New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-04-01
MRS. GRAHAWS DEATH INVESTIGATED.

THE INQUEST AT BLACKwELL's 1sLAND-A COR
oNERs JURY DECLARES THAT THE WOMAN HAD
BEEN TREATED PROPERLY.
Coroner Ellinger yesterday completed his
investigations in the of Mrs. Emily Graham, OF No
l64 Iewis-st, whose death on Wednesday last
claimed by her relatives TO have resulted from i'll treat
ment at the Insane Asylum BlackwelPs Island. lie
went to the island at 1890 M, in company with his
deputy Dr. GOdschmidt. Commissioner Brennan. OF the
Department Of Charities and Correction and jury OF
twelve gentlemen, most OF whom were physicians.
John Graham, the husband Of the dead woman Mrs.
Peach her mother, and DR.. James NJ Duncan. the ply
stefan who brought the to the Coroners attention,
were in attendance also.
The inquest neld IN one OF the parlOrs OF the
asylum the Coroner having announced that lie would
at first hear all the testimony that c0nld be pre-
scented, aud would then proceed TO make such
island the seemed TO require.
Dr. W. W. strcw, medical superintendento OF the asy u,
and Dr. John Bowen, bis assistant described Il treat
mcnt Mrs Graham had received on the island dcclaf-
lug had been generous, nutritious and support
the disease from which she suffered stating that she
never rational while she remained at The asylum
that she was filthy her habits that she had 20 be
@ boncies. ar tbe lime her friends removed her Dr.
GOdschmidt testified that he had made an autopsy OF
| the body of Mrs Graham. ana had discovered tnat
| ngitis ana sOitening OF the brain.
Mr. Graham repeated to the jury. what he previously
had SAID to reporters tha when he saw his wife IN the
asylum recently she seemed afraid OF her attendants
ana complained Of having been starved and beaten In
reply questions 10y the Coroner he said she talked
very queer" after she taken home and imagined
that she owned houses and IewcTy" She was not
filthy, he SAID, when she left the island He aferward
gave Commissioner Brennan The following statement
III writing:
hereby certify that the published the
NewIOrk papers, 10 tue effect that wife, Mrs Emily
Graham had been i'll Treated and abused at the Lunatc
Asylum, BackwelPs Island, are correct they were
by and 10 me- but which. upon investigation, am
| entirely satisfied are without foundation
JOHS GRAHAM.
Mrs. Peach said Il visited my daughter once or
twice at tie asylum and always found her comfortable
ana apparently well taken Of did not believe
that she Ill treated Her husband, however often
neglected her aud very often would drink To excess"
The Coroner and jury were shown through the wards
of the as lam and aucrWard visit To the work
house. They expressed themselves highly pleased
with The cement, and sald they believed Mrs Gia-
ham could not have received better treatment any
than she received on the island. The Jury
verdict that Mrs. GrahaIn's death had resulted from
natural causes that her treatment ~ the asylum had
been " emincntly proper and humane" and that the
charges Of carelessness aud negec brought against this
institution not sustained" The verdict was signed
by DR.. j. &. Finnel William L. Jones, Thomas G. FIN
nell lr, Dr. J. A. Maxwell. J. NJ. Mcintosh. Dr +. lie
Roy sattcrlee William H. Putnam. Or. l.. Putzel. DR.
Thomas g. Knox, Dr. Frederick Il. :. Drake Dr. Urban
IL iii chcOCk and Dr. Thomas L.. sattCIthWatte.