Report of the Board of Commissioners of the Northern Asylum for the Insane at Traverse City, Michigan, from October 1, 1884, to the full completion of the work, November 10, 1886.

Report of the Board of Commissioners of the Northern Asylum for the Insane at Traverse City, Michigan, from October 1, 1884, to the full completion of the work, November 10, 1886.

Asylums--Michigan--Traverse City--History.

Psychiatric Hospitals.

Report published by the State of Michigan and addressed to R. A. Alger, then Governor of the State of Michigan, upon completion of the Northern Asylum for the Insane, at Traverse City. This final report covers the period of September 30, 1884, to November 10, 1886. This report also includes the reports of the superintendent and the treasurer.

Board of Commissioners of the Northern Asylum for the Insane, at Traverse City.

Original document held by Traverse Area District Library.

Lansing: Thorp & Godfrey, State Printers and Binders.

30 September 1884 to 10 November 1886

State of Michigan.

This document is in the public domain.

See other reports from the Board of Trustees in the "Traverse City State Hospital" Digital Collection.

PDF.

English.

Document.

TCSH0002

Traverse City, Grand Traverse County, Michigan.

N O R T H E R N MICHIGAN A S Y L U M , T R A V E R S E CITY, MICHIGAN

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WARDS FOR FEMALES.

CENTER BUFLDINC.

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SHOP BUILDING.

CHAPEL BUILDING.

W.—Well House.
L.—Laundry.
D. R.—Drying Room.
R. R.—Reception Room.
A. D. R.—Assorting and Delivery Room.
D. W.—Dumb Waiter.
C. S.—Carpenter Shop.
S. P. S.—Smith and Pipe Shop.
E. O.—Engineer's Office.
B. R.—Boiler Room.
E. R.—Engine Room.
W. C.~Water Closet.
C—Coal Shed.
H.-—Hose House,
S. R.—Soap Room.

S —Stores.
R.—Refrigerator.
G. K.—General Kitchen.
S. C. R.—Steam Cooking Room.
S. R—Sink Room.
\\r. C.—Water Closet.
B. R.—Bath Room.
B.—Bakery.
O.—Oven.
D. R.—Dining Room.
S. H.—Swill House.

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P'li^ST

ST03B"sr.

WARDS.
A.—Attendant's Room.
D. R,—Dining Room,
C. R.—Clothes Room.
L.—Lavatory.
B. R.—Bath Room.
W. C—Water Closet.
S. R.—Sick Room.
S.—Shaft for Pipes
D.—Dust Shaft.
DAY R.—Day Room.

A. D.—Associated Dormitory.
D. S.—Drying Shaft.
C—Closet.
C. S.—Clothes Shaft.
Patients' Rooms blank.
1—China Closet.
2—Dumb Waiter.
D. R.
3-Sink.
4—Drying Shaft.

CENTER BUILDING.
R. R.—Reception Room.
T. P.—Trustees' Parlor.
M. 0.—Medical Office.
S. O.—Superintendent's Office.
P.—Pantry.
D. R.—Dining Room.
SD. O.—Stev^ard's Office.
M. R.—Matron's Room.
C—Closet.
D. W.—Dumb Waiter.
S.—Shaft for Pipes.
W. C—Water Closet.
L.—Library.
v.—Vault.
T.—Telephone Office.

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EEPOET OF THE BOAED OF OOMMISSIOWEES.

NORTHERN MICHIGAN ASYLUM, }
TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN,
L
November 10th, 1886.
)
To THE HON. R. A. ALGER,
Governor of the State of Michigan:

SIK—In accordance with the requirements of the law therefor the Board
of Commissioners,, having finished and equipped the Northern Asylum for
the Insane, at Traverse City., the trust with which the Board was charged,
respectfully submits this final report, which covers a period from September
30, 1884, to November 10, 1886. The report of the Superintendent and of
the treasurer is herewith also presented.
The present report, while dealing in detail with the building and furnishing operations of the fiscal years 1885 and 1886, seeks to incorporate also -a
general review of the whole past history of the Institution, the expenditure
of money and results therefrom, the characteristic constructive features and
reasons therefor, and the purposes, methods and administration of the Board
of Commissioners. This can be done without materially enlarging this report,
since during the fiscal years 1885 and 1886 a large proportion of the total
outlay was incurred ; this outlay, for numerous purposes, very diverse in
character, a full report of which will include nearly all the topics treated in
previous reports. By adhering to tne method above outlined, this, the final
report, will stand as a unit, complete in its general information, and previous reports need be consulted only in special cases where a knowledge of
details is desired.
RETROSPECT.

?i

Scarcely had the Eastern Asylum at Pontiac received its transferred
patients before the necessity for additional asylum accommodations was felt.
Those unfortunate patients, who by necessity had been confined within
county poorhouses and jails, or at home in private receptacles, were most
happily and humanely cared for, as required by law, in the new asylum;
but the admission of the accumulated cases of several years rapidly filled the
asylum, and the relief experienced was but temporary. Two months after
the opening of the Eastern. Asylum the trustees, by report of September 30,
1878, urged "that immediate steps be taken for the establishment, location
and erection of an additional asylum." At the same time the trustees, as a
means of temporary relief, asked, on the ground of necessity and true
economy, for money to erect additional buildings to be occupied by epi-

4

NORTHERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.

leptics and quiet patients, forty of each sex. The Michigan Asylum
through its Trustees also stated the necessity for more asylum accommodation. The Legislature of 1878 and 1879, however, did not deem it wise to
make an appropriation following so closely after the opening of the new
asylum at Pontiac.
As the time for the next Legislature approached the necessity for relief,
through action of the Legislature, became more and more urgent, and an
organized effort to secure additional provision for the insane was made by
the Boards of Trustees of the Eastern and Michigan Asylums at the joint
meeting held in May, 1880, by specifically and formally recommending and
urging the Legislature to appropriate mouey for "an additional asylum for
the insane, similar in plan, purpose, and grade of provision to the asylumsalready built." The report of each asylum for the fiscal year 1880 reiterated
the necessity and urged immediate action, stating that the asylums were
" practically closed to the admission of patients." During the following
session of the Legislature the trustees and superintendents severally used
their influence to secure the desired legislative action.
These efforts and influences prevailed. The Legislature of Michigan,
always liberal in its charities, enabled from reliable data to recognize clearly
the gravity of the situation, made, in June, 1881, with scarcely a dissenting
voice, an appropriation for an additional asylum for the insane by an act, in
language and amount almost identical with that which established the
asylum previously built. Nor was this all. The same Legislature, reaffirming most emphatically the previously adopted policy of the State and the
obligation therefrom to maintain the indigent insane at public expense,
appropriated as a means for immediate relief $75,000 for the enlargement of
the Eastern Michigan Asylum at Pontiac by the addition of wings.
A Board of Commissioners, charged with the duty of selecting the location for the new asylum and to. purchase a site was constituted, by the
appointment of Messrs. Perry Hannah, Dr. E. H. Van Deusen and Milton
H. Butler.
The Commissioners, unlimited by the terms of the act as to the portion of
the State within which they should seek for a site, first familiarized themselves with the amount and influence of the existing State asylum accommodation in its relation to meeting or failing to meet the present and prospective needs of different sections of the State; and, justifying the prevailing
sentiment, determined, in view of a very large and rapidly developing area
of the State that the interests of the insane would be best subserved by the
location of the proposed institution with special reference to the requirements of a distinctively northern district.
The examination of the sites was commenced September 20, 1881, and
terminated by the location of the institution at Traverse City the following
November. By the choice of this location the Board hoped to secure in a
large degree to enfeebled patients, and those suffering from malarial disease
in its varied form, the characteristic climatic influences that have made
Northern Michigan a delightful and popular summer resort. The land
selected possessed an unexampled combination of those desirable features
pertaining to an ideal site, a dry, porous soil, consequently healthy, eastern
frontage for the building, an elevation sightly yet sheltered, an ample supply
of pure water, good facilities for drainage and sewerage, proper distance and
isolation from the city, wooded grounds broken and cut with hills and
ravines, admirably adapted to the recreation of patients, and, withal, a most

REPORT OF BOARD OP COMMISSIONERS.

5

beautiful outlook, commanding the city, Grand Traverse bay and the hills
beyond.
The Locating Board purchased 339 91-100 acres of land, together with the
buildings thereon, at a total cost of $19,611.83. While the Board was authorized to receive donations of land, this method of acquiring title to the
site, implying, as it does, that an inducement offered may influence the decision in favor of the would-be donors, was neither invited nor encouraged.
The total cost of the site, however, was not borne by the State. The owners
•of two of the several tracts were unwilling to sell at prices considered by the
Board full and fair valuation therefor. The additional sum asked amounted
to $6,000, which was contributed by the citizens of Traverse City. Hon.
Perry Hannah still further reduced the cost to the State by donating forty
acres of timber land possessing most excellent soil.
This retrospect would not be complete without mentioning the further
tract of land, 56 66-100 acres, selected by the Locating Board but not purchased, land deemed essential to the purposes of the Institution. A legal
obstacle prevented the purchase, Mr. Hannah being both the owner, and, as
a Commissioner, a buyer. The Board reported the circumstances of the case
to the succeeding Legislature, and asked that permission be granted to make
the desired purchase. The Asylum Legislative Committees visited Traverse
City, and, on returning, unanimously and strongly urged the justice and expediency of acquiring possession of the land. Unfortunately, through influences wholly disconnected with the desirability of the purchase, the bill did
not pass. The Board thereupon considered its duty to have been discharged,
and the matter is here alluded to only as a record of the past. It is, however,
proper to say that all the reasons that were good for the purchase four years
ago are cogent to-day, the occupation of the asylum demonstrating fully
their force and correctness. The city has rapidly grown toward the desired
tract, enhancing its pecuniary value and threatening to overflow on to it beyond reclamation whenever Mr. Hannah shall discontinue his generous and
losing purpose of holding it at the original price subject to purchase by the
Asylum. This matter as to the future is treated in the report of the Board
of Trustees, to which reference may be had for further information.
After the selection of a site a Building Board was constituted, by adding
to the Locating Board Messrs. Alexander Chapoton, Sr., of Detroit, and
Henry H. Riley, of Constantine, making a Board of five members. To this
Board was entrusted the responsibility of procuring and adopting plans for
asylum buildings, and for constructing, furnishing and equipping the same.
Within the limits of the appropriation no restriction or direction as to character, size or construction was placed on the Board.
At the first meeting of the Board 0. M. Wells was appointed to fill the
positions of Superintendent and Secretary, provided for by law, and in
January, 1882, Gordon W. Lloyd, of Detroit, was selected as architect.
Much time and thought was spent preliminary to and during the architectural work, in determining the type of asylum structure to be embodied
in plans; its capacity in whole and in parts; the interior arrangements and
classifications, and the architectural, hygienic and economic features to be
incorporated. An examination of the site in its relation to the proposed
building was made, resulting in an adaptation of the ground plan by bending
forward the extreme wings, so as to afford a view of Grand Traverse Bay
from all the wards, and at the same time bring the foundation on land more
nearly level.

6

NOETHEEN ASYLUM FOE THE INSANE.

The Board determined to expend the money in the erection of an asylum
building, complete in itself, substantial and durable in construction, plain
but tasty in appearance, as nearly fire-proof as the means would admit, and
arranged with a view for attaining the highest results of treatment through
proper classification, segregation of patients and their individual care and
hygienic surroundings. This decision kept in view the prospective demands
of the future for a materially increased population, and regarded also the
tendency of the times to regard with favor the cottage system. The centre
structure would serve as a nucleus for a large number of detached buildings
or cottages, materially reducing the building cost per patient in proportion
as the population should be increased. To carry out this possibility, however, the administration building and the working departments must be
built with a capacity to anticipate the future. The funds placed at the disposal of the Board would not allow the construction of a proper central
structure looking to a large population, of say one thousand, and the detac.hed buildings also; while with or without cottages the central hospital
building, for the treatment of the disturbed classes, the aged and very infirm,,
and those suffering from acute disease, is absolutely indispensable. To the
Board it seemed the wiser course to erect an administration building and
working departments adequate to the needs of the prospectively increased
population, and to place on either side wards for patients, arranged and apportioned with reference to the classification and the requirements of the
classes to be treated in this portion of an enlarged asylum rather than to
defeat the possibility of further extension by providing in the present for a
somewhat larger population at the cost of centre buildings inadequate to the
demands of the future.
The preparation of correct plans and exact specifications was a work requiring considerable time and much careful research. During this preparation in order to forward the work, the Board, after duly advertising, let
contracts for the common and pressed brick that would be required by the
main contract, and for a large portion of the rubble and footing stone for
the foundations. A brick-yard was immediately established at Traverse City,
on land owned by Hannah, Lay & Co., the clay of which was donated for
asylum use, and the brick-yard was operated by Messrs. Farr, Avery & Co.,
the contractors, who utilized a large portion of the brick season of 1882, thus
advancing the brick supply by nearly a year, and who, before the advent of
cold weather, had made one million brick.
Messrs. Wing, Morgan & Harford, the contractors for otone, delivered from
quarries in Wisconsin a large quantity of rubble and footing stone. This accumulated supply of building material materially facilited progress when the
plans were ready, and the main contract had been executed.
The summer of 1882 was full of labor trouble; contractors stood uncertain
and timid, and hesitated on large works to make pecuniarily, fair proposals.
Prices were high and unsettled, and the outlook was very unfavorable for
letting the proposed work within the limits of the appropriation. This limit
must not be exceeded, while to curtail the work or lop off any portion would
be justified only by a most unfortunate necessity. Under these circumstances
the full completion of the plans was not urgently pressed, and the work was
not advertised until after the business outlook began to brighten.
At the time proposals were opened, October 26, 1882, after advertising for
six weeks, the labor market was comparatively settled, through the abandon-

EEPORT OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.

7

ment of the hopeless efforts to maintain the high prices of former years.
The inevitable result followed. Labor endeavoured to make up for lost time,
competition became active and contractors fearless, resulting in proposals
that dissipated the unfavorable anticipations of the Board. The State gained
pecuniarily through the breaking down of the elated prices of 3880 and 1881,
and the Board was enabled to let the contract on the basis of the plans as
prepared, embodying all the features considered essential or distinctive, and
within the sum appropriated.
This, the main contract, was let to Bentleys & Nowlan, of Madison, Wis.,
for the sum of $272,169.67, and includ* d the general construction of the
building in carpenter and mason work and the related branches of slating,
tinning, painting, glazing, iron work, &c., but did not include the brick and
stone supplies already contracted for.
The constructive work of the years 1883 and 1884 has been previously and
fully reported. It is sufficient to say that under the contracts before named
the work was pressed forward very rapidly and without interruption or delay
from any cause. On September 30, 1884, the date of the preceding report,
the brick and stone walls had been completed. Out stone work and work on
cornices on roofs were finished with unimportant exceptions. The glazing;
was well forward, the painting had kept pace with the wood and iron work,
and the building throughout, except the administration building, had received
the first coat of plastering. Out of $400,000 appropriated a total outlay of
$304,475.66 had been incurred, and the completion of the institution within
the contract time seemed assured.
FUBNISHING AND EQUIPPING THE ASYLUM.

Money for furnishing the Asylum and equipping it with apparatus for heating, appliances for cooking, baking, fire protection, ventilation, etc., the
machinery for outfitting the laundry, carpenter and smith shops, together with
the money for plumbing and sewerage, and for stock, vehicles, implements,
etc., was not appropriated with the building fund. Before the beginning of the
period covered by this report the building work had so favorably advanced
that considerable of the work above named could have advantageously been
started. Estimates, however, could neither be intelligently made by the
Board, nor satisfactorily considered by the Legislature as early as the session
of 1882 and 1883, and an appropriation was not sought prior to the session
of 1884 and 1885. The Board called the attention of this Legislature to the
urgent demand for early legislation, and pointed out the evils that must
inevitably result from any considerable delay in making the appropriations,
and consequently in opening the Asylum. This necessity for prompt action
was emphasized by the Board of Corrections and Charities, and by both the
out-going and in-coming Governors.
Very carefully prepared estimates, in detail, showing minutely the number,
kind and cost of all articles to be purchased or work to be performed with
the money sought, were laid before the Legislature, and therewith statements
showing the reasons for the various expenditures. The pressure of other
interests, however, proved an obstacle to early legislation, and the appropriations were not approved until May 4,1885, and until that time the commencement of the various works thereunder was postponed.
• Although a little tardy in making the appropriations the Legislature recognized fully the justice of the demands and the needs for funds as set forth,

8

NORTHERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.

and appropriated the estimated sums in full^ aggregating $121,700. The
several purposes for which money was appropriated as named in the act,
their purposes grouped together and consolidated from the estimates, were
as follows:
Furnishing wards for 500 patients and 50 attendants; furnishing
administration building, and dormitories of shop and chapel
buildings, including three dining rooms
$30,375 00
Furnishing offices, chapel and dispensary,
2,475 00
Cooking apparatus, laundry apparatus, baking apparatus, iron
working apparatus, and carpenter apparatus
7,660 00
Heating apparatus, including boilers for power purposes,
40,245 00
Plumbing of Asylum complete, including hot and cold water distribution and hot water boilers
13,375 00
Sewers, drains, and cisterns
3,430 00
Implements, vehicles and utensils, stock, including farm and carriage horses; engines 92-horse-power, complete in place; and
shafting, hangers, belting, pulleys, etc
7,340 00
Fire protection,
4,115 00
Ventilation, including fan and engine for same,
3,570 00
Grading,
1,600 00
Telephone communication, dumb waiters and Asylum bell
1,705 00
Sidewalks and airing courts,
1,260 00
Scientific instruments, books, pictures, musical instruments, etc., 1,800 00
Supplying Asylum with water, including pump and well complete, 2,750 00
Total

$121,700 00
PEOGRESS OF THE WORK.

During the fall of 1884 the main contractors, Messrs. Bentleys & Nowlan,
favored by declines in prices and a consequently abundant labor market, continued to urge forward the work, completing all brick and stone mason work,
finishing the slating, tin and galvanized iron work of roofs, cornices, pediments and ventilating towers, hanging and glazing all sash, and continuing
the painting and finishing. Moreover, the approach of winter saw the rough
or lower floors laid, the wire cloth or lathing all on, and covered wholly with
the first and partially with the second coat of plastering.
In the absence of the heating apparatus little could be accomplished during
the winter months, and few men were employed.
The spring of 1885 brought renewed activity. The plastering, both plain
and ornamental, was completed, floors deafened, and the carpenter and joiner
force largely increased, as the work on floors, doors, casing, stairs, wainscoting, etc., in turn became possible, while the painters and finishers followed
the joiners as closely as warranted by the demands of good work.
The contract of Bentleys & Nowlan, in the sum of $272,169.67, was satisfactorily closed November 5, 1885, by final payment of $69,012.19, or $9,920.46 less than the contract price. This saving represents the net result of
changes in the contract by additions thereto and deductions therefrom, the
aggregate sums paid under this contract being $262,249.21.
In advance of the appropriations for furnishing, apparatus, etc., and pending their consideration by the Legislature, plans and specifications were pre-

EEPORT OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.

9

pared by the Superintendent, and proposals invited for power and heating
boilers. The contract was awarded January 21, 1885, to the Lansing Iron
and Engine Works in the sum of $6,850 for two tubular powei boilers six feet
by sixteen feet each, and for two drop-return-flue heating boilers each eight
feet by twenty-six feet four inches, all of steel. As was anticipated, the construction of these large boilers required considerable time, and they were not
delivered until August, 1885, some time after the progress of the heating
contract had rendered their presence very desirable. It will be seen that a
failure to start the boiler work in advance of the appropriation therefor
would have resulted in a delayed occupation of the Asylum by several months.
The Board was warranted in thus contracting through the possibility of
making the payments from the building fund should the proper appropriation
fail. Credit must be given to the Lansing Iron and Engine Works for earnest endeavour to carryforward the difficult work of constructing the large
boilers in conformity, both in letter and spirit, to the plans and specifications
therefor.
During the winters of 1884 and 1885, as before stated, but little building
work could be done, and time was given to fully consider the varied needs
of the Institution in their relation to the most approved appliances and
practices of the present time, in heating and plumbing apparatus, machinery,
etc., and to embody the studies thereon in plans and specifications—a work
entrusted to the Superintendent.
In order to forward the work the Board invited proposals, by advertising,
for heating and plumbing prior to the action of the Legislature on the
Appropriation bill, hoping, as proved to be the case, the date for opening
the proposals would find the money available.
Proposals were opened June 4, 1885, and a contract for the major portion
-of the heating apparatus was entered into with Messrs. Samuel I. Pope &
Co., of Chicago, in the sum of $19,379; and the contract for plumbing, fire
protection and portions of the heating, with Messrs. Bundle, Spence & Co.,
of Milwaukee, Wis., in the sum of $17,829.84. These contracts were well
placed. The State received the advantage of the lowest bids, and in each
case the work was begun immediately, and carried forward to completion in
a manner to attest both the technical skill and the fair-mindedness of the
firms doing the work.
The contract for plumbing and fire protection was closed December 3,
1885, a total of $18,224.98 being paid, and the contract for heating was
closed the same date, the payments aggregating $19,520.54. In both of
these contracts the plans and specifications were executed without material
•change, and the additional amounts paid above the contract prices represent
almost wholly work not included in the contract, as the work of heating and
plumbing the bakery building, and the plumbing wastes for kitchen and
laundry fixtures. The report of the Superintendent herewith printed
shows in some detail the nature, extent, and cost of the work covered by
these contracts. After nearly a year of daily test the workmanship has
stood without failure, and the methods adopted have satisfactorily and
thoroughly accomplished the desired ends.
The Board hesitated long before adopting the electric light to the exclu.sion of possible lighting by other means should electricity prove but partially successful. At the time when called on to decide, lighting by
electricity for the purposes of an Insane Asylum was still an experiment. It
2

10

NORTHERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.

required strong faith during the construction of the building to allow the
omission of piping for gas, looking forward to the possible contingency of
failure in the electric light. But faith took form under investigation and
examination, until the result appeared less an experiment than a certainty.
The old was discarded, the new was tried and found to be a most decided
success.
*
This success is shown in double the quantity of light as compared with
gas, and at half the cost; in a quality of light absolutely steady, brighter
and better in every way than that of gas, in a light that does not vitiate or
heat the air, and is under perfect and instant control, and, withal, a light
that dispenses with the constant menace with the asylum buildings of
matches and an open flame. Prom incandescent electric lighting to gas
would be a retrogression as positive and extended as from gas to kerosene, or
from kerosene to tallow dips.
Proposals for electric lighting were opened, after advertising for six
weeks, on June 24, 1885, and an award was made the following day to the
Edison Company for Isolated Lighting, of New York City, in the sum of
$11,432.60, for which amount of money the Company agreed to instal 629
incandescent electric lamps, with the wiring therefor complete; to put in
three dynamos—two having a capacity of two hundred and fifty lights each,
and one a capacity of one hundred lights—and to furnish and place threeArmington & Sims' engines, one for each dynamo. Final payment was
made January 6, 1886, in the sum of the contract.
The main engines and dynamos are in duplicate, and damage to any one
can stop or affect the light but for a moment. The same engines drive the
machinery for laundry, carpenter shop and the ventilating fan.
The electroliers, pendants, brackets, and other electric light fixtures were
purchased of Messrs. Bergmann & Co., of New York City, at a total cost of
$1,395.00.
Adding the cost of the fixtures to the amount of the Edison contract, and
deducting the cost of one large and one small engine, which engines would
have been required without the electric light, makes the total cost of the
electric light plant $11,032.27, which does not differ largely from the
probable cost of piping the buildings for gas and erecting works for its
manufacture.
As the construction of the building progressed in the various departments
contracts were entered into or purchases made, of the apparatus, furniture
or goods for which special appropriations had been granted, care being exercised to contract for or provide first those classes which would take the most
time to produce. When goods were purchased in open market the method
adopted was always a competitive one, the determination being made on the
quality and cost of the goods offered as the interest of the State appeared.
Whenever practicable the competition was based on definite specifications, as
in the case of ward furniture, comfortables, hair mattresses, pillows, sheets,
etc.; samples as a basis for contract being generally required. In many instances this method was not practicable, as in the better grades of furniture,
miscellaneous dry goods and hardware, cutlery, pictures, tinware, brushes,,
clocks, musical and surgical instruments, etc., in all of which cases prominent firms were invited personally or by letter to name prices and to submit
samples, or description of the goods offered. In a few cases in order toobtain the advantage of technical knowledge possessed by leading firms in.

REPORT OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.

11

some specialty, as in fitting up the kitchens or laundry, proposals were asked
simply for prices on a detailed outfit to cook or wash for a certain number of
persons, leaving the kinds of goods, their arrangement and character to be
determined by the firm making the proposal.
In the report of the Superintendent, under whose supervision all this work
iras placed, will be found specific information respecting the goods purchased,
of whom, their character and cost, and accompanying this report is a complete list of all the principal proposals, giving the names of the competingfirms, the number and kind of goods, prices named and result.
In no case was the opening of the building delayed because of goods unpurchased or undelivered, or because of work not started in time. One of
the major contracts, the electric lighting contract, dragged alarmingly, but
at the last minute squeezed through, to be in readiness with the rest. The
sole aim was to so far perfect the building and its equipment that patients
could be admitted, and thus relieve, at the earliest possible moment, the long
continued demand for Asylum accommodation.
It will be seen that the summer and fall of 1885 were full of work. All
branches of mechanical and artisan work were progressing simultaneously.
The main contract, the large contracts for heating and for plumbing, fire
protection and electric lighting, were going forward each in its varied
branches and multitudinous details. All furniture and furnishing goods, a list
running through nearly all branches of dry goods and hardware, were proTided. The laundry, kitchens, and bakery were fitted with apparatus of the
most approved and promising kind. The main sewer to Boardman river was
constructed; a refrigerator and bakery building was erected; also a small barn
for cattle, a swill-house and substantial pig-pens. Wagons, implements, utensils, horses and stock, were provided sufficient for immediate need. The deep
well was commenced, completed, and equipped with a well house, pump and
connections. An idea of the magnitude of operations crowded into a few
months may be had by noting that the payments for the month of November
1885 were $101,923.37, and those for September and December, each, over
$30,000.
Ground was broken in April 1883, and patients were admitted in November 1885. It will thus be seen that the admission of patients was almost
simultaneous with closing the large contracts, all taking place in the month
of November 1885, excepting only the contract for electric lighting, the
closing of which was delayed until January following the opening of the
Institution.
The building and its contents, together with the farm and stock, was formerly transferred from the Board of Commissioners to the Board of Trustees,
the Board charged with permanent control of the Asylum, November 5, 1885,
reserving, however, to the Commissioners all rights necessary to carrying on
building and furnishing operations for the full completion of the Asylum.
But opening the Asylum by the reception of patients did not mean its
completion. It meant that essentials had crowded out non-essentials. All
could not be accomplished in so short a time. Thus the grounds, roads,
barns, coal shed, and other outbuildings all were untouched. Books, pictures,
musical and scientific instruments were unpurchased, as were also portions
of the furnishing, the vehicles, utensils and stock. Even the main contracts
for heating, plumbing and electric lighting were not finished and closed by
final payment until after patients had been received. The payments for

12

NORTHERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.

December, following the reception of patients, aggregated $30,907, and at
the date of opening the Asylum there remained unexpended the sum of
$73,721.27, though quite a portion of this was required to meet obligations
already incurred.
During the winter following the opening the steam and return mains and
the hot and cold water pipes were covered; a large amount of interior work
in the way of cupboards, shelving, chair rail, etc., was done, and nearly all
the balance of the funds for furniture and furnishing was expended.
The principal work of the past season has been on the grounds, the roads,
sidewalks, fences, and outbuildings. A brick and stone coal shed, having a
•capacity of one thousand tons, has been erected; also a general farm barn
and a carriage barn, a large root cellar, or house, and some minor outbuildings. The dwelling house purchased with the site has been enlarged
.and appropriately fitted as a most desirable home, where fifteen selected
female patients can live within their own family circle—a beginning of the
cottage system. Two additional turrets, for ventilating purposes, have been
built, and the ventilating system, heretofore incomplete, has been completed
by finishing the work in the attics, and by the erection of a large and
poweiful ventilating fan having a maximum capacity of one hundred and
twenty thousand cubic feet of air per minute. A large amount of work has
been done upon the roofs, cornices and gutters, and within the attics, to
remedy trouble experienced through climatic influences in the lodgment of
snow and ice upon the roofs. These matters are all fully reported by the
Superintendent and receive here only general mention.
The completed Asylum will accommodate five hundred and fifteen patients
without crowding, and has been furnished for five hundred. The cost
therefor on the basis of the money expended for all purposes, has been
$1,012.50 per patient. This per capita cost will in the near future be
reduced through the crowding which will inevitably follow the pressure for
admission consequent on the rapid growth of the insane population of the
State—a growth considerably in excess of one hundred patients per year.
At the date of this report 445 patients are under treatment, and of the estimated capacity only 70 vacancies remain, 50 females and 20 males.
Looking to the future the administration building has all the capacity and
appointments demanded for the treatment of a thousand patients; the same
is true of the chapel building, containing the chapel room, the kitchen
department and the dormitories for help; also of the bakery and refrigerator
building. In the shop building the boilers, pumps, engines, electric
•dynamos, steam and water mains, carpenter and laundry apparatus are
worked far. short of their full capacity, and the shop building itself is
generally ample for largely increased use. Thus it will be readily seen that
additional accommodation, for a few or for many, can, through the erection
of detached buildings, be secured, and at a cost not to exceed $200 per
patient, reducing very largely the average cost.
APPROPRIATIONS AND EXPENDITURES.

The funds placed at the disposal of the Board aggregate $521,700, of
which $400,000 was appropriated for purchases of land, the construction of
the Asylum buildings, roads, fences, outbuildings and all incidental and
accompanying expenses, and $121,700 was appropriated for furnishing and
•equipping the Asylum. The specific purposes of the several appropriations

REPORT OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.

