Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-03-20
...,xcrex INSANE ASYLUM.
.a, POST 1srELL1oEscxE.l ]

..rxGTON INSANE ASYLUM.
POST NTELLIoEScER.l
the purpose of this commu-
- 20 s;.hsr to iaud or criticise, but
1fgp p,s;,,iy s some of the salient fea-
- p.ssi psa territorial Asylum. OF the
LOTS under treatment, about
ss.hs are men, a large per cent.
ara uoticeably gray-headed.
v0vsh shsss have spent many years IN
+;tufion, and the writer particu-
p.a,ls King county patient VINO
ss;ally conspicuous 70 the vis-
IN the occasion OF the picnic
y ep ~ Che Seattle M. Z. Sunday
ssar ser - Years ago. He is not ugly
noisy. but morOse, almost
~ =" and not likely TO improve
,c contrast, is the case of a
taIkatiye man who knew me-
ccino. as my name, an appeila-
,ar own, nor the same he chose
~ ~ nv three months ago. Ills
tsik ia varied with a fancied
.rt of persons and surroundings
as;ro himself with each visitor
sosn he guddenly breaks cOnvez
10 an impatient turn on his heel
Jrnrequited confidence.
Y, three visits to the asylum nave
sme dsyel sped some phase OF IN
ard I have been surprised that no
q far as my reading Of the local
~ informs me, has given the public
zstsiIs Of the surroundings or work
e AZ the asylum.
is.rt Tan acres form the inclosure for
Standings. which are long, one and a
a dory structures facing to q CON-
csntsr-the main ward being near
snoosite the Superintendent's resi-
q which latter stands between the
~ and the accountants residence,
~ tha lesser wards occupy the sides
ia square. A pleasant carriage
- masses before these seven build
and a low fence protects the
~ dottsd with fruit and shade trees,
~ in front Of the women's ward, an
.ssuro is being fitted up for shrub
q and flowers. There ii little at
nj ct ornament, but the plain ex-
~ I Of the buildings are annually
s;chtsned with yellow wash OF lime.
min there is the same marked cleal-
-. with a0od degree of cheer and
rsrent comfort. While but few of
aoors have carpet or mating, still
usvings and chromos with not a Ut
reding matter may be seen in the
m and cells opening out theretrom.
4 a. extreme end Of each ward are
~ fences shutting in those who choose
nvslk in the sun or exercise under
4 shsds, Some found playing chess
a otherwise amusing themselves in-
IIioeu.ly, though most of the able
adied men were usefully employed.
- was digging well, several grub
~ stumps in the garden, and others
~ the whitewash brush, all heartily
rlerinc into the spirit of the work.
mild discipline thus secures a great
living to the Territory, and while none
compelled to work, it is best for
N 70 do so. A few have q regular
l1ree, such as the assistant teamster,
u az faithful as an employee, and
pthinks Uncle Sam owes him thou
- Of dollars. yet he does not care to
IN or stop work.
Nih the aid Of the more rational in
I1e a cook and baker prepare all the
~ in ono large kitchen whence they
pSeryed, Tin small dining room for
bsmployees,) and carried out to the
nEate wards where the several ward
y oversee tho eating at long tables
tly set and plentifully spread
hives are forbidden for the most part
y for one cadaverous patient u spoon
immense bowl and wooden handle Ii
Nided, since his swallowing of a
1uAr ono. In the outer yard, another
6ut, a woman with her tea spoon,
y been digging cave nearly deep
houQh to crawl into. And when we
hnupted her sport she at FIRST acted
Vim and gave only grimaces and wild
Glnres in reply to questions, but fol
ssd US ont with loud and abusive
1guage. She has been great annoy.
"a and is still kept apart from the
Ihos.
| he matron seems devoid of fear and
tvea easily among the women, several
whom are verbacious and demon
htiye. Two who were doing the weeks
ming have specially industrious
~, one of them desiring to leave that
Amay accumulate money, while the
nw labors in an apparent effort t.
Hp pace With her tongue, that cease
uly utters jargon no three consecu.
~ words of which are grammatical OF
el1lligible. In the general sitting room
prancing ballct-girl, of winsome
II and airy movement, who gave the
adies Of our company a light graceful
- u recognition of sister, or daugh-
"A She followed ns about the room,
~ STOPPING at the fender In childish
e, - II accompanying her song with
oo, now boldly quieting some dis
soer or whirling about the sedato and
1nch0ly, whose sadness she could
understand; in particular playfully
ecklng a very unhappy woman with
- Of her own mock tinsel, till. finally
Elng something down the neck Of our
ndant. This light hearted woman
iorty came recently from Puyallup
her history is unknown.
!ne s0rrowful woman referred to has
~ IN eventful history. As a young
u she was IN attendant of Mrs.
aham Lincoln in q private Illinois
mm, whom she might have accom-
nd to Europe. But no; being en-
~ to man who had come to Puget
ND, she chose rather to share his
neer home, whore privation and soil
= unnerved her. Twice she has gone
.a the asylum on furlouQh only to
ma wreck. Another would be
.ole is called Queen of Sheba by all,
- fancics herself so rich as to give
e1 for thousands to many visitors,
cially ministers, who can use her
- at "any station from this onward
the line Of the res ERECTION" This
oaluded mortal sends her scrip
eeRh the mails, and ] saw one ad-
70 "JudQe Jacobs, Seattle Port,
la Consul Of the Kingdom"
may not be generally known that
inmates can send off their mail mat
b Mtnout inspection, or even without
| sssent Of warden or superintend-
~ While q wholesome regulation,
~ privilege, nevertheless, is shame
~ abused BY some. Ono man sends
70 oatefully devised ktters under an
ned form of ~. 8. Detective Ser
appealing in behalf OF a certa in
e unlusly confined and improperly
Ss;u. ! saw one such returned by the
ef' There is usually no malice in
insanity. but disrespect aud DISC
are frowned upon by the pa
p Who thamsAlvaa nnifa offen taxa