The New York herald., 1872-11-03
COroner's Inquest on Louis c. Sanuels, Alleged
To Have Been Murdered on
Wards Island.
His Death Ascribed to o Cold Shower Bath
Brutality Of the Attendant Nurses-The Cases
Of Fiendishness Which Have Occurred
Since the Death Of ornsll and Seymour
Tho Fearful Mismanagement Of the
Lunatic Asylum-The Commission
ers Of Charities and Correction
Desire Rigid Investigation
Into the Demise Of Sam
ue.s-Adjournment Of
the Inquest

at the City Asylum on Wards Island was published
setting forth the full facts in relation to the alleged
brutality manifested by the attendant upon the
unfortunate deceased. Dr. Echeverria, the resi-
dent physician OF the asylum at that time, stated
the case to our reporter, which facts were corrob-
GRATED by him yesterday under oath at the Coro-
ner's Inquest.
coroner GeIshon N. Herman. having the case In
charge, convened jury at twelve O'Clock yester-
day. The publicity given to the alleged homi-
eide tended to draw together full attendance to
the inquest, comprised, however, mostly OF the
friends of the attendants upon whom the acts OF
brutality are charged. The first evidence taken
was the
TESTIMONY OF DIR. JOSEPH cUsHMAN.
This witness, being duly sworn, said-My name is
Joseph Cushman; l am a physician and Deputy
Coroner; have made post -mortem examination
OF the body of Louis O. Samues, at the Insane Asy-
lum, Wards Island; the body was very much
emactated; on external examination found
faint ecchymasis over the lett arm near the elbow
and slight abrasion on the back OF The left hand:
there were no other marks upon the body; on OPEN
ing the skull found slight evidences OF old arach-
noiditis; the brain appeared normal and was OF
firm consistence; the thoracic and abdominal or
gans were examined and found normal; the inter-
nal organs were cOngested heart contracted; !;
ucdtH, III LILY OplHlOH, was CauSeu Dy exhaustion.
THE NEXT WITNESS
called was DR.. Gonzales Echeverria, who, being
sworn, stated that he was the resident physician
at the Insane Asylum on Wards Island; deceased
was admitted last August witness saw Samuels
for the first time on the ID Of September, who was
then suffering from acute mama, was talkative
ana incoherent but quite inofrensive; he seemed
to be q man of education and respectabity during
the month OF September Samuels continued in
about the same condition, with very slight changes
In his mental condition, only that he was troubled
With diarrhoea, which at that time was prevalent
in Ward M where the patient was confined; about
two weeks ago he recovered from the darrh9a
and although petuant and incoherent he seemed
improved In his mental condition; he very fire.
quently complained to me Of being
STARVED AND ILL-TREATED
by the attendants In the ward; witness ALWAYS
ton, since he was inclined to be incoherent, % but
kept strict watch on the attendants especially
on Mcdonald, inasmuch as this man bore evidences
OF not being sober man; every morning on wit
flushed, smelling very much OF liquor; considered
him dangerous attendant upon the patient, as
he was likely to be cruel; on Saturday morning,
october 26 had the first opportunity OF satisfying
himself that his apprehensi0ns were correct as he
found patient named Patrick Cassidy in ward M
told witness that he had been slapped and his
NOSE BROKEN BY M'D0NALD,
who did not deny the fact, making the excuse that
pairs OF pants witness reported the matter to the
Commissioners OF Charities and Correction that
the 9th Of October found the deceased In bed per-
fecty blue and very chilly; he was complaining
bitterly against Mcdonald for having punished him
with cold bath; deceased had been insufficiently
fed, and was emaciated to such an extent that
nothing but skin and bones were left Of
had mo no breakfast; ScDonad 'HuSn Answered that hat
that ne could & not obtain i until one O'CLOCK when
to give Samuels cup OF tea; on Monday, October
2s on arriving in ward M, witness found the room
ment that something wr ong had happened wit
ness ness entered, and found deceased crying and in
Mcdonald had slapped him and
KICKED HIM IN THE STOMACH
with his knee; Samuels asked witness for pencil
to write to his brother and the Commissioners con-
cerning the cruelty practised towards him; told
Samuels that he would inform the Commissioners
and sent the following letter to the President OF
Hon. Isaac BELL President, &c. - W.T. 90 'o'1
this morning that Mcdonald had treated him, that he
& Saa IN s
b ns s r sP nsyns
taken place yesterday morning when samues said that
had kept him hat morning for minutes cold
ss 70 a% sfss
Dr. Echeverria made statement to the Jury in
order to demonstrate that he had not acted hastily
although he had % preferred charges against o the
Warden, one of the house physicians and the drug
gist for scandalous conduct and drunkenness after
He said substantially to show that the attend
ants ants nad not been In any manner checked BY the
Of Farrell, that the following
CASES OF BRUTAL TREATMENT
have occurred during the last six weeks, following
SEPTEMBER 29-Gnla Raiaella, an Italian b0v in
ward @. was kicked and bruised by the attendant
In nYhi in nun ~ In hWtsf
when the doctor saw the boy. After his attention
was called to the fact by another patient McGlou-
was dismissed His partner 0Brien. EMU became a. dis.
OoroBEE io-fhomas Cooper was struck and
Half an hour after the action Cooper, who had
been confined IN his cell, gave very dispassionate
hands OF Foley. Although the charge was :" fuIiv i
proven this man Is stll kept at his post.
OCTOBER 1s-Adolph Petybold' was kicked and
because he could not control himself, owing to
paralysis and incOntnence. The case was reported
to the Board; q, the two attendants are, however,
OCTOBER alderman Eilers was il-treated and
kept In the most filthy and horrid condition, COW
Eers Complained to Dr. THOMAS Hann aes oes o ney tie
Commissioners, the day before he died (OctOber 22I
OF the treatment received from Riley, and which
son, q very rational patient, complained to the
same Commissioner that Mcnamara, an attendant
III tuc Wdru, WdB III the n0OlJ Oh kicking him and
the other patients. The fact has been reported to
the Board.
OCTOBER 2e-while the body Of samuels had not
yet become cod James Riley, in state OF drunken.
ness flor which he was reported to the warden by
the resident physician, with the request that he
should be suspended at 0nce), I'll treated Michael
ORelly in most brutal manner. kicking him until
ne was rendered almost stiff and senseess, as was
reported re s ey Dr Evans, the house physician, who
was bruised from head to foot and the brute who
80 disfgured him was simply discharged and is now
At large instead OF being punished by law. ON
Monday the commissioners met on Wards Island
to investigate the charges against Mcdonald, who
acknowiedged the III treatment OF Cassidy. Wit
ness dld NOT press the charges against Mcdonald In
DIED ON THAT NIGHT;
was informed OF his death by Calvin at two O'Clock
ana tnat he had taken drink OF water, which he
lwltness) did not believe; reported the death OF
treatment.
Witness was present at the post.mortem exami-
nation and stated substantially the same nnuts az