13

have been heretofore enumerated on pages 7 and 8. With economy
throughout, and care to avoid any extravagant features, these sums have
generally proved sufficient for the purposes intended. In a number of
instances a larger amount could advantageously have been expended. On
the other hand, in the heating fund, and in the fund for scientific instruments, small balances were left unexpended and were covered back to the
State. The total amount expended for all purposes is $522,430.68. This
has constructed Asylum buildings plain but substantial, durable, nearly fireproof, furnished and equipped with a view to economy, strength, and
utility, and at the same time a due regard for appearance. The buildings
have now been occupied for nearly a year, and the plan and appointments,
have, under test, proved well adapted for the purposes intended.
The money has been drawn from the State Treasurer monthly only so fast
as needed for immediate expenditure, keeping the Asylum treasurer in a
state of chronic poverty, intensified by the monthly remittances from the
State Treasurer, sometimes elatingly large, but which came only to vanish.
This method of drawing money was rendered possible by the promptitude
with which requisitions were honored by the Auditor General. The expenditures are given in detail in the report of the Superintendent, and the main
items only are here inserted:
GENERAL LEDGER.

Building appropriation
$400,000 00
Special appropriations
121,700 00'
Land
$19,326 00
Architect
:
5,664 10
Incidentals
4,090 51
Salaries
14,518 25
Farm
280 27
Outbuildings
10,192 75
Contract for stone
4,738 76
Contract for brick
53,023 50
Contract for hauling stone
1,202 65
Contract for construction
262,249 21
Constructions outside of contract.
10,733 44
Electric light
11,168 55
Fencing
:
835 29
Eoads
1,621 06
Grading
511 19
Sidewalks
405 01
Furnishing wards, administration building and
dormitories
30,375 00
Furnishing offices, chapel and dispensary
2,475 00
Cooking, laundry, baking, iron working and carpenter apparatus
- 7,660 00
Heating apparatus and power boilers
40,006 00
Plumbing, hot and cold water distribution and hot
water boilers
13,375 00
Sewers, drains and cisterns
3,430 00
Implements, vehicles and utensils, stock and horses,
engines, shafting, etc
7,340 00

14

NORTHERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.

Tire protection
Ventilation, including fan and engine
Grading
Telephone communication, dumb waiters and
Asylum bell
Sidewalks and airing courts. _
Scientific instruments, books, pictures, musical
instruments, etc
Supplying Asylum with water, including pump and
well
Ueturned to State treasury.
Totals

$4,115 00
3,570 00
1,600 00
1,705 00
1,260 00
1,778 82
2,750 00
260 18
$521,980 27 $521,980 27

THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.

During all the progress of the work the Board of Commissioners has
remained as originally constituted with a single exception. Hon. Perry
Hannah, after giving to the State, during the main construction of the
building, the benefit of his ripe business experience and sound judgment,
.acting meantime as chairman of the Board, resigned his position November,
1885, immediately preceding his departure for Europe, to be absent several
months. The vacancy thus created was filled without delay by the appointment of Thomas T. Bates, of Traverse City.
From the outset it has been the policy of the Board to meet monthly, and
these frequent meetings, it is believed, have resulted advantageously, giving
to the Board greater familiarity with the work, both in preparation and
in execution, and keeping constantly in view the expenditures of the present
and the liabilities to be incurred from the necessities of the future. The
final meeting was held November 10, 1886.
In the counsels of the Board conclusions have been reached with great
unanimity. Harmony has prevailed almost as of one mind, and the past
sessions of the Board will be remembered with pleasure. In the determination of methods to be adopted by the Board or the persons to be benefited
through the expenditure of public funds, personal or party considerations or
the entanglements of political bias, and the dissensions arising therefrom,
have never found a place.
We cannot close this report without recognizing the great service rendered
us by Mr. C. M. Wells, our Superintendent and Secretary. No part of the
business, either in the construction of the building or the vast amount of
detail necessary in heating, lighting and furnishing it, has escaped his care
and attention, and the Board is largely indebted to him and his great and
•diversified experience for the thorough and complete manner in which the
work has been accomplished, and is now turned over to the State.

THOS. T. BATES,
ALEXANDER CHAPOTON, SB.,
E. H. VAN DEUSEN, M. D.,
H. H. RILEY,
M. H. BUTLER,
Board of Commissioners.

SUPEBIOTENDEFT'S REPORT.

To the Board of Commissioners Northern Michigan Asylum:

GENTLEMEN—In accordance with the requirement of general law I herewith submit my report of building operations and the disbursements therefor
in the construction of the Northern Michigan Asylum. The period embraced
by this report is from October 1, 1884,—the date of the preceding report,—
to November 10, 1886. As a final report, however, it will be more comprehensive and satisfactory to cover generally the work and finances from the
outset, since in a large degree the matter herein will be descriptive of the
characteristic features of the various portions of the building or of the appliances, apparatus, machinery, or furnishing placed therein; a.description that
•cannot be given intelligently in part, as of the heating apparatus, the plumbing, the electric lighting, etc. At the same time it will assist materially in
arriving at just conclusions to accompany the descriptions of the many diverse
and complex purposes to which funds have been applied, with tabular statements of expenditures, showing the amounts of money so expended, classified
.and divided as minutely as practicable; that is to show together results
attained and cost thereof. A connected history with dates, etc., in detail,
is not desirable, and would cumber a report already, perhaps, too much extended. There is, however, a reason which may be regarded as sufficient for
giving costs considerably in detail, and important facts, methods and conclusions at some length, in that the report furnishes a mass of information
readily available which experience shows is of value as a readily accessible
reference for the Asylum itself, and as a comparison or instruction to other
institutions and to the public. Dry unadorned facts do not make interesting
reading matter; still it will be very satisfactory to the Asylum administration
-of the future to know the details, facts and reasons of the past; as, for instance, the numbers and costs of chapel seats without counting and searching
vouchers ; the cubic space heated and amount of radiating surface used therefor without several dajs taking measurements and computing results ; the
depth of the deep well, diameter, cost, etc., without reference to the scattered or destroyed original records or. memoranda. It is, therefore, the
design to deal with expenditures and results attained therefrom, taking up
the several purposes to which funds have been applied, and making each
complete in itself, i. e., a financial analysis and a descriptive review.
The $400,000 appropriated for the purchase of the site, construction of
the asylum, complete, with roads, fences and outbuildings, together with all
incidental expenses, has proved sufficient to finish all the work laid out, in
.addition to constructing a building for bakery and refrigerator purposes,

16

NORTHERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.

not originally designed, and to enlarge and fit for occupancy of patients a.
dwelling-house purchased with the Asylum site. It must not be supposed
that a greater sum of money could not have been expended judiciously and
with advantage to the insane population of the State:—in larger buildings
and in groups of detached cottages, both of which will soon be demanded.
It is meant that the Asylum buildings are practically completed in all essentials, so that varied classes of insane patients can be satisfactorily sheltered
and treated therein, and that little expenditure for additions or changes in
the near future need be apprehended.
The sum of $121,700 appropriated for furnishing the Asylum and equipping
it with apparatus, stock, machinery, etc., was divided by the act among fourteen distinct appropriations, and the funds were not interchangeable, i. e.,.
a balance in one appropriation could not be used to supply a deficiency in
another; nevertheless the estimates had been so carefully and closely made
that no especial trouble was experienced, the funds generally proving sufficient
to accomplish in a substantial manner the intended purpose. The fund for
stock, horses, and vehicles, could profitably have been somewhat larger, as
could also that for apparatus for kitchens, laundry, bakery, etc. On the
other hand, a small sum $21.18 remained unexpended in the fund for scientific instruments, and $239 in the fund for heating apparatus, which sums
were covered back into the State treasury.
The total expended, $522,430.68 will provide for 515 patients, and by a
process of crowding, sure to come in the history of every asylum as soon
as the normal capacity is all taken, many more will be accommodated.
It has been the end throughout to study and practice the closest and broadest economy ; economy in price through competition, economy in durability
through quality and construction, and economy in adaptation through selection of the best methods, the most approved appliances and of articles to fit
their use. In all advertised contracts the original proposals are deposited
with the Secretary of State at Lansing. In all contracts and purchases for
which proposals were not invited by advertisement it has been the invariable
practice to take written offers from more than one party, whether the amount
De large or of but a few dollars, to fasten the proposals of each competition
together, and to file each set under the name of the firm securing the order.
This furnishes at once a written record of the past to gratify a curiosity or
supply information and a protection to the party responsible for the award.
The main competitions accompany this report, giving names, prices, goods
and results, not as a part thereof but for publication therewith, and will
prove hereafter of value for reference.
Of the contracts it is sufficient to say that the contracting firms have been
responsible and energetic, possessing both experience and technical knowledge of the various specialties. Contracts have been pushed through rapidly,
the work has been satisfactory, and extras on contracts were incurred only
for a few instances in trifling sums, while on the main contract $9,920.46
less than the contract price was paid.
The Asylum was opened before it was finished. In both construction and
equipment much remained incomplete at the date patients were first
admitted. The necessity for additional accommodation was great. The
existing asylums had long been refusing admission except in most urgent
cases. To have delayed the opening for the full completion, or even for a
near completion, would have excluded patients many months. It would

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.

17

have been the easier course, far easier. It would have avoided the crowded
and hurried work of the months preceding the opening, when so much was
pressed forward simultaneously. It would have saved the care and anxiety
lest something should be behind or omitted that would delay the opening:
the constant watchfulness to start every essential branch of work or equipment to make all come out together, and a continual looking into the future
to determine, as all could not be done, what could best be left undone.
Patients were admitted in November, 1885. Prior to November none of the
large contracts were closed, and in that month the larger portion of the
furnishing came in. Nothing essential was behind so as to delay, though
the full building could not have been at once occupied. It is a satisfaction
to know that the ends of humanity were attained, even though the query
should be raised why the work was not closed with the admission of
patients.
A number of advantages have resulted in completing the work during the
occupancy of the building. Defects and omissions have become apparent
when such existed, and have been remedied or supplied; the skilled knowledge and advice of a Medical Superintendent has been always available in
adapting the work in progress to the necessities of an Asylum; the work basnet been done hurriedly and under pressure, and therefore without due consideration, and considerable labor in the expenditure of the building fund
has been performed by patients.
LAND.

Land, $19,326. This is the expense incurred by the Locating Board in
the original purchase of land, 339.90 acres, together with the buildings
thereon, an average of $56.86 per acre.
CONTRACT FOE STONE.

This contract, with Messrs. Wing, Morgan and Harford, was closed at
the time of the previous report. It included:
107.69 cords of footing stone, at $16-.
251.31 cords of rubble stone, at $12
Total

$1,723 04
3,915 72
$4,738 76

CONTRACT FOR HAULING STONE.

This contract, reported in the previous biennial period, was let to Messrs.
Farr and Avery, as the lowest bidder, who moved the footing and rubble
stone, delivered by Messrs. Wing, Morgan & Harford, from the dock at
Traverse City to the Asylum ground at $3.35 per cord. Total, $1,202.65.
CONTRACT FOR BRICK.

This contract, with Farr, Avery & Co., was closed and commented on at
the date of the preceding biennial report. It includes:
3

18

NORTHERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.

7,987,000 brick, delivered, at $6 per thousand
340,100 pressed brick, delivered, at $15 per thousand
Total..

---

$47,922 00
5,101 50
$53,02350

In addition to these brick delivered under contract the Asylum has since
purchased of J. W. Markham considerable brick made near the yard of
Farr, Avery & Co., and at the same rates, $6 per thousand, delivered, to be
used for various purposes of construction, such as deep well, well-house,
bakery and refrigerator building, and other out-buildings and trunk flues.
In contract work there has been used in the coal shed, etc., 60,000 brick,
making the total number of brick which entered into the construction of the
Asylum building, complete, 8,666,300.
CONTRACT FOB CONSTRUCTION.

This contract, with Messrs. Bentleys & Nowlan, detailed in the preceding
report, embraced the general construction of the Asylum buildings, and
included all branches of artisan work, such as mason work, carpenter work,
iron work, tin work, slating, painting and oiling. Prom this contract,
however, was excluded the furnishing of the brick and a portion of the
stone. The work was pushed with great vigor and sound judgment, the
contractors taking advantage of the markets to provide materials in advance
of their necessities. The contract was in the sum of $272,169.67. Changes
in the contract by additions and deductions were made as hereinafter shown
in detail, the deductions amounting to $16,037.41, and the additions to
$6,116.95, leaving a total paid to Messrs. Bentleys and Nowlan of
$262,249.21, as follows:
Excavation
$1,983 20
Brick work
77,830 68
Stone and footings
16,477 84
Cut stone
18,950 38
Crock pipe and tile
482 50
Plastering
..
13,74030
Deafening
52998
Marble and slate tile
907 48
Cast ironwork
11,905 23
Wrought iron work...
2,713 26
Galvanized iron work.
15,790 34
Carpenter work
_.. 72,009 17
Slating, tin and lead work
4,864 70
Painting and oiling
8,947 20
Insurance and incidentals
9,000 00
Additions...
6,116 95
Total under contract with Bentleys & Nowlan

$262,249 21

Messrs. Bentleys & Nowlan, as required, submitted with their proposition
for the construction of the Asylum a schedule of prices and quantities,

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.

19

~which multiplied together.and added made the sum total named in their
•contract. Any changes made subsequent to entering into the contract, by
which portions of the material or labor named in the schedule were omitted,
were grouped together and classed under the title "Deductions; " and any
additions of work or materials to the quantities named in the schedule in.
the same manner were classed as "Additions." Under the contract the
right existed to make these changes at schedule rates whenever the schedule
prices would apply thereto. In all cases where a schedule price would not
apply the changes were made subject to special written agreements. The
•deductions, in detail, are as follows:
DEDUCTIONS EEOM CONTRACT OF BBNTLEYS & NOWLAN.

Excavation
Brick work
Rubble stone and footing stone
•Crock pipe and tile
Plastering
Mantels and grates
Cast ironwork
Galvanized iron work
Carpenter work.
Painting and oiling
Total

$353 00
540 00
5,372 65
971 50
5,995 88
600 00
467 09
300 00
864 49
572 80
.

$16,037 41

Some of these deductions require a word of explanation. The ground upon
which the Asylum is placed has proved a most excellent soil for foundations,
a firm, clean sand and gravel, which, after the removal of the top soil, was
suitable in most places to receive the footing stones of the foundation. The
depth to which it would be necessary to carry the trenches could not be
accurately determined at the time the plans were prepared, owing to the uneven surface of the building plat and uncertainties as to the character of the
soil. The contract, therefore, provided against possible contingencies by
giving to the Superintendent discretion as to the full or partial execution of
the foundation work as shown by the plans. It was found possible to materially reduce the depth of these foundations, and thus effect a large saving
in stone and excavation without diminishing in any degree the strength of
any wall, as is attested by the fact that as yet no crack from settlement or
otherwise has made its appearance.
The contract provided that all ceilings shall be lathed with wire cloth No.
16, four wires to the inch. A large saving was effected by changing this to
IN"o. 18- wire, three wires to the inch, which was believed to be in accordance
with the best usage of the present time.
The brick deducted represent an unconstructed portion of the brick conduit for the creek which crosses beneath the foundations of the building, an
open creek being substituted for the portion omitted. The original construction of this conduit in addition to being shortened was changed by enlargement, and by the substitution of stone work at each end. The item, therefore, appears both as a deduction and as an extra.
The $600 deducted, because of mantels and grates, represents an omission

20

NOETHEEN ASYLUM FOE THE INSANE.

from the contract of Bentleys & Nowlan, which by agreement were furnished'
directly by the State at the same cost. These mantels are placed within the
Administration building, one each in the following places: Trustees' room,
Medical office, Steward's office, dining room first floor, parlor second floor,,
sitting room second floor, dining room second floor, and bed room second
floor—eight in all.
The crock pipe and tile deducted, and all of the cast iron work deducted,
excepting $106.89, is because of a change by agreement, omitting all sewer
work from the contract of Bentleys & Nowlan. The iron pipe work wassubsequently included in the contract for plumbing, and the crock pipe work
was done with the other sewer work. Of the total deducted because of cast
iron work omitted, 1106.89, was because of a decreased number of register
frames and faces for hot air flues.
The original contract provided for all gutters to be made of galvanized
iron. It was believed that a tin gutter in this climate, with the severe strain
upon the gutters from thawing and freezing of ice would be more durable,
and a change to xx tin was agreed upon, at a net saving of $300.00. This,
change did not apply to the shop and chapel buildings, where the galvanized
iron has proved less serviceable than the tin.
The deduction under the head of carpenter work is because of a number
of changes. The wood work of baths, sinks and water closets was omitted
at a reduction of $420.00 and this work, to the very limited amount that was
used in connection with these fixtures, was included in the plumbing contract. $279.68 was deducted because of the omission of all wood skirting
and wainscoting on the kitchen floor of the chapel building; a skirting of
cement, affording no lodgment for vermin or dirt, being substituted therefor,
the cost of which appears as an extra. The remaining portion of the reduction is made up of a number of minor changes.
An agreement was effected with Messrs. Bentleys & Nowlan, omitting from
the hard maple floors one of the two coats of oil called for, making a deduction of $572.80, and this work of oiling was changed to a Crocket finish, in
cost as hereinafter shown.
ADDITIONS TO CONTRACT OF BENTLEYS & NOWLAN.

A number of the items which appear with the additions represent a changed
construction rather than an extra, showing also in the deductions. The
items for the most part are self-explanatory; where this is not the case remarks will follow.
ADDITIONS TO CONTRACT OF BENTLEYS AND NOWLAN.

Enlargement of creek conduit
8 elbow pipe castings for sewer connections
Striking joints on 655,000 brick in plenums of basements
Extra for beveling edges of iron sash.
Net extra cost of changed brick work
Foundation for stair wells, changed from wood work to mason
work
__._
29 feet of cut stone, belt course added to front tower
209 feet 4-inch tile, laid beneath air ducts
2 dormer windows, added to rear of administration building

$516
66
196
146
417

40
96
50
30
89'

70
40
31
50

13
02
35
00

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.

11,996 feet of ceiling joist, added in administration building
Eaising ceilings in three laundry rooms and shops
Cutting window frames to admit a special sash weight
18,895 square yards of concrete for basement
floors
8184 3-4 square yards of brick paving in basements, changed to
concrete
4 skylights, for lighting air ducts
5 iron doors for fire proofing stairways at entrance to attics.
9 iron covers and gratings for sewer heads
Net addition for rough lumber and nails, because of minor
changes in roofs
10 attic doors and frames for pipe shafts
Jack roof of centre tower, changed from ridge to deck...
Widening two archways in food car passage
8,833 square yards of deafening, changed from mortar gauged with
calcined plaster to all calcined plaster mortar
.
830 square yards of plastering on wire cloth in basements over
food car tracks, added
Stair strings in wards, changed from pine to ash
1,821 yards of plastering in basement plenums, changed from 1 to
2 coat work
2,308 yards of plastering in fourth story of administration building and in chapel room, changed from two to three coat work
4,750 square feet of floor in water closets, bath rooms and lavatories of wards, changed from maple to ash
Net extra on numerous doors and windows, added or omitted
Stops of 716 windows of wards, screwed instead of nailed
861 square feet of flagging in laundry, laid on concrete rather
than on sand
Modifying closet in administration building to make a room for
Central Telephone Exchange
Galvanized iron louvres, added in upper openings of main tower
for purposes of ventilation
Tinning administration roof between main tower and pedimentsBand«moulding added to windows of third story wards..Stairs first story of chapel building, changed from platform to
winders
548 1-2 lineal feet of base in kitchens, changed from wood to
cement
139 1-2 square yards of wainscoting in kitchens, changed from
wood to cement
Wainscoting added to main stairway above the first story
2 rear porches added
.
2 flights of stairways added to attics and 1 flight omitted in boiler
room, net
Wainscot added to chapel stage
Net extra on changes of base
Net extra on closets, dumb waiters, shafts, etc
Transom over main entrance double door, changed from double
thick to plate glass
Hauling and handling iron sash-

21

$239
18
18
755

92
00
75
80

220 99
148 00
107 52
101 25
64
35
30
12

00
00
00
00

706 64
448 20
92 00
91 05
115 40
76 00
416 98
60 86
34 64
15 00
55 93
4 00
110 92
10 00
54 85
104 33
22 60
159 18
41
17
23
11

99
20
751
58

14 64
12 00

22

NORTHERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.

Changing latches on iron doors
Pilling for boiler room
floor.
Net extra because of area space, flagging, door sill, etc., for extra
door at north side of chapel building
Changing stair partition and adding wire cloth in chapel building
Plugging walls for angle beads in administration buildings
Raising platform of central building stairs
Cutting walls for centre basement stairs
_
Changing two window sash fourth story administration building.
Cutting walls and ceilings fourth story administration building to
admit water tank-.
- -

$11 2510 80
68
20
2
2
1
7

13
88
75
75'
88
60

4 40

Total additions because of changes in contract with Bentleys
& Nowlan
$6,116 95
It will be seen from the foregoing that the accounts were kept in great
detail; even more so than appears by the table, because the number of the
changes therein named, as in brick work, plastering, carpenter work, windows,
doors, etc., are the net result of a large number of changes of more or less
importance. It is impracticable in a large work of this kind to foresee and
provide for the best construction in all its details, and it is quite usual where
changes are made during the progress of the work to offset an omission
against an addition, making no account of either. This method was not
followed here, and the showing is large ; whereas the general plans and
specifications were adhered to quite closely throughout.
The creek conduit passes through the foundations of the building, and
was shortened and enlarged from 12x18 inches to 18x27 inches, as stated
under "Deductions."
The iron sash were made for Bentleys & Nowlan by Messrs. Thirlby,
Jackson & Co., of Traverse City, and excellent work was done. These iron
sash are let into a rabbet in the exterior wooden sash, and on the room side.
have a lip which covers the wood sash, thus precluding the possibility of airentering between the wood and the iron. It was the work of beveling and
straightening this lip with an emery grinder, for which an extra was paid.
The largest item, because of the extra brick work, arose through thechange of ward and shop stairs from open strings to closed strings to prevent
possible suicides by patients, necessitating brick work for stair walls and
partitions. Another large item of extra was incurred in enclosing the stairs
leading to the attics within brick walls, so that by placing iron doors at the
foot of these stairs a fire-proof construction was made.
The general method of deafening, in addition to the usual mortar deafening which is more for fire protection, is by introducing two sets of joists,
the upper set carrying the floor and the lower set the ceiling. The two sets
are entirely disconnected, and vibrations of sound are not communicated
through the dead air space between the two sets. This construction was
^dded to the administration building as an extra.
It will be noted that $54.85 was paid for cement base and $104.33 for
cement wainscoting, all within the kitchen floor of the chapel building and
basement of the administration building. The total deduction because of
•wood wainscoting and base omitted in these departments was $278.68, showing a net saving of $120.70, and the cement allows no lodgment for water
bugs, other vermin or dirt.

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.

23

The floors of lavatories, bath-rooms, etc., are frequently wet, and ash floor
prove more durable therein than maple.
The window stops of wards were screwed to the fram.es to prevent possible
removal by patients.
The rear porches over entrances were necessitated by the danger of snow
slides from the roofs.
DESCRIPTION Or THE BUILDING.

A description of the work done under contract with Messrs. Bentleys &
ISfowlan would embrace the main features of the building in their adaptation
to the various needs and uses of an Asylum. Space will not permit more
than a general outline of the nature and character of this work, together
with the mention of certain points of construction, interesting because of
special or new adaptation to effect a desired result. Preceding the title page
of the report will be found a ground plan of the first story of the building
throughout, lettered, to designate the various uses to which the divisions and
apartments are applied; also a lithographic view of the front of the building.
The general division, as shown by the ground plan, is into administration
building, wards for males, wards for females, chapel building and shop
buildings.
The center or administration building is used for administrative purposes,
and is occupied by the officers of the Institution for offices, living rooms, etc.
The offices occupy the first story, and comprise the general medical office,
Medical Superintendent's office, Trustees' parlor, Steward's office, Matron's
room, two reception rooms and a dining room. In the basement of the
administration building is located the dispensary, the special kitchen and
the rooms for the Storekeeper and his goods.
The first story of the chapel building is occupied throughout as a general
kitchen, and here is prepared the food for the entire Institution, except that
for the administration building and for special or extra diet for patients.
This kitchen floor is divided into eleven rooms, including temporary store
room, sink room, steaming room, room for preparation of vegetables, almost
wholly done by the patients, and a dining room for employes. Above the
kitchen, with a double deafening in the floor between, is the chapel room,
having 318 seatings. This room is also used for amusement purposes—
concerts, socials, dances, etc. The second and third stories of the chapel
building, at the rear, are used as dormitories for employes.
The shop building contains, centrally, the boiler room, engine room and
fan tower; south of and adjoining these are the carpenter and blacksmith
shops, and north the various rooms used for laundry purposes—receiving
room, washing and drying room, ironing rooms, assorting and delivery
room. In the second story of the shop building are a number of bed rooms
or dormitories for employes.
The bakery and refrigerator building is placed contiguous to the kitchen
upon the south side, and is used for the purposes indicated by the name.
Between the kitchen and the bakery building the ground or driveway has
been paved throughout with an artificial stone of Portland cement. Thus
it is impossible for slops and refuse to be absorbed by the ground and become
offensive or dangerous.
There are nine wards for males and an equal number for females, three
wards for each sex upon each floor, and the cottage forms a further ward for

NORTHERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.

fifteen females. The number of patients that each ward will comfortably
accommodate is fairly shown by the following table:
Stories.

First Story
Second Story
Third Story

Total

_.

Wards
Nearest
Centre.

Intermediate
Wards.

33
43
43

38
22

28

119

83

Total
North
Wing.

Total
South
Wing.

16
16
16

77
92
81

77
92
81

154
184
162
15

48

250

250

515

Extreme
Wards.

Total
of
Building.

It is doubtless the case that in the near future the history of the older
.Asylums will be repeated by crowding this Asylum beyond the capacity above
named. The insane population of the State is increasing at a rate exceeding
one hundred per year, and possibly as high as one hundred and fifty per
year, and the Asylums even now are nearly full. In this connection it is
proper to re-state from previous reports, and thus make more prominent, the
fact that the asylum buildings as now constructed were originally designed
and considered but as a centre to a larger system which shall embrace a series
of detached cottages. These cottages can be constructed at a cost per capita
far below that necessitated in the centre structure, and within them certain
classes of the chronic insane can be comfortably and more economically
maintained. In designing the administration and working departments this
possible extension was kept in view, and these departments are believed to
t>e ample in size and equipment to the future demands above outlined. It
was not possible, however, with the funds appropriated to erect the central
structure and the detached buildings also. In the treatment of the insane
in very many cases the best results cannot be obtained except through
segregation of the patients—individual rooms for individual cases. These
rooms must be built in brick all round, both because of the fire risk and
because of durability. The fire risk is great, as is witnessed by the large
number of Asylums that have burned, and this risk must be reduced in every
possible way, even at the expense of cost; and the experience of the country
throughout shows that Asylums for the insane, even where not well protected
against fire, have been obtained only through the expenditure of large sums
of money.
In designing the ground plan, after considering the special requirements
of classification and division into apartments for the varied uses of the insane, two fundamental ideas were kept prominently in view: First, by an
arrangement of longitudinal and transverse divisions to so arrange that all
portions of the building shall receive at all times a direct supply of light and
sunshine and exposure to the outer air, allowing no enclosed courts, skylights or interior rooms. This object was attained in such a manner that
each room and hall of the entire wards and administration building has a
window opening directly to the outer air. Second, to so arrange the ground
plan that noise or confusion of any ward may not disturb any other ward.
To this end it will be seen that the ground plan stretches out in length
rather than returning upon itself to form angles, across which patients in
different divisions would be able to annoy each other. The wards for disturbed patients are placed at the extremes of the building, and any noise

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.

25

therefrom must pass endwise over the other divisions in order to be heard.
It will be noted also that the administration building is so designed and
placed that privacy from the wards is secured within every room—a very
desirable feature.
A basement having 8 feet 6 inches clear height, of which five feet is above
the surface of the ground, is excavated beneath all portions of the administration building and wings. The centre portion of this basement is occupied
by the mains and radiators of the heating apparatus, and by numerous pipes
in a plumbing system, and is designated as the plenums, for the reason that
the air therein while passing to and over the radiators to the numerous hot
air flues air is kept in a plenum condition by the pressure of the ventilating
fan. That part of the basement which is beneath the rear rooms is occupied
by a food car track, upon which in cars, built for the purpose, food is distributed from the general kitchen to the eighteen dining rooms of the wards.
The basement also furnishes a large number of rooms for stores and storage,
and has some rooms unoccupied. All occupied parts of the basement have received a heavy floor of concrete, finished on the top surface with a rich
coating of cement mortar. This concrete is rat proof, is easily kept clean
and sweet, and in a measure acts as a barrier against the free inhalation and
exhalation of air from the ground of the basement, which air through the
ventilating system would diffuse itself throughout the entire building. Care
has been taken to thoroughly light all portions of the basement, and the
sandy, gravelly soil, light and porous, together with the elevation of the
building, renders all portions of the basement dry.
Each wing is divided into nine wards accommodating, nominally, from
sixteen to forty-three patients each, together with the necessary attendants,
and each ward is complete in itself for all living purposes, being provided
with a dining room, a lavatory, a bath-room, a clothes-room and closets.
In general the rooms for patients are situated on either side of the central
hall or corridor, these corridors being twelve feet wide, and the patients'
rooms varying in size from eight feet six inches by eleven feet, to fifteen feet
by eleven feet. With each ward, except the extreme wards, there are two
large rooms occupied as a parlor and a dormitory, or as two associate dormitories, varying with the classification of the patients and the necessities of
the population. The building is designed so as to furnish to the patients
generally individual rooms. Many of the rooms are large enough to receive
two, three, or more patients. Indeed, if the ventilation proves to be as
ample as is expected, the single rooms can safety accommodate each two
patients, selected with reference to harmony and safety. For no evil effect
from overcrowding, and consequently bad ventilation need be anticipated so
long as a continuous current of fresh air is entering the rooms, passing over
the occupants and escaping as soon as vitiated. That is, adequate ventilation depends more on quantity of air than on cubic feet of space. A desirable feature in the arrangement is the large bays which serve as day rooms,
and here patients sit much of their time while within doors.
All interior walls without exception are of brick, no wood partitions being
allowed, and the plastering is placed directly on the brick walls, except the
plastering of the ceilings, which is on wire cloth.
The break in the axis of the buildings, throwing the wings forward, will
be remarked. This was done for the dual purpose of accommodating the
building plan to the surface of the ground and to give each ward a view of
Grand Traverse Bay.

