Letter From A Lunatic, About His Stay At Danville State Hospital, 1888

 

Ira Milton Lewis 1830-1905

When Ira Milton Lewis returned from Parish Feliciana Louisiana to his hometown of Pittston, he wrote of his "southern experiences" for the Gazette.  When Lewis spent time in the Danville State Hospital, he again wrote of his experience.

Letter From A Lunatic, September 2nd 1888

What He Has To Say About The Insane Asylum At Danville

The Sunday Leader received the following letter yesterday; from : one of the inmates of the Danville Insane Asylum. It will no doubt be read with Interest:

 DANVILLE STATE HOSPITAL,  Sept l. The Danville State Hospital for the Insane is situated two miles from the borough of Danville on the D. L. & W. R. R., about three eighths of a mile from the north branch of the Susquehanna river. A better site could hardly have bean selected, being easy of access from all parts of the State. 

Dr. S. Shultz is superintendent and senior physician, assisted by Doctors Aldrich and Meredith. The hospital is full to overflowing, speaking well for the management.  Mrs. Cole Is the matron. The food is of the best quality and well prepared.  Mr. Thomas Swank is supervisor and Mr. Interline his assistant : Mrs. Frost and Miss Annie Smith fill the same offices on the female side. In each ward there are two or three young men whose duty it is to look after the patients, to see that they have their food and eat it, also to  see that they are well clothed and that they do not injure each other. There are the same number of young ladles employed on the female side for the same purpose. 

During the cool and cold weather a dance is given every Thursday evening, except occasionally some other entertainment is provided for the amusement of the patients. This is a great source of enjoyment to them, especially to those who are capable of participating; These young ladies and gentlemen take part in the dance and see that the patients conduct themselves properly. 

Chapel is held every evening. These services are generally conducted by Dr. Shultz.  Every Sunday afternoon the patients and employees are permitted to listen to a gospel sermon. Ministers from the different denomination a officiate on these occasions.  

All the patients that are well enough, are expected to attend these services. 

There are four yards in the rear of the hospital, in which the patients are permitted to take exercise during the warm weather. All is done that can be done for the health and comfort of the inmates.

 There Is belonging to the hospital 320 acres of land under a good state of cultivation. The main building consists of twenty-two wards built of stone, and the center built of very fine stone and brick. There are seven outbuildings five of which are built of stone. 

Greenhouse at Danville State Hospital

There Is also a greenhouse containing a palm tree and many rare plants and flowers. The lawns are well kept and dotted with a great variety of shrubbery. The hospital is surrounded with a series of mountains and hills, giving a great variety of scenery. The admirer of nature can feast bis eyes continually upon its beauties.

The front view is grand. With the fountain sending forth Its sparkling water and spray, the beautiful Susquehanna gliding smoothly along, blue hills on the opposite side of the river, the forest with its various shades of green and the fields from which have recently been taken the ripened grain. 

This institution is an honor to the state and I have no doubt but what many of the between eight and nine hundred patients who are here tor treatment, would suffer for want of suitable food and clothing were they not provided for here 

Dr. S.S. Shultz, the  Superintendent, is ever on the alert together with his assistants to see that all the regulations of the hospital are carried out I was greatly benefited by being here six months in 1880 and did not go home until he thought It best that I should go. He will know best when I should go now.

 Ira M. Lewis, Home. West Pittston.

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Ira Milton Lewis was born March 3 1830, Franklin twp,  Luzerne County Pa, the son of Rev. Oliver & Cynthia [Smith] Lewis.

He married Elizabeth Adelaide Williams on April 9 1864, and the couple had 7 children.

Milton lived in the homestead for 32 years, then moved to West Pittson making his home there for the next 19 years.  During that time he was a school teacher, and later a foreman of a breaker.  He was also interested in the mercantile business.

In 1872, Mr. Lewis went to Parish Feliciana Louisiana, where he was appointed deputy collector of taxes.  When he returned to Pittston after his southern experience, he wrote for the weekly newspaper, the Gazette.   

Lewis then went to Yonkers, Newburg, and Middletown, where he was an employee of the Singer Sewing Machine Co.  

"Now, being in his 70th year, he is enjoying a well-earned rest.  Though in advanced years, he is still very active, and enjoys greatly the periodical visits he is privileged to make among old friends in Pittston and vicinity."

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Pittston Gazette, August 26th 1902

September 2 1888

Middletown Daily Argus

09 Feb 1895