The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-03-13
RAPID INCREASE OF PATIENTS
AT THE ASYLUM.
The Building Taxed to Its Fullest
Capacity-RenOVlng LunatIcs
The WOrk.HOuse.

The demand for admission TO the
Poor-House is becoming formidable. 8"
said Chairman Welborne, of the
Board OF Commissioners Yesterday.
1--WE now have about go inmates. an
increase OF more than 100 since the
new building was opened about three
years ago. II / had granted permits
in all cases this winter, / mean that of
real restitution only, the number
would have been, perhaps, fifty more
than 1t is. DR.. Duncan told me yes-
teIday that he positively could not re-
ceive any more old men. The quar-
ter allotted to them is already over
crowded. 1t seems to me that the
friends and relations Of all the ante
deluvians in the county are deserving
them. They 90 to the Poor House to
die, There are number in the insti-
tuition who could and would be dig
charged except for the weather.
They would die from hunger
and exposure il turned out
now. But the spring will soon open
up and the number Of inmates will
decrease very rapidly. We will be re-
lieved to slight extent soon by the
opening Of the East Tennessee Intane
Asylum. Shelby county is entitled to
send twenty-five inmates to the asylum
at Nashville, but there has been no
vacancy for long time. Some room
is made by the opening of the new
asylum, and we will send nine in a
few days. We have about eighty now,
including epileptics. Only the more
violent and obstinate subjects will be
sent"
sis there an increase at the Work
House as we'll ?"
Indeed, there is. The number has
increased 10 sixty-two from thirty-six
at Christmas. The expenee OF keep
ing them has been cut down consider
ably and they will do great deal
OF work on the country roads this
spring and summer" The aims.
house, asylum and work. house ques.
tons are rapidly assuming a foTmid-
able shape in Shelby county, due to
the growth in the county seat, of
course, the tide of wealth, commerce
and population which pours
in bringing with IL the usual
scum. When a few progressive
members OF the court, with Justice
Coleman at their head, first began the
movement in favor Of building new
asylum Of increased capacity, they
encountered the most violent opposi-
ton from the old-foey members who
thought il would be half century be-
fore the county would need to pro-
vide accommodations for 200 poor and
and insane, aud who objected to a
$4,000 building because they lived in
novels.
Regarding The removal of East Ten
nessee's insane to the new asylum at
OF which mention is made
above, the Chattanooga Times says
"Dr. q. c. Fite, assistant superintend. |
ent OF the East Tennessee lnsane Asy- |
lum, was in the city last night en-
route TO Nashville, where he goes to
arrange for the transfer of the East
Tennessee insane to the new asylum.
He states that the removal will take
place next week, but just what day is
not known. The ninety.nine patients
will be placed in two coaches in
charge OF keepers and guards. The
train will leave Nashville about 7
o'clock am, and will not stop, except
Tor water, until Chattanooga is reached.
Here the engines will be changed and
The train will proceed to Knoxville,
arriving there about o'clock pm.
No one will be allowed to enter the
coaches after the train leaves Nash
vile, and the authorities anticipate no
trouble in making the transfer. No
other patients will be received at the
asylum until 1t is entirely completed,
which will be about April lat,