Show IN AN INSANE ASYLUM terrell kaufman co texas nov 4 1898 yesterday elder peter G clarke and I 1 visited the insane asylum situated near this city we were struck with wonder and surprise at the size of this institution it made us wonder wo what was the cause or causes ot of SO eo many of gods children losing the faculties of their minds and getting in that condition that they have to be herded like cattle it is indeed a pitiable sight eight to see them there are three such in texas one at austin another at san and this one at terrell this one however is about its as large as the other two we were received in the office of the superintendent in MT mr Gl gilliard Illard who treated us with the utmost kindness and on making our business known cheerfully all a gulde guide to show us through the buildings after passing through a large and commodious hall on either side of which are situated the offices of the inert tu alon we were shown the cook room you may be able to form some idea odthe of the size and extent of the utensils used when I 1 tell you that here the cooking coo king is done for persons immense copper boilers filled with various kinds of food were steaming in preparation of the midday meal the inmates under the direction of o f attendants do nearly all the cooking which is fall all done by steam except the baking prom from the various kinds of foods pastries etc that were in preparation for dinner we could see that the ta in were the people in the farming fanning districts we next visited the bakery where four barrels of flour are used dally in making bread the bread was as nice and light as you will find at amy bakery we next visited the engine and boiler rooms where heat and light are generated for all the buildings steam pipes run through every door giving the desired warmth every department part ment Is also lighted by electricity electric lity the water for the use of the akon is pumped from a well 2600 feet deep an am immense stand pipe 25 feet in feet high is kept full of water to be used in case of fire rubber hose connected with thle this pipe are in each ward so that an incipient blaze could be easily extinguished gui gal shed in addition to these thes a fire engine is also kept handy humdy so that dagger from fire is kept at ait the minimum many hands were busily engaged in the laundry department keeping the wearing apparel of the inmates clean and white A large and commodious hall next received our attention in this is held every friday night a dance for the in mates the orchestra is composed almost entirely of inmates theatrical com companies also come here occasionally a performance gratis for the benefit of the inmates they assemble here also each sunday to listen to preaching by a minister of some denomination one of the male wards next to the hall was waa then inspected I 1 must say that we were truck with the cleanliness and order that prevailed throughout every department the beds which were all single were kept scrupulously scrupulous Jy clean with white sheets and nice warm blankets each ward has its dining room the food being sent up from below on elevators the furnishing of the dining room was simple but suggestive the table linen was clean and white and andall all looked as though set for a good second class hotel in each ward is a library and reading room and also a billiard table for the use of convalescent patients there are sixteen wards and all similarly furnished each haa its bath rooms and all are compelled to keep themselves clean and tidy in the female ward which we next inspected we found evidences of refinement among some dome of the patients beautiful crochet and needle work were lying here and there in the different rooms As we entered the room we heard beau strains of music coming from the piano played by one of the patients we did not visit the hospital we were now shown to superintendent billiards Gilli ards office who in answer to questions gave us the following information there are four buildings which can accommodate 1250 patients there are at the present time inmates the main building was waa begun in 1883 and finished in 1888 1885 but the needs of the institution increasing other buildings were ordered from time to time last year a new buildt bundling was started and finished to IM july creased the capacity of the institution patients the number of persons is steadily on the increase they are now increasing the capacity of the institution at san antonia antonea to accommodate more patients there are about 2000 insane persons being belaik taken care of by the state at the present time the greatest cause of insanity Is ig though in many instances it is caused by intemperance the cost of maintaining this institution Is per annum an num outside of what 18 i raised on the acre farm which joins the buildings on the south AN AH the work donie done on the farm is by the inmates under the direction ants there was wae raised on the term farm this year bushels of wheat 2150 2160 of corn and 1600 of oats besides vegetables etc the grounds are beautifully laid off in shady walks towns lawns and flower beds the inmates are given exercise irv irr promenading around these walks dally daily under the care of attendants there Ther therease eare are one on hundred and two persons r employed in caring for these theme unfortunates mr milliard Gill fard having answered our questions we thanked him and handed him our card the work of the lord Is growing ailace in the worth north texas oon ferenee since the return of cool weather new life wid vigor are luv taa parted arted to the elders egid we are prosecuting a vigorous campaign tn in search of the hanest in heart we have a falth faithful ful and humble little band of elders who are Is wi r ing to dispel the mists of darkness which enshroud the minds of the people lit in regard to the religion of jesus christ our conference wil convent at apt clear latee lake cullen county co unity on november 18 19 and 20 the health of the elders is good at present we remain yours joe W HMO derat conference PETER G CLARK assistant |