Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-09-03

to each cottage, where there were four 10
the former buildings-is one great, roomy
sleeping apartment. with a half hundred
iron beds, arranged in rows from end to
end. There will be fewer suicides in the
cottages, it is believed, than in the old in
stitution, where the patients had their cells
to themselves and every opportunity for
II they chose. Here, where
they all lie down at night together for
their rest their minds are kept away
from gloomy melancholia and they take
to the idea that they all belong to one
large family. With a neighbor sleeping
at your elbow, the chances of ending ones
life are much less than with a door locking
the world away from you. OF this big
dormitory are four little rooms in case
any of the patients should be i'll during
the night and need special attention.
During the day two attendants and dur
ing the night but one. have charge of this
whole cottage full Of insane people.
There are now thirty-hve patients in
each cottage in use, though the plans con-
template ffty in each. And these thirty
FIVE, instead of Joining patients from the
other cottages, eat at a dining table OF
their own, each cottage being equipped
with a large dining room. There Is but
one kitchen, however, to the institution,
the food being wheeled from the main
kitchen to the subkitchens through the
tunnels that have delayed progress this
summer.
More Building Planned.
On the porches the state has provided a
handsome lot of hickory chairs and settees
which are enjoyed during the day and in
the evenings. The porches face the south
selves, with high stone walls that give an
imposing appearance. Cement walks con-
meet the various buildings and the large
lawn is lined with drives here and there.
The officers of the institution live in the
administration building. a handsome struc-
ture in the center OF the row of cottages
DIR. Alden OF Pierce, the superintendent,
has just this week occupied his suite on
the second floor. while DR.. Nicholson has
not as yet taken the suite assigned to him
on the third floor. Steward Peters will in
all probability, move into Norfolk, as this
was the wish of Governor Mickey.
The buildings are finished with onyx side
walls, tiled floors and slate stairways.
All of the patients in the institution now
are from northern Nebraska territory, and
there are still at Lincoln enough to MI
three more cottages. Another shipment, 10
NIL the now vacant cottage, Is expected
soon, though it has not yet been deter
mined whether they will be men or women,
Later another shipment will be made 10
NIL the reconstructed west wing, work upon
which was this week begun by Contractor
Hermann, and even after that there will
be need OF another cottage 10 care for the
insane from this section OF the state alone.
DIT. Alden wants men more than women
just now, because there is an enormous
quantity Of work still 10 be done around
the grounds. in spite OF the fact that won
derfully much has already been accom-
plished.
The present cottage system has just been
built to replace the institution that was
burned several years ago. There Is less
danger from fire now than then. because
Of the separation OF the cottages and be-
cause the water works has now been COM
pleted for IRE protection. At the time OF