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MT. PLEASANT ASYLUM
"The Place"
The Hawk Eye
Burlington, Des Moines, Iowa
March 9, 1861
The Iowa Lunatic Asylum-Formal Opening March 6th.
Wednesday last being a remarkably pleasant day, we took the
early train West and visited the beautiful town of Mt. Pleasant, putting in the
time until 4:30 in the town, and at the Lunatic Asylum.
Mt. Pleasant has improved greatly since we last saw it,
notwithstanding that it is the most beautiful town in Iowa, and one of the most
attractive as a place of residence. We noticed a large number of new and really
fine residences, put up since we were there, several new business houses, and a
new school house, probably the largest and finest in Iowa. Eight hundred
children are in attendance in its walls, upon the public schools, which are said
to be unsurpassed.
We yesterday, for the first time, visited our State Lunatic
Asylum, one and one half miles East of Mt. Pleasant. We had never before been
nearer it than the Railroad, which passes about one mile North. It is built of
brown stone, procured near Mt. Pleasant, which looks remarkably well, and it is
believed to be as durable and as little affected by frost or moisture as the
best quality of Limestone. So far as we can see, it is just as good as granite,
and looks about as well.
This is the first permanent building erected in the State. It
is of large size. We have not the exact dimensions before us, but it is
sufficient to say that when fully completed it will accommodate between 300 and
400 patients and will compare creditably with similar structures in other
States. Accommodations are now provided for one hundred patients, and the other
portion of the building will be got in readiness and furnished as fast as
needed. Dr. Patterson, formerly of Ohio, assisted by Dr. Dewey of Iowa City,
take charge of it. Dr. Patterson has had much experience in other States, in the
treatment of this class of persons, and comes among us with an excellent
reputation. We think we can venture to promise to the people of this State that
under his management the Iowa Hospital for Insane persons will become one of the
best in the country. Mr. Winslow remains as Steward. He has also had experience,
and is entirely at home in his department.
Before diminishing the subject, we think simple justice to
the Directors and builder, and to all parties concerned, under the
circumstances, renders it proper for us to say something further in regard to
this building and the manner in which the public have been expended upon it.
When we look at its extent, at its massive walls and firm foundations that
nothing short of an earthquake could move, at its innumerable rooms and
dormitories, all the partition walls being of brick- at its miles of iron pipe
for heating purposes, hot and cold water and gas- at its pipes and flues in
every part of the building for purposes of ventilation- at its engine and
boilers, kitchen and laundry, et cetera, et cetera, our wonder was that so much
had been done for the sums appropriated by the State. The Institution it an
honor to the State, and will stand an imperishable monument to the skill,
business capacity, faithfulness, and probity of Mr. Wilslow. Every possible
contingency seems to have entered into the account and been amply provided for.
For instance, although it would seem hardly possible for it to occur, as there
is little that can burn in the building and no fire used, yet if a fire should
occur, sufficient hose is provided in every suit of apartments, and upon every
floor, connecting with the cisterns in the garret, holding 25,000 barrels of
water, while egress from the building is provided for by two different
stairways. But we have not room for specifications. It would take up half our
paper to describe all we saw noteworthy, and then we should fail. We hope, now
that it is open and receiving patients, that all citizens of the State who can
make it convenient to do so, will visit the Asylum. They will find it a very
pleasant place to spend an hour or two, and, notwithstanding its grated windows,
and unfortunate inmates, having a cheerful, orderly and happy look.
