The committee on the Fergus Falls asylum has just returned. We have staked out the site for the hospital, ordered the sewerage and water pipes put in, and requested the architect to submit the plans for the new building, at our next meeting, in August. (The Minneapolis Tribune, Thursday, June 9, 1887, Page 3)
The bids being over the amount appropriated for the building by the last legislature, all were rejected, and nothing now will be done until the next meeting of the board, in February. The architect chosen was W. B. Dunnell, who was also yesterday selected by the Soldiers’ Home commission to draft the plans for the buildings to be erected at Minnehaha. (Saint Paul Daily Globe, Wednesday, December 21, 1887, Page 2)
Sealed proposals will be received by the undersigned Secretary of the Board of Trustees, Minnesota Hospitals for Insane, until 8 p. m., January 23, 1888, for building a detached ward to Third hospital for insane at Fergus Falls, Minn. Amended copies of plans and specifications can be procured of W. B. Dunnell, “architect,” 408 Nicollet avenue, Minneapolis, or at the office of M. R. Tyler at Fergus Falls. (Saint Paul Daily Globe, Tuesday, January 3, 1888, Page 7)
O. R. Mather was the successful bidder, and according to his contract the new building, which must be completed during the present year, will be a three-story brick structure with stone trimmings. It is to be a detached ward, with large rooms for the accommodation of mild patients, and will eventually be annexed to the main building when an appropriation is made large enough to justify the inauguration of such a structure. Under the act passed by the last legislature but $50,000 was set apart for the Fergus Falls institution, which will afford shelter for the overflow from the Rochester and St. Peter asylums. (Saint Paul Daily Globe, Wednesday, January 25, 1888, Page 2)
The trustees of insane hospitals last Tuesday awarded the contract for finishing the detached ward of the Fergus Falls asylum to Carlyle & Sons, of Minneapolis, for $13,967, the contract for the main wing going to O. R. Mather, of Mankato, at $43,000. (The North, Minneapolis, Wednesday, July 10, 1889, Page 1)
The Fergus Falls Insane Asylum will be ready for occupancy next spring. (The Minneapolis Tribune, Monday, August 12, 1889, Page 5)
Trustees of the Fergus Falls insane asylum have decided to open the institution July 15. Sixty patients will be transferred from other asylums. (The Dodge County Republican, Kasson, Thursday, May 22, 1890, Page 2)
The first installment of eighty insane patients has arrived at Fergus Falls from St. Peter asylum, and are at the asylum in that city. The car containing them was run to the door of the asylum, and the transfer made without confusion or disturbance. The patients are all men and will be set at work about the asylum and grounds at once. (Jamestown Weekly Alert, Thursday, August 7, 1890, Page 6)
O. R. Mather, the asylum contractor, died at Fergus Falls. (The Worthington Advance, Thursday, November 5, 1891, Page 2)