Baldwin County GaArchives History .....History of Baldwin Co. - State Sanitarium 1925 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 October 5, 2004, 9:49 pm p. 79 State Sanitarium December 26, 1837, an Act to authorize the erection in this state of a lunatic asylum. The Governor to appoint two fit and proper persons, who shall construct and superintend the erection in some central locality. The law made it obligatory to erect said building as soon as possible. In 1838, an important act authorizing the arrest and confinement of lunatic or insane persons in the common jails of the county, or their being placed in custody, and out under control of suitable individuals. Dec. 1, 1841, an act to organize the Lunatic Asylum of the State of Georgia and provide for government of the same, and to make appropriations for completing and furnishing. Appropriated $10,000, located at Midway, Baldwin County. This act was not approved until 1850. The government was invested in a Board of three trustees, to be appointed bi-annually, and commissioned by the governor. The Board of Trustees to have authority to appoint all officers, and to prescribe rules and regulations. The officers—Superintendent, Assistant Physician, Treasurer, Steward, Assistant Steward, Matron, and assistant. Appropriation in 1837—$20,000; in 1839, $5,000; 1841, $10,000; 1845, $10.000; 1849, $997.36; for old debts, $700. Lightning-rod and force pump; 1850, $10,500. DR. THOMAS FITZGERALD GREEN Near Milledgeville, at old Midway, is situated "Georgia's greatest charity" and noblest institution— ----------------- p. 80 the Sanitarium for the Insane. -- The one man above all others responsible for its founding and establishment and for its triumph and success in its work of relief and comfort to the State's most unfortunate is the subject of this sketch. In the early forties, when the State was far less humane than now, when science was less advanced, and when the vision of possible cure and relief was not so wide nor clear, Doctors Green and Fort, and Hon. Iverson Harris and Augustus Kenan, moved with great hearted tenderness and scientific acumen as to possibilities of cure and relief for the unfortunate insane languishing in Georgia's jails or poorly cared for in homes, conceived the establishment of an Insane Asylum. They agitated its erection until they obtained, from a reluctant legislature, its establishment, and made a start towards the erection of what is now one of the greatest Institutions of its kind in the country. Dr. Green giving up a lucrative practice, accepted the superintendency after a year or two of its existence and upon its slender and weak foundation, struggling in its early years for very life because of lack of public knowledge and narrowness of public benevolence, builded by his supreme devotion, his constant labors, his scientific skill, and his Christian and human character, an institution that was at the time of his death, the noblest and almost the largest of its kind in America. Noble and skilled Superintendents have followed him—Powell, Jones, Swint, and each has added to its glory, but each builded on the foundation he laid, the plans he conceived, the vision he saw. Thomas Fitzgerald Green was born in Beaufort, S. C., on Dec. 25, 1804. His father, William Montgomery Green, was a warm hearted, highly educated —having graduated from Trinity College, Dublin—enthusiastic young Irish patriot, who having taken an active and prominent part in the ill fated Irish rebellion of 1798 was forced to flee the country. He landed in South Carolina a fews weeks before the birth of ----------------- p. 81 his son, whom, as a token of devotion to the country he loved and its cause, tho fallen, he named Thomas Fitzgerald, for his close friends, the Irish patriots Thomas Emmett and Lord Edward Fitzgerald. His mother was a woman of noble birth—a Fitzgerald. She died in Savannah when Thomas was only three years old. William Green had no fortune save his talents and scholarly attainments, no friends save those he won by his character and virtues. He taught school for a while in Beaufort then moved to Savannah where he conducted with much success a High School, until he was elected to a professorship in the University of Georgia. Here he lived for a number of years, later moving to Milledgeville and then to Macon where he died. Thomas Fitzgerald having inherited an unusually bright mind and being carefully educated under the supervision of his scholarly father became a man of rare culture, extended reading and scholarly attainments. As a conversationalist, he was said to have no superior in his day. In 1833, he graduated in the Medical College at Charleston, S. C., and began the practice of his profession at his home in Milledgeville. With a winning personality, a benevolent nature, and splendid education that especially fitted him for the calling, he soon became a leading physician in his city. Dec. 4th, 1828, Thomas Fitzgerald was married to Miss Adeline Crowder, who was a woman of rare charms and grace, who like himself came from a family of patriots. Her maternal grand-father was Col. John Hawkins who distinguished