History of Texas, Together with a Biographical History of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson Counties. Page: 143

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for additional asylum room for the accommnodation
of the hundreds of insane persons then
confined in jails and on poor farms throughout
the State.'
The buildings are constructed on the latest
and most improved plan of hospitals for the
insane, and contain all modern conveniences
for the treatment of the insane.
The actual running expenses for the year
were $95,226.04; cost of maintaining inmates,
per capita per year, $170; per week,
$3.26. The estimated value of the buildings,
grounds, furniture and other appurtenances,
is $261,765. Number of officers connected
with the institution, 5; employes, 42.
STATE ORPHAN ASYLUM.
The creation of an orphan asylum was
contemplated and provided for by the founders
of our State government, who gave it the
same land endowments bestowed on other
charitable institutions. This institution was
required to be established by an act of the
Twentieth Legislature, approved April 4,
1887. The governor was required to appoint
three commissioners to select a site for the
asylum. Competition between the various
towns in the State for the location of the institution
was invited, which resulted in the
selection of Corsicana, in Navarro county.
The sum of $5,700 was appropriated out of
the available Orphan Asylum fund for the
establishment of the institution. Subsequently,
at the special session of the Twentieth
Legislature, $15,000 and the available
fund to the credit of the asylum in the State
treasury was appropriated for the erection of
buildings and other improvements.
The site on which the asylum is located
and the surrounding scenery are unsurpassed
by any place in the State for their beauty and

adaptability for such an institution. Tlhe
buildings, which are constructed on the cottage
plan, and have a capacity of about 200
inmates, were conl:pletedl and the institutionl
formally opened July 15, 1889.
From the date of thle opening of the in
stitution, November 1, 1890, 60 children23
girls and 31 boys-had been received into
the home. Of those two ran away and four
were returned to friends, leaving 54 in the
institution.
The expenses of the asylnm for the seventeen
months ending October 31, 1890,
amounted to $13,993.63.
The asylum is governed by a board of
managers who are appointed by the governor,
and have power to prescribe rules and regulations
for the admission of inmates and control
of the institution.
All orphan children under the age of fourteen
years shall be admitted, subject only to
such restrictions as the board deem necessary
to the welfare and good government of the
asylum.
The superintendent is required to keep a
list of the names and ages of all children,
with such data as may be obtainable concerning
their history, subject at all times to
public inspection. He is also required to
see that their pro rata of the public school
fund is set aside, and to provide them with
proper educational facilities.
STATE HOUSE OF CORRECTION AND REFORMATORY.
By act of the Twentieth Legislature, approved
March 29, 1887, a State house of
correction and reformatory for youthful
convicts was provided for, and the governor
required to appoint a commission to locate
the same. The institution was located two
and one-fourth miles northeast of Gatesville,

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