Sharp County record., 1883-09-13
INSANE DANCERS.
FIRST BALL AT THE STATE LUNATIc ASYLUM
(DaiIY Gazette, 5th.l

The first regular dance at the Arkan-
sas State Lunatic asylum took place last
night. Some of our readers may think it
strange that a dance should be given at
an institution Of this kind, but if they
could have seen the radient faces of the
patients, and witnessed the zest with
which they entered the dances, they
would be more than convinced that the
move was a good one. There were last
night 239 patients in he asylum men and
women were among the dancers. OF course
none but the mild, the harmless and the
conyalescent were permitted to participate.
All institutions of this character find the
dance of great benefit. 1t affords the
poor, demented creatures something to
talk about, something to look forward to
it diyerts their minds, as DR.. Forbes, the
superintendent says, 1T is an incentive to
make them behave. They are told they
will not be allowed to 90 to the dance un-
less they do thus and so, and this settles
it." Last night the music was furnished
by band Of colord musicians, and very
good music it was. The first dance was
double Quadrille, in which the asylum
corpse were partners for the patients. AZ
ter this, however, the lady and gentlemen
visitors formed sets with the insane, the
men asking the ladies to dance and the
gentlemen being regularly introduced to
the women. The scene during the dances
was intensely interesting, Quite a
number Of the patients danced extrava-
gantly, but on the whole it was much
more orderly than many public balls We
have attended in this city, The men, as
a rule, were more lively than the women,
and we're very kind and polite, several Of
them invariably asking the ladies after
each set if they would have water 10
drink, The legislators, could they have
seen the ball room, situated way up in the
upper story, with al these insane people
neatly dressed, and many OF them being
rapidly restored to health, would be proud
they voted for the asylum. 1t is a great IN.
stitution, and 10 saving ana making good
citizens Of many people, who but ior the
treatment here received, would have spent
a few years in the county jail and died
most mio9rably. DR.. Forbes, theesupern.
tendent; DR.. Buchanan, Mr.. White, tho
steward W. S Wooliord, and the ladies
here added greatly to The pleasure Of all
who attended. Among the ladies who
went out from the city, were Mrs. Gov. Jas
Il. Berry, Mrs. J. G. Stephens, of Frank
lin, Tenn, Mrs Cora CAN'T, Mrs. Faber
Mrs. !. H. Van AIytine, Mrs. Josie
AIcocke, Mrs George R. Brogn, and
Misses Kate House, Lucia Marin, Lizzie
Waddell, Irene Haney, Nora Uowan, of
Richmond, Va; = Bell, Mary Will
Iiams, Sue Ingram, Annie johnson and
Lottie Naylor.
Hon. A. W. Files, auditor Of State;
Hon. N. B. Crump, ". L, Ltngtord,
VIII Reaves, D. D. Bell, Mr.. Ashford,
Mr., Cochran, G, z. McSrine, q, Godboid,
Howard Trimble, Fred Marin, and a
number of other gentlemen added inter-
est to the occasion by being present.
Those who went there, any, expect
ing to see a lot Of rampant, raving ma.
MACS cutting pigeon wings, etc., must
have been most VofIly disappointed.
The affair passed of without the slightest
unpleasantnes8 of my character, and
there was scarcely b loud word spoken
during thedancing. except by the visitors.