The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1919-02-20
By JESSIE W. HILTON

oopf sd 1911, ty In. OKLAHOMA Publishing company pahs
spoke yesterday of the lack OF fire protection for the
patients in the Western Oklahoma Hospital for the Insane at
Fort Supply Oklahoma and of the rushing wacrwase two
miles where the headwaters of Wolf Creek owned by
the state, charging uselessly down the hillside
DR.. c. B. Hill, superintendent of the hospital asked me
to visit the watershed did Dr. HILL his wife and daughter
empoye drove with to the heights above the hos
pta In deep pool of sparkling water the pipe for the
intake of the hospital water supply was busy sucking away
1t made impression the water 1t oveowed and raced
heedessly down the countryside. Below the intake pool Dr.
Hill had endeavored to stop its onward rush. long dam
had been built Of dirt But II lacked concrete founds-
ton and the seepng waters tore their way through.
This is the of all water supply" explained
Dr. HILL During the spring and fall water overflows and
spreads over the country below but when the dry
the water gone We suffer shortage. AT present we
have force Of pounds at the institution level which
sufficient to raise water to the second story We have
to use pump" he explained.
He believed that series of deep wells or concrete
dam to provide storage basin should be portion OF the
protective policy for the institution.
I'VE could easily conserve an alyear round water sup
ply" said he. First should have ample water proec
ton second we should have fireproof buildings
| Aunt Laura" Shaplsy.
Under the old law in force until 1917 the state paid for
maintenance of patients in insane Institutions said Dr. Hill
later, he opened ward door with private key and
.stepped within. We in womans ward. II was Sun
|day morning "Under the state law, if county commits
lit up him to find physician who would declare
INDECENT insane Several such inmates have died in this
.instutiOn but still have two" said Hl and he walked
brsky toward brghtfaced, CHEEKY old SOUL Aunt Laura
|Shapey of Cheyenne, Rogers county.
We'll, Aunte, how you this morning." queried
dr. Hill.
ooh. DOCTOR I'm just fine, thank you"
want your discharge today?"
She smiled doubtfuy, sadly.
She turned toward me as If seeking enlightenment.
What would become of me2" she asked. "No one
wants I'd rather say here where be cared for
| She showed me lame knee, bandaged.
Mrs Shapley," explained DR.. Hill, has been in
mNQfp Of fuOV haa
never been insane She has ununed fracture of the
eft knee Poor surgery" said Hill mo wanted poor
Mrs. Shapley. She declared insane"
And so Aunt Laura sits day after day, month after
month, surrounded by insane companions.
A few days ago and his daughter brought al
rascible who lose their minds endeavong to calm
thers After few days the woman, wife Of the man and
nother OF the GIRL wrote narrowing tales home Both
husband and daughter arrived post haste. The daughter
emanded her immediate release Finally the husband took
pr. Hill aside.
He said II do not know what is best to do. Those two
omen will drive crazy My daughter as bad as her
other when the two together To tell the truth Doc
knocked my wife down myself last week She provoked
beyond endurance 1t all before realized it
ysef according to Hills account Of the conversation
George Wittenbers.
George Wittenberg" said DR.. Hill. lis another county
digent He Is not insane Recently sought his release
has been In this institution year He afflicted with
varcose ulcer Of the ankle 1t perfectly healed and
ordinary shoes with comfort In reply to my letter
Ting this the county Judge stated that would be very
embarrassing for the physician who signed the commitment
apers, but he would try and effect release"
"When l became superintendent" said Hill IA we en-
tcent'nusd on pAes Column ~