Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-11
Life mt the AImshouse.
Richmond IA. December 9.


To the Editor of the Dispatch:
great many people think it a disgrace
20 go to an almshouse hospital. The in
mates are generally supposed to be
tramps. dissolute characters, and poor
cripples This is a mistake, as l know
only too we'll both from personal expert
ence and careful observation. Many a
good. square, honest. and deserving man
is compelled to matriculate here on &C
count Of having met up with chain of
continued misfOrtunes and mercenary re-
verses, at last being Overtaken with sick
ness and disease. Some Of the brightest
minds, men capable and deserving, with
whom ! have come in contact, can now
be found in your city hospital. and usual
" they are mechanics or common labor
ers. who have tried in vain to procure EN-
ployment and expended their last penny
in the effort. and as a final resort TO the
all-night barrel house where some good
fellow" occasionally drops in" and says:
"Boys. have something" why GER
tainlyl Thank you very much indeed
etc. The result-a debauch, sickness. and
to the amshouse.
This condition Of affairs can easily be
remedied by giving skilled. competent,
and willing men an opportunity to earn
an honest living. even though the wages
be small.
To give you an idea of the people in the
ward where l am being treated allow
me to enumerate a few: One locomotive
engineer. two machinists, one chef. one
bricklayer one engraver, one teamster,
one train-dispatcher, one mouder, one
stove-mounter. two common laborers, one
gas-maker. and one bartender.
/ entered this institution one week ago
in a deplorabo condition-mentally, ply
sically and financially. The wonderful
YES. almost miracuous-oh in my
physical condition. brought about in this
short period OF time prompts me TO say
kind word through the press in eX-
preston Of the deep appreciation l feel
for the kindly care and shlful medical
treatment Of which l have been the re
cipient during my stay here. / am not
vet entirely well, but if the present stage
of Improvement continues, will be well
man i'm another week, greatly TO my
pleasing surprise. and far beyond my most
sanguine hope upon entering.
The institution is under the able man
agement of Mr. George Davis in the ca
pacity of superintendent, with Messrs.
Isador Lovenstein and Herman Paul a'
assistants. with Dr. j. G. Trevillian as
chief Of the medical staff and Drs. Brown
and Gwathmey assistants.
All the officials of this place with whom
have become acquainted are not only
thoroughly capable, but marked degree
Of true kindness and courtesy charac-
terizes their every action and attention
TO the inmates. 1t has been my good
fortune to come under the direct medical
advice Of DR.. Brown, a young physician,
who inspires one with good will and con-
fdence at first sight with his affable man.
ners and easy approach, going through
the wards dispensing words Of encou-
ragement as well as medicines to the old
and young sick and crippled, middle
aged gray haired, long and tail, slim
and slender, fat. lazy, and all others.
This Young surgeon surely merits the con
fldence he inspires.
Last. but not least, wish to invite es-
pecial attention to my Irish friend" MI
Patrick Costello the nurse in charge Of
the ward. where I stay. He is man Of
many years experience i'm this line Of
employment always kind and polite 10
the patients generous TO fault, and,
parentheticaly speaking. many a chew
OF tobacco has been furnished some poor.
deepairing inmate through the noble ma
ture and blg-heartedness Of Generous
pat" and when l say long live the Irish
man" / voice the sentiments Of every
man in the ward.
The food IS good, clean plain, ana sub
stantial; furnished three times per day,
and plenty Of It, In conclusion let me
say that l am not accustomed TO living
in hospital but / have been greatly
surprised 10 find things as they really
exist here, and the fair and systematic
principles upon which the institution is
conducted and the air Of quiet and refine
ment that pervades here, extending to
the inmates throughout the place.
Very respectfully, NJ II. A.