Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-02-11
From Jefferson City.

From Jefferson City.
Ed ReqiSter-Having occupied the
time which | would have used 10 writ
ing for your paper, by visit to Fulton,
find myself at the last moment with
out even an idea of news. About the
best that l can do will be to relate
some of the points of interest that |
observed while on that journey.
Along with delegation of twenty
five members we visited, by special in
vitation from the board of directors.
the state institutions for the insane
and deaf and dumb. The object of this
visit was for information in regard
to the condition and needs of
each of these asylums. The president
of the board was at the legislature to
report the transactions of the past two
years, and to ask for appropriations
for continuing the work and making
some necessary improvements. There
are six hundred and fifty patients at
this asylum, and about four hundred
pupils at the school for deaf and dumb.
As each year has added more people
to these institutions. their capacity has
been reached, and many have been re-
fused admittance in consequence of this
fact. There are about three thousand
insane persons in this state who are
being treated and cared for in the
three asylums. While it is also fact
that about half as many more are con-
fined in county poor houses and Jails,
or are improperly cared for by their
parents or relations. My conception
of an insane asylum has been changed
since my visit; for instead of plying
those who need such restraint aud pro-
lection, that takes them away from
their homes, / am satisfied that it
would be the greatest injustice to de-
lay their entrance here. These hOspi-
tails are for the treatment and cure of
those who have brain disease, and the
results will compare favorably with
those of kindred nature for other ply
steal ailments. Early Sunday morn
ing we were gathered up by the omni-
buses and rolled eastward through this
city to the new steel bridge that spans
the Missouri river. This is one of the
noted improvements which this. Capt.
tai city is very proud of mentioning,
for it makes Connection with the rail
roads which have stations over the
river, and were formerly reached by
the antiquated and cumbersome ferry.
Passing over the Big Muddy far
above the water beautiful view of the
country is presented, both up and
down the river, while this city and
Capital buildings recede as we are
driven into Cedar City. which is the
terminal station of branch of the G.
& A. which connects with the main
line at Mexico. A ride of twenty-five
miles through the rolling surface OF
Galloway county brings as to the city
of our destination.
Here we were met by our escorts
who Immediately proceeded to ''hold
up the crowd" and we were informed
that we were in their hands, and that
money was not legal tender during
our stay in their city.
We were driven to the hotel where
we were welcomed by the city officials
and citizens. After d Strengthening
up, we were introduced innumerable
times and refreshed according to a
Missourian's own custom. Again we
were loaded up. mean into carriages
and driven to the eastern suburbs,
! where the states possessions lie. The
| grounds are well located on a high roll
| ing ridge and embrace about six hun
dred acres. The main buildings occu-
| py a portion we'll back On high knoll
| which gives it an imposing appearance.
| The grounds are enclosed by sub
| stantial iron palIng fence, and are laid
| out and i'm proved according to the
ideas OF modern landscape architecture
| with groves of ornamental and shade
| trees, drives and walks, flower beds
and summer houses. The garden and
farm, which are cultivated mainly by
patients is located in the rear, where
all o. their vegetables and fruits are
produced. They have their own dairy
!, and furnish all OF their supplies in this
line. The intention is to make the in
stitution as nearly self sustaining as
possible.
The buildings are immense brick
structures and cover several acres OF
ground. But for the iron bars on all
/ of the windows, one might easily i'm
agine that it was any other kind OF an
educational or indurtrial college. Pass
| ing into the main building it is evident
that egress is only possible by permis.
| sion, and as we were all permitted tC
| go away after our inspection. it was
probably because no jury of inquiry
had been present.
The buildings although not of recent
structure are all ireproof and perfect
ly arranged for the necessities OF thi.
kind OF patients. The furnishings are