Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-08-24
THE GEORGIA INFIRMARY
A HOSPITAL FOR THE RELIEF
OF AFFLICTED NEGROES.


Founded in 1882 by Thomas f. VIII
liams-Its Subsequent Benefactors-
History of its Growth-HOw 1T is Sus-
tained-Its Present Management.
Many persons who occasionally take
drive on the White Bluff road are not
aware that the large two-story brick
structure, with broad piazzas on the
north and south sides, located some dis
lance in from the road to the left of the
| tOll-gate, is one of the most noteworthy
! public institutions Of Savannah. This
structure is known as
THE GEORGIA INFIRMARY,
and has for its objects the relief and pro-
| lection of aged and afflicted negroes. Its
| founding dates back to 1882, when it was
organized and chartered in pursuance to
the benevolent bequest of Thomas F. Will
/ liams, a highly respected citizen, and his
| brother Richard F., who willed all that
| tract of land lying between the White
Bluff road and the present eastern bOun-
dairy line of the inflrmary grounds as a
! site of an asylum for the aged and afflicted
colOred people. A number of small
wooden buildings were erected on
the land near the toll-gate,
and the humane purposes of
/ the founders were carried on until near
the city in December, 1854, left the organi-
cation Invested by the failure of all its
investments from which its revenues were
derived.
PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDERS.
During the thirty-four years after its
organization its resources were ample for
the objects contemplated by the benefac-
tors, and but comparatively few negroes,
| owing to the nature of the
I 81 81, til 10
lief. The emancipation of the slave, |
however, left many without prOtec- |
ton or care, ana hence the demands |
on the infrmary were greatly increased. |
The Georgia Medical Society, the Georgia |
Intirmary and the City Council took steps |
to reinvest the old organization with au- !
thOrity and funds requisite to further its /
purposes when the trustees were assisted |
by the late Edward PadelfOrd, Esq, who |
donated $4,000 with the express stipula- |
tiOn that the amount should be expended |
only in brick and mortar.
A MUNIFICENT BEoUEsT>
With this amount and some other funds |
the present structure was completed. |
Mrs. Chas. F. Mills, Jacob Waldburg, |
Esq, G.. B. Lamar, ESQ.,, f. Marquand, /
ESQ.,, of New York and the CITY of Sayan- /
nah also contributed munificently. These
gifts were invested in the creation of /
permanent fund, from the interest of /
which the annual expenditures of the
institution were derived for some years.
The securities in which the fund was in
vested deprecated in value and many of |
them were finally sold.
HOW IT IS SUPPORTED.
During the last few years the city and
county have contributed literally towards
the maintenance of the infirmary, the for
mer by monthly appropriation of about
$500, or at the rate of 81, 400 a year, and
the latter by an appropriation amount
ing annually to about $1,000. A
number of ladies some time ago
formed themselves into a charity commit
tee, and are from time to time securing
contributions in aid of the good work.
The present infrmary building was
erected in the latter part of 1870, and
was opened in February, 1871,
its first Superintendent being DIR. New
man, who was succeeded in August of |
that year by DR.. r. P. Myers, who held
the office for ten years, and was followed
by DR.. j. P. S. Houstoun, who officiated in
that capacity for three years, when DR..
Myers, the present attending physician
and surgeon, was reappointed
THE INFIRMARY BUILDING.
The building is about so feet in length
and % feet in width, and has piazzas off
each of the two stories of the structure,
all being feet wide, on the north and
south sides of the building, and supported
by number of columns which improve
the exterior view. The lower floor is
divided into four rooms, one
being used as adispensary, another as a
sleeping room for the stewart, the third
as bath room and the fourth as a ward
for males.
THE WARDS.
This ward is about 80 feet in length and
% feet in width and Is lighted and ven-
SIoky,
wards, two in number, are on the second
floor, each being about % feet square.
On the second floor there is also linen
room, sleeping room for the female
nurse, and an operating room. The male
ward is furnished with % beds,
nearly all of which were occupied
when a reporter of the MORNING News
called at the institution yesterday. In
the female ward there were eight patients
yesterday, though there are accommoda-
tiOns for others.
HOW THE INSTITUTION is PATRONIZED.
This ward is, however. seldom full,
while the male ward is often crowded.
Many of the male inmates are supposed
to be tramps, who impose themselves
upon the institution. They come there
sick and half-starved, and as soon as
rested and cured 90 away. The records
of the infirmary show that patients from
Kentucky, Louisiana, Ohio, Chicago,
San Domingo and South Carolina have
been cared for. The majority of the suf-
ferers are generally from South Carolina,
and very few from Savannah or this por-
ton Of the State.
WHERE THE INMATES COME FROM.
When the males are not too sick they
lounge about and smoke and eat. When
convalescent, if called upon to do light
work about the building or grounds they
make it convenient either to get sick
again or to steal away. During the past
two or three weeks, however, DR.. Myers
secured the services of Mr.. MiaskvOski,
Pole, as steward, who is highly educated,
and was by occupation matchmaker
until his eyesight was impaired. During /.
the war he was a Confederate artillerist, /
awhen he became accustomed to military
discipline, which he has turned TO good |
account since he entered upon his duties
at the infrmary.
THE INFIRMARY GROUNDS.
The grounds have been cleaned and the
fences whitewashed. The inmates Of the
male ward are required to observe the
rules as to cleanliness and good or
der at all times. A small building
has also been erected as a bath
house, the bathing facilities in the main
structure being out of order and about to
be removed to give additional accommO-
dation to the sick. This work is being
done WIN Jne approval OF Cne BOARD OF
Trustees and under the supervision of
the Superintendent. Located near the
main structure are three One-story wooden
buildings, one used as a kitchen, one as a
dining-roOm and one as a stable.
THE MoRGUE.
A short distance south of these build
ings is a small brick structure used as a
morgue. The main building was seriously
damaged by the cyclone OF 1881, but was
repaired, and a few days ago additional
plumbing work was done by erecting
new leaders to conduct rain water
from the roof. The ceilings in the
wards are also to be replastered
in places when the damages caused by
the great storm will have been entirely
etfaced.
HOW THE INMATES ARE FED.
The inmates are furnished three meals
daily. Breakfast is served at O'Clock in
the morning, and consists of hOminy, ba-
con, tea and sometimes milk and eggs.
Dinner is served at l O'Clock, when fresh
meat, soup and bread are the principal
articles of diet. Supper is served at 6
O'Clock, when hominy, tea and bread are
served, and sometimes buttdr, milk and