himself as a soldier and patriot in the American Revolution. His domestic life was especially happy. Here his unselfish love, tenderness, and cheerfulness were displayed. As husband, father, grandfather, and master he was beloved by wife, children, slaves and servants. Nine children were born to them, six of whom lived to be grown and married. Addie, who married ----------------- p. 82 Augustas Hall; Mary who married Adlai Houston of Alabama; Mattie, married Dr. Charles H. Bass; Thomas Fitzgerald, who married Ella B. Lipscomb, daughter of Dr. A. A. Lipscomb, Chancellor of the State University; Anna who married Samuel A. Cook; and Fannie married Dr. James P. Phillips. His beloved wife died in May, 1860, and in Jan. 1862, he married her sister, Miss Martha Crowder, who survived him five years. Early in life, Dr. Green joined the Methodist Church. He was a Christian, consecrated but not conspicious. He was loyal, and to him duty to God and his fellow man was supreme. Broad of vision, he was liberal and tolerant towards all. His benevolence and tenderness had the touch of the gentle Nazarene. Unselfish in a supreme degree, his life was given to service. His heart was full of love and tenderness, his hands of help and healing. He was active as a Mason in his early life, and devoted to it all his life. He completed both the York and Scottish rites, being a Knight Templar and 32 degree Mason. When a young man he served the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Georgia as Grand Secretary. As a young man he was active in civic and military affairs and was an active member of the social and civic clubs. He was Major in the State Militia. Of commanding appearance and splendid carriage and bearing he was a handsome as well as efficient officer. While in this position he was on the committee to receive General LaFayette on the occasion of his second visit to America. He was actice in politics, not as a seeker for office, though at one time he was by Presidential appointment, Postmaster of Milledgeville. He was a Whig; and on the special committee to receive and entertain Henry Clay upon the occasion of his memorable visit to Milledgeville. In 1846 persuaded by friends and moved by the spirit of philanthropy and benevolence and his love for the institution that he was so prominent in establishing, ----------------- p. 83 he gave up a lucrative practice and became Resident Physician and Superintendent of the State Asylum for the Insane, continuing as such for thirty-three years and until his death. No braver battle was ever fought for humanity or nobler service rendered the children of men than his for thirty-three years. In its early days it was a campaign waged against a misinformed and unaroused and unsympathetic people upon the battle field of opposition from ungenerous and often narrow legislatures. With meager help, because of lack of funds he labored both as a physician and an executive and builded until he saw it grow from a weak and opposed place to the recognized and important institution it had become at the time of his death. In a report to the Legislature, speaking of conditions he found upon assuming charge, which shows the difficulties with which he had to contend, he says: "I found one building for the patients 129 feet by 39, four stories high including basement, with no lightning rods, covered with shingles, and heated with hot air furnaces located in the center of the building with a single register communicating with each story from the hot air chamber which was perpendicular. The large pipe was often red hot to the height of twenty feet before any adequate warmth could be secured in the halls, rendering the air unfit for respiration, and incurring great hazard of the destruction of the building by fire. There was, too, no means whatever by which water could be brought into any portion of the building except by drawing it with an ordinary bucket from a large well in the yard and carrying it in tubs and buckets as it might be wanted. (A terrible state of things, truly, in case of fire.) There were no bathing facilities or water closets in the building. There was only one male employed besides myself—the steward, and one white female—the matron. There were in all, sixty-seven patients and their only attendants a negro woman in each of the female wards and a negro man in each male ward. Their support was ----------------- p. 84 upon the miserable footing afforded by an allowance of fifty dollars each." Think of it! did braver pioneer ever enter the forest of a denser unknown country to make the path clear for civilization than he who entered the undeveloped fields of altruistic effort to blazen the way to the present era of the uplift of manhood and of brotherly love? Speaking further he says: "Such was the condition of the Institution when I took charge of it. And there was manifestly at that time no idea in the minds of the Legislature of the establishment of any other than a species of prison poor-house, where the insane, idiotic and epileptic of the poor families in the State could be confined. "I at once set about uprooting these preconceived notions, and made every effort