The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-09-23
THE WARDS ISLAND HORROR.
The Case OF Samuel Corden-Dr. Eche
vcrria's Version OF the Affair.
NEW YORK CITY ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE
Wards ISLAND Sent d. 1872.


/ beg you to publish the following statements in
reply to the very serious and unjust accusations
made against me In your paper Of this morning for
dischargng Samuel Gordon from this asylum In
dying condition and inhumaney dragging him from
his death bed to appear as witness against
Thomas Farrell in the recent COroners inquest OF
the circumstances attending the death OF Charles
Ornell and Horatio Seymour at this asylum.
Samuel Corden, 1fty-six years old, was trans
ferred from the W0rkhouse to this asylum as prts
on July II, 1872; but 1t being soon discovered
that he was insane, he was returned that same day
to the WOrkhouse, whence he came back the follow
ing morning committed properly by Alderman G.
w. Plunkitt as O lunatic. The Information l re-
ceved and the circumstances surrounding the
case led me to believe that intemperance was the
origin of Cordens insanity. He subsequently ap.
| peared until July 81 as the generality Of
| individuals do who suffer from alcoholic
mania. was absent from the asylum
the LIST OF September, found Gordon in Ward M,
very quiet, rational, gentlemanly IN deportment
sanity On the 4th Of September he complained OF
darrhGa from sitting on the damp floor immedi-
ately after 1t had been scrubbed. The ndsposition
was OF q very slight character. The assistant resi-
dent physician, under whose immediate care Cor
don remained during August, reported favorably
sonal knowledge, say that Corden was never a
raving maniac from the LIST to the 18th OF Septem
The 9Th of September was called upon by the as
| sstant resident physician, at seven O'Clock p NJ,
| to see Gordon, who had suddenly experienced re.
| tention Of urine. The examination instituted and
Cordens account showed that in 1887, while in Lon
don, he suffered from disease, leaving behind an
| irreparable cicatrix, which had in no way what
| ever interfered thereafter with his good health,
and that he had been late years inclined to suffer
| from catarrh in the bladder whenever he would
take cold. did not deem 1t necessary, upon careful
examination to resort to any surgical interference
| tre a1 N n
propriate medicines already prescribed by my as
sistant and In addition, that he should be at once
done. Before leaving the bath Gordon freely re.
lievcd his bladder. He slept well all that night,
| and was up, walking about and feeling comfortable
| again, the next day. On or about tnat date some
| OF Corden's friends, after seeing him, expressed
de sss, of tss taking e n 9 c at ss an
other patient, made me similar request,
and consented In both instances to discharge the
above patients on the next visit OF their respective
| friends, which was fixed upon for the end OF that
week-namely. September Il. Cassldi's friend
| return, and thereupon gave Gordon his discharge
| on the 14th OF September He was that day free
day morning having enjoyed the liberty of our
grounds for several days past. on Monday morn
ing, being then discharged, he complained AGAIN
as he believed, after sitting out long
time during the chilly and damp weather of the
the 9th of September, were again resorted to in
this attack, and on Tuesday morning Colden got
said to me, to attend to the Coroner's inquest,
which was about to take place that day. ! directed
G. A. Wall, his attendant, that they should go down
town by the Harlem boat and that he should assist
Gordon after the inquest, so that he should safely
return to his home In Jersey City. Let me repeat
on sunday, nor at any other previous time,
excepting on September Q, as 1t may be verified by
urinary disease ca furthermore, he Willingly gave
the information concerning Farrelrs cruelties at
first, not to me- but TO my assistant, and offered TO
Tn In ylrlT tpif
at the Coroner's inquest; and therefore, there was
no occasion or motive whatever on my part TO re-
evidence. On Monday, September II, was speak
ing to Commissioner Frear about Gordon, and the
nm remarked 10 me- a, inc presence
den at the Asylum after his discharge, and that II
lie was needed by the Coroner as witness the
proper place to keep him was the House OF Deten:
ton. Corden was at that moment complaining OF
his bladder did not disturb him, and on my own
responsibility let him remain at the Asylum until
publicly noticed GdISea at the inquest that on
had sunefed ''I great deal during during repeated
attempts made to pass instruments, into his
relieve his bladder, when begged one OF the OIL
GERS present :? accompany Corden out: Coroner
e a ese n
to investigate the cases of Ornel and Seymour to-
gether. Having no authority to take Corden back
and DR.. w. Beach to look with particular care after
Gordon, and to do all in their power to keep him
comfortable until the next day. even went so far
ination should be taken in writing
that afternoon but an aggravation OF his symptoms
might take place and prevent Corden's appear
ance next morning. II was not In my province TO
do more, nor was responsible for Corden's care or
maintenance after he had been discharged from
the Asylum. To promote the ends or justice kept
Gordon here UNTIL willingly and OF his own accord,
without having been urged by me or by any person
Tuesday morning to 60 to the inquest,
and 1t is useless to insist upon that would not
IA, had he complained Of any sickness at the time.
Nor do know what kind OF treatment SQrden has
received, or the character OF the operations which
are said to have been performed on him since he
left the Coroner's once, on Tuesday September H.
and therefore 1 abstain from Expressing any
opinion concerning tbe. real cause Of Cordens
death, Yours RESPECTFULLY,
M a. ECHEvERRIA, NJ. D.,