New-York tribune., 1901-10-29
FAIR FOR MEMORIAL FUND.
AN ENTERPRISE TO RAISE MONEY TO HONOR
THE PHILANTHRoPIsT DoRoTHEA DIX.

AN ENTERPRISE TO RAISE MONEY TO HONOR
THE PIIILANTHRoPIsT DoRoTHEA DIX.
Although hundreds Of fairs have been going on
IN this country during the last month, none It is
probable have attracted such widespread interest
as the one held during the last week in Hampden
Me- under the direction OF the Dorothea Dix
Memorial Association. This enterprise had for its
object the raising OF fund TO be used in htly
commemorating the birth Of the phanthropist
With mercifuIy conducted institutions for the
care OF the insane plentiful now the generation
to-day hardly appreciate the value Of efforts
10 which Miss Dix devoted her life although 10
her Is due the beginning OF the proper treatment
OF the insane poor. OF thirty-two great asyums
she was the direct founder and the number OF
prisons and almshouses which owed their estab-
lishment her influence legion. According
TO authorities the subject. not less than 100000
was raised by Miss Dix for humane purposes.
It was after her return from abroad. and
after the inheritance OF a comfortable competence
from her grandmother that her first idea OF enter
ing the ranks OF public reformers came TO her
She was coming out OF DR.. Lowelrs church
pleasant Sunday morning when she overheard
conversation which interrupted the course Of her
hitherto quiet life. Two discussing in
terms Of and strong condemnation the treat
ment TO which the lunatlcs of the East Cambridge
Jail were subjected. and their remarks decided Miss
Dix 10 look into the matter for herself From that
time for many years her days spent in visiting
institutions of a similar and bringing before
the public the fruits Of her researches.
AT the time that her work began the insane poor
were housed In almshouses and iails and We're
regarded as one OF the sights by the populace
After a thorough study OF the situation in Massa-
chusetts she turned her attention other parts
OF the country, taking up her work in the various
localities State by State. Her first achievement
the securing OF heat for the rooms in which the
noor unfortunates were confined. and step by step
her efforts progressed until the separate institu-
,,ons OF to-day became accomplished facts. Her
reorial TO Congress. presented in lsiS for 1870
acres OF land an nearly three times the size
~ Massachusetts. which should be set aside
perpstual fund for the care OF the ndigent insane
saiiad and IN doing nearly broke her heart.
tor four wears she had worked for the bill and il
had safely passed both Senate and House. but
tn,mepf she went abroad for rest and change
-, rast was not for her. While on the Continent
sba visted almost every hospital Of every country
,ottng abuses and recording benehcent methods
~ evils existing In the Holy City. The Civil War
broke out soon after her return. and her devotion
as army nurse during that struggle is wei! known
a lingering illness finally brought her life 10 a
SSor,lv before Miss Dixs death the following
,at,er Was sant 10 her by John q. Whittier:
a., ystb kind friends and comfortable as pos
sihle under the circumstance Tnou mas done so
much for others that IL is right for thee now, In
see and illness. be kindly ministered TO- he
- bss led thee thy great work or oenevolence
Will never leave thee or forsake thee Win the
sasi,ng az almost painful unworthiness read thy
oyerkind words regards nyseI. 1 Wisn i SouI1
Zeal mat deserved them. But, compared with such
a life as thine my seems poor ana ilaoequate
P,lt none the less do thank thee for thE generous
appreciation. May the blessings OF our amer ~
heaven thee. dear friend oeileNe me-
always ana sra'e'u'' .JoHN G. WHITTIER"