Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1907-05-14
ASYLUM SIGHTS.


Quite number of improvements are
being made on the asylum property this
spring by Supt. j. B. Thomas. The
lawn in front of the building has been
plowed up and re-seeded and rear
ranged Gravel walks, some circular
in shape, others of a serpentine shape,
have been laid out, also flower beds
and clumps of asbor vitae. Al few
years ago a row of pines was set
out on either side of the main driveway.
This spring other trees have been
planted and the idea is to make this
spot a park where in the future loung-
ing benches can be erected and where
the patients can enjoy themselves in
the fullest measure. In the garden,
numerous rows of young saplings are
growing and these, later, will be set out
along the river bank. After the Roth
chlds dam. is built and the artificial
lake formed, which will be in full view
from the asylum, this will be one of the
most attractive places in the county.
A trip to the asylum does one good
a person gets a better insight into the
way the patients are cared for and the
way they live. On visiting DAYS many
people avail themselves of the oppor-
tunity and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas and
Miss Margaret Thomas are always
pleased to answer questions and show
one about the buildings and grounds
Everything has a hOmelike appearance
and presents a wonderful contrast with
similar institutions of the past decade.
The idea is to make the unfortunates
confined there feel as if they are in their
own homes. They are impressed with
The fact that that is their home and that
what it contains belongs to them. In
this way they take an interest in its
affairs, perform their work well and
give no trouble. This is illustrated in
the care and management of the garden
and in that part set aside for hortieul-
ture. The inmates take as much care
and pride in attending to these as if
they belonged to them individually. In
passing through the asylum one sees
comfort everywhere. Every patient
seems contented and to be enjoying life
as we'll as their more fortunate brothers
and sisters. They perform work which
they like and at other times lounge
about or take exercise in the open air
by walks or otherwise With this
routine and the best of victuals to eat,
and clean, well ventilated bed rooms to
sleep in, their lot is made anything but
unpleasant.
The asylum is large Institution and
it requires a great amount of supplies to
run it. The last part of the foregoing
statement is proved by walking through
the different departments. A full car
load OF flour is nearly always on hand
and other supplies are bought in pro-
portion. At present there are over 100
head of cattle, a great many hogs, over
200 chickens, etc, and yet not a pound
of meat, milk or butter are sold off the
farm. 1t has been necessary several
times to buy potatoes and other food
stuffs which run short Supt. Thomas
takes a pride in pure bred stock or
pure strain. "The herd of cattle has
been so improved that it runs pretty
much to Guernsey and Red Pole at
present. The hogs are all pure bred
Berkshires.
The stables are well kept and well
ventilated and are frequently white
washed Strengthening is done nearly
every week in the year and good pro-
visions have been made for caring for
meats A good sized cold storage
building is filled with ice once each
year and in this meats, butter, cream,
etc, can be kept without fear of faint
ing There is well equipped laundry,
also dairy, the machinery in each
being operated by electric power. The
machinery shed shows that the farm is
supplied with everything required on
an up-to-date farm. About 800 cords of
wood are consumed in season and at
present about 1000 cords are piled up
on the property.
Lands formerly part of the farm,
which recently came into possession of
the Rothchilds Improvement and Power
Co., have been partially cleared of
trees and there are sill great many to
cut. These will be cut into cordwood.
Wood lands have been purchased on
Rib river and in winter the patients
will cut wood, house and barn being
erected on these lands for the accom-
mediation of men and teams. The
asylum has the nucleus upon which to
build a zoo. At present there are five
deer and four raccOons. In taking the
deer to the fair last year ones neck
was broken by jumping into the fence.
A great many of the patients take
pride in their appearance. In each
section of the mems department a
BARRIERS chair is kept and the men are
shaved regularly by attendants. Their
extra clothing, shoes, ETC., are kept in
apple pie order. Taken all in all, trip
to the county hospital is one which
anybody will appreciate