Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-09-04
SEARCH FOR a.. SITE.
The Insane Hospital Commission Puts
in a Day at Ligonier.
THAT WILL BE THE PLACE CHOSEN
Most of the Members Sreak Very Rayorably
of What They Saw. N'5
HOW THEY ARE BEING ENTERTAINED

1uc COululsSlOH dppoihtCu W OofDhhoA
Pattison for the purpose of locating the
proposed hospital for the insane of Pennsyl-
vania, provided for in the appropriation of
$500, 900, has been in Pittsburg and vicinity
for two days. The members have examined
many s'sites," but up to date the commits
sion has not definitely selected place for
the institution, or even said whether it
would be in the East or West end of the
State. fF..
The Commission is composed of DR.. John
NJ Kerwin, Superintendent of the Warren
Hospital for the Insane, Chairman; Hon.
j. NJ. Reynolds, of Bedford, Secretary;
Colonel H. NJ. Deckert, of Philadelphia;
ex-Congressman J. B. Storm, of Monroe
county, and Wharton Barker, the Phila-
delphia banker ALL but Mr.. Barker, who
could not possibly attend the meeting, were
present The Citizens Committee appointed
to receive the commission and impress upon
their minds the beauties of Western Penn
sylvania was composed of j. M. Guffy, Chief
Robert Elliot, Colonel Hudson, DR.. c. c.
Wiley, ex-Sheriff J. S. Duffy, J. S. Scully,
R. B. and J. R. Mellon, ex-Sheriff j. P.
Wiley, and others who were absent.
Robert Pitcairn's private car was placed
at the disposal of the party yesterday morn
ing, and upon entering the apartments
they became the guests of J. R. Mellon.
The party was considerably increased when
it reached the East End, and later was
Joined by many westmoreland and Indiana
recruits.
FROM IDIEwIID TO I,IGONIER
At Idlewild brief stop was made and the
commission and guests walked over
the grounds. They were very much aston
fshed at the splendid improvements. that
have been made since last year, and would
not have recognized the now popular picnic
grounds as the place which existed there a
few years ago. From there they were con-
veyed to Ligonier. where carriages were In
waiting for the company at Franks ssnrt
The company was shown the
splendid growing crops about Ligonier,
the fertile valleys, the matchless scenery,
tall corn, the Big pumpkins, the invfgorat-
ing atmosphere and the old turnpike. They
also took a brief look at the fort, where SIR
John Ligonier is said to have "oested" his
which did paying business in the
time of the Stage coach, were also
visited, and the inhabitants were greatly
the visitor. Rev. DR.. j. L. Smith, pastor of
the Lutheran Church, of Ligonier, and one
of the most businesslike and progressive men
in the region, Joined the party at the depot
the village. The commission was very favor
ably impressed with the lands visited. The
price asked was about s75 an acre, on an
sary territory could be secured at that
figure. The citizens committee, who are
interested in having the hospital located in
the west end of the State, argued that pure
water, an elevation insuring good air and
cool nights were requisites that came very
near filling the bill. The drainage Is also
excellent, and this feature of the necessary
requirements was discussed.
ADVANTAGES OF THE SPRINGS.
1t was shown that the springs were To-
Gated at an altitude that would afford q
natural pressure equal to the best fire
engines, and that the pressure would throw
q stream over any building that could be
erected at the place. The party took the
train provided by Superintendent George
Senft of the Ligonier Valley Road, at about
- O'Clock, arriving at the summer resort,
nlem inneS was serveG eT by s James Riiey steward
of the DuQuesne Club, in one of the pavil-
ions. From this point tie Commission was
piloted to beautiful place on the Pennsyl-
brook, the broad meadows, the hfckorys
and the elms, the sweet resounding echoes,
and other features were fully explained.
At the Blairsville junction the company
was joined by Senator Hood, and Samuel
Smith, an Indiana editor. They came as a
committee to invite the commission to visit
their fertile locality and look atits bewilder-
Judge "Harry" White also Joined the
party at Latrobe, not with an AK OF a can't
hook over his shoulder, but just to swap
entertainment in this direction, and Chief
Elliot was "remined of another one" which
kept the company in good humor.
Colonel Dechert said to DISPATCH re-
porter, speaking for the commission, that
they were very favorably impressed with
the site at Ligonier. "It is very favorable"
said he, "for such an institution as is about
to be established. The soil is fertile and of o
character that would afford excellent facil-
tiles for agriculture. Under the provisions
of the act creating this commission we are
compelled to look after all the indispensable
requisites, as drainage, water supply, etc.
A LARGE ESTABLISHMENT WANTED.
If we build an asylum that will come up to
the expectations of the Governor, we will
erect a house that will accommodate 1000 in
sane people and 800 attendants. The drain
age at the point suggested this afternoon
would not interfere with the water supply.
We are much pleased with the Ligonier Site,
and know of no better that can be secured.
The figures quoted by men acquainted
with real estate values about Ligonier on
the land under consideration is about $75
per acre. Dr Jonn herwln, Pres1dent OF
the Commission, would not put himself on
record. though he admitted that the
Ligonier site was about the best they had
yet visited. ,r-. ---. =
To-day they go to Indiana, where Judge
Harry" White says they ''are centrally To-
Gated geographically; easily accessible, and
where there is an abundance of good farm
ing land and other indispensable requisites"
"Have you good water?" asked ex-Sheriff
Guffy.
"Yes," replied the Judge, sand good drug
stores, in case of necessity"
Personals, Lost, Found, Miscellaneous
For Sales only one cent n word in THE DIS