New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-03-03
RUMORED BARBARITTES IN THE UTICA
INSANE ASYLUM.

The Utica Asylum affair is crestng considerable
attention in Albany. The following is the petition of
the Coroners Jury:
To the Honorable Legislature Of ne State Of ker York,
Senate and dsstnbiy concerned
We. y g NJ dersigped, a Coroner's Jury for the
County Of Madison, summoned in the case o! Norris
Torbe J. late of Brookfeld, in said county deceased,
respectfully represent that said Torbell atacsej
with acute mania; that on Tuesday, the 22i day of
November last, while at an auction in the neighbor-
hood of his residence, he became much excited and
violent refusing restraint from his friends that this
restraint was no more than what was necessary TO
prevent bis Djuring those about him, and not OF EDd
OF degree to nure hiIn; that he was taken from the
auction to the houae Of Mrs. Clarke. his mother IN
law where he was closely watched by his friends;
that on Thursday morning, Nov. "a, he became very
raving and violent; that his brotherin law, +. a.
CLARKE, with others, rushed into the room, Clarke
eeizing him bt the collar Of his coat around his arms
pushing him few feet 10 lounge on which Torbell
fell fairly on one side Clarke falling upon his knees By
the side of the lounge with Torbes face against his
vest, as was shown by the white froth from Torbes
mouth found on the vest of Clarke afterward he WAS
secured BY tying his arms that in the afternoon he be-
came quiet and more rational asking the forgiveness
of hose he had attempted TO inure, and expressing
hope that he had not injured them, and in answer TO
repeated questions that evening and the next
morning, said he was not injured, except a
slight bruise on one hand and a scratch on
his little finger, which he received at the
auction that the doctors who examined him three IN
number discovered no signs OF injury, the neighbors
who attended him constantly discovered Done On
Friday the 18th Of November, when they started for
he yum with him. he manifested no difficulty in
getting into the wagon III which he was conveyed to
Utica neither did he make any complaint while on
the WAY except of strap with which his arms were
confined which he said hurt his arms. When they
arrived at the Asylum he manifested no difficulty in
going up the steps going up stairs in the institution
and danced along the hall on his way TO his apart
menta. When he was bathed, those bathing him dis
oatfr
TO them to expect injury; neither did the phys
clan who examined him on reception. He was put in
crib bed and kept in this until two days before he
died. After he had been there several days it was
discovered that he had some difficulty of the lungs
which the physician attributed TO congestion OF the
lungs. The difficulty increased, and on Dec. the
friends Of deceased were informed that he was IN
critical condition and that they might vist him. On or
sbout the 9th of December the physicians made the
discovery that the patient was suffering from an injury
which had fractured ribs on both sides and the stern
uu. He died on the morning Of the 18th OF December
and on post norton examination it was found that
be came to his death from injuries inflicted his chest
producing inflammation Of the lungs. The sternum
was found broken in two pieces; Il 70 ribs upon one
tide snd two upon the other were fractured and one
or two bic fracture. The officers OF the insu-
tion from their inquiry, came to the conclusion that
Torben received the injur before being received
into the Asylum, and so testified before the Jury.
The Jury, after bearing all the testimony,
and especially the conflicting testimony of the
attendants together with medical testimony, unani-
mously came to the conclusion that the injuries
were inflicted at the Asylum; that since the pub
LEGATION of the verdict Of the Jury garbed statement
of facts has been put forth in the papers Of the
City Of Utica calculated TO mislead, and said papers
(Iferoid and OJserer) refused TO print corrected
statement. They charged the jury with prejudice and
then refused 10 publish facts that would exonerste
them The nature of the and the interest of the
community, especially Of the unfortunate insane, in
the light OF facts developed in this examination seem
to US demand inquiry into the workings Of the
Ncw-York State Lunatic Aaylum al Utica, III TOrbe
received bis injuries at the Asylum, believe he
did, there is wrong that needs recfyingi if he did
not, the institution should be exonersted. This we
RESPECTFULLY ask at your hands. That Mr.. Torbell
came to his death by iDhuman treatment there is no
doubt, and that that treatment received while an
inmate of the Asylum is to us quite evident. That he
was sent there refuge where he could be better
cared for than among his friends is Legitimate con-
clusion. If while there be injured in such man
TO destroy his life, the people of the State of
New York shoald know it, and the remedy should be
applied for an asylum for the insane il necessity Of
the rncst important kind That you will make such in
quiTy az IN your wisdom you may deem best. Most
respectfully yours.
Siebed by A. s. Saunders, MD. w foreman, and
ten others, as Coroners jury.
BROoKFKID, Jan. "a, 1860.
There has been for come time a current rumor of
brutal treatment from the bands Of the under keepers
in that institution, and an Investigating Committee has
been appointed
There is also q rumor that the under or wardkeep-
ers are in the habit when any patient will not go into
the cell at their request offers any resistance to jump
upon him, tbrusting their knees into bis sides, and
otherwise brutally treating and disguring him, and
then placing blanket before the glaas door in the
CELL 20 that the principal keeper cannot him when
he passes through the different parts of the insttu
ton.