while in the hospitals of the state shall be borne by the state, a measure of beneficence in the nature of an institutional reform, which is now being adopted by other commonwealths.

ON. GEORGE W. LEIDIGH, warden of the Nebraska State Penitentiary at Lincoln, was born in Philadelphia in 1850, and came to Nebraska City in the month of May, 1870. The following year he moved to Kansas and took up a homestead in Jewell county, improved the same for a time, and returned to Nebraska City, where he has lived ever since. He was married to Sarah L. McConiga, of Otoe county, in September, 1873. He has for many years been one of the best known business men in the city of his adoption, and has been engaged in the grocery, provision, lumber, coal, ice, harness, and stock commission business. He has exercised a controlling influence in Otoe county politics and in 1892 was elected to the house of representatives of the twenty-third session of the state legislature, and was one of the members who participated in the election of Hon. William V. Allen to the United States senatorship. Warden Leidigh has established an excellent reputation for himself as a public officer, and has intro-
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duced simple and effective business methods in the management of the state's great penal institution. He possesses the firmness so essential to his post of duty, and at the same time exhibits an unselfish, kind, and charitable disposition.

R. ROBERT DAMERELL, superintendent of the Asylum for the Chronic Insane, located at Hast-

ings, was born September 5, 1852, at Peoria, Illinois. He remained on the farm with his parents until about eighteen years of age, embracing all advantages offered

by the common schools of his district. In 1869 he entered Central Wesleyan College at Warrenton, Missouri, studied for three years, and engaged in teaching. He took up the study of medicine under a preceptor and afterwards entered Rush Medical College, from which he graduated in medicine and surgery in 1882. The young man had taught and worked to earn sufficient money to pay the expense of his own education. He returned to his home in Hancock county, Illinois, but soon thereafter came to Nebraska and entered upon the practice of his profession at Red Cloud. Here he established a large and lucrative business, and built up a splendid reputation in the community. He was appointed assistant surgeon of the B. & M. railroad in 1888, and held that position until his appointment as superintendent of the Hastings institution by Governor Holcomb. He has rendered to the state during the two years of his management an able and economical service. Dr. Damerell is peculiarly fitted, both by natural temperament and thorough education, for the responsible duties imposed upon the managing head of a state institution such as the Hastings asylum.