The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1892-11-19

fVImhiVu AuVut W Ouucriui Imstitu-
ton.
Few people indeed, save those
whose province it is to watch over
and minister unto the wants of the
insane who are confined within the
walls of an asylum for treatment,
have any accurate conception OF
what that duty involves, or the
many thrilling and oftimes pathetic
experiences which are there re-
corded. or all the sad and sorrow
full sights depicted by weak and fall
len human nature, the saddest and
most sorrowful are perhaps those
where reason is dethroned, mind
shattered, and the strong and en-.
during bulwark of the human sys.
tenn reduced to state of incom
parable weakness. 1t seems almost
Incredible that imam, the noblest
work of God" can so far deterio-
rate and digress from the accustomed
and natural rule of his being as to
descend to the level of the animal
creation, yet the terrible disease o.
insanity makes it not only possible
but frequently a reality. And
whilst in whatever form or degree
it is manifested, it ELECTS our sym
pathy because of the unnatural
transformation which it accomplish
es it does not necessarily follow
that all cases of insanity are sad in
their nature. On the contrary many
of the insans are supremely happy.
Believing that an article descrip-
tive of the manner in which the in
sane of our own State are cared for
as well as indicative of the various
strange and peculiar ballucinstions
to which they are subjected by rea-
son of their mental affection would
be appreciated, we have prepared
for publication an account Of a re-
cent visit to the West Virginia
Hospital for the Insane, located at
Weston. 1t is the States greatest
public institution, and is second tc
none of it's kind even in the world.
The way we happened tie visit
the Hospital at night instead Of
during the day may be stated as
follows: Mr.. Robert A. Haynes
one of our warmest friends and 8
young man who is highly esteemed
by all who kros him for his integ
rity and worth, occupies the respon
sible position Of Inside Night Watch.
And by the way a more suitable
person, or one who would manifest
more real interest in the comfort
and welfare Of the patients under
his supervision, could not he found
We realize that it would be special
j privilege to accompany him on his
rounds; that to do so would moi
only be pleasure much appreci
ated by US, but likewise rare OPP
ortunity for obtaining information
not heretofore possessed. A news
paper man usually has the interest
of his patrons in view. Consequent
ly we we're certainly gratified when
Mr.. Haynes very kindly consented
to obtain permission from Superin
tendent Lewis for us to accompany
him on mis- rounds.
There is also an Outside Night
Watch, and an Inside Night Watch
for the female department. The
former position is held by Mr.. G
F. Linger, vigorous specimen Of
manhood, who is over six feet tall
and very genial gentleman. The
duties of the latter position are
faithfully performed by Miss Sallit
Sleeth, an interesting and cultivated
lady, who is one of the most popular
officials in the Institution.
At 1000 o'clock every night the
bell in the tower peals forth its
chimes. At that hour the officials &c
on duty and all attendants are sup
posed to be in their rooms unless
they have permission to remain out
longer.
On the evening of our visit we
also entered the hospital at the ring
ing of the bell. Mr.. Linger started
at once on his rounds, going the
entire length of and encircling the
building. He watches the window
to see that no escapes are made and
otherwise observes their security.
| He carries with him a small clock
and at a distance of perhaps so of7i
yards are found keys attached te
chains, by the use of which the
clock registers that he has passed
the points indicated. He endeavors
to start on his beat every hour
whilst, the inside officials leave at
halt hours, thus making the visits
on the inside and outside of The
building alternately.
| Miss Sleeth started on her mis-
sion through the female wards an(
at the same time we left with oul
friend Haynes to visit the halls il
which the men are confined From
that time until the dawn of the follow
ing morning we continued to max,
the trip at periods of every hour.
LONG AND LONELY WATCH.
That night of our incarceratio.
with the unfortunate insane con
stitutes an epoch. in our life tn,
memory of which will hardly b,
obliterated by the most thrilling
events that we may witness during
the years to come. 1t was an exper
fence of life time aud will abide
fresh in our memory.
Ali night long at periods of ever,
hour we visited the various ward
in the male department. They ar
about $50 feet long by perhaps Il
feet wide. On either side are room
in which the inmates are confined
After they are locked in their DOM
for the night all the gas jets excep
one in each hall ara aytin urii h oil