Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-04-24
wEsrrRN LUN.rrc ASYLUM

| week was adjourned to the 18Th instant, tht
| time for holding the annual session for the
election of officers
| The investigation of the matters pertaining
| to the office of superintendent were transferr-
ed to the regular session, when they were tax
| en- up as its first proceedings and disposed of
The Board of Dh ectors Investigated two of the
charges brought by the other officers against
the Superintendent. and sustained them, after
whic the election of officers took place
DR.. Benjamin Blsckfo d, OF Lynchburg, Wa,
unanimously chosen superintendent. He was
promptly notified by telegraph. by order oil
the Board. of his appointment, Samuel F. Cole
man, Esq, member of the body, acting as Its
| representative. The comm nicatiou from Mr.
| Coleman and the comments of the Lynchburg
| Vfrginia'. introducing the subject. are copied
from that paper of the 18th instant, as follows
yesterday morning by the reception OF the fol
| owing telee m, which was bulietined at the
newspaper offices:
STANTON, VA. April II. 1885,
| DR.. Berjnnsin Blackford Lg1chburg:
1 am directed by the. Board OF Directors of the
Western Luna ic Asylum to in Torm you that
you have been unanimously elected Superin-
| tandent Of that Institution for the eosnng two
years, and to say that it Is desired that You
| assume the duties Of the position at the earliest
possioie moment. Notify US of your accept
| ance, and wnen you can c'me here. Permit
me 10 add my own peisoI.al consTatulatIon-
SAMUEL +. COLEMAN,
COMMITTEE of Board
> DIR. Blackford in reply teIegraphed his accept
leave for SIauntoD to day TO confer with the
Board 10 regard TO entering upon The duties OF
the position
a gratifying feature of this appointment is
that Dr. fsckford had not pressed his Gains.
tuat he was unanimously elected IL was SIN
ply a recognition by the Board OF true fitness
or the position and appointments tribute to
Dr. Black ford possesses In an eminent degree,
uotb b. experience and by nature, the quail
n"ations which should characteriZe thu fncum
bent Ofthis responsible position He patiss
taxing, thoughtful and AZ lfui physicians; he
L. Inap OF first rate executive ability, and he
hah had large experience. He Ia a doctor by
ure; he loves his lrofe ssion and keeps him
self thoroughly posted in It's abstru >lfias and
progress He is in the front rank of the best
tufarmed Of the profession, 9nd both in theory
and practice is fully ABREAST of the medical
times. For the peculiar duties to which he is
called he is, too not without valuable expert
snce He was for three years an assistant q
the Bloakly Hospital and Insane Asylum of
Philadelphia, where he gained much informa
ton which will now be timely. But daring
the war his experience was greatly enlarged.
He organized and directed some of the largest
hospitals OF the Confederaay, and his manage
ment OF them received repeated commeuda-
lions He does we'll whatever he undertakes,
bringing patient toll and tireless application
= M Of su Medical sossy ne Of
giuia, showing the esteem in which he 1s held
by the profession OF the state, and his valedtc-
tory address W25 highly complimented In
many quarters.
We honestly believe the Board of Visitors
have doae well for the institution over which
they preside in the election OF DR.. Blackford.
and only regret tnat we shall lose hun as a
citizen aud physician, at least for a season.
frsm the ways and walks OF his accustomed
life."
Communications highly recommending DIR.
Jno. s. Apperson. who had formerly been con.
nected with the Southwestern Asylum. were
rsad before the Board.
The election of the other officers OF the Asy-
1um was then taken up.
Drs. E. Fisher. LIST; A. II. Weir. I'd; and g. s..
Walker, Sd, Assistant Physicians. were then
unanimously re- elected to their respective po-
sitions.
Captain Lewis Hartman Was elected Steward
over the late incumbent. Mr.. j. W. Blackburn,
by one vote. Captain Harmsn was born and
reared in this community, and Is therefore
we'll known here. He possesses excel ent quail
ifications for the important duties he is called
to perform, ard will discharge them faithfully
aud for the best interests OF the Asylum.
The Board of Directors unanimously entered
upon the record resolution substantially az
follows:
THAT the Board in falling to re-elect Mr.. J
W. Black burn as the Steward of the Asylum
does not in any way reflect upon his personal
or official character or conduct"
There is much regret expressed by his asso-
ctates in Office and in the community at the
defeat of Mr.. Blackburn, who has faithfully
and efficiently served in the responsible posi-
ton for the past whole terms OF two years
each, and part of the previous term under
the late Dr. Fauntleroy, then Superin tendant.
of Io I'd Uhn
has long and efficiently discharged the dutie.
of that Office. md Mrs. Virginia l.. Thompson,
the former Matron, who has efficiently filled
that station were then re- elected by unani-
vnte nous to their respective positions
The Board adjourned on the afternoon of the
10Th. All the members were present at the
co,ie6 and the regular sessions.
DR.. Black ford, the newly appointed Supariu-
tendant, arrived here Sunday night end took
lodgings at the Virginia Hotel. Early Mon
day, he was called upon by Messrs. Trout and
Todd. members OF the Executive Committee Of
the Board of Directors and IN company with
Captain asrman, tho steward appointed nj
this session of the Board, proceeded 10 the Asy-
nm Ibe,e they we're sfmaiiy introduced and
xetcrme1 by Drs. Fisner. y cir and Walker.
Dr. q ;ackford responded in fitting terms 10
the cordial reception ne recei we'd, expressing
mis- of the responsibility he had assum-
ed, Re asked the cordial cooperation AID as
Sistsnce oi his assoc.a, es in office. saying that
yslematic discipline in the management of
the de;Hils OF every department should he ob-
served and in his position he would expect
lneir aid Ia securing IL.
The oa,h OF Office was then administered to
superintendent Back lord and Captain Har-
man as steward. and both entered upon the
discharge OF tneir duties.
Dr.. blackburn will until he removes his
family TO staunton. retain quarters NJ the
ssyIum.
In addition to the many pleasant civilities
extended by The officials of the Asylum, DR.
Blacs ford has received many calls from our
citizens who most kindly welcomed him here.