The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-10-25
Annual Visit of Hudson
Freeholders to the
State Asylum.
NOTABLE INSANE PATIENTS.
The Institution splendidIY Con-
Quoted by the Democratic Mana
gers and Warden.

State Asylum for the Insane at Morris
Plains yesterday. They were accorded u
most hearty welcome at that Institution,
and escorted through the big handsome
building and spacious grounds The
Board returned much pleased with the
Improvement which has been shown In
the management of the institution and
the manner in which they had been re-
ceived. Freeholders Coyle and Nelson
had charge of the affair, and much credit
is due them for the manner in which they
entertained their guests.
It was shortly after nine o'clock when
the Freeholders and their guests left the
Delaw are, Lackawanna and Western
Railroad Depot, Hoboken, in q special
car which had been provided by Superin-
tendent Reasoner. On the train were:-
Ex-Sheriff Heintze, Manager of the New
Jersey State Lunatic Asylum; Director
Bruggeman, Freeholders Coyle, Kelly,
Noonan, Pfngsten and Nelson, County
erintendent mes F. German. Clerk
John Boyd, Tax Commissioner
Simpson. Warden Ryan of the
Aims Honse, E. D. Carpenter, Su-
perintendent of the New York Juvenile
Asylum, Assemblyman Moylan. Richard
w luL6IS, Treasurer NOlHD, OIL w eSb II o.
boken, Comptroller Kaufman, DR.. King,
Judge McGrath, and several other gem
tlemen. At Harrison, Freeholder Tierney
an6 party of friends, including Mr..
Herman Kreitler, the architect for the
new insane ayslum at Snake Hill, board
ed the train.
The ride to Morris Plains was pleas
ant one. Freeholder Coyle looked after
the welfare of everyone on the train and
the time passed quickly. The massive
stone walls of one OF the haudsomest
structures in the State soon loomed In
view.
At the gates of the Asylum the Free.
holders and their guests were met by the
new Warden. ex-senator Moses K.
EveriLt. The visitors were ushered into
spacious reception room where they
were met by DR.. II. Crittenden Harris,
the medical director of the Asylum. Re-
fIeshments were served and the Warden
invited the party to go through the build
ing.
MODEL INSTITUTION.
The party had not proceeded far when
words of praise were heard on all sides
for the excellent condition the building
was in. The floors and apartments were
the acme of cleanliness, aud the new
warden is entitled to the highest praise,
The members of the party we ere requested
TO keep as close together as possible. and
any of the patients
The lower wards on the north wing of
the building were the first visited. In
these wards were male patients. The
poor unfortunates stared blankly at the
visitors. Dr. Harris explained that these
lunatics were of the imbecile class. They
did nothing but sit and brood the en-
tire day.
Up through the building to whore the
Hudson County patients were confined,
the Warden led the party. AS Director
Bruggemann. who was ahead, was walk
ing along one of the corridors, gray
haired lunatic grabbed him by the coat
sleeve
''I'm Benny Dumont's father" said be.
''All these people here are crazy. You
know Benny Dumont, We'll, Pm his
father. Surely you know me.o
One of the attendants led the poor
wretch away.
James Owen O'Connor's room was
passed by The party without notice; but
the NEWS reporter saw him. He looked
pale and emaciated. He was reading a
book. DIR. Harris informed the NEWS re
porter that O'Connor's case was a hope.
less one.
Much amusement was created when the
next ward was visited. There were
couple of well dressed lunatics in the COR
ridor. One OF them WAS a black-blearded
The other was young man, we'll dressed
ana intelligent looking.
Ppm Chief Justice Cole. gentlemen"
said the black bearded lunatic. 81 con-
denim you all to DEATH"
'Oh. Judge" said the other lunatic,
catching hold of one of the party by the
arm. This is Mr.. George Ehret OF New
York"
'Mr. Ehret. pleased to meet you. Pm
Chief Justice Cole and have just handed
down a decision in your cases.
SAD CASES.
The private patients were next visited.
Among them was DR.. Paul, who at one
time was one Of the most prominent ply :
sicians in this city. He sat on a low stool
with his head bent as the party ap-
preached. His hair was as white as snow
and his form was greatly emaciated.
Doctor, don't you know me?" said
John Boyd in kindly tones.
'No, and don't want TO-" replied the
old man testify.
was a peculiarly sad one, that of Georgs
M. Fielding, at one time reporter on the
Jersey City Journal. Fielding is fine
looking yonng fellow with jet black hair.
He greeted the party with that smile
characteristic of lunatics which never
fails to make ones heart bleed for them.
Fielding recognized County Superintend-
ent Cannon at once.
.How do you do, Mr.. Gannonin said
he. s'You surely don't forget me-" /
used to report your inQuasts when ron
were Coroner. All these people are crazy.
l will be out in short time.n
Il hope so, George" said the County
Superintendent, and the party moved on.
Several of the party knew Thomas
Wilson ana conversed with him. Wilson
was formerly a saloonkeeper on Mont
gomery street. and was well known in
Jersey City, Judge McGrath did legal
work for him. Wilson talked very
nationally. He told Judge McGrath that
enemies had caused his incarceration.
There are eighty patients from Hudson
county, of whom forty-two are men and
thjrty-eight women.
THE woMEN's WARD.
The womens wardswere nextvisited. The
and the party WIS not able to see them;
but the Warden escorted the party
through the wards, and EVERYWHERE
could be seen evidences of Improvements
conducive to the welfare of the unfor-
Inmates entrusted to the care of the War
den
Some of the apartments were as lux
uriously furnished as those Ia a million
aires home. These were for private pa-
tients. some OF whom Lay as high as $50
a week.
After going through the building, the
celieIs were visited and found In excel
lent condition. aud the party repaired to
the dining room where a dinner had been
prepared by the Warden for his guests.
Director Bruggeman and Waruen Everitt
sat 1T the head OF the table. Alter the
dinner, Warden Everitt in a happy ad-
4. 4.