisoners'
dntDg-room into a fuel room for storage of wood
for males.
THE NEW KITCHEN. BAKE-HousE. &C.
is OF brick, 22 by 90 feet and boiler and engine
room. Ia by rs feet, attached TO the kitchen.
Inc engine room contains a steam pump for
pumping water from the well to the tank on
the top OF the house. and for many other pur-
poses, such as supplying the boilers OF the
wash room, steamfng the bed clothing and
clothlng or the new recruits who enter there
dally, &C. This pump is constantly at work,
ana Is OF immense service In many ways. Many
new and improved methods have been
introauced In the manner of baking bread, mix
&c. A new blacksmith shop has been made and
dnd is In charge OF colored inmate known as
Ola Blacksmith JONES'" who is quite an in
gen1ous person, making all sorts OF tools for the
premises, shoelng horses, &C He receives a
slnall salary, as does the engineer and boss car
court.
HORSE HOSPITAL
mas also been started by Commissioner CaswelI,
OF three stables with capacity for
twenty horses. Here are TO be brought the sick
and broken down horses I'm the District service
where they are treated and boarded until well.
Wnen they are returned into service again.
MI. CasWell has also had plggery construct
ed, which has been In successful operation for
more than year. saving a good sum fn the
purchase or meat He utfliZes all refuse mat
Ter from the diningIooms and kitchens which
would otherwise be thrown away.
Other valuable improvements, costing but a
Tlfe, are In contemplation, and with the new
addllon OF the old magazine grounds recently
turned over to the District by the Navy de-
partment, sufficient room VIII be Afforded to
give all the tramps and Others who are ambI-
pioym ment
Mr. B. c. King had the contract for all work
lone on the old workhouSe with the exception
q the new sewerage, plumbing, steam and gas
liung, furnishing the cauldrons, boilers, &c,
which has been satisfactorily done by Mr. c. G,
Thorn, OF this city.
Young LADY VISITORS FROM SourH Cana \.