Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1890-01-04
Insane Asylum.

Concerning the establishment of an
insane asylum in the Black Hills and
the proper location of the same, the Hot
Springs Star submits the following SEN
sible suggestions:
The expense of the care of the insane
to Dakota is an item of considerable
magnitude. This department OF state
control and protection is one whose et'
ficiency cannot well be impaired with
out serious inconvenience and perhaps
positive injury TO some OF our citizens.
The demand for facilities for caring for
this class of unfortunates is increasing
rather than diminishing. The amount
paid for mileage in the transportation
of persons committed to the asylum
with necessary attendants adds very
considerably TO the cost annually. Re-
ports from various persons who have
had opportunities to observe the work
ings Of and results from various insti-
tutes for the insane indicate that better
results are secured from the smaller
than from the larger institutions. The
expense of reaching iankton With the
insane from the Black Hills Is enormous
and always will be. With the settle
ment of this portion of the state will be
an increasing demand for an Insane
asylum. However distasteful such an
admission or statement may be 1t is AL
indisputable fact. The Yankton asylum
is now filled and is as large as il should
be, too large, in fact, for the securing OF
the best results 10 patients. Why not
then plant an asylum here in the Hills?
The saving 10 the state IN mileage would
in few years build very substantial
building. With the consideration of an
asylum for the Hills comes naturally
the consideration of place for It's loca-
ton. Other things being equal, that
city or county that does not enjoy the
benefits OF a public institution should
stand foremost in the list and receive
first and heartiest support. Hot Springs
and Fall River county has its Soldiers
Home. Rapid City and Pennington
county its school of Mines, Spearfish its
Normal School, Sturgis its Fort Meade.
Senator Moody has very generously In
troduced bill in the United States SEN
ate for the erection of a public building
at Deadwood, aud also a Rapid City.
Ii is readily seen that Custer county.
with its principal city Custer has no
public institution. The Star has said
that other things being equal, that city.
and that county, which has no public
institution should receive first consid
Grafton. The count thus fixes upon
Custer City as the candidate for an in
sane asylum that has greatest claims to
that institution, other things being
equal. Other things are equal. Custer
City has a good climate, as beautiful
scenery as any place in the Hills. 1t is
no sentimental thought that prompts
the suggestion of climate and scenery
as arguments in favor Of the location OF
an asylum for the insane A good
climate is great medicine for restoration
Of bodily health, necessary condition
to exact balance of mental faculties.
Unquestionably beautiful scenic sur
roundings would have material in
fluence upon the unfortunate whose rea-
son has been dethroned. Not mere
sentiment. Consult authorities for the
proof of these assertions. Let the legis-
lature carefully consider this matter.
and while the cry has gone out that
we must retrench. the Star believes that
retrenchmant will be best secured by
the establishment of an asylum in the
Hills.