CHAPTER IV.
Troy Marshall Infirmary and Lunatic Asylum, Ida Hill, under the direction of a board of Governors. This institution was chartered by the Legislature of the State of New York.
John C. Heartt, President; J. W. Downings, 1st Vice-President; Thos. Coleman, 2d Vice-President; R. H. Ward, M. D., Secretary; George A. Stone, Treasurer.
Governors.—Hon. William Kemp, Mayor. Jonas C. Heartt, John P. Albertson, John L. Thompson, Alfred Watkins, M. D., J. W. Freman, John Hitchins, J. W. Downings, S. M. Vail, Lyman Bennett, J. Hobart Warren, Thomas Coleman, Alfonso Bills, Hanford N. Lockwood, George H. Phillips, John Sherry, James Thorn, M. D., J. C. Osgood, M. D., Henry B. Whiton, Charles Eddy, R. H. Ward, M. D., C. W. Tillinghast, E. Thompson Gale, George A. Stone, C. L. Hubbell, M. D.
Inspectors.—Calvin Haynes, T. W. Lockwood, H. Warren.
Committee of Managers.—Alfonso Bills, J. W. Downing, George H. Phillips, John Sherry, Thomas Coleman.
Consulting Physicians.—Dr. Alfred Watkins and Dr. James Thorn.
Attending Physicians, etc.—Drs. Henry B. Whiton, R. H. Ward, C. L. Hubbell, G. H. Hubbard.
Attending Physician and Surgeon.—Joseph D. Lomax, Resident Medical Superintendent; E. J. Fisk, M. D., Medical Assistant.
John Harrison, Steward; Mrs. Harrison, Matron.
This is one of the popular institutions of the day. Read and shed a sympathizing tear.
This certifies that I, Moses Swan, of the town of Hoosick and county of Rensselaer and State of New York, was confined by bars and bolts, in the above-named institution, from March 29, 1860, to October 13, 1871.
If I am rightly informed, this institution was chartered by the Legislature of the State of New York for the benefit of unfortunate persons who are actual lunatics, not for a penitentiary or prison-house.
If I am rightly informed by Judge R., the law to get a person into this institution lawfully, against his or her will, two physicians must examine the patient, and make oath that A. or B. is a lunatic or an insane person.
Secondly, these affidavits must be presented to the county judge, and he issues an order to take Mrs. A. or Mrs. B. to the asylum.
Amid all the opposition used to hinder me from this heart-burdened work, I have firmly resolved, by the grace of Him who delivered me from this inhumanly governed institution, to set forth and carry through the press, to the community at large, some of the most prominent transactions that came under my observation. So help me * * * *