Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-08-02
is MODEL OF STATE
NCw Ward of the WatG rtown Hospi-
tai for Insane Dedicated by
Board of Supervisors.
INCREASED BY 400 PATIENTS
Thousands Saved the State by Work
Performed by Inmates-Meth-
of The Superintendent.

The Inspection Of the new wing OF
he WATERFOWL hospital yesterday af-
-ernoon by the Rock Island county
board of supervisors was in the ma
lure of a dedicatory ceremony. Dr.
". E. Taylor. the superintendent,
stated that there had been some
thought of having public exercises, but
lie did not believe a home for the in
sane was any place for festivities Of
such character. Furthermore, there
might be a suspicion of political sig
aiticance- Consequently it was deter
mined to ask the county board TO pay
the first formal visit of inspection-in
other words TO dedicate the new haven
ior the Irnfortunates of the state
Besides the county board there were
The officers of the county. newspaper
representative and others. about fifty
II all. Dinner was served at l O'clock
and in this connection it might be
stated that the superintendent acquit-
Led himself to the entire satisfaction
If the inner man of the whole party.
The old buildings were first gone
through by the visitors. and then the
lew wing was inspected This latter
is acknowledged to be the model hos
)ital for the insane of the state. The
cost is misleading. thousands OF dol
lars in work done by the patients not
figuring. For instance DR.. Taylor had
he eXcayating for the foundation done
without the cost of a cent to the state
This was the work of the patients. and
numerous other items could be men
toned that brought down the total
cost of the building considerably.
Hospitals Record Il Fine One.
The visitors. at the conclusion OF
the tour of inspection, gathered in
the theatre. where meeting was held,
at which a standing vote of thanks
was rendered DIR. Taylor. \. II. koh-
Ter. Of Moline was chairman of the
general meeting, which was followed
by a short session OF the county board.
Mr. KOhler is clerk of the board OF
trustees of the hospital, and highly
complimented DIR. Taylor for the eff
cient manner in which the great insti-
tuition had been conducted during the
years that lie had been at its head. In
all that time. while the other aSylumS
OF the state were in 4 turmoil Of scan
dal. the finger cOuld not once be point
ed at Waterfowl. He said it was n
remarkable record, when one cOnsid-
ers the class of people that had To be
handled; diseased minds that might
put in circulation stories that would
be credited if placed in the proper
channel. Mr. KOhler said that all pa
tents were treated with kindness. An
attendant that was cruel was not re-
tanned after he had been reported. DR..
TaylOrs method of treating the insane
was different. perhaps, than others.
but the results were the best criterion.
He believed in giving freedom as far
Is possible To those who are not VIC
ent and removing every suggestion Of
their real condition. The visiting
days were Tuesdays and Thursdays,
when all were welcomed. Formerly
people were admitted any day. but DIR.
TAYLOR concluded this gave it too much
appearance of a menaGerie. The pa
tients are sensitive. and it did them
no good to have strangers daily gap
ing at them and reminding them OF
their misfortune. Hence the least
they are excited and disturbed the
sooner tueN VIII lHiplHNt' II OhS'' "'
any hope of Improvement. w. r
Carey. chairman of the county board,
spoke of the kindness shown Rock
island county by DR.. Taylor when the
infirmary was burned down and there
was no shelter for the inmates. He
.ooK them in It WATERFOWL. He had
| been considerable in numerous instan
ces. and the people of the county as
suredIy had reason 10 feel grateful tC
him. There were remarks by Repre-
sentative L. NJ Magill. J. c. Swank
steward at the county infirmary. anC
others. Today $50 patients from Elglr
| were received at the new ward
Thursday 125 Will come from Jackson
vile.
| Cost oT RuiIdinc 100000.