Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-09-11
Commissioners of Insanity Ask
Supervisors to Build Fire
Proof Structure
HAVE FEAR OF HOLOCAUST
Conditions and Nature of the Wooden
Building in Which Insane Are Kept
at County Farm, Commissioners
Think, Present Dansers-Asks Board
to Investigate.

The commissioners of insanity of
the county this morning presented and
filed with the board of supervisors a
communication calling the supervisors
attention to conditions at the county
poor farm, especially as they have ref
erence to the care and treatment and
safe housing of the county's incurable
insane The communication recon-
mends chiefly, among other things.
that the county build a new fire proof
building for the detention Of the in
sane The communication, with it's
recommendations. is the result of
visit made to the county farm by the
communication was received and
placed on file by the supervisors, but
no action was taken.
Ask for Separate Building.
The communication both commends
and crticises the method and facili-
ties for caring for the insane at the
county farm. Great emphasis is laid
on the need of having building for
the exclusive use and protection of the
county's incurable insane patients, OF
which there were thirty-two at the
time the commissioners visited the
county farm.
The communication says that the
insane must, of necessity, be locked In
their rooms each night. because of
their helplessness and disposition to,
disturb one another. Each room has
small window, protected on the in
side with wire grating. The necessity
for locking the wards In their rooms
at night, the commissioners believe,
presents very grave danger in case
of fire. The part of the building used
by the insane is made Of wood The
commissioners estimate that the coun-
ty could build a suitable fire proof
building for from $4,000 to $4,000.
Danger for county's Poor.
The communication says that in the
attic are the sleeping apartments of
the farm help and county poor, which
is only reached by crooked, narrow
stairway, that has two turns before
reaching the floor above. Touching
on this point, the communication
SAYS. ShOulQ Il HIe DiStlh OpI III SAAiN'
part of the building these unfortunate
human beings would be caught like
rats in a trap with but little, If any
chance for escape. The very gravity
of this condition of affairs points TO
the imperative demand for new
building, that these people might oc-
cupy the wing now used for the in
sane"
Urge More Bathing Facilities.
The commissioners also urge the ne
cessity for more bathing facilities and
other hygienic appliances, which
would add to the health and comfort
of the inmates.
The commissioners object in calling
the supervisors attention to the mat
tiers touched upon in the communica-
ton is that, after having visited and
noted the conditions existing at the
county farm, and seeing the apparent
dangers, they have discharged duty
as commissioners of insanity that they
owe to the people in having called the
Supervisors attention to the cond1-
lions.
The communication contains words
of commentator for the supervisors
and for the management of the county
farm under the existing conditions.
The situation is being as ably handed
as could be reasonably expected with
the building and conveniences Whlch
the county now has