The Indianapolis times., 1936-05-14
JULIETTA MUCK
TRACT CHANGED
into PARK LAND
Garden, Lawns Surround
Pool at Insane
Institution.
BY JERRY SHERIDAN


Seven acres OF muck land sur
rounding a nearly dried-up spring
have been turned into natural park
with trimmed pool, rock gar
den, sloping lawns and beautiful
trees on grounds of the Marion
County Insane Asylum at Julietta.
Clarence Wheatley, county COM
missioner, first conceived the idea
more than a year ago and today, as
1t nears completion, he and Mr.. and
Mrs. Harry Barrett, in charge of the
institution, find that its beauty has
exceeded their expectations.
The project was started last Sep
tember, utilizing scrap building ma
terial. Mr.. Wheatley said the work
should be completed within a few
months.
Pool $50 Feet Long
The pool, about $50 feet long and
40 feet wide, is of a curved, irregular
shape. The stone rim and facing has
been built from old street surfacing
and stone curbing materials. In the
middle is star-shaped flower bed,
also of stone, decorated at each
point by an ornament carved by
stoneworkers.
The sulphur spring was the start
ing point for the project, Mr..
Wheatley said, with the garden laid
out around it, The flow of water al
most had stopped, when the garden
was started. but now 1t has in
creased to supply water for the pool,
overhowing into a second, smaller
pond
1t is recalled that Indianapolis
residents held picnics at Julietta
years ago, when the sulphur spring
and shady grounds were among the
attractions. Originally called Sui
phur Springs, the name was
changed after application for a
postoftice was refused Another Sui
phur Springs, Ind, already had th-
concession. Julietta was second
choice.
Water Has Therapeutic Value
During the Civil War, railroad
was built through the land now oc-
cupied by the institution. The late
John Kitley, former Marion Coun-
ty commissioner, recorded that the
town prospered during the seven
ties. Residents of the district rec
ognized the therapeutic value of the
mineral water and often carried
jugs and buckets of it to their
homes,
The rock garden is part of
larger plan for occupational ther-
apy being followed by both Mr. and
Mrs. Barrett, who assign tasks to
patients able to work
More than 1900 truckloads of
stone have been hauled into the
garden and about 700 loads of dirt
used to fill low spots. Elm trees
have been planted.
A crushed rock walk is to circle
the pool. Water from the spring
has been harnessed to provide
miniature falls on one side. A small
stone band stand has been built
north of the pool.
The institution itself is a business
concern with a large commissary,
bakery 500-acre farm, dairy, laun-
dry and carpenter shop.
Daily Patient Cost Al Cents
Under Mr.. Bsrretts direction, the
per capita cost of caring for the
$50 patients has been lowered to ii
cents a day. This cost includes, he
said, bid value of food raised on
the farms. Expenses were $55, ,23350
last year, but only about $4,000 was
paid out in cash. There are SIS
head of cattle, i10 head of hogs and
10 draft horses on the grounds now.
The building, brick, ivy-covered
structure, is furnished inside with
cream and light green walls. Mr..
Barrett said efforts to make pa
tients as we'll AS workers feel the
responsibility of managing the in
stitution have been successful.
Each year almost score of pa
tients are sent out to their homes,
some cured, others improved, Mr..
Barrett said.