Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1882-07-21

AhE AEuhAiVotAA ANoaNG hp1bGns
Argus "rhe ms me Asylum of Wasl
1 kt0n Territory is located IL miles
southeast Of Sieilacoom on the southern
shore of Puget Sound, and bears the
name OF Fort Steilacoom, its original
cognomeu. In early days-way back
among she ''tiftiss"-it was U. S. fort
where few of Uncle Sans blue coats
babe hauehtv defiance TO all the red
skins of Western Washington. The old
buildings still bear stately. military as-
poet. II has long been used for the ac-
cOmmodation OF our unfortunate victims
of mental disorders, and there ia today
confined within its limits ia patients,
OF whom 81 are males and u fem dies.
The land devoted to this charitable OBJ
jsot comprises GOO acres; II this amour.
i50 Is under enclosure, and 1J0 more ia
being fenced in for pasturage. DR..
Waughop has charge of the institution,
aevosing to It his entire timo and atten-
ton on q salary of $500 per annuu,.
Maj. A. T.. Alden holds the position of
Accountant, at 81, 800 n year. How we'll
These gentlemen fulfill their duties may
be seen from the fact that the Asylum
compares quite favorably with thOss of
other States and Territories, being co l.
Quoted on a far more economical; basis
than many of them. Tbs entire cost of
keeping the patients has boon re-
duCcd to per diem of about IS cents
each. Tho grounds comprise four wards
for accommodation Of patients, besides
the residences Of officers. storehouses,
&C., making about fifteen buildings in
all. The principal building containing
two wards, opens at either end into
large. roomy yards enclosed by high
board walls to perfectly secure patients
while taking outdoor exercise. Mr..
Olo6 Peterson il head Warden, on a sal
AIRY Of $50 a year; the assistants, Mes
Sra. +. Guyvt, NJ. Shelton, and X. Har-
mon. each receive $3.50 per year. Msssrs.
A. Lowell and Thomas McGrary arc also
employed m outside wartlens. Mrs. Har-
mon IL head ms,rSn. on - SALARY Of $525
q year, and Misses Crary aad d. se. as
sistants, receive $40 aud $50 year re-
specsively. Other employees are As fol-
lows John Collins. cook; Peter Nelson.
baker; Mr.. Sertling, carpenter; and
Sr. Webb. teamster. Supplies are pur-
CHASED every six months FROM the lowest
bidder, so that strict economy ia pre-
served. We had tho pleasure OF meet
ing two OF the trustees ontshc occasion
referred 10, Mcssrs. Geo. L. Atkinson.
foreman OF the raw mill at Tacoma. and
A. T. Tullis, Of Chehalis. The other is
l.. 3. McLure Of Seattle. Water il fur
nished for the asylum buildings and
grounds from \ spring and IL hoisted by
means OF three hydraulic rams. II Is
found to still he inadequate, however.
and arrangements have been made for
turbine wheel and force pumps. The
garden IL now one Of the attractive fea
lures OF the place. To look ut the arid
sterile plains on which tho ASYLUM
grounds are located, ono would bar ily
believe that agriculture coald ba carried
On there with any degree Of success-
yet BY persistent efforts, and careful cul-
sivation \ lot containing altogether
ABOUT seven acres has been brought 10
such state Of fertility that the veoet,.
oiee and small fruits produced ON i.
would, II purchased, cost the institution
something like 81 800 year. By this
means tao COST OF maintaining the Asy-
lum Is greatly reduced, the produce
raised ~ freshsr and more nutritious
than II purchased from a distance. and
the convalescent patients have an oopor-
taniiy 10 engage in light, pleas mt cn.
Payment. No pains are spared in de-
.isingp lcnsant harmless ADJUSTMENTS for
the Inmates. One Of the buildings. =
spacious hall on the south side OF the
grounds, has been fitted up for RELIGIONS
services, dances, concerts, pNrlor games
ana all kinds OF social casherincs. TIA
ann being TO make the patients forget
as tar ~ possible the restraint thew ara
uncef. All in all. our Hsylum nav be
sa'a to Be In competent hands.