The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1894-08-31

| the oteto mas PROVIDED Tor the carr
aud education of such children il
the Institution located ct this city
known as the Asylum for Idioti'
and Imbecile Youth. In this asy.
lum are confined about hundred
inmates, which come from all ovel
the state. The institution Is well
located and in the neighborhood Of
$780, 600 have been expended in the
erection of the buildings aud their
furnishing. The inmates range from
the ages of ten years to twenty-four.
Many Of the girls are bright and
their feeble mindedness is only ex-
hibited at times.
Every northern state has one of
these Imbecile and Idiotic Asylums
and probably as much care and at
tention have been given to the edu-
cation of these unfortunate children
as to any other branch of public
charities. Physicians skilled in the
treatment of such disorders are
placed in charge of these asylums.
Annual conventions of the superin-
tendents of all such institutions are
held and methods are discussed for
promoting the health and education
of the inmates by the most humane
and successful means.
The state of Kansas established
its Asylum for Idiotic and Im5ecile
Youth in the year 1881. 1t was first
located at Lawrence and maintain
ed there until 1856 when, by an act
of the legislature, In was removed
to Winfield and large appropria-
tons made for the erection of the
and their furnishing. Dur
ing the first three years of its loca-
ton here it was under the superin-
tendence of DR.. III. NJ. Green, a
scholarly gentleman of great attain
meuts and much enthusiasm in the
work. The institution was we'll
kept under his management and
gave satisfaction to the parents of
the children and to the citizens of |
the state of all parties. But DR..
Green was relieved as superintend-
mt. We understand the Board of
Charities then in charge relieved
Dr.. Green because it was his custom
o give weekly hops or dances at the
Asylum for the benefit of the in
mates, the brighter of whom were
much cheered and enlivened by the
music and their faculties stimulated
hereby. DR.. Green's theory was
hat the stimulation of their physi-
al condition would result in
strengthening their mental facul-
les. The Board, however, thought
differently. They reasoned that
hese institutions were supper ted
y the whole people of the state and
hat large number of the people
'elieved that dancing was immoral,
hat it tended to destroy the spirit
al inclination of those who in
ulged in ii, and the Board, feeling
IS responsibility as representing ali
he people of the state, suspended
,r. Green and placed the institution
4 charge of DR.. Wiles, of this city
Tho continued as its superintendent
Dr. a period of four years and half.
,r. Wiles is q gentleman of the
cry highest character, the most
indy and human disposition and
ne whose heart was in the work.
Tnder his care the health and COM
,rt Of the inmates were protected
, every way. DR.. Wiles attended
very annual convention of the
lperintendents of like institutions,
dopted the newest and best meth
ds of providing for the care of his
narges and when he resigned at
le instance of the populist Board ]
I Charities he carried with him Q
he love and respect of every in
late capable Of evolving such q
and the respect and con-
dence of the parents of the child 6
N, as we'll as the people of the Q
hole state. During all the years
its location at this city under re- I
lblican administration no breath t
scandal was ever attached to it in t