Asylum Visited01

Waupaca Republican

November 19, 1908

COUNTY BOARD VISITS ASYLUM

Last Thursday the County Board, Trustee Buslett, County Clerk Shoemaker and nearly all the county officers with J.M. Ware, E.B. Jeffers and the writer responded to an invitation of Superintendent Hayward to visit the county asylum. Forty-three tickets were purchased at this station which number was sufficient to have the train stop at the asylum.

Fourteen guests from New London and Weyauwega and other points were in waiting when the visitors from Waupaca arrived among these being the members of the board who went with Supervisor Dobbins in his automobile and not counting Supervisor Barnum of Clintonville, who was left by both the train and Dobbins, but finally followed through the compassion of Reporter Morse, who had business at Weyauwega and let Editor Barnum sit on behind.

The dinner served in the main dining room was full appreciated by all present, the more because it was served at the same tables and on the same dishes and in the same manner that meals are served to the inmates of the asylum, and was of the same high order that characterizes everything under the supervision of the efficient superintendent and matron.

The after dinner speeches voiced the satisfaction felt by all who were supporters of the proposition to build an asylum and of those who have since served in any capacity or had occasion to visit the institution for inspection. J.M. Ware alluded to the fact that in ’84 as the chairman of the board when the vote stood 15 to 15 on the question “shall Waupaca county have an asylum”, he cast the deciding vote in favor. Again when the question was before the county board and the vote stood 20 to 20 on the same question he again cast the deciding vote and he is proud of the fact that from the appointment of the first committee to the present moment there has been no cause, for an insinuation that personal motives have entered into the business of caring for this class of unfortunates, through the election of trustees, the selection of superintendent or other employees or the purchase of supplies.

Editor Craine of Weyauwega seconded the statements of Mr. Ware and expressed the satisfaction Weyauwega residents feel since the asylum has been established and is being conducted so efficiently and impartially.

Supervisor Darling gave a few reminiscences relating to the effort of those who favored the building of an asylum and of the work of the building committee of which he was chairman.

Hon. O.A. Buslett, a member of the present board of trustees gave an account of his recent visit to several similar institutions of the state and the school for feeble minded children at Chippewa Falls. He did not hesitate to say that of all the institutions visited, our county asylum though not the largest, stands first in point of management.