on my part to awaken a more lively interest in the subject and to impress upon the minds of the people and their representatives more liberal and enlightened views, and to bring them to regard it not as a place of custody but rather a place of cure. And to that end I have never ceased to labor." Referring to being advised to abandon his efforts unless the State would provide for the development of the Institution properly, he says: "But having consecrated myself to this work and feeling an earnest and abiding interest in the subject, I determined to devote my life to efforts to render myself useful to those whom I regard the most helpless class of my fellow beings, and regardless of labor, trials, disappointments, annoyance, or hazards, to continue to struggle in their behalf so long as I was mentally and physically capable of doing so." And this he did as the record of his life, the memory of his service, and his still living influence testify. A comparison of his reports to the Board of Trustees will not only be of interest but will show the growth of the Institution and the triumph of his labors. From his report for years 1848-1849, one of his earliest, we find the total ----------------- p. 85 number of inmates during the year to have been 127, there remained at the end of the year 1848, 90. Twenty had died, three escaped, and 14 been discharged. For year 1849 the total was 130; at the close of the year, 101; 16 had died and 13 had been cured and discharged. The discharged during these years bears testimony to his skill and efficiency, the per cent being remarkably large in such malady under best conditions, and wonderful with the conditions under which he labored. At this time it must be remembered he had no assistant physicians and labored alone. The total appropriation from all sources for maintenance, repairs, and buildings was $13,651.67 and at the close of the year he reports all debts paid and a balance of $954.38 in hands of the Treasurer. This reveals his ability as an executive as the other does his skill as an alienist and physician. From his report of the year 1875-1876, three years before his death, and after thirty years of service we find the number of inmates during the year 696, at its close 604. The appropriations and revenue for maintenance, etc., was now $90,530.98. From a reading of his yearly reports one is impressed with his ability and advancement in the treatment of mental diseases, his grasp upon conditions and needs, and his vision of what should and must be done in the future in the upbuilding of this great Institution. Many of his suggestions and ideas went by unheeded and not adopted at the time, but as the years passed we find one after another have been put into effect, and the great Institution has grown upon the ideas he advanced and the reforms he suggested. He was a pioneer and advanced thinker in the realm of the science and profession he lived and worked in; a far seeing prophet in the arena of social conditions. Dr. T. O. Powell, who was many years his assistant, and was his eminent successor as Superintendent says in a sketch written by him for Memoirs of Georgia: "Dr. Green in person was short, stout, of broad grand, ----------------- p. 86 humane countenance, in his youth, and in his old age, handsome. He was full of life, cheerful, merry, courteous, considerate. He was a sincere Christian: in his home a model; one of the most benevolent and unselfish of men. He was devoted to the Institution, he literary lived for the Asylum. He thought of it, talked of it. His success in the management of it was marvelous, and the blessed results of his work can not be told in time. He was a delightful companion, a true and sympathetic friend, a man whom all loved, and one worthy of all the honor heaped upon him. The moral granduer of his character was best illustrated by the interest he manifested in the unfortunate." This is a beautiful tribute by one who knew him well, worked with him daily for years. Dr. Green often expressed the desire that he might live to an old age, but not beyond the days of usefulness or to become a burden. To die at work had been his prayer since early manhood. God heard and answered. An so having lived for the Institution, he died for it. In his seventy-sixth year, in full vigor, mentally and physically, in the beauty of old age with a heart of youth, while going through one of the wards—as was his daily custom—he paused to write a prescription for one of his beloved inmates, he fell stricken with apoplexy and lived but a few days, dying on February 13, 1879, and went to live forever with the Great Physician from whom he had learned to loose the chains of the demoniac and ease the pain of the sufferer. Upon the walls of theMain Building of the Sanitarium is a marble tablet to his memory with the following inscription: "In memory of Thomas Fitzgerald Green, Born Dec. 25, 1804, died Feb 13, 1879. Thirty three years of his life devoted with a supreme affection, unwearied zeal, and arduous labors, as resident physician and superintendent of this institution, Georgia's greatest charity, ----------------- p. 87 bears witness to his