May is Mental Health Month

While looking for Wilburn Turner (1845-1916) using Full Text search at FamilySearch, I noticed he was listed several times for jury duty.  So far these cases have all been to determine if a fellow citizen of the county should be declared a lunatic.  There appears to be a standard process to these cases.  The poor soul's affliction was described briefly, determination of personal assets available, the family's ability to financially care for him or her, and whether they were a true citizen of the state or if there was any evidence they had been brought into Kentucky to be made a charge of the state.

The following are my  abstracted summary notes of Laurel County Court orders 

Aug 25, 1873 John Martin that he lost his mind some 2 month since, cause not Known.  He born in Clay County Ky, was not brought in to this State to become a charge.  He has a small farm worth about $ 200, his parent have lived in Clay county but not able to labor in whole or part for his support in his present condition.  He is about 30 years of age is married has wife & 4 children. Found not of sound mind, the court adjudged him a lunatic and order he be conveyed to Eastern Lunatic Asylum at Lexington.  

Nov 11, 1878 Osias Smith. Jury finds he is a lunatic, his mind has been affected since about the year 1868 and recently his mind has become a great deal worse, He is considerable more trouble the cause seems to be from affliction of the Brain caused by fright and Self abuse.  Born in Laurel county, he has not been brought into the State to become a charge.  He is about 38 years of age, he is incapable of labor in whole or in part for his support and his parents are dead and left no estate sufficient for his support. Found to be a Lunatic by the verdict of a Jury and Judgment of a court none of his family has been insane.  he be immediately conveyed to the Eastern Lunatic asylum of Ky and that Joseph C W Loves be and is hereby appointed a Committee to convey him to said asylum. 

Feb 12, 1879 Nellie Wright charged to be of unsound mind that she is a Lunatic her mind has been affected for same 3 years recently it has become a great deal worse. She resides in Laurel County and has for 40 years She has no estate is incapable of labor in whole or in part for her support, her parents are dead and left no estate for her support she has never heretofore been found to be a lunatic. Her age is about 77 years  Occupation - She is a widow. Her first attack was in 1875 - no cause except Trouble and old age.  Jury above find Nellie Wright Lunatic

Apr 28,1884 Amanda Lickliter that she lost her mind some 12 month since. She is about 48 years old cause of Insanity not Known. Her parents are both dead she has no Estate.  She is married and has been some 20 years has no children she is not able to labor in whole or in part for her support her Husband has no Estate Sufficient for her support. Adjudged to be a Lunatic and that she be mundially conveyed to the same by W. R. Jones

The Kentucky Eastern Lunatic Asylum in Fayette County, KY was established by a legislative act of December 4, 1822 and is the second oldest mental hospital in the United States. On May 1,1824 the hospital, known then as the Kentucky Lunatic Asylum, welcomed it's first patient. There were a dozen name changes over the decades. The first medical director was not appointed until 1844.

  Generally non-violent insane were to be maintained in private homes, those sent to the hospital were no longer tame enough to be kept at home. At first the asylum was mostly just custodial care, restraints including strait jackets, leather cuffs, chains were commonly used. 

Methods of treatment varied over the years based on prevailing medical theory of the time and the level of public interest and concern for these out of sight patients.

   Many employees lived on the grounds as part of their pay compensation. Resident patients worked many of the jobs necessary to keep the facilty functioning such as farming, maintenance, cooking, laundry. Most food was grown on the facility grounds. IBM purchased over 300 acres of this farmland in 1956.