OFFICERS OF THE HOSPITAL.

Trustees,

C. N. HOLDEN, Chicago, President.
OLIVER EVERETT, M. D., Dixon.
HENRY SHERMAN, ESQ., Elgin.

Secretary,

R. W. PADELFORD, Elgin.

Treasurer,

ORLANDO DAVIDSON, Elgin.

Architect,

COL. S. V. SHIPMAN, Chicago.

Resident Officers,

EDWIN A. KILBOURNE, M. D., Medical Superintendent.
RICHARD S. DEWEY, First Assistant Physician.

GEORGE CLARKSON, Clerk.

MRS. F. M. PORTER, Matron.

P. HAID, SARAH H. HUGHES, Supervisors.
B. A. HOLDEN, Farmer.

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES.

TO HIS EXCELLENCY JOHN M. PALMER, Governor :

At the date of our first report (Dec. 15, 1870) we had expended $105,000 in the erection of the north wing of this institution, which was then inclosed. At that session of the Legislature an appropriation was made for the rear building, and for heating, sewerage, farming and maintenance, for one year; also, for furniture for 150 patients.

We proceeded to advertise for proposals for building and sewerage, with heating, and let the contracts-a full report of which appears in the report of S. V. Shipman, architect, herewith. The fire, of Oct. 9th, in Chicago, caused much delay in finishing the work, the contractors losing material, work, and means to finish in time. Our heating apparatus was much delayed, and when ready we found it necessary to keep it running for some time, in order to sufficiently dry the entire building, or rather to season it, that patients might not suffer from the effects of a new building in cold weather. We also experienced a severe loss of water as the deep frost came on (freezing four feet), which seemed to stop the usually large flow of water from our spring, which now gave no more water than our boilers used. We were in hopes this would return as the frost gave away-but it did not; we yet hope to regain it, believing the flow to have been sent off in the gravelly soil by the frost.

In September, 1871, we elected Dr. E. A. Kilbourne superintendent, and he proceeded to contract for and purchase the necessary furniture, bedding, carpets, etc., to fit up ready for patients; he employed help, and much work was done in the institution, making it ready. When we were finally ready for patients, we found it necessary to supply our deficiency of water by teams, and at once set about some new means of supply.

The institution is about 3000 feet from the river, but a rise of 70 feet prevents raising water with the power at the hospital. We had recourse to a new reservoir, which we then put in 24x24, and 15 feet deep, well walled up, near the river, where we found an in-flow of pure spring water, which rises two feet above the level of the river-the supply be

ing ample for all purposes. Here we erected a good brick engine and coal house, and laid a three inch cast pipe to the asylum, putting in a good engine, pump and boiler, all of which work well and give us plenty of pure water, thus putting the water question beyond doubt, with a prospect of a general supply from our former spring, as soon as we can dig and tamp around it.

The present wing was built for 150 patients, with the use of a main building, in which would be rooms for the superintendents, reception, apothecary and office rooms; but by economizing room, not over-crowding patients, we found we could, as we are, keep more than 150 patients, and having many applications not accepted, we purchased furniture for 30 more, and have now 183 patients in the asylum. And it is pleasing to know, by experience, that our building will hold some 50 to 60 more patients when the main building is done than we were expected to care for in this wing. In opening and filling the asylum with patients, we found many things necessary to be done and provided not figured for, as do most housekeepers, especially if they start out on a large scale. We had no asylum horses, or carriages, or vehicles, to take patients to or from the depot, or air needy patients, or go of errands by express for necessary articles of want. We had no asylum barn, the farm barns being in use for farm purposes, no cribs and no barn for corn. We had $1500 to build a barn, but, upon careful estimate, found that we could not erect one at all suitable or adequate, for that sum. We therefore sought bids for a brick barn, of suitable size, and, obtaining very low bids, we gave Messrs. Bushnell & Co. the contract for a good barn, suitable in all respects for present and future uses of this institution-for particulars see architect's report. We have borrowed a passenger wagon, to air the patients, purchased an express wagon and horse, but the asylum needs more and better articles of this kind, and we ask for appropriations therefor.

Our farming for the season has proved quite satisfactory. Much of our land, and especially the donated farm, was badly run down. This we sowed with oats, and have seeded it down to grasses. Our crops consisted of 100 acres of corn, of which 15 acres was broom corn. We have planted a four acre hop yard, which will yield, next year, and afford pleasant and profitable labor to patients. We secured 25 tons of hay, 3500 bushels of oats, and 3000 bushels of corn, and cultivated some ten acres of a fine garden, for vegetables, mostly by patients, giving them health, labor and healthy food. We have, of stock, 21 cows, with hogs, sheep and farm teams. Our experience, thus far, in farming, has satisfied us that it can easily be made profitable, and that the State has no more land at this institution than will be needed and prove desirable— we have therefore sold none.