The New York herald., 1875-08-21
LUNATIC ASYLUM ABUSE!


HoRRoRs-THB NURSES DENY THE STORY.
The investigation of the alleged abuses complained of
by Mt Nelson Magee late patient the Kings County
Lunatic Asylum resumed before the Board of Com
missioners OF Charities yesterday. Mr. Magee testified
that he Mr Morales slapped in the face by both
Henry and George the nurses, for not moving more
rapidly with his pail to clean up in the morning Wit
ness also James Dunn beaten by the nurses
patient named Lapham Is kept confined continually in
his room except when il Is necessary to clean it.
although Lapham is kept in straps and his eccentces
exhibited TO favorite visitors witness
anything violent about the man; the eccentri-
cities Of several other patients are also ex-
posed to visitors; other patient whose
name witness could learn also kept contn-
uously in the torture known the straps these
actions all between the 10th and 9th OF July
patient named William E Robinson beaten by the
nursea but witness was afraid to tell the doctors
Of ths occurrence; witness overheard an OBJ
remark made by George Bochmeyer,
OF the nurses, rejecting on his (witness')
wife; subsequently he reprmanded Bochmeyer for
the gross insult this act OF tho witness resented by
the forcing him into the back hall in doing
they kicked and struck him, and called another pa
tient, named Lyons to assist them; Lyons urged him
TO submit lest the nurses should kin him. finally he
carried bodily into the back ROOM Henry choked
him and called him an Irish - striking him
repeatedly about tho head and face; James Dunn
urged them not to kill him; they then, with
the assistance OF Frank Lazel who was
also nurse, thrust him into a jacket, and
kicked him in the stomach Bochmeyer struck witness
again. and placing his arms across his stomach, made
them fast behind his back in the operation he struck
him in the back with such force that he still feels the
pain from it, he bled freely from the mouth and nose
from the effect of the beating the brutal blows
cd Rh uyttn fnfn from hio
face and the viest epthets used by the nurse;
when he complained that the jacket tightly laced
that he could scarcely breathe, Henry sad ~ don't
want you to breathe, you Irish -; III murder you
before you get out;" the window closed and he
suffered greatly from the heat; there welt three
inches thick about his body in the morning when the
jacket was unaeed; patient told him that he had been
kept in straight jacket once for fourteen days;
forty hours later Dr. Whiting came into the hall
and ordered his release; witness detained week
longer in the asylum than necessary in order TO
give the bruises time TO heal up before leaving; It
never occurred to him that the Commissioners we're
the proper persons TO commit his story to, they
would think he was telling madman's story.
George Bochmeyer, one of the nurses of hall No g.
testified he had been five years and six months
ployed there twenty years ago he had served two
years nurse at the asylum; came there from the
insane asylum At Flushing; served in Boomngdale
asylum also for year and nine months; Magee was
assigned twice 70 the care OF witness; the
first time Magee came under witness
he behaved very well; the second
time he came TO the ha he more excited he used
10 play generally like child with the patients; while
seated the table he talking all the time about
drink of milk and the witness said once If you or
want some milk we wilt have to 90 to our old woman to
get 1t :" two hours after that remark made Magee
TO Henry and said that he wanted satisfaction
OF me for saying that; witness asked him what he
wanted TO fight for and the complainant remarked that
he would take il out Of somebody; witness said then
that he should go into the back hall and quiet down
he refused TO obey the nurses and they took hold of
him and had TO call two men to assist
them, Magee ''like little hou;" in put
ting the jacket on the complainant the latter
resisted and "bucked" them with his head; after a
great struggle they succeeded putting jacket on
him. and then left him; nobody struck Magee TO the
witness knowledge; there blood Aagee's
face; the following morning Magee told the witness
that the Jacket tight he couldn't sleep, and he
loosened it for him; witness said he was fftyeight
years Of age and, though he had been eleven years
nurse, thus the first complaint entered against
him.
Mr.. Magee cross examined tho witness and the lat
ter in answer to the questions put him, replied that he
had never been patient in lunatic asylum; Mrs Ma
gee demanded her husbands discharge; witness said,
Henry called me out Of the room where a lady
with patient Mr.. Morals ordered you into the back
hall; Henry and both took hold of you because you
strong for us; you could not escape from us
because we called two other men up TO assist us: you
tried 10 strike Henry far as know your arms were
going: did not cali you a damned Irish -. NAV
have good friend with whom may use such an ex-
preston joke, such as he may call a damned
Dutchman; while was going to put the straight jacket
you called in others to help; said to tho other
keepers you were the strongest man had in the hall;
as had put on the jacket to tho doctor
and told him had put on the jacket, and his wife
should come he might let her up not but Magee
excited they never let them up when they have the
straight jacket on; there some who have
the jacket the whole year, and their friends
may them; the jacket is not continually
the whole year; there patients who
their clothes and ticks and destroy everything they
vicious patients, and that is the why the
jacket Is put
Henry Eilenhofrer and Frank Lazell two experienced
nurses also testified in contradiction OF the statement
of Mr. Magee.
Dr. Blanchard testified that he was medical superin
tendent of the asylum; had heard OF any
of abuse Of patients since his connection with the ins
tuition; he had heard nothing Of Mr. Magees grievances
until the discharge OF that gentleman when complaints
made 1t was his inyariable custom investigate
them Immediately.
The further examination adjourned till O'Clock
this forenoon.