I didn’t want to have to do this, but I can’t find the second page from the memoirs. On that page however the chronicles of what happened on opening day for NSH were on there. This will have to act as part 4 for now until I locate that missing page.
A rare look into the workings of Northern State Hospital, by the patients themselves. This comes from memoirs written by a patient in 1936 for the Northern State Hospital News, the author wrote under the pseudonym, Eric. Here goes:
“I was transferred to the building crew, clearing the site for the Administrative buildings. It was started late in the season and work was slow and expensive. I never learned how the contractor came out, but if he made any money he was an unusual manager, as he had to comply with the direction and supervision of a young, fresh building inspector by the name of Warbuck or Walburg who had frequent spats about the whirl and the materials. Finally when the building was about half finished or a little more, arguments were made to dedicate it. It was built but the walls were not plastered or the inside ready for patients. I could never figure out why they were in such a hurry for these ceremonies, unless they feared an election might deprive them off the opportunity.
At any rate it was some occasion. Great crowds came from the country about here in wagons and by horse back, as there were no roads about here and all seemed to enjoy the speeches made by the State officials.
Later in the afternoon I saw some of the visitors strolling about the covered walks like a scene at a county fair or circus, after imbibing freely on red lemonade or pop. At any rate it was easy to see that they were highly delighted with what had been accomplished.
The work on the buildings continued until it was completed and soon after that a number of patients were transferred from another hospital by train. Among them were women to help take care of the place and to work in the laundry, while the men were sent to develop the farm. ”
An excerpt from my newest book, N.S.H, will be out in 2015. Happy Halloween!
Northern State Hospital Book 