Though patients were not usually happy to be at an insane asylum, many could still enjoy themselves and have fun under the right circumstances. The Daily Northwestern in Oshkosh, Wisconsin wrote that during one Christmas party, patients enjoyed seeing one of the doctors receive a good-natured gag gift. The patients were delighted with their own gifts, which had been distributed amid festive decorations and a beautiful Christmas tree. However . . .

“Another present worthy of mention was an elegant box of cobwebs received by Dr. Pember who was made the victim of a good joke which many of the patients as well as attendants enjoyed. It appears that the doctor has a great habit of going around the building and upsetting chairs, tables, etc., in search of cobwebs for which it is alleged he has a great abhorrence. As a sort of a take off on his pet pleasure the attendants gathered some cobwebs and gave the doctor a carefully packed box of them,” the paper reported in 1885.

The Daily Northwestern continued: “Messrs. Brightrall, Roberts and Anderson, the gentlemen supervisors, and Misses Mitchell, Schultz and Casey, the lady supervisors, Harry Baum, the druggist, T.J. Vaughn, the steward, Mr. Neville, the warden, Miss Hale, the matron, Dr. Wiggington and his amiable wife and every officer and attendant connected with the institution deserve a deal of credit for the work which they certainly must have done to make the entertainment a success.” The paper added, “One thing is noticeable at the hospital and that is the kindly feeling which all of the patients have for Dr. and Mrs. Wigginton.”

Though some of this commentary may or may not have been typical hyperbole, various patient memoirs show that patients and staff could indeed develop respect, love, and camaraderie for each other.