Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-04-28
The Insane Asylum Investigation.

cation Of the affairs of the U. 8. insane
asylum TO day at IL o'clock:
DR. r. h. CHASE
testified that he was an assistant physician
at the asylum; graduated in 1869; has been
there for three years and a half. He corrob-
GRATED fully the evidence given by Drs. Ham
said, speaking OF the evidence of Mrs. Taylor
In relation to the treatment OF her brother,
Thomas Z. White, that Mrs. Taylor COM
planned 10 DR.. Nichols of his treatment, and
OF his bed, and the unfitness of the room, and
particularly OF the ventilation of the room.
Told her that the condition OF the patient
statement he was put with another class of
PATENTS, and In another ward.
BY Mr.. Mutchler:-Made an exam nation
OF the mental condition OF the patient,
White, when he entered the asylum. He
was represented to be- violent. Permitted
him TO associate with other patients about
chair in bis room. II would be dangerous to
have a chair n the ward. His bed was
perfectly clean. Mrs. Taylor's description
Of the bed is not correct. After Mrs. Taylor's
placed the patient in other quarters, and
with class OF refractory patients. The
Tnesdsv Of sverS on,b Thsv apri we t1eSe
about one o'clock and remain there during
the afternoon. They go through each ward
at every visit, though the witness could not
say they looked into each room. Tne pa
TENTS are drawn up in line in the corridors.
The doors of all the BEDROOMS are open.
never Knew OK IaUenIS standing up In line
tor hours waiting for the board Of visitors.
Mr.. voorhees,, on the part OF DR.. Nichols,
then extended an invitation 10 the commit
tee 10 visit the asylum at any time and in
spect 10 thoroughly.
DIR. N TONER
tfstififd thaf Mrs. Tay Tor called upon him,
as she testified TO, and spoke OF what she
heard, and asked that some investigation
be made; that she thought that some of the
attendants there whipped the patients. Wit
ness was one of the board OF visitors. She
fgl
He said 10 her, "YOu have done right in re-
porting this" and in another part OF their
conversation he said 10 her that her state
ments could not be relied upol, as she had
already broken one promise. SIZE said tn II
sbe might be violating confidence in speak
ing TO him about the matter, but that she
bad not promised DR.. Morrell that she would
not speak OF the whipping. Witness asked
her 10 make affidavit TO the facts, but she
declined TO DO so. She did not seem to be
able TO judge between fact and the crea-
tons OF her own imagination.
Mr.. VOORHEES, said he would recall DIR. Toner
at another time, and examine him in rela-
ton to the duties OF the board OF visitors aud
the general management of the asylum.
DIR. MORRELL WAS RECALLED,
and testified that Mrs. Taylor said to him:
being as you satisfy me that such did not
occur, will say nothing more about It,"
There was no arrangement that the thing
should be covered up or kept concealed.
DIR: NICHOLS WAS RECALLED,
and testified that the patient, White, had
been given other quarters at the request OF
Mrs. Tay Tor; but he was not such a patient
as could be trusted; at her request he was
allowed the liberty of the grounds. Told her
that he didn't think that the patient was
able to keep his word. Soon after that, after
be bad promised that he would not leave, he
walked away; do not think that Mrs TayiOr
was able to Judge between imagination and
facts; never sat under tree as she stated;
have never sat under a tree there since he has
been there. Have no doubt but that Mrs.
Taylor thought so when she said so.
LETTER
was read from the Soldiers Home at Nor
folk, Va, dated March 3, 1875, setting forth
gible, and had exhausted the clemency of
the governor of that home, and that he was
discharged from there.
Mr.. voorhees, said this closed the evidence
in the case of White, and then called wit
lesses in relation to
THE CASE OF GEN. LOOMS.
DR.. Morrill, was recalled and testified that
Dow was frequently under the influence of
liquor and was discharged. He had been
employed as an attendant. Dow expressed
regret over his conduct for giving away to
bis appetite, and for being turned away from
there. He stated that his habit of drinking
was the cause OF his losing several places.
Or. Nichols was recalled and testified that
in 1872 he visited the Soldiers Home at Mil
waukee, and was told that General LOOmis,
who was there, was in very bad condition
and was insane. In the following month he
was brought 10 the Insane Asylum here.
There were many sores upon his skin, and
his condition was very emaciated. There
were only two persons who took an interest
IL him. Learned that he had been 8. very
gallant soldier. Wrote to relative in Mich
lgan that he would not live long. He soon
began 10 run down and died September 4,
having been in the asylum two months and
one day. Had the idea that his remains
would be sent west. Sept after Mr.. Barker
and had them embalmed. He received the
most careful and kind attention, and had no
a short time he was in White Ash ward. His
age was about fifty. General LOOMS raised
what was known as Loomis battery and did
good service during the late war. Saw him
quite often, two or three times a week. tits
the DUTY OF his assistant physicians to
report all cases TO him. Have daily
consultations with his assistant physicians
and thus know OF the. condition of the pa
t1ents. LOOmis may have rolled OFF his mat
tress on the floor. There is no way TO pre-
vent it except to tie the patients. IN such
cases they place two mattresses on the floor,
so that If patients roll from one they will
roll on another. Do not think that there
was any bare bones, or that he wore the
hesh OF his bones by rolling on the floor; am
confident that he was not entirely nude at
any time. Such patients frequently tear
their clothing of. Think that Dow was one
was In. Think that General o. o. Howard
took special interest in him. Had he asked
10 see hi m he would not be refused. General
Howard was at that time one OF the board
Of visitors. Paid personal attention to his
diet Don't think there is particle of truth
In the statement OF Dow that the special diet
DIR. Nichols was cross examined at some
length, and contradicted all the important
points In Dow's evidence
DR.. Morrell was again recalled and corrob-
GRATED DIR. Nichols, as did also Patrick Rea-
gan, an attendant.
Reagan further testified that he had been
employ ed at the asylum since 1872. Did not
know Gen. Howard, but heard that he called
to see Gen. LOomis. TIE sores on Gen.
Loomis' back were not caused by rolling on
the floor.
DIR. Morrell (recalled) testified that Gen.
LoOrpis was moved from Beech To White
Ash ward, so that ne would be more conye-
nient, and so that they could give him more
attention.
1. II: Balo,on testified that he vas tailor
al The insane Asylum; have been :here ior
nine years; am employed by the government
10 mend and Issue clothing; have boarded In
Beech ward for seven years; the food was
very good, and the attendants kind. Have
witnessed acts Of cruelty on part of attend
ants, but they were discharged in every in
stance. Remember OF seeing Gen. Loomis;
don't know OF any lack OF attention or
care towards him. There were two mat
tTasses IN his room. His shoulder blades
did not protrude through the skin,
though there were large sores about
his shoulders. Dow was an intendant in
Beech ward. Do not think that Dow ever
Gen. IOOmiS before cQrna in Raaoh