36

NORTHERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.

To obviate the necessity of carrying sweepings from the building, shafts
were constructed, into which sweepings are dropped and fall to the basement
and are periodically removed. In the same manner soiled clothes are thrown,
within shafts and removed to the laundry from the basement.
Brick shafts are constructed for the sole purpose of receiving soil and
water pipes, so that these pipes may be at all times accessible for examination or repairs, and about these shafts are grouped the bath rooms, lavatories and closets. There are also numerous drying shafts having slat floors,
in which a current of air is passed from the basement through the roof, and
within which are dried dish towels, etc., the odors from which should be
immediately removed from the building. In like manner there are ventilated closets for boots and shoes, mops, pails, brooms, etc.
All shafts and stairways are closed at the top, either with brick arches or
with heavy calcined-plaster mortar four inches thich, within which battens
are bedded for support. Shafts used for drying piirposes have wire cloth
built into the brick work to allow the passage of air.
Mortise dead locks without catches are used throughout the wards. The
doors to patients' rooms have knobs upon the corridor side only, the shank
of the knob being let into the door and fastened from the room side with a
nut on the shank. This is then concealed by a button of wood let into the
door and glued in.
Iron sash, in form and color resembling wood sash, are used for the ward
windows. These iron sash are not removable, therefore for purposes of
ventilation a wood sash is placed inside the lower half of the iron sash,
which wooden sash is glazed, and can be raised, while the lower half of the
iron sash is unglazed. The wooden sash is double hung with weights, the
cord being attached to the bottom of the sash, passing over pulleys below
the top of the wooden sash so that the cord is invisible, and cannot be
removed by patients for purposes of self-destruction.
Transoms are placed over the ward doors, in part of iron and in part of
wood. They aid materially in lighting the corridors, and through an unglazed portion of the sash at its top the warm air passes from the corridors
for heating and ventilating the rooms. These sash are removable from the
corridor side only, to provide against the possible contingency of a door
barricaded by a patient.
Windows are not cased, and the doors are cased with narrow band moulding
on the room side only. To take the place of the wood casing the corners of
the brick walls are clipped and the plastering is rounded in with a radius of
3J inches to meet the door and window frames. This construction is much
cheaper, reduces the amount of wood work and the liability to fire, gives
much less wood to be kept clean and painted, and, withal, presents a very
neat appearance.
All floors are laid double with a deafening and fire protection course between the floors, consisting of H inches of solid calcined plaster mortar.
All ceilings are plastered upon wire cloth, supported, except in the upper
stories, by a set of ceiling joists, separate and distinct from the set of joists
which carry the floor. This deafening is very perfect and the barrier to fire
good. The upper floor throughout is of hard maple, except in the lavatories,
bath-rooms, and closets, which are frequently wet and where ash was used.
Lavatories, bath-rooms, and water-closets, and all stairways are wainscoted
in ash, filled and varnished. The finish of the first story of the administra-

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.

27

tion building and of the chapel room is of cherry; second and third stories
of administration building of pine in the natural wood; elsewhere throughout the finish is of pine painted.
A very excellent quality of plastering in hard finish was secured. The
sand found upon the building site was remarkably good, the lime did not
pop and the contractors did a most workmanlike and creditable job.
The front of the building is laid with a fine quality of light colored pressed
brick, furnished under the contract of Parr, Avery & Co., by J. W. Markham,
of Traverse City. This front is relieved by^andstone trimmings from the
Berea, Ohio, quarries, worked into window caps, sills, belt and string courses,
corbels, etc. The basement wall between the water table and plinth course
is laid with six inches of rock-faced ashlar in courses, made also from Berea
stone.
The cornices and brackets thereto are of galvanized iron sanded. The
roof is covered with a most excellent quality of black slate, furnished from
Michigan quarries iu the Northern Peninsula.
The building throughout is heated with steam, and lighted with incandescent electric light, as described under the appropriate heads.
Messrs. Bentleys & Nowlan pursued the plan of doing their own work
rather than sub-letting; they, however, sub-let the galvanized iron work and
tin work to Leadley & Hutton, of Detroit, who did their work thoroughly
and satisfactorily; and the wood work, of doors, door frames, window frames,
sash, blinds, base and wainscoting was furnished and prepared, but not put
in place, by J. E. Greilick, of Traverse City, of whose work only words of
commendation in the highest degree can be spoken. The ironwork also, both
cast and wrought, was furnished through Greenslade Bros., of Milwaukee,
Wis., except that the iror^ sash were furnished, as before stated, by Thirlby,
Jackson & Co., of Traverse City.
CONSTRUCTION OUTSIDE OE CONTRACT.

Under this general title is grouped a large number of expenditures for
construction in very diverse branches. The items will be given, after which
any necessary remarks of explanation will be made:
400 wood frames for ventilating
528 iron faces for ventilating
Tinning 18 doors for fire protection
" 29 "
"
"
Labor and material for well
Brick for refrigerator, bakery, etc
Cement for walks, lime, etc
Plaster for attics
Cement walk
Plastering centre basement
Ceiling in carpenter shop
Lumber
Oiling and varnishing
Locks, knobs, and hinges
Tables, shelving and cupboards
Chairrail
:
Mantels and grates
'.

flues
flues

.

floors.

$100 00
206 70
55 80290 00
893 87
672 90
290 32
50 22
105 00
58 00
74 75
108 57
677 74
2554 14
76 31
- 656 09
600 00

28

NORTHERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.

Lightning rod on main stack
Hot air and ventilating flue frames..
Fire proof vault
Stairs to basement
Doors and windows—
Tinning and protecting roofs
Miscellaneous hardware
Slate
Additions to plumbing
Painting
Miscellaneous and labor
Frescoing chapel room
Total..

.
-.

$63 90
323 57
133 43
32 25
14 75
766 27
309 03
180 25
41 71
48 87
1,124 01
225 00
$10,733 44

The contract of Bentleys & Nowlan provided for oiling all floors two coats.
It was found that this would not make a satisfactory finish, and an agreement was made taking the last coat of oiling out of their contract. The
floors of the rooms are finished with Crocket wood preservative, which
finishes the maple floors with a high polish and wears well. A more durable
finish, however, and cheaper, oil with wax, is used for the halls of the male
wards.
Locks, knobs and hinges were placed under contract with J. B. Schroder,
& Co., of Cincinnati, as fully reported for the previous biennial period. It is
sufficient to say that these locks have proved eminently satisfactory, and
have a great convenience in the master key for the officers, which operates
twenty different sets of locks.
Use demonstrated the necessity of placing a chair rail generally to protect
the walls of the corridors from abrasion by the backs of chairs used therein.
Heretofore in Asylum equipment it has been the practice to furnish for ward
use heavy settees to be screwed to the floors. Instead of these settees strong
chairs and rockers of ordinary make have been used throughout; hence the
necessity for the chair rail, which is of hard wood with varnish finish, and
adds somewhat to the appearance of the wards.
The stairs to basement were put in to allow access of patients to basement
rooms fitted for storage of boots and shoes. Slippers are worn- within doors
and the boots and shoes outside.
The vault was constructed by placing double vault doors, in two sets,
made by Mosler, Bahmann & Co., of Cincinnati, Ohio, in the opening to a
small closet adjoining the Steward's office. Heavy masonry arches were turned
at the ceiling and at the floor of this closet, and on one side the brick wall
was reinforced by four inches additional brick work.
The work on roofs shows as a large item, which requires a word. The
winter climate is very conducive to the production of ice within the gutters
of buildings, gradually accumulating and backing up upon the roofs, and
depending in long icicles over the gutters. The cause of this accumulation
of ice may be found in the very frequent snows of the region. This snow
melts on the upper portion of the roofs, which are warmed from the interior
hot air, runs down to the lower portions of the roof which are cold, because
unheated, and there freezes and accumulates, as before stated. During the
warm days or the warm portion of a day this ice melts at its upper contact

SUPERINTENDENT'S EEPOET.

29

with the roof, but remains solid at the eaves, thus forming a pocket, holding
water, which backs up under the slate and enters the building. In addition
the heavy weight of ice with the frequent expansion and contraction owing
to thawing and re-freezing is constantly making leaks in the gutters. Considerable trouble was experienced during the past winter because of the
conditions as stated. Neither is it easy to obviate the trouble.
After careful consideration an effort has been made to'keep the roofs
throughout cold, i.e., top and bottom, inside and outside alike, by introducing outside air into the attics, and thus reduce the amount of ice
produced, and to allow it to remain as ice or snow when once formed. To
keep the attics cold openings have been made through the lower side of the
galvanized iron cornice between each set of rafters. These openings admit
air directly over the plates on top of the walls to the attics. To maintain a
circulation of this cold air small openings have been made in very many
places through the roof in the form of miniature dormer windows. To prevent an interchange of heat and cold between the cold attics and the warm
story below, the attic floors have received a coat of solid calcined plaster
mortar, varied in thickness from one inch to one and one-half inches, in
accordance with the weight which the ceiling joist can properly sustain.
This coat of mortar is also very valuable as a fire protection, as it will prove
a barrier to fire from the upper stories passing to the attics, or vice versa.
But reliance has not been placed on the above method alone. Tin has
been substituted for slate in all the valleys, and on pediments where the
greatest trouble was experienced. For this purpose twenty-eight squares of
tin have been laid. The gutters of the chapel building, which are of galvanized iron, have been reduced in depth to one inch by cutting away the
upper member of the cornice. The chapel attics have been cooled, as previously described for the wards, and a drip has been arranged in such a
manner that if a leak at any time occurs the water will be carried outside
the walls.
The leaks which had occurred within the chapel room rendered it absolutely necessary to color the walls. This coloring alone would have cost not
less than $125.00. An arrangement was made with Mr. Prank W. Kiesele,
of Kalamazoo, to fresco the entire chapel room and stage at the rear, which
work has been done at a cost of $225.00, and it is a pleasure and justice to
say that the artist has produced a work which is exceptional in taste and color.
SEWERS, DEAINS, AJTD CISTERNS.

The sewerage of the Asylum empties into the Boardman river through a
six-inch crock pipe sewer, having from the junction, in front of the building
a total length of seven thousand feet, and a fall of sixty-two feet from the
1 Institution to the river. The total cost of this main sewer was $1,500, and
the least grade is six inches per hundred feet. The sufficiency of a small
sewer for all the purposes of an Institution of this character, indeed its superiority, has been so fully and frequently demonstrated that its merits require
no explanation or championship here.
Near the Institution the main sewer branches, to reach the various outlets
from the building, and each branch before it enters the building is ventilated
•with iron pipe extending six feet above the roof of the building. A portion
of the storm water which falls upon the roof is delivered into the sewers,
sufficient to flush each branch. In some cases where the six-inch branch

30

NORTHERN ASYLUM FOB THE INSANE.

would not provide for carrying away this storm water the branch has been
enlarged to eight and nine inches, and after the branches are all united, the
sewer for a short distance is twelve inches in diameter. At the commencement of the main six-inch sewer, however, there is placed a twelve-inch T,
looking up, having thereon a twelve-inch overflow, so that in case the aggregate flow of the branches exceeds the capacity of the six-inch pipe it will flow
off through the twelve-inch opening on to the surface of the ground. Near
this same point the sewer passes beneath the bed of a creek, and an opening
has been arranged from the creek to the sewer so as to provide for the sewer,
to the extent of its capacity, taking the water of the creek at this point for
flushing purposes in connection with the sewage water flowing therein for
flushing purposes. As each branch sewer approaches the building it passes
through what we denominate a "sewer-head," which is simply a large brick
trap with cast iron cover, arranged for intercepting any solid matters which,
by inadvertence or design of patients, may be thrown into the sewers through
the water closets, such as rags, articles of clothing, scrub brushes, etc., etc.
The sewer-heads do not, however, interfere with the free ventilation of the
sewers, as there is no sewer trap contained therein, and the solid matters
spoken of above are stopped solely by a grating, which can be removed, and
in point of fact is removed, each week, when the sewer-heads are cleaned out
and flushed out with fresh water. In the same manner, just without the
main kitchen, and connected with the waste pipes leading therefrom, is a
large brick grease trap, so arranged that grease from the kitchen sinks is intercepted and periodically removed, not being allowed to pass into and clog
the sewers. As above stated, the storm roof water in part passes into the
various sewer branches at their heads for flushing purposes, but the larger
portion of this storm water is collected by means of crock pipe carefully laid,
and carried to a large brick cistern constructed near the shops, built in the
form of an egg, and having a capacity, when full, of thirteen hundred barrels.
This water, valuable because it is soft, is used within the boilers of the
Asylum. The main sewer after leaving the Asylum grounds follows the
lines of streets, except in one case, where it crosses a tract of land owned by
Hon. Perry Hannah, who kindly gave to the Asylum the right of way for the
sewer. All branch sewer pipes are not less than six inches in diameter, excepting three, which discharge small quantities of waste.
The expenditures under this head, all from the special appropriation
therefor, were made by the employment of labor directly, and the purchase
of materials in open market. This method was preferred, as affording no
temptation to slight work of great importance, and therefore promising with
greater certainty perfect work. The table following does not include the
cost of the sewer heads, as these were built under the contract of Bentleys
& Nowlan, neither does it include the cost of iron sewer pipe where the
sewers cross beneath the foundations, as these formed a part of the plumbing
•contract:
Sewer pipe_ $1,025 38
Hauling pipe
•
28 25
Freight on pipe and cement
214 60
Cast iron pipe for ventilating pipe
230 75
Cement
123 00
Picks and shovels
6 95
Sheet iron
.
...
208

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.

Grease trap
Brick cistern,.
Labor
•Coal tar..

31

'... _
_.

$39 60
270 00
1,478 39
11 00

Total

$3,430 00
TELEPHONE COMMUNICATION.

The Asylum is furnished with a complete system of telephone communication, reaching from a central station in the administration building, each
ward, the kitchen, the shops, the barns, cottage, etc., in all twenty-four
connections, of which nine connections have both hand phone and transmitter, the remainder being short connections, having merely a hand phone.
There is also a line communicating with the central City office. The work
of wiring, including switch board for the central station, and alarms in the
engine room, to show high water in the tanks, was done by the Detroit
Electrical Works, under contract, for $550 complete. The Asylum rents the
instruments, paying an annual rental of $5 for each hand phone and $5 for
each transmitter.
In this connection and under this head the Asylum has established an
•electric fire alarm, connecting with the electric fire alarm system of the
City, at a total cost of $132.10; the purpose being to notify and secure the
aid of the City fire department at any time of the day or night. The total
.amounts expended under the head of telephones are, therefore, as follows:
Wiring and central station complete
$550 00
Electric fire alarm complete
— 132 10
Freight
10 79
Eental on telephone line to town
29 95
Fitting up central station office
16 99
Labor..
29 29
Total

-

$769 12

DUMB WAITERS.

Mr. A. S. King, of Pontiac, Michigan, being the lowest bidder, furnished
and put in place the dumb waiters of the Institution, at a cost of $825.
There are in all nine dumb waiters: six for the dining rooms of the wards,
one for the dining rooms of the administration building, one, a trunk
elevator, within the administration building, and one for laundry purposes
at the shops. These dumb waiters are simple in construction, durable and
efficient; so arranged with a view to safety and convenience that the brake
is always on, unless purposely removed, which removal can be effected from
either story or from the basement.
Contract, A. S. King
$825 00
Indicator whistles of dumb waiters
12 15
Signal Dells for dumb waiters, and hinges
3 34
Labor.- . . . . . '
..
... ..
30 04
Total.

-

$870 53

32

NORTHERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.

By special appropriation $1,705 was given for telephone communication,.
dumb waiters and Asylum bell. For telephone and dumb waiters were
expended the sums as previously set forth, and for Asylum bell the balance
of the appropriation, $65.35.
HEATING APPARATUS.

The heating apparatus adopted is that of low pressure steam with indirect
radiation, the condensed water returning to the boilers without pumping,
and for this system the building in construction was designed.
The heating boilers are of the form known as the " Drop-Keturn-Flue
Boilers," similar to those used so successfully at the Eastern Michigan
Asylum, at Pontiac, and in a number of the institutions throughout the
country. Of these boilers there are two, each twenty-six feet four inches
long and eight feet in diameter, built throughout of homogeneous steel
plates. Each boiler has two furnaces, with forty-two square feet of grate
surface within the diameter of the shell, and obtained without the use of
water legs to the boilers. Prom these furnaces the flame is conducted in
six twelve-inch flues, riveted up to a rear smoke chamber, from which the
flame passes down and forward to a smoke chamber situated just back of the
furnaces. Within this smoke chamber the products of combustion pass downward to the rear of the boilers and out into the smoke stack through four
flues, two eighteen inches in diameter and two ten inches in diameter. The
thicknesses of the steel plate used are as follows :
Shells and heads 5-16 inch.
Flue sheets 3-8 inch.
Smoke chambers and furnaces 5-16 inch.
12 inch flues 9-32 inch.
18 inch flues 9-32 inch.
10 inch flues 6-32 inch.
The weight of each boiler, seventeen tons, is supported on five heavy cast
iron saddles, the saddles supported upon mason work capped with inch and
a half iron plates sixteen inches by forty-two inches, having steel rollers
between the saddles and the plates. No mason work is used, the entire boiler
being in view. The boilers are covered, both with regard to economy and
appearance, with three thicknesses of asbestos paper, then two layers of onehalf inch hair felt, separated by manilla paper, all surrounded with heavy
Eussia sheet iron, put on in sections and banded every twenty-seven inches
with three inch brass bands.
The boiler room is excavated to such a depth that the water line of the
boilers comes four feet above the basement floors, and eighteen inches below
the bottoms of the radiators. Thus the return mains, which are placed very
near the floors of the basement, are wholly below the water line in the
boilers, and are consequently constantly filled with water, which acts as a
steam trap.
The steam main leaves the boilers twelve inches in diameter, becoming
two ten-inch mains at the branching for the north and south wings, and is
gradually reduced as branches are taken therefrom. The mains throughout
are of wrought iron, and are kept large to reduce friction to a minimum,
and to maintain the boiler pressure at the extremes of the building. In
point of fact owing to the ample space therein the steam and return mains.

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.

33

and the radiators may be considered but an elongated portion of the boiler
space, within which there is maintained with very little friction a constant
circuit or flow of steam to the radiators and water back to the boilers. The
experience of the past months shows that effective circulation can be maintained with less than one-fourth of a pound pressure at the boilers, and
rarely is as much as one pound pressure shown by the gauge.
The wards and administration building, except the fourth story, are heated
throughout by indirect radiators, the Gold, extended surface, pin pattern
placed in the basements. Bach stack of these radiators is supported on two
three-fourths inch wrought iron pipe brackets, and each bracket is made
from a single piece of pipe bent to an angle of 60°, the ends let into holes
drilled into the brick wall and sulphured in. The radiators are covered or
enclosed in a manner new, effective and economical. A curtain of twenty
ounce duck is hung from the ceiling of the plenum, extending from wall to
wall around and six inches below each stack of radiators. The curtain is
painted with silicate paint, as is also the ceiling above it, and is kept from
contact with the radiators by a wire screen guard. This covering can be
very readily removed or drawn aside for purposes of examination, repairs,
or for the removal of accumulated dust and refuse which may be thrown
down the flues by patients. It is practically incombustible, makes no noise
when handled, does not radiate heat into the plenum, and, withal, its use
effected a saving to the Institution of not less than $1,000. The radiators
are not enclosed from below, and no attempt is made to control the air
supply at the radiators; aeither are registers placed in the upper termination of the flue. Either method would diminish or stop the supply of fresh
air, and instead, the engineer regulates the heat by turning on or turning
off steam at the radiators to operate the desired number of stacks.
The air heated by passing over the indirect radiators passes up flues within
the interior brick walls, two flues eight inches by twelve inches for each
stack of radiators, and is delivered within the corridors of the wards, from
which the rooms on either side thereof are heated indirectly. The warm air
which enters the corridors finds no exit except through the ventilating flues
of the rooms; hence the current is into the rooms through the open door or
the transom thereof, and after making the circuit of the room across the
ceiling, down the external wall and window and across the floor to the
ventilating flue at the floor passes out, as described under the head of
"Ventilation."
The fourth story of the administration building, the shop and chapel buildings are heated by direct radiation, with radiators made by the Detroit
Eadiator Company, and supplied with steam from the general indirect
system.
In determining the sizes of the steam mains and branches and of the return
pipes the following working tables were adopted:
To supply 40 square feet of surface or less, 1 inch pipe.
To supply 62 square feet of surface or less, 1J inch pipe.
To supply 62 square feet of surface or less, 1J inch pipe.
To supply 92 square feet of surface or less, 1-J inch pipe.
To supply 17 square feet of surface or less, 2 inch pipe.
To supply 272 square feet of surface or less, 2^ inch pipe.
To supply 424 square feet of surface or less, 3 inch pipe.
To supply 637 square feet of surface or less, 3-J inch pipe.

34

NORTHERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.

To supply 928 square feet of surface or less, 4 inch pipe.
To supply 1215 square feet of surface or less, 4-J inch pipe.
To supply 1630 square feet of surface or less, 5 inch pipe.
To supply 2650 square feet of surface or less, 6 inch pipe.
To supply 4077 square feet of surface or less, 7 inch pipe.
To supply 6016 square feet of surface or less, 8 inch pipe.
To supply 8586 square feet of surface or less, 9 inch pipe.
To supply 11920 square feet of surface or less, 10 inch pipe.
To supply 16166 square feet of surface or less, 11 inch pipe.
To supply 21500 square feet of surface or less, 12 inch pipe.
To drain 40 square feet of surface or less, f inch pipe.
To drain 77 square feet of surface or less, 1 inch pipe.
To drain 127 square feet of surface or less, 1J inch pipe.
To drain 222 square feet of surface or less, 1^- inch pipe.
To drain 494 square feet of surface or less, 2 inch pipe.
To drain 981 square feet of surface or less, 2-J inch pipe.
To drain 1875 square feet of surface or less, 3 inch pipe.
To drain 3176 square feet of surface or less, 3-J inch pipe.
To drain 5850 square feet of surface or less, 4 inch pipe.
To drain 12485 square feet of surface or less, 4-^ inch pipe.
To drain 21500 square feet of surface or less, 5 inch pipe.
With these sizes of pipes properly laid, so that the condensed water and
the steam always flow in the same direction, and with the pipes properly
dripped or relieved from condensed water, it is found that there is absolutely
no cracking, snapping, or noise, owing to the steam and the condensed water
endeavoring to occupy the same space at the same time.
The total cubic space heated and the total amount of radiating surface,
counting the Gold pin radiator at its true value, eight and one-half square
feet per section, when made as originally in size and number of pins, was as
follows:
Space heated,
Cubic feet.

Shop buildings -.

Total...

.

.

.

.

. .

Direct
Indirect
Total
radiation,
radiation,
radiation,
Square feet. Square feet. Square feet.

252,077
84,458
107,136
576,694
576,694

568
820
1,084
108
108

2,482
85
8,219V4
7,675X

'

3,050
820
1,169
8,327 %
7,783K

1.597.05

2.888

18,462

21.150

In appropriating the radiating surface to the need of the various portions,
divisions and rooms, of the building very great care was exercised, the determination, being dependent on many factors, primary of which is the factor
of experience in heating buildings of like construction in nearly the same
latitude and by the same general method. Secondary to this experience, but
remaining of great importance, are the rules laid down for computing the
requisite amount of heating surface from the known cubic space to be heated,
the glass surface, exterior wall surface, etc.; but the results therefrom must
always be modified by considerations of exposure, whether north or south,
sheltered by hills, woods, or portions of the building, or fully exposed ; and

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.

35

-of position, as of first, second or third story; of the direction, force and
temperature of the prevailing winds. And a further and greater modification must be made, depending on the amount of air to be warmed solely for
the purposes of ventilation.
The amount of surface has proved adequate to do the intended work in
the coldest weather.
As originally intended the power boilers were furnished with the heating
apparatus. These also are of steel: two horizontal tubular boilers, each six
feet in diameter, sixteen feet long, having ninety-two three and one-half
inch tubes and domes connected to the boilers with nozzles. As with the
heating boilers the power boilers have a capacity more than sufficient under
ady circumstances to do the required work, and ordinarily but one is in use.
The power boilers furnish steam to drive all machinery, as for the laundry,
the carpenter shop, the bakery and kitchen, and for generating the electric
light; also steam for cooking, and for heating water for domestic purposes
-at such exceptional times when the exhaust steam is not sufficient for this
purpose. These boilers are inclosed in brick work, and rest on heavy cast
iron frames or standards built into the brick walls; the object being to
transfer the weight and the strain, because of expansion and contraction,
from the upper portion to the lower portion of the wall. The furnaces are
made unusually deep between the grate bars and the boilers, and consequently wood can be burned advantageously.
All exhaust steam from engines and pumps is collected together, passes
through the boilers, within which all water for domestic purposes is heated,
and if not there all condensed it passes into the large heating main and aids
in warming the building. This is a very important saving, not only in
units of heat which are utilized rather than lost, but also in returning the
distilled or soft, water to the boilers. In point of fact by this method water
is accumulated in the heating boilers, and is returned therefrom by pumping
through the hot water tank to the power boilers, so that in the whole system
of boilers but a small quantity of new water is used, and that it is aimed to
.supply from the soft water cistern, described under the head " Sewers,
Drains, and Cisterns." The major portion of this work was done under the
contract of Samuel I. Pope & Co., of Chicago, but the contract of Bundle,
Spence & Co., of Milwaukee, included with the plumbing and fire protection
portions of the heating. The boilers were furnished, delivered at the
Traverse City station by the Lansing Iron and Engine Works, and were
moved to the Asylum on rollers after the manner of house moving, under
the Pope contract. Quite a large amount of work has been done by hired
labor, and purchase in open market, including a system of high pressure
radiators for all night use in the hospital wards and other desirable places.
The coal shed is a substantial brick building seventy-five feet by thirtynine feet six inches, with heavy stone foundation, a roof covered with roofing
iron, and having a storage capacity of one thousand tons of bituminous coal.
The excavation was carried even below the low level of the adjoining boiler
room, so that the space enclosed by the stone foundation forms the larger
portion of the storage room. This foundation was built by hired labor of
field stone purchased at $8 per cord, delivered, supplemented by stone
furnished from the Asylum farm. All work and material, excepting the
foundation and excavation, was done under contract with Henry Green, of
Traverse City, for the sum of $1,580. Forming a portion of the coal shed

36

NORTHERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.

is a room for anthracite coal, a room for the hose cart, and a room for the
manufacture of soap.
Proposals were invited for covering steam and return hot and cold water
pipes, and specifications were furnished, but not to the exclusion of othermethods. A large number of proposals, based upon numerous patented and
unpatented methods, with samples, were received. The most advantageous
offer, that of J. P. Donaldson & Co., of Detroit, was taken. This provided
for covering the pipes as specified with asbestos paper, hair felt, manilla
paper and canvas in various combinations, in accordance with the use and
exposure of the pipe. The total amount paid to J. P. Donaldson & Co. was:
$2,817.64, in addition to which there has been expended directly by the
Asylum the further sum of $329.97, which latter sum includes painting the
covering.
The items of expenditure under contract with Samuel I. Pope & Co., of
Chicago, are as follows:
Radiators
$5,298 84
Pipe and
fittings
3,535 00
Valves..
.- 1,50300
Moving boilers
450 00
Foundations for boilers and mason work
844 00
Saddles for boilers, rollers and plates
396 50
Boiler covering
468 00
Boiler fronts, grate bars and boiler castings
795 00
Air valves
.
541 53
Brackets for radiators
..
200 00
Radiator hood
735 00
Smoke
flues.
250 00
Pipe hangers
230 00
Boiler pump
250 00
Gauges
18900
Condense tank
70 00
Galvanized iron boxes.
822 00
Labor
2,596 50
Miscellaneous. . ..
204 63
Total, Samuel I. Pope & Co.
2 heating boilers, contract Lansing Iron and Engine Works
2 power boilers, contract Lansing Iron and Engine Works
Pipe and
fittings
Radiators
Scales for weighing coal
Wheelbarrows
1
Flue brushes
Registers
Pipe covering
Paint
Labor and salaries
Galvanized iron, protection of out-door pipe
Miscellaneous
2 galvanized iron ventilating turrets
Coal shed..
Total

$19,379 00
4,855 001,995 00
3,059 24
56 01
64 00
32 25
31 26
30 99'
3,147 61
199 53
4,105 65
182 01
347 45
410 00
- 2,11100
-. $40,006 00

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.

37

VENTILATION.

