inebriates. The legislature of 1878, considering this point, and in view of the determined opposition to the inebriate asylum to be built and maintained on this plan, repealed the act levying the tax, and changed it to the second Minnesota hospital for insane, with the proviso, however, that inebriates should be admitted into the institution, and cared for and treated at the expense of the State on the same basis as the insane.

The building was in an unfinished condition, consisting of a center and small east wing, which were only under roof, without inside finish, and without any outbuildings, such as laundry and engine house.

The trustees examined the property and recognized the unsuitableness of the structure for the purposes of an insane hospital, and the fact that it would necessarily require many changes to adapt it to this new object. Owing to these objections the hospital trustees hesitated to accept the transfer; but the urgency for room was so great that they reluctantly accepted it, to do the best they could with it. An appropriation of $15,000 accompanied the transfer as a fund to be used in preparing the building for the accommodation of patients. This was done in the summer of 1878.

Dr. J. E. Bowers, with over ten years' experience as first assistant physician at St. Peter, was elected superintendent, and the Rev. A. H. Kerr, who had been a trustee from the beginning of the hospital, was chosen steward. On January 1, 1879, the institution was opened for the reception of patients. Transfers were made from St. Peter and new cases were admitted, and the accommodations for 100 men were soon filled.

The legislature of 1880 granted $20,000 for the erection of a wing on the west side for women. This was put up in the summer of 1880, and was just ready for the furniture and heating apparatus when the terrible fire occurred at St. Peter. The means for furnishing and heating was immediately provided. The building was hastily completed, and furnished room for over 100 women, who were transferred to relieve the crowded condition of the first hospital. In 1882 a large extension was built on the men's side, making room for 200, and costing when furnished $76,000. In 1883 and 1884 a similar wing was built on the west side for women, costing when furnished $83,000, thus completing the design of the main structure, with a capacity for 600 patients. The building of the detached ward for women, authorized by the legislature of 1887, was completed and accepted for occupancy on the 12th of February, 1890.

In addition to the main buildings there have been erected an engine house and chimney, coal house, electric light plant, ice house, cold storage, laundry, carpenter shop, greenhouse and storehouse. The hospital is provided with a system of waterworks, consisting of four well strainers and a 900-foot well, capable of affording 200.000 gallons per day, with two Worthington duplex pumps to force the water into a reservoir on the bluff, holding 250,000 gallons.

A cave cellar has been excavated in the sandrock bluff, with bins capable of holding thousands of bushels of vegetables. Aside from being a curiosity, it is unexcelled for usefulness.

Expenditures for betterments the last two years have been $35,000, for electric light plant, new plumbing and new boilers, being special appropriations for that purpose.

The hospital farm contains 515 acres, and the trustees report that a larger amount of land could profitably be used in furnishing employment to inmates. The total inventory of all property, independent of food, on July 31, 1898, was about $698,000.

The total number of inmates July 31, 1898-692 men and 504 women.

In 1885 the legislature established a commission to locate a third hospital in the northern section of the State. The commission received several propositions from important towns in the section designated, and finally accepted the proposal from Fergus Falls. The State secured the title to 636 acres of land, and in 1887 the legislature formally located the hospital and established the same at Fergus Falls, and appropriated $94,280 therefor, of which amount $24,280 was designated as payment for the land, $50,000 for building and furnishing a detached ward, and $20,000 for boiler house and engine, laundry, shops and stables, and for sewerage and water connections. The appropria tion for buildings contemplated the erection of so much as would be necessary to accommodate 300 persons. In 1889 an additional appropriation of $65,000 was made. The total amount of appropriations since 1889, excluding those for current expenses and extraordinary repairs, is $716,500. The expenditures on building account to July 31, 1898, amount to $780,359.94. The ward buildings are now completed, with the exception of the east detached wing.

The hospital was opened July 29, 1890, at which time eighty insane patients were transferred from the first hospital, and three were admitted from adjacent counties, showing a population of eighty-three at the close of the fiscal year. The number of inmates at hospital July 31, 1898, was 1.061. Current expenses for the year ending July 31, 1898, $160,258.07. Total value of hospital property is $915,925.30.