Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-09-10


L. Kettle) is a subscriber to your paper
and 1 have been a silent reader Of the
troubles which have arisen over the state
sanitarium. AS 1 have been an inmate of
the sanitarium myself, I will write of my
treatment, and things which I learned
from observation while there. and if you
think it will be of any Importance or help
to the public to print it, you are at liberty
to use it, and if not, just let the ever
ready waste basket receive it.
In the year of 1904 was so unfortunate
as to be numbered with the mass of phys
ical and mental wrecks of humanity,
which yearly drift to the state asylum
ooh, haven of rest for poor demented
soulsD Such was my mental condition
that 1 could never remember when 1 was
carried there, or anything about my first
few weeks stay there, and yet am home
in four months time, perfectly sound and
we'll. That has been five years ago, and
my health has been perfect during the
time. / suffered from nervousness, and
at times could not hold a glass of water.
have not discovered a single symptom
since my return home.
have had several people lately, who
have loved ones in the state asylum, ask
me were they good to ii patients
there?"
1 will say that have sometimes seen
in extreme cases where the attendants
used them. what people might call,
roughly" but they only did it in protect
ton of themselves. The people of our
state must realize, those that have in
sane relatives which are very violent, that
the asylum is the place for them, and at
tendants caring for them must always
carry their lives in their hands, and some
times must be rough.
1 noticed the attendants who were
rough and unkind were those who had not
been in the employ long. Of course l do
not know what conditions existed in the
mems building, or how they were treated.
DurinS my stay at the sanitarium 1
was in he second female ward, which
they called the receiving hail. where all
the patients are received, until about tive
weeks before I came home. I was trans
ferred to the convalescent building. In
the head nurse, Miss c., of second ward,
found one of the most lovable ladies
1 ever met, who has spent 10 or Is years
of her life in studying and ministering
to whims and fancies of the poor dement,
ed humanity of her state.
became very much attached to Miss
B., of the second ward. whose noiseless
tread, gentle, soothing touch and dainty
white cap seemed to my poor clouded
mind IAN angel of mercy" more than
anything else.
DIR. Mobley was the doctor of second
ward, and a more sympathetic and kind
gentleman have never met. He was al
ways ready to lend a listening ear to
ones complaints land others there were
a lot of them. tool: always ready to do
anything he could to alleviate suffering.
In the convalescent building one is made
to feel more like a guest than prisoner.
Here in this ward DR.. Whitaker has
charge and every one liked his CHEEKY
voice and sunny smile; he always had
word Of cheer for every one. I think
DIR. Whitaker a grand old gentleman.
In the state asylum you will find peo7
pie of all classes, but you can't find any
distinction or Partially shown them. OF
course people can pay their relatives
board, pay for special attendants, buy
extras and all like that, but 1 mean for
instance myself. 1 belong to the Ia
boring class of people and I was treated
on an equality with the rest just as well
as il I had been the wife or millionaire.
One great and only objection 1 have
of the asylum is the mixing up OF the
patients, those with contagious diseases,
with the others. While was there was
In mortal terror for fear 1 would take
consumption and never see my babies at
home again.
But 1 am sure that the officials at the
asylum could not avoid this unless, as
some suggested, to "coloniZe the pa
TENTS" 1 admired DR.. Aliens words OF
praise in regard to DR.. T. o. Powell.
There never has been or never viii be
praise enough for that grand old gentle
man. No state has or ever. will produce
a grander or more noble son. 1 think the
state of Georgia should be proud Of such
a son as DR.. Powell, who devoted his life
to his state. not in war or politics, but
to aid the suffering humanity.
DR.. Powell was big hearted and broad
minded man, and 1t was touching to see
the childlike trust and faith these help
less people imposed in him. For my part.
the name of DR.. Powell shall always hold
green spot in my memory.
l am not acquainted with the present !
Superintendent, Dr. T. NJ. Jones. but 1
suppose he is fully capable of filling the
place for l could hear every one liked
MIN that knew him. think 1t very wise
in Governor Smith for forming a COM
nittee to investigate the affairs at the
state sanitarium, for it is nothing but
right that the state should knw and be-
ter the conditions. IL possible.
Let me beg the state officials and those
which have the insane in charge to be
as good to them as lies in their power,
for they do not know how awful It Is.