The system of ventilation adopted while not new is special, in that it is
applied almost wholly to buildings of this character. It has been deemed
heretofore either impracticable or dangerous, or both, to admit heat generally and directly into the rooms occupied by insane patients, either from
radiators, stoves or open fires ; consequently the system aims to heat these
rooms indirectly; hence to ventilate them indirectly. During cold weather
the heating and ventilation of the building go hand in hand. The air is
warmed by passing over radiators in the basement, and is distributed through
flues within the inteiior brick walls to the corridors of the several stories
and divisions, and passes into the rooms through an opening at the top of
ihe transoms. This warmed air reaches the wards fresh, and is the supply
for ventilation. If any portion of the building is at any time cold, it is immediately known that ventilation at that point has ceased; that is, during
cold weather sufficient heat means adequate ventilation, for the fresh air
carries the heat.
The building is designed for a system of forced ventilation, the air forced
to all portions of the building by means of a large fan placed within the fan
tower at the shops. From the fan tower the air passes into the basements,
north and south, through underground ducts or tunnels eight feet wide, six
feet high, and two hundred and thirty-three feet long. The basement space
beneath the corridors and passages forms continuations of the air ducts,
called plenums, for distributing air to the base of the numerous flues leading
to the various portions of the building. These flues all terminate in the corridors, or in the large rooms, as the dining rooms and day rooms.
The form and kind of fan was adopted after very careful and long continued
investigation and inquiries, and after a number of the best firms in the
country, making a business of furnishing fans for ventilating purposes, had
carefully considered the work and made proposals for the ventilating contract. The fan was furnished by the Buffalo Forge Company, Buffalo, N. Y.
It is fourteen feet in diameter and six feet wide, and is guaranteed to have a
capacity sufficient to deliver sixty thousand cubic feet of air per minute at
sixty revolutions, with a maximum resistance of thirteen horse power, and
to have strength sufficient to withstand without injury a speed of one hundred and twenty revolutions per minute. A delivery of sixty thousand cubic
feet of air per minute would furnish to each occupant of the Asylum, counting the total population at six hundred, one hundred cubic feet per minute;
or, one hundred and twenty revolutions per minute, nearly double that
quantity. The latter is largely in excess of the normal requirements of the
Asylum, and the maximum capacity is intended in part for emergencies of
contagious disease, fevers, epidemics, or at times during very moderate
weather when there is little or no natural movement or draft of air within
the building, owing to the temperature within approaching the temperature
of the air without. Again, a strong fan pressure is required in times of
heavy wind to overcome the wind pressure exerted through' crevices in the
windows and through the porosity of the outside walls, and thus prevent
•cold air from entering, or prevent a downward draught in the hot air flues.
A defect in this method of ventilation is found to exist, in that the fan pressure exerts itself more at those portions of the building nearest to the fan,
and gradually loses its force toward the extremes of the building. To overcome this defect the capacity of the fan was increased to a maximum, hoping

38

NORTHERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.

by reducing the area of the nearer air exits and enlarging those more remote,
to obtain an equitable distribution of air throughout the building. In seeking means to overcome this defect various methods were canvassed. Proposals
were received for placing exhaust fans within the various ventilating towers
upon the roofs of the building, these exhaust fans to be driven by electric
motors. Also proposals were received for driving the proposed exhaust fans
by endless wire cable or rawhide belts from the main engines at the shops.
The first-named method, that of electric motors, would have been an experiment, and failure would have resulted in merited criticism. The second
method, while practicable, was abandoned, together with the whole exhaust
fan method upon the following considerations: The general system of ventilation seeks to maintain everywhere within the building a plenum condition;
that is, mechanical force through the fan gives to the air within the building
a pressure or tension in excess of the outer air. In consequence the warm
fresh air is pressed and held closely against windows and external walls, and
seeks to escape through every crevice and crack therein; the only escape
provided being the ventilating flue within the room. The cold air is excluded
and a comfortable temperature of the room is maintained. Now, suppose
exhaust fans to be placed within the ventilating towers upon the roofs, the
air is forced in at one end and drawn out at the other, and inasmuch as the=
exhaust fan exerts an influence that influence is to pull the warm air away from:
the windows and external walls, and to pull the cold air in through existing
crevices and cracks and thus to destroy the comfortable warming of the rooms
by inducing cold air to enter. It was decided to adhere to the full-blood
plenum system, and to increase the capacity of the fan beyond that of fans
in similar institutions, hoping by reducing the area of the nearer air exits
and enlarging those more remote to attain an equable distribution throughout the building.
The fan is but just completed. Tests showed that at fifty revolutions the
fan delivered fifty-two thousand four hundred cubic feet of air, with a total
resistance of seven and two-tenths H. P. At sixty revolutions the delivery
was seventy-one thousand six hundred cubic feet of air per minute, with a
resistance of ten and eighty-three-hundredths H. P. At sixty-five revolutions the resistance was thirteen and one-fourth H. P. Should the use of
the fan reveal deficiences at the extremes of the building, as is possible, these
deficiencies can be best supplied by auxiliary fans placed within the basement near the extremes of the building, taking the air from outside and
driven from the main engines at the shops by cable connection.
The Asylum is not dependent on the fan alone for a supply of fresh air.
Galvanized iron trunk flues, sixteen in all, each four feet by eighteen inches,
have been constructed to admit a sufficient supply of fresh air through the
outer walls into the plenums directly, and in very many places it is possible
to take air directly through basement windows. In cold weather the natural
draught caused by the ascending current of warmed air renders the use of the
fan wholly unnecessary, as is shown by the experience of the past winter.
In fact the fan is but just completed, and the flues have been connected with
the ventilating towers but a short time. Still the ventilation of the building,
while not perfect, has been good. In the ventilation of the building through
these openings to the plenums the wind acts as a powerful auxiliary, driving
the air into the basements, even when blowing at a very moderate velocity,
with sufficient force to create a pressure greater than that of the most powerful fan, hence it is very essential that all ward windows be fitted air tight.

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.

39

For driving the fan an Armington & Sims' engine of 30-horse power has
been provided. This engine also drives the small dynamo which furnishes
electric light for all night use.
Each room has one or more ventilating flues, each eight inches by eight
inches, starting from the floor and leading to the attics without connection
with any other room. The ventilating flues deliver into trunk flues within
the attics, which are enlarged in proportion to the service they are called
' upon to perform, and are carried to the nearest ventilating tower by the
most direct course. There are twelve ventilating towers, ten for the wards
and two for the chapel building. Two of the ten for the wards have been
added during the past season to make the attic exit for ventilating air more
direct. The ventilating flues of the administration building have been
grouped together, from three to six in a group, and carried up directly
through the attic and roof to the open air.
Fresh air for the chapel room is taken directly through the outside walls
onto the direct radiators. There are eight openings, having each a clear
area of six by twelve inches. The natural draft through these openings may
in cases of necessity be greatly accelerated, by means of an exhaust fan
having a capacity of five thousand cubic feet per minute, so placed in an
exterior wall as to exhaust air at will either from the chapel room or from
the kitchen room. The maximum capacity of the room is three hundred
and eighteen. Eeligious services and social gatherings are always and purposely continued but a short time, one hour or less, and the average attendance is far short of the maximum capacity. The audience always starts with
a room full of fresh air—a room forty-two feet by fifty-four feet by twentyeight feet high'—and very rarely are the double entrance doors closed. As
these double doors open into a hall, the air of which is warmed, a supply of
fresh air, almost unlimited, may be obtained.
The aggregate areas of the several openings, passages, flues, etc., through
which the air passes in its travel from the fan tower to the ventilating tower
are as follow:
Louvres of fan tower two hundred and sixteen square feet, in addition to
which the fan on one side is connected directly with the open air.
Entrance to fan, one hundred and twenty-two square feet.
Air ducts, one for each wing and one for administration building, one
hundred and eleven square feet.
Six hundred and seven hot air flues each eight inches by twelve, four
hundred and four square feet.
Five hundred and four ventilating flues, each eight inches by eight inches,
two hundred and twenty-four square feet.
The ventilating turrets and ventilating flues through roof of administration building one hundred and twenty-one square feet.
The items of expenditure are as follow:
Engine
$652 50
Foundation and bolts
147 50
Trunk flues in attic
1,482' 69
Large ventilating fan, complete in place as per contract.
1,100 00
Labor
159 26
Miscellaneous.- .-.__...
2805
Total

.

$3,570 00

40

NORTHERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.
ELECTRIC LIGHT.

At the very close of the period covered by the preceding biennial report
the Board had arrived at a conclusion, after a full investigation thereon, as
to the method to be adopted in lighting the Asylum, the determination
being to use some form of incandescent electric light. The investigation of
this subject, together with the reasons leading to the conclusions reached,
were given in full in the preceding report. Later, the Board advertised for
proposals for lighting the Asylum as required by law; in response to which
numerous proposals were submitted, and a contract was entered into with
the Edison Company for Isolated Lighting to furnish and install an electric
light plant complete, as required by the specifications furnished, for the
sum of $11,432.60. After some delay on the part of the Company, work
was commenced July, 1885, and pushed forward as rapidly as the circumstances would admit, until on November 25, 1885, the apparatus was first
tried. The apparatus consists, as furnished, of:
2 electric dynamos of 250 light power each.
1 electric dynamo of 100 light power.
2 Armington & Sims 42 horse power engines.
1 Armington & Sims 30 horse power engine.
•629 key sockets for lamps.
700 lamps of 16-candle power each.
100 lamps of 10-candle power each.
2 ampere indicators.
3 pressure indicators.
All wiring, cut-outs, plugs, switches, labor, etc., for complete installation.
It is not usual for the Electric Light Company to furnish the engines, but
in this instance it was required, and was necessary in order to fully hold the
Electric Light Company to full responsibility for the perfect working of the
plant, i. e., to cut off the possibility of attributing a defect or failure to
engines put in by the Asylum.
Lights generally are placed in the corridors only, and the patients' rooms
are thus lighted from the halls through the transoms over the doors; but the
larger and special rooms are lighted directly, as dining rooms, day rooms,
parlors, etc., and many rooms for patients have lamps at the ceilings controlled by switches in the attendants' rooms.
Electric light fixtures were furnished by Bergmann & Co., of New York
City, at a total cost of $1,395.
In operation the electric light has proved all that was anticipated. On
entering a room a slight pressure on a button at the side of the door lights
one or all of the room lights, according to the number of lamps turned on by
the keys at the lamps. It has been found that patients do not interfere with
the lamps, as was anticipated might be the case. The lamps are not protected and still in no instance thus far has a lamp been broken by a patient.
The Edison Company guarantees that the average life of the lamps shall
not be less than six hundred hours of burning. The company also guarantees
that eight lights of sixteen candle power each shall be produced by the expenditure of each horse power.
All the wiring within the wards was placed beneath hard wood finished
mouldings; the mouldings placed in the angle formed by the ceiling and side
wall. By this arrangement the electric light wires were kept from contact

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.

41

with the wire cloth of the plastering, decreasing the fire risk and rendering
the wires at all times accessible for examination and repairs; and should a
fire be started it would find nothing but moulding in plain view to burn until
it had passed through the plastered ceiling. An objection to the mouldings
on the score of looks was removed by placing mouldings opposite those concealing the wires, thus dividing the ceilings in panels, an improvement rather
than a detraction.
It will be noticed that the arrangement of dynamos and engines is in duplicate, there being two large engines and two large dynamos. This provides
against the emergency of breakage or stoppage in either one dynamo or one
engine—a very necessary arrangement. For all night light a third small
engine and dynamo is used. The Asylum force is increased by the electric
light to the extent of an additional assistant engineer for all night work;
and the service of an additional fireman is required during that portion of
the year when heat is not required in the building; otherwise the number of
Asylum employes is not increased.
Estimates made by the engineer show that the cost of the electric light is
equivalent to that of gas at 75 cents per thousand feet. This takes into
account the additional labor above named and the fuel used for driving the
engines, but deducts from the total expenditure for fuel the value of the
exhaust steam, which is applied, first, to heating water for domestic purposes, and seeond, if not all thus used, to heating the building by being
exhausted into the large steam main.
Experience has proved beyond question the superiority of incandescent
electric light over gas for use in an Asylum for the insane. The volume of
light obtained is without doubt double. The light is absolutely steady and
pleasant, does not vitiate the air by throwing off carbonic acid, or destroy
its vitality by consuming the oxygen of the air to support combustion. Nor
is the air heated, as is the case with gas—an important consideration in warm
weather. It is more easily operated, under more perfect and instant control,
and materially decreases the fire risk, as compared with gas, by removing
matches and open flame from the building. The cost does not vary from
the anticipations of my original estimate, or, but slightly, i.e., three-eighths
of a cent per lamp per hour, equivalent to gas at seventy-five cents per
thousand feet.
Subsequently to closing the contract with the Edison Company a row of
street lamps was placed between the front entrance of the building and the
limits of the Asylum grounds toward the city, and from this line lights were
carried into the dwelling house named under "Outbuildings." Lights were
also placed at the same time within the barn, temporarily used as a carriage
barn. The total cost of this work was $469.01.
After the completion of the general farm barn and the carriage barn these
were lighted, together with the cow barn, previously built, with electric
light, frhe work being done under the supervision of the engineer of the
Asylum at a total cost of $266.93. By placing the electric light within the
barns, as above, all necessity for matches and lanterns therein is removed.
The total number of lamps installed is six hundred and sixty, but the daily
average use is about two hundred and eighty. The sums expended for
electric lighting are shown, as follows:
Contract of Edison Company for Isolated Lighting complete, except engines, paid for by special appropriation for engines -- $8,659 70

42

NORTHERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.

Electric light
fixtures
$1,395 00
Road lights, dwelling house and barn lights
—
469 01
Wiring and lighting general farm barn, carriage barn and cow
barn
266 95
Miscellaneous and labor
377 91
Total

$11,168 55
COOKING APPARATUS.

The outfit for the general and special kitchens was purchased of the John
Van Eange Co., of Cincinnati, after inviting proposals from a number of
firms. The proposal of the John Van Eange Company was not as low as
some others, but a comparative examination led to the belief that the goods
were very heavy and substantial in construction, and therefore would prove
more durable and economical in the end. Knowing how rapidly goods of
this character deteriorate if not made in the very best manner, it was felt to
be true economy to purchase the very best the market affords. It is proper
to add that after the test of use for months the apparatus has proved everything that was expected. The total amount paid to the John Van Eange
Company was $2,369.50. The food cars were made by the Eastern Michigan
Asylum at Pontiac, and are models in construction and finish.
The items of the outfit are:
1 14- foot 3 oven range, complete
—
$607 50
2 30-inch broilers, complete
120 00
1 canopy over range and broilers
60 00
1 6-foot range, complete .
154 20
1 18-inch broiler
30 00
1 canopy for range and broiler
30 00
1 steam table, 10 feet by 2 feet 8 inches, with seven compartments
for cooking vegetables, with canopy complete
133 00
Tea and coffee apparatus, complete
513 00
2 75-gallon copper jacketed kettles
.256 00
1 40-gallon copper jacketed kettle
94 00
1 60-gallon cast iron steam kettle for grease
33 00
1 45-pound coffee roaster
31 35
1 meat hasher
..
_
8000
Vegetable tubs
12 50
Trucks and scales
36 00
Coffee and spice mills.._
12 35
Eefrigerators
53 20
2 food cars, for distributing food to the dining rooms
258 30
21 copper sauce pans, 1 8-gallon soup kettle, 1 sugar kettle
181 80
Miscellaneous, colanders, steamers, sieves, graters, egg whips,
saws, cleavers, skimmers, ladles, griddles, flesh forks, 15 fry
pans, muffin cards, meat grinders, gridirons, grease kettles,
cake cutters, ice picks, cooks' knives, etc., etc.
292 29
Tables, shelving and cupboards in kitchen
199 07
Connecting apparatus
.
_.
17 63
Miscellaneous, labor, etc.
31 93
Total

, $3,23712

SUPERINTENDENT'S EEPOET.

43

BAKING APPARATUS.

At the time the plans for the building were originally prepared a place
was designed for the oven on the kitchen floor of the chapel building,
beneath the dormitories of the second and third stories of that building.
As the building progressed it became more and more apparent that a mistake
would be made should the oven be located as originally designed. It would,
render the dormitories during summer time very uncomfortable, would
materially increase the danger from fire within the kitchen or chapel building; and the limited room for both the bakery and the oven would compel
the use of the rotary oven, while it was found that many bakers preferred
the old-fashioned brick oven. So soon as the progress of the work had
demonstrated that funds could be spared for the purpose, a bakery building,
to include also large refrigerator rooms for meat, butter, eggs, vegetables,,
etc., was designed, and the construction commenced. Within this bakery
building were constructed two large brick ovens, twelve feet by eight feet
inside, of the most approved form and design. These ovens were built by
Mr. George Kickman, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, who has had large experience
in this class of work., and have proved thoroughly adapted to the-work.
In a small room in connection with the bakery is placed a large sink of
special design for cooking fried cakes, the odors from which are carried
directly into the chimney.
A portion of the room within the kitchen building, originally designed for
the bakery, is conveniently used for bakery purposes, and here has been
placed a soft dough mixer, for making cake, beating eggs, etc., and run by
power from the main engine.
The itemized expenses are:
Fire brick and cement for ovens
$305 50
Castings for ovens
67 86
Mason work on ovens
115 10
Russia iron ware for bakery-pans, etc
110 50
Dough trough
19 70
Ferment tub
4 00
Tables, shelving, cupboards, etc
—
57 35
Lumber for baking building, in part
210 43
Pyrometer
28 75
Soft dough mixer
50 00
Doughnut fryer
29 50
Shafting, belting, etc
63 23
Miscellaneous
.
18 17
Total

$1,080 09
LAUNDRY APPARATUS.

Proposals for fitting up the laundry in a manner adequate to provide for
the maximum population were invited from a number of standard firms, each
firm bidding upon those articles considered by itself necessary for a complete
outfit. These bids were very diverse, both in kind of apparatus, arrangement and cost. They were very carefully considered and sifted as to their

44

NORTHERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.

respective merits, but no one was accepted. Subsequently three firms which
had previously bid were invited to name definite price for fitting up the
laundry in a manner specified, each firm being allowed, however, to use its
own goods, and holding in the main to the ideas contained in the previous
bids of these firms. These proposals will all be found in the printed lists
of proposals herewith. The work was finally awarded to The A. M. Dolph
Co., of Cincinnati, 0., which bid was considered in a slight degree more
favorable than the others, and provided a nearly complete laundry outfit, including pipe, plumbing, belting, shafting, etc., for the sum of $2,900. The
articles used are sufficiently shown by the following table:
4 Cylinder reversing washing machines, each 38 inches in diameter
by 64 long
$810 00
1 Sixty-four inch cylinder, three-roll mangle
427 50
1 Thirty-inch centrifugal extractor
283 50
1 Dry room, complete, twelve hundred and fifty feet of inch pipe.. 200 00
1 Combined shirt, collar and cuff ironer and
fixtures
175 50
1 Stove room and sad iron heater
72 00
3 Iron soap tanks, each forty-eight inches in diameter, and 1 soap
kettle
82 00
1 Collar and cuff shaper
22 50
Tables, shelving, clothing boxes, etc
173 90
Miscellaneous..
.__....
.. . . . 13002
Total

$2,376 92

The outfit has proved more than adequate to the needs of the Institution,
and all the articles furnished are doing good work. The soap tanks and
kettles have enabled the Institution thus far to make its own soap, except a
small quantity of hard soap, which will hereafter also be made by the Institution. The large mangle, or ironing machine, is covered with a galvanized
wire screen guard, so that by no possibility can the operator, working patients,
or inquisitive persons receive injury through being drawn into the machine.
IRON WORKING APPARATUS.

The expenditures under this head have furnished quite completely a blacksmith shop, with blacksmith tools, and with all the main implements necessary for doing pipe fitting and plumbing work, all of which branches of work
are carried on with the Asylum force. The table shows:
Vise, pipe cutters, dies, taps, wrenches, etc
$121 54
Anvils, tongs, hammers, chisels, etc
45 77
Forge and blower.8 00
Charcoal furnace, soldering irons
3 98
Freight and miscellaneous
8 79
Total

..

-.

.$18808

CARPENTER APPARATUS.

In outfitting the carpenter shop with apparatus more space was found to

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.

45

be essential, and this space could be attained by cutting away a wall between
the carpenter shop and a hall adjoining, throwing the hall within the carpenter shop, which was accordingly done.
The carpenter shop has been fitted up with a twenty-four inch planer, a
universal rip and cross-cut saw, having a buzz attachment for taking lumber
out of wind, a lathe with attachments, complete, scroll saw, foot mortiser,
emery wheel and large grindstone; all of which have rendered excellent service in the prosecution of our work in and about the Asylum. The planer
and saw table were made by the Oordesman Machine Company, of Cincinnati.
The lathe by Herbert Baker, of Toledo, the scroll saw by the Williamsport
Machine Company, of Pennsylvania, and the mortiser by J. A. Pay & Co.,
furnished by James Jenks, of Detroit. In an Institution of this size and
character a complete carpenter outfit is very desirable, since carpenter, joiner
or furniture work is constantly demanded, either because of repairs, changes
or additions, and a material saving can be effected by the use of machinery.
The items are:
Twenty-four inch planer
$114 00
Universal rip and cross-cut saw table
142 50
Lathe and attachments complete
85 88
Scroll saw complete
65 00
Foot mortiser
48 40
Emery machine
-.18 91
Grindstone, seven hundred pounds
14 10
Freight on machinery
22 3£
Labor placing machinery and changes in carpenter shop
228 44
Carpenter tools, etc
30 38
Oil tank_
7 85
Total

.........

_ $777 79

There was appropriated for cooking apparatus, laundry apparatus, baking
apparatus, iron working apparatus and carpenter apparatus, $7,660, the expenditure of which has been accounted for in the foregoing tables, as follows:
Cooking apparatus
Laundry apparatus .Baking apparatus
Iron working apparatus
Carpenter apparatus

—
.

Total.

1

$3237 12
2376 92
1080 09
188 08
777 79
$7,660 00

GRADING.

There has been expended for grading the total sum of $2,111.19, of which
$1,600 was from the special appropriation and $511.19 from the general
fund. At the commencement of the work of grading proposals were invited
and considered. The lowest price was at the rate of 18 cents per yard,
which bid it was not deemed advisable to accept. A portion of the work
which could be accurately measured in place, 4,581 cubic yards, cost by

46

NORTHERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.

day's labor ten arid three-fourth cents per yard. The work was done at
diiferent times during the years 1884, 1885 and 1886, as the progress of the
building made it necessary.
SIDEWALKS.

The special appropriation for sidewalks and airing courts, $1,260, has
been expended wholly for the purpose of sidewalks; the medical superintendent preferring to give to all the patients the larger liberty of the
grounds, under the constant supervision of attendants, rather than to confine them within the monotonous enclosure of airing courts. Notwithstanding, the special appropriation proved insufficient to build all the necessary
sidewalks, and quite a sum has been taken therefor from the general fund.
There has been built complete sidewalks about the entire circuit of the
buildings, and a sidewalk upon each side of the main road entrance between
the Asylum building and the limits of the grounds. The amounts and kinds
of sidewalks built are as follows:
Two thousand feet of maple sidewalk, four feet wide.
Six hundred and fifteen feet of pine sidewalk, four feet wide.
Pour thousand five hundred and forty feet of pine side walk, six feet wide.
In addition there has been constructed in front of the administration
building and leading to the side entrance of the wings thirteen hundred and
fifty square feet of cement walk, at a total cost of $105. This work was
•done by Mr. George Sales, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, and has proved an
excellent work. The items of expense are:
Lumber
$538 40
Labor
498 67
Nails-.
1
130 43
•Cement ...
92 50
Total

$1,260 00
SUPPLYING ASYLUM WITH WATER.

From the nature of the ground and the appearance of the surrounding
«ountry it was believed that an ample supply of pure water for all the purposes of the institution, excepting fire, could be taken from the ground.
Should this prove to be the case it would insure an unvarying quality to the
water, freedom from surface impurities, and the variations incident to
storms, drouth, etc. It was therefore determined to pass by the supply of
spring water contained in the brook., which crosses beneath the building,
until investigations could be made to determine whether an adequate supply
could be secured from a large well. Preliminary tests were made by sinking
a 2-inch drive tube. Water was found at thirty-seven feet eight inches in
coarse sand. The tube was driven after striking water a further distance of
thirty-nine feet, passing all the while through coarse sand, at times
approaching gravel in character. At intervals during the sinking of this
tube the water was pumped therefrom. The flow was very free and ample,
and all the indications pointed to a very large supply of water. An arrangement was then made with Mr. M. W. Sweet, of Adrian—a man of large
experience in well work, and who had constructed the large well at Pontiac,

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.

47

which has proved so successful—for superintending the work of constructing
a large well here. Mr. Sweet, after examining the material taken from the
drive well, thought that to supply the institution adequately a well should
be constructed having an inside diameter not less than sixteen feet and a
depth within the water of twenty feet. An excavation was commenced six
feet larger than the intended well, curbed with three inch plank and heavily
timbered. This was carried down to the water, at which point brick work was
commenced, resting upon a curbing made of several thicknesses of plank
thoroughly spiked and bolted together, and having a cutting lip on the
lower and outer side. Iron rods passed from the curbing up through the
brick work every three feet in the circumference of the well. At intervals
these rods would be terminated and clamped to the brick work. New rods
were then fastened thereto and continued on up through the brick work.
After the brick work had been carried to a height of twenty feet, which was
the depth to which it was expected to settle within the water, a corbel of
brick work was built on the inside to receive a circular track. Upon this
track was placed a platform, mounted on wheels so as to revolve, and on the
platform an apparatus having an endless chain with pockets, fastened thereto after the manner of a grain elevator, for scooping earth from the bottom
of the well. By the revolution of the platform and varying the slant of the
dredging machine it could be made to dig at any desired point beneath the
water's surface. As this dredging of material from the well proceeded the
entire work was gradually settled within the water. In the main the sinking
proceeded favorably, but at times in order to overcome the resistance to
settlement it was necessary to increase the weight by additions of brick work
to the brick curbing. The diameter of the curbing or shaft was gradually
reduced from twenty feet to twelve feet, and at this diameter was built up to
the surface of ground.
The well has proved a very gratifying success, supplying the Institution
with all water necessary for domestic purposes, averaging, with the present
population, not less than thirty-six thousand gallons per day, and is capable
of supplying continuously up to, and we know not how much beyond, the
limits of the capacity of the pump, two hundred and sixty-three gallons per
minute, at one hundred feet piston travel. The water is hard but is of
good quality, wholesome and palatable.
The brick curbing near the surface of the ground was changed from a
circle to an octagon, and from brick to stone for a foundation, and upon this
foundation was built a neat octagonal well house twelve feet in diameter.
Within the well house was placed a Smith & Vaile deep well pump, having
a steam cylinder of fourteen inches, a water cylinder of seven and one half
inches, and an eighteen inch stroke. The steam cylinder was placed on the
floor of the well house and the water cylinder on a platform near the surface
of the water in the well. The two cylinders are connected by a heavy solid
^ 'ston rod which is guided and braced by means of two large cast iron pipes,
one of which serves both as a discharge pipe and as an air chamber for the
water cylinder. This pump has worked admirably. It delivers the water
directly into the tanks in the attics, and is so connected that it can be used
for boiler feeding or for fire purposes, either alone or in connection with the
fire pump. With seventeen feet four inches of water within the well it has
not been possible to reduce the depth by continuous pumping more than
four feet; and the experience of the year now nearly passed seems to demon-

48

NORTHERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.

strate that the supply of water is practically inexhaustible. The cost, which,
was largely increased by accidental damage to the work during its progress,
has been as follows:
Preliminary test well
$50 00
Labor
1,617 53
Placing pump and discharging the same, complete,
'with supplying the steaming discharge pipes
311 54
Lumber for curbing, etc
278 93
Brick . . . . . " '
492 00
Total paid from special appropriation

$2,750 00

Paid from General Appropriation—Material.
Brick and lime for curbing
Labor
Miscellaneous.-

...

Total

$404 21
477 96
11 70
.... $3,643 87

In addition to the above sums the deep well pump cost $630, paid from
the plumbing appropriation; and the well house cost $188.84, classed under
outbuildings in the general appropriation.
PLUMBING.

Under this term is included all hot and cold water distribution, the large
attic water tanks, all fixtures through which water passes, as baths, sinks,
closets, etc., and all waste and ventilating pipes and accessories thereto, as
traps, valves, fittings, etc. Also the pumps and the boilers for heating water
for domestic purposes.
After very careful consideration the system of trap ventilation with large
ventilating pipes was adopted rather than any system of mechanical traps
expected to effectually bar the passage of sewer gas. In connection with
the trap ventilation and in unity of purpose auxiliary thereto all soil and
waste pipes were thoroughly ventilated, the aim being to pass a current of
the air continuously therethrough. The objections urged against trap ventilation are well known. Sewer gas will pass through water and escape upon
the house side. Ventilated traps can be syphoned and will lose their water
seal through evaporation. In arriving at a conclusion, however, it was
known that the fixtures of a building used for asylum purposes are without
exception in constant daily use. The danger from evaporation, therefore,
does not exist. This constant use, moreover, causes a continued ventilation
of the pipes through induced currents of air forced or drawn by the moving
wastes, and also tends to keep the waste pipe system thoroughly flushed out.
While it is possible in experimentation to syphon out most ventilated traps,.
still, under the conditions of ordinary daily use, the probability that such
syphonage will take place is very remote; and should it take place the
danger therefrom will be reduced to a minimum, both through the absence
of sewer gas proper within the pipes, owing to their cleanly condition, and

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.

49

dilution of the gases therein through ventilation, and by the short time that
the trap would remain open before the fixture would be again used. It is
believed to be safer to prevent the formation of sewer gas by ventilating and
oxidizing and washing out the wastes adhering to the pipes than to rely on
mechanical devices to bar the entrance of the sewer gas to the building after
it has been formed.
In designing the plumbing work the following principles were kept in
view:
To use traps only at the fixtures and as near thereto as possible.
To make traps generally one size smaller than the waste pipe leading
therefrom.
To ventilate each trap independently, making the ventilating branch the
same size as the waste pipe and similarly to ventilate all soil and waste pipe
in pipes of equal size thereto.
To carry all branch ventilating pipes into the large ventilating pipes by
the shortest and most direct course, avoiding angles, and to carry the main
ventilating pipes to the open air above the roof.
To join the main ventilating pipe with the soil pipe at the foot of the pipe
shafts in the basement, and carry both these pipes, enlarged at the upper
end, through the roof to the outer air.
To make both service and waste pipes large, but no soil pipe larger than
four inch.
To make sink, lavatory, and urinal wastes generally fall directly to the
basement before entering the main soil pipe; that is, allow no horizontal
runs or pipes slightly inclined.
To conceal no pipes within brick walls, or plastering, or back of boarding.
To use no wood work about sinks, bath tubs and wash stands, and only
for the seats about water closet hoppers.
To bury no waste pine that can be left in view, carrying them either above
the basement floor or on the ceiling thereof.
To allow no connection between tho sewer system and the tanks in the
attics.
To keep all urinal waste pipes small, that the flush from the tanks used
therewith may prevent the usual foul deposits within the pipes.
Conveniently distributed, resting upon brick walls in the attics, are four
large cold water tanks, each nine feet six inches high and twelve feet in
diameter, and one nine feet six inches high and four feet six inches in
diameter. The aggregate capacity is 33,240 gallons. The tanks are all
placed at the same level, consequently they fill and discharge at the same
time. The tanks are built of tank steel plate one-eighth inch thick,
thoroughly riveted; are painted inside and out and covered, water and air
tight, with the same thickness of tank steel. This covering prevents any
contamination of the water within the tank from confined or vitiated air in
the attics arising from the living rooms below, or from escaping sewer gas.
The overflow is through pipes which pass from the top of the covers up and
through the roof and look down toward the roof gutters, into which the
overflow discharges. A galvanized iron drip pan, painted, is placed beneath
each tank to catch the drip, condensed upon the cool surface of the tanks
from the moist air of the attics, and this condensed water is carried to the
nearest gutter or to the ground within the pipe shafts, no connection being
made with the sewer system.
7

50

NORTHERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.