Christian character as a physician and philanthropist. Science mourns his loss, humanity reveres his name, religion embalms his memory. Erected by order of the Board of Trustees, 1879." Copy of Letter to Mrs. Cook. Monday, October 20, 1924. Dear Mrs. Cook: I am glad to hear from you in reference to your splendid father to whom the South owes so much as a pioneer philanthropist and as the one who first attacked that most difficult problem in medicine—that of the alienist. I wish it might have been my pleasure to have met him and to have drawn inspiration through personal relationships. I am glad to know that in addition to his scientific talents and broad humanitarianism, he was definite in his Christian faith and that the life and service begun here on earth found its larger sphere in the life beyond. His life and work are also well-known to our own Dr. Henry M. Hurd, former Superintendent of the Johns Hopkins Hospital. Faithfully yours, HOWARD A. KELLY 1406 Eutaw Place, Baltimore, M. D. Dr. Thomas F. Green, Superintendent and Resident Physician of State Lunatic Asylum, near Milledgeville, Ga. Oct. 27, 1847. Report To Dr. Benj. A. White, R. A. Ramsey, and B. F. Stubbs, Esqrs., Trustees, Gentlemen: I herewith submit in tabular form a report of the ----------------- p. 88 number, condition, etc., of the inmates of this institution for the two last years, commencing on the 27 of October, 1845 and ending on the 25 of the present month. I would respectfully offer some brief general remarks on the subject of insanity and the provision necessary for the insane, and needs of the institution. (These remarks are omitted). The number of inmates of all classes for the first year, 95; for second year, 108. As to the financial affairs of the Institution, it appears there was received by Dr. Cooper and Trustees, $1,106.00, and at the close of 1845 an indebtedness of $1,713.94 existed. The amount received on the year commencing October 25, closing October 25; 1846: From the State Treasury, $5,650.00. From other sources: $2,281.39. Ten years later, 1855, Gov. Herschel V. Johnson, Trustees, Dr. Franklin Fort, Dr. E. L. Steroheaker, and B. P. Stubbs, Esqrs., received the following amount: From Treasury for support $10,000.00 From Treasury for salaries 7,645.00 Balance in hand of Treasurer 1,663.00 Received from pay patients 5,655.07 Received from Com. on improvements 3,857.00 _____________ $29,367.09 Remaining in hands of B. P. Stubbs, Treas. $1,016.29, every dollar of indebtedness being paid. Number of inmates during the year, 218. The question presented to the Legislature of 1853 was, should the State allow her Institution to continue to occupy the position of pauper-prison house, or should they place the Institution on a basis to do credit to the heads and hearts of her people. To their credit, they adopted the better alternative and their successors have carried the noble work to completion. ----------------- p. 89 Dr. Green always gratefully acknowledged obligation to the ministers connected with Oglethorpe University, also those in charge of the Baptist, Methodist, and Presbyterian churches in performing regular services at the chapel. Commending all to the ever watchful care of a kind and merciful providence. Also to Miss D. L. Dix, who visited the cities of Augusta Savannah, Macon, and Columbus and secured donations of books, pictures, and musical instruments. REPORT OF TRUSTEES TO HIS EXCELLENCY JOSEPH E. BROWN Milledgeville, Ga. Oct. 2, 1859. Sir: We herewith submit the report of the Superintendent of the State Lunatic Asylum, to which we have nothing to add, but to congratulate you, Sir, and the people of Georgia, that we are blessed with such an Institution and such a Superintendent. The Institution challenges the minutest inspection of all interested in it (and they are the friends of our race) and the wonderful economy with which it is conducted is as much a matter of astonishment to us as of congratulation to its well wishers. Dr. Green and his associates are entitled to all praise for their most successful fidelity and we should thus publicly express our deliberate opinions that not another man in the wide limits of our state could have accomplished what Dr. Green has accomplished for this, the noblest of Georgia's philanthropic advancements. We are, respectfully, your obedient servants, D. C. CAMPBELL, MILLER GRIEVE, SAMUEL G. WHITE. ----------------- p. 90 STATE LUNATIC ASYLUM Office of Superintendent and Resident Physician Oct. 8, 1873. To The President and Members of the Board of Trustees. Gentlemen: The requirements of your resolutions passed at the last meeting have been fully complied with. Notices have been put up giving public information pf the fact that all future visiting to the Asylum on the Sabbath, except on the part of persons desiring to attend the Chapel service, was strictly prohibited. Such requisitions as have been found necessary upon the special appropriation of the last General Assembly for improvements and repairs have been made, viz.: A draft for two thousand dollars to put the treasurer and steward in funds to meet the current expenditures incurred in connection