Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1886-03-06
our Lewis County Letter.

Is bright, beautiful MORNING, clcaT
cold and bracing. Many confined
within this building win hail with
pleasure the return Of the pleasant
days, giving them the opportunity
of once again exercising In the open
air. The monotony Of a confined
life is mitigated as far as possible by
entertainment within the building.
On every Friday night all who are
able, are brought from every depart
ment under the charge Of an attend
ant, and meet in the Chapel Hall,
where from I O'Clock up until nearly
. o'clock they engage in dancing.
Many join in the pastime with much
gusto, whilst others take their pleas
ure in looking on or in beating a
quiet tattoo with the music. On the
Sabbath in the afternoon, an equal
number attend chapel service, which
has heretofore been conducted by
Revs. Mr.. Ash, Of the M. r., and Mr.
Keeble. Of the p. II. Church, they
being the only protestant ministers
located in town. The Rev. Mr..
Tracy, of the Catholic church has
never filled the position to my know
/ ledge. We will miss the minis ira
| ton Of Rev. Keeble. who has lately
removed to Cleveland, Ohio, and
taken charge Of q church in that
city. Our Mr.. Ash has performed
the duty lately alone, and from evil
dence has gained the general approx
al Of his hearers, who will frequently
at conclusion Of service, go forward
and greet him with cordial hand
shake Occasionally. travelling COM
panies of performers will give matt
nees. The Moss family gave q full
entertainment before the patients,
the hall being full and greatly en-
ioyed. They will meet with cor
dial reception should they ever re-
turn or offer their services again.
There is also more or less of enter
tainment in the excited movements
or yociferous talk Of many who are
in an excited condition.
1t afforded me pleasure to escort
two of your citizens through this
entire building, and upon our return
to main office, our worthy Snpern-
tendant, thinking they werenot tired !,
accompanied them through the base
ment where the intricacies Of water,
gas and heating pipes are shown.
They can give to some extent an
idea of its immensely, as well as
grand accommodation for comfort
and style of keeping. My position
is such that it devolves often upon
me to escort visitors daily through
the male department, and it seldom
occurs that | have opportunity to
visit the female wards. On occasion
of the visit of these gentlemen / was
permitted to escort them thro' several
female wards. They expressed them
selves astonished at the home-like
comfort and general neatness of
every department, both male and
female, and | could assure them that
as they found it, so it was constant
ly kept. We were startled on Tues
day night, Feb. 23d, just as we were
locking patients in their rooms, by a
bright light reflected from the town,
which proved to be the Courthouse
on fire, which originated in the steep
lie. 1t is certainly very mysterious
and would indicate incendiSry origin
A bout year ago the Clerks Office
was robbed of large number of in
dictments, many Of which were re-
viyed and are still standing, giving
rise to supposition that parties guilty
of the robbery has resorted to this
act of vandalism in order to defeat
a prosecution of the indictments If
from incendiary origin it is hoped
discovery Of the william may be Sc.
cured and they brought to Justice
The fire alarm occasioned some ex-
element among the patients, which
developed itself in screams or vio-
lent talk, but fortunately soon sub
sided
General health of inmates remains
remarkably good only few confined
by illness. Admissions since my
last letter have been four, two males,
one from Marion and one from Berk-
eley county; and two females, one
from Wood and one from Harrison
counties. Two dismissals Of male
patients, one each from Tyler and
Brooks counties No deaths. Mum
Der under treatment, 694. p. G..
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