The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-01-17
II have but a few moments. -

II have but a few moments"
She began to speak III her Oft modulatcd
voice. In eloquent language she pleaded the
cause Of the insane. In quarter of an hour
the gentleman, charmed and already Under
her influence, sat down, put his papers
upon the floor and listened eager
lY. Three hours he sat there, and
then went away her firm friend and
ally and an earnest advocate of her
project which he had in common with SO
many others openly and bitterly opposed. lie
fought for il, and pressed the bill for an asy-
lUm to a triumphant conclusion. Miss Dix Civ
ing her aid beth in tine Commttocrooms and
on the floor. Tho legislature went even fur
Their. Ii named in her honor the hill upon
which the asylum was placed. Tho first pa
tiaut was a soldier who had served both in Tho
war with the British i'll 1872 and the war with
Mexico.
Miss Dix was frequent visitor here and
Was the only woman to whom the legislature
extended the privileges of the floor. When
legislature, she was escorted by the governor,
conducted to 4 seat upon the floor while the
members rose at her approach.
DR.. GriSsom was recently asked to prepare
some recolections of Miss Dix, and will do so.
She visited Scotland years ago and made
attempts to induce the representative of the
crown there to favor her plan for establishing
asylums. He treated her Quilted colby, even
horshly. She Went to England and laid her
case before the premier so powerfully
apology to her from the angry Scotchman.
Further than this, her work and influence led
TO the creation of the famous English COM
mission upon lnnatic asylums, a system than
which mono moro extensive or admirable
exists, In the house Of lords, noble lord,
speaking to the bill, said: "To our shame be
it said, we owe the origin Of this work of hui
manity to q foreigner, that foreigner an
American, and that American q woman"
Miss DIX III this country created, if the term
may be used, no less than thirty-three asy-
lUms.
she travelled everywhere, often alone, and
always fearless. She visited prisons and poor
houses, whore SO many lunatics were then con
fined. People who once heard her voice or
felt her wonderful magnetic power never for
got either. Once she was riding alone
in Arkansas. in n lonely district then
much frcquented by highWaymen. Night
tcIl and she was some miles from a house, in
thick wood, with no companion save the driver
of the hack or stage. She asked if he had q
pistol, and upon his replying in the affirmative
told him to give her the weapon. He did so,
and in a few minutes a robber approached,
pistol in hand. lie demanded her money
or her life. AT this she spoke, simple say
ing: Sir, how much do you want?" At
these words the robber, crying out, Nothing.
! have heard that voice before" fed into the
darkness. lie Lad evidently been visited by
her while in prison somewhere.
This fact was m0dcsty related to DR.. Girls
som by Miss Dix during her last visit here,
three years ago A memorial volume will be
prepared to commemorate her virtues and
good deeds, which do indeed live after her,
fragrant memory. y portrait of her will be
placed in the CaDitOl.