The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1874-06-15
The Late Unfortunate Affair at the
LunaIlc Asylum.
WESTON, W. Va, June 19, 1874.

WESTON, w. Va, June 12, 1874.
Editors Of the Intelligeneef: .....-
We're 1t not for the wrong Impressions
that might be conveyed 10 those most
deeply interested in the welfare and pros.
perity Of the afflicted patients OF our 1nsti.
tuition, the communication in your "dailyn
Of the 9th inst, signed by "Charity,n y
would fail to incite my pen to action.
But inasmuch as there are intimations In
1t OF q character liable to mislead the un-
Suspecting, and at the same time crimi-
nate the officers Of the Hospital, am in
duced to detail the facts in the case
alluded to, by way Of response, which are
substantially as follows:
Two male patients from the same
county were rooming together in
Ward No. 4, and had been get
ting along very amicRbly, 80 far
ss we could ascertain, when an
alteration occurred between them
about 10 O'clock at night, Saturday,
May 17th. The attendant hearing a
noise, Immediately repaired to the room
from whence II came in order to ascertain
the cause Of the same. As soon as be got
there one Of the patients charged the
other with striking him a blow
with his fist; and thereupon exhibited
evidence Of the truthfulness Of the asser.
ton. Without at once reporting the facts
10 me, (ior was in charge Of the Institu-
tion at the time) the attendant took upon
himself the responsibility Of putting the
restraints-co consisting Of leather wristlets
and belt-on the patient claimed 10 be the
aggressor. This he did without advising
me, contrary 10 the rules embodied In
the bylaws for the government OF the
hospital, with which he was perfectly IA
miliar as he has been on duty long time.
The patients retired 10 their respective
beds, and the attendant to his,
At the usual hour for unlock
ing the dormitories In the morning, the
patient whom the attendant had strapped
was found to be seriously injured; and on
interrogation, his roommate stated that
he had done the deed, but In the same
connection remarked that he was forced
to do 1t In self defense. ] was then
aroused and notified OF the unfortunate
difficulty. As quickly as possible ! visit.
cd the patient, but he was already In a
Comatose condition, from which he never
rallied, and died In q few hours:
The attendant profered as an excuse
for his negligence that he supposedh was
In bed and Il would be useless to disturb
me for 90 slight cause. ! censured him
severely Tor his derellctIon Of duty, and
explained to him the necessity Of his sus.
pension, which would result in dis.
charge iimy action was Sustained BY the
directors. BE confessed hls fault and
seemed much grieved at his course, &C,
knowledging at the same time he could
expect nothing less than o dismissal
The resident Directors, as expected
fully coincided with,my decision.
The States Attorney was advised OF the
untimely death, and asked II an inques,
was desired. Alter examining the Law
on the subject and counseling about tht
matter he replied negatively.
From the above Il will be readily
patent 10 all that every measure in con
sonance with q strict discipline wa
promptly enforced. Respectfully,
All. KUHsT.