New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-01-24
FACTS ABOUT THE STATE LUNATIC
ASYLUM.
To me EditOr Of The Tribune.

To me Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: have read with pain and surprise a
communication copied by another newspaper from THE
TRIBUNE concerning The Horrors Of Lunatc Asylum,
by one who has experienced Them" and signed "E. A.
f." am sure Sir, you would not willingly do injustice
to the officers Of an important state institution, OF pub
sh statements seriously affecting and inung the char
acter and usefulness of the Asylum without having sat
isacOry evidence of the ruthfuness of the statements
The author of that communication is Ar T. a. Bundy OF
Oxford Chenango County. From personal knowledge
and full investigation of the facts am able to say that
Mr. Bundy's assertions to his treatment and that
Of the other patients entirely destitute Of truth lie
SAYS chat after four five years Of misfortune and
calamity, there nstantaneousy upon a strange
eensaton of ntenset horror that unendurabe and
yet could not and would not be shaken of. From that
moment insane, If anybody was, and within
a few weeks from that day taken the Home of the
Insane the state Lunatc Asylum)."
Mr. Bundy was brought TO the Asylum IA county pa
TENT Feb 49, 1862 by Samuel L. Lewis, Superintendent
Of the Poor Of Chenango County, who stated in giving
his history as recorded III the Case Book" that most
OF the days before his admission Asy
lun. he had been in bed with his children -Four years
previously had commenced suit against his wife for
divorce, and shortly before he came here the divorce
granted Then he became gloomy and Respondent, and
passed into a state Of insanity. Mr.. Bundy himself
stated that he thought his soul lost that he
very wicked man and attributed all the trouble between
himself and wife to himself The Asylum record shows
that when admitted, his clothes and person
cred with vermin that his clothes removed and
buried The second day after he admitted he said
he was to be dissected it would have TO be answered
for in the next world that he knew Of the future
than all men, Mr.. Bundy discharged June Z, 1869
The officers Of the Asylum in possession OF
letters received from Mr. Bundy after his discharge and
they abundantly disprove the unknd treatment which
he alleges he received while at the Asylum
In letter written July s, 1862 he says, "Pease re-
member me in Kindness TO Messrs Pritchard, Roscoe,
and Tppetts, well TO Mr.. Williams and Martin Of
the Second Hall" These all the attendants who
had charge of Mr.. Bundy while he was In the Asylum
He says again, in the Same letter. "I still think am
more likely TO come again TO your Asylum a. a well
used visitor than patient Everybody was loud In
their praise Of my improved appearance and the ~ Y
Asylum where such extraordinary cures wrought"
Tppetts attendants he writes Il came TO your Asylum
as badly of as any well could be- and in less than l6
weeks came away as well, and feeling well as a
man could well feel. i had kind treatment and
received a treat benefit there for which l
feel and shall long continue feel much gratitude aud
found more than one good friend there that shall
member while live. More than when have been
hungry since coming away. have Thought OF MI Tip
petf.s nice dningroom" Mr. Bundys brother, solomon,
wrote June &c. 1863 (ifter his return home) We are
clad 10 sec m bach again. and assured mat he has
received both kindly aud efficient treatment AZ e bands
of yourself and others IN charge OF the Asylum, for
which you have now and VIII forever nave our sratE