New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-07
HARSH TREATMENT or An INSANE MN

INVESTIGATION OF THE CAUSE OF GUsTAvE d. DE
vERNoNs DEATH IN THE CITY ASYLUM.
The inquest relative to the death of Gustave
D. de Vernon March 49, in the NcwYork City Insane
Asylum at Wards Island, begun yesterday before
Coroner Kesser. Officer Michael Collins Of the First
Precinct testified that the afternoon Of March % he
arrested Gustave d. de Vernon front Of No. State
st. and from his thought him either insane or
into1 icated. He taken TO the police station. His
wife was found through the address given by the
prisoner and visited the station, but the Sergeant would
not release do Vernon it thought that he might
be insane lie therefore kept until the morning,
and then taken to the Tombs Police Court where
Madame dc Vernon made ON affidavit that for three
weeks dc Vernon had been acting IN unusually
cited manner" and praying that he might "be commit
ted to the Of the Commissioners OF Charities and
Correction for examination as to his sanity" On this
affidavit, Justice Kiloreth committed de Vernon for ex
animation.
Justice Kbreth testified that do Vernon was brought
before him and committed for examination to bis
sanity. Sergeant Linden Of the First Precinct Police
Station testified that deceased attempted to commit sui
eide in the and that bottle Of liquor
found his person. De Vernon had acted violently
that it was not deemed safe release him. Dr. David
Brekes ply scian the Tombs. testified that do Yer
appeared to be insane but not from alcoholism.
James Finn. keeper at the Tombs testified that de-
ceased was so violent at the Tobs that II
TO secure him With straps and handouts This testimony
was confirmed by Warden Quinn and Keeper McDer-
mott.
Richard NJ Lusk, Warden Of the Asylum on Wards
Island testified that de Vernon arrived at the Asylum
on the afternoon Of March a. and very violent. He
handcufed and strapped, as to be powerless to
do harm. During the night he was very violent In the
morning the doctor examined him. and called the at
tentiOn Of the witness TO bruises on DC Vernon's
leg and shoulder, and ead that Powers. IN
attendant, had hit de Vernon with a board; Pow
CTS at first denied the charge, but afterward
three slaps with piece Of iath" Witness then sus
pended Powers. and went to the cell In which dc Yer
non had been confined. Ds Vernon had broken down
the grating pulled down iron bars and bent the
board from the double battened door. Wines also
the sragatjacket, which dc Vernon had torn to
pieces.
luD, testified that lie saw dc Vernon first ircn a.
At first the spoke nationally. but would break of
suddenly. When spoken 10 in French Le appeared
queter, although he exhibited anDosity toward those
who had brought him to the Asylum. An examination
OF tho lungs betrayed witness thought symptoms
bronchitis, but signs OF serious pneumonia On the
mOrni Dg OF March rs witness went to de VcrD0n's Cell
lied Powers the man who had beaten him. Upon ex-
aiming de Vernons Injuries the scapua found
fractured but no fracture OF the ribs apparent
There three four bruises on the thigh, ana
over the eye; there was no bruise Oh the chest.
Violence might have been necessary In pnltiDg
straight jacket but AS q general thing witness
would not have allowed any TO knee on patients
chest performing tho work. unnistkable ply steal
signs OF pneumonia were apparent on March 49, and
the morning Of March 20 witness became satisfied that
the second and third rDs had been fractured believing
the patient 10 be In danger he was removed TO the sick
ward de Vernon seemed TO be suffering from general
paresls. disease IN which the patient thinks Le Is
wealthy or Of high rank.
The inquest was then adjourned until to-day.