Water is distributed directly from the tanks in the attics. In only two cases
is a branch taken from the service main, namely, for the shop building and
for the chapel building; and in each of these cases in order to prevent concussion at the fixtures an air chamber is used, made from a length of eightinch wrought iron pipe placed vertically, the supply and discharge both
entering and leaving a blank flange at the bottom of the air chamber.
The sizes of the distributing pipes at the fixtures for both hot and cold
water are, for sinks, slop sinks, urinals, bath-tubs of first and second stories
three-fourths inch; for wash-bowls, one-half inch; for bath-tubs of third
story, one inch; for water closets one and one-fourth inch, all of wrought
iron.
The production and distribution of hot water for domestic purposes is very
complete and efficient, and withal economical. Within the boiler room are
placed two hot water boilers of new and peculiar design. Each is four feet
in diameter, bent to a right angle at the centre of the length, which is seventeen feet around the exterior angle and nine over the interior angle. At
each end is a steam chamber six inches deep. Passed through the centre of
the boiler are twenty-four two inch brass tubes bent to a right angle at the
centre, the ends expanded into the interior heads of the steam chambers.
The main body of the boiler is filled with water, which is heated by the passage of steam through the tubes. The boilers are arranged with eight inch
steam inlet and outlet, that the exhaust steam from engines and pumps may
be used therein. If this exhaust steam is not all condensed within the hot
water boilers it passes on and enters the low pressure heating main, and is
utilized for heating the building. The large size of the boilers and their
shape gives space for the accumulations of deposits from the hard water
without compelling it to enter the pipes, at the same time facilitating this
deposit. There is also room for entrance through a manhole for examination, cleaning out or repairs. The angle in the body of the boilers prevents the expansion and contraction of the brass tubes from destroying the
expanded joint at the joining of the tube heads. The capacity is so ample
that one boiler will suffice while the other is being cleaned out, and the use
of exhaust steam gives to the institution hot water at little cost.
The hot water is distributed to all portions of the asylum buildings
through a complete hot water circulating system; that is the hot water main
which leaves the boiler three and one half inches in diameter, branches and
sub-divides, and reduces within the attics until passing down it reaches the
various fixtures, in sizes as before named. From the fixtures the hot water
pipes continue down to the basements, where, as before they branched, they
are now collected in pipes enlarging and returning, reaching hot water boilers in a single two and one-half inch pipe. By this circulation hot water is
at all times available at each hxture.
The waste pipes and the ventilating pipes are generally of cast iron, and are
placed within pipe shafts built for the purpose, that these pipes may be
always accessible for repairs and inspection.
Before each set of ventilating and waste pipes was accepted it was filled to
the top with water, which must remain for hours within the pipe unchanged
in height as a test of tightness.
It is believed that constant currents of air will be induced through the
waste and soil pipes, either entering the soil pipes and branches and finding
exit through the ventilating pipes and branches or vice versa. This current

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.

51

•will be induced; first, by the relative positions of the soil and ventilating
pipes as to heat or cold; second, because of hot water discharged within the
waste pipes and heating the air therein; third, by air within the waste pipes
forced ahead of descending columns of waste water, drawing after it currents of air from the ventilating pipes. The large size of the ventilating
pipes, it is thought, will practically prevent these moving currents of air
from forcing or syphoning the traps.
The urinal waste pipes are of galvanized iron, and are made small,
reduced to that limit where danger of overflow may be apprehended at the
fixture from the Kelly flush tank, used with each urinal. Thus, a third
story urinal waste is one inch, delivering into second story urinal waste one
and one-fourth inch, and in turn into the first story waste of the same size.
This system has worked admirably.
The waste outlets and the ventilating branches in sizes are:
Bath tub, sink and slop sink outlets, one and one-half inch; traps, one
and one-fourth inch.
Washbowl outlets one and one-fourth inch; traps one inch.
Urinal outlets one inch: traps one inch.
It is worthy of remark that the exposed pipes beneath sinks, washbowls,
etc., unenclosed by wood work, have in no instance been disturbed or injured
by patients.
The bath tubs are of cast iron, painted, except two, which are of cast iron
enameled. Hot and cold water is admitted near the bottom of the tub;
thus hot water mingles immediately with the cold water and reduces the
danger of accident from scalding; while, at the same time, the entrance is
comparatively noiseless.
All urinals are lipped and hooded with ventilating pipe outlets. The
urinals of the wards are of enameled iron, and each urinal throughout is
flushed by a Kelly tank. The weight of a person on a platform placed at
the floor beneath the urinal opens a valve and allows the tank to be filled
with water, which is discharged with considerable force, and a large flow
upon the removal of the weight from the platform. The operating chain is
made inaccessible by passing it up and through a length of wrought iron
pipe. The operation of the whole urinal system has been exceedingly satisfactory.
For the wards iron, enameled, straight-backed, small outlet hoppers were
used; elsewhere all earthenware, ventilated, wash-out closets were used,
and throughout each hopper is furnished with a large cistern or flushing
tank, operated by the lid of the hopper, as in the wards, or by a pull as
elsewhere.
The hoods of all urinals and the hoppers of all the earthenware closets
are ventilated independently of the sewer system of ventilation, with four
inch spiral galvanized sheet iron pipe, carried through the pipe shafts above
the roof to the open air.
The lavatories are fitted up with enameled iron wash bowls supported
upon brackets, except that two marble top fixtures were placed in the administration building.
The following are the items of expenditure:

52

NORTHERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.
PLUMBING.

Five cold water tanks.
.Twenty-two bath tubs...
Forty-seven sinks and slop sinks
Twenty urinals and fifty-one water closets..Twenty-six wash stands.
Two hot water boilers.
Foundations for hot water boilers—
Deep well pump
Hose
.-Soil and waste pipe
..
Cast iron water pipe
Cast iron ventilating pipe
"Wrought iron pipe
Fittings for iron pipe.
Valves, cocks, etc. _
'..'.
Lead pipe and solder
Five drip pans
Connections to tanks
Iron beams for supporting tanks _
Labor for all purposes
Miscellaneous, and incidentals in schedule
Total

--

...
- -.

$1,175 00
386 00
144 05
1,536 00
299 20
1,750 00
60 00
_
630 00
480 80
954 00
369 00
258 50
672 26336 00
407 75
128 00
50 00
130 00
450 00
2,272 41
886 03^
$13,375 00

Of this total amount $12,689.70 was expended under contract of Bundle,
Spence & Co., and $630 was paid for a deep well pump to Smith, Vaile & Co.,
Dayton, Ohio.
FIRE PROTECTION.

The expenditures under this head represent but a small portion of the
money that has been expended to secure immunity against the danger of fire.
The larger expenditures are classed as construction, and have secured a
building whose interior walls are of solid brick, whose cornices are of galvanized iron, ceilings all lathed with wire cloth, floors all protected with
one and one-half inches thickness of calcined plaster mortar, and all corridor and division walls built through the attics up to and against the boarding of the roof, thus dividing the attics into small apartments, fire in any
one of which would slowly and with difficulty be communicated to another.
In addition fire proof doors, forty-seven in all, tinned both sides, with the
door frames also tinned, as recommended by the Boards of Fire Underwriters,
have been placed in all the openings between divisions, into the openings
leading into stairways and to the attics, and in all openings in the brick
walls of the attics. It will be seen that the effort to prevent fire has materially increased the aggregate cost; but remembering the many asylums in
various parts of the United States which have been partially or wholly
destroyed by fire during the past ten years, no other safe and judicious
course could have been taken. Should a fire occur it is felt that its progress from room to room and from story to story must be slow, giving time to
stay its advance and in the end that its limits must be very much restricted.

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.

53

jggtt-

To provide against the emergency of fire, however, a complete fire apparatus has been provided at an outlay aggregating $4,115.00. This apparatus
consists of a powerful fire pump, fire mains and risers, hose, hydrants, fire
reservoir and reservoir pond. The water supply comes from two alternative
sources: the creek which runs beneath the asylum building, or from the
asylum well, either or both. The eight-inch suction pipe of the fire pump
leads to a fire cistern connected with the creek; above this cistern and connected thereto is an artificial pond, exclusively for fire purposes, holding
a large amount of water. The fire pump was furnished by Smith, Vaile
& Co., of Dayton, Ohio, and is the most powerful engine upon the premises. It has a steam cylinder eighteen inches in diameter, a water cylinder
ten inches in diameter and a stroke of two feet. At fifty strokes or revolutions per minute the pump has a capacity, by actual test, of four and onehalf times the amount of water running in the brook beneath the building
Hence the necessity for a fire pond.
Without the building are placed at suitable points seven fire hydrants, and
hose has been provided sufficient to reach all external portions of the building.
The fire mains pass from the pump through the basements six inches in
diameter and branch to the hydrants four inches in diameter, all angles
being made with curves of large radius, or where this is not possible the
elbow has been enlarged one size.
From these mains in the basement five two and one-half inch stand pipes
rise to the attics, one entering each cold water tank. Prom these stand
pipes are taken thirty-four hose connections, with hose valves and hose permanently attached sufficient to reach all interior portions of the building.
As before stated five fire risers terminate in the cold water tanks, and a
check valve is placed in the riser just before reaching the tank. Should a
fire occur the tank water and pressure is available instantly on opening the
hose valve. The moment, however, that the fire pump is started the check
valves at the tanks are closed by the water from the pump rushing into the
tank, and the fire pressure of the pump is maintained.
The fire pump stands ready to start at any time of the day or night. It
is very frequently tried and kept in order. Steam pressure is always maintained within one of the power boilers; during the day for power purposes
and for cooking, and during the night to drive the electric light engines. In
the emergency of damage to the fire pump the deep well pump, having an
extreme capacity of four hundred gallons per minute, is also conected with
the mains, and can be used for fire purposes either separately or in connection with the fire pump. This also gives an auxiliary supply of water should
such become necessary from exhaustion of the fire pond during a long continued fire. The fire pump is also cross-connected so that it can be used for
all the purposes of the institution in case the well pump breaks down.
A two-inch supply and fire pipe is laid to the barns, from which is taken
hose connections, and similarly a two and one-half inch pipe has been provided to reach and protect the cottage.
The hose cart and a room for the same in connection with the coal shed
completes the fire apparatus:
Fire pump
$875 00
Hydrants
245 00
Hose
1,870 00

54

NOETHEBN ASYLUM FOE THE INSANE.

Hose valves
Oast iron pipe
Protection over stairways
Total

$154 00
876 00
95 00
$4,115 00

FURNISHING WARDS, ADMINISTRATION BUILDING AND DORMITORIES.

The furnishing was all purchased from the special appropriation therefor.
In each case lists or specifications were made of the goods needed, giving
description, number and kind, and proposals were invited from reliable
dealers, which proposals were carefully canvassed, and the one most advantageous to the State, quality and price both considered, was accepted. It
was-the aim to regard economy in its broadest sense by providing throughout
a class of goods that should be durable, adapted to the purpose, neat and
pleasing in appearance and comfortable in use. With these features constantly in view the goods were purchased in the cheapest market, which
was found through competitive offers. These competitive proposals are
printed herewith, and show sufficiently the cost and number of individual
articles. The following table shows the expenditures:
Bedsteads
,
$2,386 00
Bureaus
1,076 90
Wardrobes
.
875 36
Woven wire mattresses
'
1,161 32
Hair mattresses and pillows
.
6,226 67
Feather pillows
334 51
Chairs
1,661 66
Tables and stands
1,010 05
Sideboards
91 00
Crockery
728 30
Bedroom suites
393 75
Parlor suites
221 35
Lounges
.
144 47
Book cases
.
173 70
Desk
20 00
Hall stands
45 90
Clocks
125 22
Organs.
149 85
Sewing machines
60 00
Carpets
2,150 23
Window curtains
269 99
Table linen
566 27
Towels and toweling
390 17
Baskets
74 00
Blankets
1,927 20
Counterpanes
753 64
Comfortables
984 00
Sheets and pillowslips
1,354 50
Mirrors
313 40
Cutlery and plated ware
..
1,175 67

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
Lambrequins
Cupboards and shelving for kitchens
Fitting up eighteen clothes rooms, with boxes for patients' clothes
and eighteen china closets__
Boxing for hose cupboards, shelving, etc., ..-.
Lumber for boxing and shelving
Drayage on furniture
Freight on furniture
Labor, handling and putting together
Brushes
Kubber sheets
,
Razors, scissors, etc.,
Heavy tinware for distributing food, kitchen outfit, etc
Miscellaneous, _
Total

55
$38 83
255 74
506 20
200 25
108 68
95 30
363 21
701 10
83 28
141 88
193 74
281 58
560 13
$30,375 00

The bedsteads, bureaus, wardrobes, tables and stands, for the use of
patients and attendants, were puruhased of the Widdicomb Furniture
Company, Grand Eaplds, and are of ash finished with an oil rubbed surface.
The cost was low and the quality and appearance good. Specifications were
furnished for the competition, which was active. The contractor strove to
make the goods first class in every respect, suggesting modifications of
improvement in appearance without additional cost in several instances..
The bedsteads for patients are single with solid paneled head and footboards,,
the end rails mortised and tenoned to the posts, which are not allowed to
extend above the top rail sufficient to suggest to suicidal patients the possibility of an attachment for hanging, and the heavy side rails are fastened tothe posts with bed screws through the posts, the heads countersunk therein,,
making a tight joint, within which nothing cam find lodgement, and unremovable except by the use of a peculiarly constructed bed wrench.
The woven wire mattresses rest on cleats screwed to the sides of the bed
rails, and these cleats serve also to cover the nut end of the bed screws, which
are let into the rails. Bedsteads and mattresses for the male patients were
made four inches longer than for the female patients.
There are no important distinctive features in the construction of the
bureaus, wardrobes, tables and 'stands. All are made solid and strong,
but, as are the bedsteads, very tasty, and the polished finish is most excellent.
Hair mattresses and pillows were made by Nelson, Matter & Co., of
Grand Eapids, from pure South American horse hair of the grade known as
"Soft," at thirty-eight cents per pound, made up in A. C. A. ticking.
This grade of hair and this offer was deemed most advantageous for the
State. The mattresses for single beds were made to weigh twenty-five
pounds each, the hair pillows three pounds each. For the purposes of an
insane asylum the hair mattress has been proved best adapted, owing to its
cleanliness, its neatness, elasticity and durability. The latter quality
depending upon its power, if in reality of horse hair without adulteration, to
withstand successive washings and repickings, makes this mattress cheaper
even than straw.
Feather pillows were purchased of Marshall Field & Co., Chicago, at
fifty-seven and one half cents per pound made up.

56

NOETHERN ASYLUM FOE THE INSANE.

Counterpanes were purchased of the same firm at eighty-two and one half
cents each for Bates' quilts; also white domestic Holland for curtains and
fixtures therefor.
A varied numerous list of chairs, sixteen hundred and eighty-five in all, of
fifty-seven different kinds, was purchased, the main bill, of Ford, Johnson &
Co., of Chicago, and included a heavy and strong but comfortable chair and
rocker, made especially for ward use. This chair has proved well adapted
for the intended service; strong, durable and comfortable. The seat is of
wood, made in one piece, well shaped. The seat is let into the legs rather
than having the legs enter the seat, and a heavy screw passes through and
holds each leg to the seat. In addition to heavy rounds well fixed the arms
are rodded to the seats. By using these chairs the asylum has been able to
dispense entirely with the old time settees, and it has not been found necessary to fasten any of the chairs to the floor. Through the wards generally
arm chairs and rockers, varying in quality from wood seats to cane seats, and
in price from $5.00 to $22.50 per dozen, were used, with no peculiarity
except the rodding of the arms. For the dining rooms rather than the small
uncomfortable wood seat chair, a very good looking and comfortable chair,
with a perforated seat, was purchased at $7.20 per dozen. Chairs were also
purchased of the The Taylor Chair Company, and of Nelson, Matter & Co.
The blankets were made within seven miles of the Asylum, at Acme, by
the Buller Brothers, and were furnished through Hamilton & Milliken of
Traverse City, for fifty cents per pound, for all wool blankets. The same
firm, Hamilton & Milliken, also furnished the larger portion of the towels
and crash.
Carpets generally were furnished by Newcomb, Endicott& Co., of Detroit,
at 11.12-J per yard for Hartford & Bigelow's five frame body Brussels carpets, and sixty-five cents for Hartford all wool super ingrains. These carpets were made at the rate of five cents per yard for Brussels and three cents
for ingrain. Quite a quantity of ingrain carpet by the roll, was also purchased from H. B. Claflin & Co., New York, at sixty cents, four per cent.,
ten days.
Newcomb, Endicott & Co., also made and furnished the sheets and pillow
slips, made from Utica sheeting.
Crockery was furnished by Jones, McDuffee & Stratton, of Boston, the
grade being Meakins stone china.
Comfortables were made and furnished by Taylor Woolfenden & Co. of Detroit, from Cocheco prints, with a fine quality of batting. This firm furnished also napkins and a large bill of rubber sheeting.
The woven wire mattresses were furnished by Ames & Frost, of Chicago.
J. K. Burnham & Co., of Detroit, furnished the bulk of the table linen
and all table oil cloth.
The furniture for the administration building and miscellaneous for the
wards was largely purchased of Nelson, Matter & Co., but also of other
Grand Rapids firms—William A. Berkey, Widdicomb Furniture Company
and Grand Rapids Chair Company.
Only in the cases of lounges and upholstered goods could furniture be
purchased outside of Grand Rapids more advantageously, the former coming
from R. Diemel & Brother, and the latter of Ketcham, Rothschild & Co.,
both of Chicago.
The clocks are twelve-inch dial spring clocks, at $3.00 each, except the
central regulator, which is a Seth Thomas, costing $55. The plated ware

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.

57

was divided between Charles H. Rollins, as agent of the Meriden Britannia
'Company and Van Heusen, Charles & Co., of Albany, N". Y. Plat ware, as
knives, forks and spoons going to the former, and hollow ware, of which
•casters form nearly all the order, going to the latter. The sufficient reason
for using plated ware throughout the wards is because the knives and forks
•do not become sharp, and therefore dangerous, as weapons.
Three sewing machines, the Eemington, were purchased of S. P. Gushman, of Gibson, Pa., for net $60.00.
To avoid the paste frame which usually accompanies small mirrors prices
were asked for mirror plates, put up in hard wood mouldings, which are neat
.and durable, and can at any time be cleaned or refinished. The order was
taken by C. P. Eice, of Chicago.
The cupboards and shelving for kitchens was done by the day, but th.9
item ($506.20) for boxes for patients' clothes was paid to J. E. Greilick, of
Travese City, for work done on a competitive offer.
As food is all distributed from a general kitchen, proper dishes for conTeving it and keeping it warm must be provided, and as the tise is constant
and service severe, only tinware, specially made from heavy tin, will long
•endure. This was made for the asylum by L. W. Loomis, of Cuyahoga
Palls, Ohio.
FURNISHING OFFICES, CHAPEL AND DISPENSARY.

This class of furnishing was purchased in the same manner and time, and
largely from the same firms as the furnishing for the wards, and requires
little especial mention beyond the itemized cost of the articles, as follows:
•Carpets
$ 370 00
Hall stand
'.
24 30
Settees
48 00
•Chairs
101 85
Mirrors
36 00
Desks
.
46 60
•Office tables
58 00
Parlor suites
153 90
Book cases
-45 00
Account books
363 45
Stationery and blank books
84 83
C/urtains
.-51 16
Letter press
10 00
'Seats for chapel
422 69
Bible and hymn books
29 61
Pulpit
36 00
Organ for chapel
117 50
Curtains for chapel stage
73 92
Dispensary case
19 84
Shelf ware and implements for dispensary
126 78
Mail bag
."„
10 00
Iron gate for telephone office
....
30 00
Freight of furniture
46 02
Labor, handling, putting together, &c
149 48
Miscellaneous..
- _.
._.. .._..
2007
Total

$2,475 00

58

NORTHERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.

The Chapel seats are well adapted. A folding chair in threes, capable of
many arrangements within the room to suit the purposes of use; light,
comfortable, durable and ornamental. Many designs and samples were submitted and rejected, until this, the third trial of the Michigan School Furniture Company, of Northville, Michigan, succeeded. There are three
hundred and eighteen seats, the full uncrowded capacity of the Chapel
room.
A complete outfit of record and account books and blank forms and
books, made to meet the very special and complicated needs of theAsylum, was provided by J. "W. Fales & Co., of Detroit.
INSTRUMENTS, BOOKS, PICTURES, ETC.

Two hundred and fifty-nine pictures and frames, complete, were purchased from C. F. Eice, Chicago, for a net sum of $469.03. There are
one hundred and two artotypes of good subjects and quality, eighty twentytwo inch by thirty-six inch oil paintings in three and one-half inch gilt
frames, eighteen photographs and fifty-nine oleographs. The frames are
mainly oil-rubbed hard wood, made especially for this purpose, a durable
and neat frame that will bear washing and refinishing. In no other way
could the same amount of money have added so much to the cheerfulnessand appearance of the halls.
Books were purchased of Jansen, McClurg & Co., of Chicago; standard
works of fiction, biography, history, &c., sufficient to supply present reading matter for the patients.
Eight organs were purchased—seven for the wards—from the Clough &
Warren Organ Co., of Detroit, for $500.00, four of which organs were properly
chargeable to this fund. These organs were exceedingly cheap in price, and
have proved very satisfactory in quality. The Chapel organ is a very
powerful and fine instrument.
From this fund the microscope and accessories have been purchased; alsoscientific and surgical instruments.
The table of expenditures is as follows:
Books
$377 76
Pictures
459 03
Four organs
232 65
Games
11 59Microscope and accessories
270 00
Scientific instruments
244 52
Freight
32 45
Labor
17 25
Miscellaneous and labor
49 21
Laboratory outfit
_..
84 36
Total

$1,778
IMPLEMENTS, VEHICLES AND UTENSILS.

2 Jackson wagons
Cutter
4 pairs of bobs
Four-seated sleigh for patients'use

- _ - $ 124
25
92
100

0025
00
00-

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.

Sleigh for Express use
Express wagon
Buggy for Steward's use
Three-seat covered carriage for patients' use
Wheelbarrows _
Spades, rakes, picks, scrapers, &c
—
Harrows and plows
Cultivators
Spiral screw stump machine
Harnesses, whips and robes
Miscellaneous
Stanchions
^
Farmers' boiler for cooking swill -

59

_•

-

Total.

$30 00
125 00
122 00
450 00
36 00
77 07
26 89
18 00
155 00
284 50
99 92
37 50
22 00
$1,825 13

STOCK AND HOUSES.

Twenty-six cows
Sixty pigs
One bull
One boar
One ox team
Six horses

.

$ 792 00
159 00
125 00
8 00
100 00
1,203 00

Total

... $2,387 00
ENGINES.

Two Armington & Sims engines, 42 horse power each
One
"
"
•'
30 "
"
Three foundations for engines
Foundation boxes and bolts.
Three selected leather endless belts.
_..._.

.... . . . .

Total

$1,620 00
652 50
2 75 00
165 40
60 00
$2,772 90

SHAFTING, HANGEBS, BELTING AND PULLEYS.

For these purposes a total of $354.97 has been expended. This provides
shafting, belting, etc., for the machinery within the carpenter shop, the
laundry, kitchens and bakery.
By special appropriation $7,340 was appropriated for implements, vehicles and utensils; stock, including farm and carriage horses, engines complete
in place; and shafting, belting, pulleys, etc. This sum has all been expended
for the purposes named, in detail, as shown above, namely:
For implements, etc.,
$1,825 13
Stock and horses
2,387 00
.Engines
2,772 90
Shafting, etc.,
,
354 97
Total

$7,340 00

60

NORTHEEN ASYLUM FOB THE INSANE.

A larger sum could have been expended to advantage, notably, in the purchase of stock, horses and implements; but generally the sum was sufficient
and the work has been well done.
OUTBUILDINGS.

For outbuildings the total sum of $10,192. 75 has been expended, all from
the general appropriation as required by law. The items are :
$538 77
Cowshed
..
2,244 24
Farm barn
2,046 23
Carriage barn
_•_
101 88
Temporary wood and coal shed ._
Bakery and refrigerator building. .
... '--. 2,953 12
268 22
Ice house
169 97
Pig pens
188 84
Well house
134 52
Swill house
1,268 83
Dwelling house
278 13
Root cellar
Total

$10,192 75

At the time the site was purchased the dwelling house stood in the position now occupied by the administration building. It was moved in three
parts a distance of fifty-three rods by Mr. John A. Cook, of Traverse City,
repaired and replaced in position at a total cost of $575.00, and has since
been occupied by the Superintendent as a dwelling house.
The Trustees anticipating the time in the near future when the asylum
will be full, requested that if the funds could be spared for the purpose the
dwelling house should be enlarged and fitted up for the reception of fifteen
trustworthy female patients, of a class that would appreciate the advantages of home life, with home cooking and a family table. This was done at
an expense of $1,268.83 by raising the roof of the rear portion,, adding a bath
room, changing the wood shed into a kitchen and increasing the size of one
bed room.
The well house, covering the well and containing the deep well pump, is
of brick on a stone foundation, the foundation resting on the brick curbing
of the well.
The swill house is a small brick building with a stone flag floor, placed just
outside the kitchen building, for receiving, temporarily, the kitchen refuse,
to await the removal once or twice each day to the pig pens. The space
immediately about the building is heavily cemented so that no impurity can
enter the ground.
The cow shed has room on the ground floor for twenty-six cows, and a
hay loft above. This was built in the fall of 1885 to give temporary quarters
when it was obvious that the main barn could not be constructed in time
for the opening of the asylum.
The farm barn is a well constructed building, thirty-eight by sixty-five
feet, with a stone basement beneath the entire barn, making stable room for
forty-four cows. There is stable room on the first floor for seven horses.

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.

61

The carriage barn was formed by moving, enlarging and remodeling the
farm barn purchased with the asylum land. It has stalls for six horses, a
wash room, a large harness and robe room, a hostler's room, ample spaceupon the first floor for vehicles, and a large storage loft above for hay. Also
an enclosed space above for storage of sleighs in summer and carriages in
winter. The foundations of these barns, and the stalls and mangers, were
furnished by the Asylum. The general construction of each was by contract with Henry Green, of Traverse City—the farm barn for $1,284, and
the carriage barn for $1,340.
The bakery and refrigerator building is a brick building with slate roof,
having a total length of sixty-six feet six inches and width of thirty feet.
One end is occupied for bakery purposes, containing two large ovens, a room
and apparatus for frying doughnuts and a general work room for the baker.
The other end of the building is divided into four rooms; a large meat
room twenty-eight feet by fourteen; a milk and butter room, nine feet by
thirteen feet six inches, a vegetable room eight feet by thirteen feet six
inches, and an ante-room for cutting up meat, all ceiled with ash. Th&
whole space above these rooms is occupied for storage of ice, the capacity being one hundred and fifty tons, and the arrangement is such that the
warm air rises through openings in the center of the room and passes over
the ice, becoming cooled thereby and losing its capacity to retain moisture,
and falls to the floors of the rooms below in passages at the sides of therooms. The space between the bakery building and kitchen is paved with
flagging made of Portland cement, and is used as a driveway for daily
stores to the kitchen. This impenetrable covering of the road and passageway prevents any "possible contamination of the ground, so liable to occur
from the kitchen wastes, washings, slops, &c. The space about the swill
house is paved in a similar manner.
The root cellar, thirty by sixty feet, is placed thirty-six rods at the rear
of the building in an excavation made in the side of a hill. The front is of
stone, sides and rear are planked up, the plank supported by cedar poles.
The covering is a shingle roof on plain boarding. Prom this root cellar
the daily supply of vegetables will be taken to the kitchen vegetable room,,
there to be prepared for cooking.
FAKM.

The farm consists of 339 91-100 acres of land, largely covered with hard
wood—beech and maple. No attempt has been made to carry on farming
operations beyond reducing one field from brush to meadow, keeping the
fences in ordinary repair, clearing and ditching three acres of wood laud
and pasturing town cows. The items are:
Farm Debit.
Fencing
Ditching
Clearing land
Implements and utensils
Miscellaneous..
Total.

$85 22
25 20
135 09
56 36
10583

_.
..
...._

-

$40770

62

NORTHERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.

Farm Credit.
Pasture
Sand sold
Hay sold
Total.-

-

$572 59
19 25
96 13
-.

-

$68797

It will be seen that the net result is $280.27 income from the farmIn addition, and not showing within the above table, sixteen acres of land
were cleared and put under cultivation, and thirty acres of land partially
cleared by giving the wood thereon in payment for the clearing.
FENCING.

The Act of Appropriation contemplated fencing the farm from the general fund, and $835.29 has been expended for that purpose. This has constructed two hundred and fifty-six rods of good post and board fence, and
three hundred and thirty-six rods of planed and painted board fence of better
appearance. This painted fence has been placed in front of the Asylum
wherever the fencing becomes a pronounced feature in the landscape, and
adds very much to the appearance of the grounds. The expense also includes
all items incurred in repairing and removing fences during the progress of
the building—quite a little sum. The larger portion of the new fencing
has been made from lumber the logs for which were cut upon the Asylum
farm, and were planed and edged in the Asylum carpenter* shop. The posts
have been cut wholly upon the Asylum farm, and, in part by the labor of
patients. Additional fencing will be needed as successive tracts are brought
under cultivation, but the farm will furnish the materials, and the patients
largely the labor.
ROADS.
As with fences the Act of Appropriation required that all roads should
be built from the general fund, and $1,621.06 has been accordingly expended
for this purpose. This does not complete all the roads which the necessities of the Asylum demand, and the remaining roads can come in time very
largely from the labor of the patients. The roads'built include a road leading to the barns, upon which considerable grading was required. The
graveling of this road has not yet been done. Also a road was built from
the front of the building around to reach the working departments in the
rear, crossing a heavy fill. The remaining road constructed was from the
main entrance of the building to the limits of the grounds towards the city,
a distance of one hundred and thirty-three rods. In constructing this road
a large quantity of earth was necessarily moved in order to make the grades
conform with the levels of the ground, as they will be when finished. Before
starting the work of road building it was necessary to adopt some general
plan for the grading and improvement of the grounds, in order that every
yard of earth moved should be moved from a place where it is not needed to
a place where it is needed, Levels were accordingly taken over the entire
front and ends of the building. These levels were platted, and the grades
and levels determined from the plat. This plat also served as a guide

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.

