Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== SOURCE: History of Kalamzoo County, Michigan Everts & Abbott, Philadelphia - 1880 [Page 161-163] CHAPTER XXIII. MICHIGAN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE The first step towards the establishment of suitable ac- commodations for the insane in Michigan was taken in the year 1848, when, upon the recommendation of Governor Epaphroditus Ransom, formerly a citizen of Kalamazoo the Legislature made provision for an asylum, and appointed a commission to determine its location, which was fixed at Kalamazoo, in the year, 1850. The place chosen consisted of but ten acres of ground, and was badly located, and in 1851 this was sold and a farm of about one hundred and sixty acres, comprising a large proportion of the present property, was purchased in its stead. Subsequently, two additional tracts, together including about thirty-five acres, were purchased and added to the original farm, making the total one hundred and ninety-five acres. It is situated in the southwest portion of the village, upon section 21, and cen- trally distant, in a direct line, four hundred and twenty rods from the court-house. A carefully-prepared plan for the institution was fur- nished by Dr. John P. Gray, superintendent of the New York State Asylum at Utica; but, owing to a failure on the part of the Legislature to appreciate the magnitude of the work required to accomodate the insane of the State, there were not sufficient funds appropriated to justify the erection of buildings until 1854. The work proceeded slowly, and it was not until 1859 that a portion of the buildings sufficient to accommodate about ninety patients was opened for their reception, under the superintendence of Dr. E. H. Van Deusen, who held the re- sponsible position until 1878. The portion first completed was in the south wing of what is now the female department. The work was seriously delayed by the war of the Re- bellion, and it was not until 1869 that the first building was completed and opened with accommodations for three hun- dred and fifty patients; one hundred and seventy-five of either sex. But the rapid increase of the population of the State produced such demands upon the institution that the year following its completion it became much crowded, and Gov- ernor Baldwin recommended an appropriation for a second building, to be fitted exclusively for male patients. The Legislature accordingly appropriated two hundred and eighty thousand dollars for another building, and this was pushed rapidly to completion in 1874. It is situated to the south of the original building, and far enough away (about five hundred and fifty feet) to prevent danger of fire communi- cating from one to the other. The two buildings complete furnish accommodations for about six hundred patients and the necessary officers and attendants. They are constructed of brick, with stone trimmings, and are very substantial. Dr. Van Deusen directed the erection of the new male de- partment and many of the outbuildings. A portion of the original building was destroyed by fire in 1857, while in course of erection, involving an addi- tional outlay of about seventy thousand dollars. The two departments have a bakery and laundry in common, but other- wise are distinct from each other. The building devoted to female patients has a frontage of seven hundred and twenty feet. Its centre and portions of the wings are three stories in height. The transverse wings extend back one hundred and fifty feet. The total cost of the institution, including land, build- ings, and appurtenances of every description, has been about eight hundred thousand dollars. The disbursements, on account of "current expenses," from April 1, 1859, to April 30, 1876, were one million seventy- eight thousand three hundred and eighteen dollars and ninety- eight cents, and the appropriations for 1877 and 1878 were, for improvements and repairs, fourteen thousand eight hundred and thirty-two dollars. The latter item averages from fifteen to twenty thousand dollars annually. The average cost of maintenance per individual, including disbursements of every kind, is a trifle less than five dol- lars per week. The amount received from counties and individuals for the support of patients to April 30, 1876, was eight hundred and sixty-six thousand and twelve dollars and twenty eight cents, and the sum appropriated by the State for the same purpose was one hundred and ninety-three thousand one hundred and ten dollars and thirty-nine cents. The number of patients admitted to Jan. 1, 1879 is 1425 males and 1354 females; total 2779. Discharged, males, 1177; females, 1070; total 2247. Transferred to State charge, 95 males, 122 females; total, 217. Remaining, males, 250; fe- males, 284; total, 534. SITUATION The situation of the buildings is exceedingly fine and healthful, on the height of lands overlooking the valley of the Kalamazoo River, and elevated above it about one hun- dred feet. About one-fifth of the grounds is covered with a fine, thrifty growth of forest-trees, principally oak and hickory, and the extensive lawn in front of the institution is covered with a scattering growth of oak, open and clear of underbrush, adding much to the beauty of the surround- ings, and furnishing an agreeable and ample shade in warm weather. In the rear of the buildings a belt of timber affords protection from winter winds, and also acts as a preventive of malarial infection. The Arcadia Creek, a clear and rapid stream, runs through the domain, and the land gradually falls away by a series of ravines, to the west of the buildings, into the valley of the creek, affording excellent opportunity for thorough drainage. Of the land, about sixty acres are devoted to grass and woodland, interspersed with walks and drives; the remainder, about one hundred and thirty-five acres being used for agri- cultural