The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-03-09
FLATBUsH AsrLUM IyvEs1ToA TED.
Testimony Tending to show that Oetavis
Walter was MaItreated.

The special committee Of the Kings coun-
ty Supervisors. with Supervisor Phelps as
Chairman. yesterday began tho investigation
into the alleged cruel treatment Of Octava
Walter. who was in the Lunatic Asylum from
April. 1876. to January. 1877. The young
woman. who was niece Of ex-Shcrin Walter
Of Kings county. was idiotic from her child
hood. Ernest Walter her brother. testified
that she was in good bodily health when he took
her to the asylum. She was then 81 years old.
He did not notice anything unusual in her
treatment until last December when he saw
that she had grown thin and was emaciated. In
January he found her in bad condition, COW
cred with bruises and sores. Her face was
badly bruised. The nurse said that one Of the
patients had given her black eye. The phys-
elan said that she had caused the bruises by
pounding herself. and that the sores on her
body came from the decay Of her system. Both
patients awaiting admission. and that II he
didn't like the treatment she received he had
better take her away He complained to Com,
missioner Raber who after investigation said
that she was receiving the best Of trentment.
On Jan. ,2l the witness took his sister to his
Mrs. Walter testified TINT when she saw the
patient she was strapped to settec and the
nurse said that they did that TO keep her from
falling and hurting herself when she had fit.
When the patient was at home she had conyul-
si9ns. i, which she often fell hut ncverhun her
self. The witnesses all agreed that MIR. Walter
was not drunk on the day he took his sister
away. John III. Jcffcrs testified that one day
when the patient was released from the straps
which bound her she sprang ut the cat 5 iood
AMI ate il eagerly.
Mrs. Jcfcrs testified that every time she saw
Miss Walter she was in n STRAIT Jacket, AMI
often her hands were strapped behind her The
nurse said that she WINS strapped to keep her
| from eating her clothcs-a thing shenevcr did
/ Mt home. Once her face waa bruised and her
! hands and feet were tied. When the straps were
| taken Off she fell to the floor CRYING with pain.
/ When she was taken homo her body WAS COW
! cred with large sorcs Whom touched she would
/ her. said that She was suffering from rhcuma-
/ tism caused 10y lying ON II damp brick or stone
] floor.
Charity Commissioners Rabor and Midas,
/ who have Investigated the case have reported
! To- the Charity Commissioners That there Is not a
/ ntilla of evidence to sustain the allegation of
! il-trcaimcnt The unfortunate creature was
such n total wreck when she entered. That II il
| inconccivahlc that any on" could he iound 50
| cruel us To- torment and abuse n"r. To Restrain
into a camisolc and to prevent her from falling
! in her fits she was tied 10 "a = ttee. Whatever
! bruises she had were received in conflict with
! other patients or in falling. II is too mu n.
| they say. to believe that two women, the
nurses. against whom no charge Of cruelty was
ever made before. selected n the object Of the {
! vengeance poor HOPELESS idiotc girl. The
Commissioners are especially severe in their
| condemnation Of Supervisor strong. who pre-
! scented Ernest Walters + com plant to the super
scrupulous partisan. aiming to hamper and
/ misrcp present their department, charging them
! with extravaganza IN maintaining the poor
while he was intriguing to saddle thousands OF
dollars on the county for armOrics Ia be used
a. fc-t,Se halls 10y kid-glOyed soldiers. Tn,
Commissioners give Supervisor strong motto,
that they will hold him tu n strict account Tor all
his public utterances regarding them.