The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-04-03
Letters to The Editor.
MOUNT VERNON, ALABAMA.
Once a Military Barracks, Now an
 Insane Asylum.


 Editor The Advertisers:
 There is a monument being erected in Alabama which few of her citizens, know anything about. Out of the debris of the old ruins of Mount vernon Military Barracks" there Is being resurrected or disentombed buildings walls, machin- cry, piping, old and worthless caunon. skot, shells and many other things per taining to a military barracks that were utilized in the early history of our coun- try. When this gigantic undertaking is completed it will rebound to the glory of Alabamas history. When these oiiap- dated ruins were conceded by the Cni. ted States government to the State or Alabama, they had been abandoned by the Federal soldiers since 1885. History gives but little account Of the early days of Mount Vernon l find in Pickett history that the first cantonment or mill 1S11, under General Claiborne. After this date General Jackson bivouaced here with his army on his way to New Or leans to defend that city against the at- tack of the British The result of sth of January. 1912. is familiar to every child of this generation.
 During the Mexican war. 1s47 and ISIS. all ammunition was supplied Generals Scott and Taylor from the arsenal at this place.
 During the civil war these barracks were occupied by Confederate soldiers: The latest occupants were Geronimo and
 
 ings that were left standing inside of magnificentlv built wall of brick. two feet thick and twelve feet high. inclos- ing about thirty acres. which were the only structures about Mount Vernon that the present occupants found in a partial state of preservation. The bricks and rock of which these buildings and wall were constructed were laid in ce- and shovel of tho mafauder. The~e are four large brick buildings. three Of which are fifty feet each in width and loo feet In length. and two stories in height With fourth or center building is the same in width as the three former (5o by l5O feet, three stories high with very imposing tower reaching ur many feet above the roof of this building. In front Of the tower upon the parade or drill ground is to be seen flagstaff more than 100 feet in height flying a large flag with the staps and stripes standing out in bold relief from it's topmost pinnacle. showing the gratitude Of a people to a generous and magnanimous government for this donation so appropriate for it's present use for the unfortunate insane patients of the State.
 Besides the buildings above referred 10. there are quite a number of smaller houses which were residences of officers These are being fitted up for the use of the superintendent. supervisor and the assistant physicians Two of the others are being fitted up for an outside or in- l termediate hospital for the use of the i contagious sick, which will be removed l from other ratients to these separate hos pitdls-a wise provision of q. wise Super intendent. There is a large building used | for merchandise. clothing, etc. There IS l also large store room for the storage of | provisions. groceries, etc. l must ho' | forget a two-story building sent down framed complete from Boston as spe | cial hospital for Geronimo and his former band of hostile Indians. They also sent a framed house for school building foI these aborigineS.
 The attitude of Mount Vernon" is about POO feet above tide water. The ele. | vation. :ts dry, sandy soil in the mids' | of a dense pine forest makes 1t appear to be the healthiest location In Alanama .isni, | spoken of was the residence Of the la mented General Gorgas. His grand anc noble widow, a noble specimen or race o the women of her day. now as an orna | mont to her sex resides at the Universit, of Alabama and is no doubt proud Una | the old home of her early brifial days ar | being rehabilitated and made to Iooi | as bright as the beautiful magnolia mad 1t when she looked out upon Nature whei she arose from her bridal couch. It Wa here she spent her honeymoon more tnal half a century ago. From the depris. tn | wreck and devastation of ruins that hav l heen the prey of the populace of that par of the State. doors, blinds, sash ana ev | cry thing movable has been carried or by boatmen. raftsmen and the pubic ge.i erally. Within the last twelve month
 this dilapidation and destruction of thi
 valuable property has ceaser By the nat
 ural architectural ability of it's presen
 Sunerintendent. with a. dozen more me shanics. carpenters. painters, machinist
 has been wrought a change in the build
 ings and grounds beyond ones compre
 hension. The grounds with the heautnu
 maenoIias and the paint brush hay
 changed the place to home for the in
 sane that cannot be excelled in our South
 land. Could the philanthropists or Eos @
 AIahama takes of their friend and broth
 or they would be greatly surprised.
 oi '' J. A. B. Ala