For 200 years in mental asylums across the country, the depressed, deformed and disabled, closely shared living space with the most diabolic, deranged, and demonic psychopaths to ever walk among us. And all were subjected to inhumane "cures" of monstrous cruelty under the mask of compassion. In this first episode in a powerful two-part series of the Hist-eerie podcast, Diane Ladley, "America's Ghost Storyteller", delves into the horrific history of asylums during their most infamous years. The second episode explores the hauntings at the Elgin paupers' cemetery and old asylum buildings.  As a bonus, it features actual, untouched recordings of mysterious paranormal activity that was captured on the asylum grounds and cemetery during several of Diane's former Haunted Hometowns, Inc. ghost tours. Not for younger or more sensitive listeners!