Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-04-30
vERMoNT,S INSANE ASYLUM.
Completion Of tho Enlargement and Ex
tension OF Facilities

The Vermont State Insane Asylum ali-
thorized under an act OF the Legislature OF
1SSS, Is nearly all completed and will be &C.
cupied the first days of the coming May.
In a recent visit at the institution the Free
Press correspondent secured few in
teresting facts. In 1891 the asylum which
consisted or four wards, was first occu-
pied So patients having been transferred
from the Brattlebofo Retreat. Since that
date, extensive additions have been made.
Central buildings together with a fine adj
ministration building furnished and sup
piled with all the modern appliances OF
heating and lighting, have been erected.
The administration building Is the home OF
the superintendent and family.
The capacity of the asylum now occu-
pied VIII admit nearly $50 patients. In its
short existence there have been 1855 In
mates but at the present writing there re-
mains only A2. BY the addition of 1896
which completed the institution six new
wards are furnished, within whose walls
In few days 300 patients from the Re-
treat at Brattleboro Will be confined.
This increase of inmates will necessitate
employment for nearly 30 more attendants,
making In all 30 on the pay roll. The
material employed in the construction OF
this Home for the Insane Is brick with
granite trimmings, 1t is erected on n firm
foundation, It's height averaging two and
sections much higher, and is wholly fire.
proof built.
1t is illuminated by electricity generated
in power house belonging to the home
and Is heated by steam. The location Is
most acceptable for the purposes of the
asylum. 1t comprises the large farm for
merly owned by c. c. Warren, containing
GOO acres. When the grounds around the
asylum are freed Of old buildings, smooth
ed and graded they will afford a beauti-
ful lawn and park. The farm buildings
are some of the best that can be found in
vermont. The house. nearly new, is a
two-story brick structure. The new state
farm Is an excellent example of modern
farm buildings. This farm is the means
OF liauidatins many OF tho expenses of the
institution, the land Is very fertile and
yields superior crops. The principal off,
Gers or this asylum for the insane arc
irst the superintendent, second LIST assis-
tant superintendent, and third, ID assis-
tant superintendent, at the present time
Dr. w. II. Giddings OF Bakersfield is
superintendent, DR.. Glddings Is a man of
excellent qualities and a wise financier.
undr whose management the Interests of
the asylum have been greatly furthered.
HIS two assistants, DR.. G. S. Bidwel and
Or. Il. Howells are very able men. In ad-
dltion to the foregoing offices are several
others worthy of note, such as bookkeeper,
who at the present Is William Nash of
Jericho; store keeper. Edward Chesley of
this place; engineer, o. S. Bridges; farm
er' J. 3. Shipman; and laundryman,
Charles Lease.
Within the asylum there is very pref
ty chapel, In which each Sunday afternoon
services are conducted.
Inc patients receive the best of care, are
abundantiy clothed and fed, besides en-
loying out-of-doors exercise daily, from
winch practice they derive both physical
ana mental strength. The success Of the
rome is shown in the fact that many have
been discharged as cured.