There was quite a large attendance upon the Inauguration
ceremonies. A large number came in from the west mostly from Fairfield, while a
few attended from Burlington. Mt. Pleasant turned out en masse, including the
children form the Public Schools. The Mt. Pleasant Greys were out. A Brass Band
from Fairfield and Choir from the Churches in Mt. Pleasant gave us excellent
vocal and instrumental music. At 1 o'clock the chapel and halls adjoining were
crowded. We found it impracticable getting within hearing distance and did not
hear the speeches. Gov. Kirkwood did not attend, as expected. Dr. McGugin, of
Keokuk, spoke at some length, giving an interesting account of the treatment of
insane persons at different periods and the progress which had of late years
been made in effecting cures of large numbers and greatly ameliorating the
condition of the hopelessly incurable. Dr. Patterson made a brief speech. He
says insanity is almost always curable when taken early- after six months sixty
per cent are curable and as the time increase the per cent curable is
diminished. Col Sanders, of Henry, and Mr. Scott, of Story, made neat and
appropriate speeches.
Burlington Hawkeye
Burlington, Des Moines, Iowa
Jan. 25, 1877
Sunday, Jan. 21
Iowa has 4,481 postoffices.
The Mount Pleasant insane asylum has 578 inmates.
Burlington Hawkeye
Burlington, Des Moines, Iowa
Aug 31, 1882
THE MT PLEASANT ASYLUM
The time has come when the great state of Iowa, with
nearly two million people within its borders, ought to have a more comprehensive
policy with reference to its charitable institutions. The hospital for the
insane at Mt. Pleasant is an illustration. It has a healthful capacity for about
300 patients. By skilful management this limit might now be extended to 350. it
now contains over 500 patients, who are crowded in and are thus deprived of the
care and comfort which such an institution should afford. The result is
increased mortality and less success in effecting the recovery of the curable.
There is another great wrong growing out of this overcrowded
condition of the asylum. It is impossible to properly classify patients. The
best results are attained by judicious separation according to the nature of the
disease and the treatment required. To confine a partially sane patient, or one
having lucid periods, with those whose mental aberration is continuous is an
unfavorable condition for recovery. And to promiscuously huddle the insane
thiefs, murderers and other criminals sent to the asylum from the state prisons
and jails, in the same room with patients who are there not because of crime but
because of misfortune, many of them for treatment with hope of ultimate
recovery, is indeed shocking and an outrage upon the moral sentiments and
sympathies of the public. These are evils for which the great state of Iowa, and
not the asylum management, is directly responsible and which demands early and
radical remedy. There is no excuse for Iowa with all its wealth of fertile soil
and trade, commerce, manufactures and powerful and intelligent pulpit and press
tolerating such a shameful condition of things as now perplexes and saddens the
officials and trustees of the Mt. Pleasant asylum. There ought to be and must be
a speedy remedy and we hope to see a public agitation spring up that will right
these wrongs and avert their recurrence.
It is a mistaken policy, when fully cognizant and even
boastful, of the wonderfully rapid development of our state, to shut our eyes to
the corresponding increase of the insane, the blind, and the other subjects of
state charities. It is inevitable that there [sic] increased demands will come,
and it is common humanity as well as wise public policy to anticipate them in
time rather than wait until human suffering and fresh graves arouse us to duty.
There are other features of the asylum that demand
improvement. We shall not attempt to enumerate them all at this time as we only
seek now to arouse public attention to the deplorable condition of the patients
who are crowded beyond all reason into walls fitted to contain only sixty per
cent of their number. When to this is added the suffering and inconvenience of
an insufficient water supply and the startling fact the the county poor house
sewer empties its foul contents into the water basin that supplies the water
reservoir, the great need of vigorous measures upon the part of the state at
once becomes alarmingly apparent. The trustees and officials are doing the best
they can under the circumstances, but the state must provide ways and means and
give authority to afford adequate and permanent relief.
Burlington Hawkeye
Burlington, Des Moines, Iowa
Nov 8, 1883
INSANE ASYLUM.
The biennial report of the trustees of the insane asylum
at Mt. Pleasant has been in print for some time and contains much matter that is
of interest to readers of THE HAWKEYE in Iowa and elsewhere.
