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I was a Talented Lead Guitarist, & my "Job" was "Keeping Mrs. Francis Shelden's Guitars Tuned & Stringed!" Mrs. Shelton (Not Sure of Spelling) was the Activities Director, the Auditorium was Her Domain. We had Dances at least once a month.

The Guitars that were Property of The State were 2 Gibson Les Paul Electrics, & a Gretsch New Yorker Acoustic Arch Top jazz Guitar, and in 1974 they were Stolen. Go Figure.

I met any number of Famous "Texas Playboys Band" Members, who taught me "Hot Licks." Benton has the Best Alcoholism Treatment Program in the 1960's, and many Big Country Swing band members were Tookin there to "Dry Out!" Consequently some Impromptu Concerts were "Staged" by my U.S. Army, Enlisted Mens Club trained Grandmother- she was able to Travel to Hollywood during WW2 to Recruit Entertainers for "Camp Gruber" in Muskogee. Okla.

 I am 65 Now, bad memory. Correction I am 72 Years old now and still senile.

Hello, I would like to add a little Personal Info on the "Old" New Canteen. I was the Child of the Director Of Recreation at ASH-Benton State Hospital Colony, Mrs. Nedra R. Bernay. She was Hired 1962, and this Canteen was in the Basement of Building 70. I remember going there when I was 12 Years old, in 1968 I became a Patient on that Building, however, I was not allowed "Grounds" privileges. My Grandmother, Mrs. Bernay (Called "Ned" or "Mrs. Nedra") would bring me "snacks" up to the Ward. I recall her "Office" was in the Area, there. I was a Patient there until it closed as a Mental Hospital, upon which I went to ASH- Little Rock. My School Friends, Jimmy Catton & Wayne ?? & others Also took Employment in Little Rock.

As Patients we all that were able to Work did so, & Received a $6.00 "Canteen Book" for a weeks work, which, considering Prices in 1962-1969, We could really Whoop it Up!
Well, some patients were so violent that only a Lobotomy could keep them from Self Harm. I was at Benton State Hospital, Ark. in 1960,s and we had a Chronic Ward , yes, 'Snake Pit" and I remember when it was shut down, But Arkansas State Hospitals (only 2 of them, little rock and Benton) Fed Very Very good food, Patients always Gained Weight, The Director, Dr. Thompson, believed Good Food was Therepedic and Helped the patients Recover. In 1962 Most patients diagnosed as Schizophrenic left in One Year. In 1972 most Schizophrenics left in 2-3 Months.
There were No Restraints or Camisoles [strait jackets] ever used, in 1990's Benton State Hosp. became a Prison Unit.