Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1886-06-26
Our Lewis County Letter.
WEsToN, June %. 1856.


attendants, returned from Wheeling
on Saturday, bringing with them nine
patients, five males and four females;
two of which were very feeble in
health, and had to DO carried from
the cars to the hospital. They are
all from Ohio and Marshal county,
TINS filing mp at once all vacancies
in the building. As class they are
very insane but not violent in man.
ner one of them is mcnomaniac
on the subject of Scripture, and like
many others, has carried out abso-
lately the word as written, eff thine
eye offend thee, pluck it out" TT
appears, few days before removal,
he procured piece Of iron and abso-
sutely did pluck his right eye out un.
til it lay upon his cheek 1t was re
placed and is supposed to have lost
the sight; tips at present very much
infamed and likely to give him great
pain until healed On the same hall
with him is another of the same class,
who imagines he is lost, and will go
from end to end of the hall saying
repeatedly, .sIiost lost lost!v in
monotonous song to himself. Ask
him what he means, he will shake his
head and mournfully say, "too late,
too late to inquire / am lost soul.u
Tell him, in words of encouragement,
that such cannot be the case, that he
is living and among friends, he will
turn away from you in fierce anger
and refuse to speak again. His dc
fusion is constant and painful to con-
template; every opportunity he can
get he makes efforts of self-destruc
tion-seizing a knife at the table;
scissors when he has a chance, and
will make efforts on his throat; or il
permitted to walk out, will attempt
to jump in the stream which flows in
front Of the building. He gives his
attendant constant duty, and requires
close watching. His is not the only
case of that character, unfortunately
there are many who have suicidal
mania; some in one manner and 9th
ers different. One interesting and
intelligent patient il constantly say
ing to those around him, 81 want to
die; God told me he would take me;
why don't he do it2p in disagreea-
BILE and unhappy manner. Converse
on any subject will be pleasant and
entertaining until thought reverts to
self, when at once, the expression
and desire for death will be made,
generally to choke, occasionally to
drown, and often to procure and use
a knife. Such efforts have thus far
been frustrated, yet it may occur,
even with all the caution and care
that can be given.
Service in Chapel is held on each
Sabbath afternoon as | have previous
ly stated in former communications.
Many amusing incidents occur in
conversation with officiating clergy
men by patients upon close of exer-
cises. Last Sabbath Rev. Mr. Barnes,
of the nj. p. Church, filed appoint
ment. Changes are made between
the different ministers of the town.
Mr.. Lacy, of the p e. and Mr. Ash,
of the M. e. Church, in regular rota
ton, as they may be secured
On Monday the citizens of the
county held a meeting favorable to
the enforcement of prohibition, under
the auspices of the Good Templars
and League of Law and Order. Iun-
derstand there was quite large con-
vention held, number of addresses
delivered, and strong resolutions
passed. The way the liquor business
appears to be conducted here, is a
farce on law, and no restraint on it's
sale. At every court hundreds Of in
dictments are found, and possibly a
few are fined for selling yet they
continue, and defy the court, Law. and
every other means to restrain them.
think good license law, properly
administered, would do away with
much, if not all the trouble.
The general health of inmates is
good, physically, One admission
this week of a patient from jefferson
county. One death, a Mr. Leazure,
from Wellsburg, Brooke county, who
was inferred in the hospital cemete-
ny. No discharges Number under
treatment, 668.
Col. J. w. Grantham and DIR.
Evans, Of Jefferson county, were
guests, this week, of DIR. Bland and
family. The Colonel is we'll known
here, having formerly been connected
with the State Board Of Directors