Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1908-11-19

| Wednesday night there Is q dance I'D
the assembly hall, where considera-
Bile number Of the patients dance with
the attendants aud a couple Of hun
bred others look on with great inter-
est. Moving picture shows aud phon-
ograph concerts are provided, and on
Sundays religious services are held.
The officers and attendants are humane
and kind in their treatment. and it is
astonishing how few difficulties they
have with their charges.
The inmates of the ms tuition are
well fed. The meals are prepared in
kitchen that is as clean as new
| pin, and where modern appliances
are used. The victuals are cooked by
steam in great vessels Of the latest de-
sign, and are served ho: and savory.
The bakery is also up-to. date, and
the best of bread is produced, pies
and cakes being provided at certain
times. The store house is model of
its kind and its accounts are careful
ly kept. Nothing can 90 out except
upon proper requisition. The State
does not stint its helpless ones, and
they have an abundance Of excellent
food, no supplies being accepted that
are not up to high standard. Meat
is provided twice a day, and not less
than two vegetables are served at din
ner. The baker bakes up two bar
reIs Of -four day; three big beeves
are used each week, besides pork, ba.
con, etc. One of the great improve.
ments made during the administration
of DIR. Lyons was the erection of a
building for domestic purposes and
for a central dining hall. In the din
ing room all the patients who are able
to walk have their meals, corridors
leading from each ward. Accompan-
led by the attendants. they proceed
in orderly fashion to their place at
table. where each takes his appointed
seat, and they eat with fairly good
table manners. Once in a while the
monotony will be broken by come
person throwing cup or plate at
fancied enemy, but as a rule they are
very quiet aud well behaved. They
eat from white china plates, and are
permitted to use knives and forks,
though these implements are very
carefully counted and collected after
each meal so as to prevent improper
use later.
They eat about six tons of beans in
a year, $4,000 pounds of butter and
butterine, 5000 pounds of coffee, L.
600 pounds OF tea. $50 bushels of on.
ions, 700 bushels of apples, 5000
pounds of cured meats, about three
tons of cabbage, 5000 dozens of eggs,
1000 pounds of macaroni, l25 pounds
of honey, 200 bushels of potatoes,
ton OF prunes, ton and half Of
rice, "a barrels oil sugar, and canned
goods, fresh fruit and other things in
proportion. The family of patients
and attendants and officials is large
one, and something over 800, 900 a
year is required to run it.
A boiler. house separate from the
other buildings provides heat for the
institution and furnishes electricity
for lighting and power. A steam
laundry is Kept busy pretty nearly all
the time, while in a well.equipped
sewing room most of the clothing used
by the patients is manufactured.
The water supply comss from
number of wells on the place and from
Spring creek. The creek, however.
has been dry this fall, and the Legis-
lature will be asked for An appropria-
ton for additional wells. A good barn
is needed for the cars of the 25 cattle
comprising the dairy herd and for
the horses used on the farm. The
Legislature will also be asked for
liberal appropriation for the renewing
of plumbing and for needed repairs
and paint. The directors have ask
ed for such appropriations only as are
needed to keep the institution up to
i.s present high standard.
DR.. A. j. Lyons is the efficient SUI
perintendent of this institution, and
the excellence of it's management
shows him entirely qualified for the
place he holds. He is a man of great
executive ability, and the methodical
system that he has in force and the
discipline of the officers under him
results in well-regulated piece of
machinery that runs smoothly and
satisfactorily. DR.. Lyons keeps in
close touch with every detail Of the
great institution under his care and
each day record Of even the min.
utest occurrences is made out and
fled away for future reference. His
estimabls wife, who is the matron of
she place, is real helpmeet, and her
good judgment and industry AMI
taste is everywhere apparent. Mr..
A. W. Brown is the capable clerk of
the asylum, and he manages his Office
most excellently. DR.. E 81. Dodson
is first assistant physician and DR.. P.
O. Casio second assistant
The editor of the REGISTER was
very greatly gratifed to find himself
in the company of the estimable gen.
tlemen who compose the Board of Di.
rectors and who have assisted in max.
ing the Spencer Asylum one of the
best managed institutions in the State
They are as genial and as agreeable
personally as they are wise in business
affairs. Capt. NJ. R. Lowther, of
Parkersburg, is the able president /;
P. O. Adams. of Spencer, fills the of.
fee of treasnrar most accentah a nd