Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-28


nected with the Athens Asylum for the In
sane, in the capacity Of assistant physician,
which place he occupied for about tnree
years. Afterward DR.. Ricnaroson p,au s,
years. and in 1881 was appointeu meoicai
superintendent Of the Asylum for the IN
sane at Athens, Ohio. remaining In TINS
position for nine years He then resumes
private practice, establishing himself IN
Cincinnati, until September, lSSZ, Wnen no
was chosen for the SUPPLEMENTARY OF tne
Hospital for the Insane at columbus Ohio.
Leaving this position In 1885, DE- Ricn.
ardson was appointed as the superintendent
of the State Hospital for the Insane AT
Massillon, Ohio, and opened that lnstlIu-
ton for the reception OF Patients.
Richardson had previously been selected
by Governor Mckinley as one OF commit-
tee to inspect and select site Tor TINS nos
pital and upon the completion OF the COM
mittees report. was named as one VI o .r6
board of trustees to prepare plans anu
construct the asylum. He served ms Iun
term Of five years as MEMBER OF tnis
board and was recognized as bringing 70
the work a peculiar adaptabilty ana YER
satility that naturally brought about MS
selection as superintendent.
Appointed to st. EIzabeth's.
DR.. Richardson occupied the position OF
head of the Massillon institution until DC
tober 1899, when he was selected Tor ap-
pointment to the SUPPLEMENTARY OF the
Government Hospital for the Insane In this
city, which had become vacant through the
death of Dr..W. W. Godding. DR.. Richard
son Immediately took charge OF the gov
eminent hospital and at once began TO e1-
ert some of his dominant spirit ana ener-
getic individuality upon the institution. ~
was soon noted that DR.. Richardson was
capable of a remarkable grasp upon the al
fairs of the hospital, and 1t was not long
before his views, conceded with oy tne
board of visitors to the institution, con,
nj nf
and its urgent needs along certain lines
were placed before Congress. the result
was a special appropriation or $l,VOo:Voo Ior
the extension of the asylum In addltion 10
impressing upon the national legislature
the necessity for the construction or tnis
extension, DR.. Richardson was successful
in being authorized to go ahead with other
large projects for the improvement of the
institution and the betterment OF It's 1aclh-
ties for the care of the insane.
One of the first things enacted In his ao-
ministration was the construction Of
handsome brick storehouse. with refrigerat-
ing and ice plant combined. This was
rapidly followed by the erection of a line
new stable, the building through the hos
pital grounds of railroad switch OF the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad, the general
improvement of the grounds, the erection OF
temporary quarters for the insane OF the
asylum, which was fast being overcrowded
Besides this interior improvements or note
were inaugurated in the old section of the
atoms than for long time for the support
and maintenance of the asylum were being
disbursed with unfailing regularity. all OF
which meant added burden and care for the
superintendent.
Plans for New Buildings.
Dr. Richardson from the first gave his
personal attention to each detail of hos
pitaI administration and construction. The
plans for the erection of the new addition
were largely his. in that he supervised all
the details before the plans were made by
the architects. Having when he came to
st. Elizabeths a reputation as super1n-
tendent of construction, it was felt that he
would produce for the government buildings
of a high order with all the requisites IN
the way Of architecture and facilities for
care and treatment Of the insane Ever
since the appropriation was secured for
these structures, unceasing labor has been
the portion of DR.. Richardson in relation
to them. Thirteen Of these fine brick build
ings. with handsome appointments and
modern facilities, are now being rapidly
reared and will be the memorial of DR..
Richardson at the institution.
The extremely busy life that Dr. Richard
son led as the superintendent of the gov
eminent asylum more than once caused
comment among those conversant with the
situation. From the day that he assumed
the SUPPLEMENTARY Of the hospital he has
been occupied in the closest manner each
day with the affairs of the hospital, and it
was only at evening. when with his family,
that he secured recreation or leisure. Not
moment of his Office time at St. Eliza
beths was unoccupied. He was always
ready to listen to the voice Of patient or
employee, and it was his characteristic that
he seemed to enter into the feelings Of the
speaker and make him feel that more than
casual interest was being taken in his
case by the superintendent
DR.. Richardson also did a phenomenal
amount of Office work in rapid order. Daily
almost he would have to confer with build
ers. architects, contractors and such per-
sons, and 1t was surprising to many to note
that the superintendent was fully con-
versant with much of the technical matter
making up the trade Of each. In this re-
spect DIR. Richardson's knowledge surpassed
far that Of the average hospital superin-
tendent. In appearance DIR. Richardson was
rugged and apparently hearty in every way.
His manner was to all gracious and enter
tanning, and he had personality that was
pleasing to all with whom he came in con-
tact. His face well represented his strong
dominant character, yet withal being kindly
and genial. That he bore the affection Of
the people of st. Elizabeth's, who had come
to this state of regard after experiencing
his beneficent administration, was testified
to in many ways.
DR.. Richardson was member of the
Ohio State Medical Society of the Medico-
Legal Society of New York and of the
<AhiSiiSdH society. he
was elected president of the last-named or
ganization at the recent meeting of the
American medical congress in this city. In
spite OF his busy life superintendent, Dr.
Richardson found time to contribute to the
medical literature Of the day, and was the
author of number of papers relative to in
sanity. He frequently contributed to the
medical journals as well.
DECLINED TO PROSECUTE.