63

for grading so far as it has been accomplished. Now that the main roads
are built the grading of the future can be definitely determined therefrom, and
this work can progress during an interval of years, if necessary, as it can be
reached by the labor of the patients within the building. A large portion of the
shoveling in loading wagons was done by the patients. This work upon the
the grounds required much time and care, both in preparation and in execution, and could not have been advantageously and correctly done during the
pressure of the months preceding the opening.
ARCHITECT.

Architect $5,664.10.
The sums paid to the architect represent a percentage of one and one-half
per cent, upon the cost of all work executed from the plans and specifications prepared by him. It will therefore be seen that the architect's plans
covered construction to the value of $377,606.67, embracing the contract of
Wing, Morgan & Harford for stone, of Farr, Avery & Co., for brick, and
the mason and carpenter contract of Bentleys & Nowlan.
SALARIES.

Salaries $14,518.25.
The salaries paid by this fund are those of the Superintendant at $2,500
per annum; the salary of a book-keeper at $3.00 per day, and the salary of a
foreman, during the working months, at from $3.50 to $4.00 per day.
INCIDENTALS.
Office building
Office furniture and furnishing
•Office expenses, stationery, etc
Printing and advertising
:3,000 plates for Reports
Examinations and surveys
Telegraph and traveling expenses
.Fire ladders
•
Hose cart
Two lithograph stones for printing plates
Insurance
Miscellaneous.. . . . _ . .
- Total

-

$ 229 00
145 65
439 25
870 36
17 25
88 00
1,485 03
150 00
58 00
ISO 00
69 31
365 46
$4,097 31

The office building, of wood, sixteen by twenty-four feet, was occupied
during the entire construction of the building for office purposes by the
Superintendent and the Commissioners. It has since been removed, to
form in the future a nucleus of some farm building. The office furniture
consisted of chairs, desks, cases for plans, books, &c., all plain and only
such as required by necessity.
All contracts over $500 to be paid for from the building fund were required
by law to be advertised for six weeks, which, as the contracts were numerous, incurred quite a large expense. Traveling expenses were largely incur-

64

NORTHERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.

red during the furnishing and fitting up of the building, in visiting the
various markets to examine, compare and purchase goods, furniture, machinery, etc., etc. Ladders and hose carts properly belong to fire apparatus, but
that fund having given out in the special appropriation the charges came in
as incidentals.
THE ACCOUNTS.

From the outset full and complete accounts and records have been kept
and have become the property of the Institution. In the expenditure of
public money it is necessary to establish certain formulas or regulations, to*
serve both as safeguards against evil intent and as vouchers of right conduct and these safeguards and restrictions, unnecessary in usual private business, largely increase the amount of desk labor. While endeavoring to avoid
the multiplication of accounts it has been the aim to record every act of
administration, to show in minute detail the expenditures, to classify so as,
to show costs, purposes and results, and to know each day the status of any
account or fund, and thus be able to show to any citizen of the State that
of which he has a right to inquire.
This work of book-keeping has been wholly done by Mr. John Goode—
faithfully and accurately done. In addition to the general duties of the
office Mr. Goode has done much work as draftsman, and has helped in all
departments, through his indefatigable capacity for intelligent work.
INSPECTION

OF WOKK.

During the whole progress of the work the inspection has been constant,
beginning and ending with each day's labor. In designing work or specifying work or materials great care has been exercised to fully and exactly
show and describe that which was to be done or furnished. Then after prices
had been submitted and accepted the fulfillment of the agreement, which
both parties understood alike, was rigidly exacted.
This daily work of inspection has been largely done by Mr. C. M. Prall,
a practical builder and contractor of unquestioned integrity, and possessing
a valuable fund of technical knowledge in his specialty. Mr. Prall has alsoacted as general foreman of all work performed by hired labor, and hasdone the main work in the preparation of plans for the outbuildings.
In closing this report I desire to express my great obligation to the Board
of Commissioners. A firm and consistent support has greatly lightened my
labors. I always felt certain that the Board stood back of me in any
right course, and would adhere to right without considerations of policy,,
politics, individual preferences or personal ends. Without this support or
with dissentions in the Board I could not in my impaired state of health
have continued in the work. Gentlemen of the Board I thank you.
Eespeetfully submitted.
0. M. WELLS, Superintendent.

TKEASUEEK'S EEPOETS.

For the Fiscal Year ending September 30, 1885.

,\N A

Traverse City, Michigan, October 1, 1885.
To the Board of Commissioners of the Northern Asylum for the Insane :

Your treasurer begs leave to submit the following report for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 1885:
Funds on hand at date of last report, Oct. 1, 1884-. $236 34
Eeceived from all sources
89,116 70
Paid vouchers
$86,942 80
Balance in treasury
2,410 24
Totals-...

$89,353 04

$89,353 04

REUBEN HATCH, Treasurer.
For the Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 1886.

TEAVBESB CITY, MICHIGAN, )
October 1, 1886.

\ the Board

Your treasurer begs to submit the following report for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 1886:
Funds on hand at date of last report, Oct. 1, 1885
$2,410 24
Keceived from all sources
$180,117 90
Paid vouchers
$177,877 74
Balance in treasury
4,650 40
Totals

. $182,528 14 $182,52J3 14
Respectfully submitted,
REUBEN HATCH, Treasurer.

66

NORTHERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.

For. the Month of October, 1886.
TEAVEBSE CITY, MICHIGAN, )
November 6, 1886.
}
To the Board of Commissioners of the Northern Asylum for the Insane:
Your treasurer begs leave to submit this, his final report:
Funds on hand at date of last report, Oct. 1, 1886
$4,650 40
Eeceived from all sources
372 72
Paid vouchers
$5,001 94
Amount this day returned to State treasury
21 18
Totals

$5,023 12 $5,023 12
Kespectfully submitted,
KETJBEN HATCH,

Treasurer.

TREASURER'S SETTLEMENTS WITH BOAED OF COMMISSIONERS.
TEAVEESE CITY, MICHIGAN,
December 29, 1885.
The Board of Commissioners for the Northern Asylum for the Insane has
this day examined the books and report of receipts and disbursements of
Eeuben Hatch, treasurer of the Northern Asylum, for the fiscal year ending
September 30, 1885, and carefully compared the items therein with the
books and accounts of C. M. Wells, secretary, and find the same to correspond, and settlement is hereby made with the said Keuben Hatch, treasurer,
on that basis.
The Board of Commissioners has received from Eeuben Hatch, treasurer,
vouchers Nos. 174 to 353 inclusive, representing a total disbursement of
$86,942.80, being all vouchers paid by him during the fiscal year ending
September 30, 1885, and on which the foregoing settlement is based, leaving
on hand a cash balance of $2,410.24.
THOS. T. BATES,
Chairman Board of Commissioners.
TBAVEESE CITY, MICHIGAN, )
October 22, 1886.
)
The Board of Commissioners for the Northern Asylum for the Insane has
this day examined the books and report of receipts and disbursements of
Eeuben Hatch, treasurer of the Northern Asylum, for the fiscal year ending
September 30, 1886, and carefully compared the items therein with the books
and accounts of 0. M. ,Wells, secretary, and find the same to correspond, and
a settlement is hereby made with the said Eeuben Hatch, treasurer, on that
basis.
The Board of Commissioners has this day received from Eeuben Hatch,
treasurer, vouchers Nos. 354 to 708 inclusive, representing a total disbursement of $177,877.74, being all vouchers paid by him during the fiscal year

TREASURER'S REPORTS.

67

.•ending September 30, 1886, and on which the foregoing settlement is based,
leaving on hand a cash balance of $4,650.40.
THOS. T. BATES,
0. M. WELLS, Secretary.
Chairman Board of Commissioners.

KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN, )
November 10, 1886.
\e Board
this day examined the books and report of receipts and disbursements of
Eeuben Hatch, treasurer of the Northern Asylum, for the month ending
October 31, 1886, and carefully compared the items therein with the books
and accounts of 0. M. Wells, secretary, and find the same to correspond, and
settlement is hereby made with the said Eeuben Hatch, treasurer, on that
basis.
The Board of Commissioners has received from Eeuben Hatch, treasurer,
vouchers Nos. 709 to 739 inclusive, representing a total disbursement of
$5,001.94, being all vouchers paid by him during the month of October,
1886, and to the final dissolution of the Board.
The Board has also received from Eeuben Hatch, treasurer, receipt for
•$21.18, returned from the fund for "scientific instruments" to the State
Treasury, and also for preservation at the Asylum, his record and account
books.
The Board further finds that the treasurer had on hand October
1,1886
$4,650 40
Eeceived during October, 1886, State treasurer
$326 39
Farm products . _
46 33
372 72
Total
.
Disbursed vouchers 709 to 739 inclusive
Eeturned to State treasury

-..

$5,02312
$5,001 94
21 18
$5,023 12

THOS. T. BATES, Chairman.
C. M. WELLS, Secretary.

SETTLEMENTS WITH BOARD OE STATE ATJDITOES AND ACCOUNTS CURRENT.

ABSTRACTS
OF ACCOUNTS CURRENT OF RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS AT THE NORTHERNMICHIGAN ASYLUM, ON ACCOUNT OF BUILDING AND SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1885.

The State of Michigan in acccount with C. M. Wells, Secretary of the Northern Michigan Asylum, monthly, for the fiscal year 1885.

October, 1884.
CREDIT.

By balance of building fund on hand October 1,1884
cash for building fund from State Treasury
" "
"
"
" other sources, Abstract Bb_

To disbursements building fund, Abstract B.
balance of building fund to new account--

$238 34
7,000 00
27 99

87,264 33

$6,485 26
779 07
$7,264 33

November, 1884.
CREDIT.

By balance of building fund on hand November 1, 1884

$779 07
6,000 00
31 18

$68 50
6 741 75

$6,810 25

$6,810 25

69

SETTLEMENTS WITH BOARD OF STATE AUDITORS.
December, 1884.
CREDIT.

By balance of building fund on hand December 1,1884.

86,741 75

DEBIT.
To disbursements building fund, Abstract B
balance of building fund to new account

$6,127 37
14 38
I

S6,741 75

January, 1885.
CREDIT.
By balance of building fund on hand January 1,1885..
cash for building fund from State Treasury.

$14 38
1,500 00
I

$1,514 :

DEBIT.

To disbursements building fund, Abstract B.
balance of building fund to new account

$1,073 86
440 52

$1,514 38

February, 1885.
CREDIT.

By balance of building fund on hand February 1,1885
cash for building fund from other sources, Abstract Bb

$440 53
4 58

8445 10

DEBIT.

To balance of building fund to new account

_

5445 10

March, 1S85.
CREDIT.

By balance of building fund on hand March 1,1885

$445 10

DEBIT.
To balance of building fund to new account

$445 10

70

NORTHERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.
April, 1885.

By balance of building fund on hand April 1, 1885
cash for building fund from State Treasury
" "
"
" "
other sources, Abstract Bb

$445 10
4,200 00
4 57

To balance of building fund to new account

{4,649 6T

$4,649 67

, 18S5.
CREDIT.

By balance of building fund on hand May 1,1885-

$4,649 67

To disbursements building fund, Abstract B.
balance of building fund to new account-.

3,755 59
894 08

$4,649 67

June, 1885.
CREDIT.

By balance of building fund oil hand June 1, 1885
cash from State Treasury :
building fund --

$894 08
9,000 00
1,600 00
515 00
1,500 00
600 00
850 00
28 80

fire protection
grading
cash from other sources, Abstract Bb

To disbursements :
building fund
plumbing, hot and cold water distribution, etc
sewer, drains and cisterns
ventilation, etc
_
grading
telephone communication, etc _
,
_
supplying asylum with water, etc
balance on hand to new acccount

_.

_

$10,960 28
1,000 65
925 87
1,252 39
719 34
5 95
50 00
73 40

814,987 88

$14,987 88-

71

SETTLEMENTS WITH BOARD OF STATE AUDITORS.
July, 1885.
CREDIT.

»73 40

cash from. State Treasury :

$10,000
12,400
3,200
1,830

00
00
00
00

27,430 00
13 22
$27,516 62

To disbursements :

$6,976 44
5,090 98
1 00
965 27
90 00
483 60
12 00
719 57

814,338 86
13,177 76
$27,516 62,

August, 1885.

on hand August 15 1885

To disbursements:
Building fund..
Heating apparatus, etc
_
Plumbing, hot and cold water distribution, etc..
Sewers, drains and cisterns
balance on hand to new account.

$13 1T7 76

81,160 05
2,835 29
1,602 33
444 93
$6,042 60
7,135 16
$13,177 76

NORTHERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.
September, 1885.
CREDIT.

By balance on hand September 1, 1885
cash from State Treasury :

?7,135 16
$7 500 00
1 500 00
1 000 00
8 700 00
5,500 00
1 700 00
1,000 00
1 900 00

furnishing wards, administration building, etc.
cooking, baking, laundry, iron working, etc., apparatus
plumbing, hot and cold water distribution, etc.
grading

..__.

' 11 36
$35,946 52

To disbursements :
building fund

fire protection
.
telephone communication, etc

... _ ..

-

--

_

$9,818 21
1,167 66
1 80
13 126 49
5609 30
388 08
2,150 00
12 00
1 762 74
2^410 24
$35,946 52

73

SETTLEMENTS WITH BOARD OF STATE AUDITORS.

SETTLEMENT.
The State of Michigan in Account with O. M. Wells, Secretary of the Northern Michigan Asylum, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1885.

By balance on hand October 1,1884
cash from State Treasury :
building appropriation.. _
>
furnishing wards, admission building, etc—"
cooking, laundry, baking, etc., apparatus
heating apparatus, etc
plumbing, hot and cold water distribution, etc.
sewers, drains and cisterns
fire protection
-ventilation, etc
grading
supplying asylum with water, etc...

S236 34
$45,200
1,500
1,000
21,100
8,700
3,430
2,215
1,500
1,600
2,750

00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00

cash from other sources.

$89,353 04

'To disbursements :

sewers, drains and cisterns

88,995 00
121 70

.

__

-

$46,535 56
1,167 66
1 80
21,052 76
8,213 28
2,724 15
3,150 00
1,342 39
1,202 94
29 95
2,532 31

$86,942 80
2,410 24
$89,353 04

OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF STATE ATJDITOKS. )
Lansing, May 26, 1886. j
I hereby certify that the Board of State Auditors this day examined the
•within account current of receipts and disbursements of C. M. Wells,
secretary of the Northern Michigan Asylum for the fiscal year ending
September 30., 1885, and carefully compared the vouchers submitted to the
Board with the account current, and find the same to correspond with the
books of the Auditor General, and have settled with said secretary on
that basis.
H. A. CONANT,
10
Chairman of Board of State Auditors.

NORTHERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.

ABSTRACTS
OF ACCOUNTS CURRENT OF RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS AT THE NORTHERN
MICHIGAN ASYLUM ON ACCOUNT OF BUILDING AND SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30,1386.

The State of Michigan in account with C. M. Wells,, Secretary of the Northern Michigan Asylum, monthly, for the fiscal year 1886.

October, 2885.
CREDIT.

By balance on hand October 1,1885

..

$2,410 24
44 71

$227 21
2,227 74

§2 151 95

82 454 95-

November, 1885.
CREDIT.

$2,337 74

cash from State Treasury :
building fund
_

telephone communication, etc

--

$72,000 00
15,000 00
5,150 00
3,000 00
4,675 00
1,900 00
1,350 00

cash from other sources, abstract Bb.

103 075 00^
' 13 14

$105,315 88

To disbursements:
building fund..
_
furnishing wards, administration building, etc.-.
furnishing oflices, chapel and dispensary
cooking, baking, laundry, iron working apparatus, etc..
heating apparatus, etc
plumbing, hot and cold water distribution, etc
sewers, drains and cisterns.. _
implements, vehicles, stock, etc
fire protection
ventilation, etc
grading
telephone communication, etc
supplying asylum with water, etc
balance on hand to new account..

$73,089
16,092
295
4,947

40
23
95
04

2,530
1,431
628
525
],835

13
15
30
00
00

27 17
300 flO
4 31
217 69

$101,923 37
3,392 51
$105,315 88

75

RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS.
December, 1885.
CREDITS.

$3,392 51

cash from State Treasury :

$7,000 00
10,000 00
1,200 00
8,000 00
3,000 00
800 00

30,000 00S33,392 51

To disbursements:
building appropriation
-furnishing wards, adni'n building, etc
..
furnishing offices, chapel and dispensary.
.
cooking, baking, laundry, iron working, etc., apparatusheating apparatus, etc
—
plumbing, hot and cold water distribution, etc
sewers, drains and cisterns...
implements, vehicles, etc
tire protection
grading
telephone communication, etc...
sidewalks and airing courts

$3,489 19
10,384 88
6'J9 53
941 06
7,233 27
3,730 57
77 55
2,249 77
130 00
97 06
1,395 CO
539 20
$30,907 (
2,485 •

balance on hand to new account.

$33,392 51

January, 2886.
CREDIT.

$2,485 43

cash from state Treasury :
furnishing offices, chapel and dispensary. ..

.

—

$10000 00
3,875 00
800 00
800 00
2,500 00
1.000 00
825 00

19 800 OO4
' 15 00"
$22,300 43

To disbursements:
building fund
furnishing wards, adm'n building, etc
furnishing offices, chapel and dispensary
cooking, laundry, baking, iron working, etc., apparatusheating apparatus, etc
implements, vehicles, stock, etc
ventilation, etc
_.
telephone communication, etc
sidewalks and airing courts—
scientific instruments, books, pictures, etc...
balance on hand to new account.

$9,002 51
2,033 70
964 01
406 41
195 26
2,421 80

937 60
151 88
38 81
10 79

$16,162 77
6,137 66
822,300 43*

76

NORTHERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.
February, 1886.
CREDIT.

$6 137 66
393 43

To disbursements:
building fund
_
furnishing wards, administration building, etc
.
furnishing offices, chapel and dispensary
co'-.king, baking, laundry, iron working, etc., apparatus..
heating apparatus, etc
implements, vehicles, stock, etc...
ventilation, etc..
scientific instruments, books, pictures, etc

$1,884 65
110 61
102 86
316 70
3,023 96
150 88
11 50
828 92

March, 1886.
CREDIT.

By cash from State Treasury :

$1 000 00
3000 00
355 00

$292 42

disbursements :

ventilation, etc
scientific instruments, books, pictures, etc

_.
--

$5S2 14
521 92
199 82
B3 02
1,232 44
480 29
106 55
11207
279 81

3,608 06
$3,900 48
45462
$4,35500

77

RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS.
April, 1886.
CREDIT.

$454 5£

cash from State Treasury :

$1,000 00
475 00
750 00
500 00
500 00

furnishing offices, chapel and dispensary
implements, vehicles, stock, etc

3,235 00
$3,679 52

To disbursements:
building fund-furnishing wards, adm'n building, etc
furnishing offices, chapel and dispensary
cooking, baking, laundry, iron working, etc., apparatus.
heating apparatus, ete-_
..
implements, vehicles, stock, etc
telephone communication, etc
scientific instruments, books, pictures, etc

$1,920 58
11400
2513
4 30
91 54
4 00
253 02

balance on hand to new account-.

$2,758 55.
920 97
$3,679 52

May, 1886.
CREDIT.

By balance on hand May, 1,1886. _.
_
cash from State Treasury:
building fund
__
cooking, baking, laundry, etc., apparatus..
implements, vehicles, stock, etc
sidewalks and airing courts

.

To disbursements :

ventilation
sidewalks and airing courts

$920 97
1,750 00
500 00
1,10000
460 00

.
.

$319 59
28 25
109 21
165 00
34 13
7 79
170 24
18 75

84,730 9T

$852 96
3,878 01
$4,730 97

78

NOETHERN ASYLUM FOE THE INSANE.
June, 1886.
CREDIT.

S3 878 01

To disbursements:
building appropriation
furnishing office, chapel and dispensary
cooking, baking, laundry, etc., apparatus.
heating apparatus, etc..
implements, vehicles, stock, etc
ventilation, etc
_
sidewalks and airing courts
scientific imstruments, books, pictures, etc

_..
__

S286
80
317
848
90!)
14
187
7

00
23
62
59
00
88
28
87

balance on hand to new account..

July, 1886.
CREDIT.

By balance on hand July 1,1886...
cash from State Treasury:
building fund__
heating apparatus, etc
implements, vehicles, stock, etc..
ventilation, etc...
_
__
scientific instruments, etc

S3,000 00
3,400 00

240 00
1,070 00
475 00

cash from other sources.

To disbursements:
building fund _
_
furnishing offices, chapel and dispensary.
cooking, baking, laundry, iron working, etc., apparatusheating apparatus, etc..-..
implements, vehicles, stock, etc
ventilation, etc..
sidewalks and airing courts
scientific instruments, etc
__
_.
balance on hand to new account-

$3,446 49
79 22
461 00
891 70
226 82
15 05
212 00
27000

79

RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS.
August, 2886.
CREDIT.

$4 820 31
548 40
$5,368 71

To disbursements :
cooking, laundry, baking, etc., apparatus. --

$3,397 92
29 5(1
1,753 83
75 00
113 47

$5,368 71

September, 1886.
CKEDIT.

By cash from State Treasury :
cooking, laundry, baking, etc., apparatus

'To disbursements:
balance overdrawn _.
building appropriation
cooking, baking, laundry, etc., apparatus-heating apparatus
implements, vehicles, stock, etc
balance on hand to new account.

$6,618 00
210 00
756 00

$548
2,019
141
103
119

40
77
55
98
90
82,93360
4,650 40

W,584 00

80

NORTHERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.

SETTLEMENT.
The State of Michigan in account with G. M. Wells, Secretary of the Northern Michigan Asylum, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1886.

cash from State Treasury :

$2410 24
$102 368 00
28,875 00
2475 00
6,660 00
18906 00
4,675 00
7340 00
1,900 00
2070 00
1,705 00
1,260 00
1,800 00
83 90
ffi1ft9l

To disbursements :

J98,665 45
29,207 34
2,475 00
7,658 20
18,258 34
5,161 72
705 85
1,965 00
7,340 00
1,221 88
397 06
1,675 05
1,260 00
1,669 16
217 69
4,650 40

t&R 1i

$182,528 1*

OFFICE or BOAKD OF STATE AUDITOKS, )
Lansing, Dec. 29, 1886.
\ hereb
within account current of the receipts and disbursements of 0. M. Wells,
Secretary of the Northern Michigan Asylum, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1886, and carefully compared the vouchers submitted to the
board with the account current, and find the same to correspond with the
books of the Auditor General, and have settled with said secretary on that
basis.
H. A. OONANT,
Chairman of the Board of State Auditors.

81

EECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS.

ABSTRACT
OF ACCOUNT CUREENT OF RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS AT THE NORTHERN'
MICHIGAN ASYLUM, ON ACCOUNT OF BUILDING AND SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE MONTH ENDING OCTOBER 31, 1886.

$4,650 40
326 39
46 33

To disbursements :
building appropriation
ventilation, etc

_
.

_..

$3,191 65
694 90
1,005 73
109 66

85,02313

$5 001 94
21 18

$5,023 13

OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF STATE AUDITORS,
Lansing, Dec. 29, 1886.
I hereby certify that the Board of State Auditors this day examined the
within account current of receipts and disbursements of 0. M. Wells, Secretary of the Northern Michigan Asylum, for the month ending October 31,
1886, and carefully compared the vouchers submitted to the board with the
account current, and find the same to correspond with the books of the
Auditor General, and have settled with said secretary on that basis.
H. A. CONANT,
Chairman of the Board of State Auditors.
11

EXAMINATION OF PLANS.

Examination of plans for heating, plumbing and sewerage of the Northern
Michigan Asylum, by the Board of Corrections and Charities, and the
State Board of Health, reported in accordance with Act No. 206, session of
1881, as follows:

REPORT OF BOARD OF CORRECTIONS AND CHARITIES.
STATE OP MICHIGAN,

)

SECRETARY'S OFFICE, BOAKD OF CORRECTIONS AND CHARITIES, r
Lansing, June 17, 1885.
To the Board of Trustees of the Northern Asylum, Traverse City:

GENTLEMEN,—The Board of Corrections and Charities having, through
Commissioner Van Deusen, carefully examined the plans for heating and
ventilating the asylum, I am instructed to say that the entire Board concur
in the approval of the same, as expressed to you verbally by Commissioner
Van Deusen.
By order of the Board.
WITTEK J. BAXTEK.
Secretary.
REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HEALTH.

Examination of plans for heating, plumbing and sewerage of the Northern
Asylum for the Insane at Traverse City.
May 7, 1885, the following letter was received from the Superintendent of
the Asylum for the Insane at Traverse City:
NORTHERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE,
Traverse City, Mich., May 5, 1885.
Henry B. Baker, Secretary State Board of Health, Lansing, Mich.:
SIR,—At a meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Northern Asylum, held in
Lansing, April 29, 1885, I was instructed to invite the State Board of Health and the
Board of Corrections and Charities to meet with the Board of Commissioners at Traverse City, at 9 A. M., Wednesday, June 3, 1885, for the purpose of examining the
Asylum plans for heating, plumbing and sewerage, as required by law.
The late date is necessitated both by the absence in New Orleans of your Board, and
your desire, expressed to me through the Secretary of the Board of Corrections and
Charities, for a long notice.
Hoping for a full attendance on the part of your Board,
I remain,
Yours very truly,
C. M. WELLS,
Supt. and Sec'y.

EXAMINATION OF PLANS.

83

In accordance with this request, a meeting of the State Board of Health
at Traverse City, at 9 A. M., June 3, 1885, was called by the President, to
examine plans for the heating, plumbing and sewerage of the Northern
Asylum for the Insane, and for the transaction of such other business as
might properly come before the Board at that time.
In pursuance of the above invitation, and the call of its President, the
State Board of Health met at Traverse City, June 3, and examined the
Asylum building, grounds and surroundings, and the plans for heating and
plumbing. No detailed plan for the sewerage was presented.
All the members of the Board of Commissioners of the Asylum were present, and through their kindness and that of the Superintendent, Mr. 0. M.
Wells, the inspection by this Board was courteously facilitated.
The following are the suggestions by the State Board of Health:
GENERAL SUGGESTION'S.

The building is upon high, gravelly ground, and the natural drainage of
the site would seem to be good. This same porosity of the earth down to
the ground-water, which is said to be about thirty or forty feet under the
sand and gravel, renders it of extremely great consequence that so long as
the water for use in the asylum shall be taken from the earth, or from
springs from the earth, the porous water-shed in the rear of and in the
vicinity of the asylum be faithfully guarded from causes of sickness, such as
privies, or contamination by leaching of sewage; because, the cause of
typhoid fever might easily pass down through such a soil. No detailed plan
for water-supply was formally presented to this Board for approval, yet,
informally, the siibject was mentioned, and the foregoing suggestion is
respectfully offered, as also that the sewage be conveyed in a water-tight conduit to the Boardman river.
THE CHAPEL BUILDING.

According to the plans and specifications, the fresh air inlets of the chapel
building are to consist of eight openings, each 6x12 inches, cut through
the outside wall, and diminished by a register on the inside,, so that the
opening is about 4x12. The heating coil is to be placed just over the inner
opening. The foul air is to be removed:
1. By two ventilating shafts, each with a sectional area of two square feet,
placed on either side of the stage, with an opening into each placed two feet
above the floor.
2. By a round opening in the ceiling, three feet in diameter, with a garret
over it, and an opening of about the same capacity communicating with the
open air through the roof.
The aggregate sectional area of the fresh-air inlets is about two and twothirds feet. Estimating the velocity of the incoming air at ten feet per
second—a velocity not usually attained without artificial means for producing
a draft, the air supply would be sufficient for scarcely fifty persons, calculating two thousand feet for each person, which is certainly a very moderate
estimate for persons in health, and rather too small an estimate for the class
of persons usually found in an insane asylum. The capacity of the room
being 300, it is evident that a larger provision for fresh air should be made.

84

NORTHERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.

This may he very easily accomplished hy running two lateral ducts from
the pipe shaft which passes beneath the chapel building, and which, as suggested by the Superintendent, may be used as a fresh air duct. It is suggested that the openings of these ducts be on. either side of the entrance to
the chapel room, and that each opening should have a sectional area of not
less than six square feet. The method of removing the air seems to us
objectionable in the following particulars:
1. The opening in the ceiling will remove the warm fresh air which passes
at once to the ceiling as soon as it enters the room, and in doing so will be
likely to antagonize the other two ventilating shafts.
2. The opening into the ventilating shafts should be at the floor, instead
of two feet above it.
3. If the opening in the ceiling is closed, which we would recommend, and
which we think will be found necessary, in order to heat the building, much
larger provision for the removal of foul air will be required.
We would suggest the addition of a shaft having a sectional area of not
less than twelve square feet, to be placed back of the stage and communicating with the chapel room by a long register of equal capacity, placed at the
floor in the front of the stage. A steam coil of sufficient size to insure constant draft should be placed in the bottom of this shaft.
The aggregate amount of heating surface for the chapel room, as shown
by the plans, is 70u square feet. While this is ample according to the usual
rules for estimating employed by steam fitters, who calculate the amount of
heating surface according to the amount of space to be heated, it will be
quite insufficient to heat the quantity of air which will be furnished, provided the suggestions made respecting the ventilation are adopted. It is
recommended that a coil, containing not less than 250 feet of heating surface
(indirect), be placed at each of the fresh air openings suggested above.
VENTILATION OF MAIN BUILDING.