with the manufacture of brick; and a further draft for one thousand, seven hundred dollars to fulfill a requirement of the President of the Board for the amount necessary to pay for washing machinery, etc. Notice was given to the Governor of Florida of the acceptance by the Board of the proposition to pay punctually in December of each year, the claims of the Institution, for board, etc., of their patients. A few days, however, before receiving my letter, the Comptroller forwarded me a check for eight hundred and seventy-seven dollars and seventy-five cents, being amount due for the first six months of this year, which was turned over to Mr. Brown, Treasurer and Steward, who realized the money on it promptly. THEOPHILUS ORGAIN POWELL Theophilus Orgain Powell was born March 21st., 1837, in Brunswick county, Virginia. He was the son p. 91 of Col. Marcus D. Powell and Elizabeth Orgain Powell. His father was a planter of independent means but not wealthy and gave his children liberal educational advantages. Nathaniel Powell, a provincial governor of Virginia, was one of his earliest ancestors. When a boy, his father moved to Sparta, Georgia, where Dr. Powell received his education at the famous school conducted by Richard Malcolm Johnson. He then taught school, and with the means raised in this way, acquired his Medical education. He graduated at the Georgia Medical College, in Augusta, in 1859. January 12th., 1860, he married Miss Frances Augusta Birdsong. To them were born two children: Julia and Harriet Summers. Dr. Powell enlisted in the Confederate Army and served in the battles around Richmond until August, 1862, when he accepted an appointment as Assistant physician at the Georgia State Sanitarium. In 1879, upon the death of Dr. T. F. Green, Dr. Powell was elected unanimously by the Board of Trustees as Superintendent of this Institution, and served as such until his death. He was a steward of the Methodist Church, a trustee of Masonic Hall, a Mason, Knight Templar, and a Shriner. He held membership in the Georgia Medical Association, and was also a member of the American Medico-psycological Association. He published a paper on the Phsychiatry of the Southern States, which is considered very valuable to his profession. He died August 18, 1907. Rev. G. G. Smith of Macon, Ga., has written a very interesting biography of Dr. Powell. OBITUARY NOTICE OF DR. T. O. POWELL By DR. J. T. SEARCY. Dr. T. O, Powell died at Tate Springs, Ga. on the 18th day of last August. He was President of this Association during its session in Baltimore, in 1897. ----------------- p. 92 Dr. Powell was born in Brunswick County, Virginia, in 1837, and was in his seventieth year at the time of his death. His father moved to Georgia when he was a child. He received his academic and his professional education in that State—his medical diploma from the College in Augusta, in 1859. The civil war beginning soon after, he enlisted in the Confederate Army and was elected Assistant Surgeon in the 49th Ga. Regiment. He accepted the appointment of Assistant Physician in the State Institution for the Insane at Milledgeville in 1862. He held that position for seventeen years under the superintendency of Dr. Green, who died in 1879. Dr. Powell was promptly elected his successor. For twenty-eight years he remained Superintendent, until his death. For forty-five years he was a medical officer in the same State institution. I do not know an instance like it, notable for continuous length of service. It speaks well for Georgia, where, for that length of time, politics were not allowed to interfere with the official management of its insane. Dr. Powell saw his Hospital grow from a few patients to one of the largest in this country, numbering nearly three thousand at the time of his death. He left it in most excellent shape. Dr. Powell and Miss Frances Birdsong, of Hancock County, Ga., were married in 1860. Of their two daughters, Mrs. Conn and Mrs. West, the latter is still living and resides with her mother at their home in Milledgeville. Mrs. Powell generally accompanied her husband to the Sessions of the Association, and was always an interesting and attractive presence—an excellent type of a devoted wife, a true lady. Their constant attendance will be greatly missed. Dr. Powell was a member of the Georgia Medical Association of which he was president in 1887; he was also a member of the American Medical Association. He was an officer in the Methodist Church; a Sir Knight Templar, and a Mason. ----------------- p. 93 His presidential address at Baltimore, in 1897, was an exceptionally valuable paper, filled principally with the history of State care of the insane in the Southern States. It showed great research and great personal acquaintance with the early history of the various institutions. No man could have been found better equipped for writing such a history. This paper will remain valuable through all time as a reference sheet in the history of Psychiatry in the country. The obsequies attending the funeral of Dr. Powell were held from the Georgia Sanitarium the day after his death. His body was buried in the cemetery at