The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-08-10
WHO WERE HIS ASSAILANTS?

A PATIENT IN THE CITY LUNA1Ic ASYLUM
TERRIBLY BEArEN-sERIoUs CHARGES MADE
BY THE INJURED MANS RELATIVES.
r. W. Chapman, man about lIty -four years OF age
and for many years a resident OF New York, COM
mtlsd to the city Insane Asylum about three weeks
ago with the consent OF his family. Dir, Chapman
WAS al time a member OF tho Common Council
aud was well known and respected citizen. For
some years past he was foreman IN one OF
tho repair departments OF the Fire Depar, mcnt.
and was looked upon by The Fire Com missioners
particularly trustworthy and efficient man. About
three weeks ago he became insane, from what oause
Ills family are unable 10 state, and Was, as stated,
committed to the New York City Asylum tor the In
sane on Wards IsIaud. Two Of mis- sous-,n-law now
charge that threc four days ago he whipped
beaten very severely by some one in the institution,
either nurse or attendant or ono OF the patients
They claim that IN either event the case 10 out
rageous one Of iiLreatmsnt, aud are naturally much
exercised about their relative, who they fear. viii
die from his injuries.
They state, IN substance, that three days ago, as
near AS they can tell, he Was beaten with strap or
CLUB over the head ana shoulders, thrown down and
stsmped upon, the marks OF the Stamping being evi.
dent on bls arms and logs. He Was 50 badly beaten.
they say, thai II was loud necessary put him
water bed Alter the oeatng tue o'iowina letter was
received by LOUIS Gsor-c, No, 2Os East Eighy htn
street, ono OF the sons-in-aw OF AR. Chapman:-
CITY ASYLUM soa rHs INSANE,
DEAR srR-your tether-in-law. Mr. fossT cnspman is
quite III, -ould Ds des,rsSs Tor him
Yours, respectfully A. H. scD NALD,
Medical SUPERINTENDENT.
SERIOUS CHARGES.
Tho writer yesterday called upon Mr Louis R-iss,
OF No. 29s fnird avenue another son-in-lew OF air.
Chapman, and tue one VINO immediately answered the
dcspstoh of Dr. McDuuaid Aitsr sone d, slim,nary
CONVEX alton, the following ensued:-
When you reached the asylum ~ what condition
did you ind your iather y"
al ali. enllA a..sf hus.u
that u man could have been peaten 10 He was lying
upon water ped and could hardly speak. He was
IN several places and hat brusv runDinR over his
shoulders aad back fully "A loot anu halt long. )"
"What do you suppose in1c,sd the brrise ~
''We, II seemed TO me 10 have been made by
strap Of some KIND, but 1t may have been cub"
"DId The asylum authorities tell you how he re-
ceived MS injuries 7"
.Oh, yes; lney said he had been found Of tho
yards lying IN pool oil his o. blood, anu mat lie
had iousht with some oi mo DINER patients. II mat
WAS 50 u Is simply outrageous toaL patents could
mud ciuos or straps or other weapoHs Win wn,cn 10
bruise aud mangie each 0tueE IL Is a curious kint
OF ehartaoie asylum where an old man Ia beaten "
death"
.sDo you think that he Will dies"
IL caneot eiL o. course; out ne is very TO- Ole, and
we nave hte hope % seeing aim "ut ali.e."
s.D0 you suspect any one vi hayink whipped bim2"
Yes, s,r, do. twas one Of mo nurso-, ana no
s.wny do you think sof"
'Bcsanse, when N, Uroiner.in-iaw and mvser asked
him who had struck nim ne noaned oul Iainty,
MAN with brass bu tons mao Win bssss DutIobs'
OFFICIAL KErIcExcx
Toe writer then ed w aru's Island md made his
way 10 the asyum. 10 tho 0ilice MAS met, IA this
absences Of the Medical superintendent, ny ths Assist
ant superintendent The following conversation then
doctor, have come rom tue HERALD TO loarn tho
facts concerning tue alleged Dcaing oil ML Uhapman,
h pa lent IN your asylum"
,'D, you wait to know the TACT for publication ~
ny s, sIr Certain charges nave boen made by rel
atves 81 Mr. Chapman CONCERNING his treatment here
aud the HERALD would iko " have botn Sizes OF the
II am sorry, SIR. but an order OF the Commission
al a and
you any inlo matIou.n
.Csn 1, then, be allowed to visit the patient or
qucs on the nurses and attendants OF the wardf"
''Uudsr the rue, SIR. couid not permit It,"
'rhen I'm to understand that can get absolutely
ayes, SIR. You urc to understand that you eau,
however. see the Commissioners, who are always in-
formed Of everything mat transplres mere"
"They ccrtainy cannot know the facts OF this case
MS well as yourself or your subordinatss, some OF
whom, perhaps, were Witnesses Of tue affair"
IL eau tell you nothing, STR but Will show yeu the
order oil the Commissioners TO that effect"
THAT 10 not necessary, thank you. Good alter
"Good afternoon, and the assistant supcri ntendent
smiled pleasantly as the writer commenced ms hall
ms Tndge over dusty ROAD toward the boat LANDING
last evening
AN ALLEaED CASE or ILL-TREATMEST ON
BLAcKwELLs ISLAND TO DE INVESTIGATED.
A npiairt having been made In regard to the III.
treatment OF an Inmate OF the Penenuary. on Black
wells lsland, last week, HERALD reporter bad an
interview yesterday afternoon With Warden Fox ia
relation 10 tho matter The Warren denied In tho
most positive manner any knowledge OF the alleged
illreatmcnt and said that 1t could not have taken
place without being reported 10 him. Ono Of the
rules governing the Pcnitenary provides that In all
cases OF corporaypunishmcnt the Warren must lrss
be consulted.
"Have you no knowledge Of tho clubbing Of poor,
consumptive prisoner ON any usy last week ~ asked
tho reporter.
"Noue whatever" was the reply. III any sever
Ivy had pcen used SHOULD nave kuown H. The COM
psiut must nave Ueeu inadv Wy reIracto prisoncr
Or sympsthizer. have been In charge oil THIS inst.
tution four years, aud don't allow my supordipates