In the main building the foul air is collected from the vertical ducts by
horizontal trunks along the floor of the garret and communicating at various
central points with openings through the roof. This arrangement is perhaps in some respects an improvement over that shown by the plans, when
first examined by the Board, and under favorable circumstances will probably secure efficient ventilation, but is certainly more liable to serious and
harmful interference, from the opening of windows in rooms of different
stories, than the plan suggested by members of the Board at the previous
meeting, which would secure a separate ventilating duct for each room.
It is evident that the greatest possible degree of isolation of individual
rooms, as regards air supply, in an institution of this sort, is highly desirable. If many rooms communicate with a common chamber in the garret,
the opening of a window under certain circumstances or conditions of the
wind would expose the inmate of the room to foul or contaminated air, and
thus act as an efficient means of spreading infectious diseases.
In some parts of the building the horizontal trunks are so crooked, in
some instances turning four or five square corners, that the draft in the portions most remote from the ventilators must be very greatly diminished, and
as the system of heating employed is wholly "indirect," and hence dependent upon ventilation for equal distribution, it is evident that those portions

EXAMINATION OF PLANS.

85

of the building most remote from the ventilators will be insufficiently ventilated, as well as poorly heated. It is feared that this difficulty will be
experienced in parts of the building, and especially in the portion known as
" B transverse," and the corresponding one known as " 2 south," in each of
which there is such a degree of crookedness of the horizontal trunk that it
seems highly necessary that an additional ventilator should be constructed
in the rear of the one now existing.
THE VENTILATION OF WATER CLOSETS.

As shown by the plans, the ventilating ducts from the water closets lead
to the common collecting trunks and in some instances at points so remote
from the ventilator, which leads through the roof, as to make the draft very
defective, and render contamination of the air of portions of the buildings
with air from the water-closets not only possible, but probable. Each watercloset should be supplied with a separate ventilating duct, not less than 8x8
inches in size, and should be independent, and constantly heated to secure
a good and permanent draft. The opening of this duct should be just above
the closet bowl, and on the same side of the room, instead of on the opposite
side, as shown in the plans.
On the whole, the plans show great care on the part of the architect and
superintendent, as regards sanitary matters, and are worthy of high commendation.
The foregoing is respectfully transmitted by
HENKY B. BAKES,
Secretary.

TRANSCRIPTS FROM PROCEEDINGS OF BOARD
OF COMMISSIONERS.

NORTHERN MICHIGAN ASYLUM,
June 4, 1885.
On motion, the following resolution was adopted:
WHEREAS, The plans for heating, plumbing and sewerage prepared by C. M. Wells for
the Northern Asylum for the Insane have been submitted by this Board to the Board of
Corrections and Charities and the State Board of Health, in accordance with the
requirements of Act No. 206, Session Laws 1881; therefore
Resolved, That the plans and specifications for heating, plumbing, and sewerage thus,
submitted be officially adopted by this Board.
LIST OF PROPOSALS.
PROPOSALS FOB BRICK.
Based on definite plans and specifications.

Parr, Avery & Co., Grand Kapids and Detroit:
Per 1,000.

Stock brick
Machine brick
J. W. Markham, Traverse City:
Stock brick
Machine brick
Arthur E. Keifer & Co.:
Stock brick
Machine brick
"Waterman, Hovey & Curry:
Stock brick
Machine brick
Brown, Clark & Co., Grand Kapids:
Stock brick
Machine brick

1

$10 00
6 OQ
No bid.
$6 25
20 20
5 95
...

10 00
6 25
No bid
$9 00

Awarded June 23, 1882, to Farr, Avery & Co., at the price named, for
400,000 stock brick and 9,000,000 machine brick.

PROCEEDINGS OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.

87

PROPOSALS FOE STONE.
Based on definite plans and specifications.

"Wing, Morgan & Harford, Muskegon, Michigan:
Per cord.
No. 1 footing stone
$16 00
Bubble stone
12 00
Parr, Avery & Co., Grand Rapids and Detroit:
No. 1 footing stone
24 00
Kubblestone
13 00
The Worthington & Lake Huron Stone Co., Cleveland:
No. 1 footing stone
33 00
Bubble stone
11 50
Awarded June 24, 1882, to Wing, Morgan & Harford, at the prices named,
for 125 cords of No. 1 stone and 234 cords of rubble stone.
PROPOSALS FOE CONSTEUCTION OF ASYLUM.
Based on definite plans and specifications.

Gearing and Co., Detroit, Michigan
$265,380 00
Bentleys & Nowlan, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
272,169 67
I. K. Cramer & Co., Toledo, Ohio
276,183 00
Farr, Avery, & Co., Detroit, and Grand Bapids, Michigan
312,296 00
Collins & Jaynes, Detroit, Michigan
332,743 00
Hugh Richard & Lewis A. Dauby, Jackson, Michigan
338,910 72
J. A. Moross & Co., Detroit, Michigan
...'..
357,409 00
Awarded, October 26, 1882, to Bentleys & Nowlan, in the sum of their
proposition, $272,169.67.
PEOPOSALS FOE LOCKS, KNOBS, AND HINGES.
Based on definite plans and specifications.

These proposals were published in detail in the previous report. The
aggregates were as follows:
J. B. Schroder & Co., Cincinnati, Ohio
$2,120 08
Mallory, Wheeler, & Co., New Haven, Connecticut:
Bid No. 1
2,10736
Bid No. 2
2,119 51
Standart Brothers, Detroit, Michigan :
Bid No. 1
2,751 01
Bid No. 2
3,789 63
Clark Manufacturing Company, Buffalo, New York
3,275 89
J. B. Shannon & Sons, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
3,574 14
Awarded, October 25, 1884, to J. B. Schroder'& Co.
PROPOSALS FOE BOXING, SHELVING, CLOTHES HOOK, STRIPS, ETC.
Bases on definite lists and specifications.

A. W. Wait, Traverse City
J. E. Greilick, Traverse City.
Awarded to J. B. Greilick.

$807 17
506 20

88

NORTHERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.
PEOPOSALS FOE PUBLISHING SEWEB PIPE.

Jackson Fire-clay Sewer Pipe & Tile Company
.-65% off from list.
Akron Sewer Pipe Agency
67% off from list.
Awarded, December 1, 1884, to Akron Sewer Pipe Agency.
PEOPOSALS FOE HEATING AND POWEB BOILEES.
Based on definite plans and specifications, but not limited thereto.

Johnston Bros. & Co., Muskegon, Mich.:
2 heating boilers, 26 ft. 4 in., 8 feet diameter
$9,950 00
2 power boilers, 16 ft., 6 feet diameter.
1,950 00
or, the four boilers complete for
Adolph Leitelt, Grand Rapids, Mich.:
2 heating boilers )
2 power boilers [for
Lake Brie Boiler Works, Buffalo, N. Y.:
2 heating boilers
$7,800 00
3 power boilers
2,500 00
Eiter & Conley, Pittsburgh, Pa.:
2 heating boilers )
2 power boilers [for
Buhl Iron Works, Detroit, Mich.:
2 heating boilers
$7,826 00
2 power boilers
2,200 00
Phfflnix Foundry and Machine Company, Syracuse, N. Y. :
2 heating boilers
$7.800 00
2 power boilers
2,10000
Eobinson Boiler Works, Boston, Mass.:
2 heating boilers )
2 power boilers [ f o r
Stephen Pratt, Detroit, Mich.:
2 heating boilers..$7,114 00
2 power boilers
2,00000
Glennon & Bee, Chicago, 111.:
2 heating boilers
$6,400 00
2 power boilers
2,30000
Woodward Steam Pump Company, New York:
2 heating boilers )
2 power boilers f for
-.
G. S. Wormer & Sons, Detroit, Mich.:
2heating boilers
$6,100 00
2 power boilers
2,295 00
Phoenix Iron Works, Port Huron, Mich.:
2 heating boilers )
2 power boilers [for
Cleveland Steam Boiler Works, Cleveland, 0.:
2 heating boilers
$5,725 00
2 power boilers
2,145 00

$11,900 00
11,800 00
10,60000
10,300 00
10,100 00
10,026 00
9,90000
9,53800
9,11400
b, 700 00
8,531 00
8,395 00
8,20000
7,870 00

PROCEEDINGS OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.

89

John McG-regor & Sons, Detroit, Mich.:
2 heating boilers )
2 power boilers [ f o r
$7,571 00
Samuel I. Pope & Co., Chicago, 111.:
2 heating boilers (
2 power boilers [ for
7,39000
T. McGregor, Detroit, Mich.:
2 heating boilers
$5,243 00
2 power boilers
2,000 00 7,243 00
•Cincinnati Steam Heating Company, Cincinnati, 0.:
2 heating boilers
$5,368 00
2 power boilers
.
1,754 00 7,122 60
Lansing Iron and Engine Works, Lansing, Mich.:
2 heating boilers
$4,855 00
2 power boilers
1,995 00 6,850 00
'South Bend Boiler Works, South Beiid, Ind.:
2 heating boilers
..
..$4,60000
2 power boilers
,
2,100 00 6,700 00
"The Tanner & DeLauey Engine Company, Richmond, Va.:
2 heating boilers
$4,250 00
2 power boilers
2,050 00 6,300 00
Andrew Jack, Manistee, Mich.:
2 heating boilers
2 power boilers

No bid
$3,200 00

3,200 00

•Central Falls Boiler Works, Central Falls, R. I.—Sid JVo. 1 :
2 heating boilers
No bid
2 power boilers
$2,400 00

2,400 00

'Central Falls Boiler Works, Central Falls, R, I.—Bid No. 2:
2 heating boilers
No bid
2 power boilers
$3,000 00 3,000 00
Geo. Cadogan Morgan, Chicago, 111.:
On Firmenich's Safety Steam Boiler—
2 boilers 516 horse-power—Bid No. 1
.
10,500 00
Bid No. 2
9,600 00
Bid No. 3
9,500 00
The Babcock & Wilcox Company, New York:
On water-tube boilers—
2 heating boilers.
$4,684 00
2 power boilers
.
4,80000 9,48400
Pioneer Iron Works, Brooklyn, N. Y.:
On Zell's Safety Water-Tube Boilers—
2 heating boilers
4,250 00
2 power boilers
3,60000 7,85000
Awarded January 22, 1885, to the Lansing Iron and Engine Works in the
;sum of the proposal.
12

90

NORTHERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.
PROPOSALS FOR PLUMBING AND FIRE PROTECTION".
Based on definite plans and specifications.

Samuel I. Pope & Co., Chicago, 111_______ ____________________ $19,379 00
Bundle, Spence & Co., Milwaukee, Wis ________________________ 17,829 84
W. J. Bowerman, Detroit___________________________........ 46,775 00
Webster & Meathe, Detroit __________________________________ 21,673 00
Shriver, Weatherly & Co _____________________________________ 17,938 75
John B. Dyar, Detroit______________________________________18,128 97
Awarded June 4, 1885, to Bundle, Spence & Co., in the sum of the
proposal.
PROPOSALS FOR
Based on definite plans and specifications.

Samuel I. Pope & Co., Chicago, 111________________________... $19,379 00
Bundle, Spence & Co., Milwaukee, Wis _______________________ 21,937 49A. Harvey & Son, Detroit, Mich
-----------------------------29,894 18
Cincinnati Steam Heating Co., Cincinnati, 0 ------------------ 27,498 00
John B. Dyar, Detroit, Mich.___________________...... ..... . 23,460 05
Awarded June 4, 1885, to Samuel I. Pope Jfc Co., in the sum of theproposal.
PROPOSALS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT PLANT.
Based on definite plans and partial specifications.

The Bain Electric Company, New York :
2 300 light 16 candle power dynamos ______________________ $6,000 00
1 35 light 16 "
"
"
special________________70000
635 incandescent lamps, switches, fixtures and mouldings ____ 1,800 00
Line wire and putting up same, etc________________________1,500 00
1 60-horse power engine on foundations, automatic high speed
(first-class) _________________________________________ 1,500 00
1 40-horse power engine, automatic, high speed (first-class)_. 1,250 00
1 20-horse power engine, automatic, high speed (first-class)— 1,000 00'
Total

$13,750 00

The above prices include belting up and the lights in operation.
Van De Poele Construction Co.:
Dynamos with capacity for 700 lights
$4,000 00
650 lamps, sockets, cut outs, etc.
1,300 00
200 automatic cut out switches with fusing plugs, etc
50 00
Various kinds of wire, 15,000 feet
210 00
Labor of wiring, setting engines, etc.
:.,
1,000 00
2 " Ide " or " Ball " engines, capacity of 150-horse power..- 2,200 00
Setting engines, foundations, steam fitting, etc
225 00
Total

$8,985 00

The above does not include cost of fixtures and moulding for covering the
wires.

PROCEEDINGS OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.

91

Brush Electric Co. Bid No. 1:
1 machine having a capacity of 450 lamps, of 16 to 20 candle
power each.
1 machine having a capacity of 300 incandescent lamps of
16 to 20 candle power each.
All necessary wiring, cut outs, and switches, shades, etc.,
and everything erected and in place according to specifications for
_ _ $12,400 00
The above includes $1,500 for fixtures.
1 automatic cut off Ball engine 8x10, developing 30 to 40horse power, and
1 similar Ball engine 9x12 developing 40 to 50-horse power
for,...
3,57500
Total for plant

..

$15,975 00

Bid No. 2:
1 machine with a capacity of 450 lights of 16 to 20 candle
power each.
700 lamps, 16 to 20 candle power each, all erected in place,
including everything according to specifications for
$10,900 00
1 Ball engine 9x10, having an economical capacity of from 40
to 50-horse power, all complete and erected in place,
connected up ready to give motion to the machinery
and run the lights for
2,800 00
Total for plant

$13,700 00

The United States Electric Lighting Company:
3 Weston dynamos, to operate 250 16-candle power lamps each.
650 16-candle power Western incandescent lamps, complete
and ready for lighting.
Wiring, mouldings, etc., all complete.
2 Porter-Allen Automatic cut-off engines of high rotative
speed, erected on good substantial foundations, each of
sufficient capacity to operate 500 16-candle power Weston
incandescent lamps
$11,900
The same as above excepting the arrangement of power and
change in size of dynamos, viz:
Substituting, for the Porter-Allen engines, engines made by
the same firm, and known as the "Southwark Engines," of
sufficient capacity to operate properly and economically the
same number of lights as mentioned, for the sum of
10,390
Or: One "Southwark" 60 horse power, one "Southwark" 40
horse power, one "Southwark" 25 horse power, two 250
light dynamos, one 150 light dynamo, wiring, and appliances
complete as specified
11,075
Or: One Porter-Allen 60 horse power, one Porter-Allen 40 horse
power, one Porter-Allen 25 horse power, two 250 light
dynamos, and one 150 light dynamo, wiring, and apparatus
complete, as specified
12,800

00

00

00>

00

92

NORTHERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.

The same in every respect excepting the substitution of 2 " Westinghouse " engines, size 11x10, for the sum of
$10,600
Or: One 60 horse power "Westinghouse," one 40 horse power
"Westinghouse," one 25 horse power "Westinghouse," two
250 light dynamos, one 150 light dynamo, wiring, and appliances complete, as specified
10,932
Edison Company for isolated lighting:
2 Edison dynamos, type No. 10, aggregate capacity 500 lamps
of 16-candle power each, or their equivalent in candle power.
1 Edison dynamo, No. 4, capacity 100 lamps of 16-candle power
each.
700 Edison lamps, 16-candle power each.
100
"
"
"
"
"
12 Extra commutator brushes.
629 Sockets for lamps.
3 Kegulators.
3 Dynamo base frames.
3 Pressure indicators.
3 Ampere indicators.
Wiring, moulding, etc., all complete for
$8,659
2 Armington & Sims' engines complete, with accessories, size 9-JxlO
$1,620 00
1 8x9 Armington & Sims' engine complete
652 50
2 foundation boxes
80 00
1
"
"
-.
3000
18 foundation bolts for brickwork
42 00
18 bolts and nuts for engine beds
13 40
3 engine foundations for above
275 00
3 selected, leather, endless belts
60 00
2,772
Total

00

00

70

90

$11,432 60

Awarded, June 25, 1885, to the Edison Company for isolated lighting, on
the basis of the proposal.
PROPOSALS FOE OUTFITTING KITCHENS.

The principal items of these proposals were as follows:
Bramhall, Deane & Co., New York:
Eange, 20 feet—5 fires, 5 ovens
Double shelf for same
Canopy over range...
4 steam roasting ovens
5 33-gallon vegetable kettles
2 70-gallon iron steamers
Set of mammoth urns for tea and coffee
1 5-foot range—1 fire, 2 ovens, double plate shelf
1 24-inch broiler
Hood over range and broiler
Hot water urn, 3 gallons
-Delivered at Traverse City.

$233 34
40 00
5000
340 00
186 67
133 34
525 00
93 00
42 00
20 00
30 00

PROCEEDINGS OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.

John Van Kange Co., Cincinnati, 0.:
1 15-foot, 3-oven range
.
..
2 30-foot broilers, joined
Canopy over range and broilers
,..
1 large steam table, 1.0 feet by 2 feet 8 inches, with 7 sinks
and steamers for vegetables, and canopy overhead
2 75-gallon copper steamers
_._
Tea and coffee apparatus, copper
1 60-gallon cast iron steam kettle
1 coffee roaster, to hold 45 pounds
1 40-gallon copper jacket kettle
•
1 5-fire, two-oven range
.
.-..
1 18-inch broiler
Canopy over range and broiler.
Five per cent, off above prices delivered and put in place.
Duparquet & Huot, New York:
1 10-foot range—2 fires, 3 ovensDouble shelf for same
1 30-inch charcoal broiler
6 cast iron, steam roasting ovens, 24| x 18 x 9
1 cast iron 30-inch steam broiler
3 cast iron steamers, 70 gallons each
1 40-gallon steamer
6 33-gallon cast iron vegetable steamers
....
Tea and coffee apparatus
1 5-foot range, 2 ovensSheet iron double shelf for same
24-inch charcoal broiler and base
Set of urns for tea and coffee
1 copper hot water carving table, 6 feet, 6 in
1 galvanized iron plate warmer, 36 x 20 x 5 feet high.. ...
All of the above delivered in New York city for $1,667.
Francis Morandi & Son, Boston, Mass.:
1 8-foot French range
1 roasting oven, 7 foot by 4 foot by 20 inches
4 2-bushel steamers
1 50-gallon jacket kettle
1 60-gallon jacket kettle
1 25-gallon one-half jacket kettle
..
1 30-gallori tea apparatus
1 50-gallon coffee apparatus
1 10-foot steam table
1 4-foot range-.
1 5-gallon tea and coffee apparatus
1 5-foot steam table
Delivered in Boston.

93

$60750
120 00
60 00
66 00
256 00
573 00
33 00
33 00
95 00
154 20
30 00
30 00

$108 00
15 00
3800
450 00
55 00
180 00
45 00
16500
315 00
62 00
9 00
33 00
96 00
58 00
38 00

$150 00
275 00
100 00
65 00
75 00
35 00
75 00
.100 00
90 00
80 00
100 00
45 00

Awarded July 29, 1885,'to the John Van Eange Company, on the basis of
their bid, which included hammered copper ware, tin ware, and a complete
outfit of large and small kitchen implements and utensils, the whole order
amounting to $2,369.50.

94

NORTHERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.
PKOPOSALS FOB OUTFITTING LAUNDRY.

The proposals were for a complete laundry outfit, including plumbing,
shafting, belting, etc., to wash for a population of 650.
The bids were very diverse and extended, and it is unnecessary to reproduce them in full. The bidders were:
The A. M. Dolph Co., Cincinnati, 0
$3,450 00
Or, substituting wood washers for brass washers
2,800 00
The Troy Laundry Machine Co
2,882 64
G. W. Gordon, Chicago
3,000 00
Empire Laundry Machine Co., Chicago
2,500 00
Oakley & Keating, New York (partial outfit)
1,469 00
.If. A. Briggs, Shaker Village, N. H., for wash tubs only, 8 tubs
375 00
American Laundry Machine Co., New York (partial outfit)
1,157 50
No award made and second proposals called for.
Second proposals for laundry outfit, based upon definite list of goods:
The A. M. Dolph Co., Cincinnati, 0.:
4 No. 5 Dolph washing machines
$900 00
1 64-inch steam mangle
475 00
1 30-inch Dolph centrifugal extractor
315 00
1 combined shirt, collar and cuff ironer
195 00
1 dry room—30 bars, 1,250 feet of pipe
400 00
1 5-.gallon steam jacketed starch kettle
2500
6 wooden wash tubs
35 00
50-feet ironing tables
50 00
1 No. 3 sad iron heater and room for same
80 00
4 square pine truck tubs
50 00
1 blower
15 00
24 sad irons and 6 polishing irons
12 00
1 power rubber-roll wringer
35 00
1 collar and cuff shaping machine
25 00
1 collar dampening machine
15 00
1 generator for heating combined ironer
15 00
1 soap kettle
25 00
1 boiling tub
15 00
Shafting, pulleys, belting, etc
525 00
3 iron soap tanks, 180 gallons each
60 00
All the foregoing for $2,900.00.
George W. Gordon, Chicago :
This bid was the same as that of A. M. Dolph, except 4 No.
5 Dolph washing machines
$1,000 00
1 combined shirt, collar and cuff ironer
190 00
1 dry room, 25 bars
425 00
1 gas machine
125 00
1 generator for heating combined iron (omitted).__
15 00
Shafting, pulleys, etc
504 00
3 iron soap tanks, 192 gallons each
120 00
This bid, on the same basis as the former bid, amounts to $2,990.

PROCEEDINGS OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.

95

Troy Laundry Machine Company, Troy, N. Y.:
2 No. 3 and 2 No. 2 Wood washers
$610 00
1 64-inch steam mangle
390 00
2 26-inch centrifugal wringers (Cairns')
375 00
1 combined shirt, collar and cuff ironer
150 CO
1 dry-room—25 bars and 1,175 feet of pipe
450 00
1 5-gallon, steam-jacketed starch-kettle
25 00
6 wooden wash-tubs
35 00
50-foot ironing table
37 50
1 No. 3 heater and room
45 00
4 pine truck-tubs
30 00
1 blower
15 00
24 sad irons
9 30
6 polishing irons
3 00
1 power rubber-roll wringer
3000
1 collar and cuff shaping machine
...
30 00
1 collar dampening machine
25 00
1 generator for heating combined ironer
20 00
1 soap kettle
32 00
1 boiling tub, copper lined ....
50 00
Shafting, pulleys, belting, etc
694 85
2 wooden soap tanks, 375 gallons each
60 00
All the foregoing for $3,175.
Awarded July 29, 1885, to the A. M. Dolph Company at $2,900.
PBOPOSALS BOB WOVEMT-WIBE MATTRESSES.
Based on samples and prices submitted.

Ames & Frost, Chicago, 111.:
Hartford weave, malleable iron—
single.
Double.
Socket extension, 19| wire
$2 10
$2 25
Same, but contains less wire
1 90
2 00
"
"
"
" "
1 70
1 80
"
"
" " 20 wire
170
180
M. J. Murphy & Co., Detroit, Mich
. 165
185
Peninsular Spring Bed Company, Detroit, Mich
1 90
1 90
Grand Rapids Mattress Company, Grand Kapids, Mich
1 38\ 83
John Wanamaker, Philadelphia, Pa
305
330
Union Wire Mattress Company, Chicago, 111.:
Eclipse coarse weave
192
211
Favorite medium weave
2 13
238
Best fine weave
2 44
2 76
Awarded July 29, 1885, to Ames & Frost for best beds—500 at $2.10 and
60 at $2.25.
PROPOSALS FOR DUMB WAITERS A5TD ELEVATORS.

A. S. King, Pontiac:
6 Dumb waiters for wards.
1 Dumb waiter for Administration building.
1 Trunk elevator for Administration building.
1 Elevator for laundry.
All the above for-..
. .._.
.-_

$82500

96

NORTHEEN ASYLUM FOE THE INSANE.

The Middlebrook & Son Manufacturing Company:
6 Dumb waiters for wards at $150
1 Dumb waiter for Administration building
1 Trunk elevator
1 Elevator for laundry

$900 00
100 00
175 00
160 00
$1,335 00

Awarded, July 29th, 1885, to A. S. King.
PROPOSALS FOB, HAIR MATTRESSES AND PILLOWS, MADE TIP IN A. C. A.
TICKING.
Based on specifications and samples of hair.

John Wanamaker, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:
Per B>.
Pure soft hair
$0 38
No. 1 leathers
56
Nelson, Matter, & Co., Grand Kapids, Michigan:
Hair, as per sample submitted
..
38
Phoenix Furniture Company, Grand Rapids:
No. 1 Pure black South American horse hair, all manes and
tails
40 & 40£c
No. 1-J Pure South American, mixed with fetlock and forelock, 10 36f
Nos. 1 and l£ mixed
38
Prime geese feathers
.59
Taylor, Woolfenden, & Company, Detroit, Michigan:
Steam dressed feathers, as per sample
-..__
55
Pure South American soft hair, as per sample submitted, No. 1,
39
"
"
"
'
"
"
No. 2,
37{
"
"
"
"
"
No. 3, 37
Benjamin Fitch & Company, New York:
Pure South American hair, either black or grey.
36
Prime geese feathers, steam renovated
58
"
"
second grade
50
E. M. Hulse & Co., Chicago, 111.:
Pure soft South American horse hair, either black or grey
$0 45
A. A. hair
41
Hair pillows 2c. per Ib. less
Select A. A. feathers
6$
Grand Eapids Mattress Co., Grand Rapids, Mich.:
Pure black South American horse hair
35f
Best live geese feathers 55
Marshall Field & Co., Chicago, 111.:
Pure black or grey ..
No. 1 xx_
No. 1 x grey
No. 1 grey or black
38
No. H grey or black
No. 11 black..
Pure soft.
No. 2 French drawings
39
G. H. Grey
321

PROCEEDINGS OF BOAED OF COMMISSIONERS.

97

Hair pillows :
No. 11, sample 31b each_______________.. ...... ____________ $115
No. 1%, sample 31b each _ . _______________ ....... ___________ 1 20
No. I, sample 31b each______________________________________1 25
No. Ix grey, sample 31b each________________________________1 40
No. Ixx, sample 31b each __________________ .......... _______ 1 50
Pure, sample 31b each______________________________________1 50
Prime feathers (sample)____........________________________
Feather pillows awarded July 30, 1885, to Marshall' Field & Co., at 57|c
per Ib. made up.
Mattresses and hair pillows awarded September 2, 1885, to Nelson, Matter
& Co., at 38c per Ib. made up and delivered.
PROPOSALS FOE OVENS.

Thomas Hunter, Toronto, Canada, proposes to build oven 10 feet by 12
feet, inside complete with all his improvements, for $500.
A. J. Fish & Co., Chicago, 111., 1 12-foot rotary oven, all complete with
latest improvements, $775. New motive power $85 extra. Also makes proposal for complete bakery outfit in the sum of $145.
No award made.
Two old fashioned brick ovens built by hired labor at a total cost of
$488.46.
PROPOSALS FOB DEEP WELL PUMP.
Based on specifications in part.

Knowles Steam Pump Works, New York:
Pump having 14-inch diameter, steam cylinder, 8-inch diameter, water cylinder, and 18-inch stroke, with 10 feet of connections between the two cylinders; 15 per cent, off from_______$925 00
The Dean Steam Pump Company, Holyoke, Mass. :
Pump having 14-inch cylinder and 16-inch stroke, without connections_________________________________________________490 00
Fairbanks, Morse & Co., Chicago, 111. :
Pump (Smith-Vaile), 13-J-inch cylinder, 8-inch diameter, water
cylinder, and 18-inch stroke; also necessary connecting rod
and connecting pipes for 34 feet in depth from well-curb to
water cylinder platform, iron guides for same, steam cylinder
and working parts on top of well nicely finished and polished, steam cylinder lagged with black walnut and brass
banded, cylinder head poMshed ____________________________ 630 00
Awarded August 27, 1885, to Fairbanks, Morse & Co.
PROPOSALS FOR CROCKERY.
Based on definite lists furnished to each bidder, including glassware, 2 sets" china ware and 12
toilet sets complete.

Van Heusen, Charles & Co., Albany, N. Y. :
Boote's ware-— delivered ___ . ............................
13

.

$905 36

98

NORTHERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.

Homer Laughlin, East Liverpool, 0.:
Domestic ware—not delivered
$691 46
W. H. Glenny, Sons & Co., Buffalo, N. Y.:
Meakin's ware—delivered.1,017 05
Jones, McDuffee & Stratton, Boston, Mass.:
Meakin's ware—delivered
723 78
Boote's ware—delivered
841 29
Awarded September 2, 1885, to Jones, McDuffee & Stratton on Meakin's
ware.
PKOPOSALS FOR FURNITURE—FIRST COMPETITION.
Based on definite lists and specifications.

Rubbed

Nelson, Matter & Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan:
Single bedsteads
Double bedsteads
.Bureaus
.Wardrobes
Stands. _
Dining table
Side tables
S.ettees
The Kobert Mitchell Furniture Company, Cincinnati, Ohio:
Single bedsteads
'.
Double bedsteads
Bureaus
Wardrobes
Stands
Dining tables
-..
Side tables
..
Settees
. .
Buchanan Manufacturing Company, Buchanan, Michigan:
Single bedsteads
Double bedsteads
Bureaus
Wardrobes
Stands
Dining tables
,
Side tables
Settees
Phoanix Furniture Company, Grand Bapids, Michigan:
Single bedsteads . _
?
Double bedsteads
Bureaus
Wardrobes
Stands
Dining tables
Side tables
Settees...
..
-

on finish.
$3 90
3 90
5 25
9 00
1 95
4 65
4 65
4 75
$4 61
5 57
5 13
12 29
2 34
5 29
451
No bid.
$4 00
4 00
5 75
875
1 50
No bid.
No bid.
No bid.

_

$4
5
5
8
3
7
4
3

55
10
00
75
10
32
50
75

PROCEEDINGS OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.

