Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-12-14
The Great Work of an Unknown
DIV IOI1Nr n pn1nErrIr r TIT

Il
George State Sanitarium gives me oc-
casion to say that this institution has been in
actual operation for eighty years.
According to the late distinguished Dr. T. O..
Powell, who had been superintendent of the
sanitarium for twenty-eight years, Georgia
made no provision for the care of the insane
prior to 1887. He said, that year there
came to MiIledgeville northern philanthro-
pist, whose object was to petition the legisa-
| ture to do something for them.
ono blaring trumpet sounded out his fame;
He lived, he died. do not know his name"
Drs. White, Fort, Case and Green constitut-
ed small faculty of distinguished physicians
who were living at the time in Mlledgeville,
! then the capital of Georgia, where the general
assembly held it's sessions. The visiting
philanthropist solicited and received the hear
ty cooperation of these doctors in his worthy
effort in behalf of the insane. The physicians,
aided by Drs. Philips and Arnold, and Judge
Harris, who We're members of the legislature,
appealed to that body for assistance. -
First Action by Legislature
The general assembly that year, 1887, made
| an appropriation of $4,000, and appointed a
building. The forty acres of sterile pine land
that were purchased at that time for site,
located two miles from Milledgeville, have en-
larged into the present 5000 acres which be-
long to the institution. The old quilted hills
have been converted into beautiful lawns,
fragrant flower beds, lovely walks and
drives, while\ stately rows of trees and
sparkling founts attract and delight the eye.
Large bodies of cultivated land tell the
story of enterprise, thrift and economy, and
60Yo fIn o6Irico Of fhn
ment in establishing a colony for patients
who are able to do farm work. A splendid
system.
The original and unpretentious one build
ing that was thrown open in 1912 for the adj
mission of the first insane inmate has grown
into several groups of commodous struc-
lures that now constitute the institution. The
main building which is a snowy brick struc-
ture, three stories high, of Grecian architec-
ture, is, with the exception of the state CAPT
Georgia.
There is a splendid system of water
works. sewerage, electric lights and heat.
One of the most valuable adjuncts of the
sanitarium is a chartered training school for
nurses which was est ablished in 1911.
What was an original investment by the
legislature in 1887 of $4,000 has develop
ed, with the growth and progress of the
state, into an invested value of 81 900, 600.
Were formerly only paltry sum was appro-
pTldC6Q LOT Ln6 care Il the lQlOIS anu fuudIlCS
of Georgia, the annual maintenance appro-
priation now amounts to 100000. The
sanitarium is one of the largest, handsomest
land most modern institutions for the amelio-
ration Of the condition of the insane that
is to be found in all america.
Governor Lumplzin Spoke First
have read that the first reference of any
kind to the necessity of establishing in
stitution for the care of the insane in Geor-
gia is to be found n the annual message
of Governor Wilson Lumpkin, addressed to
the senate and house OF representatives of
the Georgia legislature; November 4, 1884,
as follows:
while our thoughts are turned to the
abodes of the unfortunate, | would avail my
self of the occasion most earnestly to in
vite the serious attention of the Georgia as
sembly to another class of individuals who
are to be found in every communicated
who deserve to be among the first objects of
! legislative care and attention. | allude to
idiots, lunatics and insane persons of every
description. Every government possessing
! the means should, without hesitancy pro-
crastination, provide suitable asylums for
these most distressed and unfortunate of
human beings" There is no record of any
! action following this recommendation.
! Only Four superintendent
! During the eighty years of actual opera
! ton of the Georgia State sanitarium there
have been only four superintendent in
charge. The first of these was the skilled and
popular DR.. David Cooper, who served only
! three years. from 1913 to 1916. When the
! institution started on it's career of mercy, in
1912, it was in charge of layman, and a
physician was employed only when, his serv-
| ices were needed
| The beloved and celebrated DR.. Thomas F.
! Green became Superintendent in 1847 and
served with great 'bility, zeal ar. fidelity I'M
til 1874 period of thrty-two years-when
| with touch gentle as the morning light" his
noble spirit was called ava. amid the
! lamentatio of the people of Georgia. =
! DR.. Green was prominent practicing ply
stefan in Milledgeville when elected superin-
tendent of the lunatic asylum OF Georgia, as
the present Georgia state sanitarium was
then known. l have read that when he was
called to the position he found that the in
mates were victims of the worst possible de-
gree of insanity. Only those were confined
| there for whose >covery there was no hope
This raving humanity had caused the inst1tu-
| tion to, be regarded as a mad houseJ' ar
gave the public feeling of terror S1perin-
| tendent Green was admirably fitted for the
successful performance of his important and
| narrowing task,
| Gifted and Polished Powell
| When Superintendent Green PASSED away,
! in 1879, he was succeeded in the office by Dr
| Theophilus o. POLL, who had been assist
ant physician at the sanitarium since 1863
The association of these two colleagues for
! sixteen years was marked by beautiful per
| sonal friendship and perfect official con-
| geniality. There were never two men more
| alike in principles and thought or action
| Superintendent Powell lived in all atmosphere
of good will manifested in continuous deeds
of beneficence 1t was truly said of him thai
| every day of his life --as blessing to some,
one" He had genius for organization. He
was a superb disciplinarian. He was mas
ter at administration. He enjoyed the con