Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1884-11-06
oHARfrY's TEMPLAs.



Many associations OF an historical
nature attach themselves to the aims
house property in the western part OF the
city, some OF which may be Of special
interest just now, as the land will
shortly pass into other hands and the
buildings be rszsd to the ground The
rapid growth OF the city has created such
q value for the desirable property, that
the county's charitable Institutions have
been crowded 10 the country, where
large, airy quarters have been prepared
for the public wards.
Ever since the organization OF a
county, or at any rate since the estsb-
lishmsnt OF an almsgiving institution,
the beautiful site on tho western elevR-
tion has been occupied by the houses for
the poor. In the last century, house
buildsd Of logs stood on the commanding
eminence, and fea poor and
siokly persons made their homes
within Its roughly hewn log walls. 1t
was maintained at the expense OF the
landed propristors of the Territory. In
the year 1900, or thereabouts, the old
structure went up In flame and smoke.
A new stone building was directly raised
npon the place where the log house had
formerly stood. For about halt century
the county's wards were given home
beneath Its root. In July, 1850, 9 spark
from defective kitchen fiue alighted on
the dry shingle root, and soon broke cut
into flames. A stiff wind famed the fire
through the main building, cutting the
entire establishment except portion Of
the north wing. The better part OF the
furniture was saved, and ncne OF the in
mates were harmed, consequently the
fire made little loss TO the county IS the
old building was insured for double iii
worth.
A ohronicler Of local events Of that day
writes as foil JWs OF the fire: "The alnis
house about three. lou, tins Of q mile 81.
OF town ~ss burned down on Tuesd y
night. 1t caught from detective tlus,
and the flames were discovered soon ai.eI
the root ignited. The fremen went to
try and save the building, but, owing to
the distance, the house had been
destroyed before their arrival. A scar
city Of water at the buildings, however,
would have rendered them powerless to
render any effective service In extinRuish-
ing the FIRE."
The board took measures TO rebuild
the structure at once and named Trustees
Bowman, Lewis Thompson and J. L.
Miles committee to visit other houses
and select plan. The cost Of the new
building was fist fixed At $4,000, but
this sum was about doubled, the contract
being awarded William Graves and Frank
Pinkerson, for $19, 500, with subsequent
allowance OF about ", 900 for extras. The
building Of to-day was completed early
In 1852 and occupied directly after its
delivery by the contractors to the board
Previous to atout 1888 there were very
limited accommodations for the insane
only the one story cells being set aparl
for patients. About tue date mentioned
the west wing of thesinsane hospital wai
erected. The paupers were given sht
duty Of caring for the mentally afflicted
inmates, which charge they maintained
until the new portion Of the asylum wal
erected in 1855 or '66, when Joseph
Richardson was appointed superin
tendent Of the department. Since tht
dedication OF the building to Its presen
use II has furnished homes for hundreds
o. pitiable patients.
The nrBt year the almeh0ueo puildlnRi
were constructed there was an average o
100 inmates, just about halt the avarag'
for last year. Among the present in
mates are several who have been cared
for by the county for come years past
To these the removal means the breaking
up of home, and the bresking ssunder o
| all pleasant associations with the OLE
place, and its spreading trees, its olt
time, we'll preserved house, q triumph
masonry and the rich panorama Of in
dustry and progress visible on ever!
hand.
Still the beauties OF the new home AM
the comforts to be derived from moderl
houses will make up for what is lost Il
leaving the site which for century an
more has been the haven for the county
poor, inilrm and unfortunate.
Kriss Donnelly has store OF interest
ing "reminiscences concerning the oil
place. He has been gate keeper for a
years, faithful and constant In th
administration Of his duty. He held th
position under Superinsendents Robel
Graves, James Richards, Charles Thomas
Robert Graves (seoond inoumbency.
Isaac L. Crouch, Malachi Barlow an
continues under John Guthrie. ii
good memory serves him we'll, he remen
bering nearly every incident Of intsre,
happening in the institution during 4
years.