Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-08-30

the stats has provided for the oar(
and education Of such children Ia
the institution located at this city
known as the Asylum for Idiotit
and ImbecIle Youth. In this asy.
1 lum are confined about hundred
inmates, which come from all oveI
the state. The institution IL vel
located and in the nelghborhood Of
100000 have been expended In the
erection Of the buildings aud thell
furnishing. The inmates range from
the ages Of ten years to twenty.four
Many Of the girls are bright and
their feeble mIndsdness 10 only ex'
I
hibited at times.
Every northern state has one o.
these Imbeclls and Idiotic Asylumi
and probably as much care and at
tention have been given to the edu
cation OF these unfortunate chlldrer
% to any other branch Of public
charities. Physicians skilled In thu
treatment Of such disorders ar
placed In charge Of these asylums
| Annual conventions Of the superln
tendents Of all such institutions ar
held and methods are discussed fol
promoting the health and education
OF the inmates by the most humane
and successful means.
1 The state OF Kansas established
Its Asylum for Idlotic and Imbecllt
Youth In the year 1881. 1t was fra
located at Lawrence and maintain
cd there until 1885 when, by an ac
Of the legislature, In was removed
to Winfield and large approprla
tions made for the erection OF thu
buildings AMI their furnishing. Dur
ing the first three years Of Its loca-
ton here 1t was under the superin-
i tendence Of DR.. H. NJ. Green,
scholarly gentleman of great attain
ments and much enthusiasm In thu
work. The institution was well
kept under his management and
gave satisfaction to the parents o.
the children and to the citizens o.
the state Of all parties. But DR.
Green was relieved as superintend
ent. We understand the Board o.
Charities then In charge relieved
DR.. Green because 1t was his custom
to give weekly hops or dances at thu
Asylum for the benefit Of the In
mates, the brighter Of whom wert
much cheered and enlivened by tht
music and their faculties stimulated
thereby. DR., Green's theory wal
that the stimulation Of their physi
cal condition would result II
strengthening their mental facul.
ties. The Board, however, though
differently. They reasoned tha
these institutions were supported
by the whole people Of the state and
that a large number Of the people
believed that dancing was immoral
that 1t tended to destroy the spirit.
ual inclination Of those who in
dulged In 1t, and the Board, feeling
It's responsibility as representing oil
the people Of the state, suspended
DR.. Green and placed the institution
In charge Of DR.. Wiles, Of this city
who continued as Its suesrintenden'
for period Of four years and half
DR.. Wiles is gentleman Of tht
very highest character, the mos
kindly and human disposition anG
one whose heart was in the work,
Under his care the health and com
fort OF the inmates were protected
In every way. DR.. Wiles attended
every annual convention Of thu
superintendent Of like institutions
adopted the newest and best meth.
DDS Of providing for the care Of hi'
charges and when he resigned at
the Instance OF the popullst Board
of Charities he carried with hin
the love and recpect Of every In
mate capable Of evolving such
sentiment, and the respect and con
fidence Of the parents Of the child
rem, as we'll as the people Of The
whole state. During all the year.
Of Its location at this city under re-
publican administration no breath
| Of scandal was ever attached to 1t In
any way and no charge OF inhumant
treatment was ever made.
We give this prelude In order thai
the people may be thoroughly in
formed as to all the conditions ant