purposes. The soil is sandy loam, favorable to the growth of corn, small grains, grasses, vegetables, and fruits, and produces abundantly. WATER SUPPLY The water with which the institution is supplied is ob- tained from a well sunk in the valley in rear of the build- ings. It is thirty feet deep and sixteen feet in diameter, the water standing uniformly about seventeen feet deep, and being practically inexhaustible. It is clear and cold, coming through coarse gravel in the bottom of the well, and entirely free from all chemical or mineral impurities. The two departments of the institution are supplied by four-inch pipes, which carry the water to large reservoirs near the principal buildings. It is forced up by both steam and water-power, the former supplied by the laundry engine, and the latter by a large water-wheel, operated by a small stream running through the grounds, and having a fall of about thirteen feet. The buildings are furnished with tanks in the attics, which are supplied from the main reservoirs, one having a capacity of eighty thousand gallons. These tanks supply the boilers, from which all the rooms are furnished with steam for heating purposes. DRAINAGE This is in very perfect condition. Iron pipes connect with the various sinks, bath-rooms, water-closets, etc., and run to a common point in front of the buildings, where they discharge into a large sewer, egg-shaped, three feet by two in dimensions, which runs under the carriage-way to a dis- tant part of the grounds, and empties into two filtering- tanks, which retain the solid portions of the sewage while the deodorized liquid flows into a small stream and is carried away. The tanks are cleaned out every year and the filters repacked. WARMING AND VENTILATION Ventilation is secured by forcing air into the coil cham- bers by means of a large propeller-fan, which receives air from the outside and delivers it equally upon radiating sur- faces under the different wings. The radiating surfaces con- sist of large coils of wrought-iron pipe, in which steam is distributed from the boilers, and from which the water of condensation is conveyed back to the hot-water cisterns, and thence to the boilers. Directly above these coils are dis- tributing-flues which convey the heated air to the wards; and from the wards exit-flues convey the foul air to the attics, which communicate freely through five ventilating cupolas with the open air. Steam for warming, ventilating, cooking, hoisting coal, and for running the machinery of the laundry and shops is supplied by four horizontal, tabular boilers, in the boiler-house. These boilers are sixteen feet long and five feet diameter, each furnished with fifty four-inch flues, mud-drums, and steam-chests, complete. The great chimney, or "stack," is upwards of one hundred and fifty feet high, securing a per- fect draft and carrying off the smoke. The boilers are ar- ranged for bituminous coal, which is delivered upon a side- track, built to accommodate the institution, and connecting with the Michigan Central Railway. An inclined plane con- nects this track with the boiler-house. It is eight hun- dred and fifty feet in length, and has an ascent of one foot in nine, making a total rise of about ninety-four feet. A strong wire rope, worked around a large drum by the laundry engine, hauls up a dumping-car which empties itself at the summit. The facilities for receiving and handling supplies are convenient and ample for all purposes. CHAPEL AND KITCHEN BUILDING By an ingenious arrangment these departments are made to occupy the same building, which is situated immediately in the rear of the centre of the female department, and con- necting with the main building by means of a brick corridor. Below the ground-line there is an extensive cellar, a re- frigerating chamber, and rooms for ice, meat, and milk. The basement story is occupied by a large kitchen in front, and by store-rooms, cooking apartment, and bakery, and in rear by a large dining-hall for the accommodation of the employees of the institution. On the next, or main floor, is the chapel-room, fifty-five by thirty-two feet, and in rear of this, twelve comfortable rooms for domestics. This building is of brick, one hundred and six feet in length and thirty-five feet in width, covered with a slate roof. Over the corridor, connecting with the main building, is the library-room. The male department is similarly fitted up with regard to ventilation, heating, water supply, kitchens, and all other appurtenances necessary to the comfort and convenience of the patients, and for all other purposes, though on a somewhat smaller scale. The food is distributed in this department by means of cars running upon a miniature track to the re- spective dumb-waiters in either wing. ORGANIZATION The entire management of the asylum is under the act of organization, committed to a board of six trustees appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate, and holding office for terms of six years. The board appoints a medical superintendent as chief executive officer, who has adminstrative charge of all mat- ters pertaining to the institution. The subordinate officers, as assistant medical superintendent, assistant physicians, steward, treasurer, and chaplain, are appointed by the trus- tees upon his recommendation. Trustees - Hon. Charles T. Mitchell, Hillsdale, Presi- dent; E. O. Humphrey, Esq., Kalamazoo, Secretary; E. S. Lacey, Esq., Charlotte; F. R. Williams, Esq., Elk Rapids; George Hannahs, Esq., South Haven; Robert Burns, Esq., Kalamazoo. Resident Officers - George C. Palmer, M.D., Medical Superintendent; Edward A. Adams, M.D., Assistant Medi- cal Superintendent; William L. Worcester, M.D., Halsey L. Wood, M.D., Thomas R. Savage, M.D., Assistant Phys- icians; Henry Montague, Steward; William A. Wood, Treasurer. ==========================================================================