Daily Kennebec journal., 1897-11-30
INSANE HOSPITAL.
q trustees Made Their Usual Monthly
Inspection, Monday.
'he Heating Plant is Fast Being Completed
= Oiher Matters.

Robie. General r. B. Shepherd ~
Skowhegan, and ]. S. Clarke of Calais
made their monthly inspection of tn
institution, Monday, and they repor
that they find everything in a neat an,
well cared for condition. The patient
are as a rule very we'll contented. an,
but very few complaints were made I,
the inspectors.
Many chronic cases, in spite of th
good medical attendance that the,
nave had. show a marked failure il
their mental powers. and their physica
condition not so good. Many case.
in which there was doubt abou
their sanity, show that their commit
ment was well considered.
AT the last inspection there were 80,
men and S2S women, making a tota
of 736 patients in the institution
Since that time there have been added
seven males, and 10 females There
have been nine males and eight
females discharged Seven males and
four females have died, leaving Il,
patients now remaining, making a loss
of II during the MONTH
A committee consisting of the above
mentioned three trustees, was appoint
ed to take an inventory of the proper
ty. During the past week they have
made careful estimate of the entire
value, and find that the total result is
about the same as in previous years.
The herd Of cattle was found in q
healthy and excellent condition in spite
of the rumor to the effect that it was
not.
The farm paid very we'll this season
considering the unfavorabe circun,-
stances.
On Wednesday. December l, the Au-
gusta Lumber Co.'S contract to sup
ply the institution with heat expires
but as the new heating plant is not yet
u
nish heat until the new plant is COM
pleted
According to the terms of the con-
tract, the company is to heat the insti-
tuition from April to November l; but
it has the option of beginning upon
March l, and continuing until Decem-
ber 1. The present contract will be in
force for three years more.
1t was hoped that the new heating
plant could be in operation by Decem-
Der l. but it was impossible as the task
of erecting it was an immense one and
they will be indeed lucky if they are
able to have it in operation by Decem-
Der 15
The plant, when completed, will be
one of which the institution can we'll
be proud, as everything is built upon
the latest and most improved methods
The new building that is to hold the
machinery is built upon the east side
of the present boiler room and laundry
and is 70x1OO feet, with walls 80 feet
high. It is constructed of brick with
a roof of steel and slate. Smith &
Clark are. the contractors upon the
buildings. and Noyes & Son are doing
the wood work.
The building will be divided into three
parts, there being a boiler room 50x7O
feet. an engine room 3Ox5O feet, and a
room for pumps and machinery, 4Ox5O
feet
The three immense boilers are in
place. but are far from being ready for
use, although large crew of men are
hard at work upon them.
The new method Of heating that is to
be adopted, the gravity plan. assures
good heat, and great economy in the
consumption of the coal. But very lit
tie of the machinery is yet in place. The
coal pocket erected wholly under
ground, with the floor upon level
with the boiler house floor. is mas
sive affair, being built of stone, 60x1OO
feet. and about Is feet high.
In the place of the old boiler room
where the boilers are to be taken out,
there will be two stories made of it, the
under one to be used as carpenters
shop and the upper will be. finished OF
into bed chambers for the employees
Just south of the new building is an
other new one 30x5O feet in size, which
will be used as shop for the black
smith. the painter, the plumber and
the upholsterer.
To defray the expenses OF the ne"
buildings, the last Legislature appro'
priated $4,000 and if the cost exceed
that amount it is to be taken out u