Milledgeville. State Officials, members of his profession, representatives from his church, and the various organizations to which he belonged, all delivered eulogies to his memory. They were all filled with the highest encomiums of regard and appreciation of his noble, gentlemanly, Christian characteristics. To quote from the remarks of Judge Lawson: "We venture to say that he carried with him into the invisable world the unstinted love of the people among whom he lived and who had known him so long. They loved him for the modesty of his demeanor, the purity of his character, the loftiness of his purpose, the nobility of his nature, the sincerity of his friendship, his myraids of acts of kindness and generosity among men, for his social graces and domestic virtues, and for his fidelity to the great charity which his State had committed to his hands." As a great admirer of Dr. Powell and a close personal friend for a long number of years, I feel unequal to the task of doing justice to his memory. There is a great vacancy at this meeting without him. That two such men as Powell and Murphy should have dropped out of our ranks, and from the list of my immediate friends, in one year leaves a void that is palpable at every turn. ----------------- p. 94 LODRICK MATHEWS JONES Lodrick Mathews Jones, son of Thomas H. and Martha Tharp Jones, was born in Twiggs County, Georgia, April 28, 1850. He grew to manhood on his father's plantation, was educated in the country schools and later attended Mercer University. After leaving the University, he taught in the public schools of Twiggs county, and at the same time studied medicine under Dr. William O'Daniel, in preparation for his chosen work. ? He graduated from the Atlanta Medical College in 1878, and from then until 1883 engaged in a general medical practice in Wilkinson County. In 1883 he was assistant physician at the Georgia State Sanitarium, in which capacity he served until 1907, when he was made Superintendent of the Sanitarium. He served this institution faithfully and efficiently until his death on December 7, 1922. DR. ROGER C. SWINT Dr. Roger C. Swint was born in Washington County, Dec. 26, 1875. He is a son of Moses T. Swint and Elmira Cook Swint. The former a native Georgian and Confederate veteran; the latter a daughter of Alabama. Dr. Swint received his literary education at a county school in Washington County, the Linton High School in Hancock County, the Hephzibah High School in Richmond County, and Mercer University. He studied medicine one year under the preceptorship of Dr. William Rawlings, of Sandersville and entered the medical department of the University of •Georgia where he graduated with second honor in the class of 1898. Dr. Swint came as interne to the Georgia State Sanitarium in 1901. Served as assistant physician for fourteen and one-half years. Was clinical director for five years, and was elected superin- ----------------- p. 95 tendent Jan., 1923, to succeed the lamented Dr. L. M. Jones. Dr. Swint married Miss Mary Glenn Stone, the daughter of Dr. R. G. Stone of Linton, Georgia, in 1902. DR. CHARLES HENRY BASS "Dr. Charles Henry Bass was born in Hancock County February 3, 1830. His parents lived in Thomas-ton. His father, Dr. Larkin Bass practiced medicine. When Charles was four years old his father died, soon after his mother, Mrs. Mary Rabun Bass, a daughter of Governor William Rabun moved back to Sparta where Charles grew up. He graduated at the Augusta Medical College, and commenced the practice of medicine at Marietta, Ga. In the spring of 1856, he was elected assistant physician of the State Sanitarium, office left vacant by the death of Dr. Holmes. "At the beginning of the War between the States, Dr. Bass joined an Artillery Co., Dr. Beck in command. He was elected surgeon of the company. As artillery was not needed for some time the company disbanded. Before it was disbanded, Dr. Bass was taken with severe hemorrhages of the lungs and was honorably discharged. In the fall of 1862 he moved to Cobb County, where he and a friend had a large tan-yard. He said if he could not fight for the Confederacy, he could have leather made and sold for reasonable prices. His hemorrhages returning, he came back to Midway. He was re-elected as one of the Assistant Physicians, which place he held until his death in 1872." The fore-going short sketch was written by his widow nearing her eighty-eighth birthday. She said nothing of her husband's character or gifts. He was one of whom it might be said that fear was unknown to him. As a little boy when his sister had forgotten her books he would go at night alone through a long stretch of dark woods to bring them to her. In ----------------- p. 96 dealing with the patients under his care at the Sanitarium the same fearlessness was displayed. On one occasion, a lunatic, a large, powerful man, a Lieutenant in the old United States Navy, had secured a long knife and when Dr. Bass came into the hall threw him to the floor and sprang upon him. As he raised his arm to strike, Dr. Bass with all his strength threw the lieutenant backward and with the agility of a cat sprang to the door and