The superintendent's report shows that the number admitted in
twenty-one months has been five hundred and thirty-four; three hundred and
nineteen men and two hundred and fifteen women. The total number treated during
the period has been ten hundred and seventy-eight; six hundred and sixteen men
and four hundred and sixty-two women. The whole number discharged during the
period has been six hundred and eight men and two hundred and twenty-six women;
of these seventy-three men and forty-seven women were discharged recovered, one
hundred and nine men and seventy women improved, one hundred and forty one men
and sixty-seven women stationary or unimproved, fifty-seven men and forty-one
women died, and one man was found not insane, being a plain case of drunkenness,
leaving in the hospital June 30, 1883, two hundred and thirty-six men and two
hundred and thirty-six women.
The death rate has been large, which is due chiefly to the
overcrowded condition of the hospital, and the imperfect system of ventilation,
which is now being remedied. The daily average for the period has been five
hundred and eighteen; two hundred and seventy men and two hundred and forty-one
women.
Much seems to have been done to increase the comfort,
cleanliness and safety of the institution. The arrangement for ventilating and
heating have been overhauled and improved to some extent, but the three sections
of the west side have not been touched. As needed improvements and repairs the
superintendent asks for $8,500, to preserve the sub-basement walls, which are
pronounced unsafe; for renewing worn-out water pipes, $1,500; for remodeling the
ventilating apparatus on the west side $5,000; for a water filter $5,000; for
mattresses $2,000; for washing machines, $2,500; for sheds for stock, to replace
those destroyed by cyclone, $3,000; for remodeling the west wing, $10,000, and
for a fire alarm $2,000; aggregating $40,500.
He also urges the increase of accommodations for the insane,
either by extending the present building at Mt. Pleasant, or by erecting another
building in some other part of the state. He agrees to erect, in connection with
the present building accommodations for three hundred additional patients at a
cost of $150,000, - but he urges with some force the advisability of erecting a
separate institution.
In regard to the criminal insane, Dr. Gilman recommends that
they be confined in some other institution, and suggests that especial provision
be made for them by an addition to the additional penitentiary at Anamosa. The
suggestion is one that is entitled to consideration. The unfortunate and
criminal classes ought not to be indiscriminately associated.
The statistics tables are full of interest for those who care
to study them. The great preponderance of cases of insanity seem to occur
between the ages of 15 and 40 years in both sexes. Of the males, out of a total
of 2,916 admitted since the opening of the hospital, 1,615 were attacked between
the ages named, while of 2,216 females, 1,473 were similarly attacked. During
this period liability to insanity seems to develop most between the ages of 20
and 35, there being reported between these ages, out of the totals just given,
1,110 males and 1,038, showing clearly that the proportionate liability of
females to insanity between these ages is greater than that of males.
Of the insane in this institution, Ohio furnishes the most,
850 patients having been born in that state. Iowa comes next with 619, Great
Britain follows with 518, Germany 470, Pennsylvania 413, and other states and
countries sent smaller numbers. Of the counties in the state Lee county has sent
the greatest number to the asylum, 259, Des Moines county the next greatest,
214, Polk and Scott counties 177 each, Henry 163. Thirteen other counties have
sent 100 or more, and other counties less than 100.
As having a tendency to indicate the liability of various
occupations to insanity we condense from table VII; Of the entire number
admitted to the institution those engaged in domestic duties were 1,988 being
all females out of a total of 2,216. Considering that the social status of women
places her almost exclusively in the domestic circle, these figures are not very
instructive. Of the males, out of a total of 5,132, 1,364 were farmers, 580 were
laborers, 274 reported no occupation, attorneys are credited with 8 and lawyers
with 10, although outside of an insane asylum the distinction would scarcely be
made. Carpenters sent 69, and no other calling furnished 50. Editors have only
furnished 2 victims, which show, unquestionably, the saving influence of a clear
conscience and strict adherence to the truth in warding off such calamities.