99

John Wanamaker, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:
Single bedsteads
:
Double bedsteads
—
Bureaus
Wardrobes
, Stands
Dining tables
Side tables
Settees
Grand Eapids Chair Company, Grand Eapids, Michigan:

$2 90
3 05
5 75
5 70
1 52
5 50
.-..
3 30
No bid.

Varnish finish.

Single bedsteads
Double bedsteads
Bureaus
Wardrobes
Stands
Dining tables
Sidetables
Settees

$335
360
4 42
750
180
465
435
300

Widdicomb Furniture Co., Grand Kapids, Mich.:

Varnish

Single bedsteads
Double bedsteads
Bureaus
Wardrobes.
Stands
Dining tables
Sidetables
Settees
No award made.

$360
385
4 62
783
195
465
435
320
on Rubbed

finish.

$4 00
450
6 25
No bid
1 50
625
450
No bid

finish.

$4 25
475
6 50
No bid.
1 60
675
475
'' No bid.

Second Competition.
Based on revised specifications.

Grand Eapids Chair Co., Grand Eapids, Mich.:
Single bedsteads
Double bedsteads
Bureaus
Wardrobes
Stands
Dining tables
Side tables
Bedsteads as per drawing submitted
Nelson, Matter & Co., Grand Eapids, Mich.:
Single bedsteads
Double bedsteads.-.
Bureaus „
Wardrobes..
Stands
Dining tables.
Side tables
Bedsteads as per drawing submitted-

-.
-

..._.
_

$3 85
4 10
5 07
8 13
195
4 65
4 35
4 85
$3 90
3 90
5 50
9 00
1 95
4 65
4 65
4 75

100

NOETHEBN ASYLUM FOB THE INSANE.

Widdicomb Furniture Co., Grand Rapids, Mich.:
Single bedsteads
Double bedsteads,
-.
Bureaus
Wardrobes
Stands...Dining tables
Side tables
Bedsteads as per sample .--

on Kubbed
finish.

.'.

..

—

-.

$375
4 25
6 00
9 00
1 60
5 75
3 25
4 50

Awarded to Widdicomb Furniture Co. September 2, 1885, for five
hundred single bedsteads, sixty double bedsteads, one hundred and eightyfive bureaus, eighty-five wardrobes, two hundred stands, seventy-two dining
tables, and twenty-one side tables.
PKOPOSALS FOR SILVER- PLATED FLAT WABB :

For 56 dozen table spoons; 3 dozen dessert spoons; 58 dozen tea spoons;
53 dozen medium knives; 3 dozen dessert knives; 53 dozen medium forks;
3 dozen dessert forks; all double plate.
Black Hardware Co., Detroit:
Eeed & Barton's goods, delivered

|902 91

Landers, Frary & Clark, New Britain, Conn,.:
Goods of the William Eogers Manufacturing Co., under the
trademark, "Wm. Eogers & Sons," delivered
Goods of Landers, Frary & Clark, delivered

769 25
732 15

Van Heusen, Charles & Co., Albany, N. Y.:
Goods of Holmes, Booth & Hayden
Goods of Eogers Bros., 1847
Goods of Eeed & Barton, delivered...

712 71
840 91
852 35

-

C. H. Rollins, Chicago, 111.:
Goods of Meriden Britannia Co., stamped. " Eogers Bros.,
1847," delivered

861 31

Eoehm & Wright, Detroit:
Goods of Eogers & Bros.

901 75

H. E. Allison, Pontiac:
Goods of Eogers, Smith & Co., Eogers Bros., 1847, or Meriden Britannia Co., delivered

871 00

The Holmes & Edwards Silver Co., Chicago:
Goods, triple plate, of Holmes & Edwards, delivered

837 10

Jones, McDuffee & Stratton, Boston:
Goods of Eeed & Barton, Eogers Bros., or Holmes, Booth &
Hayden, delivered

854 12

Five per cent, for delivery.
Awarded September 2, 1885, to C. H. Rollins, Chicago.

PROCEEDINGS OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.

101

PROPOSALS FOR SILYBE PLATED HOLLOWWAEE.

For 5 i dozen plated casters; -J dozen 1 plated casters; 1-6 dozen pickle
casters; 1-6 dozen sugars; 1-6 dozen creamers; 1-6 dozen syrups; all quadruple plate.
Black Hardware Co., Detroit:
Goods of Keed & Barton, delivered---

$282 25

Landers, Frary & Clark:
Goods of Wm. Rogers & Son, delivered, 50 per cent, and 10
per cent, off list.
Van Heusen, Charles & Co., Albany, N. Y.:
Goods of Reed & Barton, delivered, 59 per cent, off list.
C. H. Rollins, Chicago, 111. :
Goods of Meriden Britannia Co., delivered, 40 and 10 off
list, and 6 per cent., 10 days.
Roehm & Wright, Detroit:
Goods not named, 50 per cent, off list.
H. E. Allison, Pontiac:
Goods of Rogers, Smith & Co., or Meriden Britannia Co.,
delivered

185 66

The Holmes & Edwards Silver Co.:
Goods of Holmes & Edwards, delivered, 5, 10 and 6 off.
Jones, McDuffee & Stratton, Boston, Mass.:
Goods of Reed & Barton.
Five per cent for delivery.

230 90

Awarded Sept. 2, 1885, to Van Heusen, Charles & Co., for goods of Reed
& Barton.
PROPOSALS FOR CUTLEEY.

On 21 set carvers; 21 bread knives; 6 dozen rubber-handled knives; 6
dozen rubber-handled forks; 4 dozen vegetable knives.
Proposals and samples of goods, varying greatly in quality and price, were
submitted by:
. Black Hardware Company, Detroit.
Van Heusen, Charles & Co., Albany.
A. L. Lacomb, Manager Meriden Britannia Company, Meriden, Conn.
Roehm & Wright, Detroit.
Holmes & Edwards, Chicago.
Jones, McDuffee & Stratton, Boston.
«
Landers, Frary & Clark, New Britain, Conn.
,
Awarded September 27, 1885, to Landers, Frary & Clark, an order amounting to $66.54.

102

NORTHERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.
PROPOSALS FOE SHEETS AND PILLOW SLIPS.
Based on Definite Specifications.

g

a
s-ij

Material.

<&°

3£
~S5^
*

w

1 500 Utica 58-lb. brown sheets 500 8-4 bleached sheets
225 9-4 bleached sheets
100 10-4 bleached sheets
1 750 Utica 5-4 bleached pillow slips

6
O
eg

1

o
O

iJT

°8

jjj

la
S

is
g .

«KJ "^s

^f
fl «

s

MQ

^

rfl

(S

>•' 2

aJS
JO

^

4

6
1
Ǥ

g'o
n fi^.
_o
t-;Q

IS

°8
_,
u

O

•d

^•3

•af
m^
C6 ^

s

o^
o x
O

^

44

41/2

41^"

t48%

62

62

56 3-10

59

68

•72J4

61 3-10

64X

69

60

64

78

66 3-10

70

74

65

16 1-10

18

18

15

203^

5-4
18

*

..
j

117

24

19

45

40'
55

17M•

* Jf and % hems.
t Waste extra, F. O. B., Chicago.

Awarded September 2, 1885, to Newcomb, Endicott & Co., Detroit.
PROPOSALS FOB COUNTERPANES.
Based on samples and prices submitted therewith.

Marshall Field & Co., Chicago.
Newcomb, Endicott & Co., Detroit.
J. K. Burnham & Co., Detroit.
H. B. Claflin & Co., New York.
John Wanamaker, Philadelphia.
Taylor, Woolfenden & Co., Detroit.
Edson, Moore & Co., Detroit.
Awarded September 2, 1885, to Marshall Field & Co. for Bates' 1£ quilts,
700 at 85 cents, less 2 per cent., 10 days; mlso 40 1^- Marseilles quilts at
$2.60, less 2 per cent., 10 days. Also awarded September 2, 1885, to Newcomb, Endicott & Co. for 70 quilts, Monument Mills, Marseilles pattern, at
PROPOSALS FOE COMFORTABLES.
Based on samples and prices submitted therewith.

J. K. Burnham & Co., Detroit.
Marshall Field & Co., Chicago.
H. B. Claflin & Co., New York.
Newcomb, Endicott & Co., Detroit.
John Wanamaker, Philadelphia.
Taylor, Woolfenden & Co., Detroit.
Awarded September 2, 1885, to Taylor, Woolfenden & Co. for 600 comfortables, 7 feet long and 6 feet wide, made from Cocheco cambric and a fine
quality of batts, 5^- pounds each, at $1.70.

PROCEEDINGS OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.

103

PROPOSALS FOR NAPKINS.
Based on prices and samples submitted therewith.

Marshall Field & Co., Chicago.
J. K. Burnham & Co., Detroit.
Newcomb, Eadicotfc & Co., Djtroit.
Taylor, Woolfenden. & Co., Datroit.
The order was divided between Newcomb, Endicott & Co., $26.25; J. K.
Burnham & Co., $20.30, and Taylor, Woolfenden & Co., $22.12.
PBOPOSALS FOR TABLE LISTEN AND TURKEY-BED DAMASK AND OIL-CLOTH.
Based on prices and samples submitted therewith.

Marshall Field & Co., Chicago.
Hamilton & Milliken, Traverse City.
J. K. Burnham & Co., Detroit.
Taylor, Woolfenden & Co., Detroit.
ISTewcomb, Endicott & Co., Detroit.
The order was divided between Hamilton & Milliken, $68.90 ; Newcomb,,
Endicott & Co., 1135.33; J. K. Burnham & Co., $242.17, and Taylor, Woolfenden & Co., $34.65.
PROPOSALS FOE BLANKETS.
Based on samples and prices submitted therewith.

J. K. Burnham & Co., Detroit.
Marshall Field & Co., Chicago, 111.
H. B. Claflin & Co., New York.
John Wanamaker, Philadelphia.
Taylor, Woolfenden & Co., Detroit.
Edson, Moore & Co., Detroit.
Hamilton & Milliken, Traverse City.
Awarded September 2, 1885, to Hamilton & Milliken for all wool blankets
at 50c per Ib.
RUBBEE SHEETING.

Newcomb, Endicott & Co., Detroit.
Hamilton & Milliken, Traverse City.
Taylor, Woolfenden & Co., Detroit.
J. K. Burnham & Co., Detroit.
Order made with Taylor, Woolfenden & Co. amounting to $114.88.
PROPOSALS FOR TOWELS, TOWELING AND CRASH.
Based on prices and samples submitted therewith.

Marshall Field & Co., Chicago.
J. K. Burnham & Co., Detroit.
Newcomb, Endicott & Co., Detroit.
Taylor, Woolfenden & Co., Detroit.
Awarded to Hamilton & Milliken an order for many kinds of towels and
crash amounting to $263.95

104

NORTHERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.
PROPOSALS FOR CHAPEL SEATING.
Based on samples or cuts submitted.

American Desk and Stool Co., Chicago.
A. H. Anderson & Co., Chicago.
Michigan School Furniture Co., Northville, Michigan.
J. S. Ford, Johnson & Co., Chicago.
Thomas Kean & Co., Chicago.
Eobert Mitchell Furniture Co., Cincinnati, 0.
Awarded September 24, 1885, to the Michigan School Furnitnre Co. for
318 folding seats at $1.40 each.
PROPOSALS FOB CARPETS.

Hudson & Symington, Detroit:
Lowell extra super
.
Park stills
Dobson
Lowell full five frame body Brussels
Bromley "
"
"
Whitall "
"
"
Lowell f border
Bromley or Whitall border
....-•
Linoleum " A " quality figured _
plain-.-.
Making ingrain carpet
Making body Brussels with border.
"
"
without border
Bedside cotton chain, 2 yards each
Best stitched O . C . I . Co. lining (per bale)
John V. Far well & Co., Chicago:
Lowell extra super
Hartford extra super
Philadelphia extra super
Washusetts body Brussels
Hartford body Brussels
Homer body Brussels
Linoleum "A" quality plain
Making carpets for all kinds
.
Stitched carpet lining (per bale)
Marshall Field & Company, Chicago, Illinois:
Lowell extra super
Park Mills extra super
Full five frame body Brussels
Cotton chain bedsides, per yard
5 Row stitched carpet lining, per bale
Extra super cotton chain.
All wool ingrain

—

.'...
- -.

—

$0 65
62|
60
1 17-^
100
100
05-|
1 90
80
75
05
05
04
1 15
9 00

10 62-J
62^
-- 55 to 6££
85
1 05
1 00
— 50 to 75
—
05
$6 50 to 8 50
$0 67-J62-J1 15
25
6 50
50
52^ to 60c

PROCEEDINGS OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.

105

Chicago Carpet Company, Chicago :
Lowell extra super _________ ........ ______________________ $0 67-JHartford extra super _____________________________________ 65
Bigelow body Brussels ---------------- ..... ___ ____ ________ 1 17-J
Lowell body Brussels _______________ ...... _______ ......... 1 15
Hartford body Brussels .................... ._ ..... . ..... _.
1 07|
Making ingrain carpet..
----.......
---------------------04
Making ingrain border carpet ........... _ ...... _____ ...... 07
Bedsides cotton chain, per yard ____ ............. _.
.......
___
25
5 Kow stitched carpet lining, per bale _________ .......... ___ 7 50
Extra super cotton chain ........ _______ ...... .. ........ ____ 52^
H. B. Claflin & Co., New York:
Bromley full 5 frame body Brussels, by the roll _____________ 97-JHomer
"
"
' "
.............
97^
Linoleum, "A" quality,
plain .......... . ...... _____ ...... 75
'
Best stitched carpet lining, per bale...............
.......
7 50
Extra super cotton chain, by the roll
____
...................
47-2H. B. Claflin extra super
...................
— ..... _______ 60
All 4 per cent off, 10 days.
J. H. Black & Co., Detroit:
Best ingrains, per yard _____ ........ . ..... .......
--------75
Best body Brussels ....... ______ .. ....... ___ .......... ____ 1 40
Best tapestry . . .................... . ...... . _ . ---- ........ 1 00
Best taped lining. .. .................. _______ ......... ____ 08
Best cotton chain extra supers ..... ____ _______ ............. 60
Making ................ . ................ ________ ........ 05
Hamilton & Milliken, Traverse City :
Lowell extra supers ....... ____ ______ ....... - ......... .
65
Hartford extra supers ......... ___ ---- .......
------62 J
Homer 5 frame body Brussels ___ ........ - ........ ..
____
1 00
Hartford "
"
_______
..................
105
Linoleums, best English ______ ------ ........ . ...... —
75
''
second quality ____ ........... ------------62-JSewed lining, per bale ............. . ............. _____ $7 50 & 8 50
All prices by the piece. This is but a portion of the qualities and makes
submitted.
ISTewcomb, Endicott, & Co., Detroit:
Bigelow and Lowell body Brussels ________ .......... — ------ II 12-Jf Border for same ..... ___ ___ ...... ________ ....... -. ------- 1 07^
9 Inch border ..... ________________ ....................... . .
40
Hartford, Bromley, or Homer's body Brussels ..... ----------- 1 00
f Border for same ___ ...... .- ...... ___ ___ ....... ..........
95
Making Brussels carpet
...........
.. ........... ------ ..... .
05
Lowell & Dorman 3 ply all wool ingrain. ..
..................
85
"
2
"
extra super _______ ....... ..
65
Hartford and other standard extra supers, 2 ply all wool
-----62^Making ingrain carpets, without border _______ -------------- 03
"
with
" -.
..................
05
14

106

NORTHERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.

Newcomb, Endicott, & Co., Detroit:
2-4 Venetian borders
f
"
"
No. 1 Linoleum..
No. 5
"

--

710 40
45
80
70

Awarded, October 14, 1885, to Newcomb, Endicott, & Co., for all carpets
cut and made up, and, October 17, 1885, to H. B. Claflin & Co., for all carpets by the piece; the order of the former amounting to $1,329.38, and of
the latter to $733.62.
PROPOSALS FOE WAGONS, SLEIGHS AND CARRIAGES.

These proposals were very diverse and were received from:
The Hannah & Lay Mercantile Company, Traverse City, Mich.
Sievers & Erdman, Detroit, Mich.
V. & A. Petertyl, Traverse City, Mich.
Carrier & Lockwood, Traverse City, Mich.
The following selections were made :
Sievere & Erdman:
Jackson farm wagon

$65 00

V. & A. Petertyl:
1 pair bobs
1 large 4-seated sleigh for patients
1 large 3-seated carriage for patients

24 00
100 00
450 00'

The Hannah & Lay Mercantile Co.:
1 buggy
1 cutter
1 express sleigh
1 express wagon
1 Jackson wagon
Ipairbobs

122 00
25 25
30 00
125 00
60 00
23 00

PROPOSALS FOR HARNESSES.
Proposals for harnesses were received from:
Wilhelm, Bartak & Co., Traverse City, Michigan.
John T. Beadle, Traverse City.
The following order was placed with:
John T. Beadle, Traverse City, Michigan:
1 set team harness
2 set single harness
1 set double carriage harness
1 set team harness
1 express harness
1 cart harness... . . .

._.

$25 OO1
43 00
35 00
28 00
13 50
16 50

PROCEEDINGS OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.

107

PBOPOSALS FOR HOLLAND AND WINDOW FIXTURES.

Based on samples and prices submitted therewith:
Marshall Field & Co., Chicago, 111.
H. B. Claflin & Co., New York.
Newcomb, Endicott & Co., Detroit.
Taylor. Woolfenden & Co., Detroit.
J. K. Burnham & Co., Detroit.
Awarded Oct. 30, 1885, to Marshall, Meld & Co., for Providence 36-inch
white American Holland, 500 yards, at 7-J cents per yard, 2 per cent, off, 10
days; and 100 yards Scotch, 36 inches, at 17c., less 5 per cent, and 6 per
cent, off for cash, 10 days.
PROPOSALS FOR PIPE COVERING.

Proposals were invited, based on definite specifications, for five different
combinations of covering, but proposals for other methods were not
excluded.
Method No. 1 was:
4 thicknesses 1-32-inch asbestos paper.
1 thickness 1-inch hair felt.
1 thickness manilla paper.
1 thickness 8-ounce duck.
Method No. 2:
2 thicknesses 1-32-inch asbestos paper, otherwise as in Method No. 1,
Method No. 3:
1 thickness 1-32-inch asbestos paper, otherwise as in No. 1.
Method No. 4:
1 thickness 1-inch hair felt.
1 thickness 8-ounce duck.
Method No. 5:
1 ring 1-2 x 3-16-inch asbestos every foot of pipe.
4 thicknesses straw-board.
1 thickness 1-inch hair felt.
1 thickness 8-ounce duck.
The various kinds to be applied to pipes for various uses, in accordance
with their amount of exposure, etc.
The following proposals were received, which were not given in detail
because of their great length. Samples were submitted with the proposals:
Samuel I. Pope & Co., Chicago, 111.:
Based on specifications.
P. Worcester, Chicago, 111.:
Based on specifications.
Manville Covering Company, Milwaukee, Wis.:
If inches in thickness of wool plastic covering, wrapping of muslin
spirally wound.
i-inch furnishing coat of wool plastic covering, prices ranging from 77
cents per foot of pipe for 12-inch pipe to 17 cents per foot for f-inch
pipe.
Marvin Van Court, Detroit, Mich.

108

NORTHERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.

PROPOSALS FOR LABOR AND MATERIALS SEPARATE, AND DIFFERING SOMEWHAT FROM SPECIFICATIONS.

Shields & Brown, Chicago and New York:
Bradley's insulated hair covering, mainly of paper, 12-inch to 5-inch
pipe, standard covering inclusive, 20 per cent, and 20 per cent, off
list; smaller than 5-inch, half-thickness of standard, 50 per cent, off
list; water-pipe covering, 40 per cent, off list.
G. E. Bessinger, Detroit:
Offers to do the labor at $2.00 per day and expenses.
The Chalmers-Spence Company, New York :
For their own covering, prices ranging from 20 cents per foot for ljinch pipe and smaller to 86 cents per foot for 12-inch pipe.
Laing Manufacturing Company, Pittsburg, Pa.:
Corrugated in space, sectional covering, as per sample, prices ranging
from 12 cents per foot of pipe for f-inch pipe to 56f cents per foot of
pipe for 12-inch pipe for the material, and 25 per cent, added for
applying the material.
Will cover all pipes for $2,774.65 and board of men.
Crosby, Burton & Co., Chicago:
As per specifications, prices ranging from 20 cents per foot for 1-inch
pipe to $1.10 per foot for 12-inch pipe.
Atley Manufacturing Company, Chicago:
Based on specifications, from 22-% cents per foot for 1-J-inch pipe to 95
cents per foot for 12-inch pipe.
J. P. Donaldson & Co., Detroit:
Based on specifications.
SCHEDULE OF PRICES.
No. 1.

Size of Pipe.

No. 2. No. 3. No. 4.

No. 5.

59 X

52X

49

48

72

10

"

50%

45

42

40

63

9

"

48

37^

35

33

55

8

"

40

Sa%

33

31

45

7

"

41

35

33

42

6

"

5

"

32%

28

26X

24%

36

26%

22%

21

19

33

4X "

24

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15

PROCEEDINGS OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.

109

Awarded Dec. 3, 1885, to J. P. Donaldson & Co., on basis of proposition.
PROPOSALS FOB FARM BABN, CARRIAGE BARN AND OOAL SHED.

Charles H. Rose

--

_

-

J. E. G-reiliok

Farm Barn.

Carriage
Barn.

$1,435 75

11,326 00

$3,475 00

1,450 63

1,300 00

3,508 39

1340 00

1 580 00

Goal Shed.

1 413 00
1 284 CO

Awarded June 16, 1886, to Henry G-reen, in the total sum of his proposition, $4,204.
PROPOSALS

FOE VENTILATING FANS.

Proposals submitted In July, 1885.

B. F. Sturtevant, Boston, Mass.:
One 10-foot blast wheel, with plate iron housing, shafting, journal, boxes, pulley, etc., complete, guaranteed capacity 60,000
cubic feet per minute, 125 to 150 revolutions per minute with
12 to 20 horse power.
$750 00
One 10x16 engine with band wheel complete
850 00
The above blast wheel and engine without iron plate housing,. 1,150 00
The above blast wheel, engine and housing, complete, except
that the engine shall be connected directly to the fan shaft.. 1,500 00
Pour centre draft peripheral discharge disc wheels 30 inches in
diameter, 630 revolutions per minute, 2 to 2-J- horse power
each
.
160 00
Four centre draft peripheral disc wheels, 42 inches in diameter,
500 revolutions per minute, 3-J- to 4 horse power
240 00
The above eight fans to discharge an aggregate of 60,000 cubic
feet per minute.
All the foregoing prices f. o. b. cars in Boston.
Buffalo Forge Company, Buffalo, N. Y.:
One 14-foot diameter, 6 feet wide, steel fan, complete, ready for
connection to engine, guaranteed to deliver 60,000 cubic feet
per minute at 13 horse power.
Eight exhaust fans (disc wheels), placed in the ventilator shafts
to remove an aggregate of 60,000 cubic feet of air per minute,
ready for connection to motors.
All the above for
2,100 00
Eight No. 3 1^ horse power Sprague Electric Motors complete,
connected with the exhaust fans, all ready for the wirenian.. 1,710 00
Sprague Electric Kail way and Motor Company, New York:
Eight electric motors, 1-J- horse power each, f. o. b., New York,
complete, for
850 00
Eight electric motors, 1-J horse power each, f. o. b., New York,
complete, for
1,650 00
The above for Edison circuit.
Eight electric motors, 1 horse power each, for
1,130 00
The above for Brush or Thompson-Houston circuit.

110

NORTHERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.

Detroit Blower Company, Detroit, Michigan:
Two 10-foot diameter blast wheels complete.
Two iron scroll plates for enclosing same.
All mason and carpenter work above floor line of engine room,
and all necessary work to insure perfect distribution and circulation of air.
Delivery guaranteed at 100,000 cubic feet per minute, with 120
revolutions of each fan, and a total of 20 horse power.
All complete, ready for attachment or power
$2,000 00
Huyett & Smith, Manufacturing Company, Detroit, Michigan:
One 60-inch Smith ventilator fan, capacity guaranteed at 60,000
cubic feet per minute, with 10 horse power..175 00
Bight 24-inch Smith ventilator fans, aggregate capacity guaranteed at 60,000 cubic feet per minute
---.
400 00
Eight 1 horse power Van Depoele electric motors. _
1,000 00
One Van Depoele 10 horse power dynamo
800 00
One 24-inch Smith ventilator fan, for laundry
50 00
All the above goods delivered at Traverse City.
Placing the above machinery, including all work and materials,
and wiring for electric dynamos
275 00
All the foregoing complete for
2,700 00
PROPOSALS SUBMITTED IN JUNE, 1886.

B. F. Sturtevant, Boston:
14-foot diameter, 4-feet wide cone-wheel, with shaft, pulley,
etc., complete, guaranteed to deliver 100,000 cubic feet per
minute at 100 revolutions, and 120,000 cubic feet per minute
at 120 revolutions, and at its maximum capacity to require
more than 30 horse-power, f. o. b. cars, Boston
$1,200
1 12 x 18-inch automatic cut-off engine, complete, f. o. b.
Boston
1,050
The above fan and engine, with the engine attached directly
8 to the fan shaft, f. o. b. Boston
2,000
center-draft, peripheral-discharge disc wheels, 4 30 inches
in diameter and 4 42 inches in diameter, to run 650 and 500
revolutions per minute, respectively, and discharge an aggregate of 60,000 cubic feet of air per minute, with an aggregate resistance of from 22 to 26 horse-power, f. o. b.
Boston
_--.
400
Buffalo Forge Company, Buffalo, 1ST. Y.:
1 14-foot diameter, 6-feet wide steel fan, with shaft, inlet
rings, pulley, etc., complete, f. o. b. Traverse City, guaranteed to deliver 60,000 cubic feet per minute, 13 horsepower
900
1 14-foot fan, as above, complete, in place.
1,100
9 disc wheels for 60,000 feet of exhaust ventilation per minute, to be placed in the ventilating tower and run by rawhide sables from the engines in the engine-room, complete
with pulleys, shaft, hangers, sheaves, cable, etc, f. o. b.
Traverse City
3,690
9 disc wheels, as above, put in place, complete
4,450

00
00
00

00

00
00

00
00

PROCEEDINGS OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.

Ill

Detroit Blower Company, Detroit:
2 10-foot diameter wheels, with shaft, pulley, journal rings,
etc., f. o. b. Detroit
$1,000 00
Or 2 No. 227 fan blowers, complete, guaranteed to deliver
107,000 cubic feet of air per minute at 200 revolutions, or
with free delivery 147,418 cubic feet, 1 o. b. Detroit
9,000 00
Huyett & Smith Manufacturing Company, Detroit:
1 8-foot Huyett & Smith ventilator fan, guaranteed to deliver
100,000 cubic feet of air per minute, with a resistance not to
exceed 15 horse-power, complete, in place
550 00
Awarded June 23, 1886, to the Buffalo Forge Company, Buffalo,
N. Y., on the basis of their second proposition, for 1 14-foot
diameter, 6-feet wide steel fan, erected, complete, for
1,100 00
PEOPOSALS FOE SHAFTING.

Proposals for a definite list of shafting, pulleys, etc., were received from
Both, McMahon & Co., Chicago, and from Thirlby, Jackson & Co., Traverse
€ity.
The order was placed with the latter firm at $115.
Proposals for a further bill of shafting were received from Roth, McMahon
<& Co., of Chicago, $163.18; and Thirlby, Jackson & Co., Traverse City,
$164.76. The Hannah & Lay Mercantile Co., Traverse City, $137.50.
Awarded July 15, 1886, to the Hannah & Lay Merc. Co.
Many proposals for smaller lots of goods are not printed herewith.
PEOPOSALS FOE MATERIAL FOE PIPE COYEBING.

Samuel I. Pope & Co., Chicago:
-J inch hair felt, 4^ cents per square foot.
1-32 inch asbestos paper, 9 cents per pound.
Manilla paper, 7f cents per pound.
8 oz. canvas, 40 inches wide, 15 cents per yard.
J. P. Donaldson & Co., Detroit:
•J inch hair felt, 4|- cents per square foot.
1-32 inch asbestos paper, 8-J cents per pound.
Manilla paper, 8 cents per pound.
8 oz. canvas, like sample, 9£ cents per yard.
The Hannah & Lay Mercantile Co., Traverse City, Mich.:
-J inch hair felt, 4 cents per square foot.
1-32 inch asbestos paper, 9 cents per pound.
Manilla paper, 6-|- cents per pound.
8 oz. stark duck, 29 inches, lOf cents per yard, delivered.
Awarded September 18, 1886, to the Hannah & Lay Merc. Co., an order
amounting to $193.37.

INJ3EX

15

INDEX.

PACE.

Accounts.
-Addition to main contract-..
Appropriations and expenditures
Architect
Baking apparatus
__
Boa,rd of commissioners
.-.
Carpenter apparatus
Construction outside of contracts
Contract for brick
Contract for construction
._
-.
Contract for hauling stone
Contract for stone
Cooking apparatus..
_
Deductions from main contract
Description of building"
Dumb waiters
Klectric light.Engines
Farm
Fencing
....Fire protection
Furnishing and equipping asylum
Furnishing offices, chapel and dispensary
Furnishing wards, adm'n building and dormitories
'.
Grading
Heating apparatus
Implements, vehicles and utensils
Incidentals
Inspection of the work
Instruments, books, pictures, etc
Iron working apparatus
.-.
Land
-..
---

Laundry apparatus
Outbuildings
Plumbing'
Progress of the work. Proposals
Retrospect
Roads
Salarie?
Sewers, drains and cisterns-

_

-

—

___
:

.

._.

-'
_

:...

_
_.
--

-

—

-

64
20
12
63
43
14
44
27
17
18
17
17
42
19
23
31
40
59
61
62
52
7
f>7
54
45
32
58
63
t>4
fig
44
17

43
61
48
8
86
3
62
63
^9

116
Shafting, hangers, belting, pulleys, etc
Sidewalks
_
Stock and horses
-..
Superintendent's report
Supplying asylum with water
Telephone communication
_.
Ye ntil at ion ..

INDEX.
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-

-

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.

-

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-

PAGE.
59
40
59
V15
46
31
37