Evening star., 1899-03-18

cellars stalls pens; chained, naked, beaten
with rods and lashed into obedience"
Her exposures were met with a storm of
denunciation, but she was persistent in her
efforts for reform and after success in her
own state her labors were extended to
other parts Of the country where the bad
treatment of the insane was about equal
to that which had prevailed in Massachu-
settS. Miss Dix became well-known figure
about the Capitol here, and after three
years of persistent work among senators
and representatives secured the allowance
of 100000.
Securing a Site.
OF the above sum, $4,000 was allotted
for the purchase of a site, and Dr. Charles
H. Nichols, who had taken very great
interest in the project decided that the
ideal site for such an institution was on
the highlands between the Potomac and
the Anacostia. This land had long been
in the family of Mr. Thomas Blagden, and
1t was with much difficulty that he was in
duced to part with it. He valued his place
purchase of site, but Miss Dix sought a
personal interview with him and urged him
to part with his place for the future good
of the thousands of his suffering fellow
citizens. That night Mr.. Blagden wrote
her this letter:
WASHINGTON, November 13, 1852
Dear Madam: Since seeing you today I
nave had no other opinion (and Mrs. B.
you and the beloved farm, regarding you,
as ] do, as the instrument in the hands of
GOD to secure this very spot for the unfor-
tunates whose best earthly friend you are,
ana believing sincerely that the Almighty s
blessing will not rest on nor abide with
those who may place obstacles in your
way.
With Mrs. Blagden's and my own most
tfienaiy regards, very respectfully, your
obedlent servant,
THOMAS BLAGDEN.,
When the hospital was ready to enter
upon its work in 1865 there were twenty
insane persons belonging to the army and
navy establishments and supported by the
government in various places; fifty-thres
INDECENT insane in two Baltimore institu-
tlons. besides eleven insane persons de-
tanned In the United States Jail In this city
and perhaps ten private patients. Dr. Chas.
II. Nichols had been appointed superin-
tendent. The entire management of the
institution was placed in the hands of a
board of visitors, the first board being
made up Of William W. Corcoran Jacob
Gideon. Prof Grafton Tyler. MD. Daniel
Ratcliff, Prof. Thomas Miller, MD; VIM
Whelan. MD, U.S.N.; Robert c. Wood,
MD, US A, and Rev. P. D. Gurley, DID.
DR.. Charles H. Nichols was continued as
superintendent and was ex-of1icio secre-
tary of the board, and DR.. William P
Young of Washington was elected assistant
physician.
Two Able Men.
Inc civil war placed great strain upon
the facilities of the hospital, homesickness
and fevers being the chief causes Of the
mental troubles of the soldiers. The hos
pitai has had but two superintendents, DR..
Charles H. Nichols and DIR. w. w. Cod
ding. DR.. Nichols was but thirty-two years
OF age when he became superintendent, and
his plan of development for the institution
mas been regarded as far beyond the time
IN which he worked. He supervised the
entire work, making bricks out of the
ground on which the building stood and
making as much as possible out of an in
sufficient appropriation.
During the last few years the hospital
has been greatly crowded, and although
conditions have been improved somewhat
they are far from meeting the necessities
of the institution.