The civil condition of the insane as shown in table VIII,
indicates that unmarried males are more subject to insanity than the married,
while the reverse is true of the females. 1,500 males patients were unmarried,
and only 1,271 married, while only 727 were unmarried females against 1,267
married.
The labor involved in the preparation of these tables is
great, the real meaning of the figures we present can only be read by comparing
them with the tables of population, but their careful compilation is one of the
indications that has marked Dr. Gilman's brief administration of the affairs of
this institution where his greatest qualifications are seen in the daily
administration of its affairs and the care of its unfortunate inmates.
Chief Reporter
Perry, Dallas, Iowa
May 31, 1900
The state board of control is preparing the list and amounts to be paid the patients at Mount Pleasant asylum. This money was provided for by the last legislature. It was embezzled by Dr. Gilman while superintendent of the institution.
Ottumwa Courier
Ottumwa, Wapello, Iowa
Sep 24, 1903
ASYLUM EXPENSIVE
Mt. Pleasant Institution Costs State Large Sum
INCREASE IN STATE'S CHARGES
Bulletin of Iowa State Institutions Gives Statistics Concerning Iowa Hospitals-
Majority of Insane Patients Come From the Farms
The asylum for the insane at Mt. Pleasant, next to the institution for feeble minded children at Glenwood, was for the quarter ending June 30, 1903, the most expensive institution under the supervision of the state board of control. The total increase of 643 in the population of the state institutions under the direction of the board exclusive of the penitentiaries, within two years, is shown by the Bulletin of Iowa State institutions, a quarterly publication issued by the state board of control, which is just off the press. There has been a decrease of 32 in the population of the penitentiaries, making the net increase of 611 for all state institutions.
Increase in Population.
The increase in the population of the different state
institutions is as follows:
In the state hospitals......452
In the school for deaf..... 32
In the Soldier's Home... 31
In the Soldiers' Orphans' Home...48
In the institution for Feeble Minded Children.....38
In the Industrial School for Boys...................... 22
In the Industrial School for Girls....................... 30
Total.........................643
The total figure would have been greater were it not for the fact that the girls' dormitory at the institution for feeble minded children was injured by a storm, necessitating the return of many to their homes.
Operating Expenses.
The total expense of operating the state institutions during
the quarter ending June 30, 1903, was $287,458.34, divided among the different
institutions, as follows:
Anamosa...................$ 21,913.16
Cherokee.................. 23,784.49
Clarinda.................... 29,509.73
Council Bluffs........... 13,635.08
Davenport................. 14,893.00
Eldora...................... 13,801.49
Fort Madison........... 21,510.18
Glenwood............... 35,000.35
Independence......... 34,089.06
Marshalltown............ 28,631.86
Mitchelville................ 7,309.61
Mount Pleasant......... 34,886.53
Vinton...................... 7,043.00
Total.................. 287,458.34
The figures are taken from statistics tabulated by Frank I. Herriott, Ph. D. professor of economics and political science at Drake university, who has had charge of this work during the summer months.
The Insane Patients.
Professor Herriott also contributes an article to the
Bulletin on the subject, "Occupations, Physical Health and Diseases in
Insanity," in which he makes public researches along a line hitherto never
taken up in the state. It relates to the occupation of those going insane, to
their physical health, to the assigned or supposed causes of their insanity and
to the causes of their death by those dying while insane, as given by returns
from the Clarinda hospital.
The table showing the occupation of insane patients prior to
their admission to the state hospital at Clarinda from 1893 to 1903, shows that
out of a total of 3416 admitted, 1382 of whom 989 were men and 393 women, were
engaged in agricultural pursuits; 1056 in domestic and personal service and 148
in professional work. These are the three largest classes. Of those admitted
during the biennial period 742 were in good or fairly good health, and 765
suffering from some form of disease, diseases of the nervous system being the
most prevalent.
A classification of the causes of insanity from 1893 to 1903
shows that among others emotional and moral causes were responsible for 812
commitments, diseases 835 and congenital causes 456.