Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2016 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Annual Report of the Board of State Charities To The Governor of the State of Ohio For the Year 1867 L. D. Myers & Bro., Columbus, OH - State Printers [22-24] FRANKLIN COUNTY The statistics of the Franklin County Infirmary indicate but litte of its true character save, that in view of it's limited capacity, as com- pared with the numbers for which it provides, its management must involve great perplexity, without the possibility of securing to its inmates a corresponding degree of comfort. The estimated capacity of the buildings at present is two hundred; whereas, at one time during the year, when its capacity was much less, there were as high as two hundred and fifty-seven inmates. This Infirmary, likewise, came under the observation of the Board, and, beyond the horrors attaching to the condition of the insane, nothing additional, perhaps, need be said. In an upper room of a small outer building there are a class of insane inmates for whom any conceivable change of horrors would be a relief. Certainly nothing more wretched than their present condition would be well conceived. The cells are necessarily strong, heavy plank and stud- ding being used in their construction. These cells are but little larger than ordinary stalls for oxen or horses. The violence of the inmates pre- cludes the use of windows to the cells, and the apartment is lighted by small windows at either end of the building. Through one of these windows the strong light of an August sun was barely sufficient to discover the interior and reveal the condition of the inmates of one of these cells. In it were confined a maniac and an idiot. The latter, entirely nude, was crouching, amid his own filth, in one corner of the cell, while the mad- man stood grasping the strong timbers of the door - now raving wildly, and anon entreating mildly, for deliverance from his terrible thraldom. In an opposite cell, furious in his madness, which literally "no man could tame," was another inmate, who, seven years ago, had been trans- ferred from the Ohio Penitentiary. Further on, in another cell, was still another. He, too, had been a crazy convict, transferred at the expiration of his sentence from the lunatic department of the Penitentiary to this horrible place. He, how- ever, represented a different type of insanity. He was in a state of nudity, sitting upon the bare floor, having scraped, with apparent care, the straw, which constituted his only bedding, from beneath him. He was lean and haggard, and sat with a vacant, but quiet and seemingly harm- less stare upon objects around him. Recognizing the Secretary as his former Chaplain, he remembered the misnomer which, while he had been in prison, the Chaplain had often inadvertently applied to him, and he said: "You used to call me Michael." (His name was Matthew.) When asked if he would not prefer his old quarters at the prison, he said: "No, they tell me I'll go from here to the grave, but I won't if I can help it." Poor "Michael" has since then "gone to the grave, but we will not deplore him;" but may we not ask, in the name of our poor, fallen, helpless humanity, is there not much in these sad, pitiable facts that all must deplore and which, while we deplore, seek, if possible, to remedy? The Board will, I trust, pardon this extended notice of the condi- tion of these insane. In this Infirmary twelve (six male and six female) are reported in close confinement, while the total number of insane is fifty-three; all of whom are reported to have been under treatment in our State Asylums, save, perhaps, those referred to as convicts from the State prison. This Infirmary is situated within the city limits of Columbus, and has, I understand, been made the subject of frequent complaint by the municipal authorities; but it ought to be remembered that Franklin county, and especially the city of Columbus, occupies an unenviable relation to such classes as are here brought to notice, and heretofore an unusual allotment of such cases have fallen to the care of this Infir- mary. Non-resident insane from the State Asylum, or the crazy convict, have, from sad necessity, been thrown upon its care. But in no sense can these abuses reflect blame upon the management. Mr. McElvain, the Super- intendent, is an intelligent, humane, and worthy man, and seems more than others can, to regret the inability or indisposition of the county to make better provision for the unfortunate classes over which he exer- cises his best personal superintendency. Notwithstanding all this, I have felt constrained to call the attention of the Board to these things as coming under their own obser- vation, because these are but representative cases, indicating only too clearly the condition of a majority of such cases, so far as observed, throughout the State. ==========================================================================