closed it after him. Dr. Bass was slight in body, very handsome in face, with large gray eyes, and black, soft hair. He was gentle as a woman, with sympathetic understanding of all with whom he came in contact; a fine writer on both literary and scientific subjects. His most conspicuous characteristics were displayed in family relationships; as son, husband, brother, and father. Of him beyond most others are applicable the words of Bayard Taylor: "The bravest are the tenderest, the loving are the daring." J. W. WILCOX In 1871 the Trustees of the Georgia Lunatic Asylum advertised for an expert to put up a system of gas, to replace lamps and candles. After consultation with Dr. C. H. Hall and other clear headed men, Mr. Wilcox applied for the position and was employed. In 1866 he had built gas works for Athens, Ga. After the work was completed, the Trustees, in April, elected Mr. Wilcox, Engineer. Finding the former one quite infirm and intending to resign, he accepted with two conditions: If he proved his ability, the Engineer was to be put on list of officers subject only to the orders of Dr. Green, Supt. His family moved to Midway in June. Next came the plans for a water works system to replace wells which were becoming a menace to health as the Institution was growing rapidly. Mrs. Green, Matron, and wife of Supt., had urged the use of a spring about three miles ----------------- p. 97 away; pipes were laid, a pump house built and all soon approved by the Legislature. During the fourteen years of office the heating plant was erected, also the steam laundry (the loss of outside labor was found enormous). The first was burned by an incendiary, and a second was built, in which was a drying room invented by Mr. Wilcox and copied by Alabama and South Carolina Asylums. The front yards were laid out, and fountain constructed of scrap material, the means being small. A bakery was established, the back yard graded and two small fountains erected, with many other improvements. Mr. Wilcox said he wished every place he had charge of, to be beautiful, and his engine room was a wonder to all. All the officers with their families were his friends and regretted his leaving. In 1883, Mr. Wilcox decided he had done his work as constructing Engineer, and did not just want to run the Institution, he accepted a position in Macon as Supt. of Gas and Water works. The Trustees offered him every inducement in salary and power to remain; finding he had decided to leave, they asked him to choose his successor: Thinking a Georgian should be chosen, he tried several, but none proved right. He then invited the present incumbent to come from Charleston, S. C., to spend a week in his home. He' came, studied the situation and returned home. On the ninth of June, Mr. De Saussure's name was given. The Trustees accepted it and Mr. Wilcox phoned a telegram to the Milledgeville office. Mr. De Saussure came on the 18th of June and the keys were handed to the new engineer and Mr. Wilcox left for Macon the next morning. Mr. De Saussure was made consulting Engineer for one year by the Trustees but on June the first an effort was made to shorten the term to six months. An act of ingratitude, but the State finally paid him full salary. ----------------- p. 98 During General Gordon's reign as Governor, at the request of Bishop Beckwith, Captain Wilcox was made trustee and held the office under other governors for ten years; finally resigning because his business as Macon Engineer had become such as to prevent meeting with the Trustees, and he did not think his absence right or just to the State. Now he sleeps in the cemetary of Milledgeville and each year the children of our old and valued friends place flowers on Memorial day where he is wrapped in the starry flag of his heart, waiting for the last call which will be "Well done good and faithful Servant." T. H. DeSASSURE Civil, Mechanical, and Electrical Engineer of Georgia State Sanitarium. On January 19, 1884, T. H. DeSaussure came to Milledgeville, Ga. from Charleston, South Carolina, to succeed Mr. J. W. Wilcox, as Engineer of the Sanitarium. He has already served in that capacity for forty years. When he came, there were 1146 patients, now, in 1924, there are about 4200. During the forty years he has supervised the building of the water-works, Twin Buildings, Green Building, addition to negro building, and the Nurses Home. He was born March 2nd, 1851. He was married December 5,1878, to Miss Mellicent Colcock Hutson of Aiken, South Carolina—(deceased), and had six children: Thomas, Hutson, Lila, (deceased), Mellicent, (Mrs. W. B. Furman), Ruth (Mrs. R. K. Furman), and Mary, (Mrs. G. E. McWorther). Six grandchildren: Thomas, William, Caroline, and Mellicent Furman, children of Mrs. W. B. Furman; George Ellsworth, and Mellicent McWorther, children of Mrs. G. E. McWhorter. Additional Comments: From: Part II HISTORY of BALDWIN COUNTY GEORGIA BY MRS. ANNA MARIA GREEN COOK ILLUSTRATED ANDERSON. S. C. Keys-Hearn Printing Co. -1925— File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/baldwin/history/other/gms245historyo.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 37.4 Kb